brettpobastad

The Poindexter Manual seems to agree that hydrocarbons will not harm nylon parachute fabric. My belief is that clean motor oil will not harm a parachute and airplane gas will not degrade nylon. Would I pour gasoline on my rig or wash my canopy in Pennzoil? No "It's only arrogance if you can't back it up"

...with you on that. The safest place for a canopy is packed! "It's only arrogance if you can't back it up"

Who am I to argue with a chemist! "It's only arrogance if you can't back it up"

A question...Will gasoline or motor oil degrade nylon? I truly do not have a definitive answer. I believe that since nylon and fossil fuels are essentially made up of the same thing (hydrocarbons), they will not degrade nylon. At least in theory. That doesn't account for additives and detergents that may be present. Any thoughts? Has anybody seen any studies on this? "It's only arrogance if you can't back it up"

Try this one... A horse walks into a bar...and sits down at the bar. And the bartender says to him: "So why the long face?" "It's only arrogance if you can't back it up"

...an nooooo fat chicks! NONE! "It's only arrogance if you can't back it up"

This is my quote and it's taken somewhat out of context. I feel that it's 'undignified' to give away a tandem if a gal will go naked. That's like paying for sex! It's unproffesional to try and talk them into going naked. However...If they come to you with the idea, It's your sworn, sacred duty to comply with their request. Remember, the customers always right...and you don't want to fuck with the skydiving gods. It's like the beer rule. Remember...naked is all the way naked. not topless. And the instructior must be naked as well. Extra bonus points if the pilot and cameraperson are also naked. Shoe are acceptable (for safety reasons) Brett PS I owned a dropzone and at that time my policy was to offer a tandem for free if the female would go naked (of course, adhering to '8's or better' rule) I've since changed my thinking...and i'm really not sure why? Brett "It's only arrogance if you can't back it up"

My dad died in an industrial accident when I was 17. He was my skydiving instructor and jumpmaster as well. "It's only arrogance if you can't back it up"

LARRY BRIGGS! That's right! Shit, girl, you can name that tune in THREE NOTES! I still have and use the gun cleaning rods he gave me back then. I know as much as you do about Scangarello. What was Eric's rommates last name? First name was Chris and he packed rigs for Dave. He still has one of my David Lee Roth CD's. I ran into a guy by the name of Vladi Pesa at Lost Prairie two years ago. Heard a him? He's a PD rep now but he worked for Dave for a short period of time. The first thing he mentioned to me was a party that we went to over at Chris and Eric's apartment. Was Eric dating Chris' sister or was Chris dating Eric's sister? Or was Chris' sister dating Eric's sister? What was Paul's girlfriend's name? What was Al's original partner's name who still lives in Paso? Brett "It's only arrogance if you can't back it up"

Brett Martin here. I worked for Dave Hughes at Blue Sky Adventures in Paso Robles from the fall of 1996 through the spring of 1998. I also worked at Dave's dropzone at the Lompoc airport from when he started there in 1997 off and on through the spring of 2000. I later worked for Will Renfroe at Air Adventures West in Taft, California. From the fall of 1998 through the spring of 2000, I did tandems and rigging for Dave in Lompoc (by then called Skydive Santa Barbara) and Dave Crouch at the Taft Airport (Skydive Taft) during the week and at Will's dropzone outside of Taft (Air Adventures West) I have TOO MANY stories of jumping at Paso Robles. What a wonderfull time in my life that was...wheeeew! Some of the names I remember right off the top of my head: Rex, Vatchi the Romanian (or Bulgarian) pilot, Kurt "Kurtis, my man!" Hess, Chris Scangarello, Tyler Wood (Woody!), The beautifull red haired Julie Christiansen (who is now a top freeflyer up at Lodi or Davis and goes by 'Jules'), Shelly Miller, who I 'dated' for several months and still think about from time to time. Let's see...Paul and his girlfriend/wife, That big military guy...shit, can't remember his name, The great JOAN MAHONEY and a whole lot more. I'll remember names and stories and add to this or private message if anyone is interested. It was a great, great time during my skydiving career. I miss it. I know SKYBYTCH. Back then it was just Lisa Briggs. A nice gal. Not as tough as her name makes her sound. And of course, Al Stephens. Miss him too. As a matter of fact, I still owe him 5 bucks! That's a story... When did your dad make his jump? Brett "It's only arrogance if you can't back it up"

I agree, doggy! We're all human beings and feces occurs, Especialy when doing tandems. If that dude was bragging about the picture or blowing the whole thing off, then I would be the first one on his ass. but doesn't seem to be doing that. And any tandem instructor that says he hasn't done something like what you see in that picture is either lying or stupid or deluded. Or maybe he has four tandems total. That being said, there are a shit load of 'tandem instructors' out there that should be doing their 'instructing' at the 'fry station' at Mc Donalds. This guy doesn't appear ready for the service industry just yet. So give him a fucking break. Now the cameraman that said 'it's all about the shot'. That's another story. It's even easier to be a 'cameraman' these days than a 'tandem instructor' Brett "It's only arrogance if you can't back it up"

Ed, I do remember the face. I think I know that fella next to her, too! HEY! He owes me money! No, just kidding, Ed, I do remember you, for sure. (actually, I think I owe YOU money) Did you get video or stills on the tandem we did? It'd be great to see some footage from AIR ADVENTURES WEST. I miss that place. A lot! What are you up to these days? Not much to go on from looking at the photo, but I'll say the place miiight be Skydive Taft. And the rig is aaaa... uuumm, Wings! I can't tell what kind of reserve you got in there from this angle. Good to here from you, Ed. It's cool that your still jumping. We must have done someting right. Check out my skydiving website if you get the chance. get on the 'Forum' page and let everone know who you are. ...skies, bro. Brett PS The ponytail's gone and the bad bones shirt is gettin' raggedy. Thanks for remembering! www.thepoopsheet.com "It's only arrogance if you can't back it up"

Hey! I thought you dropped dead...Ed? I can't quite place the name with the canopy (on your profile pic) but are you the tattoo dude? Brett "It's only arrogance if you can't back it up"

Thank you for the kind words, Aaron. I appreciate it. And more importantly, thank you for 'getting it' so to speak. I have one of those love/hate addiction things with this website.What frustrates me about these forums is that all the 'discussion' is done in print on a screen. It's easy to say anything, out of context or just plain wrong and stay insulated and anonymous. There's no face to face accountability. And all the nuances of debate and discussion are lost in the translation. But the really bad part is that there are impressionable students or younger novice skydivers out there who truly believe a lot of the bullshit put out. That being said, I believe that most everyone that participates in these forums truly mean well and care about the sport of skydiving. Even 'ol whatsisname..."Piece of metal...bent into a curve, which then... will....uuhhh.... sweep down ...and....catch" "It's only arrogance if you can't back it up"

Wait, this is better....Avoid getting on the plane with fat chicks, lawyers and people from France. How's that? "It's only arrogance if you can't back it up"

OK, continue to avoid fat chicks lawyers and people from France. "It's only arrogance if you can't back it up"

...almost exactly my method as well. I'm sure you know all the tricks for the inevitable and various problem students such as the 'reach for the ground with the feet student' or the ever popular 'passed out, fat chick slumping in the harnes' student. My stand-up to slide-it-in ratio is about 60/40. It goes in spurts. I'll go a stretch where I'm standing up everyone and than Ill go a couple of weeks where everyone gets their as grass stained. There are many factors and variable that seem to change for no apparent reason and in no particular order. The dropzone that I do tandems at now has older, worn equipment. And there are two differant rig types with three differant canopies of various vintage. Every rig acts different and they are all inconsistent. We have variable and gusty winds a lot of the time but we have lots of soft grass. This combination lends it self to more slide-ins. When I worked Paso Robles, California, I would go weeks without ever sitting down a tandem. The winds were almost always stiff, steady and out of the same direction. A wide open, hard packed dirt and scrub landing area, tandem catchers that knew what they were doing and all the rigs and canopies were basically the same and in good condition. A formula more condusive to stand-ups. Except for the odd training tandem jump, I haven't let a student help me flare since the last millenium. Brett PS Any claims to a stand-up percentage of better than 70% (under any conditions over a consistent and substantial period of time) are probably wishfull thinking "It's only arrogance if you can't back it up"

There are two schools of thought on this. Some instructors and dropzones take the five page waiver, two video registartion routine. And then the customer/passenger/student gets the 45 minute tandem first jump course including intro to back loops and packing lessons. Nothing wrong with this. It just takes a whole lot of time. And it's lost on 60 percent of 'em anyway. The other 40 percent it either scares or confuses. Then there is the 'less is more' approach. Tell them only what they need to know and when they need to know it. You can always tell them more if you sense that they want or need more, or if you need to kill time because of weather or slow packers. You can't ever tell 'em any less, that's for sure! Here's my training for a first tandem student: "There's only three things you need to remember:" "RULE NUMBER ONE -don't grab my hands." "RULE NUMBER TWO -as soon as we leave the airplane, arch as best you can" (show 'em an arch and if you really want to kill some time, have them practice an arch) "RULE NUMBER THREE (and most important) -smile and have fun." I have been to and worked at a lot of dropzones and have seen the various approaches that are taken concerning tandems. Far and away, the most efficient and productive tandem operation is SKYDIVE SANTA BARBARA. http://www.skydivesantabarbara.com/ The place is owned by Dave Hughes and used to be located in Paso Robles and called BLUE SKY ADVENTURES. It runs like clockwork. No movement or segment of time is wasted (but you don't have to rush!) As an instructor, you can do as many tandems as you can handle (but Dave will make sure you get a sandwich and a Coke!) He always has plenty of modern rigs that are well maintained. The packers and manifest personel are skilled, efficient and friendly. All the little details are taken care of (goggles and jumpsuits for the students, etc.) His booking system is efficent and accurate. If your told that there will be 27 tandems tommorow staring at at 8, you can pretty much count on 27 tandems starting at 8. And believe it or not, this is all accomplised at a DZ where the landing area is separate from the rest of the operation, the primary aricraft used are smaller Cessna's and there are weather issues to deal with because of proximity to the ocean. And best of all, there is room for personal license and interpratation. Dave hires skilled people and let's them do their job. They crank out 2000 or so tandems a year but it never feels like a factory. Honorable mention goes to Skydive Oregon and Kapowsin Airsports "It's only arrogance if you can't back it up"

For referance, I have done well over 3000 tandems since getting my rating in 1994. I'm 46 years old and in good shape. I am rated by all the manufacturers and own my own Jump Shack tandem rig. I still fun jump as much as poosible. I got my AFF rating five years ago and at this point I'd much rather do that. I'm definately in the 'cranky old skydiver' category but I still give my passengers nothing less than my best on every jump (even if I have to fake the smile and small talk at times) In freefall, there is no way you can't have fun. Some are more fun then others, especially when it comes to doing tandems. I still get my skirt blown up every once in awhile by that 'out of the ordinary' tandem and just when I think I have seen it all.... I know tandem instructors with as many or more tandems than me who absolutely love doing them with first jump look in their eyes. The great Steve Rafferty comes to mind. I also know tandem instructors with 200 jumps who think they know everything and never say two words to their passengers. I think it depends on personality and circumstance. If you absolutely MUST become a tandem instructor (like we need more of 'em out there) here a a few tips: At the beginning of your tandem career, set modest limits for yourself (the biggest and heaviest you will take, how many you will do in a day, your lowest exit altitude, etc.) and stick to it. DZO's will use and abuse and pressure you into doing things you're not comfortable with, if they can get away with it. Don't try an be a hero. It may hurt someone other than yourself. Establish routines for everything (training, gear-up, pre-jump check, etc.) AND DO IT THE SAME WAY EVERYTIME! If you are lucky enough to have a highly experienced tandem instructor who knows what he is doing, and he wants to help you. Listen to what he says! Why re-invent the wheel. (note: this tip does not apply if the experienced tandem instructor in question is also the DZO. They will sell you down the road, brother!) DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, GIVE AWAY OR BUY A TANDEM FOR A CUTE CHICK IF SHE WILL JUMP NAKED. You're not gonna get your bones jumped anyway 'cause she's already got your number, pal! And more importantly, it's just not dignified. (note: it's important to understand that I am in no way saying not to take a chick that wants to jump naked! It's your sacred duty to do so. just don't do it for free!) Small Cessna's are hard on tandem instructors in particular. Just know that going in. Avoid fat chicks, lawyers and people from France. That about covers the high points. Have fun out there! Brett "It's only arrogance if you can't back it up"

Thousands of dollars in medical treatment and physical therapy when your shoulders and knees go south after a thousand or so tandems. It's the Cessnas and the fat chicks man, stay away from 'em. On second thought, forget the whole tandem idea. It'll fuck up your skydiving life for slave wages....and this world has about twice to0 many 'tandem instructors' as it is. Brett "It's only arrogance if you can't back it up"

I agree with you on this statement. I do not know the exact specifications on Kevlar. I do know through experience that Kevlar is stronger, stretches less and is harder to cut or burn. It seems to me that when Kevlar goes bad, it goes bad fast. It also stiffens when left packed over a long period of time. Several years ago I got a call from Tony Frost at an Arizona DZ. A jumper friend and customer of mine was at the DZ and needed a repack on his Racer. I had last packed it two years previous. According to Tony, when he deployed the reserve on the bench, the pilot chute only halfway deployed! The top Kevlar loop had stiffened to a point where it would not clear the flap grommets without help. I believe this to be in part due to my 'less than efficient' pack job. Ok, my sloppy pack job. (Again, this was nine years ago, or so and I have gotten to the point where Racers are no problem. As a matter of fact, I charge ten dollars less for a Racer reserve repack.) In the years since, I have come across several instances on different Racers (at several different DZ's with different climates) where the Kevlar Quick Loop had stiffened to an unacceptable point. In all these cases, the rig was more than a year out of date. The pilot chutes deployed cleanly on the bench and after exercising (flexing) the loops, all were repacked and put back into service. I wished I had gotten more information from Tony concerning the first instance in Arizona. I do believe that the rig would have functioned properly in an emergency situation. I did inform Jump Shack at the time over the phone but they never got back to me with further information. I do not have an issue with packing a Racer with a Kevlar Quick Loop, or even installing a Kevlar Quick Loop. I try to educate my customers on the subject and make sure that 120 days is really 120 days! Most Racers I see now have the factory quick loop made with Cypres line and if a new loop is needed due to wear, I will install that type unless a Kevlar Quick Loop is specified. I have packed a Racer with the Airtec made floating quick loop on one occasion. it was just a bit more work to get right. Any thoughts? "It's only arrogance if you can't back it up"

Jimmy That's my all time favorite quote....but you got one word wrong. The name of the album is The Smoker You Drink, The Player You Get "It's only arrogance if you can't back it up"

...just want to make sure we're clear on the different types of Racer reseve pilot chute closing loops. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong or if I'm missing something but I beleve the versions are... 1. The original, non-adjustable loop. Gutted 550 cord sewn to a length of 1" square weave which was then sewn to the top of the pilot chute underneath the hat. I've run across a lot of different, non-factory versions of this type over the years. You won't see very many of this type these days, because the next version was.... 2. The adjustable Kevlar loop. This is the original version of the 'Quick Loop', manufactured and named by Jump Shack. It was one continuous piece of Kevlar, double fingertrapped and sewn to a piece of 1" square weave which was then sewn to the top of the pilot chute underneath the hat. Each of two running ends are used to shorten (not tighten) the closing loops, located at 12 and 6 on the pilot chute. These running ends were then tucked back in between the pilot chute top and the hat. (In the owners manual, the rigger is given the option of tacking the properly adjusted closing loops, in effect making them non-adjustable) This type was supplied standard with all Jump Shack models from the late 80's until the mid 90's (or thearabouts) when the set up for a Cypres became standard on all models, creating the need for the... 2. Cypres compatable "Quick Loop". This version is adjustable. It is designed and built by the factory, and installed by the rigger exactly like the original Quick Loop except that Cypres line is used instead of Kevlar so the loops will fit through the cutters. Not to be confused with the.... 4. Cypres dual loop. Often called the Cypres Quick Loop, this adjustable and 'floating' version is supplied with a two-pin Cypres from the Airtec factory. The Cypres line is a continuous piece that is double fingertrapped similar to the Jump Shack version for adjustability. This loop is then passed through a channel (similar in length and width to the piece of square weave on the Jump shack versions) The channel is then tacked to the top of the pilot chute underneath the hat (similar to the way the square weave on the factory versions are mounted) Because the adjustable loop unit is not tacked to anything, it is free to float through the channel. The reasoning being that if one loop breaks or only one cutter fires or if only one pin is pulled, the loop assembly will be pulled through the channel, allowing the pilot chute to clear and deploy. This is the only 'floating' version of the Jump Shack style dual loop and probably the one that John Sherman was arguing against using on his rigs. I use only the Jump Shack supplied, Cypres compatable, Quick Loop (#3). I like the design of the Cypres dual loop (#4), in principle! However, in practice, it makes closing the container (specifically, adjusting the loops) a bit trickier. And the chances of only one loop releasing (for any reason) are extremley slim. In the most likely situation of the three, where one loops breaks, the remaining loop then acts as a back-up, keeping the pilot chute relativly in place. A much more desirable scenario than an inadvertant deployment over the strut or tail, or in freefall or under canopy. I don't believe there has ever been a documented case in which only one of the two Cypres cutters has fired (in affect, a Cypres malfunction that should not hinder normal reserve deployment). And it would be virtually impossible to pull (or dislodge) only one of the two pins (never mind the fact that the reserve pins on a Jump Shack rig are next to impossible to accidently dislodge in any case!) Legal and liability-wise; you should probably go with what the rig manufacturer mandates, gray-area notwithstanding. I hope this helps... Brett "It's only arrogance if you can't back it up"

This should be easy... "Are either of you...homosexuals?" "You mean...'flaming'?" "It's a standard question" "No, were not homosexual, but we are willing to learn" "Would they send us someplace special? "It's only arrogance if you can't back it up"

...also used in "The Mask" "It's only arrogance if you can't back it up"