SkymonkeyONE

Other comments particularly related to the C3 model you posted pics of: -The headlights are vaccum operated and they are prone to failure. It's very common to see C3's running around with the headlights in the "up" position during the day or to have one stuck up and one down. Never purchase a C3 Corvette (if you intend to drive it immediately) without first cycling the headlights up and down at least a dozen times to make sure the system works. -The weather seals around the T-tops are flimsy and prone to leakage. The latches and locks on them are prone to rusting and seizing. -The center console lid is crap and cracks very easilly. Same for the cover over the handbrake. The door panels are also crap. Thankfully, there are at least a dozen businesses that sell nothing but reproduction Corvette parts, all of which are cheaper and better built than the OEM stuff. As to C3 Corvettes in general, I would not ever consider buying one from 1974 thru 1979. 80's and 81's rate higher in my opinion because the rear glass is hinged and functions as a hatch. You can buy a kit to retrofit a 1978 with the hinges and gas struts. I am personally much fonder of earlier C3's (particularly 1968-1970) I wouldn't advise anyone to buy an early C4 (1984-1990). My 1985 had the odd cross-ram injection and the funky electric overdrive/manual tranny. C5's became great cars in 1991 when they started being offered with LT-1 350's. It takes about $200 to make a 1991 look exactly like a 2006 (the last year of the C4). My very favorite car was my 1996 C4 Corvette with the ZR-1 wheels. I was a total fucking idiot for trading it in on the first year C5 and I regret that sale everytime I see a nice C4 go by. It's positively amazing the amount of aftermarket that is out there for Corvettes.

I have owned three: 1985 black coupe with the 4+3 overdrive tranny, 1996 red coupe with red interior, auto trans, and ZR1 Wheels, 1997 black C5 Coupe (the very first one sold in the state of NC) which turned out to be a total lemon. I am jonesing for another one. Chuck

I have had XM for about three years now and really like it.

I was actually fascinated at how well that 8x10 glossie of pink mike fit onto the massive Rigor Mortis butt deflector. It was a perfect fit! BANG!

That was possibly the funniest thing I saw this weekend.

You got it. I won the event three years ago. Jeff, I will show up only if you guarantee that it's a white woman.

Organizing by who????? Guess I don't need to come then.

We actually had like ten of us still jumping today. It did not suck. James Boole made at least five jumps; I made seven. Dan made five, Creepy Brian made at least three. Robi made one with us. It was a fantastic day. Actually better than any of the "real" boogie days. I would really like to thank James for stepping up and taking one of my students on his first flights at the end of the day (after I already had a beer). Solid. If you missed the event, don't sweat it. We bust birdies seven days a week after Halloween. Bring it. Chuckie

That was fucking awesome video. Seriously well produced. This needs to be split off into a thread of it's own so that everyone can see it. Nice job!

The shirt is fantastic! I wore it all day. Nice job, guys. It's raining cats and dogs right now, but we still hope to be up in the air at 8:00 am tomorrow. Blicky chicky caw caw, caw caw

Amazing isn't the way I'd describe it. t Nor I, my brother.

Tero!! Wish you could be here, my brother! I just got back from Canada today and walked up on at least 15 out-of-towners. Included are: Flock U The brothers Gray At least one member of the Soul Flyers Various and sundry other visitors It's going to be kick ass this weekend. 10:00 am first load Word to your mother, Chuck

That depends on a number of things. First, how many actual jumps they have and how long they have been jumping. Second, what kind of jumps do they normally do. I haven't had any better luck one way or another with freeflyers or belly flyers overall. If the candidate is only marginally qualified, then yes, I will take them up on a faux-wingsuit tracking jump and evaluate them on their "smoothness." I do not skimp on training. I give my students a full-on briefing and I cover all the bases. With very, very few exceptions I video every student and debrief them thoroughly. I am positively able to stay up with the most zoo'd out student and show them what they did right and what they did wrong. Attention to detail and not cutting ANY corners is what prepares the qualified candidate to have the safest, most stress-free first flight. I have trained many, many people who read this forum. Ask any of them if they thought they got anything less than first-rate instruction.

I WILL NOT train jumpers with under 200 jumps in 18 months and haven't ever. It was not that many years ago that we WOULD NOT train people with under 500 jumps to fly wingsuits. It's already been stated over and over again that it's simply bad business to allow younger jumpers (and uncurrent jumpers) to "just do it" when they feel like it, so why does this stuff still happen? It's simple: because there are people out there (some of my friends included) who disagree with "the system" and refuse to be regulated in any manner. Jump numbers and currency DO matter! 200 jumps is very little to ask of people. That's less than one season of jumping for truly active skydivers. If you aren't jumping at least that much, have less than 200 jumps in over 18 months, or any other lame excuse, then you really ought to just jump more or wait until you meet the VERY BASIC recommendations set forth by every national aeroclub. Seriously. It's not asking much in my opinion. Chuck Blue BMCI-4 Z-Flock Wingsuit School

It's cold there. Come down to Z-hills anytime you like this winter and we can hook you up. Chuck Blue Z-Flock Wingsuit School

It's going to be a great, busy weekend. I intend to get back home from Canada just after lunch on Thursday, have Phantom drop me off at my camper, drop my bags, hook up my wingsuit, then get straight on a plane for some skyflying action. Caw CAw!

The first paragraph of that "press release" is the biggest load of crap I have read in a very long time.

I have been here for a week and will be here through next wednesday afternoon. If anyone wants to meet up for a beer shoot me a PM.

Every dropzone (or region) is supposed to run at least one per year. Some places run them in conjunction with safety day.

You know, I can't recall a single instance of chopping due to tension knots on any of the Sigmas we had at Raeford. Actually, I think we made it like three years on them before the first cutaway. Chuck

I would like to add that Raeford Parachute Center still has quite a few student Javelins with this "pulling the wrong handle first won't kill you" system. We do not tell the students about the feature though. Chuck

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Actually, we used to run two jump school classes per year on Fort Bragg every summer up until about ten years ago. Those classes were run entirely by special forces soldiers primarilly from the 7th SFG. I was in B/1/7 back then and worked two of those courses. The students were primarilly military academy cadets. We ran them during the time they are there on Bragg for summer camp. Chuck

Mike does one per weekend here at Z-hills. It's a ton of fun and the patch looks great on my jumpsuit.

The Phantom is an outstanding all-around suit and perfectly suitable as a first suit. If you buy a new one make sure you get the back vents.

Agreed! That's where most of your wear is.