peggs82

Yeah I'm experienceing the same problem in my shoulder. It's been almost a month now, and I still feel pain. I cant even touch my lower back with that arm. Luckily that seems to be the only axis where I am absolutely in pain, everything else I can tolerate in small doses. Might actually see about a cortisone injection... I've just been trying to tough it out, but man...it does suck

Man... LoudDan back in Zhills allready... I think I need to find a new home...away from Zhills!!! Seeing as how Nov 19th is my birthday...I will expect a celebration on the 20th... Bring the Pain!!

Scotty and Jeff great pics!!

Ditto chuck.... I cannot stop laughing when I see that pic

Yes you will find there are a number of Large DZ's which are open 7 days a week depending on season and location. Just a few: Deland Zhills (from mid October'ish till April'ish) Perris Valley Elsinore Skydive Chicago Cross Keys Spaceland (I believe) Those are a few just off the top of my head. Bear in mind, just because they are open does not mean they will be busy. You can bet that florida is busy in the winter. Count skydiver time, most places are up and running around 10ish...

Feel free to flame away here... but I would like to just interject my opinions about the maintenance issue and why I don't necessarily see it as a "PRO" for the vigil.... (I'm sure these are arguments you have all read before, but please humor me for the sake of those new to this discussion) While down time does suck for those of us who jump year round, I can't help but question "No maintenance required" as a good thing. You personally give your gear a once over on a regular basis... You have a rigger inspect your reserve... Why not have a qualified individual inspect a critical life saving component of your rig??? Would you drive your car for 12 or 20 years without it ever seeing the mechanic? Think of every piece of electronics you have ever bought in your lifetime. Now, how many of those have lasted 12-20 years? And if you are arguing that your Cypress/Vigil is not subjected to the same abuses...think of me next time your pounding on your BOC, dropping your rig to the ground, throwing it in the car, hitting the pond, falling on landing, having a colision in free fall, going from cold winter air to the warm hanger, leaving your rig in a hot car... edited to add: I am not pulling all of this out of my ass. Just to qualify my thoughts here, I am an electronics engineer who works in equipment maintenance for broadcast equipment. I think both are fine products. Read the opinions here, make a informed decision and be happy! Go Jump!

I started jumping out of a porter...and I am absolutely baffled at how you can squeeze 10 people in there + the pilot???? Not saying I don't believe you but damn I need to see pictures of that!!

In my first year of the sport I did exactly 495 jumps in a 12 month period. Like the above post...bye bye rent...bye bye 2nd car....

Does this firmware update address any hardware issues as well? Or is it simply adding features?

Hey Peggs, I'm pretty sure the DZ is closed Tues. and Wed. (summer hours). I think they go back to 7-days/wk on Nov 1. Might want to call the office to make sure or hit another DZ. I'll see ya there Thursday though.

I say you have to do your student progression all over again! Better safe than sorry! Or for half the fee of redoing aff...i'll sign your jumps off

Just a few days ago I watched my Neptune go up in freefall...Guess I should wear more weight! I even paused momentarily to make sure it wasn't burbled (it wasn't). On top of that problem, it has had numerous shutdown issues in freefall...I sent it back just the other day Sad when I trust my audible more than that POS...

I recieved this email today from US Airways... Email below next paragraph. They are fighting the battle against you. Don't let them win... I Know this is a issue that has been talked about before, so forgive the new thread. Just remember, they are coaxing the flying public into doing their dirty work. I suggest you listen to them and contact your representatives, but instead tell them as a general aviation user how YOU feel! From the email: We need your help making air travel more efficient Tell Congress to take action and modernize air traffic control The summer of 2007 has been difficult for air travelers and airlines alike. Throughout the airline industry, delays are at record levels and are only expected to rise in the coming years without addressing the technology behind air travel. America’s outdated air traffic control system must be modernized to ensure that the delays travelers are experiencing become a thing of the past. Today’s system is based on 1950s-era technology that’s unable to keep pace. Adding to the problem are the growing demands of thousands of corporate aircraft—which compete for increasingly scarce airspace, but don’t pay a fair share of the system costs. The solution is modern technology and modern funding to support air traffic control systems. Congress is debating important “FAA reauthorization” legislation which will help make critical air traffic control modernization a reality. US Airways and the airline industry are urging Congress to take advantage of this key opportunity to utilize state-of-the-art digital technology to improve air traffic control and reduce delays caused by congestion. At the same time, Congress has the opportunity to reform the outdated 1970s funding formula which forces airline passengers to subsidize corporate aircraft. The concept we’re advocating is called “cost-based funding,” and it will ensure that all users of the nation’s air traffic control system pay their fair share. The pending legislation has reached a key juncture. We’ve put together a brief overview about the important issues Congress is debating. We’re joining other airlines to ask our customers and employees to express their views to Members of Congress. It only takes a minute and can help reduce delays and stop unfair taxes. Tell Congress to take action. Modern, Digital Technology US Airways supports building a modern air traffic control system designed to handle the demands of air travel today – and tomorrow. Today, air traffic control systems rely on 1950s-era technology like radar and analog navigation that's inefficient and unable to handle the volume of traffic in the air. With more flights than ever, this outdated technology causes delays both in the air and on the ground. We believe that modern digital technology provides the infrastructure necessary to handle air traffic now and in the future. Modern, digital technology is also cost-effective, scalable and reliable. Together, we can reduce delays and create a system that fosters safe and efficient growth. No New Airport Taxes US Airways opposes the $2.2 billion increase in Passenger Facility Charges proposed by the House of Representatives. Passenger Facility Charges—or “PFCs”—are special taxes Congress allows airports to collect from individual airline passengers. PFC taxes are imposed each time a passenger passes through an airport. But the tax is actually added to the price of the ticket, and airlines are forced to collect the tax for airports at the time the passenger pays for a ticket. Today, most airports charge passengers a PFC tax of $4.50. Under a proposal pending in the House of Representatives, the amount each airport can collect would be increased from $4.50 to $7.00 per passenger. A $7.00 PFC tax would add $28 to the price of most roundtrip connecting tickets—that's four trip “legs” at $7 each. That means a traveling family of four could pay an astonishing total of $112 in PFC taxes! This is especially unfair to travelers from smaller cities who must connect to reach their destination. They’ll pay twice as much as those from hub cities who can fly nonstop, meaning passengers from small and rural communities will subsidize airport projects at big hubs. Cost-Based Funding US Airways supports the concept of “cost-based” funding. Commercial airlines cannot afford to continue subsidizing other system users, including corporate business jets. A recent FAA study confirms that taxes paid by commercial airlines and their customers generate 94% of the revenues paid into the Airport & Airway Trust Fund. Yet commercial airlines are responsible for only 73% of the costs associated with operating and maintaining the air traffic control system. In contrast, corporate aircraft are paying for only 6% of system cost, even though they account for 17% of system use. Likewise, taxes paid by commercial airlines and their customers fund $1 billion dollars annually in Airport Improvement Grants which heavily subsidize airports from which commercial airlines don’t benefit. A Reasonable Fee to Support Modernization US Airways supports a proposed $25 per flight surcharge to be paid by all turbine-powered users of the air traffic control system. Senators Jay Rockefeller and Trent Lott have jointly proposed a $25 per flight “modernization surcharge” for all turbine-powered users of the air traffic control system. Such a fee represents a fair and simple mechanism to ensure that corporate aircraft pay a greater share of the system costs they generate. Further, the Rockefeller-Lott proposal would establish new bonding authority, meaning that revenue generated by their proposed “modernization surcharge” could be leveraged through bonding to expedite modernization of the air traffic control system.

I will be there begining Wed. I would be happy to jump that day, but if not, no biggie... Just putting my name out there in case anyone is interested. edit to add... I just registered at www.baserigs.com

SKYDIVE DELAND will have a porter for team to train for the World meet.

Still trying to come up with a ride. Any one know of a DZ local that does airport pickups or anything? Just trying to get info out there for myself and anyone else looking for transport. I called the DZ and they are starting a list of arrivals to help out.

Just firmed up my plans. I will fly into O'hare on the 28th at 12:25 PM. pre7117, sent you a PM! Thanks Phil

I was planning on around 9:18 am.... I am more than happy to wait around however! My plans are very flexible still, so any offers will be great! Thanks! I also can come in on the 31st if anyone is available that day... (1030 am)

I will be arriving at Ohare on the 28th. Anyone else arriving that date that I could catch a ride with? I will be happy to chip in for gas!

Nice!! I missed being in raeford for that by 2 days!! arrrggghhh! I just had to cringe during (what i think was a student) the deployment of the guy in blue..YIKES!

Yes try all the regulars...expedia...travelocity....orbitz...etc. And like was mentioned, check the airline sites as well. For example, I just searched airlines and the travel sites for fares for you. I was able to find a $227 fare via Continental, where the cheapest on expedia was $243. Orlado should be no problem at all, coming from chicago. Its a rediculously cheap city to fly to. As I am sure you are aware, make sure to compare flights from Midway and O'hare. Good luck on your search!

Like all the other blue hairs, I shall be making my snow bird run for florida... I WILL BE THERE!

I am happy to say that dave is both a gear suppler and a friend of mine. Deffinetly recomended to anyone!

Too bad the expensive part of that system is the recovery gear. If my dz allready had that gear I would buy it in a heart beat! Even though we could see it from the air, I spent 3 days trying to find my cannopy, when in the end I had walked by it about 20 times!! Perhaps a DZ collection or some dues money could go to the directional gear??

well I guess this is one thing I can agree with her on... Classic example of why I feel this way (incase you have not been following Northwest Airlines reemergance from bankruptcy): BLOOMINGTON, Minn., May 4, 2007 /PRNewswire-USNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Leaders of the Northwest Airlines unit of the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) today condemned NWA CEO Doug Steenland's decision to reward himself with a $26.6 million bonus during a time when employees have taken 40 percent pay cuts for the next five years in an effort to help the company emerge from bankruptcy. --Every single employee of that company bent over for that airline, and this is how they are rewarded?