chopchop

Yup.. the star is the DZ and the circle is the accident location. The fire started a little farther south on Vasco than the accident. chopchop gotta go... Plaything needs a spanking.. Lotsa Pictures

The accident was quite a ways from the dropzone.. As far as I know, it is not a jumper but it is a tragedy. Edited to add: That is part of the reason that the fire department took so long to respond.. chopchop gotta go... Plaything needs a spanking.. Lotsa Pictures

A few jumps in our new landign area and you will have one... For me.. :13:1 and paid. First time seeing footage I shot on TV.. first time seeing our landing area on fire.. first reserve ride on my new SMART reserve.. Not sure which is the beerable offense but i bought beer anyway.. And I think i owe a rigger in Z Hills a bottle of sumthin.. chopchop gotta go... Plaything needs a spanking.. Lotsa Pictures

I didn't take stills on that jump.. So it is just DV footage. And I don't have the tape with me. Brian was downloading his and my footage to the news stations when i left and still has my tape. It was amazing how fast that fire swept from Vasco Road to Falcon Way.. It was a very emotional afternoon.. that ended in serious relief and happiness. chopchop gotta go... Plaything needs a spanking.. Lotsa Pictures

That was my footage of the fire from above.. cuz I was just dumb enough to wanna go fly my canopy through the smoke.. Figured out pretty quick that I didn't like it and got outta there.. chopchop gotta go... Plaything needs a spanking.. Lotsa Pictures

Well.. it certainly was yesterday.. and here is one pic to prove it. I have lots more.. of the 3 Forestry Services helicopters and when the hangar was completely obscurred by smoke.. but this one kinda says enough. Skydivers rock.. When we realized the hangar was in jeopardy, we had every rig and valuable piece of equipment out of there in about 20 minutes. Thankfully all ended well.. We have a charred landing area but the structures, planes and all equipment were spared any damage..

The Icon is a very nice container. Lots of cool features like the riser guides, the extended link for lower cutaway pressure, the bridle tuck tab and of course, the badass hook knife / bottle opener. The Pilot is an excellent beginner / intermediate canopy that performs well at low wingloadings but can also handle a high wingloading. Soft consistent on-heading openings, strong flare and light riser pressure make this a very fun yet forgiving canopy. As long as you are ready to fly a 150, I don't think you would be making a mistake by purchasing this equipment. Have fun. chopchop gotta go... Plaything needs a spanking.. Lotsa Pictures

I'll second that motion I can get behind that.. Loving my Pilots! chopchop gotta go... Plaything needs a spanking.. Lotsa Pictures

Tehehe.. Wait 10 years and watch them struggle when the young carrot munching, insecure kids accidentally slip into ovality again and find out how tough it is to lose it when they are in POPS.. Then ask them about their tyre.. So.. don't worry about the comments.. cuz JP.. You may be fat but at least you are old!! chopchop gotta go... Plaything needs a spanking.. Lotsa Pictures

...And so you did..

yup... Pyke and NWFlier did indeed invade BAS.. Plaything and I took pictures to prove it.. They are both in a hybrid in our hybrid gallery and Lany took at least one shot of Pyke lounging around the dz.. BTW... Thanks for the jump, you two.. It was great meeting you guys. chopchop gotta go... Plaything needs a spanking.. Lotsa Pictures

Thank you, sweetie.. You are my bestest friend, too.

Ditto on the pilot. 10 jumps a day on weekends lately.. soft, on-heading..no bruises, feeling fine on Monday.. chopchop gotta go... Plaything needs a spanking.. Lotsa Pictures

Not very nice, Lisa.. you obviously have not had enough Byron love.. chopchop gotta go... Plaything needs a spanking.. Lotsa Pictures

Gareth is always looking for freefliers from out of town to add to his group.. I'll point you in his direction. chopchop gotta go... Plaything needs a spanking.. Lotsa Pictures

Despite all the letters I wrote them? chopchop gotta go... Plaything needs a spanking.. Lotsa Pictures

Are you sure it hasn't been to Byron? I think every dog has been to Byron.. chopchop gotta go... Plaything needs a spanking.. Lotsa Pictures

I took an 80 y.o. man on his AFF 1 a week ago.. He had 150 military jumps from 45 years earlier.. 0 freefall.. I was scared shitless.. He was fine. He did great. It was his last jump. He'll probably never jump again but he seemed to need that one last one. The whole thing happened quicker than he expected but despite the initial balling up and then the delay before starting the sequence.. (despite the many hand signals including pulling his arm) he did the entire sequence, pulled on time and landed safely. I am not sure who was happier, myself, him or his wife. I was also quite relieved. His memory was failing.. communication was poor.. and he was a seasoned skydiver.. (in his mind) It had been 6 weeks since first jump course and he showed no signs of having attended.. The odds were not good. So.. we gave a very thorough retrain and decided he was ready. Overall.. it was a very rewarding experience once it was done. He told me he had been reliving his last jump in his mind and could remember it clearly for the last 45 years.. He needed to make one more.. and tandem was out of the question. Anyone else out there harness holding the elderly?

Sweetie.. I love your new painting.. I think it is great.. I love the fact that while I am away, you are painting my image... Did I mention I love you.. and Happy Mother's Day! Roy chopchop gotta go... Plaything needs a spanking.. Lotsa Pictures

Thanks for posting those most flattering shots of me, JP... As a camera flier that also started early but not for pay, I am amused at the arguement. I recall at 200 jumps not really being aware my camera was there except to make sure I turned it on prior to exit.. Now as a paid camera-flier, during each skydive, I am aware of whether I have a still and video, just a video, or no camera at all.. I fly differently depending on what is up there. I recognize things in the air or on the ground that make for nice backdrop scenery and adjust my angle to get it in the shot, I have made it my responsibility to understand photography such that my equipment is set up properly, and I realize it early on when I am in an uncomfortable situation... bad spot, people not tracking, etc.. I can do all of this at once while keeping the camera focused on my subject.. I did almost none of this 1,200 jumps ago.. 1,200 jumps ago, I either focused on my subject or I was aware of my surroundings... I think people can safely jump a camera early in their careers.. I also think someone doing something extraordinary (beyond their abilities) to get a cool shot or in a cool shot.. is wrong.. I, personally, won't wear my camera helmet on an AFF jump.. I want nothing to interfere with getting my job done. Zoter, fly your camera.. but fly it like it isn't even there.. Soon, your awareness will evolve and you will be able to multitask in the sky and your photography will get keener.. And, as your awareness grows, and your skills increase, you will know, finally, that you still have so much to learn.. Maybe you are better than me, but the more jumps I have, the more inadequate I feel.. chopchop gotta go... Plaything needs a spanking.. Lotsa Pictures

I've got a call into him to see if he is taking it on the road.. specifically, I think we need that next to the booze luge at the next byron boogie.. chopchop gotta go... Plaything needs a spanking.. Lotsa Pictures

I buy from Bonnie at http://www.gravitygear.com/. She is honest, knowledgeable and very creative. chopchop gotta go... Plaything needs a spanking.. Lotsa Pictures

to start: http://www.shutterfly.com/progal/album.jsp?pg=2 #202 maybe #201 or #200 http://www.shutterfly.com/progal/album.jsp?pg=3 maybe #226 and/or #230 Weird.. the links don't work... and when are we gonna have catfish? Lany hasn't made her special catfish in a while..

I'm here, too.. thanks for the compliments.. and it is nice to be missed.. but I have been around.. just not PWing in Da Bonfire!! I was in Z Hills 10 days ago.. I even took some pictures to prove it.. They are in our RW gallery.. Byron last weekend and this weekend.. chopchop gotta go... Plaything needs a spanking.. Lotsa Pictures

Or you have gotten used to it.. Phil, regarding how long my openings take, I haven't thought much about it but my guess would be 600-700 feet. chopchop gotta go... Plaything needs a spanking.. Lotsa Pictures