tkhayes

perhaps it is not a 'political agenda' at all, maybe gay people just want to be married. The fact that there are more than one of them, makes it a political agenda? Also the fact that current governments are standing in the way of that also makes it a political agenda. (them being 'politicians.) Maybe the politics should not be in the way at all. sorry if I made it sound like a Christian agenda, but it certainly is an item held in high standing amongst the right wing fundamentalist Christians - which sort of makes it a Christian agenda too, perhaps not YOUR Christian agenda. TK Courts have time and time again kept government out of our bedrooms, and marriage is tied closely to that. I do not agree that ANYONE's rights or freedoms will be in jeopardy by allowing gay marriage, therefore the government should not be involved at all, except to manage and support it.

pretty scary stuff - cannot agree with it as a freedom thing, but sure - we all think it is the right thing to do for this case. But I doubt it will stand up - opens too many doors to civil abuses by the courts. from Steve Martin's movie Parenthood - "You gotta have a license to drive a car, or own a dog of even catch a fish, but they will let any butthead be a Dad..." TK

yes it is pretty embarrassing to be here right now. The town is not really racist, but there are certainly racist tendancies amoungst many people. City Council, by changing th name back to 6th Ave did nothing but help fuel those feelings and tendancies and made us the praise of a few White-based groups and websites, etc. They decided to keep the MLK signs up and leave the name as 6th Ave. Not something I am happy with, but the people who live there seem to be happy with it, so who am I to care - right? Bugs the shot out of me that elected officials cannot see the damage that gets done with decisions like this. TK

"I'm sure that the issue concerning the institution of marriage is vastly more important to the foundations of our society and culture than prohibition was and, therefore, would be rightly considered for an amendment to the Constitution." to you perhaps, as a Christian and from a Christian standpoint. But many of us do not share that viewpoint and many of us do not believe in a god, in a religion, or in an afterlife. Many more people around the world believe in OTHER religions than yours. "One way only' attitudes in the world have caused more wars, the Crusades, the Spanish Inquisition, and witch-buring, just to mention a few. So I would much prefer it if you kept YOUR religion to YOURSELF and practiced it (by all means) quietly and privately. And keep it out of the laws of this country, which I have the right to live by as well and not have that crap shoved down my throat. If there was no religion, there would be no evil. TK

"Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters, nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God." 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 (NIV) Geez.... is this truE? - those terms describe just about every person I have ever met in my life! guess none of us are going to inherit - oh well, back to my swindling...... TK

"The one result of all this media uproar is that U.S. interrogation methods will become less forceful, and less effective. So this Summer there will be news stories of ineffective interrogations leading to avoidable combat deaths of American troops. Unfortunately, this is an old pattern in American politics and its relationship with the media and the military. There are similar examples going back 150 years (to before the American Civil War.) But the media has no memory, particularly when it comes to their own abuses" it's pretty lame an arguement to say that this will result in US deaths. THat is akin to saying that Martin Luther King directly caused US deaths in Vietnam, just because he protested the war here at home. How about saving US soldiers' lives by not having them there in the first place? I think that would be the most effective way of saving their lives. Hard to get shot at when you are not there. TK

I saw those, but how do I get them to use? Or can I use them in a poster? TK

Looking for a couple small graphics, line art would do, of canopies swooping, or something like that anywhere to get? Thanks TK

A new skydiving summer is just starting. That means everyone is shaking off the rust and blowing dust off the gear. Take your time and get warmed up at a reasonable pace. Have your gear checked out before you start and then by a friend every time you jump. Skydive within your limits and know when to say no. Read the fatality reports and understand why and how people get killed and injured in this sport. Avoid your own accidents by breaking the 'chain' of events that cause them. Mostly be safe. It is a nice long summer. People hate going to emergency rooms and funerals. TK

probably the safest way is via Tandem, but we still have no mandatory tandem requirement - it is really up to you and what you want to do. You cna learn a lot either way, but I also believe that it is all new anyway - so AFF throws you into the deep end of the swimming pool and teaches you how to swim - does nto amtter as long as the training is adequate. TK

Oh yeah? Well MY dropzone is bigger than YOUR dropzone..... actually it is about 60x100x120x14 and that is pretty big TK

Osgood-Cloud Funeral Home Wed (today) 6-8pm and Thursday 2-pm and 6-8pm 4691 Park Blvd Pinellas Park, FL 33781-3531 Phone: (727) 544-6625 Funeral on Saturday 10am 30TH AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH 3241 30 AVENUE NORTH ST PETERSBURG, FL Maybe see some of you there, TK Hayes

Long time skydiver Bill Klase passed away after some illness in Tampa last night. He is well known at Z-Hills, muff-jumping and demos over the years. He had been fighting organ failure for some time and recently suffered a heart attack as well. Will post details as I can get them, but he leaves his wife Mindy, also a jumper and many friends at Z-Hills and other locations around Florida. Take care my friend. Send stuff through me at tk@skydivecity.com if you wish and I will pass them on. TK Hayes Z-Hills

Done today FINALLY! 121 Way, 2 point skydive at Z-Hills on Jump number 20. Started with 140 people on Thrusday, several dives VERY CLOSE with one person out, several dives keyed to the second point with people missing, and several dives that did not go so well. Today (Sunday) met with people departing, a very close dive, more people departing and finally pulled everyone on board, including a large chunk of the bench team to try the fourth jump today at 121. Both points built beautifully, done and held for many seconds, and a lot of celebrations. Condolances to those who had to leave. Congrats to those that did it. THANKS to everyone that helped out, it was a tremendous effort by too many people to mention. Pilots were dialed in from the first try on Thursday. Thanks to Billy Richards crew, Paul Fayards Crew and Toby from the Eddowes Factory at Crosskeys on that side of things. Plane captains, Lou, Guy, Gareth, Derek, Boxman, Markku, Leslie and Mike, Videos by Tom and Tony, Alicia for doing so much on the ground, Ally and tracey, the rest of my staff for picking up the slack, riggers for putting people back on loads within an hour of a cutaway, Janine for the food, Paul for the beer, Craig and Charlie for the rides back to the DZ (every load was on the airport), Differ and volunteers for the Oxygen, and even the guy who drove an hour to bring us the last 3 bottles they had...... whew, I need a drink - what a week TK

rubbish - if it is 'not recommended' by someone or something, then that statement is either out of context or out of date. Take normal precautions like everyone else. There is a blood shortage in the world, not a surplus. Donate whenever you can, take 24 hours to jump, TK Apheresis donor (230+ times)

Finally got off to a good start this a.m. early. Yesterday blew all day, so went right to 17500 this morning. Two loads done, no records yet, but much better dive the second time around as expected. Pilots and aircraft are smack-on, organizing is great and I am out of it with my sinuses exploding..... I worry better when i am on the ground anyway. stay tuned TK

The program of events is available at our calendar http://www.skydivecity.com/news/calendar.htm Looks like it might be windy through tomorrow, but we are still planning on High ALtitude for tomorrow morning and Night Jumps for tomorrow night. 4 Way scrambles Sunday, then into the week with Roy and Nigel organizing see ya there TK

Pitts will be here this weekend, Fri-Sat-Sun, I tried sorta to put things in chronological order.

Boogie is days away, High Altitude load Saturday morning, (both Saturdays) Jimmy Goggin and his Pitts Fri-Sat-Sun Joe Kittenger rumored to make an appearance Saturday night 4 Way Scrambles Meet Sunday Into the week, lots of organizers and 3 Super Otters 10th - Band 11th - 40 Way Competition as everyone comes out for the 140 ways later that week. TK's pancake breakfast Easter Sunday morning (also Free) No boogie registration - $18 jumps, formation loads, sunset big ways and of course, great vibes see you in Z-Hills we hope TK

Looks like the Irish are heding out of Z-Hills today, thanks to everyone who came over again and made the trip a success. Vinnie managaed 100 jumps in 11 days, Fester - well he is Fester..... We wrapped up the trip with Night Jumps on Friday and a high altitude load Saturday morning. I hope everyone had a great trip and we will see them again i am sure. Paul Jady and Mel got married here at the DZ last night, lots of Muff punch, music, scotch and great food from Kerry and Janine. Congrats to them all, hope we did not scare the relatives too badly. thanks again everyone TK Z-Hills

this is very tragic - Joe was a great person - it makes you wonder what makes great people fall to such despiar.... If anyone has details on funeral or toher arrangements, please email me, i know that folks from Z-Hills will be interested in attending and helping out. TK

hmmm, the regs do have a definition of a tandem instructor, so that may preclude the 'pilot' status. Requirements fo the tandem insructor are fairly well laid out. TK

Thanks everyone for coming out to Safety Day - the highlight was definitely John Leblanc talking for more than 2 hours on al sorts of subjects related to canopy flying. Of course the free beer and pizza was cool too. Thanks to Bob, Laurie, Paul, Carrie, Tony and Billy, Julie, Khan and everyone else that helped by doing a talk on some safety aspect. Hope everyone learned a few things. TK Skydive City

If you read the FARs regarding tandems: Sec. 105.45 Use of tandem parachute systems (a) No person may conduct a parachute operation using a tandem parachute system, and no pilot in command of an aircraft may allow any person to conduct a parachute operation from that aircraft using a tandem parachute system, unless-- (1) One of the parachutists using the tandem parachute system is the parachutist in command, and meets the following requirements: (i) Has a minimum of 3 years of experience in parachuting, and must provide documentation that the parachutist-- (ii) Has completed a minimum of 500 freefall parachute jumps using a ram-air parachute, and (iii) Holds a master parachute license issued by an organization recognized by the FAA, and (iv) Has successfully completed a tandem instructor course given by the manufacturer of the tandem parachute system used in the parachute operation or a course acceptable to the Administrator. (v) Has been certified by the appropriate parachute manufacturer or tandem course provider as being properly trained on the use of the specific tandem parachute system to be used. (2) The person acting as parachutist in command: (i) Has briefed the passenger parachutist before boarding the aircraft. The briefing must include the procedures to be used in case of an emergency with the aircraft or after exiting the aircraft, while preparing to exit and exiting the aircraft, freefall, operating the parachute after freefall, landing approach, and landing. (ii) Uses the harness position prescribed by the manufacturer of the tandem parachute equipment. (b) No person may make a parachute jump with a tandem parachute system unless- (1) The main parachute has been packed by a certificated parachute rigger, the parachutist in command making the next jump with that parachute, or a person under the direct supervision of a certificated parachute rigger. (2) The reserve parachute has been packed by a certificated parachute rigger in accordance with Sec. 105.43(b) of this part. (3) The tandem parachute system contains an operational automatic activation device for the reserve parachute, approved by the manufacturer of that tandem parachute system. The device must-- (i) Have been maintained in accordance with manufacturer instructions, and (ii) Be armed during each tandem parachute operation. (4) The passenger parachutist is provided with a manual main parachute activation device and instructed on the use of that device, if required by the owner/operator. (5) The main parachute is equipped with a single-point release system. (6) The reserve parachute meets Technical Standard Order C23 specifications. According to this, the new federal law requires that the passenger IS required to be taught to activate the main parachute. This is no longer an 'exemption', tandem now falls under FAA rules and regs and violation of those regs is a violation of federal law. So tandems are to be briefed on use of a ripcord and aircraft emergencies most importantly. In the case of an accident or incident resulting in a lawsuit, I would not ewant to be trying to explain to a jury why i did NOT give my passenger a ripcord and alitmeter when federal law appears to require that i do that. People really need to pay attention to the things that count. Federal laws are a great way to hang yourselves (and your pilot) just my $0.02 worth TK

Lots of Seminars all day long, see the schedule on our calendar at www.skydivecity.com Also John Leblanc coming in the late afternoon for one of his great canopy seminars, do not miss See ya there TK Skydive City