EDYDO

Thanks, looks like this is going to require some more thought. It would be easy to change the names around a little, but it will be best to eliminate any possible confusion. Ed

Live in Florence, jump at Raeford. Ed

We need a name for our demo team and don't want to step on anyone's toes. Are the names Dixie Skydiving Demonstration Team or Carolina Skydiving Demonstration Team in use at the present time? Ed

It's kind of like getting a ride back to the DZ in the back of a farmers truck who just doesn't understand that if that canopy catches wind, it's gonna hurt!!! Ed

They must have determined that there was a problem that needed to be resolved because there was no charge for anything. I didn't ask for that, they just did it. Ed

My Sabre2 openings were reliable, but slow and often not on heading. After 150 jumps I decided that we weren't going to be able to fix it by packing changes. I contacted Robin at Performance Designs and she suggested I return it for inspection. I didn't want to do that because it was at least reliable and it is spring. Well, she promised quick service and talked me into it. I sent it in and received regular updates, new lines, new slider, test jumps, report on test jumps and free overnight return shipping. I had it back in two weeks. I am convinced they want their equipment to perform up to expectations.

File too big to upload, see your email. Ed

I looked through a number of shots. I can't find anything that looks any different from any other full face helmet. They just aren't close enough to the face to show the difference. Ed Edited to add attachment, didn't work. Sorry, the file is too big.

That would be selling almost everything I owned in '99, buying a motorhome and traveling the country doing whatever I pleased. It was the most memorable year of my life. Playing it safe and secure is for the weak at heart. New opportunities will open up. Go for it. Ed

QuoteStill, who here owns their own business? Why did you do it? Do you enjoy it? Any advice for a neophyte businessman?Quote I went into business for myself because I figured if I could make money for them, I could cut out the middleman and work for myself. I can't say that I enjoyed the work itself, but some things were quite rewarding about it. I try to start something, duplicate myself with someone else and then move on to another project while they stay. My businesses are customer oriented and I treat the customers like gold.......because they are. The CEO of the nations largest software firm of its kind once worked for me (they provide software for churches). It was really nice when he came to see me a few months ago and told me that having learned customer sevice while working for me contributed to the success of his firm. We do a lot of things that by some standards are unreasonable, just to satisfy the customer. If you give great service, don't be afraid to charge a premium for it. If you start a business, be prepared to wear a lot of "hats". You might have to be the buyer, the advertising exec, the salesman, the tax expert, the legal researcher, the repairman, the complaint department...well, you get the idea. Lastly, be prepared to say, "NO" a lot. Ed

QuoteI had one of the earlier ones, so I don't know if it's changed since then, but I wasn't really happy with the way the visor could "slip" down if you take a hard step on landing. Upon experimentation, I found that mine almost always ended up right where I didn't want it to. Quote I prefer mine open under canopy and initially it also fell half way down on some landings. I tightened the screws that it swivels on and no more problems. People think I'm nuts when I put the visor down at 800 feet to listen for my Pro Track signal. Ed

It was reported that the search for her cost the taxpayers $70,000. Ed

You have probably looked at the web site by now, but I don't see any mention of it. The testing looks good and I am not so concerned about getting an AAD to fire, that seems pretty simple. The concerns are keeping them FROM firing on a day to day basis when they shouldn't. The only way to know that is repeated real world use. I did lots of searches and read what I could find. It seems the most real world information that I could find is in the two here who are jumping with one. I was in Deland in January and made several jumps right behind Majik. I didn't know they were using the Vigil. If true, they made a "bunch" of jumps with the Vigil that week. Ed

could someone explain what happened with this? What black wire? My understanding is that a black wire was pinched during installation of a Vigil and it caused a misfire during a skydive. It also happened with one on the ground. If I have it right, they shortened that wire so that this could not happen again. Ed

I am about to purchase another AAD. The Vigil is interesting, but I can't find much "real world" info about it. I am aware of the misfire caused by the little black wire routing. That has been fixed, so it doesn't concern me. Has anyone been using one without incident. Would you buy it again given the choice? Ed

Quote Are you a flight instructor? Unlike a pilot license, they take those back every two years if you not comply with the regulations, do they not? I ran Edward Dixon through Oak City and came up with 12 Edward Dixons, none of which are instructors, none of which are even close to being current. Quote JE As you can see by the last line in my last post, it was clear to me that we weren't going to come to any agreement. Hence my statement that we should just agree to disagree. It was my intention to allow you the last word and end this in a gentlemanly fashion. Then you decided that you would attack my credibility with a botched internet search, making this reply necessary. Had you sent me a pm, I would have gladly helped you and it would not have been necessary for you to embarrass yourself. The only reason I can figure you looked was to try and discredit me. Otherwise, why is it important? I haven't asked for your credentials. Anyway, here is the information you were seeking. George Edward Dixon, III 4233 Byrnes Blvd Florence, SC 29506-8335 Flight Instructor Airplane Single Engine/Glider Certificate number 1661522CFI Date of Issue 18 April 2003 Expires 30 April 2005 Medical Certificate issued 12-22-2003 by James E. Turek, MD Thanks for the interesting conversation. Ed

There are lots of ways to make money for skydiving. I notice in a previous post you asked about a particular jumper on the back cover of Skydiving Magazine. I think I recognize him as being the same as the one on the wall in the post office, nice reward offered. Can you give me info on his whereabouts? Ed

Still replying to the original suggestion that we consider asking the FAA to make BSR's into regulation. Looking at some of your questions, I guess you didn't read my post carefully. Yes, I am a pilot, yes I am a flight instructor. Check Airmen that you mention are not regulation enforcers and I stand by my position that the FAA cannot "farm out" enforcement. S&TA's and IE's are also not "ramp check" people. If the USPA was given that job, they would have to do that job. It would take money because there would be challenges to violations issued, that means lawyers and court costs. Man, what a can of worms that would be. As far as "undoing" regulations, your examples are simply modification of rules. The FAA works on the "band aid" approach which is more of a patch than a fix. We certainly have had different experiences with the FAA. I could cite you lots of them. One regularly finds the guy who knows nothing about skydiving or associated regulation and just wants to protect his job. I recall a widely publicized incident recently where the individual FAA Inspector decided a skydiving competition meet was a skydiving demonstration and tried to apply demo regs to the meet. I did read your post and the "think about it" part. I have done that and replied. I believe the thought is the single most potentially damaging suggestion that I have ever heard concerning skydiving. Even the suggestion leads me to continue to believe that you just do not realize/understand the potential end results if such a suggestion were to be implemented. I strongly support self regulation. If you believe that government involvement/ regulation is the answer, then we are just going to have to agree to disagree. Ed

I don't think how long one has been dealing with the federal bureauracy is important, but since you do, I began dealing with them as a pilot in 1964, an exhibition skydiver in 1966, a banner tow pilot in about 1975 and a flight instructor in about 1980. I do not agree that MOST PEOPLE fear responsibility for their actions or earning their ratings. I believe MOST PEOPLE are indeed responsible and earn their ratings. My vote is one of those in the 80%. I believe strongly in self regulation for skydiving. Remember I am responding to your statement that the BSR's be made a part of federal regulation and the USPA made responsible for enforcement. It won't work for volumes of reasons, but just to hit on a few. The FAA has no authority to "farm out" enforcement of regulation. If this happened, the FAA would have to fund the USPA and with that funding would go strings. We would lose our membership control of USPA. I like to see Chris Needles show up at the airport, but that would all change if he was the "policeman". It would not be possible to undo the regulations when it didn't work. One can only guess what might happen at that point, but I would not look foward to being under the control of those who believe we are a hazard to navigation by being a vertical activity surrounded by mostly horizonal activities. Ed It looks to me like we have two threads going on here!!

This kind of thinking scares me. You obviously do not understand the thought process within the bureaucracy. It simply wouldn't work and once that pandora's box is opened, it could never be closed. Ed

Of course you are right, but still there is something about this and similar incidents that really bothers me. The FAR violation had nothing to do with the fatality. They (government agencies) look for someone to blame and it doesn't matter that the violation was just incidental. Ed

I was simply saying it is better for USPA to enforce FAR's within our organization, thus demonstrating to FAA that we can self regulate. That's a better option than turning those violators over to the FAA, or demonstrating no control and encouraging FAA to get involved. -tom buchanan Agreed, keep the FAA and other government agencies out of skydiving. If OSHA ever gets involved, we'll have handicapped handrails on our 182's. Ed

I have done that to someone. They deserved it. It's easy to print an envelope to someone with "RUSH, Inflatable Doll Parts Enclosed". It adds realism if you put something with a little thickness in the envelope. I have done that too!!! Ed

If you are saying that the USPA should turn members over to the FAA for enforcement action, I couldn't disagree more. Are we going to turn in our fellow jumpers for violations, that's scary? If we begin the enforcement mentality, then we will be enforcing all of them, including the $10,000 cost for the very rare times when a cloud comes out of nowhere and finds you. It is unclear to me what you support, so I choose to believe I mis-understood. I just wanted to say the above and this gave me the opportunity. Ed

I'll tell you where it is. Lake Wales, Go to the end of the runway toward town, then about 1/4 mile to the right. We were directly over a good sized herd of cows. It has got to be in that pasture or just toward the target from it. The wind was minimal, it fell from 4600 feet. Just mail it to Chuck!!! Ed