NovaTTT

OK, I'll guess: You've not applied for it. Either that or you haven't met all the B-license criteria. "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

I don't know if this is a troll or not, but it seems bogus. I'm surprised this hasn't come up yet, but why was this guy popping his reserve in the first place? He makes it sound like, Hey - I'm inexperienced and in my living room. I think I'll pop the reserve. I can't comment on why this guy posted, but if it smells like shit, and it looks like shit, I say it's shit. Nova *edited for spelling "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

Great mystery rig - well done. Like Stratostar said, what's the story behind this rig? "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

No cardboard cookie for me, then. I had thought it might be the Alpha AL-1, but that has 3 POBs. The Tracker was also a contender in my mind but it's from the early 60's. Finally, I considered both the Thunderbow Conventional Back and the Hawk Main, but they look much smaller than your rig. Great mystery rig! It's been fun - now I'll sit back and wait for the reveal. "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

Nice rig and photos, and a good puzzler, too. I've looked through Poynter and it sure looks like it could be the Greene Star or Mini System. The photos in Poynter aren't the best. After looking, then, I will guess that it is the Fastbak, which is a 3-pin closer and appears to have two POBs. Edited to add: The handle is not visible in the one photo in Poynter, neither is it described. "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

If you're in Tampa for the weekend and don't go to Z-Hills, you've commited some sort of crime. "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

It used to be that a new jumper made friends at the DZ and made progressive jumps with them to learn. The payment rendered was beer. "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

The pin cover is an extension of the top flap. The closing order is Bottom, Top, Side, Side - the flap is then tucked up into the slot, covering the two side flaps and the pin. When the main is deployed, the bridle/pin are extracted out the right side and the top flap remains tucked into the slot. Hope this helps. N *edited to add: "What pilotdave said." "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

I find it interesting that the language used in describing the Advance Seven is identical to the language used in describing the Mirage G4. Mirage G4 Anyway - there's no need for we Americans to look overseas for gear. We have the best available. "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

Ain't it the truth! "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

There are some good posts, points and tips in this thread. But in the end, it comes down to the individual. If Isaiah decides to take up the sport, perhaps he will enjoy jumping with others. Perhaps he will enjoy jumping alone, the thrill of simply exiting and falling being enough. Maybe he'll enjoy a discipline that is inherently solo - like skyboarding, S&A or freestyle. It's a group/community sport, to be sure, but I've known guys (no girls) who were in it for themselves and just enjoyed jumping from aircraft. Emily Dickinson said, "The soul should always stand ajar, ready to welcome the ecstatic experience." Paul Simon said, "I'd rather be a hammer than a nail." There's a place for everyone in this sport so come skydiving and enjoy the thrill. *edited to add an "s" "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

It sounds like this guy has the opportunity to make helicopter jumps but in order to do so he has to exit low - so he's looking for a quick opening rig. Perhaps no reserve necessary. It definately sounds like this guy is out of his depth of experience, knowledge and skill-set. Finally, it sounds like urgent thrill is superceding intelligent consideration. None of this gives one confidence the outcome will be good. "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

I guess he's saying that if/when the time comes to breakaway, he's not going to worry about handle location because the SH will do the job of deploying the reserve for him. "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

I'm familiar with the Skyride BS, but what are the dz antics that are giving skydiving a bad name at these airports? Not getting a lease renewed is one thing, not getting it renewed because of a poor safety record, being uninsured, questionable practices, whatever, is something different. "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

Quote Egotistical, self-serving, publicity seeking, fraudulent, lying cunt bastards. Quote I knew you were going to say that. "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

Interesting article and case, Tom. Thanks for posting. As a related aside, there was a posting within the last year of a "bulletproof waiver" that had been drafted by an attorney in .... Wisconsin, if I recall correctly. Did anyone get a copy of that? "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

Nice photos, HW. Thanks for posting. Do you know anything about the performance of this parachute? "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

Steve Sutton's FlowForm kites are interesting. They look just like this parachute only they are four cells. Are you going to post more photos, HW? "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

Resigned or get fired, to be sure. He'll keep his certification and get a job in another jurisdiction. Hopefully he's learned lessons in common sense, judgment and not being a dick. "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

The Not-So-Idiot's Guide to Cock Blocking "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

Yes. It's a matter of practices. If you train to and/or are in the practice of cutting away (unneccesarily) and, as one example, find yourself in the basement, and for whatever reason are unable to find your hackey, you will perform as you practiced. That means you will pull the cutaway pillow and then go for the silver, wasting precious time and altitude. Some might say, "Well, that's the worst-case scenario". I say, "Yes, it is, and that's what we need to be prepared to deal with." Blues. N (Small edit for clarity) "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

It's called photo-bombing. Get into any photo you can, no matter where, when or whom. One usually makes a really outrageous display or gesture -show the 'nads, mooning, &c. Also, it's usually something more significant than a ride back to the packing area - a wedding, a vacation shot, a business lunch, &c. Since you're in Orlando you should try making a hobby of photo-bombing the tourists. "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

Please see my edit above. None of us were in the cockpit of the aircraft so we don't know what happened. The writer of the article wasn't there and did a pretty poor job of reporting. The video I saw didn't indicate there was any panicking taking place so I again wonder, what happened that merited a jail sentence? There is a lot about this air crash that we don't know - and taken in total, it's a lot that I don't care about. "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

Ah, the classic sound of a man who knows he has no argument. You intentionally took a quote out of context to support a weak position, I called you on it. What game is that? I don't know for certain, jakee, but it appears that you are mistaken here. It seems that Andy read the article and quoted the main headline, which indicates the pilot prayed instead of executing EPs. The secondary headline, grey text below the photograph, indicates the guy panicked. What's Andy trying to deceive me (the reader) about? Am I supposed to believe that he should anchor the evening news because he's terribly shrewd? I think the more notable point Andy made is that the pilot is Muslim and couldn't handle the situation because he's too busy praying to Allah. It brings to mind something akin to brainwashing. So would you rather be flown by a Muslim or a Jew/Christian? Would you be concerned if your commercial pilot is Muslim? Those would make interesting poll questions, I think. Edit to Add: There is a video posted about this crash - the link was posted above by Botellines. After watching this video, it seems to me the pilots acted professionally and I didn't detect any panicking at all. One pilot offered an occassional prayer and I see nothing wrong with that. I'm wondering how it happened that the pilot was jailed because of the crash? "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

There is no shortage of ways to knock one's head at the DZ. Students and young jumpers especially should use head protection. "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73