SStewart

I am thinking you must have an old number, I talked to Ralph just a few days ago and he answered the first ring. I have been buying gear from Ralph for over 20 years and never had a problem. I bought a canopy from him just last summer and any time I need parts or rigging supplies I call him first because he has just about everything in stock. If you want to pay more call someone else. I know his competition doesn't like him because he always beats their price. I even heard one dealer refer to him as "the Walmart of skydiving gear" Which is actually kind of funny He probably does more volume than any single dealer in the world so that is why he has the best price. He is very busy, in addition to gear sales he also has a dropzone, he is the master rigger, instructor, pilot, mechanic, etc. I think he still runs a small newspaper as well. He guarantees everything he sells so if you are not happy you can always send it back for a full refund, no worries. Onward and Upward!

Is it a Jenny?

PS according to my logbook you answer is not correct. Onward and Upward!

I called it.... Yesssss!Iamnotgonnadie! Onward and Upward!

It was my second jump, nobody had a camera the 1st jump. Onward and Upward!

Hi Jen! Dave invited me to make a return appearance, I guess he is running out of instructors that know how to pack a round canopy. Besides, the weather in PA in January is always awesome! Onward and Upward!

I have to agree with Dan G on this one. Ed is a stand-up guy and the jumpers of the Mid-Atlantic would be smart to re-elect Ed as the regional director. I have only been to 3 board meetings with Ed but he is always the voice of reason and someone who truly cares about skydiving and the members he represents. Our regions overlap with USPA headquarters in the middle so I have jumped in Ed's region. I have not met one person who did not speak highly of Mr. Dixon. He has been to every dropzone in his region during his tenure and no other RD can say that. (including myself although I might be a close second) For everyone else on this thread do you think it is appropriate to post on the internet that you had your ratings pulled without due process? If this happened to you would you want your privacy violated without being able to tell your side of the story? It could be something as simple as forgeting to pay your dues or something much more sinister or everything in-between. I know I have forgot to renew in a timely maner before, I have even (gasp) drove a motor vehichle with expired tags! But each time I was re-instated and all was forgiven...... Nothing to see here folks...... Move along Onward and Upward!

McCain said Joe worked 10-12 hours a day 7 days a week. Have you ever tried to get a plumber on a weekend? Or after 5pm on a weekday? Not likely they will even answer the phone. Otherwise it was a good story.

Hey Pat, it was fun jumping with you and I had a great time at Star. Too bad the weather didn't cooperate but the turnout, party, and bonfires were exeptional. We even managed to talk Dav3e into a load! Give everyone my warmest thanks for the hospitality and we will see you next year. Scott Onward and Upward!

Ok, so the weather looks not too great but I am coming anyway. Sunday looks good! Ruckert still owes me beer so he better show! Hey! If we can't jump we can still party right? Onward and Upward!

This is just silly.... Would you hesitate to sell a small high performance main just because someone might overload it and bounce? (better burn it, it might be dangerous) There is nothing wrong with that reserve in the right hands and the right wing loading. Onward and Upward!

Hey Craig, I am running for National director and I have made about 350 CRW jumps over the years. I am not really current now but I did make about half a dozen CRW jumps with the Maytown dawgs two summers ago. Onward and Upward!

I will be there Saturday afternoon and evening. Onward and Upward!

If we include dropzones that have had the same DZO but have changed locations over the years then Ralph Hatley should be mentioned. 44 years total and 32 years at Beaver Oaks. Skydive Eagle Creek at Beaver Oaks Airport is still open. Not to mention that Ralph is still one of the largest parachute equipment dealers in the world. Onward and Upward!

Don't get me wrong pops, I am a big fan of the SIM and I recommend all new jumpers become familiar with it. Maybe not as part of the FJC but to anyone who returns and shows interest in becoming a licensed jumper. I just feel we should keep it more concise and to the pont. I think Nick said it best "there is a reason we call the SIM the big blue sleeping pill"

I remember when the SIM first came out.... It was a blue 3-ring binder and maybe a quarter inch thick inside. A great idea; just the basics and the facts....The BSR's, The FAR's and all you needed to know to pass the written tests for the USPA licenses. You could add updates if needed. Over the years it kept getting thicker and thicker and thicker. At this rate it will continue to grow to the point it will be the size of the yellow pages in a large city. Sorry, but nobody reads it anymore, it has become to big and too complicated. At some point it lost it's effectiveness and even the most sage instructor can no longer remember every page. (especially since we are constantly making changes from year to year) Do we have to carry this brick around in our back pocket so we can whip it out and refer to it every calender year to make sure we are quoting this years rules and not the last publishing? Much of it has become a big disclaimer anyway like the pilot chute in tow advice....(you could do it this way or that way either way your screwed but maybe not) Every year the SIM gets bigger and bigger and bigger. I think it should shrink and get smaller and smaller and smaller. Keep it simple, keep it safe. Maybe then the newer jumpers might actually take the time to read it. Onward and Upward!

Bingo! It's a Pioneer Viking super-lite first introduced in 1979. The original Viking was a five cell. The picture was taken in 1982. Onward and Upward!

No, not a Titan although it does look similar except for the split stabilizers. Not a Rascal either, I don't think they started making Rascals until several yers later, I had one as a reserve in the late 80's. Not a spirit either. Not a cloud but it flew like one, not made by Para-flite As I recall it was about 230 sq. ft. Any other guesses? Onward and Upward!

Hey Chuck, I tried to post it on the CD list but it was rejected. I guess I am no longer a member so I forwarded it to your email. I am confident we can work it out before the meet. Onward and Upward!

Circa early 80's Not Para-flite. PS that was a very good day! Onward and Upward!

It has been brought to my attention that there are some discrepencies (errors, changes, ommissions) in the rules regarding canopy formations in the upcoming Nationals in Eloy. I just want the CRW community to know that I am working with the competition committee to get this resolved. Several competitors have contacted me from my region and asked that I pass this on. Can someone remind me how to post this on the CReWDog list? Sorry, it's been awhile. I am pretty sure I am still a member. Please rest assured I will do my best to get this resolved before the meet in October. If you have any questions contact me and I will keep you updated. More later, Onward and Upward!

Is Ruckert coming for sure? I will try to make the trip, I haven't jumped with Dav3e since Australia 2005. I usually go to the no-boogie boogie in Central Oregon every Oct. but the rumor is it may not happen this year due to lack of interest. Keep us posted. Onward and Upward!

I am happy to announce Handsome Dave is back in the air and up to his old tricks. Not bad for a guy who just went through quadruple bypass surgery just a few months ago! Way to go Dave! Onward and Upward!

I was jumping a Corsair container with two swifts. Others were mostly old Wonderhogs or Strongs, I think one Rapid Transit, and a few others I did not recognize. Some had belly bands, most were legstrap pilot chutes. I modified mine to a boc. The mains were various 7 cells from the 80's, a few ravens, an XL cloud, and a few others that I am not sure of. The tags and lables were either faded or missing so it was hard to tell. I was the only one with a square reserve.

The swift reserve I was jumping is very similar to the main but not identical. The main had the round lines and the reserve had the flat linguini. They both had the weird brake line stow with the trailing line after you release the brakes. The main had untold number of jumps (the data stamp was faded) I guessed the main to be circa early 80's. The reserve is an 85 and has 35 repacks and no deployments. It still looks and feels brand new. The "Swift system" was a great concept at the time; Swift container, Swift Main, and Swift reserve all in one. Back in the day that was a hot set-up. Onward and Upward!