gemini

Congrats! Here's something for you... Blue skies, Jim

Probably not. If I can ever get out of OK, I've got two more Otters and a Cessna 206 to keep me busy for a while. Blue skies, Jim

Aww shucks...that means you need another drink! Blue skies, Jim

That's interesting. Must not have ever had one! Blue skies, Jim

Hell I've been in hotel rooms for 3 weeks, but have a great IC. Oh right, the hotels have been in OK and Perris, CA...can't complain about those! Blue skies, Jim

Don't just get a big suit! Get a suit that is designed for the speed you want/need. Many suit manufacturers give you options for fast, slow and average fall plus add-ons like gatorz, paneled bootie fronts, etc. The right suit will make all the difference in the world. Blue skies, Jim

Interesting site. Found a guy who told me numerous times he is a rigger, but he is not listed as a rigger, but is listed as a pilot. Giving him the benefit of the doubt and maybe he let his rigger ticket expire. Is that a valid assumption? Blue skies, Jim

Val you are welcome to use the big way database to contact interested jumpers as well. Please register at http://www.texasstaterecord.com and send me a PM and I will set you up for administration access. Currently there are 408 big way jumpers registered with 361 valid email addresses. Blue skies, Jim

Oh yes, had that lovely experience! I knew I was in trouble when the dentist put his foot on my chest and pulled with both hands! Then he got the pliers and a hammer and chisel out.... Blue skies, Jim

I've been to the Ranch several times and had a great time on each visit. Most of the jumpers were very friendly. Blue skies, Jim

Brittany, sorry to hear about this. I was not aware that you had previously had a problem with the shoulder. You hid the pain well. Based on the many people I know with rotator or dislocation problems, surgery seems to be the only alternative. Blue skies, Jim

I gave up several years ago trying to use Visio and bought Jan Myers formation software. After stumbling with it for a day or two, I figured it out and learned it was really very easy to use. The problem with Visio was turning the jumper image to fit all the various angles in a formation. Blue skies, Jim

My Bev suit came with instuctions saying not to wash it with Tide or Woolite. Anyone know why? Blue skies, Jim

We had Dr Bob who was usually fast and reliable! Until THAT one dive when he taught us how to get back to the formation from 20 feet down!!! Blue skies, Jim

Glad you like RW and Swooping 'cause my boy Trent would be looking you up at the FF events! Blue skies, Jim

Most belts designed for skydiving have multiple buckles or snap catches to prevent accidental release. I have had one of my releases pop open under canopy, but the other held. I am also not sure even if both releases came open if I would lose the belt. I have tried to pull it off without taking my rig off and the round 2-lb weights prevent the belt from sliding past the harness in several spots. I have seen some people jumping with scuba weight belts. These are designed to drop quickly and in some cases the weight pockets themselves open down which could be a hazard to someone below. I do not recommend wearing a scuba type belt when skydiving. Blue skies, Jim

We had oxy for all jumps above 13.5K. Elevation at Perrris is almost 1.5K. Blue skies, Jim

For all you POPS members, the POPS Texas State Record is planned for July 15th through July 17th at Skydive Spaceland in Rosharon, TX. This event coincides with the Texas SkyFest Boogie, sponsored by the Schrimsher Foundation and Skydive Spaceland, and should be a lot of fun. Plane Captains include Carey Peck, Harry Hopkins and Tim Webb. Airlift will be a Casa and two or three Otters. The total cost of the series is $375 . A non-refundable deposit of $20 is due with your application. Fifteen jumps are covered. The remainder is due on the morning of July 15. There will be refunds for any jumps not taken, pro rata, minus the boogie fee and deposit. Confirmations will be e-mailed, and all questions should be directed to Carey Peck cpeckskydiving@yahoo.com, Make out checks and mail responses to: Carey Peck Skydiving 1704 Decker Road Malibu, California 90265-2320. Call (310) 866-2006. POPS big way applications will be available on the website after May 20th. The website address is http://www.texasstaterecord.com . Remember to update your information on the website as necessary. UserID is your last name and password is your D license number without the D or D-. I look forward to jumping with you on the POPS big way or seeing you at SkyFest! Blues, Jim Alkek on behalf of Carey Peck Blue skies, Jim

In the US, most S&TA will not approve jump and freefall time awards without a logbook entry or other written proof. Mine has told me the protrac is not suitable proof of jumps or time since anyone can take the protrac and jump with it. I log my rounded freefall time from the protrac's individual jump data screen and then periodically insert the exact time (HH:MM:SS) to verify the totals and reference tie to protrac time. Blue skies, Jim

That's just a minor technical issue! Blue skies, Jim

Congrats Alana. Now are you coming to Skyfest??? Blue skies, Jim

DAY FOUR: Well we wrapped up with 3 more jumps which didn't complete... We did transition from the first point to the second on the first two jumps which would have worked well had people not gone low, backpacked each other...usual tired jumper stuff. The Sunday jumps sure didn't compare to the Saturday jumps. What was amazing on one jump was the anchor for our 10 way line backpacked with another diver coming out the door and both went low. Usually MjoSparky would lead our line into the formation in his bright orange jumpsuit, the anchor would be next, with the first in the line, then me, and the third in the line. Each of the 20 jumps was the same. On all the videos you would see orange dock, white, blue and blue/white in quick order. On this particular jump, blue was low due to the backpacking ...and I mean about 20 feet low. As we passed over him, we were all thinking "what the f&%# do we do now? He's the anchor..... Before we could do anything he passed under us again, but was driving toward the base and rising fast! He popped up into his slot a little fast and had to really put the brakes on, but he docked before we had gotten to him. It was an amazing come back. The other guy also made it back up which was a good thing since he was the zipper on the base with mjosparky. A lot of folks are here in the bombshelter now cause we're done! If you have not tried big way....better get in line! Blue skies, Jim

DAY THREE: Well four or so 100-ways completed out of six jumps, but we have not made the second point. It has been very close. The second point is 3 concentric circles (stars) with the outer circle being a 72 way or so. Based on the dives today, we should be able to make the second point tomorrow. Val and I are in the same 10-way loop and Bill is a free floater in our room. For the second point, I fly in and take Bill's arm. Our section has been completed each time except the last when the base funneled. I think Amy is on the other side of the formation. Had our first cut-away today. One of the women had beau coup line twists right in front of my and was kicking them out. She stopped kicking and I was wondering why when she cut away. Apparently she had a weird step through and the risers were twisted around. She made a great decision to get rid of the mess to jump on the next 100-way. Last night a bunch of us went out for Italian food and found out it was Amy's birthday. Nothing link 20 or so skydivers singing off key. HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMY! Tonight is polyester night at the bombshelter. Wonder if anyone will actully show up with polyester? Vallerina is now a 100-way jumper and was buying beer yesterday. Met MoJoSparky. I've actually known him for a long time, but didn't know his .com name. More later if the party is good enought. Blue skies, Jim

DAY ONE Day one was interesting. Although we didn't complete the 105 way (5 attempts) the jumps went well, most groups did well with only a few people out or low. Day ended on a high note when everyone was very close to a completion. DAY TWO Day two started on the downside. There were a few approach collisions and some very basic mistakes. What was interesting was that one group would make a mistake and on the next dive another group would make a different mistake. On the sixth jump of the day we completed a 104-way! Hoorah!!! Val is buying beer in the Bombshelter right now since it was her first 100-way. Way to go everyone... More tomorrow. Blue skies, Jim

DAY 0: Sitting in the bombshelter. Vallerina, fly2angel, and Remster are here. Remy was a little impatient because he couldn't get served at the bar. The bartender was in the bathroom! Come on even he has to go sometime. Karen is now here too! Things are looking up already. Waiting on jumperconway and several others to show up. Kate is collecting money so we can get an early start tomorrow. I'm D3 in the 105-way and exiting 3rd! Woo hoo!!! I will be facing Bill Von in the formation who will be flying in the room that my group builds off the base. More to come in a few as more folks show up. Blue skies, Jim