gemini

Hey I've walked past that station everyday for the last 3 months. If I knew you were shooting video I would have done something to make it interesting! Blue skies, Jim

There are a lot of issues being brought up in this thread. I have been in the first group out many times. Sometimes we don't start our climb out when the green light comes on because (1) we are over a large, thick cloud and a second or two delay gets us to the cloud edge, (2) there is an aircraft at 3K flying entering the airspace over the dz, (3) the green light just went off or is now red. There could be many reasons why a group is not going. After climb out, we may not be launching the exit because someone's visor just flipped up and is being shut, a reserve handle is caught under a preceeding jumpers main flap. There are many things that can't be seen inside the plane that may be going on outside the plane. Each jumper should have the knowledge to correctly spot and time his exit to maximize the number of jumpers who can exit safely during the jump run. Spotting includes knowledge about current wind directions, jump run direction and ground speed. If you don't have this knowledge, get it! All jumpers also need to have respect for each other as well as good exit discipline. I would bet that the average 4 way RW group takes longer to get set up in the door and exit than the average 4 way FF group. RW grips and RW exits tend to be more complex and with newer jumpers grips sometimes have to be corrected by the organizer after climb out. The key is knowing that it takes longer and working with the pilot to get the proper timing on the green light, and then knowing when to start the climb out so that by the time the plane reaches the exit point, the count is also at "Go!" Another element to proper exit timing, is to get the door up when instructed and have the spotter(s) get their heads out to look under the plane, as well as down and up the jump run as far as possible. GPS is great, but we must check our airspace to insure everyone's safety including the groups exiting behind us. Like Bill said if people start yelling for me to get out, I look at them, open my visor and say "What did you say?" I am a little bit deaf in one ear and would hate to exit if the pilot was the one yelling at us to get back in the plane which has happened to me twice in 6 years. At Rantoul the first year the Pax was there, we had one of the first 3 jumpers (nearest the door) go out with his seatbelt still on. As the 4th jumper flopped down on his belly to assist the third jumper who could not be seen from inside the plane, jumpers started yelling "Go" and "Get Out" to the 4th jumper. I guess they would have preferred for us all to get out and leave number 3 to get himself free! People, have patience, respect and the knowledge you need to know what is going on, be ready to go prior to the red light, and exit as timely and efficiently as safe. If conditions have changed during the climb to altitude and one person in your group does not want to get out, get out of the way and let others who may be more "experienced" exit. Finally, about pushing people out. It should never be done. Period. In my opinion it's a safety issue. If you push me off, ...well, you really don't want to go there. Blue skies, Jim

Here you go... http://www.teamfastrax.org/divePool.aspx Blue skies, Jim

A lot of us would like a copy of the group dive photo...oh wait! Was there a raft there too? Our 16 way didn't notice any raft... Blue skies, Jim

Didn't jump on Wednesday or Thursday, but did 11 on Friday and Saturday. To busy talking to everyone... Blue skies, Jim

AND run like hell if someone yells "Fire in the hole!" Blue skies, Jim

http://www.uselectionatlas.org/USPRESIDENT/ The Presidential elections get a higher turnout than other US elections. Current US populations is around 298 million. Breakdown based on population is approximately: 2004 R 21% D 20% I 0% 2000 R 17% D 17% I 1% You need to find the US population for 2000 and recompute, but it only took me one query to find the current pop in yahoo. Blue skies, Jim

Rookie and 2Fat2Fly PM me your mailing addresses so I can send the jumpsuit and helmet back to you. Boy it is wet and cold in Dublin right now. I don't leave till 4AM tomorrow. The drive back to Atlanta is going to suck with the bad weather. At least I didn't have a cop at every bridge between the NASCAR track and Atlanta like you other guys did. Hope everyone watched their speed! Blue skies, Jim

Another great day of jumping Saturday. Finally got to jump with Mouth and Chuck Blue. Congrats on the 900th jump Lisa. Wish I could have waited a bit longer on Vic to zipper in front of me. What were you two doing down there anyway! Friday party was up to Dublin standards as expected. Ran into cmchristian too! Glad he made it back from Iraq ok. thanks to Mouth, Rookie and 2Fat2Fly for the gear. You all made my trip worthwhile and I owe you all. Come out to Spaceland and get a days worth of jumps on me...anytime. Damn am I sunburned.... Blue skies, Jim

It was a good jump Guido and Rookie and I got to be on it too! Blue skies, Jim

The winds were not really that bad. The only turbulence I encountered was around 2k. My landings were uneventful and still had lots of forward drive at WL 1.4. Secret was to not downwind of your landing area. A lot of people were flying over the taxiway and hangers and then landing on the taxiway. No reason for it really. The reason I believe a lot of jumpers freaked out about the wind was because of the flapping from all the windblades made it seem a lot stronger than it really was. Just my opinion. Remember if you feel it is to windy for you that is the right decision for you. Blue skies, Jim

We're taking real good care of Chuck! Had a nice talk with him at the Carbonzone today around lunch. Weekend is looking good. Local weather is forecast for sunny Friday & Sat; Sunday morning should be good too with clouds moving in Sunday evening. You guys who were holding out due to "weather" better get on the road. They brought in the sacrificial car this afternoon and it looks like someone already worked it over pretty good! Blue skies, Jim

Hey if I wear pink do I get to wear the patch or join the mafia or anything???

For some reason I pulled the protrac and altimeter out of my helmet before checking my baggage. I have had the TSA take the protrac out and known a few people who had them removed completly. Bought new gloves at Wally World tonight so only thing missing is helmet and suit. Magenta is ok if that's all I've got. I think I'm secure enough to wear it, but I don't know about everyone else! Blue skies, Jim

Although I will hate to see you go (more about that later), you have to do what is best for you. Thanks for jumping big ways with me over the years. Some have been better than others, but they were all some of the most fun I have ever had. Talking about big ways leads me back to why I really hate to see him go! Bright orange jumpsuit and in a big way it was one hell'uva marker for a lot of us. Once during a TSR, there was Michael in day glo orange. I had the privilege of sitting in the captains room during the debriefs. They sure comment on "that guy in orange" a bunch even when he didn't do anything wrong! I am convinced the first review was to watch Michael, then they started over and watched everyone else. I believe BJ made a comment that he didn't think he was man enough to wear orange! We'll miss you. Blue skies.... Jim

Thanks big guy! Breing em. Mornings are gona' be to cold for jeans and a sweatshirt! Blue skies, Jim

They were encouraging at first..."they're probably on the next flight." Now after 4 flight from Houston and Houston saying it was on the plane, they are taking compensation already. I asked them where the plane went when it left Atlanta and they are going to run that down tonight. Delayed my getting to Dublin till after 6 PM. Went and registered and said hello to a few folks and went to the BW. I'm depressed... Blue skies, Jim

Can someone who is coming to Dublin grab an extra helmet or pair of goggles and a jumpsuit for me? Don't care what they look like. I weigh 170 and am 5'6". Damn, lost my last log book too! I will really owe whoever can bail me out of this. Thank God I had taken my protrac and altimeter out of my helmet and carried them with me so TSR wouldn't play with them like they do sometimes. Thanks all. Blue skies, Jim

The magazine seems to have a better quality paper and pictures (and a lot more of them) than the USPA mag. I really like the article they do about local dz's with pics and stories. I think it comes out 9 times a year. Blue skies, Jim

Charter another plane and have it charged to him! Blue skies, Jim

Thanks Roger. I have finally appeared on the scene! Blue skies, Jim

I will be at the Atlanta airport at 8:30 AM on Wednesday 3/15/06. If anyone is arriving prior to noon I will hang around. Let me know. Blue skies, Jim

Obviously all we have to go on at this time is the word of the dz organizers versus yours. Yes, you do appear to be firmly in the opposition on this issue. You insist that the dzo committed to $1M liability insurance, but offer no proof. The DZO said that was not a committment that he made, but was added at the urging of another dzo and is willing to furnish copies of the lease drafts as evidence of the changes. Obviously you are unfamiliar with current airport operations that include dropzones who have operated their businesses in a cooperative, successful manner for many years. In fact, a successful dropzone can greatly enhance the federal funding of a small airport because of the volume of flights that the dropzone will generate each month. As you are aware federal funding for airports is based partly on the number of takeoffs and landings at the airport. Major dropzones can generate 30 or more takeoffs and landings per jump aircraft per day. That means you could see as many as 10,950 flights per year per aircraft or 21,900 takeoffs and landings. That would definitely help any funding request the city airport commission might make. Now in reality, a dz in the KC area may not be able to generate 30 loads per day, but it will probably be able to average at least 25 per week or 2,600 takeoffs and landings which would not hurt either. I take great offense to your comment that skydivers do not know how to communicate with other aircraft or TAC. Many, many skydivers are commercial pilots and many more are private pilots. Please provide some facts to back up your statements or back off. You have very clearly stated your opinion and we heard you loud and clear. You are opposed to the dz, but want to hide the real reason(s). If other businesses at the airport are not required to have $1M insurance that covers their customers while on airport property or "during all aspects of their business/operations", the FAA has clearly held the airport in violation of it's rules. If you are not aware of the changes (Section 16) that basically allow a dz to claim discrimination by airport management and escalate the complaint to FAA HQ, then you should get those rules immediately. A June 2006 finding by the FAA ruled in favor of a dz with some similar facts to those you have stated. As far as the insurance goes, there has to be a valid business reason for the requirement. I could give you a contract stating that you are required to provide me with $1M hull insurance on your aircraft prior to flight operations. Want to try to find a carrier that is going to insure your airplance for 5X or 10X its true value? Good luck. Bet you'de be pissed too! Blue skies, Jim

Visit his website at rabbitthole.com. Blue skies, Jim

Hasn't everyone? They're all over the place down here in TX although most wouldn't let you close to them unless you've got a bucket molasses cubes. Then you better watch your back 'cause the little critters can sneak up on you and they are a lot stronger than they look when they want something. Blue skies, Jim