danornan

Plastic button is on the outside. Use a quarter. Socket goes on the bolt on the inside... Dano

It depends on the age of your helmet. Mine is a few years old and it helped to use a socket tool inside the helmet. Get one that fits and the job is a lot easier. I think it was a 12 or 14 mm. It takes about 10-15 minutes to swap them out. Leave the film on till the job is finished. Dano

Come to Z-Hills... You'll only jump alone because you want to..... Dano

The downside to wearing good earplugs is -0- Not wearing them is like rolling the dice. You might get lucky and not hurt your hearing or not develop tinnitus, but why risk it? I try to wear them from the moment I'm geared up till the time I get back on the ground. They WILL help to protect your hearing and you will actually hear people talking in the airplane where before the engine noise cancelled the conversation out. I wear a full face helmet and can hear just about everything better with earplugs. I try to wear them on my motorcycle too. They reduce most of the bad noise. Dano

After using a frap hat for years (just retired my second or third) and now jumping a Z-1, I don't want to go back to the frap hat because of the noise. Last year, jumping with a friend doing a tandem, for some odd reason, I wore my old frap hat and was really distracted by the noise. I just simply prefer the less noise of the Z-1. A few scrapes on the top of the hard helmet too, make me realize that it is safer. Dano

I normally jump at Z-Hills and from altitude you get a nice view of the Gulf of Mexico, but for one of the best water views, go to Sebastian. Gorgeous view of the Atlantic and it's just a mile or so away. Deland also has a really nice view of the Atlantic, just a little further away. Occasionally you get to watch a rocket launch from the cape too. Dano

Some interesting reading, but it still comes down to either BELIEF or LOGIC. The two cannot be debated. It will not work. If you believe in something, all the logic in the world is not going to convene you otherwise and vise a versa. Logic will not win over the believer. That's why it is called a belief. Dano

Check out DAN - Divers Alert Network. Generally for SCUBA, but it also covers a lot of other activities when injured away from home. Not sure of the international purchase requirements. Dano

A lot of good and a few bad points in the thread. First of all, the initial poster did the correct thing. If you are ever not sure, take the safe approach and land away from the DZ. A long walk is so much better than a short ride! You asked a question, and I think that way too many people are afraid to do a downwind landing. They can be done safely and are far better than the "I have to land in the wind" at any cost, frame of mind. Many hook turns, broken bones and deaths are for this unnecessary reason. Learn to land downwind safely and practice it so you won't be afraid to do them. Innocent bystanders have also died because of " I have to land into the wind" hook turns . Dano

I'm definitely not an old timer, but one of the last to go through the student program at Z-Hills before the fire. I did 3 out of a Cessna, several hop & pops and then went on to the Southern Cross for my first 30 second delay during a Turkey Boogie.. I thought every DZ had a DC-3..... Dano

I know Bob Coy and his son pretty well because his son is the Diving Safety Officer at The Florida Aquarium in Tampa, where I'm a safety diver. Both met up with me, several years ago, at Z-Hills to watch landings from the back deck. It was Bob's first trip back to a DZ since that accident 40 + years ago and quite an experience to share with his son. I dive (SCUBA) with Bob and his son pretty regularly and Bob still loves to talk about skydiving whenever we are together and how it has changed since that horrible day. We've only spoken about the accident several times and the first was when his son introduced us and told his dad that I was a skydiver! I didn't know that Bob was on that airplane before he told me the story and it was hard to keep from asking lots of questions. He is a super nice man and his son has been scheduled for a tandem that he hasn't taken yet. Dano

Lots of good info here... John, sometimes you make my hair hurt! and..... You can learn by stopping what you feel (in your mind) is a dangerous situation. You don't get hurt by NOT jumping. It would have been a good time though to ask a few more questions of those in charge... Dano

They are all about the same with minor differences. Get a good used one that fits ( this is your first) and put the difference into jumps... Dano

Do you actually know Billy? It's about the money. There's a reason why he owns three airports, 4 otters, a 182, a caravan, a porter, a stunt biplane, three helicopters, etc., and it's not because he inherited them. if it's all about the money, then why are skydivers defending him? Dano

I find it incredible that someone like Billy Richards ( wonder who called the newspaper!) can try to really screw up skydiving for a lot of people with half truths and innuendos and a few people jump on his cause without really thinking about the real reasons for the strife. Why would any skydiver try to defend his actions? Are you really serious or as I said before, just trying to stir up a little more drama? Dano

In my opinion, Just a lot of DRAMA and a waste of skydivers time! It is a business that, like all businesses, has a problem now and then, but it really is none of my (as a skydivers) business. These so called violations are not a big deal and those who try to make them so are splitting hairs and just stirring the pot. Get a life and get on to YOUR business. Granted, this is my home DZ and I'm probably a little bit swayed, I just don't understand why skydivers have to be so DRAMA induced. Dano

As others have said, you have to try each, to get the one that is going to be right for you. I love my Z-1 and would most likely replace it with the same if something happened to it. I wear my altimeter on my left mud flap (Look Ma holder) and have not had a problem in seeing it, especially when tracking. It's easy to replace the visor, if you know the tricks and I feel like I have great side to side vision. I ride a motorcycle and have a full face helmet that I wish was a light as the Z-1 and had as good side to side vision. Dano

Frank, who owns the company is a super nice guy and spends time at Z-Hills every year. Email him and I'm sure he'll be able to get a few to you. He manufactures some really high quality gear and if you hit the correct link, an English version of the web site will pop up. Dano

My first canopy, a 9 cell PD-150 had nice predictable openings, flew well, landed softly and was easy to pack. I thought that PD still made the 9-cell F111 canopies. I checked PD's web site and I don't see the 9-cell PD, so I guess it's out of production... Ready-Fire-Aim! Dano

Nice strap modification! The last time I replaced my face shield, and it was a bitch to do by myself until I found a 12 or 13 mm socket. Note to self, don't ever try this again the night before a big-way! It would not stay consistently closed until I pushed a little on the front of the faceplate, locking in the little nob, for the next 10 or so jumps. It finally worked itself in to a seat and all was good. Dano

Check out Frank's "Look Ma" pull-up cords. It's been a while since I've packed, but they are soft as silk and smooth as butter..... Dano

Not sure if you are still looking, but I bought this one several months ago and I love it! Great for travel. Fires up quickly. Around $375 total..... 250MB memory 1 MB RAM. Asus - Eee PC Netbook with Intel® Atom™ Processor - Midnight Blue Model: 1005PEB-RBLU01S | SKU: 9727578 This netbook features a built-in webcam and a 10.1" widescreen display with 1024 x 600 resolution so you can video chat with friends and family. The media reader allows you to transfer documents, songs, photos and more to the netbook for storage. What's Included • Asus Eee PC Netbook with Intel® Atom™ Processor • 6-cell lithium-ion battery • 40W AC power adapter • Software: Microsoft Works; Adobe Acrobat Reader and more • Owner's manual Product Features • From our expanded online assortment; not available in all Best Buy stores • Intel® Atom™ processor N450 Features a 667MHz system bus, 512KB L2 cache and 1.66GHz processor speed. • 1GB DDR2 memory For multitasking power, expandable to 2GB. • Note: Optical drive not included Compatible with optional external recordable CD/DVD drives (not included). • 10.1" WXGA LED widescreen display With 1024 x 600 resolution brings movies and games to life. • 250GB Serial ATA hard drive (5400 rpm) Offers spacious storage and fast read/write times. • Intel® UMA graphics With up to 384MB shared memory for lush images. • Built-in 0.3MP webcam Makes it easy to chat with and send video mail to family and friends. • 3-in-1 memory card reader Supports Secure Digital, Secure Digital High Capacity and MultiMediaCard formats. • 3 high-speed USB 2.0 ports For fast digital video, audio and data transfer. • Built-in wireless LAN (802.11b/g/n) To connect to the Internet without wires. • Built-in 10/100 Mbps Fast Ethernet LAN with RJ-45 connector For quick and easy wired Web connection. • Weighs only 2.9 lbs. and measures just 1.4" thin For lightweight portability. • Microsoft Windows 7 Starter Edition operating system preinstalled Provides a stable computing platform. • Software package included With Microsoft Works, Adobe Acrobat Reader and more. Dano

We left Tampa around 1:00 and got within about 30 miles of the launch on a hillside looking to the east. What an incredible sight. It was like a huge roman candle in the middle of the day as it streaked out over the Atlantic. Well worth the drive. From my driveway, 90 miles away, we can normal see a tiny red glow with a huge contrail, but wanted to get a little closer this time. A previous launches that we watched, from across the river, about 5 miles or so away, was a night launch. I would have paid to watch it again. The last up close day launch that I saw from the Bee Line Highway was the Challenger! Dano

I'm a little confused. Why couldn't you get into the pattern based upon your approach and landed downwind? A 90 degree turn would not have been necessary. Dano

Lots of good information above.... Lower power for the first bike, protective gear etc.... Above all, pretend that you are invisible and 100% responsible for everything that happens on your bike. If you find that you have to hit your horn to alert the cagers, you are not defensive enough. Anticipate the worst and you won't be disappointed. Dano