danornan

Thanks for sharing the pictures ..... He was a man of tenacity who really added color to the sport. When I think of the old Z-Hills, I think of Frenchy. Dano

One thing to look out for when landing off the invisible POWER LINES that are close. Look for the curvy contours and be cautious of the lines that can snag. Tree limbs can also reach out and grab a canopy. Dano

A local friend of mine did it two years ago and thought it was an easy trip. I'll have him PM you. Dano

The "key" to a ride back from at the Hills is to land way out! Land too close and you get to walk. As always, it's more congested the closer you get to the packing area. Deciding where to land, determines whether or not you walk get a ride or are carried! Dano

I'm jumping one of his newer jump suits, but still have the first that Tony made for me in his house! It still works too..... Dano

Used to use my Specter 150; my loaded weight under canopy about 180 lb. Recently switched to a new 150 Storm. Very reliable and predictable. Dano

I cannot speak for John, only myself and in the past 10 years or so, I have watched ( not read about) way too many people either hooking it in and killing themselves or an innocent bystander or watched someone swoop and miscalculate and die! I don't have a solution to miscalculations, but that, to me, is the cause. It will only stop when predictable turns are no greater than 90 degrees in the landing pattern that is normally used by most skydivers. Let the flames begin.... Dano

John is not alone in his thoughts...... Dano

I ruptured both ear drums on a skydive about 3 years back. One ear if I recall right is what they call a level 1 rupture, and the other was a level 3 (quite bad apparently. I was lucky it didn't burst). Hurt like hell and I couldn't hear for a couple days. I was out of skydiving for 2 months because of it. Anyway, I went to an ENT specialist after that to get treated and he basically said that wearing ear plugs on the way up in the plane is ok because you can still unblock your ears when you want to. But you should never jump with earplugs in because there's a very good chance your ears wont equalize during freefall. Your ears need free flowing air to equalise and the ear plugs prevent this. That means a drop in altitude from 13000ft to 3000ft (or whatever altitude you jump at) in under 60 seconds, during which time the pressure build up in your ears isn't released. So basically he said wear ear plugs in the plane on the way up if you want but keeping them in during freefall is a bad idea. Don't know if the above information is accurate or not, but I try to wear ear plugs all the time around noisy airplanes. Have never had a problem equalizing with the plugs in and can hear much better because of them. Already have tinnitus (ears ringing) in one ear and trying to prevent it in the other. Use them on the motorcycle too. Dano

L & B has OUTSTANDING product back-up. They support many skydiving events for the average skydiver, make a great product and stand behind old and new products 100%. Dano

What I said! They will get you down, but be prepared for a steep dive and very little flair. Had it happen two times on my apx. 1:1 loaded 150, and it if you have one , just know what to expect. It did save my life, but knowing what I now know, and when it is time to replace it, I'll get a reserve, like the PD, that has a softer landing. Dano

I've had several reserve rides on a 150 Tempo, and I would not buy another. It got me down safely, but the trim was way out of line and made for a hard unsafe landing. Get a PD. When I decide to replace the Tempo, it will be a PD as I should have the first time. Dano

so how late can you walk into a restaurant and eat? Maybe 15 minutes? 20 minutes? 25 minutes? Maybe the restaurant should post a MORE informative closing sign! Dano

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Hi Mark.... so you are saying that HD's come from the factory as quiet as a sewing machine ? Hmmmmm so I wonder why HD riders pay extra for the noise! Hmmmm wonder why? Dano

I've been riding bikes since I was 16 and thought the South Park episode in question was hysterical. Those who are offended by it are the ones it is directed. I presently ride a BMW, but love the sound of a stock HD. Any rider who constantly "blips" the throttle is either trying to keep his engine from dying or is, just as the show says, "looking for attention." Dano

Landing down wind SHOULD not be a problem and if you are not comfortable doing it, it's time to start practicing in a location that will not interfere with others landing in a predictable pattern. Or stay away from Perris Valley, CA, where it is quite common. On the DZ, be predictable. Off of the DZ, it's your option and if you are not sure you can make an obstacle, land where you can miss it. If that means downwind, so be it..... Don't chase the windsock and land the way the first person down did, as the pattern has been set. Dano

See a good SPORTS foot doctor to see what you really need. I've been wearing orthotics since I was about 12 and the right pair will make all the difference in the world. Don't waist money on a do it yourself fix. You generally get what you pay for, not more. Dano

Sort of depends on what type of skydiving you plan to do. That weekend of the 19th, Kaleidoscope is at Deland. It's going to be busy. Dano

You will have fun at Z-Hills, have people to jump with and there are places to stay and coaches. Don't wait till the last moment to make the arrangements for both as schedules fill up quickly this time of year. There are always load organizers and there will be 3 otters..... Try to plan it around a boogie for the best time. Dano

It has been 4-5 years since I jumped the Triathlon and compared it to the Spectre so my comments are dated.... I liked both, found them similar and because of my experience with PD, went with the Spectre. I liked my 170 Spectre so much that when it was time to replace it, I simply dropped down to the 150. After 400 jumps on the 150 Spectre, I decided to try the Storm, loved it and bought it. It is just more fun. Similar,but more fun for an experienced skydiver. Not for the beginner though. Dano

Bad question! Still beat your wife? another bad question.... Obama the Nobel Peace Prize winner - simply a joke! What did he do? NOTHING.... it's all political and a slap at America.... How I'm registered does not determine my belief. Maybe YOU have on the blinders? Dano

... and don't forget the wheels... Dano

Over time, the knee healed! Took several years though. Injured it in '99. Dano

I jumped a demo Pulse and found it to be just like the old 9 cell PD f-111. It was very reliable, but boring. Returning to skydiving from a bad knee accident, I went to the 170 Spectre ( 1:1 ) and had nice slow landings. For more flair and fun, I later downsized to the 150. I now jump the 150 Storm and it is even better.... It's best to try them all on a hot no wind day to really see how they will perform for YOU ! Dano

I had two Spectre's for a total of about 1,000 jumps. The first was a 170 and the second, a 150, with 400 jumps that I am selling. I liked them both, but was ready for a little more action. The Storm is much more responsive and requires very little toggle input. The flair on the Storm is better and I was convinced after a long spot at SDC, over the river ,that I was able to make back to the DZ. The Specter would have left me in the river! I've got about 12 jumps on the Storm and I love it. The Storm is not for an inexperienced skydiver though. Too much toggle input on landing could be ugly. Dano