nightjumps

The reserve side JM's handle not only pulls the P/C, but releases a "piano hinge" which opens the entire BOC. http://www.altico.com/ambidex.html

The whole world has gone to shit since John Wayne died. General Shinseki's Black Beret was/is a representation of a greater systemic problem of dumbing-down and smoothing out all awards and decorations in the name of morale and retention. When I was at the SERE Instructor's course in 1985, we had a latino from East LA who was part of the 82nd. One day we were working on our homemade rucksack's when the SGM came up to our group. He hunkered down next to this 82nd guy and explained that it had been brought to his attention (meaning some officer told him) that this guy wasn't wearing all his patches. We listened to the conversation... The latino said, "Sergeant Major, all I did was jump into Grenada and sit at the end of a runway for five days. I'm really uncomfortable with sewing those on." The SGM explained that he understood how he felt, but that he needed to sew them on. The next day, he showed up with a CIB, Combat Patch and Combat star on his jump wings. Our class was comprised of SF, Rangers, Marine Force Recon, SEALs and a couple of PJs. Putting those on his uniform didn't improve his morale. It demoralized him some and you could see it in his face. He was embarassed to wear those awards. As it turned out, he was even awarded a Bronze Star. He wouldn't wear it on his Class A's. Not long after, SF went through a transition. Anyone who was assigned to an SF unit wore the Green Beret. As you know, at that time, while in training we wore the Green Beret with a candy bar and when you completed the "Q" Course, you were awarded the "Flash." When indoors, we rolled and stuffed our berets in our cargo pocket with the flash exposed to delineate those who were in training and those who were "Flash" qualified. When the news came down that all in an SF unit were to wear the Green Beret, we put up a fuss and the upper channels came down with a, "Well, what we're goining to do is award the SF Tab "like" the Ranger Tab to signify whose SF qualified as the award, rather than the Green Beret. But, the beret was the award. An award granted by JFK. It wasn't headgear, it was an award. Just like the Rangers who made it to Battalion. Those who went to Ranger School wore the tab. Those who went to Ranger School AND were "awarded" a slot at Battalion received the Black Beret. The majority of those in a "P" slot in an SF unit that put the Green Beret on their heads were embarrassed. Of course, there were those who walked around all pumped up proudly displaying their new pussy-getting headgear. Which in turn, only demoralized those who were SF qualified and were "awarded" the beret. More than one SF'er bit their lip in public. Over time we have seen Bronze Stars awarded to those who never even left the country; awarded for planning a mission overseas, CIB's awarded for putting your foot in country, almost everyone being called, "Special Operations," etc. so they can "feel" better about themselves. And in the end, that "feeling" is a mass exodus that requires a stop gap to prevent soldiers from leaving the military.

Captain Underpants by choice?

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I have been accused of being "overthorough" in my training (spending too much time). To me, there is no difference between a "fun" tandem and a "working" tandem; they are all working tandems. Usually about 60-90 minutes of training. Part of my reasoning is two-fold. 1) to be thorough in the event of an emergency, and 2) I think training & professionalism breeds confidence and confidence breeds either a repeat skydive or an interest in pursuing skydiving which breeds repeat business. I've had folks who've made a tandem somewhere else on the planet and after the dive say, "Man, you trained me a lot more than that other place." That's usually followed with an "I'll be back" or "I'm sending my friends here." Yep... I'm "overthorough" and proud of it.

"Makes me no never mind."

I still have my card from the now defunct "100 Mile Club" from around 1983. If I remember right, you could put in for 100, 500 & thousand increments. Course, that was when few had a 1,000 jumps (we didn't have packers and it was a long pack job)

I'm thinking we've beat this pony before. Folks... It ain't about which is bigger-main or reserve. Its about F111 material, the reserves placarded weight, your exit weight and the elevation at which you jump. I once met a freeflyer some years ago who gained my instant respect. He was about 5'6" and ~160 pounds jumping at 600 ft elevation. Had a small main canopy and a massive 249 Dash M. I asked him why he was jumping the same size reserve as me? His reply was, "I've had to go for silver twice and there is no better feeling than knowing I've got too much reserve. When I look up and see that huge reserve canopy, its a beautiful sight."

Ryan, There is so much good information in here that I'm going to ask if I can submit it to the S&T Discussion forum for consideration as an article in the Safety\Gear section. They may contact you directly to expand on it or refine it a little. Would you mind if I did that?

1. Did you tell her about Florida AND France when you asked her to be your Best Woman? 2. Did you make it clear that you wanted her at both functions at that time and that you were looking for a "Best" to attend both? 3. Did you make it clear when asking, that the "Best" would have to pay for both Florida & France upon acceptance? 4. Did you indicate the wedding would be in Florida and then France came up later? If 1,2,3 are, "Yes," - she pays. If 1,2,3, are, "No" - you pay. If 4; you owe her the "Best" slot at your Florida wedding and have the option of paying for her to go to France or getting another "Best" for France.

Ryan, Has the weight-loading on the Super Type 17 and Mini-risers changed? I "believe" it was 225# Also, do the newer super risers not have the grommet hole punched through it? I forget what they are called.

Safire 169 Main - Precision 249 Dash M. Wings Container.

Oops, I thought you got the memo.

No, No... It may be a 2 pin also, but there's a whole lot more cussin around a Racer two pin than a MT-1XX.

Both good. The Racer is a two pin reserve system which some riggers tend to shy away from so you may wish to talk with your rigger first to see if s/he is receptive.

The MT-1XX has a rather large and long reserve pin cover that is closed with Velcro. That would be my only concern with its Freefly status. The best folks to advise you on this would be either SkymonkeyOne or LouDiamond - both former MFFJMs.

Forum Rules. http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=142088

Man, that is one ugly group of skydivers you've got there. 'Specially them JE, Bryan & Joe guys. :)

Hey!! You got your website fixed!! Excellent. When the site certificate comes up, can click "View" now and move on...

Based on your profile, you are either the former Atsbaury or you folks in Louisiana are all titty fed some high protein mom's milk. It would appear that you are jumping a military HALO rig based on the canopy and reserve sizes & manufacturer. Regarding the Icarus Tandem Canopy... Its weight -loading is 500 pounds and being semi-ellipitical has a certain amount of swoop to it the more its loaded up. I currently use an Eclipse Tandem System which houses an Icarus 365. You can get the Icarus Tandem Canopy in 330, 365 or 400. All have a 500# weight loading. If you are jumping a HALO rig, the Icarus 330 should pack in the current D-bag nicely. If you want more info, feel free to PM me.

I set my brakes and uncollapse the slider. After that, the rest is what you earn.

I have a virtually new Eclipse Tandem Rig & student harness you guys can use till the middle of April... if that helps. Main Canopy has about 300 jumps on it. I had new vectran lines put on it for the season. New container. Reserve has one ride. The legstraps on the student harness ain't the best. I reach over the students shoulder and grab a leg grip and have them slide the legstraps down the thigh a little bit. Hope to get a Vector student Harness this Spring.

Skydive Dallas has an awesome staff. They will rent you gear. They will make you feel right a home. Nice folks. I go there a lot during the summer months, but as I live in Tulsa and have a four hour drive, not so much in the winter. They have a helicopter this weekend, so even if the weather ain't to the top, you can get something. Call them. Phone numbers at www.skydivedallas.com.

Perhaps just the statement; "All brakes should be stowed, the slider uncollapsed and the pilot chute cocked prior to Step 1."

A maximum time limit for students is not specified by USPA. However, if it's past a few months, there's going to be more scrutiny for you. It'll be up to the S&TA at your dropzone to determine how long is too long. ???? It specifically states, "but who have not jumped in the preceding 30 days."