Scrumpot

You give way too much courtesy Bill, in these situations. My counting on my fingers deliberately would have turned into then folding my fingers VERY DELIBERATELY into the digital salute. ...All of course while I still kept counting, naturally! coitus non circum - Moab Stone

Interesting, especially when you consider that Jim Crouch is an active member (if not also on the "board" of West Point (STP). Anyone can feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, but I think they've actually got a fairly friendly, if not even symbiotic relationship with the Regional Air Ambulance (Madevac) operation that shares their ramp. FWIW. coitus non circum - Moab Stone

I want the $20 skydives they talk about at the end of the video clip! Guess I haven't done it long enough yet to "get to that point" as is stated in the story. coitus non circum - Moab Stone

Anyone will tell you, I don't need to be baked to type like that! I am, ...absolutely and without a doubt, THE king of the run-on fragment! coitus non circum - Moab Stone

As cut-n-pasted directly out of that story... But sparking-up could continue on, un-abated. Classic. - J/K. I have absolutely no idea that is or was the case with/from this. Before anyone wants to go and jump on me. I just found the way that read, ...a report btw from THE MAIN STREAM MEDIA (although posted here) to be particularly striking. Consider as a result, what something like this does as well, for the reputation of our sport, and the DZ's etc. I don't personally care either way what anyone's own personal individual PRIVATE cannibus usage position may be - however, absolutely NO - NOT AT THE DROPZONE!! to spark-up any time at or around the DZ, is, IMHO, incredibly SELFISH, based on not even necessarily what it can do to you, but the exposure to ramifications it could have on others too, as a result. Do everyone a favor. Keep your weed at home. JMO, -Grant coitus non circum - Moab Stone

With a Paracommander, sure. No Problem! coitus non circum - Moab Stone

Do you have a thread or discussion anywhere of this incident? I do not want to hijack this thread - but I would like see/hear more details about what you describe in this line, if at all possible. Thanks, -Grant coitus non circum - Moab Stone

How about my buddy Robert? Has he found a home? I never thought I'd find myself actually MISSING all his corny jokes! I sure hope he is doing well. You all were like such FAMILY to me, even though I only got the very rare opportunity to visit (all the way from the east coast) so sporadically. Yet, none-the-less, every time I did, I always fealt like I was "HOME". Cal City is missed by many more than you probably know. And farther and wider no doubt than even I do as well. Mike Davidson (Sr.) out here always wanted me to send a special shout-out to soko (sp?) - and of course I always forgot. Someday, I will still find a way to make that up. I sincerely wish EVERYBODY, especially Van Sr., and Alberta - who so richly deserve their retirement I also hope they are now enjoying - nothing but the very best. BLUE SKIES CAL CITY! Great Video. Thank you for posting that. Blues, -Grant (The guy always calling for directions, en-route. over & over again ALL DAY LONG, no matter how many times I had been out there! coitus non circum - Moab Stone

Glad to hear you've recovered, and I wish you well, and on-going good health. It's disconcerting that you don't have a definitive diagnosis of what caused this, and personally, this would worry me. Couldn't agree more on the skydiving becoming a life/activity priority! #3, right behind your family and your health. Glad you're okay, and hope you stay that way. coitus non circum - Moab Stone

What he (and most of they) said! ...And, if you ever do travel out this way, to the east coast, feel free to stop on in to Skydive Delmarva. As you travel, you will notice and experience many different "vibes" of a DZ. One of the things we pride ourselves on at DMV, and you should notice right away, is the moment you walk on the dropzone, and find your way towards manifest, you WILL be WELCOMED and assisted by one of the best groups of fun jumpers you would ever want to meet. You will not be "lost", left to wander and just figure things out on your own, or lost in the crowd either! We're a "big" dropzone amenities (we have our OWN full-time Twin Otter, AND a C-182) kind of place, yet still with the "small dropzone" openness, welcoming and FAMILY feel! We would be happy to make your acquaintance, and get you jumped WITH OTHERS at levels and #'s you feel most comfortable with. Travelling visitors are always welcomed with OPEN ARMS! Every on-season weekend there is also something going on too. A good traditional DZ Bonfire and plenty of libations are the minimum order to every apres-jumping day weekend. I've personally picked up travelers and provided absolutely free shuttle to/from BWI airport for those of who fly in, and there are plenty of "us" on this side of the bridge (Chesapeake Bay) that if I am not available, would do the same. Anyway - that's enough for my home DZ shameless plug. Travel around if you can, and experience some variety too as you progress. There's no need to feel "stuck" in a place where you don't feel ever either comfortable and welcome. Good luck in your jumping progression, and I look forward to someday maybe even jumping with you (any time, anywhere I ever may be)! Blue Skies, -Grant coitus non circum - Moab Stone

Great Video and coverage too, by that "getting bolder" publication!! You know I'm "getting there" when I see a LOT of my friends being either interviewed or pictured!! Congratulations again guys! Way to go!!! coitus non circum - Moab Stone

Take heart. Not all places are the same. Although at a small Cesna DZ, I can see how this situation can unfold and be tough. Sometimes people just need to be reminded we all didn't just immediately fall out of the planes automatically sky-gods! If the folks actively jumping at your DZ are ALWAYS "working on something" (else) and NEVER seem to have the time to spare only maybe even just one jump out of their day nurturing a low-timer, then - you just simply need to find a new DZ is all. Plain and simple. Again, not all DZ's are like that. Some realize that the newby/low-timer they are "wasting their jump on" (their bad attitude, not mine!) today, is the long term jumping buddy/active participant they are merely adding to their ranks for tomorrow! I personally, actually dedicate myself to this. And you don't have to be super-cute either (although it helps! - J/K!! ). Those who absolutely eschew low-timers are missing out, and doing a disservice even in fact, IMHO to the sport. Find a DZ that will welcome you in. Not play sky-god elitists with 400 jumps, like they don't have the time for you there! - HARUMPH!! My .02 Blues, -Grant coitus non circum - Moab Stone

Yeah but... This is after all, the SAFETY AND TRAINING Forum. Not either General, Bonfire, or SC. So I think folks rather expect when they come in particular to this forum - to see serious (or at least valid) either safety or training issues being discussed. FWIW. coitus non circum - Moab Stone

Also, if I recall correctly (I only jumped mine back in the day, even only a few times) - at the end of the day of jumping with one, my shoulders and traps could get pretty sore. I once lent my suit to a guy who said it scared the crap out of him because he thought he was gonna dislocate his shoulder. Because of the air-pockets incorporated into the upper-arms (the "training wheels") it can put an odd extra pressure on your shoulder socket/joint in particular, and I just thought that I would point out now that I am again thinking of it, that this might not be so good for someone with shoulder problems, or a propensity to dislocate that joint either. I too, at least on solo-sits ("the" thing to do back in the day) found that it was very helpful in getting you head-high (a "freaky" thing to do for a belly-flier) and quickly comfortable with the position. As Peek points out, the next evolution (that passed by quickly) was to figure ways to help folks of vastly varying sizes easily compensate, so we could then effectively jump together. Like the balloon suits of the 70's that preceded it, the sit-suit now adays is clearly passe. coitus non circum - Moab Stone

People don't truly care to be actually (and ACCURATELY) informed Gary. C'mon now - you've been around here long enough you should know this is nothing new. And instead of getting INFORMED, most would rather still, indescriminately flap their UNINFORMED gums, and show their ignorance. I guess I'm glad to see that there are still at least a few out there, even if it is against all odds, who at least continue to try to educate (the deaf dumb and blind sometimes) masses. My hat's off to you sir, for your resiliency and tenacity. It's more than I've got. Blue Skies, -Grant coitus non circum - Moab Stone

Hey - I've got a Tony Sit-suit, sitting in my "miscellaneous accumulated skydive stuff" bin right now! I've even still got the matching "webbed gloves" that go with it, to boot! Yeah, it's "way-90's", no doubt. That, and I've still seen a few camera-guys still use one. It's kind of a joke/novelty now, around the DZ for the most part, although I will claim that MY particular sit-suit is actually (even fairly recently) famous! I'll have to find which issue it is - but if anyone recalls, a full Parachutist Centerfold with Bill Morrissey doing a sit (train) exit in a sit-suit (it was either just this past season or the one before), well then - that is MINE! SHAZAM! Actually though, if you can bear looking silly - they do "work". A "cheater-suit" I think as someone called it, is probably apt description. As others have said though - it is definitely not worth purchasing a sit-suit any longer. I just keep mine around still, as a kind of novelty, and a running DZ joke to share every now & then is all. Other than that, sit-suits seems to have been just a passing (and for the most part now, dead) fad. FWIW coitus non circum - Moab Stone

There is no "Tom-aye-to vs. Tom-ah-to" about it. In order to be considered a BASE jump, you must exit from a FIXED exit point. Exiting out of an aircraft, ANY aircraft is a skydive. Period. coitus non circum - Moab Stone

Are wingsuit jumps the only jumps you ever intend to do any longer, througout the remainder of your jumping career? If so, then I just might acquiesce to your argument that for YOU - you just may never forget. So long as you can: 1. NEVER have your routine either distracted or interupted... 2. NEVER ever be rushed for any reason ever, to the plane... 3. NEVER have anything unexpected just happen, just before or during your gearing up... Etc. We see your point. But no need to be so absolutely closed minded either. I'll submit to you, by being such in of itself, can be dangerous. Just FWIW. You make some good points, and I do sincerely appreciate your position and what (I think) it is you are trying to say. The open discussion on it too, I think - has been a benefit to many. I don't look at this conversation thread (nor either your Leg Straps and now Chest Straps poll threads) to be one that should be designed though to 100% "win" over someone's open opinion(s), or to completely quash others either though. To not recognize that mistakes (oversights, errors or whatever you would like to call them) can happen to ANYONE, is in of itself, IMHO a mistake. coitus non circum - Moab Stone

These guys aren't cargo Sparky, far from it. Although trust me, I do "get" your analogy and your point - please, remember too when even just the simple thought, let alone the act of passing a baton in freefall was considered crazy thinking too! Now, ...back to your-all's regularly scheduled programming. coitus non circum - Moab Stone

Congratulations, guys, and good luck going for the 60-way! coitus non circum - Moab Stone

It is not unusual at all, to need to sign a document accepting legal and financial accountability to do a demo. What is unusual, is that you apparently, supposedly did not have to do one/sign one before! As others have pointed out, it also appears, even within that document itself, that you are exempt from rental payment (or you can apply to be). However, to be required to sign a responsibilty document of some sort is certainly not unusual at all. And BTW too - no need to be overly sensitive. I had no flamethrowers on and blasting! (trust me, when I fire up flamethrowers - you'd know it! ) ...Just legitimate concern. As even BillVon points out - our experience has shown us even wackier things in the past. Glad to hear you've got everything there under control. My jump #'s are public and available (and up-to-date ). Just click my (expanded) profile & it's all right there. Blue Skies, -Grant coitus non circum - Moab Stone

As many people who also think as you - still, for whatever wacky reason(s) - maybe it's just inescapable human nature, no matter what we think or how we feel - it happens. I have pointed out misrouted cheststraps on loads more than once. One time - during actual climb-out while being just a "visiting jumper" at Elsinore - to a free-flier setting up in the coffin corner behind us, actually PREPARING TO EXIT! All it takes is that one time when you do break your routine, and for whatever reason - are hurried to make a turning load - whatever, and as outrageous as it may seem or sound, still - it does happen. Might not "ever happen to you", and that is great! Still, for most readers regardless - "word to the wise". How's that? Fair enough? Blue Skies, -Grant coitus non circum - Moab Stone

Hope someone in the club has got plenty more than just 200 total skydives under their belt, before they step up and offer/do that! coitus non circum - Moab Stone

Okay - since everyone else seems to be missing the 300lb gorilla in this room... Sarah - Wow. No offense but... You've got a whopping 202 jumps (if your profile is correct) under your belt, spread out over a period of 3 years in this sport, and you're looking to do a demo into a quasi-public field? Please, be careful with that. coitus non circum - Moab Stone

At least in this case though - they do seem to be their OWN photo's (for once)! Oops, sorry - did not mean to interject from afar. And NOT personally taking any stance as to the "gay issue" in any way - either way, at all. Carry on. coitus non circum - Moab Stone