fasted3

I wondered the same thing when I started at age 56. So far so good. Welcome to Skydiving! But what do I know?

I agree with you. Who lands on boxes head first? But what do I know?

Maybe so, but a lot of smart people have done it. I say this for the benefit of those that think it could never happen to them. It can. All it takes is a momentary lapse of paying attention to an almost invisible danger; it's happened too many times for me to think it could never happen to me, and is something I really try to never forget. I've also been around helecopters quite a bit, and know the tail prop has eaten a few pretty smart people as well. Yeah, dumb ones too, for sure. But what do I know?

News flash! Report just in that he was suspended from school for having an empty bag of marijuana. On a related note, I just gave my wife an empty bag of gold coins. She did not seem as grateful as I was hoping for. But what do I know?

Why not ban HP canopies and restrict WL to a maximum of 1 to 1 for everybody? I think that would really make skydiving safer. But what do I know?

I figure that every jump is going to end with a landing. If he walks away from this one, I'd call it a good landing. But what do I know?

So how big a problem is it that low timers advance too quickly? If this BSR was in place 10 years ago, how many of the incidents would have been prevented? Less than half, I'd say, and here's why: 1. High timers that would be allowed to fly whatever they want cause a lot of incidents. My guess is more than half of them. 2. Low timers that are not flying high performance canopies cause some incidents. Here, my guess is as many as are on HP canopies. 3. Some incidents are not related to the canopy size or experince level at all. Not that many but some. 4. Some jumpers exceed the limits and never have any problem. Not too smart IMO, but it happens. A BSR limiting everybody to a max wing load would be more effective at reducing incidents. Somewhere between 1.2 and 1.4 would probably be pretty effective, and I think would have prevented twice as many of the incidents that did happen as the proposals I see here. Do you agree with my numbers, and would you support such a BSR? But what do I know?

Some folks think a woman's choice for an abortion is none of yours. Some think it's their duty to protect your children from your wish to mutilate them. Some only see one side to an issue, others see both sides. But what do I know?

It looks like it's for real. The article says he will land on a box rig: box rig n. [bäks rig] a box rig can substitute for a stunt pit. It can also be used to catch objects. The way a box rig is constructed is by using several cardboard moving boxes that are stacked and aligned in rows, X wide by X long by X tall. To keep the boxes from shifting but without making the box rig too rigid of a structure, they’re wrapped together with plastic wrap. Like the kind used to wrap pallets (think saran wrap). The cardboard boxes crush or give way upon impact allowing the objects to safely stop. Box rigs are affordable and a low-tech solution. Interesting factoid; box rigs are great for catching cars that need to be flipped upside down without being severely damaged. The boxes cushion the vehicle upon impact. Yes, enough boxes that are properly stacked can safely catch a full size car or truck. stunt pit n. [stuhnt pit] a large rectangular shaped foam pad that a stunt performer would use to fall into. It’s not just an ordinary big chunk of foam. These pits are specially constructed to safely break the performers fall without causing harm. This is achieved by using several different layers of foam that vary in density and thickness. Some of the foam layers have channels to help expel air upon impact. These pits are covered with a durable vinyl canvas on the bottom and sides with a mesh across the top to allow maximum air expulsion. Though its not uncommon to see some stunt pits with mesh on the sides for added air expulsion. Most pits will measure at least two feet tall or thick, five feet wide and at least eight feet long. Though the size will vary depending upon the stunt. But what do I know?

Not being able to find/operate your main handle is a total malfunction. Yes? But that is not what I'm saying, is it? I will try to keep it simple for you! You grab the PC handle. You pull it. During the pull you loose grip of it. One of these three things can happen. 1. The PC catches air and you have a canopy 2. The PC stays in behind you for a second or two and then inflates -> canopy. 3. The PC is still in your pouch, and you can grab it again -> canopy. As I was saying, for a student/low jump person the scenario above might be a problem, but for everyone else it should not. 4. PC comes out, bounces around in the burble and ties itself in a knot. A problem for just about anyone, I think. But what do I know?

This is BS. I jump X-Bird with normal bridle and 24" PC. Sorry, I have to disagree too. My worst ever skydive was with a loaner 6' bridle. I made a really good throw too, but still wound up with the pc laying on my tail like a dead duck. Coincidence? Maybe, but I won't be trying it again. But what do I know?

Nope, but it looks pretty good. But what do I know?

Slippery sleeves? A significant safety improvement, IMHO. But what do I know?

I hear ya. I'm glad I'm not a pilot or a bus driver. But what do I know?

Not looking to solve that particular case really, but some pilots do have a touchy reputation, seems to me. Not necessarily a reason to go somewhere else, but something I'd like to improve on, especially if it were my regular DZ. BTW, I do have an excellent relationship with the pilots at my regular places. And good one for the rapid decompression, lol. But what do I know?

Not true, many do listen. Many do make good decisions because of people making an effort to tell them their opions, both here and at the DZ. Just because some don't do things exactly the way that you or I think they should, does not discount the many incidents that don't happen because of good advice given at the right time. I've learned a lot from others, even a few things from dzdotcom. We all have, I'll bet. So take a moment to appreciate those that do listen, and I'll take one for those that give good advice. But what do I know?

I've jumped at quite a few places, and met a lot of pilots. As a wingsuit flier, it is an important safety aspect of the pre-flight for me to at least let them know I'm going to be flying on the jump. Most pilots will point out jump run and listen to my flight plan. Many are quite helpful, and some are very cheerful. Some have become good friends. There's a few though... "I'll be flying a wingsuit." "Big fucking deal." Comes to mind... Now I do try to pick my time to talk to them. I understand that there are times to leave them alone. I get that. I think a few are just plain crabby. Anybody else ever run into this? Discussion point: Dumb things skydivers do that piss off pilots. The object of this thread is to promote communications between skydivers and pilots, thus improving safety, and to find ways to smooth our interactions and avoid conflict. Amusing anectdotes welcome. I'll start. One guy told me about when he farted in a 206 on the way to altitude. The pilot, realizing the offender was right by the door thereupon turned the aircraft 90 degrees, dumping him out. The guy did have farts that could peel paint off the walls. Still, an example of a grumpy pilot and poor communications. But what do I know?

I submit that any GR < 1 isn't flying, but falling at an angle. *** Do you ever dive in your airplane? If so, at what point do you consider it falling at an angle, and at what point do you resume flying again? Falling, stalling, flying dirty; I've been there, but flying a steep angle at high speed is still flying to me. But what do I know?

night wingsuiting

Standard equipment for me, and I use a cheap phone for it too. I think they can find you with any phone nowadays. As with all gadgets, don't be surprised if it doesn't work when you need it. But what do I know?

OK, it was a packer and not the jumper. Still wondering if the lines were properly walked out because I just don't see what went wrong, ie: how did the pc get under the lines? Also waiting for the list of DZ's that ban WS. I know of one, any more than that? Most concern for me is the comment about tail clearance. That is what will get us banned, and I hope folks will work on exits that keep well clear of it. But what do I know?

Stated the lines were walked out properly, but with an inexperienced packer, I wonder if that's true. I've seen people walk out the lines without really understanding what they were looking for. One guy jumped a step through several times. Also curious which DZ's ban wingsuits. List them please so I won't go there. Agree this should have been chopped immediately. Good learning thread. But what do I know?

I'll be there this weekend. Saturday looks pretty good for weather, and I'm hoping some wingsuit flyers show up. But what do I know?

I've done it twice with no probs. YMMV. Both times pretty recently after the extraction. See sig. But what do I know?

Works for me, plus I use my wings. Most important part is to get under the canopy. See sig. But what do I know?