pilotdave

1:0:0 Oh wait, thats my current freefall time, not my weekend numbers... 0:2:1ish is more like it. Ended on jump #60 with exactly 1 hour of freefall time. How weird is that? I can't remember when I last did a sub 60 second jump, and all my recent ones are 67 or 70 seconds, so it's a bit of a coincidence. My 1ish beer is for my first jumps without a jumpsuit. I was going solo and it was too hot for that. I didn't notice any difference. So I spent all that money on 4 grippers?

Just an update... The rigger was able to tighten down the pop top more yesterday, and it looked fine afterwards. I made two jumps, then left it with him to work on more thoroughly. No PC material was visible after either of the jumps so I'm not sure any more work is really needed, but he offered to do it for free so it's fine with me. Dave

Where I jump, there are signs up all over the place saying "it is customary to tip your instructor/videographer..." I always thought it was in kind of bad taste, but people have asked me before if they should tip them. I don't think it is truly "customary" but it is nice. Dave

Can you describe them? I'll see if I can find anything... Dave

Yep, it's all a tradeoff. Better framerate requires a lower resolution. The software they're using (webcam32) is really meant for low motion type stuff like watching someone staring at their monitor. The picture quality is way better than the "full motion" webcams though. Dave

I agree with that, but I don't agree that skydiving is "ours" or that we should keep it hidden. What stops most people from skydiving is the cost. That's what prevents those huge growth rates. Lets just say in 100 years skydiving has become completely mainstream. The FAA has set all those rules, like you said. Do you still think we'd have the same accident rate we have now? You're talking about 10-50% growth as if it would happen suddenly. That's just not going to happen. Anyway, with more people jumping, more accidents dont make the sport less safe. By the way, ever seen the Be A Pilot commercials? They're all about advertising flying to just about everyone. That's not to say anyone believes everyone should be flying. I know pilots that I don't think should be flying, but just for general stupidity and not for anything specific. Just another comment. I think its ridiculously easy to get a skydiving license. In my opinion the A license should be treated more like a learner's permit. Just a little more supervision is all. Dave

Only if he closes his rig with her attached! Dave

You rantoul people sure came back with an attitude!

I don't think putting skydiving on TV makes it mainstream. I don't think you need to worry about too many new jumpers starting because it's on TV. In my opinion, the more jumpers there are in the world, the better off we are (to an extent anyway). I don't skydive because its something not too many people do. I skydive because it's fun, and it would be just as much fun, if not more so, if it was mainstream, like skiing. To me, more skydivers means more dropzones, more planes, more people, lower prices (hehehe, i can dream, cant i?), and best of all, safer equipment. New rules? Sure. But would you say skiing is too regulated for it to be fun? Dave

He had a mig 25?? You sure it was a 25? Now that would be a fun ride. Those can do mach 3...although the engines need to be replaced afterwards. Dave

I don't think the main problem is lack of interest, but rather lack of sponsorship and all that. I don't think Icarus is going to get a whole bunch more sales suddenly the way a skateboard company might. Thats why I'm sure skateboard companies probably spend a bunch of money to advertise at the X-games. It's all about money, just like everything else in life. But also, I think most people would get pretty bored of pond swooping after a few minutes. I think blade running (down a ski slope) would be far more entertaining. Dave

http://www.ranchskydive.com/pondswoop/index.htm Cool Dave

In 1999 they had a 747 skid off the end of a runway. The plane was seriously damaged, but they had it repaired just so they can keep saying they've never lost a jet. It cost more to repair it than a new 747... about $100 million. But, nobody was injured. Pictures Dave

Holy crap. $100 for a tandem and $55 for video? Are those standard prices our west? Where I jump its $180 for a tandem and $79 for video. What's AFF cost out there? Dave

WHEW! Glad I read that. No more solo jumps for me!

Yeah it's been packed fine before. I think the reserve may be a little bit small for the container, but not much. Hopefully I'll be able to get it fixed this weekend. I just hope the whole thing doesn't need to be repacked. Dave

Someone (probably the author, listed as Arano Rodriguez) has uploaded a video of Rantoul. Some great shots from from the air and ground. It's 28 megs and 3 and a half minutes long. Very nice video. Pitts jump, C-130 jumps, freeflying, fly by's, etc. /misc/2002_WFFC.wmv Also some other recent uploads: /base/KjeragBirdmanLongFlight.avi (9 megs) 40 second delay with a Birdman suit at Kjerag (3200 foot cliff). /base/Jhonangel.mpg (500 Kb) Cliff BASE jump. /from TV/german_tv/nt-tv take off antigravity.avi (23 megs) Taken from german telvision, report about the freefly festival antigravity. /from TV/german_tv/nt-tv take off ausbildung ampfing.avi (29 megs) Taken from german telvision, a report about becoming a skydiver with AFF training in Ampfing germany. Thanks for the uploads! Dave

Just a general comment from someone that doesnt know and doesn't care... Some people come off really badly in written communication. The way some people phrase things when they write can be really different than how they talk. Conveying emotions can be hard for some people, as well as sarcasm. Getting people to read your writing the way you mean it can be a challenge. Have any of you given "voices" to people you've never met or heard talk? All I know is I read SkymonkeyOne's comments in Kevin Spacey's voice. Why? He looked like him in some tiny low res picture i saw a long time ago and it stuck. Dave

Ahh, didn't realize super cubs could be soloed from up front. Older cubs (J3's, etc) have to be soloed from the back for weight and balance (and better visibility believe it or not). Dave

How much does he want for it? Even if it fits perfectly, just be careful not to overpay. If you plan to get a cypres, is it cypres ready? Dave

Well, dont forget there was no head in the helmet during the 50 mph collision, and it mighta landed in a soft spot. But then again, I'm not expecting my helmet to do anything for me if I have a 50 mph collision with anything. Heck, I pretty much only wear a full face cause I hate my kroops over-the-glasses goggles. If it prevents a bloody nose or something some day, thats even better. Dave

Do you guys need a butler? Send one way plane ticket to...

I propose that viking be nominated to official dropzone.com booby photographer. Dave

Wow. Thats some really nice work. So many of em look like they coulda come off a stock photograph CD or something. Very professional. You making money taking pictures? You should be. Dave

Can't remember what video it was, but I remember seeing one of a 4 way team...maybe the golden knights or airspeed... doing a bunch of training jumps. There was a short time at the end of each dive, just before breakoff, where they'd just fool around for a couple seconds. They'd freefly or really mess around like tackling each other. The guy in this video was probably just having a little fun, then probably tracked away. Mighta been planned, who knows. Dave