Trae

in reply to "Everything comes from Bush down, period. " .............................................. Even though I'm a bit slow this thread is taking me somewhere good. Facts V's feelings ???? It has been heartening to have such well ordered and reasoned 'in your face' replies ( mainly from servicemen) to my admittedly slim pretext and woefully wobbly 'analogy'. I still get the feeling there are some sparks of thruth in it ... perhaps just a bit of rogue behaviour from a very small minority. Entertaining hypothetical forethoughts sometimes brings up some pearls . This one is leaking badly as of course the US military has not achieved any real form of separateness. The founding fathers did however recognise such a danger so perhaps its not a totally unsound concern. Is majority rule good enough if the majority are misguided??? The idea of separateness of purpose must be a constant issue that many people ( especially politicians ) have to deal with in ways we can only imagine eg trying to get a window seat in the White House I myself disagree with a lot of the methods used in so called modern warfare. Bombing the enemy into submission appears very effective at beating the enemy but not very effective at winning support from allies . Also some-one else usually has to pick up the pieces after the dust has settled. It also fails to show us all a better way of problem resolvement. If we all dealt pre-emptively & violently with our problems this planet would not have a population problem. I feel there must be a better way. As the leading military force on the planet it would be hoped that the US military is based on VERY sound and humane laws and practices. In general this appears to be so. Some of the treatment of prisoners does raise a concern or two . It would seem that the most powerful force shouldn't have to stoop to bad behaviour to achieve its goals and could be a bit more gracious in victory. Yeah I know it's a tough job ...... The apparent impatience to get in there and get on with it is understandable ... crush 'em problem over . Trouble is that's not how it goes or how it's gone. Perhaps a greater degree of transparency would show us all just what is being achieved and not just what is going wrong. From my perspective most recently military /media reporting has looked like cover ups , propaganda and censoreship. If this view is far from the truth then I would happily stand corrected. What is often presented in the media appears biased and antagonising encouraging emotional reaction rather than reasoned thought. Are diplomatic studies and negotiation skills something that provide a career path in the US miltary.? As for the real agenda for this war.... well ... it's only hidden from some of us .

in reply to " They are on Cuban soil, leased in perpetuity(sp?) by the US in an agreement that preceded Castro's junta, and requires mutual consent to terminate. " ................................ Thank you for at least answering a question . I also feel well and truly put in my place as a misinformed person. So where should I go for the acceptable propaganda??? Google it ?? Life gets so simple when you're told what to think. As for my lack of military service some-how meaning I shouldn't comment on something related to the military---- --------- this attitude of assumed elitism or psychological separation from common citizens is sort of close to what I'm getting at with the separate 'country' bit. ... the baby version of a larger mentality of separatism. Perhaps more like a separate entity than a separate country. US & ..........................them I've just been commenting on what it looks like from the outside and the edges not claiming any name-dropping familiarity with it all. I suppose I could have researched until completely brainwashed but instead thought 'what the heck one of my skydiving brothers or sisters will put me straight .....run it past them." If everything is all hunky-dory at Guantanamo Bay then why the need for a Supreme Court judgement on whether the US Military has been acting illegally or not ? The US military acting outside US law? This could be because 'it' thinks 'it' has the right to do things that may be illegal as long as it's for the supposed good of all. The fall guys are appropriately dropped into the brig as it's all put right again. I suppose what I've recognised could be better described as 'Polarity politics' or the politics of division. (Divide and conquer?) 'You're either for us or against us' Where did all the colors between black and white go?

in reply to "More powerful engines?" .............................. more power + more weight + more fuel. more wing MORE

in reply to "You've obviously never been in the service. If you had, you would know that your remarks are bogus. " ............................................................. Thank you for your attempt to inform me. As for service..... You'd be right if you meant my not having done any US military service. My comments were just that ...comments If they're bogus what does that mean? I got my feelings wrong did I? Aren't I well enough informed to participate in this forum? We all get to see what appears ( to me & others ) to be a self determined entity fueled by benevolent politicians propped up by well meaning individuals running around the world doing what it wants and not giving a rats for what others (including it's supposed allies) think or feel. Misled and misleading comes to mind when I sift through the mega-info re the US and its military might. Bit like a bully in a sandpit whereas historically (pre Korean War) the US military seemed like angels compared to the hard rock 'mow em downs' now apparently prevalent.. Misinformed??? Please explain how those bases in Cuba qualify as US soil. Why not do all that stuff in the US? It is my info that what goes on at Guantanamo would not be legal if performed in the states. Is this true? I like being enlightened and as a human can admit to making a mistake or getting it wrong sometimes. in reply to "Debates in Speakers' Corner can be quite heated, but they are generally based upon sound reasoning and critical thinking. It is my opinion that your post lacks these traits. " ........................................... Calling my reasoning unsound is a blanket statement that avoids the real issues and merely has a go at me. As for lacking critical thought .... Thankfully we can still have opinions or is this also soon to fade.? Please pardon the naughty apostrophy

in reply 2 "I've eaten plenty of student spit and snot doing tandems. Gotta love the rating. " ............... ..you left out the occassional bit of 'diced carrot with bile sauce"

Can't help but notice that the US military machine is looking more and more like a separate and distinct entity from the USA. It has it's own laws , is not fully subjected to the laws of the US or other countries and decides whether or not to adhere to international agreements as it sees fit. It also enjoys high mobility something most other countries being earthbound don't get to play with. As a 'country' as such it operates with great efficiency due to its relatively direct command structure. It also purifies itself quite well. As a separate entity if it's fed well it does what it's told. A country within a country??

inreply to "anyone have information on those engines? ".................................. Try JetCat ,AMT, PST,Simjet , Wren Micro turbines.

Try searching for----------- JetCat, AMT , PST, SimJet, Wren under Micro-turbines & perhaps try Jet International Magazine/Website

in reply to "The person you are thinking of is probably Yves Rossy who made the first powered flights under his semi-fixed (it's folding, see his web site for more details) wing Yep Jetman got horizontal under his powered wing." I suppose I could have cllarified it with "Is this guy the first person to achieve horizontal flight IN A WINGSUIT." Good on Yves for such an effort but I was referring to a report that an unpowered SkyRay got horizontal for a short while out of a zooming flare. Has the SkyRay had motors added to it yet????

OK so this could be a wingsuit forum thingy but given the significance of this feat perhaps it belongs in the General's office. Now that Visa Parviainen has achieved horizontal wingsuit flight perhaps the biggest hurdle to landing a wingsuit has been overcome. Is this guy the first person to achieve horizontal flight. I had heard that some-one in a Skyray had already done this but unpowered. Now that Visa's done this with motors on what's next? Perhaps unpowered wingsuits will one day become as old hat as round parachutes or skydivers strapping on weights. to fall faster. Being a skinny drawn-out piece of escaped bean-stalk is gonna be a distinct advantage when we all strap on those motors and get ourselves up to height. Good on you Visa Parviainen.

............... You guys started this jet stuff and now it looks like (almost ) any-one can do it even Finnish people Visa Parviainen .... the first person to achieve horizontal flight in a Wingsuit? How are those landings looking??????? Good on ya Visa .

Here's a piccy of a turbine DC3. Pity this idea didn't take off .. even two turbines instead of the threee in the jpg could have been skydiving history changing. Why didn't this turbine DC3 idea get going for skydiving?

in reply 2 "damn, i think i was really lucky. i´m still walking and the pain is no problem. my lesson learned is, that when i´m swooping i have to be focused at least a 100% on my final approach. i should have waited for all the other canopies to land, and than start my swoop. the impact was harder than anything i´ve ever experienced. " .................................... Happy healing Good on you for posting your incident here. Your story is an often hushed up blocked out reality for skydivers. We all make mistakes ..some are just better at hiding it. I wonder if you realise just how lucky you are. A few more feet ??? Some less diplomatic viewers may think you are also unlucky for putting your inexperienced self in such a position. Too many good skydivers have injured themselves for life due to one little landing incident. At 300 jumps you are very much in the ' immortal' zone. It doesn't hurt until after you hit. When HP ZP's first became popular (say 10-15 years ago ) their unfamiliar performance levels were responsible for a large number of landing injuries and deaths. This was because people were used to much slower landing speeds. The good guys made it look easy , the less skilled made it DANGEROUS ..........and not only for themselves. Perhaps you can in future take some of the advice posted here that encourages you to slow down a bit. You can easily run into something or some-one by going too fast for your abilities. That doesn't mean you can't ever go faster... it just means that you really should get your ambitions more in line with your abilities. If you really want to excel at this sport you can't afford to make too many serious mistakes such as going too fast too soon. Learn well slowly then speed up once you've mastered the basics. This should be common sense in such an inherently dangerous sport such as skydiving. Many well known skydivers have busted themselves up by learning the hard way. Many more have kept themselves well by doing it right. Hopefully next time you'll take the time to learn ZP-HP properly from responsible tutors.

in reply 2 "I would have never shown them to you if my fellow coworkers had not pushed me to do so, posting here feels pretty much like jumping of an airplane to me. " .................................. FANTASTIC. Perhaps you could get those work mates to give you a bit more pushing. My favourites ....the landing gear boogie board and the jelly bean. MORE PLEASE.

................ Some more jetman questions.... Also the flight characteristics of the wing are ??? eg what was the approx. stall speed for the jet-wing.? As video person for this project did you have much trouble getting near enough for footage? How does the change in altitude affect the starting and running of the jets.? eg Difference at higher altitudes and lower temperatures as compared to say medium altitudes with warmer temperature.

Good on you for having your say and getting some discussion on this issue in this compassion burnt out modern world of ours. as a child I was led to believe my future would be full of extra leisure time due to the advent of the computer. This may be true relatively speaking. What I don't see is any major improvement in issues such as social justice, equality of opportunity, education based on merit and application rather than $$$$$. Also it would be heartening to see more adults stand up and stick up for those generally denigrated in our Go Faster society . I find it ironic that a lot od the conservationists ideas from the 1960's were ignored at the time but those same unadressed issues are now potentially threatening everything on this planet. If the hippies were right and the $$$$ worshipping raw material wasters wrong it doesn't matter ....we all get to pay for a few generations excesses. So my little good idea is to listen more carefully to people who you don't automatically agree with... they just may have your best interests at heart even if you don't recognise it as such. We're here for a good time as well as a long time . For me I'd prefer to fade away rather than burn out ...especially if there's nothing left to burn.

in reply 2"what impressed me most was the decision of a video guy with over 12,000 jumps to not jump because he felt uncomfortable about the weather conditions. really impressed me that somebody with that much experience put himself on a weather hold. " ........................................................ Good on you for noticing. A lot of highly experienced skydivers place a lot of value on their own and their friends safety. I've noticed that on most DZ's with large numbers of highly experienced jumpers these types tend to share their skills through direct example as much as one on one tutoring. One of the biggest lessons .....TAKE YOUR TIME (don't let the speed freaks make you rush.) You can learn a lot more by watching with your eyes than by paying through your nose.

All done from a Porter?? Nice effort. Would a tailgater simplify the motor start- up & exit procedure?

in reply to "I'm actually surprized that your mind even went there. And a bit frightened to ever meet you at a drop zone. " ........................................................... Any DZ with Alex on it would probably be a lot safer than the ones inhabited by non-computer savy people with their heads stuck firmly in the sand. Perhaps the over technologised AAd run electronic Alti skydiving future does hold some previously unthought of pitfalls....virtual or real. Here's something that may make any apparent electronic paranoi seem like common sense. I once knew a guy whose little trick was to carry around a hidden magnetic zapper.(high intensity fine point ) Not quite sure how it worked myself. This thing when held close to anything with sensitive electronics would scramble the very fine electronic eggs inside. Haven't seen him for quite a while ( I think he works for the shhhh... Government now ) but he enjoyed playing around with things as he saw fit. Apparently ( according to him ) he wasn't breaking any laws. I suppose such a public nuisance couldn't possibly exist in todays trusting advanced society... especially on such a perfect place as any Drop Zone . If we all get too reliant on electronic gadetry perhaps some evil hacker could prove a point by bouncing everyone jumping through cloud with an audible and an AAD who doesn't even look at the ground or their surroundings cause they're so busy turning that last point or getting in and closing that last grip. You mean it's scary out here????? See You out THERE

in reply to "Where in your statement does personal responsibility come into play? How about putting the majority of the responsibility on the people that buy high performance canopies or try HP maneuvers on any canopy without a reasonable progression." ....................................... I agree that the pilot should have some degree of responsibility for their own actions. However a large part of this problem is that a lot ( not all) of the victims are NOT sufficiently versed in the degreee of danger that awaits them under their little HP canopies. They are merely folowing others lead. If they have been encouraged to 'downsize' then whoever is encouraging them or allowing them is also partly to blame (if we want to play the blame game.) Skydiving involves sharing responsibility with others. Any skydivers actions can result in hurting others. It is reasonable to presume that skydivers act responsibly. It is also reasonable to presume that if they act irresponsiblty or negligently that they can be held accountable for their actions as individuals and collectively. If you encouraged my friends to hurt themselves needlessly just for some 'Go Fast ' BS ... in my books you'd need re-educating.

in reply to "do you want video ?? ever seen a turbine idling at 75'000 RPM 20cm from your nose ??" ........................................... Yes and Yes. Some Jpgs would be good too... Those little turbines really whine and scream when pushed to max. As for the air launch . Would it be possible to warm the jets up in the plane if you had a fire extinguisher on board for little accidents?

Asbestos wingsuit anyone? Skydiving people used to tumble uncontrollably when freefall was a new thing. Some people still do. Perhaps there is some relevance in designing an astronaut recovery system that allows a freefalling astronaut to fly around instead of just falling down like Kittinger did. Then they could pick a happy country as their landing site instead of falling into China or N.Korea. As far as I recall Kittinger used a drogue chute in his drop .

in reply to 'Playing the devils advocate, I agree...............Why should skydiving be more restrictive than our entire society? " ............................. Good point. Being a complete angel I agree with the devil bit. Taking the advocate bit a bit further ...why do we have any laws at all as once we're adults we should be able to do anything we want. Perhaps instead of looking at the solutions to this problem ( if it is a problem ) as restrictions we could see them as better guidlines for responsible skydiving. Want a HP canopy? Do a HP canopy course and get yourself one. Want to land a wingsuit or pack reserves? Do the course ..get the rating etc. etc I'm not right up on the 'Duty of Care ' laws but realise they don't allow us to legally act negligently as individuals or collectively. At the moment the skydiving industry and gear dealers are apparently locked in a mad rush to push more and more inexperienced people into buying equipment way beyond their abilities. This 'need for speed' attitude from industry leaders kills and seriously injures supposedly experienced jumpers as well as novices .... all trying to emulate the most skilled and 'fastest' people in the sport. For a skydiver --skydiving is fast enough. Its the canopy ride that's getting TOO fast and out of control for a lot amoungst us. The 'Go fast' ers need replacing with the 'getting there's'.

in reply to"We're even going to get a half-decent toilet and shower block in the near future" ................................. Sounds like Sydeny has recreated itself again. I'll put a vote in for the upstairs airconditioned bar / public viewing area.