DougH

Sub-par dzo's encourage sub-par course directors running course (or they are course directors themselves, employee sub-par instructors, and sub-par coaches. How is that for trickle down. "The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall" =P

What is the pass fail rate for most course directors? I haven't known any one personally who showed up for a course and left without the coach rating. My observations are a pretty small sample, so I am curious if that is the norm every where. "The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall" =P

I think the fact that they eat reserve pilot chutes is enough proof all by itself.... Moooooooooooooooooooo... big flower.... "The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall" =P

The slink failed due to 2000 jumps... how many properly installed sinks have failed under 500 jumps? Lots of components fail at 2000 jumps, I would expect a mini riser to start really getting scary at that kind of jump numbers too. I have seen more bent links, online and in person, than I have seen people making the claim that their slink that was well within its lifespan just plain blew up. A metal link is an industrial fastener, it needs to be torqued down right, and it needs to be checked to make sure the barrel hasn't backed off. A lot of people don't do that, this thread has plenty examples of that! Maybe I am too trusting of the new tech? "The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall" =P

Is there any reason you chose to use hard links over soft links? Other than the one crew canopy I have on larger risers I have switched them all over the slinks. I found they were easy to inspect and once I knew they were installed right I didn't have to worry about them as much. "The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall" =P

I had taco bell... and Fed 1120's. Yum yum. "The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall" =P

Jason, I have used a seam ripper to take the bartack out of lower control lines. It is a PITA when the bartack is on a line. Just my personal opinion, this shave technique sounds way less labor intensive. I am definetly going to try it next time.

Can a canopy landed without steering lines? Yes it can, it is normally a procedure that takes some practice up high. It is possible to stall the canopy on landing and you can hurt yourself. Can you cut the steering lines on a diving spining canopy? Hypothetically sure, why not. You can also end up spending way too much altitude fixated on the problem, trying to get out your hook knife, and then pull the steering line away from the other lines in order to cut it. You may spin in all the way to the ground trying to do this and die. You may realize way too late that this was a bonehead idea, cut away, and crater in before you get a fully inflated reserve over your head. You might even get both lines cut, just before landing. Not having practiced your rear riser landings you might stall out 15 feet from the ground, land on your back, and end up in a wheel chair. Hypothetically you could even cut away and have a reserve malfunction. Stick to your emergency procedures. "The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall" =P

My heart goes out to you. I have no children of my own but I have been dating a woman with two young girls who have become family to me. I can only imagine the pain I would feel if something would happen to one of them. I am so sorry for your loss. "The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall" =P

Not only do I have to work, but I am missing out on my clubs member appreciation day. The weather is awesome, and the jumps are 18 bucks today. "The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall" =P

KISS? "The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall" =P

I did. At least you aren't getting those prerecorded voice mail solicitations that I keep getting at my work number. "The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall" =P

Riiiiiiiiiight... because I find it respectful to salute the flag that relegates that gesture as being my exclusive means of supporting our soldiers. Nice logical argument. Every time I salute the flag I think about how proud I am of things like the conditions at Walter Reed, or the shoddy work of contractor over in Iraq. Following the same logic I am sure that all of the people who refuse to salute the flag or stand at attention are doing so to make a political statement, and they are huge supporters of our servicemen overseas. Or they could just be disrespectful punk kids whose parents told them they were super one too many times... It wouldn't be possible to seperate the two, you couldn't possibly show respect, and disagree with the direction that things are going in our country. "The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall" =P

There are a lot of people out there like that. "The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall" =P

Your right... private investment, corporations, and small business are useless. No of these things provide jobs in the country. "The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall" =P

Perhaps you could explain why it's such a big deal if someone else chooses to not salute the flag, or stand for our national anthem? What does their response have anything to do with your patriotism? Further more, to what extent should one expect fellow citizens to participate in 'patriotic behavior'? This Much? I, myself, have no problem with it either way. If you want to salute, place your hand over your heart, stand on one leg, remain seated, wear american flag boxers, whatever. Thinking everybody should do it, if for no other reason than they 'owe it' to somebody else, just isn't a very good reason for me. .jim Because Jim, it is a zero effort activity that shows respect for others. Along the same lines why should you say thank you, hold doors for people, say bless you, excuse yourself, etc etc... Or you can just be a self absorbed punk... Either way, the people that you honor with a simple effortless jesture defended this country, and you rights, without any thought to your political allegance or ideals. Since they selflessly did this for you maybe you can show them the same respect. "The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall" =P

It isn't terroristic, communistic, or any of the above. It is however just plain disrespectful to the veterans of our country, both alive and dead, who have died to give you the right to your constant barrage of posts... It is a simple display of respect. I also stand for the national anthems of other countries when I am their guest there. I guess that makes me traitorous too. Maybe you can explain why it is such a big deal to salute the flag, or stand for our national anthem? On a side note is it Saturday where you live? Do you get away from the PC much? You must type awfuly fast.

QuoteNope - No USPA over here. We are KNVvL members (the equivalent) - but still.reply] Gotcha. I know a lot of people outside the US who get USPA memberships while visiting, etc, that is why I thought I would ask. I haven't recieved this spam email btw. "The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall" =P

I find it interesting is well. Are you a USPA member? The USPA claims that they will not sell your email address, only mailing address, when you opt in at renewal time. They refrence parachutist our national mag, that makes me think that the direct marketing is also some way related to the USPA. "The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall" =P

Please explain how liberalism is responsible for the increase in GDP that has been the root cause of all the great improvements in this country. Liberal policies are almost allways in direct conflict with prevailing economic theories. "The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall" =P

My thoughts exactly. Wow, we can all agree on something. "The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall" =P

That is only because we haven't taken enough from the corporations and small business owners that provide the jobs, innovation, and economic force in this company. We need to take more from them, make bigger social programs, bigger government. The double speak refrence is ironic... I heard the democrats are going to increase the chocolate ration if Obama is elected. "The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall" =P

That is a good trick, thanks for posting that, I will keep that in mind!

Congrats!!! It is pretty awe inspiring when you get a chance to just look around and enjoy freefall by yourself for the first time. Sometimes I will do a solo every once an a while to enjoy that sense of what a small spec you are in the sky, it is hard to get that when you are concentrating on blasting out points. "The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall" =P

Is the certificate soft and fluffy I guess you could wipe your .... We are burning tons of fossil fuels for no purpose other than fun. Boat racing, auto racing, skydiving... burning fossil fuel just for fun. Are you offsetting all of the co2 you are releasing? I can sleep well at night, but I won't try to convince myself that skydiving is all warm fuzzy and green. Maybe you guys could base jump with hemp and soy based gear... and make sure you only use a bike to get to the site. "The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall" =P