peckerhead

The USFS jumpers still use rounds, the BLM jumpers use squares. Both use modified military style containers with chest mounted reserves. The equipment is all new and state of the art...... From the days that used to be.

The fuzzy one is frame capture from the video. I didn't have my still camera on that load. Yep, that is Stan and Jay.

Howard, I took these pictures on the Oregon coast just last summer. Beach weekend with the old Portland parachute club is no more but some of us still get together for beach jumps once a year. Haystack rock is below. And yes, the wind is always blowing and the water is always very cold.

Your pictures are not conclusive to me. What is your point? Please be specific.

I am not even sure if there is internet access in Montana.....You might have to go to Idaho or Canada

Mike seemed like a nice guy, I met him at Dave DeWolfs riggers course 3 years ago where he served as an instructor. His home DZ is in another region and I never heard of him jumping at DZ's in the Eastern region. Maybe I am old fashioned but I always thought the RD should jump in his/her own region once in a while. At least make an appearence at the DZs you are supposed to represent from time to time. Most of the people at my DZ don't even have a clue who he is. Anyway, I'll take the job....What's it pay?

I have made dozens of transactions through the classifieds here on DZ.com and so far have not had a problem. I have bought and sold several big ticket items including canopies and containers. I have a few guidelines that I follow. As a buyer: 1. The item must have a complete description including DOM, serial #, make, model, number of jumps, etc. If it is a reserve canopy I want to know the number of repacks. It always amazes me when I see something listed that I might be interested in and there are no details. They might say something like "email me for more info or pictures" Sorry, I don't have time for that, if you were serious about selling it you should have provided that in the first place. 2. Photos; In general I won't even look at it if there is no picture. I have made exceptions like buying a packed reserve from a fellow rigger. (he didn't want to unpack it to take the picture) A while back I saw a rig for sale and the photo did not match the description, I could tell right off it was a scam. 3. Sellers profile; no profile = no sale. I want to know who I am dealing with, what part of the country they are from, where do they jump, how long have they been in the sport, are they an instructor or maybe a rigger? I may know people they jump with. I may even look at their forum activity and read their posts. Do they have a webpage with more info? 4. Compare the serial # against the stolen gear data base. Do this EVERY time. 5. I only buy from sellers in the US. It may be a legitimate ad but international shipping costs and times usually negate any savings. Language barriers also make comunication difficult. Just not worth it to me. I have made an exception a time or two with Canadian sellers 6. Method of payment; If I don't know the person it is paypal only with a credit card. Never send a western union instant transfer. I would only consider a check or money order to a known seller. (dealer, rigger, dropzone, etc.) 7. Returns; will they take it back if it is not as described? Do they stand behind the sale? As a Seller: Pretty much the same thing in reverse. 1. Provide a complete description 2. Provide a link to my website for more detailed photos and information. I also have an option to buy it now securely with paypal on my site. 3.Provide a detailed profile with contact information including a phone number. The buyer can talk to me directly and get references if they want. I want them to know I am a real person. Skydiving, rigging, and gear sale is my only income right now and I don't want any bad publicity. 4. Offer a 100% no risk money back guarantee. If they are not happy send it back and I will refund the money. 5. Shipping; Provide an accurate shipping quote and ship in a timely manner. I do all my shipping with UPS ground with insurance and tracking numbers. Signature confirmation on delivery. I only ship to the US. Sorry, but the only time I have been burned selling gear on the internet was shipping out of the country, I just won't do it anymore. If the buyer is paying with paypal I will only ship to a confirmed address, if they do not have a confirmed address I don't take paypal. 6. Get paid first! I accept credit cards through paypal. I will also take checks or money orders but that will delay shipping times. If someone wants me to ship to a 3rd party that is fine. I will ship it to your drop zone, your rigger or even your mom if you want but not until it is paid for first. If you are not happy with the sale you can return it for a full refund minus return shipping. If I send it to joe blow rigger without payment there is no guarantee I will ever get paid or get my gear back. I would never consider doing this unless I personally knew the 3rd party involved. It is just not worth it. In general know the seller, get references, ask questions. It would be great if DZ.com had some sort of classifieds feed back score system. Mine would be 100%

Well Scott there are some things you can do to increase your comfort level... Jump at small drop zones with only 3 other canopies in the air, stay away from the turbine factories. I know of several drop zones like this that have not had a fatality in several decades. I know of one that has never had one in 30 years. It has gotten to the point where I don't like big boogies or big drop zones anymore because of the idiots. Long tracks and long walks if I go. Who needs stress and drama? Skydiving is supposed to be fun!

An old sage jumpmaster once told me some words of wisdom that I hope all you young bucks will hear; "Don't let your fucking interfere with your jumping" Best advice I was ever given.

I love my Hornet and I always get nice soft openings. I have a later model with the big slider, never been slammed. I have also jumped the Pilot and they seem identical to me except the Hornet has the better fabric and is much easier to pack. I actually thought the pilot opened a bit faster but other than that they fly the same. Not much difference between the two in my opinion. Well, except the Pilot costs twice as much

Delmarva is a private airport, equal access only applies to airports that receive federal funding. From what I have heard the owner of the property does not want the jumpers there anymore. It is his land, he can do what he wants.

I live in southern Maryland. I jump in VA and PA but do rigging in my home. Give me a call @ 410 286 9381. If I can't help you I can hook you up with someone who can. I am in Calvert County, sounds like you are just south of me.

This was years before Point Break.

Yeah, we did a 4 way one time with all of us wearing swim fins. I'm not sure what was more funny....The climb out and exit in a 182 or the landings. The pilot laughed his ass off and so did everyone on the ground.

Swim fins.

I received this in an email, it was done last weekend at Chambersburg. Sorry if it's a repost, I couldn't find it.

If the rigger puts his seal on it and records it in his log book then technically it is his pack job. He or she is the one responsible for it. I see nothing in the regulations that forbids a rigger from having an "assistant"

I think it is very important if you are actually going to jump into water.

I can't think of any reason to put a clamp there in the first place.

Ok, now I remember. Well, you got part of it right. That was on a borrowed rig that someone else packed. Not my canopy, not my pack job. That boogie in Madras was the one and only time I have ever used a packer and I think you were only twelve at the time. (geez, what was I thinking?) I probably told you about that because I wanted to make sure you wouldn't forget to check it. Anyway, it's cool you are jumping with your dad. The first time we jumped together you weren't even born yet.

Dude, the tandem is in your burble. You aren't freeflying with your buddies, you should never get directly above or directly underneath a tandem. If you have a sudden change in fall rate you are going to slam into the tandem. You should always expect the drouge to release at any time. You don't even want to think what will happen if you have an unplanned deployment in that position. You would win that one for sure junior because you would never get me to back fly underneath a tandem. I am not jealous just a little older and wiser. I think you have me confused with someone else you packed for. Fly safe young man and maybe you will still be jumping when you are as old as me and your dad. But what do I know, I am only 44

I think your old man outta kick your ass for flying directly underneath the tandem like that

Sounds like a lot of work Brett. I just throw mine in the washing machine. Step 1. Put rig in washing machine. Step 2. Take rig out of washing machine. Same result, less steps.

I would say it depends on the aircraft. If you are worried about parachutes deploying then you have other issues to deal with.

What exactly is the difference between the Pilot and the Hornet? Jumped them both. The Hornet cost half as much and was much easier to pack. (better fabric) Other than that they seem identical. IMNSHO the Pilot is just a copy of the Hornet.... Change the name, double the price. Brilliant!