John4455

I used to be a self contracted pyro-technician for a major fireworks display company. We shot class B display fireworks. Class C, are the fireworks that the kids buy in the stores and stands. Class A explosives, is like dynamite or what not. We would shoot pyro-musicals. Fire works show set to music, programmed on a computerized firing panel. Several years ago I went to Aruba on New Years to do a pyro musical. I found out when I got there that the last 3 days of the year in Aruba, anyone there could buy these class B fireworks like we were shooting. They would go in the store to buy them, go back into the parking lot, and shoot them beside their car. It didn't matter that it was broad daylight and you couldn't see the effect. You would hear booms and bangs all night long. The sponser sent us some labourers to help us and a good many of them were missing fingers from shooting fireworks. Funny thing was that I was wanting to jump there, but at the time, their wasn't a drop zone listed, so I didn't take my rig. When I got on board Air Aruba in Tampa FL, the first thing I saw in the back of the seat pocket of the airline was a ad paper. On the third page was an ad for skydive Aruba. How do ya like it Johnny?

You would think that would be the case, wouldn't you? Unfourtunetly, high speed swoop landings have become part of our sport. Even UPSA, that tries to keep it safe, greatly promotes it through the magazine. Open up parachutist magazine and it is full of articles and swooping pictures. It seems to be the mentality of most all jumpers now to go small with their canopies, and go faster and faster. Like Bill Booth said, the faster you go, the more likely you are to get hurt or killed. How do ya like it Johnny?

They are worried about the Panthers on saturday! How do ya like it Johnny?

You mean tonight? No, I am going to take it easy tonight. How do ya like it Johnny?

Whats yours? Me, I am going to try and make 350 skydives this year. For me that would be a lot. How do ya like it Johnny?

Just try to relax. If you begin to turn in one direction, just turn the other way. If you have a slow turn to the left, just dip your right shoulder a bit till it stops. How do ya like it Johnny?

Did he give a loud "hey yall, watch this" before he jumped? How do ya like it Johnny?

I would love to dive the great lakes....In July maybe. Meanwhile, Cozumel sounds better. How do ya like it Johnny?

BEERS ON ME!!! How do ya like it Johnny?

There was a mix of all size canopies. I was in the third Casa and was a high puller. When I bailed out off of the tail gate at 13,000 feet the visuals were incredible. The otter with the crew dogs were at an altitude of about 10,500 feet. I tracked off to my left, keeping an eye on the jumper in front and down below me. I could see the monument from the air. To my left as I was freefalling by, the crew dogs were hopping and popping out of the Otter. I had to be open by 8000 feet so I threw out at 9. I looked down and canopies were everywhere. I saw our team leader Paul McCowan drop his huge American flag, and I flew over to get a closer look while trying to keep the right amount of spacing with the canopies below. At 4000 feet I fired my smoke canister and spiraled as much as I could without bleeding too much altitude. The landing area, even though it was big was still crowded due to the limited amount of dry area, but everyone was really heads up. It was an incredible jump and an incredible day. How do ya like it Johnny?

Before I give my reserve to my rigger I usually cut the main away(on the ground, I just disconnect it) just to make it easier for them. They won't even have to deal with it. How do ya like it Johnny?

Anybody heard anything new about Jim? How do ya like it Johnny?

I know that its still too early to really tell, but the extended weather forcast for Kitty Hawk is for rain on Sun, Mon, and Tuesday. How do ya like it Johnny?

Has the Vigil documented any saves yet? How do ya like it Johnny?

And the 'Set 400' in a sport rig we use for the 2000 sqft. Flag! No kidding, you have a set 400 in a sport rig. How are the openings on those Z-po's How do ya like it Johnny?

The "outs" don't look ver y good... How do ya like it Johnny?

Maybe i need to bring my startac 290 at .75! I'll show you who's gonna be last! How do ya like it Johnny?

Somebody put a big hill in the middle of our landing area.... How do ya like it Johnny?

Maybe a towel for Sparky?? How do ya like it Johnny?

Fresh women, and more wiskey for the men!..................... (well, it used to work for John Wayne) How do ya like it Johnny?

What are you guys jumping? Whats your canopy and wing loading? How do ya like it Johnny?

SUCKS How do ya like it Johnny?

I've always just hated to be the one of the first to try out the new stuff. I'm sure they are fine, but it is just human nature. People like and trust what they are used too. How do ya like it Johnny?

What are the pre-requisites for attending a BMI course. How do ya like it Johnny?

We are landing next to the monument, right? Will we have the whole circled area? Looks plenty big. How do ya like it Johnny?