Elisha

I think that's perfectly fine...as long as they bring some Unibroue in return. That stuff is awesome.

Thanks. I'm guessing that no, the cost is not worth it for me. Thanks.

Do the United clubs cost and include unlimited food & drink? Anyone else?

http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Paraglider-plunges-to-death-in-Walnut-Creek-4651682.php Anyone know anything about this?

Hey, it's all about excess horsepower. Depending on how much horsepower, that thing could have an awesome climb rate. Don't be a H8r. And a biplane stringbag like that should have no problem coming down. I'm fine even with those overpowered King Air's out there. That B200 with the 850's from Lodi that Byron had a few times was a rocketship by skydiving standards. On a load with only 8 people it was getting nearly 3000 ft per min and 1750 when full!

Labor day weekend I'm flying to DC for my niece's wedding. My ticket was through a travel agency assigned through my Credit Union Visa and regular Economy. I noticed on the Virigin America site that they have these special lounges in certain airports. To Dulles, I fly out of SFO and stop in LAX with a 100 min layover. On the way back, I may have a few hours to kill in the Dulles airport. Has anyone been to these lounges? Am I excluded since my ticket regular Economy? They mention fees just to enter. Does this fee get you unlimited food & drink or is the fee to just to grace their doorway? I'm curious.

When you say "no one would want to do AFF" do you mean no one would want to teach it or no one would want to be a student? Because I've seen some folks go through AFF at some very tandem-focused dropzones near here. They don't know what they don't know. They just know that the DZ closest to their home (which, let's face it, is often the way a DZ gets chosen) has AFF and they want to learn to skydive. Of course, often times they'll show up at one of the more fun-jumper-friendly DZs once they get their A license because they realize that there's more to skydiving than solo jumps. EXACTLY. This was me 11 years ago. It took me a year or so to "get it". I did a couple of tandems at a turbine DZ 1 hr 20 min away, but later did AFF at a Cessna Tandem factory 15 min away. Then one day, I visited a third DZ 1 hr 30 min away and felt very welcomed and had lots of fun. This place has been my home DZ ever since (8 years ago now). It also helped that the Cessna place packed up and left town not long after. I consider the first DZ a second home though,

I would add *ahem* and packs easier....big reason I'm hesitant to ever buy a new canopy other than cost.

Yeah, yeah you clown. On hard-to-find cars (like my Prius kinda was in 2007), I can imagine buying "slightly used" for near new, but would otherwise prefer new in most cases. For canopies, maybe I won't ever buy new unless I happen to come into more money or whatever and want to throw down a couple of G's on a custom design. Until then, of my three canopies, I haven't had any issues with the Sabre1-150 (1000+ jumps) which was part of my first rig for $2500; the Sabre1-120 (500ish jumps) which I paid $500 and the Crossfire1-99 (11-1200?) which I paid $500. The latter two are currently in service - no clue about the first since I sold it. Ask yourself - how much is a new (or even slightly used), modern design worth to you? The Sabre1-150 works great for wingsuiting and I'd have to seriously up my swoop game (or maybe lack-thereof to even having some sort of game) for a more "modern" design at the same size to any real difference to me. What are your skills? What are your preferences and how much is it worth to you? I'm fine with great deals on used, older designs that still fly fine. Use 'em until they're worn out and then move on! (Btw, I wonder what wingsuiters will do once all the Sabre1's are worn out. I suppose move on to something gawd aweful like a Spectre/Pilot/Sabre/etc. being a bit facetious of course.) :)

How far away from the take-off point did Felix land? Also, anyone know what happened to the balloon after he jumped? Rises higher in the atmosphere then disintegrates?

Wow. I just met him at Nicaragua (like Danl), but he was a very nice guy. Obviously he hid it well, since probably very few of us knew. Thanks for the story. Sad to hear. Memory Eternal. BSBD.

Thanks, yeyo - much appreciated.

I'm going to be on a Carnival cruise that I think stops in Puerto Rico on Wed, Oct 2. Anyone know if Extreme Divers is likely to operate then? Have rental gear (or just borrow a rig? something in the 90-150 sqft range is fine)? How much a Taxi is there from the San Juan harbor or to rent a car for a few hours? It looks like the ship is only there from 7am - 3:30pm. Thanks.

My canopies: 1st - Sabre1 - 150 w/ 1000+ jumps (was from a rental). Mfg 3/91 2nd - Sabre1 - 120 w/ 500+ jumps, but stored in a closet for a while (currently in my closet wanting a d-bag and risers to be used for wingsuit and other jumps) Current - Crossfire1-99. Paid no more than $500 for either of the three. The Crossfire fits nicely into the Sabre-120's d-bag.

Thanks, madjohn...very interesting.

Is this the same who is a former 49ers Center? When was Forrest last active jumping and where did he usually jump?

I left my GoPro HD cables at a buddy's house who lives way out of the way. Is it possible to buy them at like Best Buy or some other retail location? Thanks.

maybe small tube stows? Just a guess...

Thanks - I recognize him now. Didn't know him well, but sad that he is gone.

I probably met or saw him, but don't specifically recall at the moment. Memory Eternal. BSBD. Anyone have any pics?

Just askin....

....or the Dream continues. These are two of the PD Factory Team videos you can buy. Anyone who has seen both - which do you like better and why? I just need to decide on a Christmas present. Thanks.

Right on. Haven't read any Forgotten Realms in a few years, but have over 40 on my shelf...including the "classic" Salvatore books.

I have a nearly complete Baldur's Gate II campaign that I just got lazy and stopped playing...I feel bad for not finishing it. Anyway, the forum at bioware.com is still very active. Amazing how a 9 yr old computer game can still be so popular.

I met Don Swayze a couple of years ago when I stopped by Perris to jump just after Christmas. I'll second, third or whatever the "nice guy" accusation.