EDYDO

This is a whole new question and not so simple. Ed

Hey Z, Thanks for what you are doing!!! Take care of yourself. Did you get to finish the pro requirements before you had to leave?? Ed

K4YDO Extra Class. Note that my screen name on DZ.COM is my name, Ed and the last 3 letters of my call sign. and now you know......the rest of the story. Ed

Once you get the experience, it is possible and reasonable, especially with todays gear. I have done it with the old "belly wart" reserve. Obviously, you have to be extra careful about snags. I don't see how a DZ at a public airport could prevent someone from jumping from other than their own planes and getting a notam out at non-DZ airports isn't difficult at all. Just be sure to get the airport managers approval for occasional jumps. I cut my teeth making jumps as you describe, there just weren't that many skydiving aircraft in my area in the 60's. If you are near a small EAA type airport where the guys are always hanging around and hangar flying, it is a perfect place to get free jumps. With that said, it certainly adds risk when you have to squeeze out and whenever possible, I remove the door. Nearly all of them come off with a screwdriver or pair of pliers. You are supposed to get approval for flight with door removed. I have never been checked on that, but it is almost an automatic process after asking for it. Ed

Yep, done a lot of spelunking, both above and below water. That's one of the reasons I don't have more jumps. We have one underwater cave system (little known) in coastal South Carolina. Also a half and half near Santee. In Eleuthera, Bahamas there are both types of caves. Many of the underwater caves have stalagmites/stalagites, which is rare. Some have sharks that can remain at rest and allow current to flow over their gills, also rare. (I have some stories on those!!!) There are some fantastic wild and dry caves near Hatchet Bay, Eleuthera, Bahamas. Ed

I owned that plane for 2 or 3 years. Had two engine out landings before we found it was due to rust in a steel fuel tank. It is essentially a J3 Cub with 20 extra horsepower and a wide back seat. Ed

This was before color was invented. Can you imagine doing a static line out of a two place plane??? You make do with "what cha got". Ed

Hey guys, I am in there too (3 times). If you hang around the DZ enough, you're bound to get your picture taken!!! Pages 23, 36 and 37. Ed

Yes, that cold heat soldering device is really neat. Unfortunately, it is beyond my skill level and I am really, really, good at normal soldering. The unit has to touch the wire in two places in order to function. I was successful at one or two joints, but it took a long time. What is the secret? I use a small soldering iron, probably about 25 watts and extremely small rosin core solder. That works for me. Ed

I have tried my PC 109 with two different Cameyes. One will turn the 109 back on, one will not. The older one will not, I am not sure if it is a II, but the new one definitely is. Sounds like you have the same problem. Ed

$2.15 to $2.25 in South Carolina. I remember a period of lines and rationing. Sometimes the stations just closed for lack of fuel to sell. It was best not to travel because you might not be able to get fuel. I am happy that it is my choice to travel even though it creates some problems. I drive 225 miles a week to/from the DZ. Ed

If your pictures are centered, it has not caused a problem for you. If they aren't, it could be the sight location. Ed

Most people are right eye dominant. Hold your finger up at arms length (you choose which ). Look at an object and close one eye. See if the object moves from your finger, then close the other eye. The eye that is open when the object stays in place is the dominant eye and also is the side your sight should be placed. Ed

Yes, DB (Bob) is here, had dinner with him last night. He was on every attempt and was my RH grip. Great flyer. Ed

How did things go? We made a 36 way that held only one second and the Otter hosed one attempt by doing a power on stall on jump run, falling off to the left. Jumpers were outside waiting for the key to exit, but could not leave the plane because of the props, so they held on during stall recovery. John Young has video, it is scary!!! Ed

Lake Wales We have a new 33 way SOS world record on the first jump of the second day. We're going for 36. Ed

I printed my own. I think it cost me almost as much as buying one. My ink cart. cost $32 each!!! The printer ran low on ink and I had to change out in the middle. Some of the pages are light but readable, some had to be reprinted. Then I had to buy a binder to put it in and had to punch holes in all of the pages. Next time I am going to order a nice neat copy with a pretty color cover!!! Ed

I sure hope new and improved is "really" better. I was perfectly happy with my "old and inferior". Ed

HA HA.....No sooner do you get it done before it is obsolete!!!! They replaced mine (Thank You Alti-2) due to a cracked case and the new one has 2.3.1B. It came in today. I was perfectly happy with my old version. Ed

F111 is the type of fabric. It was used some years ago on most if not all main canopies. For the most part it has been replaced with zero-p which is more "air tight". It is so tight that most of the air that escapes, does so through the stitching rather than the fabric. This makes a new canopy difficult to pack. The F111 is still used, just not as much. In my opinion, buying an F111 main will give you a canopy with little or no resale value and less flare, which equates to a harder landing. Ed

I started back in the 60's out of curiosity. There wasn't that much to do, maybe a 4 way one point round or style/accuracy. It got boring and I laid off for a number of years. Now, it is different, there is so much to do and to learn, 4 way competition, big way formations, swooping, camera, freeflying, wingsuits, crew, boards, etc. I was once an "expert" and somehow today I am a continual student of something that is new to me. I enjoy the challenge. Ed

Does anyone have experience renewing plastic helmet lenses or goggle lenses? I have a number of otherwise good items laying around. I have used automotive polishing compound with some success, but I think it is possible to do better. Ed

This needs to be brought back to the top. Ed

On some of my first few jumps, with a belly wart reserve, I was able to make poised exits while the pilot worked the static line. It should be pretty easy with a sleek new rig. We would rent the plane and take turns ALL DAY. 1500 foot exits were common. Only had one car in those days, so I would often jump over my house on the last jump of the day. Ed

I have to think there is a wiring problem to your remote switch here. Let me be clear, if I try to power the 20D back up with the bite switch, it does not work, but pressing the shutter release button on the camera does indeed power mine up. Ed