skyjumpenfool

I took some time (years ) away from the sport when my kids were young for some of the same reasons you listed above. Now my kids are older and I'm jumping more than ever. You don't have to give up skydiving, you’re allowed to take a break from time to time. Birdshit & Fools Productions "Son, only two things fall from the sky."

+1 ...Bitching about water over the dam?? The way I see it, if you're not happy with the politics, run for office. The board got it right in the end. Any effort to put a negative spin on it is counter productive at this point.

Without having looked at the video (slow internet connection at the moment) was there a conclusion about the injured jumper's jump numbers (150) and the presence of him wearing a camera having anything to do with the incident? Dah!! ----------- Thanks for the "First Hand" information. I knew there was more to this incident. It really looks like the camera flyer just got too close. Since no CRW was planned, up and behind was a really bad place to park the camera. Great example of why you need 200 jumps MINIMUM to bolt on a camera. Also, this should serve as an example of why proximity flying is dangerous and should be well planned. Birdshit & Fools Productions "Son, only two things fall from the sky."

Like this? Jump wonder: I wanna buy a rig. Dude: What you have in mind? Jump wonder: Something smaller, with more flare. Not that boat of 190 that I`m jumping now. Dude: You could get 170? Jump wonder: But what if I want to downsize later? Dude: Oh, I think you`ll be ok on 150 then. Jump wonder: Really? Dude: Yeah. Sure. Just land it straight in. Canopy Nazi: Hey, Jump Wonder can`t land for sh*t. How many times in a row, intentionaly you landed anywhere near gravel pit? Dude: What are you talking about? Our landing area is huge. Jump Wonder will be ok. No need for accuracy. Canopy Nazi: What about landing out? Dude: Nah it`ll be all right. Canopy Nazi: Last time Jump Wonders were spotting the load by themselves they almost did not make it to the LZ... Dude: Jump Wonder is just going to be real cerful. Right, Jump Wonder? Jump wonder: Right. Dude: Anyway, why do you worry so much Canopy Nazi? It`ll be ok. Jump Wonder: So I guess it`s 150 then. Canopy Nazi: Damn, now I'm going to have to take another day off work to attend another funeral!

Barbed wire avoidance on T-10's. Birdshit & Fools Productions "Son, only two things fall from the sky."

You can start by reading these: http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?do=search_results&search_forum=all&search_string=WL+BSR&search_type=AND&search_fields=sb&search_time=&search_user_username=Ron&sb=score&mh=25 If you have any questions about my thoughts after reading all or even just a few of those... Feel free to ask for clarification. My issue is your post was full of blame for the CANOPY and not the pilot. With the exception of the G-Lock example EVERY one of your other examples was the failure of the PILOT, not the equipment. Failure of the pilot, or the system that is allowing these pilots to fly these canopies??

For what it's worth... I've had the pleasure of making many CRW jumps with RAZ including a 25 way Wisconsin Record a couple years ago. He has recruited and trained many CRW pups and is largely responsible for a resurgence in CRW training and safety over the past few years in the mid-west. If this was a CRW jump (which I doubt but don't know for sure) I can guarantee a thorough safety briefing including emergency procedures was given by RAZ!! Birdshit & Fools Productions "Son, only two things fall from the sky."

I'd be very careful not to get your fingers to far above the line twists. Especially with gloves, you could easily get your fingers/gloves into the twists making for a very difficult cutaway. ...this is just an observation.

True story... One day at the DZ, a Woofo was lifting his 4 and 5 year old kids up to "hang" on the prop of the Cessna that was sitting in front of the hanger. Seeing this, I walked up to him and explained how dangerous props can be even on planes that are just sitting there. So, what is this Nimrods response? He turns around and starts yelling at the kids for playing on the prop???? Some people just can NOT be educated. Birdshit & Fools Productions "Son, only two things fall from the sky."

There is already a canopy section on the A-license Proficiency Card: He does have a point. Any decent DZ or Instructor would see that students get more than simply what is on the A-card. Unfortunately, that's not true everywhere. Hell, there's not much DZs and Instructors CAN agree on for student training. Ahhh! Common Assessments! Any professional educator (people with advanced degrees in education) can show you what a nightmare they can be. But they are, when implemented correctly, very affective. It seems to me, proficiency cards are a first step towards “common assessments”. I for one have already printed the new proficiency card and plan to work on it. I’ve always said, skydivers need to be life-long learners of the sport, reguardless of your experience level.

New Snowmobles are over $10,000.00 In comparison to many sports, skydiving is a bargan. I have seen some DZ's that offer an "A license package". Check around.

Although I understand your question, I think that anyone trying to argue there's not a problem because "statistically" we're not losing enough friends, is not seeing the big picture. Birdshit & Fools Productions "Son, only two things fall from the sky."

Razz is a very experienced CRW pilot. He visits here from time to time but can be found more easily on the CRW forum. Hey Jim... what's the story here? Birdshit & Fools Productions "Son, only two things fall from the sky."

If you're really that interested in doing something - then do something. Seems to me, He's doing something by starting this thread and taking the fight to the street (well, virtual street anyway). Sometimes the best way to affect change is to become a "squeaky gear". Marisan is under attack by those who disagree with him. ... that’s ok by me, it just adds to the conversation. He’s also been under fire in this thread by those who don't seem to want change. Those are the attacks I’m worried about. Marisan has nothing (personally) to gain by his actions/postings here. I applaud his effort!!

I'd agree. TSO'd mains will only drive the price of canopies up dramatically and, probably not change anything. Training, on the other hand, has an outside chance of affecting change. Birdshit & Fools Productions "Son, only two things fall from the sky."

+1, but please don't raise dues or mandate my donations.

So then everyone who has demonstrated all of that except hasn't made 2 night jumps isn't? If you haven't made 2 night jumps, you are lacking the experience of .... 2 night jumps! This isn't rocket science people?? Birdshit & Fools Productions "Son, only two things fall from the sky."

I don't get it?? Birdshit & Fools Productions "Son, only two things fall from the sky."

That's really awesome of you, and I'm sure your local dealer appreciates you being willing to do that for him. But I'm wondering why you even want to pay at all. I mean, you have 5000 jumps, you must be a really good skydiver. With a little effort, you could get a new canopy for 50% off or maybe even free. Worked for me for both a main and a container, and I'm far from a really good skydiver. I agree. Chuck... I have an old Parafoil 252. I'm sure I could work out a deal at 50% off. Call me. Birdshit & Fools Productions "Son, only two things fall from the sky."

For those that have not seen this... http://www.uspa.org/Portals/0/Downloads/Form_CPProficiencyCard.pdf Birdshit & Fools Productions "Son, only two things fall from the sky."

I, for one, am not in favor of ANY USPA dues increase. However, I think it might be wise to take a closer look at re-allotting the current membership revenue in favor of the US team. Prioritize where the money is spent instead of asking for more.

Ah, but someone with fashion DESIGN experience is EXACTLY who we want turning out jumpsuits. Knowledge about fabrics, garment construction and patternmaking are extremely important, especially when building a custom, one off item. There is a market for off the shelf - I've watched "stock suits" fly off shelves of gear stores. Lots of novices are just fine with a "stock size" RW or freefly suit for their first suit, and they end up saving money on it too. Sorry, maybe a bit too much sarcasm in my post. I just was trying to make the point that, the suit designer needed to be and understand the sport of Skydiving first, and be a designer second. Or, better stated, be highly skilled at both. edited to add... "Form Follows Function"!! Birdshit & Fools Productions "Son, only two things fall from the sky."

I hate to beat a dead horse, but......

I don't know, have you seen some of them freefly suits them young wipper snappers are wearing these days? I'd start free flying, but, I'm waiting for Seersucker material to come back into fashion. Birdshit & Fools Productions "Son, only two things fall from the sky."

FYI... I think the last thing the skydiving community needs is some Fashion Merchandising Yahoo turning out jumpsuits. Please don't take this personally, but, each "quality" jumpsuit is custom made for an individual jumper (male, female, or anywhere in-between). They're designed based on a variety of conditions including size, weight, body type, sex, and specific skydiving discipline. These are "one off" works of art that also function well. There wouldn't be much market for "off the shelf", "one size fits all", jumpsuits except maybe for the tandem student market. And, they'd wear a clown suite if we told them it was all the rage! Birdshit & Fools Productions "Son, only two things fall from the sky."