danornan

Call manifest. There is a bulletin board with rooms and homes near the DZ that are available. At least there used to be..... Maybe get someone to have a look for you. Dano

Seems like the discussion is moving into a "what did you really mean" vs the topic of skydivers doing the unpredictable! I'd really like to hear why my question of a predictable pattern below 500 feet would not work and strict penalties for all that bust it wouldn't work and make us all a bit safer? Maybe follow aviation landing rules? I'd love to safely land closer to the packing mat... Dano

Seems like if we treated the landing patterns of skydivers on a DZ like an "airport" and required a predictable pattern approach that was enforced, a lot of the problems would go away. Not necessarily eliminated, but greatly reduced. Below 500 feet you get into the pattern and fly predictably. No hook turns or swoops except in designated areas. As it is now, I land as far away from the normal landing areas, because in my opinion, they are too unsafe. Dano

Bill, I think I got it..... Me too.... I generally land as far from the packing area as possible too! Seems to be safer since I can't seem to convene a few of the logic of a predictable pattern. Dano

Hi Dan, ya' got a lot a' good points. As for the "Fear" of landing down wind, I don't know about "fear" maybe "respect for the situation." As for chasing windsocks, if the windsock is doing 360's there are other problems to deal with!! Otherwise, I'm landing "into the wind..period!" I am not going to risk a high speed, down wind landing! Why do I want to increase my risk for broken bones?? Sure landing down wind is cool and groovy and you can leave rooster tails in the dirt and get more miles out of your swoop, FINE!! But just because you want to, don't expect me to, got that!!! Someone said to my late friend Harry Leicher,"Harry, why did you land way out there, nobody else did??" to which he said,"your statement answered your question." Funny how that goes. PS So ya' wanna go "Down wind??" Go search my posts for the one where I talk about the late (he got killed in the Taft Crash) Brady "Down Wind Brady' Sanders from Otay!!!!! Now "That's" Down wind!! I might be misunderstanding you, but to land into the wind, regardless, might kill you and someone else, if that is not the previously agreed pattern. It is possible to land downwind safely and under control. If you are going to land "your own way" to do it safely, it must be far from everyone who follows the agreed pattern. I only expect everyone below a certain altitude to be in the agreed pattern. It's predictable. Dano

As long as skydivers feel that there is no penalty for swooping in the so called predictable landing areas, our brothers and sisters will continue to die. Most of what I read and hear is simply lip service. Starting with the S&T people at each DZ, unless you are serious about training and ENFORCING the landing pattern rules, skydivers will continue to die, innocent bystanders about 1/2 the time. The DZO's need to strictly enforce the landing pattern rules and quit allowing the "skygods" to do whatever they wish. In my limited travels to other DZ's, the only one that seems to be serious about enforcing landing pattern rules is Perris Valley and not being there last week, I can't explain what happened. Placing a swoop pond in the path of everyone walking back from a skydive is dangerous! Saying one thing to people boarding an airplane before a skydive and allowing anyone do their own thing after the fact is dangerous. A lot of the problems stem from people afraid to land downwind. Learn how so you are not chasing a windsock. Be predictable and limit your excitement after the parachute opens when you are in the pattern. If you want to swop and do hook turns, do it where EVERYONE is expecting you to, or in my opinion, you should have to sit down for a long time! The deaths under working parachutes are such a waste and so needless. Quite being inconsiderate and selfish with your fun! Dano

With a published orbital mission limit of 270 days, he better bring a big lunch. That doesn't imply that all missions will be maximum duration. Dinner too! Dano

Tanks for the heads up... We'll try to watch it tonight over here on the west coast. I can normally see it just over my house depending upon the trajectory... Dano

Burt will be missed by a lot of friends. A really sad day. Dano

Can't even spell the name of a book whose ideas are long since disproven. Awesome... I'll bet you think the author was male, too. This is why I rarely respond to comments on DZ.com. The spelling police who are more interested in spelling and grammar, than a point! Many others feel the same and much is missed by the yelling... Dano

Quoted from another source - Sort of goes along these lines: The problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money. Wish everyone could read Atlas Scrugged. It explains what is going to happen. Dano

No, but it's just not a big deal in a skydiving helmet that gets banged around. I would not pick it off of a shelf, but if I saved $$$ by ordering it on line, I would not complain. Dano

Since I dive (SCUBA) & have lots of 2-3-4 pound soft weights, I also use them for skydiving. Works better than the individual 1 lb. weights. TSA comments on SCUBA and I let it go.... I'd really like it if the DZ's would allow us to rent weights at events. Maybe charge $3.00 per pound and give you back $2 when it's returned. Dano

My first hard helmet was a Z-1, it's now about 3-4 years old and if I had to replace it today, I'd buy another. Everyone's head is different and my large, fits me like a glove. The paint quality was good, I love the flip up visor that does not break when I forget to flip it down on a jump and yes, it does have a few rub marks that would have been on my head if not for the helmet. You buy something sight unseen, not from a local dealer and you take your chances. Nothing is perfect and after a few jumps, neither will be a helmet. Dano

Haven't used this in a very long time, as I'm no longer allowed to date, but in college I simply took a roommates dog for a walk on campus and never needed a pick up line. It ALWAYS worked and I had my choice of dates. Dano

Here is a picture of her in uniform. Nice looking lady! Sorry don't know how to do the clickies - Looking for a 10 year old... http://library.uncg.edu/dp/wv/results167.aspx?i=3898&s=6 Dano

You've had your fun, now give it back! no you can't have it back we still have rafts RICK - Step away from that can of paint! Dano

Let me see if I got this right. You haven't made a skydive, yet it has become your passion and you are concerned about the rest of your life! Maybe just slow down a little before you get the tattoo and see how you like your first jump. Dano

Laszlo, VERY WELL PUT. Dano

Yes....... You can't be neutral if you have a belief! Logic says you can't use a book written by many as a reference. Dano

Religion is simply a strong belief. There is no logic behind it, so what is the difference between an organized religion and a cult? -0- Back to the logic and religion. It doesn't work. And I'm not anti anything. I'm very neutral. YOU have a complex! Dano

Interesting.... trying to use logic and religion in the same paragraph! By the way, ALL religions are cults. It's just a matter of perspective. Dano

Since I started jumping in the mid 80's at Z-Hills and didn't travel to other Drop Zones to jump till much later, I thought that all DZs had a DC-3 and it was normal to be doing 40-ways every weekend. What an awesome place to learn to skydive and call home. I didn't know how well I had it at the time. Dano

Find a close, local boot-camp. We have one less than a mile away that meets 3 evenings a week for a full hour of just about everything you can imagine. Calisthenics, jogging, tug of war, pushing trucks and all sorts of agility drills. Every day it is different and with a group it is easier to stay motivated. Home gyms don't last very long for most people. The boot camp is a lot of fun and I really look forward to it. We also do a group ab workout several evenings a week too. Break up the routine and keep it simple. Dano

Are you jumping by yourself, with a group or wanting to do fun jumps with an organizer? Dano