Beerlight

Sounds like you had a great AF time..... Let's see, 2200 miles X (what's the going mileage rate? 36.5 cents per mile?)..... That should work out to almost a $1000 just on mileage!! I'd guess the Austin bars got a chunk of that though!! You stay on or off base? Buck

The FAR is very clear; " §105.13 Radio equipment and use requirements. (a) Except when otherwise authorized by air traffic control -- (1) No person may conduct a parachute operation, and no pilot in command of an aircraft may allow a parachute operation to be conducted from that aircraft, in or into controlled airspace unless, during that flight -- (i) The aircraft is equipped with a functioning two-way radio communication system appropriate to the air traffic control facilities being used; and (ii) Radio communications have been established between the aircraft and the air traffic control facility having jurisdiction over the affected airspace of the first intended exit altitude at least 5 minutes before the parachute operation begins. The pilot in command must establish radio communications to receive information regarding air traffic activity in the vicinity of the parachute operation. (2) The pilot in command of an aircraft used for any parachute operation in or into controlled airspace must, during each flight -- (i) Continuously monitor the appropriate frequency of the aircraft's radio communications system from the time radio communications are first established between the aircraft and air traffic control, until the pilot advises air traffic control that the parachute operation has ended for that flight. (ii) Advise air traffic control when the last parachutist or object leaves the aircraft. (b) Parachute operations must be aborted if, prior to receipt of a required air traffic control authorization, or during any parachute operation in or into controlled airspace, the required radio communications system is or becomes inoperative." Yes, ATC did brodcast comms directed at the jumpship....."asking the jump plane to leave the area", not OK'ing the drop. If the pilot had comms w/ ATC, he would have had that information, therefore comms were NOT established. Pilots are charged with following the fAR's except in an emergency, and operating the aircraft safely, not just making a decision. The jump pilot violated FAR's, endagered his passengers and the passengers of Chris's aircraft. I also wonder how close the jumpers and jumpship came to the aircraft holding 1,000 ft below Chris. Imagine if the tandem had hit either airliner and brought it down. The FAA would likely simply ground all parachute operations and then, budget permitting, figure out how to allow skydiving again. Derek Excellent reply...... Buck

I agree with you that there are always two sides... However, until you hear the magic words, "radar contact", you are not under the ATC umbrella... Maybe Chris can back me up on that.. Guess we can agree to disagree. But from all the post, I conclude that the pilot did not establish proper communication with the nearest ATC facility per Part 105. That pretty much can close the issue. I've flown more jumpers than I can count, and I always had to have firm contact with the nearest controlling agency "before" a drop. I can see when the controller gets busy they will typically handle the IFR before even thinking about giving radar advisories to a VFR jump plane. Them are da breaks...... Buck

Who cares? take it to the corner...... AggieDave, great job by your DZ. Thanks for YOUR posts and participation into the event. Great advertisement for the sport.....good on ya'll!! Buck

He made a decision??? After "attempting"..? 105 states you will make contact before jumping. Attempt wasn't in the reg..... And I would hope he was broadcasting over CTAF, although that's another issue. As you might surmise, I agree with DiverDriver on this issue. I appreciate your response. Buck

let me look that up in the "Once was a skydiver handbook"...hmmm..... nope, can't find it.... So what if the guy was "posing".... what does it matter? Life goes on....... I see lots of jumpers call themselves "pilots".... So, I'll look that up in the FAR/AIM.....And yep, once a pilot, always a pilot.... just my 2 cents, Buck

You can't afford one jump tix, but your asking for a $6K loan to buy a rig??? But BTW, good luck.....

Ya'll got your S-76's back up and flying? I read the report.... And yes, yes, yes.... it is a smooth ride..! I still have that fixed-wing mentality though... final approach just seems soooo slow, crawling along just above ETL..... Buck

Do you smoke? Vicki ------------------------------------------------------------ man i'm an idiot! After having given up a few months ago, i forgot that i had 1 or 2 roll ups that day. No wonder! Anyway thanks for clearing up the mystery for me, i was wondering why i was feeling it on particular that day and not previously.... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hemoglobin likes carbon monoxide more than it likes oxygen. Meanies! *** Ding, ding...we have a winner.... Blood "hemoglobin" will upload carbon monoxide 250 times more readily than oxygen molecules. In other words, it'll TAKE on CO before it'll take on O2. Smoking a couple cigs before takeoff can significantly raise your physiological altitude, possibly to around 8,000 feet or higher. Add the 14,000 foot jump run altitude to that, and you are effectively at a physiological altitude in the 20's (hypoxia country) Every person will have their very own unique hypoxia symptoms. Where one person will feel lightheaded, another can feel nausea. Where one will feel tingling, another might feel like they've drank a 6-pack! So, be aware, hypoxia is an insidious, I'll sneak up on you, and beat you senseless kinda thing. Oh, and when in doubt of your mental faculties before a jump (another symptom of hypoxia..."mental confusion") don't jump. Buck BTW, there 4 types of hypoxia....... I was hypoxic just last night after drinking some beer

Chris, Thanks for keeping us updated. It is appreciated! Buck P.S. Hey, we've got a Baron to take to Oshkosh this year! My buds and I will be stopping by SDC for a visit...I'll call before we come in....see ya then hopefully!

Thanks Rick...... I do....what I can.... Buck

I've done it...but you shoulda seen them bitchin... I once took the Cessna to SD San Marcos for a boogie. Wouldn't ya know it, I was stuck flying the 4-way comp RW team called....you guessed it....."The Whales"...... I was scared to figure the W/B....!!. Buck P.S. Rick, just got back from flying a few ILS/GPS approaches into Galveston in an S-76.... (ok, it was an extended engine rinse, but fun, fun..!!.)

I thought you were gonna say, "One breaks his leg, and the other guy eats him..."! Oh well, Hi Wendy... Buck P.S. My girlfriend dragged me to see the premier of "The Notebook" the other night. It is definitely a "chick" flick, but I gotta say it was outstanding....go see it!! Starts on the 25th I think....

Bwwahaaa!!!! Nope...not a pyramid but the_Sears Tower.... I just got back from eating Chinese, and my fortune cookie was STALE!! what up wif that shit??? Will I have piss poor luck? But, the sushi was awesome........

reply] Never flown in an airplane? Or driven a car? Quasimuther, you are amongst friends muchacho...enjoy hanging out with assholes like us!! From one asshole to another, welcome to the forums!! Buck

The jump pilot must make him/herself aware of what airspace they are operating in. A 600hr pilot should've known better. The pilot in question should have contacted ATC per FAR Part 105....that pretty much closes this issue. He may have screwed the pooch.... As a former jump pilot, I too was on a few occasions asked to fly in questionable WX conditions. And, sorry to say, I did... But one day (after I was all grown up) when I was getting the "there's a big hole" story (from the DZO), I walked over to him, threw the plane key to him, and drove home...... never got asked again about flying in screwed WX... Like Chris stated, a collision coulda happened, and our sport would take a serious ding for it...... FAA ain't your forgiving brother....they would love to make a visit to your DZ... Buck

Anytime any of you guys wish to go through an altitude chamber course, I teach one here at NASA in Houston, TX. Price: FREE And to answer the 40,000 feet, I can hold my breathe theory? Not happening...... A. You have approx. 14 seconds of surplus oxygen in your circulatory system. (I would luv to meet the guy who figured that out, but anyways, that's what we teach). Some people will say, well I can hold my breath for a minute at sea level, so I can do that at altitude, right? -- Reason why you can't hold your breath at that altitude? At 40K, your oxygen partial pressure in your blood will be extremely low( if your not using supplemental oxygen under pressure), and your blood hemoglobin is actually "giving up" it's oxygen back to the lungs and you are exhaling it.......ie. it's called "reverse diffusion gradient" And YES, going to altitude severals times in a day WILL make you fatiqued due to each hypoxia cycle your body is undertaking during the day. Adrenaline "let-down" is also a factor...... This response was directed at no one in particular.. Buck Buchanan Aerospace Physiologist NASA, Johnson Space Center Houston, TX

Every Friday is Hawaiian shirt day for us.......! And jeans!! plus I have my shit kickers on!! (For you not of Texas, that would be cowboy boots) Buck

Actually, once a President,..... it is entirely appropriate to still be called President even after leaving office...... Buck

Hey Zach, Do ya'll breathe 100% oxygen on the ground before takeoff? ie. prebreathe Buck

*** Our Otter can haul 23 to altitude..... quickly....out of a dirt/grass strip.....on a hot day....quickly..... Buck

It would depend on your governments aviation rules/regulations whether an a/c of that type is even legal to jump. Some countries can be severely restrictive. As far as the X is concerned, door position/exit would be interesting. As for pressurization, do a search on "HALO", and I'm sure all your questions could be answered regarding A/C depressurization schedules, oxygen "prebreathe" requirements prior to takeoff, O2 use during flight, and necessary O2 requirements for freefall. I've been on many, many military HALO drops as the "oxygen equipment tech" on-board.... Good luck, Buck

See, humor is the best medicine..... Now, chin up meester, and no more sulking!! Walk tall, stand proud, and don't take no shit offa nobody!!! B2

Forgive and forget....... is best. If that is the issue here? People make mistakes....just ask my girlfriend. B2

In a ditch....Gotta luv it......... *** I thought the F-5's went away a while back? And the Navy F-16's had wing crack problems that the Air Force Vipers never had a problem with! HaHa!!! Very nice writeup there.....keep us posted on your future endeavors and stay safe....... Buck