pilotdave

I've been pretty busy for the last few days installing and setting up new server software and learning some programming. I'm working on a web page which allows you to search my ftp server for the videos you're looking for. I think it's ready for a preview. A couple things to keep in mind though. Data entry isn't even close to complete yet, so only a small percentage of the videos on the FTP server will be listed. Also, the look and feel of the site will change. The data is all stored in a database so I just have to edit a couple lines of code to change the way the whole site looks. That's a last priority. More ways of searching and sorting will come. Let me know if you find any bugs (other than missing files). Also, If anyone wants to help me with data entry to finish the database, please let me know. If a couple people help, we can get the whole database done in a couple days. Tell me what ya think! http://www.skydivingmovies.com/phptest/view_data.php Dave

by the way, james bond skydiving scenes are available on my server in the /james bond/ directory... http://www.skydivingmovies.com. Dave

So THIS is why I've got 8 transfers going right now!

Yeah, I watch my first jump every once in a while... mostly when i show it to someone else that's thinking of jumping or something. That video is up on my ftp server and I noticed that it's been downloaded 152 times. Guess a few other people like to see first jump videos too. I love watching AFF 1 videos because they all remind me of my first jump. Dave http://www.skydivingmovies.com

SkyKat (http://www.skykat.com) had the best price i could find when I ordered mine a few months ago. I payed $249 including shipping, while most gear stores seem to sell it for $259 BEFORE shipping (or tax or whatever). No problems with them and it shipped pretty quickly. Dave

Sangiro, just sign up for an account at http://www.mailgate.org then go to http://mygate.mailgate.org/report/rec/rec.skydiving. All the stats are there. Dave http://www.skydivingmovies.com

...the technique of a great filmaker?

My rigger seems to have pretty much vanished (evicted from his house and the DZ, cell phone disconnected) so I'm getting my repack (due 3 days ago) done by a friend of mine that just got his riggers certificate a month ago or so. I laughed when he first asked me if he could do my repack (especially after he told me I'll have to buy a manual for him to do it), but after talking to some riggers about it I decided I'd let him go for it. He's packed another reflex with help before so theoretically he knows what he's doing. So, I ordered the manual from bomber mfg yesterday and it should be here next week I guess. Woulda been nice if my previous rigger (who i bought the rig from) had given me my manual, but I didn't care so much at that time because it was online. I'm kinda excited to pull my handles and get my first look at my reserve (this is the first repack). I don't even know what color it is. Dave http://www.skydivingmovies.com

Been quiet for a while (havent posted anything about it on the NG for a while), but when it's busy I send out about 15 gigs a week, or something around 60 a month. This is really my absolute maximum though. Typical is more like 7 gigs per week. My log analyzing program seems to have lost some functionality recently and I cant get a weekly or daily report anymore. What I do know is that since november 21, 2000, I have sent out a total of 366 gigs, 67409 files. I've had over 81,000 connections (although each download is really another connection). Total connection time is 13,045.5 hours. Thats a LOT of bored skydivers! I've also had over 1000 uploads for a total of 7 gigs. Most of the uploads however have been warez and pirated movies which i delete right away (and now filter for so they dont get uploaded anymore). Just for the record, my log file is up to 72 megs. By the way, I added a forwarding page when you go to http://www.skydivingmovies.com which keeps stats on who visits. It's only been up for a few days so it's not too interesting yet, but you can see what domains people are coming from at http://extremetracking.com/open;geo?login=skyftp. 60 gigs per month of text and some pictures is pretty impressive compared to my 60 (max) per month of videos. I've had days where 4 or 5 people downloaded 100+ meg videos so the bandwidth starts adding up real fast. Dave

Couldnt get the PM thing to work... anyway, I'd be happy to pass along any info you give me, or you (or the couple) could call her or email her. Her email address is research@yaletownentertainment.com. The company's website is http://www.yaletownentertainment.com in case ya wanna see what else they've done. See ya, Dave

anyone have a skydiving wedding coming up? Got this email today: Hello Dave, My name is Tara Gereaux and I'm a researcher at Yaletown Entertainment, a documentary television production company based in Vancouver, BC. We are planning a one-hour TV special covering five of North America's most unique weddings this spring. Yaletown is the producer of such critically lauded series as Weird Homes (winner of a Gemini award for Best Lifestyle Series) and Weird Wheels. I came across your website while searching the Internet and am emailing to see if your organization knows of any couples who will be tying the knot while parachuting. Thanks so much. And please don't hesitate to contact me directly by phone, toll-free at 1-877-669-3365. Cheers, Tara Anyone? Dave http://www.skydivingmovies.com

the color and the catapult on my reflex. Still havent made a decision about weather to keep the catapult or not. I like the idea, but too many experienced skydivers say to remove it. Other than those two things, I pretty much love it. Got some beer spilled on it at freeze fest but that doesnt hurt it's looks too much!

My favorite is the "Welcome to the America's Cup Competition" sign over the start of the race in the first picture: http://www.inform.umd.edu/studentorg/cpsc/Pictures/beerolympics2.jpg Dave

Hehehe I haven't gotten any nasty letters from the University yet... yet. Also it's not linked from any page on the site so I doubt they'd possibly ever notice it. But, all pics are of people over 21 anyway so I don't think they could really do anything. I'll link to it from the members only page when I get around to it. Thats where all the juicy stuff is!

Just a few on the university of maryland's skydiving club site... http://www.umd.edu/studentorg/cpsc/freezefest.html Dave

YES! Someone asked me if I was a member a looong time ago (after I bought my gray/black/blue jumpsuit so I wouldn't have to wear the hot pink student jumpsuits anymore). I am definitely a member! What is up with the amount of pink worn by male skydivers? Ok, I know I'm wearing it too but I bought it used without realizing just how much pink was on it and I got an ok deal. But as soon as i hear a rigger tell me it's safe to do it, I'm whipping out a sharpie and depinking myself!

I made my first jump at ocean city. They didnt have their own plane(s) but hired planes for the day. They had 2 182s the weekend of my first jump. They were "supposed" to get a kingair but the plan fell through so plan B was the 2 182s. But, a new DZ is going to open there, run by the same people as parachutes are fun. Not exactly sure what they'll have for planes and facilities, but I at least think it'll be open to fun jumpers. They'll probably have access to a kingair some of the time. If you get the chance to jump there, the view was great. The airport is right on the beach. Have water equipment though. By the way, if you decide not to jump at ocean city, I suggest skydive delmarva in laurel, DE. It's only a little to the west and it's probably the best DZ in the area (although I've never been to parachutes are fun in salisbury). Dave

hmmm...anyone else having problems? My hits have been way down for the past few days. Are people having trouble connecting? I haven't changed anything that should affect bandwidth so I don't know why it would be slower than normal. Should be faster because lately there havent been much more than 1 or 2 simultaneous downloads. I did add that redirect page so I can more easily track where people find out about my server from. dropzone.com is responsible for a big percentage of my hits. Anyway, let me know if there are any problems with the server. Happy downloading, Dave http://www.skydivingmovies.com

yes it is. Anyone know what I can do about that? I know a new pop top would be $35...that would help a bit. Is it possible to change the colors of other parts (without costing the price of a new container), or should I just go ahead and get "Flaming Dave" embroidered on the mudflap?

...one more try...

speaking of flaming containers, here's mine... Dave

I have a Bev. I had my rigger (or is it former rigger?) measure me. I'd definitely get someone that's ordered jumpsuits before to measure you because they'll know where to keep it tight and where to get looser measurements and stuff like that. I love my jumpsuit. I think it looks good and I haven't had any problems with it. I was lucky enough to get a 25% off coupon for it so even with a couple options (leg zippers and stripes on the grippers) it still came out to under the base price. My rigger put a note on the order form that booties would be added later. He said they'd sew the legs differently so that the stitching could be removed to replace the lower legs with booties. I have no idea they really did anything differently since I haven't added booties yet. One thing I notice over and over about skydiving equipment is that there are always unwritten options available, so it's probably best to order it through someone that knows a lot about it. There were WAY more colors available than there were listed on the website too. I don't know much about lowering fall rate... mine's nylon on the front and spandex on the back to get me falling as fast as possible. I don't remember how long it took to ship, but it wasn't bad. Good luck finding the jumpsuit for you (although picking colors is the hardest part). Dave

Finally got to try out my new Z1 last weekend at cross keys. I was a little nervous about either it fogging up or my glasses fogging up underneath in the cold weather (musta been in the 30s on the ground). I left it on with the visor open for the ride to altitude...very comfortable and kept me nice and warm. In freefall, it was great. It didnt fog up at all. I could feel air moving inside it. Not so much that it was uncomfortable though... it mostly seemed to come in through the mouth holes. Really made freefall in the cold comfortable. I couldn't imagine jumping in that weather without a full face anymore. Immediately after opening the visor began to fog up. I quickly opened it up just a tiny bit and the fog disappeared. It still did a fine job keeping the wind out even though it was partially open. So, overall, I'm very impressed. It was definitely worth buying. I got mine from Sky Kat for $249 including shipping. By far the best price I was able to find, and they were easy to deal with and shipped it quickly. I'm a satisfied customer now! Dave

I'll scan my pictures whenever i get em developed. Luckily I got one jump in today so the weekend was a success. I've never seen my hands as purple before as after my jump. That was coooold. Anyway, I had a great time and it was nice to meet a few of you. Dave http://www.skydivingmovies.com

That's tough... especially when they start to move! I always used water towers or flagpoles...stuff like that. Flagpoles are like cheating though cause ya know which way the wind is coming from.