nightjumps

Since signing this card, I have wanted to say something more than just, good-bye, BS, later, etc. Having served with the 2nd Armored Division, I became immersed in its history and felt the following quote more appropriate: "It is wrong to mourn the soldiers who die during war. Rather, we should thank God that such men lived." --General George S. Patton

Ya know, I find it interesting. I have a similiar story with a different result. Female student does great through the training, we go up in the plane, on jump run I ask her, "Are you ready to skydive?" and she responds with a loud and thunderous, "YES!" Open the door, tell her to put her feet on the setp and stop, which she does, then she turns to me and says, "I have a question." I am stunned. I look at the pilot/DZO to make sure I haven't lost my mind and when his eyes roll, know that I did hear it. I said, "What?" ANd she repeated, "I have a question." So I bring her back in the plane, secure her legs between mine and close the door and say, "OK... what's your question?" She says, "SO when you tell me to climb all the way out and hang, you want me to do it just like we did in training?" I said, "Yes, just like we did in training." She says, "OK." I ask if there's anymore questions - nope. We do a racetrack and I ask her again if she's ready to skydive and again get a loud and thunderous, "YES." Open the door, tell her to put her feet out and stop, check the S/L, point and tell her to climb all the way out and hang, she does, I point at her and say, "GO!" and she launches into this beautiful arch. We go through debrief and I explain about currency and needing to set an appointment within the next thirty days and she says, "Oh, I just wanted to do it once. Thank you for a great time." And leaves.

Later, Pops.

It does. Its called a Tandem Rating. 'cept I don't think lift ticket, management thinks it for me.

I just wanted to thank all the load organizers who helped at the WFFC. I had the opportunity to jump with DJan, Hutch (Skydog), Brentster, Steve, Mary SantAngelo and a couple of others. They did a great job of organizing some great loads. From the simple to the complex and challenging. For me, it was especially nice to get away from instructing and let someone else be "in-charge" so I could just have some fun. I truly appreciate everyone's time and energy that "worked" so the rest of us could have fun. Thank You, Organizers.

I wear an Nvertigo hard helmet with two Dytters and have the students wear a frap hat.

I had flitesuit build me a 1980's style silly suit with big baggy arms and legs for winter time. I also have a tony freefly suit made extra baggy out of supplex for our 105+ summer days.

Big waste of time trying to "Convince." Them that's going to do it - will. Guide them when approached. Can't tell you how much breath is wasted on those who want to do it versus those who will. I had one talking shit for about a year and a half. Finally gave her a free tandem... No show.

Dear Lord. Is it just me or has the world gone to shit since John Wayne died? Next thing you know, being a hard-charging, hard-drinking, fisticuffing, pussy-loving, apple-pie eatin - love my country, take no bullshit kinda guy will be against the law. Let the record reflect that the only way I'm going to get "in-touch" with my feminine side - is if she's laying in the bed next to me.

SCR medallion pic

Dave, These medallions are a lot nicer than the picture gives them credit. # 3 gave me one for doing the website a couple of years ago. I got one to raffle off at Skyfest. They're only $50.00 and 10 folks of $5.00 pays for it and everything else is yours.

Damnit. I don't have the NSCR. Now I gots to find some cash to come down there in September, huh?

I think Curly Roe adopted it for the SCR ceremony around the mid-seventies and it just stuck.

Well, having jumped with Mark, he's a good one to have on the load. If I were closer to you guys - you could count me in. Maybe you should try it during your AOTW boogie?

Hey, Skratch... I made a jump with Bill Newell the weekend before last at skyfest. BTW, Pete Morris "may" be coming your way this week. Keith SCS -8080 (ok so its four digits)

That's called the, SCSA and there have been 336 Recipients The Star Crest Skydiver Award ( hoop dive ) must freefly the exit (no grips) and the award is achieved by eight (8) or more skydivers passing through a hoop held by two others and forming an 8-way or larger formation on the other side of the hoop. A minimum of ten (10) skydivers are required to earn this award and the 2 hoop holders are included. And, if you wanna get friskie... Only 15 recipients have been awarded the Universal Skydiver Award (USA). You can find this info on www.scr-awards.com

There is now two ratings for Tandems... The manufacturer's rating and the USPA "Tandem Instructor" rating.

Mars jump anyone? This month and next, Earth is catching up with Mars, an encounter that will culminate in the closest approach between the two planets in recorded history. The next time Mars may come this close is in 2287. No one alive today will ever see this again! Due to the way Jupiter's gravity tugs on Mars and perturbs its orbit, astronomers can only be certain that Mars has not come this close to Earth in the last 5,000 years but it may be as long as 60,000 years. On August 27, Mars will come within 34,649,589 miles and will be (next to the moon) the brightest object in the night sky. It will attain a magnitude of -2.9 and will appear 25.11 arc seconds wide. At a modest 75-power magnification Mars will look as large as the full moon to the naked eye. Mars will be easy to spot. At the beginning of August, Mars will rise in the east at 10 p.m. and reach its azimuth at about 3 a.m. But by the end of August when the two planets are closest, Mars will rise at nightfall and reach its highest point in the sky at 12:30 a.m. That's pretty convenient when it comes to seeing something that no human has seen in recorded history. So mark your calendar at the beginning of August to see Mars grow progressively brighter and brighter throughout the month.

I'd wait for the ears to clear up, but keep the vertigo. Two rides for the price of one.

Yea, but its UPS that tickles your ass.

OK. Its just a friggin donut and a cup of coffee. I'm going back to the "Boobies" forum. Now, THAT's important.

I take a very scientific approach to the sliders effect of canopy opening. I swap sliders until I find the one that works best to constrain the opening to a comfortable snivel without having to roll the nose.

Every year, I static-line a guy in his 80's. He comes out every year for his birthday. His first jump was on his birthday in WWII out of a flaming aircraft. He pays for the full course and goes through the training. This year he was 85 when we put him out.

People. Its a friggin donut.

Don Boyles - first man to jump the Royal Gorge Bridge has an 84 foot jump from the Verdigris River Bridge in Oklahoma.