Hooknswoop

I would change it to "No guns, no gun violence." And you are correct. But, this is a freedom that is protected by the constitution in the US. That will not change without an amendment to the constitution, and that is very unlikely. There is always a price to be paid for a freedom. You accept traffic fatalities as the price of freedom to drive cars. I accept gun fatalities as the price to own firearms. Derek V

No, you don't get choose after you are dead to never ride in a car again to live again. It doesn't work like that. Derek V

How many of the 33,000 would never ride in a vehicle again, just to live another day? It doesn't work like that. Derek V

So very little of USPA overall efforts are direct specifically towards equipment sabotage. This is reasonable. It is rare. It is worth some articles in Parachutist if it prevents a fatality from equipment sabotage. This brings back to traffic fatalities and mass killing fatalities. We have limited resources and would like to keep our personal freedoms. I am not saying pick one or the other. I am saying at some point we reach diminishing returns. We are at an average of 24 fatalities/year from mass killings (using Kallend's link). What would it take to reduce that number? We are at 33,000 traffic fatalities/year. What would it take to reduce that number? We are at ? (I honestly don't know) fatalities/year from skydiving equipment sabotage. What would it take to reduce that number (whatever it is)? I don't hear much discussion about reducing the traffic fatalities with stricter requirements, etc. Although we could reduce that number easily, without undue burden on drivers or expense. I hear a lot of discussion about mass killings. I have not seen anyone propose a law that would reduce that number without undue burden on gun owners. I don't hear much discussion about skydiving equipment sabotage. I think the number of fatalities in this category are very low and I think USPA does enough to prevent them without taking further action. Derek V

Of course not, but thank you for making my point. The debate tends to devolve into an emotional discussion rather than logical. Usually when the facts do not support your position. Derek V

If the goal is saving lives, I am not going to spend much time, effort, or money on preventing skydiving equipment sabotage. I would go after the low hanging fruit. How much effort does USPA put into preventing equipment sabotage? How much effort does USPA put into preventing skydiving plane crashes, fatalities from low turns, and canopy collisions? I have yet to see anyone propose a new gun law that didn't limit personal freedoms and would reduce mass shootings. Derek V

Sure. So first define what is acceptable. Then determine what it would take to get to the acceptable level. Then decide if we are willing to accept what it takes to reduce the number to the acceptable level. Without much expense, effort, or limiting of personal freedoms, we could reduce traffic fatalities dramatically in the US. I would very much support an increase in minimum requirements for an initial driver's license and an annual practical test. This would save lives without much expense, effort, or limiting personnel freedoms. Guns in the Us are not going anywhere, they are constitutionally protected. The measures that have been implemented where I live, in CO, recently are; 1) Limiting new magazine production and sales to 15 rounds and; 2) Requiring background checks for all firearm transfers. I know at least one of the costs for these measures, MagPul left the state, taking their jobs and taxes with them. What has been the upside to these measures? Nothing. You go out of state and buy all the magazines you want. You can even buy 30-round magazines in the state. How many people have been prosecuted for the background check law? How many mass killings have these measures prevented? None. Derek V

Agreed, and those requirements resulted in 32,719 traffic fatalities in 2013. No big debate (at least compared to the gun debate) about dramatically increasing diver training or restrictions. Why is 24/year from mass killing unacceptable? We execute double that per year in the U.S. Why is 32,719/year from traffic fatalities acceptable? This is the root of the debate. What is acceptable and what is not. Derek V

So, from that link, 290 deaths from mass killings ( 4 or more people killed on 1 incident) since 2006, 218 from shootings. That works out to just over 24 a year. There have been more deaths, so far just this year, in Oregon alone, from traffic fatalities than from 9 years of mass killings. We, as a society, accept the number of traffic fatalities without a second thought. But, a much smaller number mass killings and there is outrage. Seems like an emotional response, not a logical response. And that fits from looking at all the gun debates, short on logic, long on emotion. Derek V

And year to date as of September 27, there has been 329 Oregon traffic fatalities. Derek V

I had always used L & B's products because they worked and because of their exceptional customer service. So when my Optima quit working, I mailed it back to L & B. They sent it back with a note that says in part; "Old model Pro-Dytter, Pro-Tracks that are more than two years old, first generation SOLO, OPTIMA and VISO will no longer be repaired/replaced/upgraded." I bought a used N2. It does everything I need it to do; beep at 5,000 feet AGL. If it dies, I'l probably go back to having nothing again. Derek V

What is 2+2? OK, now forget what 2+2 is. What is 2+2? We are not capable of intentionally forgetting something. Derek V

To be fair, it could have been re-threaded the day before you caught it. Either way, good catch! Derek V

Kits are available from UPT, 2 pieces of small, metal housing material, capped. The caps prevent the housing from sliding down and through the white loop on the 3-rings, preventing a cutaway. I have seen the plastic do exactly that, the jumper would not have been able to cutaway. After seeing that, I would never use the plastic. Derek V

The aerosol propellant dries quickly, leaving a film of dry silicone behind. This is perfect, it lubricates without attracting dirt that increases cutaway pull forces. It doesn't need to be wet to lubricate. Derek V

From Bill Booth: " The best stuff I've found for cleaning and lubricating 3 ring cables is Silicone Spray Lubricant. We use Ace Hardware Store brand. Just spray onto a clean rag or paper towel, and wipe down the cable a few times. Only a thin invisible film should remain. A light mineral oil, such as 3-in-1 is also fine. Do this every month, or more often if you jump at a very dusty dropzone. " http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=231561;search_string=ace;#231561 Derek V

This is what UPT recommends; http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1415918&cp=2568443.10768931.1253350.1256370.1254883.1255099.1306235.1258992 I have used it for years. Works VERY well. Derek V

No company is perfect, but PD spends considerable time, money, and effort to thoroughly test their products before releasing them. If they have a problem with a canopy, you can bet it is not a design issue. I've heard the Valkyrie was 6 years in the making. Derek V

What do you suggest? Derek V

Raven -M's have been known to fail while within weight & speed maximums. That is why it is Precision Aero now and not Precision Aerodynamics anymore. Derek V

Requiring background checks for private sales in un-enforcable without requiring all firearms to be registered. They passed this same law in CO last year. Law enforcement wants it repealed because they cannot enforce it. Derek V

Go here: http://www.blucoreshootingcenter.com They have very good courses and a wide selection of pistols. You can try out different pistols on the range downstairs. What you feel comfortable with is very important. Derek V

How many die in vehicles? Is that number acceptable to you? Derek V

http://www.flyingmag.com/news/medical-reform-moving-congress Derek V

Did you witness anything unsafe from this group? Derek V