gemini

I agree, but I would add Omar Alhegelan to the premier list. I have had the opportunity to jump with Omar and Max on several hybrid and tracking dives and watched them work with jumpers of various experience levels. This is one thing that makes skydiving a great sport...world class jumpers will take the time to talk to and jump with low timers! Blue skies, Jim

Without looking at the ProTrac, I've done over 350 this year (and more than a few with Jumperconway!) 1st ballon jump 1st helicopter jump 1st bi-plane jump 1st trip to WFFC 1st visit to the dz.com tent 1st visit to Lexington dz 1st time to win downwinder of the year at Spaceland Woohoo does this mean beer? Blue skies, Jim

This happened to a lot of us and it can be fixed. My problem was I had my hands to far forward. They were either even with my ears or in front of them. When I moved them back about an inch, I hit that point was falling was very smooth and stable. You probably also need to to toe taps to make sure your legs are even. If you can, get on the floor in front of a mirror. Close your eyes and get into your belly arch position. Do a toe tap, and then open your eyes. Where are your hands and feet? Also watch the position of your legs. If you don't extend your legs enough, you will be back sliding without knowing it. Remember one of your goals is to fall straight down with sideways, forward or backward movement. If there is a wind tunnel near you, you may want to spend some time there which would be a lot cheaper than repeating the same level over and over. Good luck. Blue skies, Jim

Happy Birthday youngster!!! I've got one coming up 1/10. If you feel like your age I'll trade with you. At least I can get the Sr Citizen discount at IHOP (like that is some big consolation!) Blue skies, Jim

Emphasis is on word may...or may make $20, 25 or 30. Specifics are not that important, because it is the entity structures and the waivers that will save the dzo from losing everything not where the profit resides. Blue skies, Jim

Usually the owner of the jump planes is a separate company from the skydiving company. In some cases the school may be a separate company, and the property may be owned by even another company. This structure is to attempt to limit liability in the event that an accident occurs somewhere on the dz. As a result, the aircraft are still "leased" to the skydiving company for a fixed fee per jumper. If your DZ charges $20 per fun jump, I would suspect that $11-$13 is paid to the aircraft company. This leaves $7 to $9 for the skydiving company for a fun jump. In many cases the skydiving company pays for the pilot on a per load basis and pays all the fuel costs. In some cases the dz may also pay minor maintenance costs as well. (FYI: a twin Super Otter burns about 30 US gallons per load to 13,500 ft.) If a tandem is $189, then the instructor may make $45 which leaves $144 for the skydiving company prior to paying the aircraft fee of $11 - $13. Obviously the dz makes a little more for tandem jumpers, somewhat less for students and very little on fun jumpers. Aircraft insurance runs 2.5% to 3.%% of hull value. Maintenance runs about $75 per flight hour on top of periodic inspection fees. Of course all of the above are based on my limited knowledge and experience with one drop zone and two Otters. Larger dz's may realize some economies of scale by having the same engines on all planes, mechanics and pilots on staff, etc. Blue skies, Jim

Omar owns/runs the Internet Cafe in Eloy. If you stop in tell him Jim from Houston said hello. If you freefly, make sure to tell him. He likes to jump with visitors and is a great coach. Where else can you get world class coaching volunteered? Blue skies, Jim

damn and I tried so hard to remember the name! Even asked twice....Sorry Renee. I'm hard of hearing yeah that's it. No wait is was the roar of 13 Otters starting at the same time, yeah that's it. No wait it was the altitude at Eloy, yeah that's it! Blue skies, Jim

It was great to meet both of you! Great formation flying Chris. We all had a great time. See you at Rantoul!!! Blue skies, Jim

Jump altitude was 21k. 300-way formation held for approx 7.2 seconds. First puller from base was 7k. Temp at altitude was -15F to -25F. Incidents were one cypress deployment and 5 or 6 cutaways, one broken ankle and one messed up knee. Quite a statement for safety and the expertise of all the participants including all the pilots. Blue skies, Jim

Being an old guy, you are testing my memory!!! Let's see: Texas Louisiana Alabama Georgia Washington, DC Maryland Vietnam Australia Japan Hawaii ...and finally back to Texas Blue skies, Jim

It must hurt a lot to know UT is responsible for helping you Ags out! Blue skies, Jim

BA in Accounting with CPA certificate. Stayed another year for Masters, finished all course work and moved without writing thesis. Let's see another year with no money or great job with good pay....no real choice there! Blue skies, Jim

Passed his carefree 20's? WTF he is still just a puppy!!! Blue skies, Jim

0:11:1 It was cool in early mornings, but warmed to low 60's during day. High, thin broken clouds clouds above 14k On to Eloy with the Otter 7AM Friday morning!!!

I'm stuck at work too! To bad it's in the Pro Shop at Spaceland. Got two 4-way jumps in. so far so I'm not working to hard. Blue skies, Jim

Pop, which one of the instructors got the extra ride? Kat is new so I hope it wasn't her first! Blue skies, Jim

Don't get upset Dave! Football in the Lone Star state will drive you crazy. I only got to watch the first half, so didn't see the results till 5:55 PM. Hoo boy, not what I expected. I really thought I would have to buy those jumps for you. When can I collect? Go Horns! At least on the bright side, the Ags may get to run Slocum out now. Blue skies, Jim

For those of you who have lived in Texas,you know how true this is. They actually have a Chili Cook-off about the time the Rodeo comes to town. It takes up a major portion of the parking lot at the Astrodome. The notes are from an inexperienced Chili taster named Frank,who was visiting Texas from the East Coast: Frank: "Recently, I was honored to be selected as a judge at a chili cook-off. The original person called in sick at the last moment and I happened to be standing there at the judge's table asking for directions to the Budweiser truck, when the call came in. I was assured by the other two judges (Native Texans) that the chili wouldn't be all that spicy and, besides, they told me I could have free beer during the tasting, so I accepted". ........................................................... Here are the scorecards from the event: ********************************************* Chili # 1 Mike's Maniac Mobster Monster Chili Judge # 1 -- A little too heavy on the tomato. Amusing kick. Judge # 2 -- Nice, smooth tomato flavor. Very mild. Judge # 3 -- (Frank) Holy shit, what the hell is this stuff? You could remove dried paint from your driveway. Took me two beers to put the flames out. I hope that's the worst one. These Texans are crazy. ************************************ Chili # 2 Arthur's Afterburner Chili Judge # 1 -- Smoky, with a hint of pork. Slight jalapeno tang. Judge # 2 -- Exciting BBQ flavor, needs more peppers to be taken seriously. Judge # 3 -- Keep this out of the reach of children. I'm not sure what I'm supposed to taste besides pain. I had to wave off two people who wanted to give me the Heimlich maneuver. They had to rush in more beer when they saw the look on my face. *********************************************** Chili # 3 Fred's Famous Burn Down the Barn Chili Judge # 1 -- Excellent firehouse chili. Great kick. Needs more beans. Judge # 2 -- A bean less chili, a bit salty, good use of peppers. Judge # 3 -- Call the EPA. I've located a uranium spill. My nose feels like I have been snorting Drano.Everyone knows the routine by now. Get me more beer before I ignite. Barmaid pounded me on the back, now my backbone is in the front part of my chest. I'm getting shit-faced from all of the beer. ***************************** Chili # 4 Bubba's Black Magic Judge # 1 -- Black bean chili with almost no spice. Disappointing. Judge # 2 -- Hint of lime in the black beans. Good side dish for fish or other mild foods, not much of a chili. Judge # 3 -- I felt something scraping across my tongue, but was unable to taste it. Is it possible to burn out taste buds? Sally, the barmaid, was standing behind me with fresh refills. That 300-lb. bitch is starting to look HOT...just like this nuclear waste I'm eating! Is chili an aphrodisiac? *********************************** Chili # 5 Linda's Legal Lip Remover Judge # 1 -- Meaty, strong chili. Cayenne peppers freshly ground, adding considerable kick. Very impressive. Judge # 2 -- Chili using shredded beef,could use more tomato. Must admit the cayenne peppers make a strong statement. Judge # 3 -- My ears are ringing, sweat is pouring off my forehead and I can no longer focus my eyes. I farted and four people behind me needed paramedics. The contestant seemed offended when I told her that her chili had given me brain damage. Sally saved my tongue from bleeding by pouring beer directly on it from the pitcher. I wonder if I'm burning my lips off. It really pisses me off that the other judges asked me to stop screaming. Screw those rednecks. **************************************** Chili # 6 Vera's Very Vegetarian Variety Judge # 1 -- Thin yet bold vegetarian variety chili. Good balance of spices and peppers. Judge # 2 -- The best yet. Aggressive use of peppers, onions, and garlic. Superb. Judge # 3 -- My intestines are now a straight pipe filled with gaseous, sulfuric flames. I shit myself when I farted and I'm worried it will eat through the chair. No one seems inclined to stand behind me except that slut Sally. She must be kinkier than I thought. Can't feel my lips anymore. I need to wipe my ass with a snow cone. ******************************************* Chili # 7 Susan's Screaming Sensation Chili Judge # 1 -- A mediocre chili with too much reliance on canned peppers. Judge # 2 -- Ho hum, tastes as if the chef literally threw in a can of chili peppers at the last moment. I should take note that I am worried about Judge #3. He appears to be in a bit of distress as he is cursing uncontrollably. Judge # 3 -- You could put a grenade in my mouth, pull the pin, and I wouldn't feel a thing. I've lost sight in one eye, and the world sounds like it is made of rushing water. My shirt is covered with chili, which slid unnoticed out of my mouth. My pants are full of lava like shit to match my shirt. At least during the autopsy, they'll know what killed me. I've decided to stop breathing, its too painful. Screw it; I'm not getting any oxygen anyway. If I need air, I'll just suck it in through the 4-inch hole in my stomach. **************************************** Chili # 8 Tommy's Toe-Nail Curling Chili Judge # 1 -- The perfect ending, this is a nice blend chili. Not too bold but spicy enough to declare its existence. Judge # 2 -- This final entry is a good, balanced chili. Neither mild nor hot. Sorry to see that most of it was lost when Judge # 3 passed out, fell over and pulled the chili pot down on top of himself. Not sure if he's going to make it. Poor dude, wonder how he'd have reacted to really hot chili Blue skies, Jim

During each tandem and AFF jump I made, I had similar thoughts. Mostly it was "Why am I doing this again?" I was not the best student and repeated a level or two. Got into trouble during a track on the 4th or 5th AFF jump and deployed at my pull altitude head down and on my back. Remember thinking "This is gona' suck" as I saw the PC and d-bag come up between my legs. But I stuck with it because of the all new people I kept meeting who are now very good friends. As I approach 1,000 jumps, I am very glad I kept going. I think you will learn to love it too! By the way I have not had one of the "Why am I.." thoughts since my 100th jump. Don't give up because you're not perfect. A lot of us were not natural fliers. Blue skies, Jim

Hey that sounds "fair and balanced" to me based on the alternatives that are out there! Blue skies, Jim

Ummhhh.... A "Dead Mike" Forum.....don't know if I could take that. Blue skies, Jim

I've done that, but it always invokes Murphey's law... Sit all day and no one comes in...leave and everyone wants to know where the hell you are! Blue skies, Jim

... I'm sitting in the pro shop watching everyone else jump. Not a cloud in the sky, 65F temp. I want to be out there!!!! Wish Trent would come back... What does a skydiver do at the dz when he can't jump and the beer light is not on? Blue skies, Jim

Look at the bright side, get a dz to support your team and start training for nationals! I work with a guy who is a bio engineer (gene splicer) who is doing IT/Accounting/Sys Security at a major refinery. He would rather work in his profession, but the $70k he is making vs. $0 is too good. Be aggresive and look at what you can do, not at what you have done! Being from Houston...I can really feel you pain. Hang in there. Blue skies, Jim