SkymonkeyONE

Yes, LeRoy, I would say you are capable of flying the S3. Chuck

Craig, it very well might be, but as I only have a lowly "exhibition hall only" pass, I cannot say what he discussed. I can tell you the new three ring system they have is bad-ass. Risers with those rings (soon to be available from Aerodyne) will retrofit onto most rigs where the main riser cover does not come down too low and near where the "old" three ring small ring would be. These risers would work fine on either of my Javs. The Neptune is roughly the size and thickness of a Pro-Trac and is designed to fit in a pocket that size, but is intended for use on the wrist or back of the hand. Chuck

I won't be travelling anywhere except competitions this year, and then not all of those. Six days a week you will find me at the RPC school, answering phones, teaching FJC's, and hauling meat. Monday is my day off, so if you have any reason you "just can't" come to Raeford, then maybe I can accomodate you there. Chuck

Who is "big brother" and what is he watching? Am I looking good? Chuckie

I concur with Ray's view. Another main that really excited me, though, was the ParaTec offering which had the wildest baffle system I had ever seen. They don't call them "airlocks" and gave a first rate demonstration why. The front of the parachute looks like a very-forward-canted jet intake with the inlet well under the "nose". The nose of the main was very pointed and stayed highly pressurized. They had a prototype 85 that I really would have liked to jump. The Alti-2 "neptune" was indeed something I would really like to have RIGHT NOW. Affordable; multi-purpose; waterproof! They are taking orders right now for them. You can read about the new BirdMan offering over in the wingsuit forum, but let me say that the new SkyFlyer 3 is so much of an advancement over my current version that I ordered one on the spot. A monkey just can't have enough wingsuits! Containers on display ran from tiny and neat to freakishly garrish. I really thought the new Aerodyne rig was tidy and will be purchasing a set of their newly redesigned, lower cutaway pressure risers with the odd new middle "ring". All the big canopy manufacturers had the end booths and all but Aerodyne had big flat-screen TV's and cool videos. Their big leather couches made them conducive to chilling and working business/sponsorship deals. In all, I had a blast, but I think I will be hauling ass back to NC today because I accomplished all my missions two days ago. Chuck

Note that I have posted the complete details of the March 18-29 Pro Swooping Tour south american qualifier and world record attempts over in the "Events and Gatherings" forum. Jim Slaton and Lyle Presse are currently here in Jacksonville, FL at the PIA symposium with me and are leaving straight from here to go to Brazil and set things up. Sounds like fun, but my piggy bank is empty! Any of you reading the forums from well south of the border ought to try and get to this event. Chuck Blue

Just passing along info for Jim Slaton and Lyle Presse: PST world record attempts and South American Qualifier March 18-29 2003, Rio De Janeiro and Buzios Brazil Events include PST world record attempts open to all qualified PST pilots, and South American Qualifier open to south american pilots. There will be a $1,600 (rld) cash purse, plus a new Icarus canopy to the top qualifier. Schedule: March 19: registration opens at 1300 cost is R$40 for the qualifier and R$160 for the world record attempts March 20: seminars and practice all day March 21: seminar, practice and speed event qualifier March 22: Distance world record attempts March 23: Distance world record attempts March 27: Sone Accuracy qualifier and speed world record attempts March 28: speed world record attempts. end of message...... Chuck

I think it's pretty safe to say I have a good woman.

Forget it, monkey. I am 39 and still get them on my neck, chin, and sides of my nose. Anyone leading an active lifestyle will still get them. Chuck

I spent $800 on my AFF ticket, but I didn't pay for my jumps so I got over. Chuck

The PIA is a good time. I am very glad I made the trip.

I am beginning custom tailored canopy courses at the Raeford school starting next month. Cost is dependant on specific instruction, but will not run more than $200 for one very-busy day of pro competition coaching, jumping, and videoed landings. I am also going to be running free seminars on basic refresher and intermediate canopy flight on at least a monthly basis at the school. The intent here is to rid our area of dangerous canopy pilots. Since my place of business is now on the DZ six days a week as manager of the RPC school, I am also always available for handing out any advice you might need. I put an ad in the classifieds describing the competition-type sylabus, but would like to reiterate that I can totally custom tailor private instruction to a person's needs. Chuck

The PIA is a hoot! As previously eluded to, it's a non-stop party. There is a TON of stuff to look at. The networking one can accomplish at an event like this is incredible. I can't walk five paces without getting into a long discussion with an old friend or vendor. It is also a great place to acquire new sponsors.......Thanks to PD for picking me up for this year. Chuck

This is Chuck Blue, your fearless reporter, live from the PIA Symposium in Jacksonville, FL. I have had a hard time staying sober enough to post, but I can say that the new "S-3" is markedly different from the original Skyflyer. Enough so that I went ahead and ordered a new one (White with orange wing fronts, front deflectors, and butt wing). I can't wait to get it. I really like some of the new changes. The vent material inside the arm channel is very smart and will certainly aid in arm-wing inflation. The wider, longer leg wing looks like it will aid in roll stability at pull time as well as providing more lift. I am excited about it. Chuck Blue -a menace to PIA attendees.

Thanks everybody. The party was outstanding and I really appreciate it that Kramer and Andrea made it up from Florida. The PIA is a fucking blast! I will use this as my forum for announcing that I just scored a PD sponsorship for this year, thus ending my three years flying under the Atair banner. While I have total confidence in Atair, they were just not able to put the canopy I needed over my head in time to be of any use to me. In order to be competitive, I really needed another crossbrace, and PD was kind enough to put me under two new Velocities and two reserves for the upcoming season. I appreciate their confidence. PIA is very, very cool. I can't walk five paces without running into someone I just must stop and bullshit with. If you are close enough to get here before it ends, come on over! This is a non-stop party. Chuck

Yes, it was supposed to be a ten-way cup and saucer, but two people went low. I won't say who one of them was (Andrea), but it's all goody in the hoody. Thanks to SkyMama and Jumpin Kramer for coming up from Florida. I know you both had a good time, so no need to say "hope you did". Talk to you monkeys later; I have to run Katie to the airport soon. Chuckie

The pieing is DEFINITELY not for family consumption, but yes, it's on video. No, you can't see it unless you come here in person. Chuck "Katie, put your top back on before Miss Billie pulls out a gun..."

PS: JumpinKramer and SkyMama have been here since 2:00 PM and are truly in the mix.

OK, it's over. I am officially retired. It was a fantastic ceremony attended by many of my old-time and new skydiving, work, and "other" friends. We are currently DRINKING LIKE VIKINGS here in Aviators. The band starts at 9:00 PM. If you are here, you are a Monkey. If you are not, you are a FLUNKY! Chuck

I am in the new parachutist as well. I am the monkey on the bottom left with the one-of-a-kind flamed Bonehead in the ten-way pic from Raeford. Chuckie

I shoveled snow half the day yesterday out at the DZ. This morning it was 18 degrees f and my radiator had spit it's freeze plug; oh joy. Luckily, I didn't do any damage and made it to my final outprocessing on time. Chuck

You KNOW I will be there. Hope you kids have some fun lined up for the apres symposium scene. Chuck

What I am saying is that a young skydiver needs to be prepared to make recovery from all types of instability. That is the purpose of doing barrel rolls and flips; not just to prove that you can "do a trick." Anyway, here in the USA all three maneuvers have been a part of the USPA student training progression ever since there has been such a thing. Chuck

I am only five seven, but I had no problem with a guy who was six eight, 275. I have also jumped people who were a bit shorter but quite a bit heavier than that. Chuck

Lisa, shut up and take this..... Chuck