SkymonkeyONE

The FlyLikeBrick series is phenomenal. Nothing compares. Still, the original BirdMan video has it's merits when it comes to basic training. We used to give a copy of that tape to each BMI graduate. It's very dated material, but still fun to watch.

It's not too early to say that we are, in fact, looking to set the Texas state wingsuit formation record. As none exist to this point, it won't be tough. I would be completely and utterly stoked if we had thirty pilots there for the event/record. We want this to be an experienced pilot event! Yes, we will gladly train any and all qualified wannabe's, but what we are looking for is max participation from all of the normal Flock and Dock participants Those, plus all those of you on the wrong coast who simply have not been able to force yourself to fly to Florida. My intent, as an organizer, is for us to must some very-cool formations worthy of publication. There will be reps with demos from at least three wingsuit manufacturers at this point: -Phoenix Fly -Tony Suits -EG Suits First flight courses will be offered by reps from all of those companies. Try it, then buy it! I will be representing BirdMan in a training capacity, too, and will have a few demos. If anyone is interested in a BMI course, I could probably facilitate it so long as there are at least three candidates. I don't know if any PFI/E's will be there to run a PFI course. I can tell you for sure, though, that Nick will be minting EGI ratings to qualified and interested people. Jeff Nebelkopf, the designer of the Mach1 and the winner of the Flock and Dock distance challenge will be there for Tony Suits. I am almost certain that Tony Uragallo himself will also be there. Bigger is better, Chuck Blue

Hey, Nick Rugai from EG suits will have a pile of their wingsuit demos with him at the event as well.

That's like the tenth time I have heard/read that term used in the past two days. It must be the phrase of the week.

Where's Jeff? Did he go to California again? I will be home tomorrow evening. Meet me in the bar for a drink.

Odd, he jumped MY suits the whole time he was here for Flock and Dock as well! Well, that's a lie. He only jumped three of my suits.

Don't worry. It will be for sale on e-bay in like two days. That or the nearest pawn shop.

huh? I was saying that I thought it was you who ripped the ass out of one of Jason's suits, but I think I was wrong. Whoever it was, they were at flock and dock.

Perhaps one of you gay Wiki-editors could figure that out.

I thought that was Zach?

I don't understand what you meant by that, Zach? Scott is a flocker. The V2, in his hands, was completely ineffective in that role. The Mach1 is much more suited to flocking, though a bit "overkill" for much of what we do.

what kind of skydiving are you interested in filming?

Likewise, Ian. I have never had a single opening under any of my three Velos that I would consider "scary." They have served me well in that regard. I have had the random smacker once every great while, but I generally have fine openings. That's from terminal or otherwise. I do alot of RW organizing and I used to do a ton of AFF with them and never had issues. The only thing I stopped using them for was wingsuiting. Chuck

It's going to be a fantastic event this year for sure, brother! I can't wait.

That's it exactly. Am I alone in sensing this thinly-veiled animus? Not at all. Some of these "very laid-back" individuals will talk cash shit about you behind your back if they, for a minute, think you might be taking some of THEIR ramen money. Listen, if you want to live a spartan dropzone existence, just do it. Don't, though, talk shit about other "part time instructors" with more jumps than you who would rather simply keep their real job during the week and jump alot on the weekends in order to maintain a higher standard of living. The "working" skydiving industry is very, very catty. It's one of the biggest "good old boy" industries I have ever seen. That said, once you are "in", you're in. That is until you get the DZO's daughter pregnant or get popped on a piss test or some other stupid reason. It's funny. Chuck

I bet your wife is furious, Tony!

Fantastic stuff.

You mean it's not "Shit-a-lot?" Good one, Mischa.

Where are the pics, fool? Glad yall had fun!

I don't recall us ever having a problem with the burner "not taking" files off the card. If it won't burn straight to disk in the burner, then it's not going to save to your PC either. Again, I can't recall us ever having a problem with it at Raeford. It's very quick to burn the photo CD, Stacey, but if you are back-to-backing and require digital stills on that jump, then you will probably need another card or memory stick for your camera. The burners we had a Raeford take all kinds of cards/memory sticks.

The simple answer is yes. I have seen red, blue, and black lines.

GK "freefliers" are the video guys on the tandem team. Actually, all the guys on the tandem team since they swap back and forth between hauling meat and jumping video. There are no "freefliers" on the demo teams. The tandem section sends members on the road to demos where they need to do VIP tandems. We have done a ton of "VIP" wind tunnel stuff at the Fort Bragg tunnel. My "fifteen minutes of fame" are the endless replays of the Behind Closed Doors with Joan Lunden series where she goes to the tunnel. I trained here, flew her in the tunnel, and was the guy she interviewed in there. I am going to have to ask around about this portable tunnel. Maybe John (SlotPerfect) has some additional information since he is still very-much in the GK loop. My biggest question would be "who the hell is going to get taked with pulling (or driving) the thing around? Particularly if they store it at a location other than Fort Bragg. Chuck

Were you too busy eating chicken at your tent?

I instructed at and was a member of a military skydiving club (MWR then NAF) for nearly 20 years.

I am best friends with many, many people on the USAPT and I have never heard that rumor. I find it highly doubtful that it could be true because the Black and Gold demonstration teams travel to shows in their own airplane. There is no way in the world that a portable tunnel is going to fit inside a Fokker F-27 Friendship. As some of the teams' shows are overseas, this presents even more obstacles. Chuck