mnischalke

And now, the rest of the story... Whaaah. Get a grip, girly. The jumper you're talking about is the 7th-place swooper in the world. Was Mirage/Performace Designs right to give him a full ride for gear? You are damn right, in my opinion. He is a college student who has spent almost everything he had to practice his ass off and to get to swoop meets around the country to compete. He looked like a mountainbiker at a road race, among all the sponsored jumpers. Funny thing, he'd beat them. Now, he's sponsored, and I personally don't think the Mirage team could have sponsored a better swooper/representative/instructor/mentor. So he's pissed about being part of an ad for a completely different company than who he's sponsored by, and rightfully so. I don't know you, but let's say you are not a lesbian, but the Lesbian's Alliance of America catch a photo of you with a lesbian friend at a tea party and use it in an ad about how happy lesbians are at tea parties. Ya think you'd be a little upset? If you were straight before, you sure as hell are gay to everyone who sees the ad. The photograph in question happened. It's not a fake. It is just being used in a way that misrepresents the truth. Everyone in that photo is NOT sponsored by Sunpath. To the casual reader, they ARE. In what way did this swooper pick apart another company other than to point out his issue with it's misrepresentation in an ad? He later said who he is sponsored with and that he loves the gear of his sponsor (which he'd been jumping before he got the sponsorship, btw). Did he say anything about Sunpath? its delivery time? its craftsmanship? its design flaws? I didn't see any of that. Remember that sponsorship is part of advertising and it happens in every industry within a free-market economic system. So, the next time you go buy a Chevy, be sure to bitch to the dealer about Dale Jr. and how you pay for him to drive a new Corvette. mike Girls only want boyfriends who have great skills--You know, like nunchuk skills, bow-hunting skills, computer-hacking skills.

In case you missed it the first time: mike Girls only want boyfriends who have great skills--You know, like nunchuk skills, bow-hunting skills, computer-hacking skills.

Or imagine if someone hooked into a spacecraft full of the first load of the little green aliens who are coming to our planet to show us all sorts of alternative energy sources like string beans and cabbage...What then? mike Girls only want boyfriends who have great skills--You know, like nunchuk skills, bow-hunting skills, computer-hacking skills.

just found this thread, but my idea is to use those five extra jumps before a student can get his A as a 5-jump, focused canopy control course by a USPA Canopy Control Instructor. How many people have even read the new section in the 2004 SIM about canopy control and progression? It's awesome info, but I bet 90% of skydivers out there don't even know it's there. mike Girls only want boyfriends who have great skills--You know, like nunchuk skills, bow-hunting skills, computer-hacking skills.

No shit. We both have to concede to the fact that if this happens, education--no matter when it was administered--was worthless. (edit) and there is no way in the world words on a piece of paper can prevent some hell-bent knucklehead from trying it.(/edit) I appreciate what you're trying to do. I just don't think you need to spread requirements around someone's jumping career, when the most important things someone needs to know should be programmed into their heads as early as possible. If they know why they shouldn't jump a velocity at 2.6 (and not because 2.6 has reached a point of diminishing returns) with 26 jumps, or even a vengeance at 1.2, you might not have to worry about what they'll be doing at jump 46 or 96 or whatever. I like the idea of remedial canopy training for some stupid fucks, but seriously, leave that up to the dzo/s&ta. mike Girls only want boyfriends who have great skills--You know, like nunchuk skills, bow-hunting skills, computer-hacking skills.

Almost entirely. First the s&ta has to see the low pull. Second, as that person who saw the infraction, you know exactly where he grabbed the handle? You lazer him as you saw him pull? Really, the rule has no teeth unless someone makes a stink over it. And this will work? This will eliminate fatalities? I don't believe that for a second. Exactly So rather than trying to spread canopy control around all the licenses (although I do feel that there should be at least a little more canopy something in the requirements for each of the licenses) why not use those five extra jumps students have to make now to build an intensive canopy control course within the student program? I did my first canopy control course (scott miller's) at jump #25 and it was perfect timing. If the student program is lacking in an area, let's beef it up! Don't reinvent the wheel and start imposing a whole bunch of bullshit on the rest of us--many of which have been through several canopy courses and worked with some of the best canopy pilots in the world--for something you can't guarantee will work. Bullshit. Every gear manufacturer I have seen has wingloading requirements/suggestions for each of their canopies. If someone cannot read and comprehend what the manufacturer is advising them, the should not be jumping anything. mike Girls only want boyfriends who have great skills--You know, like nunchuk skills, bow-hunting skills, computer-hacking skills.

You are missing my point. This is totally unenforceable. It's a feel-good so that when someone pounds in under a highly-loaded canopy outside of their prescribed wingloading ability, we can all just shake our heads and say, "bad him." What's wrong with saying "bad him" now? -- Maybe before he runs to another dz, which may or may not have a USPA affiliation, and pounds in? I appreciate your efforts and agree with much of what was in your proposal. I cannot go as far as to endorse wingloading requirements. Seems to me, the whole proposal is a wolf in sheep's clothing. mike Girls only want boyfriends who have great skills--You know, like nunchuk skills, bow-hunting skills, computer-hacking skills.

so I have no WL card when I show up at a dz. I have to open my main container to show manifest or the rigging loft my main? What if I show up with a Spectre 190, then switch it out for my Vengance 135 after I get checked in? mike Girls only want boyfriends who have great skills--You know, like nunchuk skills, bow-hunting skills, computer-hacking skills.

Incorrect. A logbook endorsement would alleviate the need to demonstrate proficiency at a new DZ if the jumper did so at their home DZ. And how exactly do you anticipate this being enforced? mike Girls only want boyfriends who have great skills--You know, like nunchuk skills, bow-hunting skills, computer-hacking skills.

I think it's totally wrong. It looks as if everyone in the photo is a Javelin owner, which is totally not the case. There's a bigger issue here. The photograph is used in an ad. The photographer must have secured model releases from each of the distinguishable persons in the image for the express purpose of an ad, or he and the company using the image are very liable. The company or the photographer must have those releases on file. Smaller companies get hit hard for this shit all the time because they don't realize you can't just use any old photograph in an ad. If you intend to make money from someone's likeness, you better have written consent or be prepared to pay up. mike Girls only want boyfriends who have great skills--You know, like nunchuk skills, bow-hunting skills, computer-hacking skills.

First off, I cannot comment on what the good folks at PD are thinking in terms of marketing strategy in releasing a much anticipated canopy during winter months. I also cannot comment on PD's testing and evaluation process. Laying down a pair of canopies for comparison only showed how the panels matched dimentionally and in shape. Now, if a canopy's endcell matches that of another canopy, (considering all the ribs are scaled versions of the airfoil pattern represented in the endcell) that is a perfect indicator of the shape of the airfoil, as you are directly comparing airfoils. The planform is a little different, but each panel has a set of dimensions which can be compared to the corresponding panel on another canopy. The leading edge and trailing edge may also be compared in relation to ellipsis. Subtle differences in construction can be observed, but since the canopies are constructed in the same shop, ya don't have to look at every seam to ensure nothing new is going on inside the stitch. Variations in crossport designs can cause top-skin distortion differences. For instance, BigAir uses two stacked circles rather than the traditional oblong design, which seems to reduce top-skin distortion. I digress. Lines can alter the spanwise curve of the wing, of course, and will certainly lead to differing flying characteristics. But, unless the lines put enough stress on the wing to cause distortion between the loaded ribs, thereby changing it's physical shape, the wing itself does not change. The only thing that changes is it's angle of incidence and the spanwise curve. The nose of a canopy can also be looked at in the same manner of matching and analyzing. One sure difference between the Katana and the Samurai is the much larger opening on the endcell of the Katana. Rather than asserting something, to me the above is an indicator that there are more than enough similarities to warrant further exploration of this. If someone wants to compare the CAD designs, that would certainly bring a final verdict to light. mike Girls only want boyfriends who have great skills--You know, like nunchuk skills, bow-hunting skills, computer-hacking skills.

I guess I was just making a funny, but still, I think some folks are making a lot more out of this than need be. If someone passes the requirements set by the manufacturers, why not sell it to that person? The manufacturer would. The buyer could lie to you just as easily as they could lie to the manufacturer. Now that some folks have posted what they ask, someone will be much better prepared for the questioning and have all their lies ready. With a little research, they can talk the talk, and you'll probably never know if they can walk the walk (unless Nick has to update the list with their name). So, who's responsibility is the safety of the person who wants your gear? I'd take a little of it, and talk to him enough to say I was comfortable with his experience and his basic understanding of BASE, but ultimately, I think the bulk of the responsibility rests firmly on the shoulders of the buyer. If someone is gonna make a bunch of shit up so they can get a rig and go jump off the roof of their 6th story office building, Darwin will catch up to him sooner or later. That may be bad press for BASE, but can we really police every aspect of this stuff and prevent every dumb motherfucker from committing suicide with a rig on his back? Faber, I am really very happy you got what you wanted, and you are jumping the fuck out of it. I do miss it as it sure is a lot more stealthy than my new rig. mike Girls only want boyfriends who have great skills--You know, like nunchuk skills, bow-hunting skills, computer-hacking skills.

Ha, Shall I explain political posturing to ya? It won't even get to his desk, so he can say anything he wants to about it, publicly. It's in the hands of congress, and I am sure most of them know what happened last time. mike Girls only want boyfriends who have great skills--You know, like nunchuk skills, bow-hunting skills, computer-hacking skills.

Without a second thought. So what card are you holding back? mike Girls only want boyfriends who have great skills--You know, like nunchuk skills, bow-hunting skills, computer-hacking skills.

Well, that depends on your interpretation of the term "assault weapon." If you are talking about the true meaning of the term (fully automatic rifle, coined by hitler himself), probably not. If you are talking about the clinton-feel-good-black-guns-are-bad-even-though-they-are-operationally-the-same-as-every-other-semi-automatic-rifle-with-a-wood-stock, yes. Or at least terribly misinformed. mike Girls only want boyfriends who have great skills--You know, like nunchuk skills, bow-hunting skills, computer-hacking skills.

Umm 125% of 300% Those numbers were each of their own category. (49% of all republicans) mike Girls only want boyfriends who have great skills--You know, like nunchuk skills, bow-hunting skills, computer-hacking skills.

So someone isn't gonna have the exact same attitude toward a regulation on the matter? If there's a regulation in place, why should I, as a concerned jumper, even comment on someone's canopy control issues? Why can't someone just keep an A license and jump however and whatever they want just to say "fuck you" to the requirements? This also totally doesn't address the guy with 10 years in the sport who cant fly for dick but has a d license. Hell, it goes out of it's way not to address it. The closest I have come to dying under canopy was when a dude with 10 years in the sport did a 180 on final and ended up on a reverse heading from mine, 50 ft to my front. Funny part, he never even noticed me, even when he was facing me. So, again, what's the reg. do for this guy? mike Girls only want boyfriends who have great skills--You know, like nunchuk skills, bow-hunting skills, computer-hacking skills.

So, would it be cool to sit down and talk to her about her morals? Or would it be better to have dinner and a movie at her house; show her some skydiving videos on your mini-dv camera; leave the camera running so you can catch her advances on tape; then show her hubby the tape? Personally, if I were the husband, I'd rather know who I was married to, unless, ya know, they got one of those marriages...there may be another camera running in the closet mike Girls only want boyfriends who have great skills--You know, like nunchuk skills, bow-hunting skills, computer-hacking skills.

That is the nut of why I am leary of new regulations. Positive peer pressure (which points someone in the right direction) will prevail over any new set of rules, IMHO. mike Girls only want boyfriends who have great skills--You know, like nunchuk skills, bow-hunting skills, computer-hacking skills.

wow, just posted the same thing on the other thread... strange... mike Girls only want boyfriends who have great skills--You know, like nunchuk skills, bow-hunting skills, computer-hacking skills.

K, got a question or three. 22% of the fatalities were by intermediates and experts, but 33% of the fatalities were in the "fast canopies" category. Ummmm, so my question is: how's this mathmatically possible? This shows me that even if all of the fatalities of non-students were on fast canopies, then at least 11% of the student fatalities were on fast canopies. What student program is putting students on "fast canopies?" Am I missing something here? mike Girls only want boyfriends who have great skills--You know, like nunchuk skills, bow-hunting skills, computer-hacking skills.

Seems to me "John Rich" was bylined in a feature article in Parachutist this month (about skydiving, of all things). Happen to you much? mike Girls only want boyfriends who have great skills--You know, like nunchuk skills, bow-hunting skills, computer-hacking skills.

I sold a rig to this guy in Denmark who was laid up with a busted leg. He couldn't even go do the money order deal himself. He had to have his girlfriend do it. He said he did it on a BASE jump. That was enough for me. Sold! Heard he's made a few jumps on that rig too. cough, cough, 850, cough... mike Girls only want boyfriends who have great skills--You know, like nunchuk skills, bow-hunting skills, computer-hacking skills.

Much like my feelings about my canopy or BigAir have nothing to do with what I have said about comparing those canopies. mike Girls only want boyfriends who have great skills--You know, like nunchuk skills, bow-hunting skills, computer-hacking skills.

What is the Katana's market then? What do you perceive as being its competition? It's clear to me from PD's website that cross-braced canopies are not the target market for the Katana. It's also clear that the Samurai is not competing with a VX. So me actually handling one is just unfathomable to you? Have you compared them yourself yet? Out of curiosity, do you make a living (or a portion of it) by selling PD products? mike Girls only want boyfriends who have great skills--You know, like nunchuk skills, bow-hunting skills, computer-hacking skills.