EDYDO

I remember all of the prototypes to today's rigs well. First Delta 2 Jump May 17, 1970 First Baby Para Plane Jump Dec 3, 1972 First Cloud Jump Mar 2, 1974 First Strat O Star Jump Sept 10, 1975 Ed

I thought they had been jumping there. I could have sworn I saw some threads that said they were jumping. Judy Yeah, they were until a city official became concerned. It is just one "kick in the teeth" after another for Lake Wales. Ed

I don't think Frank has been in Lake Wales for a couple of weeks. The Otter that was there was flown to Chester this past Saturday. The Lake Wales airport was closed to skydivers until the debris can be cleared. Liability was given as the reason for the shut down. Ed

My Neptune and my computer have both been doing just great. Now Neptune has version 2.1.5 and Windows XP has Service pack 2. Sometimes these updates create problems where none previously existed, at least for certain users. I KNOW Service Pack 2 is creating problems with some software. So that begs the question, when do we update and when do we leave well enough alone? Ed

This is a good little reaction test. I would like to see a similar test that interrupts response with a decision. Example: Have 3 buttons that could be pushed and something that comes on the screen to tell you which one, then time how long it takes to do it. Ed

How do you like this one that I took in Hamilton, Miss? Ed

Age 61 Sex M Average 0.2884 Edited to add: One try, wireless link, notebook computer.

The release for the Havoc face shield is on the front just above the eyes. Ed

Ask the local Magistrate or equivalent. The information will be free. Did you have a problem with one place moving out and another moving in?? Edited to add: I am not a lawyer but I did stay at a Holiday Inn last night. Ed

Can't be sure about the problem, but if you should try to upgrade to 8 or 9 to fix it, you could introduce a host of new problems. Also, the newest Windows update is affecting their software. Did you install Windows XP Service Pack 2? If so, that could be it. Ed

Sorry Marc, I just don't see anything wrong with selling "Charley Shirts" or making a reasonable profit for rebuilding or sustaining comfort during a disaster. People make a living off of misfortune all the time. If you are a mechanic, you make a living off of the misfortune of car problems. Doctors make money on accident victims almost daily. the same applies to ambulance drivers and para medics. Actually, I am glad to have them make the (reasonable) profit when it is me because I know that will assure the products and services are there when I need them. In most cases people will not give you money unless in some way you make their life better. When done fairly, it is a win win situation. Ed

Georgia Military Academy, graduated 1961 with some famous people and some infamous ones. For example Senator Phil Gramm, the Barker brothers (Susan Heyward's sons), Governor Talmadge's son, Tim O'brien of CBS (changes networks) news and the infamous William Calley (he was a couple of years behind). Ed

Guess I got lucky. I bought one in '93 and replaced it with a Neptune in January. It still works reliably. I like them because they are lightweight. The Neptune is even better. I am educated guessing that it would cost the value of the altimeter ($50) to send it in, get it back and have it repaired. Ed

Just fot the record, my logbook shows the following: 2 year layoff with jumps in 1970 (303 jumps total) 2 year layoff with jumps in 1972 (356 jumps total) 6 year layoff with jumps in 1982 (436 jumps total) 10 year layoff with jumps in 1993 (437 jumps total) 9 year layoff with jumps in 2002 (444 jumps total) Today (800 plus total jumps) I never did any kind of formal recurrency until 2002 and at that time it was required. There were no problems staying stable or pulling on that AFF jump and I did not expect any. I did one jump between 1982 and 1993 and returned in 93 without a check-out. The layoff's never affected my ability to jump safely, only my freefall and canopy technical skills. I wonder if anyone returning has had a different experience? Ed

When doing grammar school demo jumps, if one kid thinks to ask for an autograph, you have to do 200. I prefer just to smile while the teacher takes a picture. Ed

Can't remember the name, but there is a "commercialized" volcano near I-40. It is mostly drive up and really worth the time. Near there in a protected area is a natural arch that is also a quick and easy hike. I think it is Albuquerque that has an atomic energy museum. Ed

99% of all sales will go without a hitch. It is the rare one where a problem exists that tells you about the people with whom you deal. Ed

Wow..that's cool! but what does this mean? 'The bottom fell out'? "The bottom fell out" is southern for raining about as hard as it gets. (I knew somebody would ask that.) Ed

I just spoke with one of the pilots at Lake Wales. The Otter was spun around in the hangar by the wind and then pushed back into the door. There is damage to the rudder where it hit the door. There is also significant damage to the leading edge that will require skin replacement. They are trying to get a rudder and a ferry permit. I believe the parts are available and mechanics are ready to work on it in North Carolina. The engines have been run and are OK. If all goes well, it could be flying jumpers by the week-end. The entire area is without power and it will take from one to six weeks to get power, depending on the location. Ed

I was flying back from Carowinds in North Carolina with my family. It was quite dark because of the overcast. Thunderstorms that were forecast to be occasional, suddenly appeared in front of us and on both sides. When I did a 180, storms had closed in that route as well. I made a decision that I would find a suitable road and land rather than fly through a thunderstorm with already crying children. We were being thrown around. I picked the best available location and started my descent when suddenly airport lights came on off of my right wing. I quickly turned and landed just as the bottom fell out. We taxied up and got out to wait out the storms. I thanked those at the airport for turning on the lights for me. The reply was, "We didn't know you were there and we didn't turn the lights on, they just came on." The lights at this private airport airport were not automatically on every night, still aren't. (Jaars Townsend) Ed

Just saw an interview with Roger on TV. He was smiling through it all. Maybe that is a good sign. Heck, if they can get the Otter flying, we can do without the building for a while. Ed

I like my Havok, but it is not a perfect solution. The open face is great, but the pro track is moved up with the shield, away from the ears. I have to remember to put it down before 1000 feet to hear the test signal. Fogging is still a problem in high humidity areas. (the south) Edit August '04: I purchased and installed a new face shield. The factory has placed several holes in it near the nose and the fogging problem is much improved. Actually, those could be drilled on the older models by the owner.

I live in South Carolina and my experience is based on what we have here. I make a living off of rental property and have a lot of experience with termites. They must return to the ground regularly for moisture, so they will make visible tunnels of dirt going up to the structure (assuming a crawl space structure...slab floors are another story). They actually live in the ground and just feed on the building. They can usually be identified by crawling under the buliding and looking around the perimeter and the piers for these tunnels. It is possible they could come up inside concrete blocks, but this usually isn't their only entrance and others are visible. They damage slowly, but are not to be taken lightly. It is difficult to buy chemical that is effective against them due to changes in federal law. Chlorodane worked, but was said to damage the environment and cause cancer. Look at some of the links given in this thread for chemicals. One can usually "spot" treat and kill them without doing the entire building, but a pest control company will insist on treating the entire building. I have personally found spot treating to be 100% effective. It is not unusual for a pest control inspector to come from under a house with a piece of termite infested wood that he carried there, just to make a sale. It is unlikely that he would/could infest a building because it takes a queen to form a colony. The cost depends on a lot of things, such as size and accessibility, but $1000 is not unusual. Ed

Did a search and I'm getting a headache. Can anyone simplify the relative advantages and disadvantages of TRV vs DCR camcorders when used for skydiving? Ed

I have to wonder how many people believe they are insured but aren't. I looked at a policy and there is an exclusion for aviation. Then I looked at the original application and found this long forgotten question. Do you participate in any hazardous activities, sports or avocations including but not limited to, scuba diving over 75 feet, sky-diving, hang-gliding or para-sailing; competitive motor sports....etc, etc? If one answers yes to such a question they are likely not to get insurance. If one answers no, they could be guilty of fraud and still have no insurance. Ed