NWFlyer

I hadn't watched the show but a whuffo friend of mine pointed out that there was some fine Hollywood-style skydiving featured in Tuesday's episode (#6). It's also available on Hulu Plus if you have a subscription. The fun starts around 34:20. http://watchabc.go.com/marvels-agents-of-shield/SH55300807/VDKA0_a4pen2s9/fzzt "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

Looooove that movie. Just watched it again this summer with some of my 8-way teammates ... the owner of the house where we were renting rooms had a DVD copy. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

Not really, unless you look at the various regional leagues sponsored by the National Skydiving League (which include both skydiving and tunnel comps). But though the comps are held in particular regions, there's absolutely no requirement that the participants reside in that region. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

Sure, I used to let a couple teens pack for me at Skydive Kapowsin. They were both sons of longtime jumpers, and both have grown into awesome adults and skydivers.

I've heard a variation of that joke where the guy with the apples is an inventor trying to get someone to invest in his apples. He has a peanut butter & jelly apple, a chocolate peanut butter apple and ... well, you know the ending. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

If you wanted to ensure that state records represented the talents of the people who resided in the state, what if you just changed the requirements so that the largest state record had to have X% of the participants with a mailing address in the state (based on USPA records - I wouldn't expect USPA to get more involved in check their database to see where the person gets Parachutist sent, and it would be the accountability of the jumper who wants to be on the record to make sure that it's updated when they do the record - so if they live in Iowa and want to be on the Iowa record but Parachutist still goes to their Mom's house in Delaware, it's up to them to fix it.) Having multiple versions just seems like a headache and overcomplicating it. I'm not fully convinced that such a change would be needed, but if so, make it less complex. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

.... to learn the difference between you're and your? "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

I really like the Square One winter gloves. I bought a pair in Eloy at last year's holiday boogie and they kick some serious ass. Wish I'd tried them earlier. They have a mid weight and a heavy weight depending on how damn cold it is. http://www.square1.com/manufacturers/square1/p1154.asp "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

... oh yes, it will be mine. I actually threw my hands up and cheered at the end. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QM6MNw7i6Ng&noredirect=1 "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

I'm guessing because of some idea that state records "belong" to the locals. But, until and unless USPA requires that X% of state record participants are residents of that state, they're fair game for anyone, regardless of where they live. From the SCM, right now, the only restrictions on state records are that 51+% must be USPA members "For state competition and performance records, individual claiming records and at least 51% of group participants must be USPA members; the remaining participants must either be USPA members or hold the foreign equivalent." "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

Make sure you keep your core good and warm, too, when it's that cold. That'll help to keep your extremities warm (though you'll still need gloves.) "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

So you can't come up with any scenarios under which you'd want to turn it off but "just in case?" For me, a decision about whether to use my AAD or not is a decision I make on the ground. Other than a time when I was accompanying/supervising an observer and knew I'd be riding the plane back down (so no jump was even planned), I can't think of a single time where my decision on the ground was "turn off my AAD for this jump," even hop & pops (I do not do high-performance landings, so that's not a risk factor for me). I suppose "exiting the plane very low" might be one, but in that case (unless it's an emergency situation, in which case turning off my AAD would NOT be my highest priority), I'd like to think I'd ride back down rather than risk exiting so low that I'd spook my AAD. Because of that, I'm having as much trouble as you are coming up with an example of why I'd want to turn it off or change it to a different mode after I'd already boarded the plane (heck I can't even come up with a reason to put it in a different mode on the ground, at least not for me - I suppose if I were loaning my rig to a student, I'd put it in student mode.) "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

Yes. Make sure you get all the relevant documentation from your first DZ, in particular the signed USPA A License progression card. Also make sure your logbook entries are clear, signed, and up-to-date. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

Hmm... there's one right in the town where we typically stop for grub on the way home from the DZ. Will have to put it on the list to try. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

Definitely third on my list of the three I listed, and I might even go to Chipotle first. Of course, I live in CA, so I also have more than my fair share of local taquerias and taco trucks, so chains are more for when I'm out in the burbs or other areas and it's easy and convenient. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

Other than turning off an AAD if you're going to ride down with the plane, what are the scenarios under which you think you might want/need to be able to change your AAD's settings after boarding the aircraft? "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

Eh, only 2 1/2 years old and it's still early in the week. I won't accept that award just yet. Plus, "what are you reading" threads are timeless. And it's coming on winter, so people are starting to read again. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

Interestingly, not long after this (on 10/25), Hal Needham (who directed the movie Cannonball Run) passed away. Wonder if he heard of this before his passing? "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

Just noticed that Hal Needham died on 10/25. What a life he lived! "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

Give me Rubio's, La Salsa, or Baja Fresh any day over Chiplotle. That said, I do admire Chipotle for their sourcing of food - I appreciate a large chain restaurant that is committed to sustainable sourcing. I'm just a little underwhelmed by the food itself. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

Done. (Donated, that is... as hard as I try, I haven't been able to get a stache...) "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

How can you solve the problem? Skydive some more. You have two minutes of solo freefall under your belt now. How many things have you tried where you've been really good (or even sorta good) after two minutes? Skydiving is not easy, and it's definitely not natural, and it takes time to get it. Your instructors were happy enough with your performance to let you move onto the next level. So you improved. Keep doing it, keep improving, at whatever pace is your pace. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

I'll share two that came to mind quickly: 1) A few years ago I was laid off from my job at a startup on a Friday afternoon. My boyfriend (we were then living in different cities) talked me through it that night, and asked if I was still planning to jump the next day. I said yes. When I went to settle my account at the end of the day, I said "How much do I owe ya?" and the DZO said "Nothing" with a big smile. I said "What?" He said that "a little bird called an had some money put on your account."

Maybe so. Just hope he (and all the other Mad Skillz crowd) doesn't take out one of us grumpy old farts in the process. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

Maybe it's a typo and the name is Stephane. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke