JeffSkydiver

Hey I just returned to skydiving after a 23 year hiatus. When I was active back in the day, it was very common to see nearly everyone at the DZ playing Hackey. The first time I had ever seen or heard of hackey was at the DZ. Playing supposedly was good for flexibility and quick reactions. Since I've been back, I've only seen hackey sacks on pilot chutes! What happened? jt * Let's all do this safe enough that we can still do this in our 90's.

In the summer of 1981 I made a few jumps one weekend at a DZ near Leechburg, Vandergrift, Apollo, PA. The DZ was a grass strip in a county park called Northmoreland Park. At the time, I believe they could not go above 4 or 5 thousand feet due to traffic patterns into Pittsburgh Airport. I went to the DZ while visiting my parents who then lived in Pitcairn, PA. I didn't even bring my gear because I didn't know until I got home that there was a DZ nearby. I went to the DZ and borrowed a PC (Paracomander; not pilot chute, for you newbies!). After the first jump (landed in the center of the peas), a fellow came up to me with a nearly brand new rig and a cast on his leg and offered to let me jump his gear while I was there. Real cool. After each jump, we both kinda packed it. The next day, I brought my Dad and one of my brothers to the DZ to watch. My Dad was amazed. He had only seen skydiving at demos. He was sitting at a picnic table as I was about to board. He asked where I was landing so that he could go there and watch. I told him to stay where he was, I would land by the table. He mostly thought I was pulling his leg. I was looking down at him while under canopy. I saw that he had gotten up from the table and walked a short distance away toward the peas. I got myself above the table with enough altitude to circle and spiral down right over the table. He got the hint and hustled back and sat down at the table. I then circled around on an abbreviated downwind, base, final and stood up close enough to the table to pick up my can of pop and take a sip. My Dad was amazed. Great moment for us both. In my log book I have the name of the fellow who lent me his gear. Next time I'm on, I'll post his name. In the meantime, anyone here ever jump at Northmoreland Park? jt * Let's all do this safe enough that we can still do this in our 90's.

Yes - Pilot Country was at intersection of 52 and 41. The airstrip and the housing plan are still there - just not a DZ anymore. jt * Let's all do this safe enough that we can still do this in our 90's.

Forming any type of business entity is easy enough for a 7th grader to do in less than an hour. Knowing WHICH entity to use after considering at least 9 vital factors, WHICH provisions should or should not be a part of the articles and bylaws and the decisions regarding capitalization and tax treatment and future growth and developing a viable business plan... well any venture worth doing is worth doing right. Consult a lawyer with a strong or exclusive background in business start-ups and entities and taxes and you will have done yourself a great favor. With the right attorney, I have never met a successful business owner who regretted the time and expense of doing it right - right from the beginning. CPA's, like anyone else, can fill out the forms to start an entity - so can a 7th grader. You need more than that for a successful launch. jt * Let's all do this safe enough that we can still do this in our 90's.

Mark, Are you trying to hide your age? In the sport 10 years? Uhhhhhhhhhh. How long were you in it when you taught me the first jump course in April of 1981!!! Do you realize the D license numbers are approaching 30,000 and yours is 4864? Miss your pearls of skydiving wisdom at the DZ. Drive out to DeLand sometime soon. jt * Let's all do this safe enough that we can still do this in our 90's.

While suiting up and the during the ride up in the plane, I say to myself, "legs, legs, legs, legs, legs, legs..... ." In freefall, I hear myself saying, "legs, legs, legs, ... ." jt * Let's all do this safe enough that we can still do this in our 90's.

Hey! I have an autographed 8x10 of that pic! You or someone at the time had everyone sign it and brought it to me in the hosp. Can you actually remember everyone's names? jt * Let's all do this safe enough that we can still do this in our 90's.

Hmmmmmmm Mark R. Sounds familiar. Instructor extraordinaire???????? Last seen with foot in cast???????? Great chile? Hey Mark - I moved to Daytona Beach in July. Been together with the other Mark a few times. Meet up for a pork sandwich at Hungry Harry's sometime? Tell your prettier half I said hi. jt pssssssst went through AFF (abbreviated) in December and been jumping several times a week since then at DeLand. :) * Let's all do this safe enough that we can still do this in our 90's.

Skydive St. Mary's will be a great place to jump during the PIA conv. Twin Otter will be there. Only 35 minutes from Hotel. Great ride to altitude with views of St. Mary's River, King's Bay Naval Sub Base, and coastal islands. http://www.skydivestmarys.com/gpage.html1.html See ya there. jt * Let's all do this safe enough that we can still do this in our 90's.

Hi The closest DZ to the PIA convention in Jacksonville is Skydive St. Mary's. This is also where USPA President Glenn Bangs instructs and does tandems. They are expecting a big weekend and are bringing in an Otter. Maybe if you went there instead, you would be where everyone else seems to be going - that is if they take some time away from the convention to jump. I would venture that many will! Check out Skydive St. Mary's website for more info. http://www.skydivestmarys.com/gpage.html1.html jt * Let's all do this safe enough that we can still do this in our 90's.

Thanks John. Actually, we were on a load together last Wednesday. You owed beer because it was your first jump on your own gear. Also, there was a girl on our load owing beer for it being her 100th jump. The 3 of us landed in the student field. I will probably stick to a Wednesday and Saturday schedule at the DZ, except this week. I jumped today because I do not think I can go tomorrow. We shall see. Anyway, yes - if we're both there, let's fly around a bit. Jeff * Let's all do this safe enough that we can still do this in our 90's.

It shouldn't matter whether anyone knew him if his family wants an ash dive. For years I have been on the American Legion Honor Guard. When the family of a deceased veteran wants a funeral home and/or graveside service we care not whether anyone knew the deceased. If you are contacted, then you should do your best to round up some volunteers at your DZ and do the thing. If you were intending to do that anyway and was just hoping to include some jumpers that knew the deceased, then my apologies to you for presuming otherwise. Blessings to you, his family and all who help you out. jt * Let's all do this safe enough that we can still do this in our 90's.

Many many thanks to all of you for your posts, especially Stratostar, Freakflyer and Drew - I respect your many years in the sport. In my original post, I tried to anticipate the replies I would receive and address those matters then. Apparently either I was unclear or some people did not fully read the original post. Therefore, please know: YES - I read every post about the Sabre BEFORE I placed my question here. and The person who recommended this canopy works at the DZ as a TI, an AFF Instructor, Coach etc etc with thousands of jumps and who has helped me quite a bit with questions etc. Only recently he also started working in the DZ store as assisting customers with gear purchases, including me. I hope this helps. By the way Stratostar, the first and last rig I owned - in 1981 - was a Stratostar (5 cell of course) in a Wonderhog with a round reserve. I smacked myself around a few times landing that thing. The whole rig cost me $400 used. I also read all the posts on that canopy and it brought back memories. Thanks for welcoming me back. I am loving it. I plan on going to Skydive St. Mary's - Georgia - the week of the PIA convention in Jacksonville Jan 15 ish. They are bringing in an Otter. It's a new DZ run by a wonderful couple I only just met. Glenn Bangs makes it his home DZ now and its the closest DZ to the convention. They are hoping for quite a turnout. I live over 2 hours away, but I'm planning on being there. Thanks again, jt * Let's all do this safe enough that we can still do this in our 90's.

Hi All, I am a returning skydiver, meaning I went through AFF (accelerated version) recently because I had been away from the sport for 23 years. In my old skydive life, I had jumped squares etc., much like today, except for today's zero P canopies, which I love. So, just coming off AFF, and weighing about 200, I have been jumping a 280' main. Then I went to my DZ's store, run by a rigger, who helped me choose used gear to purchase. I won't jump the gear yet until I work my way down from the 280' to something smaller - like a 220 or so. Anyway, the canopy recommended to me for my first gear purchase is a Sabre (not Sabre2) and I think the size is either 220 or 210. The question I have is this: On here I have read every thread about the Sabre and do not like what I am hearing - the hard openings. Remember, I have been away from this for 23 years, which means I am 23 years older. I do not want to take unnecessary risks. Don't preach to me, I know there is always a risk of anything happening using any gear etc etc etc. I am only making the point that it seems the Sabre has a reputation for the hard openings - should I change my purchase (it's now on layaway) and go with something with a better repuation? Or is everything I've read hogwash? Do you think the DZ gear selling rigger guy should have known about the Sabre's reputation? What say you? jt * Let's all do this safe enough that we can still do this in our 90's.

Relax! Hard to do when your thinking about jumping out of a plane at 13,500 feet, but it is the only thing that works. Relax! Also, if you're unstable you may be getting a signal from your AFF I's that your legs are too far bent - just maybe. Relax! Enjoy the view.... Relax! jt * Let's all do this safe enough that we can still do this in our 90's.

A few weeks back a paraplegic made a tandem at DeLand. He was so excited upon landing. He loved it. Everyone gave kudos to the TM for taking on the task. Friends wheeled him to the plane and had the wheelchair waiting for him at the peas. Great day. * Let's all do this safe enough that we can still do this in our 90's.

MOVE! In July I moved from Butler, PA to Daytona Beach and now jump almost anytime I want to at DeLand. MOVE! jt * Let's all do this safe enough that we can still do this in our 90's.

Hey all, My home DZ is DeLand - isn't life sooooo good??!! I recently started jumping again after a 23 year hiatus. I have my A license -current - and a little over a 100 jumps. In my skydiving past, I did quite a bit of RW, but obviously a bit rusty now. I would love to find someone to make some jumps with to practice flying - 2 ways etc. Let me know - my schedule is pretty well open. Hope to see you in the sky, jt * Let's all do this safe enough that we can still do this in our 90's.

When did she do that? * Let's all do this safe enough that we can still do this in our 90's.

Had anyone here ever jumped at a small DZ located in an airstrip housing plan known as Pilot County Estates? The DZ was at the intersection of Routes 41 & 52, north of Tampa, west of ZHills. I did my first jump there (SL) in April of 1981. After a 23 year hiatus, I have resumed skydiving; now at DeLand. Would love to hear from anyone who I may have jumped with at Pilot Country. Jeff T. * Let's all do this safe enough that we can still do this in our 90's.