377

Blevins wrote Has Payette ever jumped? Regardless, I'd put my bets on Amazon if it came down to a battle. Hey, slightly off topic but the US Supreme Court just ruled against warrantless GPS trackers. Obama and Holder lost. Yaaaay! McCoy's chutes had beacon transmitters covertly installed by Perry Stevens, a master rigger and skydiver who incidently taught me how to jump. They were pre GPS but served a similar purpose. They would probably have been held to be legal despite the lack of a search warrant due to the "hot pursuit" exception. I too have tried contacting Sluggo to no avail. I hope he is OK. 377 2018 marks half a century as a skydiver. Trained by the late Perry Stevens D-51 in 1968.

My favorite bar is an isobar, preferably not too close to another isobar. Good post Naturehominid. Anybody have any Sluggo news? I worry about him. 377 2018 marks half a century as a skydiver. Trained by the late Perry Stevens D-51 in 1968.

How about a B 36 bomber with tracked gear? https://www.google.com/search?q=b+36+with+tracked+gear&hl=en&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&rlz=1I7ADFA_enUS453&prmd=imvns&source=lnms&tbm=isch&ei=R20fT9SHHcaU2AWY0t3-Dg&sa=X&oi=mode_link&ct=mode&cd=2&ved=0CAsQ_AUoAQ&biw=1120&bih=543 377 2018 marks half a century as a skydiver. Trained by the late Perry Stevens D-51 in 1968.

Wasnt Dan supposed to ID Cooper by now? 377 2018 marks half a century as a skydiver. Trained by the late Perry Stevens D-51 in 1968.

Hurand looks a lot like E. Howard Hunt. From Wiki: 377 2018 marks half a century as a skydiver. Trained by the late Perry Stevens D-51 in 1968.

Jo wrote Jo, Don't confuse disagreement with apathy. Many here who think you are wrong about Duane would miss you if you died and care about your health and welfare. 377 2018 marks half a century as a skydiver. Trained by the late Perry Stevens D-51 in 1968.

Tornados are also associated with some conditions related to hurricanes. Tornados and severe thunderstorms seem to have some type of structure that, at times, produces the micro-burst which heads for the ground. When it hits the ground at high velocity the winds radiate in a 360 degree fashion. You have probably seen pictures of micro-bursts that hit in wooded areas with the result that trees are downed and all pointed away from the point where the wind hit the ground. A number of airliner accidents have been caused by micro-bursts including a well documented one immediately adjacent to the New Orleans airport a number of years ago as the airliner took off. Another well known accident happened at the DFW airport a number of years ago during landing when a L-1011 was litterly scoured out of the sky short of the runway. This accident was definitely weather related but I don't specifically remember if it was a micro-burst (if it wasn't, it was something similiar to one). The L1011 that crashed at DFW in 1985 encountered microburst induced wind shear. The NTSB criticized the crew's decision to continue an approach into a cumulonimbus cloud with visible lightning. From NTSB CVR analysis: At 18:04:18, the first officer said, "Lightning coming out of that one." The captain asked, "What?" and the first officer repeated "Lightning coming out of that one." The captain asked, and at 18:04:23, the first officer replied, "Right ahead of us." Flight 191 continued descending along the final approach course. from NTSB: "PROBABLE CAUSE: "The flight crew's decision to initiate and continue the approach into a cumulonimbus cloud which they observed to contain visible lightning; the lack of specific guidelines, procedures and training for avoiding and escaping from low-level windshear; and the lack of definitive, real-time windshear hazard information. This resulted in the aircraft's encounter at low altitude with a microburst-induced, severe windshear from a rapidly developing thunderstorm located on the final approach course." 377 2018 marks half a century as a skydiver. Trained by the late Perry Stevens D-51 in 1968.

BK wrote OK. Show is the record. You can't. It is allegedly proofed. So we are left with only your say so. Duane, a novice, on a ten second delay freefall at night with a high speed exit and an attached payload? Duane as the first jumper when you have McCoy who was a military parachutist, pilot and skydiver? Duane trusted with $200,000 in cash? Need I say more? Only idiots would make those choices. 377 2018 marks half a century as a skydiver. Trained by the late Perry Stevens D-51 in 1968.

You've done it again Farflung. Great poster. You must have felt very constrained as a military pilot. What kind of pranks could you play with a nuclear bomber? 377 2018 marks half a century as a skydiver. Trained by the late Perry Stevens D-51 in 1968.

If you are going to pull the ripcord while standing on the stairs you sure don't want to be facing aft. On bailout rigs as soon as you pull the ripcord a spring loaded pilot chute pops out. You wouldn't want that to pilot chute to launch back up the stairs. Barnstormer stunt jumpers used to pull while standing on the wing. They always faced forward so that the pilot chute would launch into clear air. 377 2018 marks half a century as a skydiver. Trained by the late Perry Stevens D-51 in 1968.

Farflung, You doubt the girdle or back brace VOR receiver with the vibrating rib? Oh ye of little faith. The clue was there, hiding in plain sight. Remember Duane's CB handle? Radio and undergarment, how could you have missed it? Snakes came close to evolving a similar capability: From Wiki Yes, I know that RF isn't really vibrations in the "ether" but you've gotta think out of the box when in the Cooper Vortex. Duane probably had fillings that not only could detect a VOR signal but could transceive and get a DME range (TACAN to you military pilots). You are, of course, correct Farflung. It matters not who discovered things first. Thanks for pointing out our ego follies. We need moral guidance here and you so generously provide it. I bet Marla would benefit from your counseling. 377 2018 marks half a century as a skydiver. Trained by the late Perry Stevens D-51 in 1968.

Yes Jo, as I've acknowledged many times, you got me started on my quest for evidence of 727 jumpships used in SE Asia. Here is the link to my find. Go down tbe page and you will see how it evolved. http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?do=post_view_flat;post=3110098;page=238;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;mh=25; 377 2018 marks half a century as a skydiver. Trained by the late Perry Stevens D-51 in 1968.

Could someone post some more info on Braden? I google'd on him and found that he was special ops and might have jumped from a 727, but not much more. Was he interviewed by the FBI? Is he still alive? Does he have an alibi for Thanksgiving 1971? Other than possibly have 727 knowledge, is there anything else that would lead one to suspect him? Take a look at these posts: http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?do=search_results&search_forum=all&search_string=Ted%20Braden&sb=score&mh=25 377 2018 marks half a century as a skydiver. Trained by the late Perry Stevens D-51 in 1968.

Jerry, A big clue and my favorite is the choice of aircraft. In 1971 very few people knew that a 727 could be jumped. Not one of the three highly trained cockpit crew knew. I was a jumper in 1971 and neither i or any of my jump buddies knew. Cooper, in my opinion, did know. Without that knowledge he'd have been crazy to do the job. Had he worked for Boeing or one of Air Americas companies? I can't make a profile without a huge amount of speculation, but here is a guess. Jumper or aircrew who had worn a chute Had access to 727 flight test info and or Air America 727 jump info. One can speculate about grudges, need for money etc, but it's all guesses. Ted Braden is worth a further look. 377 2018 marks half a century as a skydiver. Trained by the late Perry Stevens D-51 in 1968.

Too bad Ted Gunderson is dead. He was a high ranking FBI agent who, after retirement, began "exposing" vast conspiracies that make Knoss's version of Norjack seem quite tame and reasonable. If he were around he'd back Knoss's story for sure. http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-report/browse-all-issues/2010/summer/meet-the-patriots?page=0,1 Relax Georger. Watch some football. Work some DX. My attempts to get Snow readmitted aren't worth getting bothered about. 377 2018 marks half a century as a skydiver. Trained by the late Perry Stevens D-51 in 1968.

Bruce, It was heartwarming to think of Sheridan Petersons surprise and pleasure in receiving some holiday cheer from his dropzone colleagues. Thanks for tracking him down and reestablishing a broken connection. Eagle Eye Pete is a fascinating guy aside and apart from any connection to Cooper. I hope we will hear more from him. Let's assume for the purpose of argument that he isn't Cooper, after all the FBI cleared him after he provided a DNA sample. Every quality and skill that makes him a viable suspect also makes him a valuable sleuth. We guess about wilderness jumps. He's made many as a veteran USFS smoke jumper. We wonder if jumpers in Viet Nam heard rumors about the Air America 727 jumps in Thailand. He was there and could tell us. He's made night jumps with round canopies. He can tell us what he thinks about Cooper's jump. He knows a LOT about freefall instability issues when you start attaching things. Pete was a wing suit pioneer and got kicked out of USPA for his home made bat wing experiments. He worked at Boeing during the 727 years. He also started a Boeing Skydive Club. Who at Boeing knew that a 727 could be jumped? He is an ex Marine and can bring that experience to the case. Pete was grilled twice by the FBI. Why did they initially suspect him? What was the nature of the interviews? Why did Pete, a staunch defender of the Constitution, voluntarily provide a DNA sample? Anyway, thanks Bruce. You are a determined and diligent journalist who digs deep. I really appreciate your numerous contributions. 377 2018 marks half a century as a skydiver. Trained by the late Perry Stevens D-51 in 1968.

Robert, I sincerely respect your turnaround on the Marla ban. You listened to reason and criticism and changed your position. That process is exceedingly rare in this neighborhood. Dare we hope for Quade to relent on the Snomman ban? Certainly the sentence already served is long enough for the crime committed. How about a conditional parole? I can't call any favors from Quade cause he doesn't owe me any. I can only appeal based on hope. It's a new year Quade. How about some clemency? 377 2018 marks half a century as a skydiver. Trained by the late Perry Stevens D-51 in 1968.

Can you ask them to look for the Lost Dutchman Mine during their wilderness lunch break? A Bigfoot pyramid is out there too, I just know it. Forget Carr and Ng. We need Scully and Mulder. 377 2018 marks half a century as a skydiver. Trained by the late Perry Stevens D-51 in 1968.

Teddy Mayfield is a hell of a well qualified suspect but he just doesnt match the physical description in my opinion. His armed robbery conviction sure enhances his candidacy though. Ted Braden seems to have moved out of our spotlight but he makes a terrific Cooper. Some SOG guys sure think he was Cooper. McCoy is a great Cooper too. If he screwed up and lost the money in the first jump I can see him doing it again. The FBI bought his alibi though. I am not sure I do. 377 2018 marks half a century as a skydiver. Trained by the late Perry Stevens D-51 in 1968.

I respect Blevins's skepticism and inquiries, but he has not convinced me that Marla is a fraud. Marla is smart. Anyone who spoke with her at the Portland symposium will agree. She is also gutsy. She travelled to the Coloseum to face the lions with no armor, no handlers, basically with no assistance at all. No questions were off limits. Her answers were direct and specific. No dodges, no maybe this maybe that, just straight answers. Shame on us if we failed to ask better questions. No smart person looking for a quick book advance would make blatantly fraudulent claims about what the FBI had told her. That could blow up the very next day. She could have just rested on the verfiable public FBI statements about her and her story which at that time were pretty damned impressive. Has she published Facebook statements that show a commercial motive? Maybe she has, but so what? Has her story changed? Perhaps, but there has been a lot of misquoting about what she has told people, so I am withholding judgment. Robert, rethink your ban on her participation as a speaker. If she is a fraud prove it publically one on one. I am not a genius at reading people but the Marla I saw didnt appear to be lying about her memories. Could she be wrong? Sure, it's very possible that her memory is flawed. I just didnt perceive gross fabrication with a cynical commercial motive. If fraud was her angle, it was dumb to show up at a potentially hostile event. Marla isnt dumb. She also made some choices that are very inconsistent with her portrayal as a cynical liar looking for a fast buck from a gullible publisher. Just my thoughts. I know Blevins disagrees strongly. 377 2018 marks half a century as a skydiver. Trained by the late Perry Stevens D-51 in 1968.

BK wrote: In 1971 after the news broke, every skydiver even close to the right age wanted to at least be a suspect. It was STATUS. I had been jumping surplus gear exlusively, had purchased a lot aircraft manuals including 727 and had travelled to Seattle right before the jump. No sale. no interest. I never got a visit from the FBI MIBS, darn it. I know my USPA file was looked at. Everybody's USPA membership records were examined. GURU is the only jumper who I know who got some FBI Norjack scrutiny. Many lied about being suspects. I dated the ex of a hotshot jumper who bragged about being interviewed extensively by the FBI as a prime suspect. She told me it was complete BS. 377 2018 marks half a century as a skydiver. Trained by the late Perry Stevens D-51 in 1968.

Georger wrote: Academic rigor? Peer review?? In the Cooper Vortex??? Surely you jest. 377 2018 marks half a century as a skydiver. Trained by the late Perry Stevens D-51 in 1968.

I am puzzled why the FBI is more interested in a hot blonde with a 40 year old recollection than some new physical evidence found on one of their key Cooper items. Well... maybe its not so puzzling, boys will be boys. 377 2018 marks half a century as a skydiver. Trained by the late Perry Stevens D-51 in 1968.

Yeah, but that evidence is in short supply. A door placard, an alleged Cooper tie and some rotted twenties, that's all we got. If someone can find me one of the lost FBI Norjak Cooper cig butts, I can get it examined and DNA sequenced free. Tom's tie-tanium finding is really the first bit of new physical evidence we've had in a lonnnnng time. 377 2018 marks half a century as a skydiver. Trained by the late Perry Stevens D-51 in 1968.

If Marla is banned there is little hope of getting Farflung to attend. Unintended consequences... sigh. 377 2018 marks half a century as a skydiver. Trained by the late Perry Stevens D-51 in 1968.