topdocker

The real problem in all the family courts is that the system is based on the parents "fighting" for time. The greater the time you have with the child(ren) the more money you get or the less you pay. So find any excuse to make the ex look like a poor parent. If they based child support on 50/50 custody and the further you got from that the less support is paid, there would be a lot less "he said/she said" crap tying up the courts and the cops. top Jump more, post less!

I have a number of medium power rockets (up to seven G motors) that can get your GoPro to several thousand feet! Have the pilotchute attached for when the recovery canopy comes out. Maybe we can put in a periscope for some launch footage as well! top Jump more, post less!

I would disagree with that statement. Spinning and being rendered unconscious limited Barb and Robby's time to act, but it did not make it impossible. Something else prevented one or both from cutting away, and that is the big mystery. top Jump more, post less!

Redneck CRW is defined as having at least one goat owner in the formation. Hey, wait a minute! I thought redneck CRW was having at least one guy in the formation chewing tobaccco? sounds like a whole new thread to me! top Jump more, post less!

No really, the breaker is off! top Jump more, post less!

Put in very large, inefficient, old lights.... ones that pump out a crapload of waste heat. It's not a space heater, just some equipment! You gotta have reading lights....Maybe some heatlamps from tractor Supply.... top Jump more, post less!

Okay, here's my opinion on this: You need to be jumping gear that you are comfortable exiting, flying, and landing (possibly off the DZ). You need to jump at a weight you are comfortable exiting, flying, and landing (possibly off the DZ). You don't sound like you have a ton of money to buy all sorts of different canopies. Given those parameters, you could use a smaller canopy and wingload up a bit that way and add a few pounds as well (A FEW, like eight). I just cannot suggest you jump a Triathlon 99 at this juncture in your career, or a 107 with a crapload of weight. How about a Tri 120? Change the rear riser links for slightly larger ones? Tell the fat boys to lose some weight? A hint for someone learning CRW: stop using your toggles so much, they create lift and drag, the two enemies of the lighter person. Let the canopy fly more, use your front and rear risers more. Side note: don't put down the "redneck CRW," a lot of national and world champions started that way! top Jump more, post less!

I think before anyone replies and gives you off-target advice, we might need a few more facts. What target wingloading are the people you jumping with flying? What canopies? How much weight are you willing to wear? Vest or in the rig? How much CRW experience do you have and how much are you looking to jump? (Cost benefit here) Which would you rather land out with, 20lbs extra on your belly, or a small canopy? There is no easy answer here, but lets talk options and safety. top Jump more, post less!

I'd love to learn more about you because I am in your region, even though you are running unopposed. One thing that might help is to actually visit the other dz's in the region and meet the members. I asked around this weekend and nobody remembers see you at my home dz on a sat or sun in recent memory. If you have then I apologize for calling you out, but if you haven't that would be a good way to start. I have been there lately, but it was a Friday. I plan on a few more trips there soon. In the meantime, feel free to call me up and talk with me, my numbers are listed on the USPA website. Craig Jump more, post less!

DSE, this is the first I have heard of this. When was this and can I still be a part of it? I'd love to let people know more about me! Craig Stapleton, Pacific Regional Director Jump more, post less!

Plus, a good number of the casualties were from aircraft being shot down/colliding. But those dudes from D-Day had brass ones! At night, near water, enemy territory, lightly armed against entrenched experienced combat troops. 10% seems low! (unless you are one of the 10%!). top PS. or anyone else who has made a combat jump! Jump more, post less!

Talk to her Dad, maybe the family has an heirloom ring that means more than any storebought rock. I proposed to my wife with my grandmothers engagement ring. My wife still wears it (and not a wedding band) not only because its a beautiful ring, but because she is proud to wear the history of our family. good luck! top Jump more, post less!

I would be in favor of this direction, but then you're back to "mandated/regulatory" vs mere "education." Some folks don't seem to like that idea. Just trying to make education more palatable- Smaller bites. You don't need to know about highly wingloaded elipticals as you get a B license, and you may not need a refresher on F-111 300's as you get a D license. Different levels have different skill requirements. top Jump more, post less!

Buy her a rig insteaad. It's cheaper, you can use it occasionally, and if she doesn't appreciate it you know you won't be jumping long or married long. top Jump more, post less!

Cuz it only came in one size!!?? I like that it came with a d-bag... top Jump more, post less!

According to the USPA: Looks like most of those fatalities were with people that have more than 400-500 jumps. (going by median jump numbers) with the means showing it happening much more to higher jump numbers. I have yet to see this honestly and objectively addressed on these forums. The data seems to say that it is the experienced jumpers that are killing themselves under small canopies, despite all the worries about Joe Blow jumping a 1.5 w/l at 300 jumps, or Johnny Public jumping a Stiletto 190 at 200 jumps. That point has been made repeatedly since around 2003, but the fans of more regulation still haven't addressed it. First, something needs to change, we all know that. Second, are we getting accurate data? We only get the data on fatalities, or sometimes serious injuries, so it is difficult to see how many non-fatal incidents people with various numbers are involved in. A low timer may have a canopy collision, but because of the low wingload and higher opening altitude, it produces a cutaway and reserve deployment, not any injuries. Third, we need to recognize there are two types of canopy collisions- those right at or just after opening, and those in the pattern (down to landing). Seperating that data would be more instructive, as we would see if we are having group seperation issues or pattern issues or both. Fourth, I would much rather see more education and less regulation. As each person becomes better educated as to the dangers, they become self-regulating and less reliant on someone watching out for them. How about a different canopy course required for a B, C, and D license? top Jump more, post less!

I'll keep participating as long as we have worthwhile discussion (or a physics lesson, can't go wrong with physics!). There's a whole bunch of smart people here who can come up with something! top Jump more, post less!

So simple a solution! But what about all the incidents that people were under apporpriately sized canopies? Do we want USPA to have the authority to mandate what type/size of canopy you jump? Do you want an S&TA weighing you before you can jump that day to see if you are over the wingloading chart? How do we enforce a wingload rule everyday? Do we have a seperate chart for camera, wingsuits, or instructors (they should be setting a good example to their students and fly more docile canopies)? Education is the key during all phases of a jumper's career. If you don't have the mental/physical tools to make good flying decisions, flying ANY canopy is still dangerous to you and those around you. top Jump more, post less!

USPA is doing somethin and not just letting this be an electronic discussion, but that takes time. Time to gather data, evaluate various methods, make whatever changes are necessary, and implement those changes. In the meantime USPA HQ is putting the word out there that changes are coming and we need to put this on our personal radar now. top Jump more, post less!

Why are people waiting for USPA to "do something?" IF you see that canopy collisions are causing more fatalies than in the past, shouldn't you be improving your skills in that area? It is your life on the line, not just someone at HQ. USPA is working to help solve this problem, but that will take time to study, implement, and see the results. Get out there now and learn more canopy control, learn collision avoidance techniques, take a canopy course, learn from those who have been around a while and have seen this stuff for years. The life you save may be mine too! top Jump more, post less!

I'm on your side on this one, Robin. top Jump more, post less!

(This has been a great discussion about the topic!) If we are looking to have experienced jumpers learn better canopy control, it only seeems logical that we do that as early as possible, before they develop bad habits or injure/kill themselves. Therefore, we should make at least a "basic" class an A license requirement, then subsequent class(es) should be part of higher license requirements. Maybe each license has its canopy class that is required? Ultimately, this will add to the costs of being a student, and working through the license progression later on. Also, this puts more pressure on the DZ (especially the smaller ones) to have instructors availible for canopy control courses. top Jump more, post less!

Rhonda- Since you posted this in a public forum, I will respond in public. I was unable to open your attachment in DZ.com, and I have reviewed my mail cache and could not find an email from you. I have been with the US CF Team in china for the last few weeks and have been unable to get some emails. If you could resend your letter to me, I can respond to you personally. I am only one member of the BOD, so my abilities are limited, but I will at least read what you have to say. Thanks and congratulations on the silver medal, it is an honor well-deserved! Craig Stapleton, Pacific RD Jump more, post less!

How soon can I expect that to happen? After 15 years of jumping a pull-out (400-600 jumps a year), haven't had any problems. 6. Doofus in Otter thinks its funny to hold your hand against the bar while you are exiting. You exit, hand stays in plane momentarily, shoulder doesn't feel so good! top Jump more, post less!

I find it easier to get the double-wide, double-padding legstraps lower. It feels more like "sitting under canopy," and less like "hanging in the harness." top Jump more, post less!