wrightskyguy

I just got back from the First Flight Centennial jump out in Kitty Hawk and I had a ball. It was a real honor to be invited and to skydive with such a large group of professionals. Alot of people worked very hard to make this thing come off but no-one worked any harder than Paul and Nancy Fayard of Carolina Sky Sports. They handled all the logistics from picking people up at the airport and arranging hotels to moving 100 jumpers and support people the 140 or so miles to the jump site. I'd like to say things went off without a hitch but, as we all know, that never happens. The security was a bear and really threw a wrench into the works at times, but "be flexible" was our motto from the start and we pulled off a flawless performance. The Crew Dogs were especially impressive and flew a beautiful Kite down to pattern altitude. A special thanks to Al Saylor for inviting me and of course Paul and Nancy Fayard. If you've never been to Carolina Sky Sports, you're really missing something, what an amazing skydiving facility!. Jump Nice John Wrigt John Wright World's most beloved skydiver

...Like Art, wish I could be like Art. John Wright World's most beloved skydiver

***I've never felt the urge to pay an annual fee to USPA to prove to the headquarters folks what everyone who knows me already knows that I am capable of doing. I don't care what HQ thinks... QuoteSounds like somebody needs a hug. John Wright World's most beloved skydiver

The paperwork drill required to perform different demonstrations is fascinating to me. Every FSDO seems to have a different stance about certain acts and or locations. Thankfully, I have only seldomly been saddled with the NOTAM and paperwork hassle on shows. I am MUCH happier just being the monkey pulling the strings and stomping the target. Quote I concur John wright John Wright World's most beloved skydiver

***Oh man Sparky! You must had missed the memo! We all voted!! You're the 'FISH'! Quote If there has to be a sacrifice, I vote for Sparky too. John Wright World's most beloved skydiver

I got my original PRO card under a StarTrac 1, but later completed the qualifications under as small as my old H-Mod Cobalt 75 and as large as the Sigma Tandem System. Every member of the GK tandem section trains to that standard, right here at Raeford. The poster "DalaiLama" is a member of the GK tandem section and a former member of the GK style and accuracy team as well as the former National Sport Accuracy Champion. It was not my intention to question the quals of any GK member, I have no problem what so ever with them, in fact, we have a former member on our team. They are skydivers just like the rest of us. I was merely responding to someone's broad brush painting of doing tandems into stadiums as lacking common sense. If you're not qualified to do them or you don't feel like you want to do them then don't, we however have a tandem master that is competent, capable, and is comfortable doing them. ***My question to you guys is were there cables all the way across the bowl where they hoist the field goal net up? When I jumped into FedEx field in DC, those cables made for a steep sink in order to step down on the Indian Head. QuoteThose cables are about 10 ft behind the goal posts and run to the bottom of the 2nd deck(about 40 ft over the field). These cables have never been a problem because we enter the stadium forward of them and then never fly beyond them. We had additional cables to deal with on this jump however because ESPN had this camera that could be positioned anywhere over the field. It was supported by cables that ran to the top of the lights in the 4 corners of the stadium. They disconnected one corner for us and positioned the camera all the way into the opposite corner, this essentially left us with a clear path in and around to land on one side of the field. The ESPN guy was very helpful. John Wright Member of the highly lauded and enormously successful "The Art of Skydiving" demonstration team. John Wright World's most beloved skydiver

***Check out the PIC of our landing area! Should be great !!! QuoteCan't wait! John Wright World's most beloved skydiver

***Both the passenger as well as the Tanedm instructor must have the appropriate ratings to do certain demos. Small demo areas the TI and passenger have to be PRO rated. Quote Not if you get it waivered. Don't talk in absolutes unless you're absolutely sure about what you're talking about. ***The only People who were given the permission to do stadium jumps with tandems was the Army Parachute Team and they declined to ever attempt a stadium jump with a tandem due to common sense. Quote I would not take a tandem in to the stadium, but that is simply a personal decision because I don't feel that I have done enough tandems to be qualified. There are people however who are entirely qualified and able to do it safely. Maybe the Army parachute team hasn't done it because they don't have anyone competent enough to pull it off. John Wright Member of highly lauded and enormously successful "The Art of Skydiving" demonstration team. John Wright World's most beloved skydiver

( It all worked out well Sunday night, but not with out all the help I received from our team. Everyone (Bobby, Patty, Ronnie, Joyce, Christan and Shane) on the ground did a wonderful job working around the communications issues,) Quote Pay attention to the number of people we had on the ground. A good demo starts with meticlous planning and ends with quality execution, none of this is possible without several qualified people on the ground running interference. Yeah team! John Wright Member of the highly lauded and enormously successful "The Art of Skydiving" demonstration team John Wright World's most beloved skydiver

I thought that we were going to sell it and split the profit. John Wright World's most beloved skydiver

...It's easy to armchair quarterback the actions and results of another jumper. But until you walk the walk... QuoteYup! Hey airtwardo, our team is doing a night demo into the Jaguars vs Buccaneers game next week. Can't wait. Jump nice John Wright John Wright World's most beloved skydiver

***less than 2,000 feet I am pulling my reserve after clearing the aircraft. I don't know about you but I don't want to fuck around. I wouldn't do a hop and pop period from 2 grand. Pulling low is stupid, imo. With your jump numbers you have no buisness pulling at 2000'. I'm not a big fan of pulling low either and I seldom pull below 3000' but, my minimum container opening altitude recomended in the SIM is 2000' and I am confident that my rig will open if I do happen to find myself there, if I wasn't, I wouldn't jump it. Also I think that someone with barely more than a hundred jumps should accumulate a little more experience and knowledge before he starts spouting off to experienced folks about what's what, imo. Read my posting, I said 2000', not below 2000'. John Wright World's most beloved skydiver

I don't know if you were being sarcastic but when I said low I meant 2000'. If you have to pull your reserve because you don't trust your rig to open subterminal, you need a new rig. John Wright World's most beloved skydiver

I concur. If you have to do something extra to make your rig open safely on a sub-terminal deployment, then you need a new rig. What happens when you have an A/C emergency and have to get out low?, people behind you probably won't be too keen on the idea of waiting for someone to open thier riser covers and container flap. Jump nice John Wright John Wright World's most beloved skydiver

Weather looks good John Wright World's most beloved skydiver

I hate responsibility. With Fortson Rumble organizing the big stuff and Christina heading up the pig flip, I'll be freed up to jump like a monkey all weekend long. Bless you both. Jump nice John Wright John Wright World's most beloved skydiver

Wow!, what a visionary!. I'm putting you in charge. See you there. John Wright World's most beloved skydiver

If anyone wants to come out and lend a hand setting things up on Thursday the 6th, we would greatly appreciate it. Maybe we could even make a jump or two. John Wright World's most beloved skydiver

Define "early". I think 8 A:M is not too unreasonable, of course I am a Navy Man where we do more by 8 A:M than most people do all morning. John Wright World's most beloved skydiver

QuoteHey anyone going to the Palatka Hog Flop that wants to get together and do some group skydives drop me a note. Just looking to put a bunch together and do some easy laid back formations. Besides how can you be serious at something called the "Hog Flop"?? [/reply) I guess that makes you in charge of the big, laid back portion of the boogie. See you there. John Wright John Wright World's most beloved skydiver

Just a reminder that things will be starting earlier due to daylight savings time. The actual Hog Flop competition will be starting as early Saturday as there are people to start forming teams. See you there John Wright World's most beloved skydiver

It is in Palatka, 40 miles south of Jacksonville. In addition to what's already been posted, there will be Reps and demo gear from several manufacturers all weekend (I'll post the Mfrs as soon as we have a final commitment from them). There will also be drawings for free stuff and discounts on gear. I'm not just being a homer when I tell you that this boogie gets better every year, it's a hoot! 1 800 243 6481 www.skydivepalatka.com John Wright World's most beloved skydiver

Winnie tells me that reps from birdman will be available and that Hunter Roberts will be for the free flyers. Larry Elmore and Bob P. as well all the staff members will load organizing, Jack Melnick will be handling "other." See you there. Jump nice John John Wright World's most beloved skydiver

What brush with death? I believe that there is a reunion of the "Catholic High School Girls in trouble" and they will be responsible for keeping the single gentlemen entertained during the party on Sat. John Wright World's most beloved skydiver

Just got word from Scarey Perry Trowbridge that he will be offering wingsuit instruction for slot. $10 suit rental. Thanks Perry John Wright World's most beloved skydiver