SkymonkeyONE

Well, uh, I grew up on the DZ so to speak. Kind of hard avoiding the sport if your dad competes, goes to boogies, and runs his own DZ. I have photos of me pulling tension on Cheapos and PC's when I was a wee lad. That being said, my dad was not the type to let me "get over" and start early; neither was Gene Paul Thacker, so at least I am not the only one of my friends that had to wait till 16. But, uh oh, I was not doing well in school (refused to do homework), so I wasn't allowed to start till I was 17 as a sort of "punishment". Barring military deployments and a few other very-pricey hobbies that kept me from jumping as much as I could have, I have been at it for just about 21.6 years now. Chuck Anyway, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

I knew it was you, Paul, but I didn't want to bust you out....

0:12 (for free or gettng paid for it):0 Six out of our -27 Twin Otter and six out of a blackhawk. Did a nice two-way head-down freefly with Jason Harris of GK Black. Yes, we had our bootie suits on. Andy Honnigbaum videoed it. Lived through five jumps on my wife's Stilleto 120 without breaking my tailbone. I was jumping it (in her US team rig) because I didn't want to jump my demo team gear out of the blackhawk.

You would be surprised how often stuff like this actually happens. Around Fort Bragg, something of the sort happens at least once a year. The culprit is generally a totally disgruntled lower-ranking parachute rigger who is just pissed at the hours he or she must keep and the heavy workload. Our rigger shed sometimes works three shifts, all night long, no weekends off, for weeks at a time. Sooner or later, someone is either going to go AWOL, try to commit suicide, or start destroying equipment as a "cry for help" or whatever. The inpatient psych ward at Womack army hospital has a never ending supply of young riggers who failed at their attempt to commit suicide. It's a sad state of affairs. Chuck

I hate Orlando, Fl

My setup depends on which way the course or swoop corridor is set up as compared to the winds on the ground and at low altitude. If they are negligible, then I will fly straight over the tops of the entrance gates at my turn altitude (600-700 feet in my case), perpendicular to the direction of the course/lane. I will then ease into a tall right-riser dive (I don't ever make my final turn to the left, ever), seeing if I get pushed back over the course or farther out in the first 90 degrees. I then adjust the duration/steepness of the final 180 degrees to get me directly in line with the course. The height I come around the corner at depends on what type of course I am running. If it is a toe-dragging pond course, I will come around the corner farther back; if it's a "speed" course, I will make it some I come around the corner about three blades in. Chuck

No, Erno, it wasn't me who said it was dorky. Someone else posted that after I posted a big picture of about six of us standing under a big flag at CSS over easter. Chuck

All I have to say about that is: "holy shit" Go fast and take chances, Brother!

I moved this thread to G&R because it is really a discussion on "hardware" if you will. As to Richards question about the Cobalt: lay your canopy flat on the ground and check it out. the canopy is generally straight in the three center cells, then both the front sides sweep back. The same is true to rear, only to a greater degree. Is it a true ellipse? No, but it is fully tapered. Chuck

Remi, that depends entirely on your definition of "outperform". I can tell you that on tour, the opposite is true. This is why guys who would normally be able to get away with a (example here) are now jumping one or two sizes up and wearing weight to achieve nearly the same wingload. The larger wing will always give you a longer swoop at the same load. Perfect examples of this are Jay Moledski jumping his Velocity 84 all last year and ruling; and Eric Butts jumping a CC 120 and outswooping me at the same wingload in every meet last year. While the larger main may turn a tad slower, and be slightly slower through a PPPB speed course, it will shine in every other event. Chuck swoop monkey

http://www.tumblefuqs.com/. hit "chat" in the lower right

http://www.tumblefuqs.com/

Anyone? Buehler?

I hit it through Tumblefuqs

Nathan, move south IMMEDIATELY and bask in the warm weather year-round. Hotel manager? Move to Myrtle Beach, SC and take over one of those flea bag places. Chuck

SCARED? Say you're scared!

The CC is a very nice canopy. I jump it in meets, for AFF, with my wingsuits, everything. I can't bitch; I did VERY well on tour with it last year. Still, I yearn for the next step. Chuck swoop monkey

I can think of a hundred reasons, all of which can and have been used in reverse on me or one of my friends: 1) A guy thinks a girls is really cool from what he knows of her or has been told by others. The guy begins to court the girl, who won't give it up just yet, and ultimately finds out that they are incompatible in the sack for one reason or another. Lack of gromming standards down there, lack of skills, odd inhibitions, etc.... 2) A guy courts a girl only to find out that she still is on several other dudes' bootie call list, or the phone never stops ringing at night when you are at her place. You get the picture. Even worse: people knocking on the door at 2 AM wanting to "visit". 3) You are race-biased and find out the chick used to date a (insert race of choice here). 4) You find out the chick is not "technically" divorced yet, like she told you. That or you find out she is married, living with someone, or has kids, but didn't tell you up front. Etc, etc, etc. 5) You find out the chick is a drug dealer and is under surveillance by "the man". Those are just a few examples. Chuck

OK! OUTSTANDING!!!! BWAHAHAHAHA!

I'm gone ONE hour and I miss the whole jig? What's the dillio?

What the hell? I'm away from the computer for one measley hour and I miss the entire show? What icon did HH give Clay? Show me the evidence! Chuck

Well perhaps, Mr. Grobler, it was due to your Nazi-esqe real name. Perhaps they were thinking of the dentist in "the marathon man" or something? "is it safe?" PinkyPostaderro

I can't believe someone would recommend Corona; why do you think you need to put a lime in it? Mexicans don't drink that; try some Presidente or tres equis (not to be confused with "dos" equis) if you want good Mexico/Central American beer. I prefer Presidente to almost anything. Nacional is decent "south of the border" beer too, if "authentic" is what you seek. As for Carribean beer, Red Stripe is for tourists. Most folks in the basin drink Carib, which is fucking outstanding. I used to have a case sent to me every christmas by a friend on St. Kitts. As far as american beer goes, I drink a lot of Yeungling and Rolling rock when I am in the mood to drink just beer. If I am in the mood to do 12 ounce curls all night and not get too fucked up, it's all about the lights, like Andrea said. All that being said, if someone is giving beer away, which is very common around here, I will drink anything but regular Budweiser. That is truly "headache in a can" at this stage of my life. Chuck

Those things come right off. Plus, they make some sexy little billet aluminum replacements if you just "must" have something there.