lodestar

Let me extrapolate on my statement, at the Hills, with so many reserves in use and so many others to be repacked, and particularly those from Canada (no offense guys), but Canadian jumpers were frequently without a rigger, at least in those days (69-75) and many of the rigs that came down during the winters had frequent pencil packs just to stay up on regs. Consequently I started using two cards, one in, one out, and that's how that got started. Pencil packing was not widely used but if I came across an obvious one, I did the two card trick. Just an extra precaution against rule benders. After all is said and done, if someone pencils your reserve, technically you could be held responsible in a 'situation'. Fact of the matter is, a reserve could go for years without a repack and still open just fine. Unless immersed in water, puke or other nasty liquids, there really is only the regs to dictate a mandatory repack interval. To my knowledge I never saw an FAA inspector go over the student rigs or randomly check a jumpers gear to see if he was current. Might have been a few checks during meets but I never did them nor did I see any being required or done at meets. Most jumpers are pretty well self regulating and when it was due, would throw it in the loft and request a repack, sometimes a bit out of date but no biggie.

Correct me if I'm wrong on this but, there is no way you can pencil pack a reserve and still have a seal on it. The packing card is ALWAYS inside and a seal with the riggers symbol is on the pins in such a manner so as to be impossible to pull without breaking the red sealing thread. There should also be an additional card outside with nothing else but the repack date on it, vis a vis the date of the repack. At least that's how I did/do it....

For sure, the first thing I'd do would be to strip the interior....heh...heh...heh..then get rid of that shiny aluminum stuff with some rattle cans....

That was a close call, it could have been, well, a lot worse for both parties. Phew!

What, no Turbo conversions.....with JATO assist...

I was going to say that one was an Electra, but the one we had at the Hills was a "lodestar I believe. At least that's what we called it. I remember seeing that on the data panel but it's been so long I couldn't be positive. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_Lodestar

It was $6 at Zhills as I recall, unless, of course, you requested one of my "survival kits" installed, then it was $10.

Is there any other data regarding annual checks, or theories on why the prop departed? Was it in maintenance ? How many hours on the prop/engine ? I never did see the pilot/copilot depart, were they okay?

Thanks Roger....

Zhills ten man patch with pilot chevron [IMG]http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc329/redfish443/2009_1214jacket0011.jpg[/IMG]

Do you remember if I was rigging back then?

Think I got my pilots license in 64, started flying jumpers to build hours at Aero Park, Wisconsin Sky Divers place and it was shortly after that they declared a "Pilots Jump Day" and chucked us out on static line PC's, I was told If I though I could make the peas to go for it....to my surprise I did, slid from one side almost to the other, plowing furrows with both feet, but survived it! What fun, I remember first jump course was $25.

Good point Quade, thanks for the chuckle...

Pardon me all to hell but this thread has turned into nothing more than a pissing contest.... 517331 views 22343 replies All amounts to the biggest pile of horseshit I've ever had the privilege of seeing. The entire thread has turned from something interesting and factual to a shit throwing contest.....do us all a favor and close the thread and start a new one somewhere else.

Bill, I can remember that jump as if it were yesterday. I was flying jumpers in Zhills. Can you please fill us in on the practice runs you made, how you worked up to the actual jump etc. To the best of my remembrance I think you did several practice jumps prior to the actual, it would be helpful to know what you did to work up to that final effort. On another note, at some point I remember hearing about a jumper who exited an aircraft, which then went down almost vertically and the jumper then hooked back up with the aircraft. Anyone remember that?

Now that I think of it, those missiles, when aimed at a nice reef, would produce some good fish.....just sayin'

Don't forget to dial in the altitude of the drop zone as well, assuming that the figures presented here are AGL but to clarify the altitudes presented here they are Above Ground Level. Something that could easily confuse a novice. Although most all jumpers will set the altimeters at "Zero" on the ground thus compensating for the altitude of the DZ. Just a miniscule point but one to be considered.

That sounds like a winner, I'll be sure and make it!

Oops, the 14th...

Wow, that would be way cool Rog, it's normally the middle of January, this year it was the 15th Jan. I'll be sure and put you in the email loop for next year...glad to have you!

I remember those days at the Hills, it seemed like every weekend there was news of another big star being made out west, I know we were all in awe of the "California guys" when they showed up at the DZ. Not to mention some pretty serious "partying" going on as well.

Getting better all the time Pat, nice job for sure....nice to know you're still having fun with it..... Don't know if you caught the opening of the Jerry Bird tavern at Zhills but there are some wonderful 8x10's up on the wall there of the old star work teams. Nice to see at least someone has paid homage to the early pioneers of RW, it's a whole different ballgame these days!

Aaah, Pats Place.....many a fine redneck drinks there, not only that, it's still there and open as Pat's Place....

Aaah Airtwardo, you hit the nail on the head there....lol....it's the "Dead Ant Relative Work Team!" for sure.....now we need the "Cardinal Puff Relative Work Team" for a competition. Instead of doing Cardinal Puff on a table, you do it on the floor, on your back while wiggling your legs and arms like an expired pismire would do. I like the concept....we could modify it to be a "Dead Cardinal Puff" relative work team.

I've seen a few guys do style on the floor of the Wolverine Tavern in Zhills.....rolling around in the beer and peanut hulls....