wolfriverjoe

Actually, my mom is almost ok with it. She agreed not to try to convince me to quit if I agreed to always jump with an AAD (yes, she understands it isn't a guarantee) and to not Base. If I have to go to the DZ to pack leftover student rigs, she likes to come out to see the airport and the hangar - it's really peaceful mid-week. She hasn't seen me jump yet, but last week I had to fly, and she came out to watch me fly. She really liked seeing the other guys jump, and said she might be willing to come out and watch me jump sometime this summer. "There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy "~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo

Yeah, it's pretty typical. I have the same daydream. These are fun things to think about, and maybe use as goals for the future. Your enthusiasm is great and I hope you understand I'm not trying to dampen that enthusiasm. BUT... But I have to say this is a really bad idea on a bunch of levels. The surprise thing- She will be stressed out and overloaded, then you pull this. She'll freak. Maybe a lot, maybe a little. You know her, I don't. But it won't be good. Before the ceremony - What if you crash and burn? Whatever isn't broken in the impact will quickly be broken by her for screwing up her wedding. And even if you aren't hurt bad, how will the pictures look with you scraped up? Think more about jumping into the reception. After she hears you say (in front of witnesses) "Obey" and "I do". A guy from my DZ did that a couple years ago. She was ok with it, but only after the ceremony and pictures. She also said she wouldn't go to the hospital until after the party if he got hurt (yes, seriously). From your point of view, you will be overloaded on that day too. Throwing in a highly stressful jump wouldn't be smart. Again, after the ceremony. And then there is your experience. Do you have any off DZ landings yet? I have a few, and they are really different. The visual cues that you are used to aren't there. Even a different DZ is strange to land at, because it's diferent. Do you have any experience evaluating landing areas? Size needed, obstacles, prevailing winds (and how the obstacles are going to create turbulence). And probably a bunch of things that I don't have the experience to know. And there are probably other reasons not to do this that I don't have the experience and knowledge to realize (I know that I don't know what I don't know, I just don't know what those things are - read it a couple times and it will start to make sense) Somewhere on here is a link to a Youtube vid of a jump just like this. The groom and 3 other guys jump into the ceremony... And crash and burn. A broken leg and a couple broken arms/wrists IIRC. I searched around a bit for it, but couldn't find it. Sorry to throw cold water on your idea, it does sound like fun, but the possible downside is just too strong. "There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy "~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo

OK there is a catch 22 here, parachutist are NOT certificated airman! But some of us are, pilots/riggers/A&P's ect. True, but the airman definition doesn't specify "certificated airman" does it? Just an individual, in command, who navigates aircraft when under way (picking and choosing out of the full def). There are a few different types of aircraft that do not require certification. Ultralights, powered parachutes, para-gliders, and of course, sport parachute canopies. They still have to follow all the FARs, and are subject to the authority of the FAA, but they are still aircraft, and need to be treated as such by "real" airplanes. I have had some discussion along these lines with the other pilots at the airport where my DZ is. Mainly along the lines that parachutes are unpowered aircraft and have the right of way over powered aircraft. That parachutes on approach have the right of way over airplanes. Once in a while you get a jerk, but most of them stop, think for a second and go "Oh, yeah, I hadn't thought if it that way before". And yes, I realize that "Right of Way" won't protect you from a spinning propeller, but getting the pilots of the other planes to recognize our legitimacy is worth the effort. "There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy "~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo

The Wiki is ok, but to clarify- RSL just pulls the reserve pin. The reserve opens normally using the spring-loaded reserve pilot chute. Skyhook is actually a MARD(main assist reserve deployment). The main is attached to the reseve freebag bridle. The cutaway main is used to extract the bagged reserve. The main acts as the reserve pilot chute. Getting it to work as intended, but not interfere with non-cutaway reserve openings or AAD fires is the part that makes it interesting. There are a couple other MARD setups out there, but they are still in the developmental stages AFAIK. Jerry Baumchen's is really interesting, he has some video of the test jumps in here somewhere (you might search "MARD"). "There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy "~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo

Hard time? Have you ever tried to work in show business? This is NOT a hard time. This is simply cautionary. Live, explore, take risks, learn, fail or succeed. All dreams and goals must be pursued.

Any good locksmith can get into the locking gascap in a couple minutes. If you take the car to him (after you get a new ignition key) it shouldn't be too much. The new key with the chip ain't gonna be cheap, but they should be able to take your VIN (serial number) and match both the key and chip. I don't know a whole lot about the new keys, but is the chip absolutely necessary? Does it de-activate an anti theft system, or is it just a convienience thing, with the remote built into it? The Porsche dealer didn't cut a new key, they just took the VIN (and proof of ownership) and got me a new key(no chip). I can't see Ford being any different. "There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy "~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo

Don't be jealous now ... there is room for one more ... O Are you going to be at Summerfest for opening weekend or closing weekend? "There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy "~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo

I'll keep you company! Especially if you get scared and need someone to hold you and keep you safe

How about a nice game of chess instead?? (I didn't need to look at the reference for that) "There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy "~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo

Wrong! The very first thing you need is motivation! Without it all your efforts are moot! Quitting with the wife should offer all kinds of motivation: Mutual support, for her, for me so I can be with her longer, for economic reasons, or for selfish reasons (I can't let that woman beat me). Next you need support, & I'm reasonably sure you know where you can get some of that.... Finally, you need to break the ceremony of smoking. The entire act of smoking; reaching for the pack, tapping one out, lighting it, replacing the pack and lighter, inhaling, exhaling, tapping the ashes into the ashtray, & finally extinguishing the butt has become a very well practice, VERY FAMILIAR series of movements. It's been just over 7 months for me & I still miss the ceremony somewhat, especially when I sit down in the morning with my 2nd cup of coffee! Driving is starting to get easier, though! It's been at least a month since the last time I started digging in the console after the 1st stop sign. Funny thing is, I'm starting to smell the ashtray in my truck now... +1 on that big time. I spent about 2 weeks quitting the habits around smoking before I actually quit. I stopped smoking in the car, in the bathroom before my shower, while watching tv, all that stuff. Right before I quit, I was down to about 3-4 per day, and mostly around the side of the house (picked a place I wouldn't have to be a lot after I quit). I wasn't smoking before bed or after meals. It wasn't easy reaching that point, but it gave me a preview (and some practice) of what quitting would be like, and meant I only had to deal with the physical addiction, having dealt (mostly) with the psychological side already. It will be 10 years in October, and I still want one on occaision. Good luck with it. And if you relapse, don't just "quit quitting". A lot of people have to quit several times before it finally sticks. "There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy "~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo

8-10 gal with 4 jumpers on board. "There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy "~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo

Welcome to the forums and the sport! Where are you jumping? Omro? "There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy "~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo

this is CA....people ride like this ALL THE TIME. At least he isn't wearing shorts and flip flops (which is also common). stupidity at it's finest, folks. Fixed it for ya! Wisconsin doesn't have a helmet law. I see this on a regular basis, only without even a helmet. What do you call a guy on a crotch rocket wearing only shorts, shades and sneakers?? An optimist "There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy "~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo

USPA has the Pro rating for demo jumpers. There are scaling requirements for licenses/Pro ratings for demos depending on where you are jumping and what kind of (and size of) area you are landing in. In the SIM Section 7. Basic bandit demos don't really fall under that. "There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy "~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo

Yes and no. Search "Bandit Demo" for a lot more info. Basically you need to file a notam with the FAA (the pilot will do that) and get permission from the landowner. Doing it into public property (like a beach) generally attracts the attention of the local law enforcement community. Not usually in a good way. I know guys that jump into birthday parties (their own or friends) and that sort of thing. Illegal? Not if the rules are followed. A good idea? Well, that depends. Sometimes yes, sometimes no. "There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy "~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo

One thing you don't see is how low the crime rate is among carry permit holders. Something like 4% of all citizens have a felony record. Something like 15% have a misdemeanor record. (These figures are from memory, and may be wrong - feel free to correct me) Less than one half of one percent of carry permit holders are arrested (and this includes arrests after self-defense actions where no charges are ever filed). It isn't a bunch of cowboys "hootin' and hollerin" and shooting up the street as so many of the anti crowd portray it. NOTE: THE FOLLOWING IS SARCASM! I'm surprised the liberals haven't insisted that everyone be issued a carry permit. Since that demographic has such a low crime rate, putting everyone in that group should eliminate crime, right? "There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy "~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo

Lots of good advice here. Best one is to let her pick the gun. 2nd best is to take her out on a regular basis to shoot. Currency is important. Familiarity is too. Make it fun and she will want to go back. My ex was smallish (5'4" 110#) and was very comfortable with a 20ga. It was an 870 pump. I wouldn't listen a whole lot to the gun store clerk's training advice. You really don't know what you are getting. Some can be valid, but a lot of it is shit. (like the "sound of a pump shotgun") The NRA offers a whole lot of training options. Many are women only classes. NRA for Women. FWIW, in Wisconsin (and probably elsewhere) pointing a gun at someone is Assault with a Deadly Weapon. Firing that gun (even a warning shot) is "use of deadly force", and can be considered Attempted Murder. Yes, the self-defense exceptions apply. Shooting to "disable" or to "wound" is a bad idea. As others have said, you shoot to stop the attacker. The better classes (NRA are good) will cover this stuff. "There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy "~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo

Possible factors making that much of a difference: Measuring method - it may be a lot more than 5ft difference. Cell count - 7 vs 9 Planform - rectangular vs semi-elliptical Material - ZP vs F1-11 (not all that likely, but this is student/rental gear) Age/wear - brand new vs ragged out. No one of these is going to make all that much difference, but stack 2 or 3 of them together... "There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy "~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo

Scrambled eggs with mushrooms, scallions and some leftover salami tossed in, english muffin, glass of V-8 and coffee. Standard "at home" breakfast. A good breakfast is an important start to a busy day I have a lot to do today. Weed the garden and get some of the plants staked - they are starting to tip. Wash the car. Walk the dog. There's 2 student rigs at the DZ that need to be packed. I'm due for a Bi-annual Flight Review and want to get that done this week but the weather isn't looking all that good today. Skittles - Wawa and Sheetz are more like a 7-11 or a Kwik Trip than "The Pig". Very nice "Stop & Rob" with above average coffee. "There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy "~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo

Finally a post worth my 10,000 post. Thanks!! You're welcome. I'm honored. And you aren't mad. What's up with that? And no, it wasn't referring to you. "There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy "~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo

Amy Winehouse or Lindsay Lohan? I'm pretty sure there's a website with Vegas-like betting on what celebrity will bite the dust next. Howard Stern or Opie & Anthony have talked about it... yes, there are one or two Celebrity Dead Pools out there "There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy "~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo

Sort of but not really. There is someone here who is really obnoxious- writes posts that are insulting, prejudicial, and clearly intended (has stated so) to piss people off. But many, many posters have stated how great this person is in real life, and clearly admire and like this person. And FWIW, most of the skydivers that I have met are really cool. "There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy "~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo

Look at other crashes. TWA 800 and Pan Am 103. Both exploded in midair (not going into causes/conspiracies here) Numerous intact bodies (badly broken, but intact) were recovered. At the other end of the spectrum, ValuJet 592 went into the Everglades in a full dive. There were very few body parts bigger than your hand. "There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy "~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo

Skittles is actually a pretty nice guy. Nowhere near as intimidating as his avatar. He has a good bit of experience rehabbing a broken ankle too. And isn't calling a skydiver a pervert a lot like calling a basketball player tall? "There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy "~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo

This is how I feel. I'm always nervous in the plane. I've had experienced jumpers (1000+) tell me that they are a bit nervous in the plane. There are pretty severe consequences for making a mistake or not handling a malfunction properly. I deal with the nervousness by double checking my straps, handles and 3-rings (the check of 3 3s), reviewing my EPs For me, the nervousness keeps complacency away. If it ever goes away completely, then it's time to get out. "There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy "~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo