tso-d_chris

The Dover case is about the Dover PA schoolboard trying to require Biology teachers to "inform" students that Creationism Intelligent Design is an valid alternate theory to Evolution. Of course, as an untestable hypothesis, ID is by definition not science, and does not belong in a science classroom, especially one funded by tax revenue, unless setting scientific thought back 400 years is a goal for our education system. This trial will only affect the Dover district, of course, unless it is appealed, which almost certainly will happen. If the Supreme Court eventually hears the case, their decision will be binding for all US public school districts, which is why it is getting so much attention.

Don't forget that there are two gear store on the Deland airport!

Actually, they have a different statement in their manual to convey that thought. From the CYPRES manual: "Just switch it on prior to the first jump of the day and forget about it" is listed in the design philosophy section of the manual, and not the disclaimer section. Clearly these two statements are not intended to be related, except in the sense that they are both in reference to CYPRES usage.

Mission Accomplished.

The Bush Stamp The Postal Service created a stamp with a picture of President Bush. The stamp was not sticking to envelopes. This enraged the President, who demanded a full investigation. After a month of testing, a special Presidential commission presented the following findings: 1) The stamp is in perfect order. 2) There is nothing wrong with the applied adhesive. 3) People are spitting on the wrong side ------------------------------- Bush's Propaganda Tour During a propaganda tour, President Bush visits a school to explain his politics to kids. He invites the kids to ask him questions. Bobby stands up and tells him "Mr. President, I got 3 questions": 1. How come, that although the count of votes was not in your favor, you still won the election? 2. Why do you want to attack Iraq without an imminent reason? 3. Don't you also consider the bombing of Hiroshima the biggest terrorist attack of all times? Before the president can answer, the recess bell rings, and the kids leave the room. After they came back, Bush invited them again to ask questions. Joey stands up and tells him "Mr. President, I got 5 questions": 1. How come, that although the count of votes was not in your favor, you still won the election? 2. Why do you want to attack Iraq without an imminent reason? 3. Don't you also consider the bombing of Hiroshima the biggest terrorist attack of all times? 4. Why did the recess bell ring 20 minutes early? 5. Where's Bobby? ---------------------- Show and Tell Little David was in his 5th grade class when the teacher asked the children what their fathers did for a living. All the typical answers came up -- fireman, policeman, salesman, doctor, lawyer, etc. David was being uncharacteristically quiet and so he teacher asked him about his father. "My father's an exotic dancer in a gay cabaret and takes off all his clothes in front of other men. Sometimes, if the offer's really good, he'll go out to the alley with some guy and make love with him for money." The teacher, obviously shaken by this statement, hurriedly set the other children to work on some exercises and took little David aside to ask him, "Is that really true about your father?" "No," said David, "He works for the Bush administration, but I was too embarrassed to say that in front of the other kids."

Its because there would be no chance of impeaching her for lying about receiving a blow job!

Hey now-- take your dirty sex talk to the Bonfire.

It is always good to hear about DZs that take advantage of the relative strengths of different training methods. I think the student is better off that way.

That depends. Is there a lime tree on Cuervo Island? Or at least a tailgate aircraft?

The reults are back. It has been determined that in the 2004 elections, a total of 17 people cast their votes based in independent, critical thought. They all had to write in their candidates name, however.

As there are women that would still vote against a female candidate, as they feel that a woman's place is in the home

I know you didn't advocate it, but it is worth mentioning that people have died after catching a cutaway main mid-air. Even if you have the skill to make the intercept, it is generally an unnecessarily dangerous proposition. Better to just follow it down.

Commendable.

Please explain how a good spot will not allow lightly loaded canopies to make it back to the landing area (and no farther). It's just applied basic physics. If the student overflies the landing area, the spot was too short. If an instructor cannot spot for a large canopy, is it reasonable to believe they will be able spot for a smaller canopy any more accurately? The end result is that the student may land out at higher speeds, out of sight, and without the (arguable) benefit of radio assistance. If "most of your descent" is spent going backwards, I would suggest exiting upwind from the landing area, so that the canopy can be flown in a downwind direction. I spent a few seasons on an airport with two competing dropzones, one of which used ridiculously large student canopies, while the other used canopies that offered closer to a .8-.9:1 loading. Guess which one had substantially more student injuries? I'll give you a hint: it wasn't the one that used ridiculously large student canopies. What if the winds increase between exit and landing? It is not uncommon. On this we agree.

The most expensive is not necessarily the best. The least expensive is not necessarily the best value.

That would be a false implication.

Sorry, I plucked it from your reply to someone else's reply to your post. Somewhat unrelated, but the Democratic Party was created as a pro-slavery party, so I'm actually quite glad that they have changed their platform over time to one that promotes equality, education and tolerance. As far as being "accused of a policy of keeping the masses 'barefoot and pregnant'" as "welfare mothers," perceptions are often proven to be quite false. Take for example the perception that the Dems are less fiscally reponsible than the Republicans. Many believe this, in spite of clear evidence to the contrary. Unfortunately, when people are exposed to the lie more than the truth, they tend to believe the lie.

Are you implying that the Democrats place less value on education than the Republican party? I find that extremely difficult to believe. Do you have any evidence to support such a view?

I agree, and would further point out: US Constitution, Article III, Section 3

Ideally, yes, you are right. Unfortunately, winds are not always constant, and the anticipated landing winds are much lower than the actual winds on landing. A backwards landing is not the end of the world. It's not something you try to have, but it happens from time to time. It is highly unlikely to be the hardest landing you experience in your skydiving career. My point in this thread has been that some people were claiming too big canopies were keeping people from landing in the designated landing area, and that was negligence on the part of the instructors, when in fact that is a symptom of a poor spot. I am not trying to say everyone should start out on a 395 sq ft. Goliath. Such a canopy is not necessarily a bad idea, either, for early students.

I'll buy that logic. In today's litigous society I'm not sure Airtec could be convinced as easily, though. considering how fast the main is likely spinning to reach such a high vertical speed, coupled with the probable small size of the about to be deployed reserve. They already disarm the CYPRES at 150? ft to avoid a near certain bounce after an AAD firing low.

Which brings us right back to the nasty two out we are trying to avoid.

With respect to not overshooting the landing area, a better spot is exactly what is needed to fix that problem. With respect to landing with a forward ground speed? No, that is not a spotting issue, nor is it a canopy issue, it is a wind issue. High winds should be avoided with students, and PLFs should be well learned and practiced. Strong winds are no reason to put a student out on a canopy they may not be ready for yet. A minor mistake on a huge canopy is unlikely to pose a serious threat of injury. Mistakes on smaller canopies happen at higher speeds. Higher speeds increase the likelihood of those mistakes requiring medical attention.

I'm not understanding why a lower activation speed is necessary prior to deployment than afterwords. If a higher activation speed is used, shouldn't it still be lower than freefall terminal? If so, changing activation speed adds unnecessary complexity; just raise the activation speed throughout the dive. If the higher activation speed is higher than freefall terminal, the whole point is defeated. Personally, it seems like an awful lot of work to keep from jumping an Astra, which is already well designed for swooping tiny canopies.