base698

I doubt that he will win this lawsuit--there is just not rational way. People can say all they want about the courts, but they do rule properly in most cases. It clearly wasn't an issue of the bridle being too short. If you saw the video, the pilot chute made a profile just like it would if a rubber band was wrapped around it (Brian packed it that way). Any pilot chute would open a container before 5.5 seconds unless something was physically done to it (ripped or something tying it closed). I think similar lawsuits had happened in skydiving. I was under the impression it was more common in skydiving...

I'm very skeptical of this guy being a jumper... It was probably some guy standing in the visitor area bragging, or perhaps he jumped once in 89 like he said.

I got my first eagle RW jump several months back after a solo tracking dive. I was able to stay with it to about 1000 ft when I finally realized I'd have to start heading to the dz or I wouldn't make it back. It flew off then anyhow. It looked at me several times as I was following it. It stayed left front of me the whole time.

Pinot Noir and Shiraz when I drink wine. I still haven't found a white wine I like, granted I haven't looked that hard.

If he really does try to sue the state of Idaho I will be the first to contribute to Idaho's legal fund any money I can... BASE doesn't need to become like skydiving in that regard, especially since that could kill jumping there.

I was in this very same situation while out there when I tried my first gainer. I remember having a clock in my head and saying (after I stalled on my back) well you gotta pull now. I got open in time to make the beach landing area with no problem. Just goes to show the danger we all put ourselves in.

Well, what I'm about to say is anecdotal but when I first started jumping I had these mood swings where I would get really down about life and everything. My girlfriend at the time finally figured out it was due to me not jumping for several weeks. When I did jump my mood is good and my attitude towards others is positive. If I don't jump I am really really shitty. I got reminded of this when I didn't jump for 5 weeks recently. Its not something I can reasonably go without. Personally I'd rather hunt my own food and walk everywhere than go without a jump...

I have just started doing 270 degree turns. I've noticed that my final alarm on my pro-track will usually go off right before I let off the risers. I was just curious if this happens to anyone else. When doing 180s it does it occasionally, but with 270s it does it consistently.

... and my how bad does whip cream rotting in your nose smell

I've seen this happen twice. Neither time the line groups fell off but it was very apparent they were about to, and the link was clearly broken.

I am. Hopefully I'll have my rig by then!

Get a BASE canopy, an old reserve, and old container. Given you will need a BASE canopy anyway--seems the most logical thing to do, and you'll be dialing in your canopy.

I did 5 jumps last year. Hopefully I can get a slot at the last minute and if not I'll be there for moral support and the fiesta as well.

My rig has become dirty and in need of washing again. I know my riggers previously washed it and it came out pristine. They apparently washed it in a washing machine with detergent. I was curious what kind of detergent everyone uses and what kinds to avoid?

Ah ha! Here with one 'l'. Thanks! Alouette

870 jumps since my last malfunction. Had a couple of close calls involving line twists, and one with a guy falling through my canopy, but none yet. *knocks on wood*

What is the name of this thing? I remember it starts with an A, but can't find how to spell it on the website.

Kazaa Lite ++ has blocking for the RIAA ip addresses (not exactly totally secure but it helps get me a small piece of mind). It also doesn't have any spam with it, so its a great alternative imho. The RIAA's main beef with this ought to be clear. Internet music exchange has the possibility to cut out the middle-man (the RIAA) entirely. Imagine a system where artists where to actually get paid for their work Here is a link: http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=03/07/15/1326240&mode=thread&tid=158&tid=99

I actually don't have a land line and I've only gotten 1 telemarketing call in 2 years. When I'm at my parents and I did have a land line it went something like this: Telemarket person: Hello Mr Thomas I'm-- Hang up. I never let them finish the intro and they never called back :)

Ahem...

I've measured a friend's rig to 24 lbs of force. This was on a fresh pack job and big canopy for the container. Even at that amount of force the PC will pull it out no problem (assuming its made properly and cocked). I think my main is usually under 8 lbs which is a little on the low side. I used to be overly paranoid about my single parachute system and measured it frequently usually getting readings from 12-14 lbs. If you let the canopy sit in the container overnight and reopen/close it its much easier and requires much less force to open, but I seriously doubt you have much to worry about.

Just saw this quote in another thread: Why the hell aren't people getting intense canopy training? Most people graduating are basically taught landing pattern, pull left go left, and don't turn under 250 ft. Some people take that very literally and just don't give the canopy any input even if they are headed for a tree or other obstacle. Shouldn't they know how to turn? I mean I can get the target 90% of the time just on setting up nicely but how can a person just starting out do this considering they aren't familiar with either skydiving or the canopy they are jumping. Maybe the USPA should implement some kind of codicillary part of the coach program where the coach and student pull higher and do follow the leader. Most coaches at 100-300 jumps should be at wingloadings able to stay with students (perhaps people with that few jumps shouldn't be all that close to a student under canopy). Shouldn't students be overly familiar with all canopy inputs and how to flat turn before getting an A license? Maybe this is too overwhelming for starting out, but I don't really think so. I bet 99% of students getting their A license would not know the effect of different riser input and I don't see that as very good. End rambling...

Make your own skydiving t-shirt. I think this could be cool. A skydiving one that says: "My mom thinks I'm at the movies." OR a BASE Jumping one with a guy going off an antenna that says "My mom thinks I'm skydiving." Some friends and I came up with lots of cool ideas in the past. Link to make your own: http://www.t-shirts.com/custom/

I would be careful doing crew with microline... It will cut to the bone and shave ALL the meat off in a wrap...

I had varying guidelines. If it looked massive (more than 5 lights) and was an inside climb you know its "jumpable" in terms of altitude. For buildings it is generally at least 17 floors for me to bother lasering it. Sometimes I would still laser stuff. One building in a certain town east of the Mississippi was 17 floors and over 240 ft. Of course other factors can be more important like landing area. Other things to consider are the climb out, getting to the exit point, and security. All of those have an effect as well. All in all take a range finder just to be sure :)