TomAiello

Here's an informational page on the rocket belt. And here's the sordid tale as told by ABC news. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Rick, Rick and Randy are still jumping. I know that Mike Allen's niece is compiling a bunch of the old footage with the help of several old timers (including, I believe Jean), to make a historical BASE film. Regarding the rocket pack: I'll search for it, or you can too. It's a huge, epic story involving theft, betrayal, prison time, and fatalities. I think the story is told somewhere in the History and Trivia forum. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

I'm fairly sure it was BB, from Oregon, who has at least several hundred jumps. It looks like he releases the PC prematurely (which, in JT's opinion, was why the board came off). -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Nick, this is incorrect. The "tanning guy"'s initials are J.W. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Not to worry. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

I'm not sure that's true. If some non-jumper local died out there, I think the community outcry against jumping would be much greater than if a "tourist BASE jumper" did. As I said before, there is a big difference between a "BASE jumper" (in the communities perception) getting killed, and the 17 year old daughter of your neighbor doing the same. Actually, to the people of Twin Falls, he is. How should they know the difference? Thanks. I'll continue to try my best. I'll also remember that you said that to me. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

QuoteI don't know how that distinction was made other than those who feel that anyone who skydives is not a BASE jumper. So what does it mean when a BASE jumpers skydives? In general, BASE jumpers will view you as a "skydiver" based on ethics and community considerations, rather than on whether you spend time at the DZ or not. In that sense "skydiver" is generally a term used to describe someone who either (a) rejects some basic ethics of our sport, or (b) simply hasn't learned them yet. In that sense, most of "camp 3" (skydiver/BASE jumpers) is actually part of "camp 1" (BASE jumpers). The thing that BASE folks object to isn't the act of skydiving. It's the attitude (which I've seen running rampant at some DZ's) that "I am bullet proof and I'll do whatever I want, and screw you guys." "Skydiver" is short hand for someone with this attitude. It's not a fair label (as it generalizes about all people who skydive). Nonetheless, it's the commonly used label in the BASE world (which use results in countless misunderstandings and hard feelings--as in this thread). -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

I actually suggested that in my very first post, in the first thread on this topic. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

I'm not trying to wound you or put you down here JP, but; Most the BASE jumpers you knew from the DZ in Davis (I can't speak to your experience in SoCal, obviously) were people who were viewed as relatively unethical by most BASE jumpers. In fact, _they_ (the people you thought of as BASE jumpers) were exactly who many BASE jumpers were thinking of when they complained about "skydivers". The general consensus in the BASE world is that many of their antics (like jumping the Big Stone at 7pm, for example) were a clear demonstration of the problem with "skydivers" BASE jumping. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

I get that alot from skydivers. I've met quite a few who pretty much see BASE as madness, so they can't see why we care about safety or ethics. It's kind of like how non-jumpers feel about skydivers. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

I think it's worse, actually. Experienced BASE jumpers ought to know better. The tanning guy, on the other hand, really has no other context. He's not part of the BASE community, doesn't know it's ethics,and isn't trying to have an impact on it. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

The Tombraider footage was put together from a ton of different jumps, some done off that building and some done out af airplanes. PerFlare was "Lara Croft" for the stunt. There is a whole write up on his web page (which BTW, is probably my favorite "personal page"). If you ask him, he might be able to tell you more about it. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Oh, come one. I thought skin's diatribe was hilarious. He's probably got the title as the current "most removed posts" champ in this forum (I think his signature is some kind of trophy). That one's funny enough that it has to stay. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

There's another one behind it, if you look carefully at the end. And you can't really see under the bridge in the video. I've got no idea if there was anything on the water over that way or not. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Everyone is opinionated. Both those who agree and those who disagree with you. I've always like Mick's place. Even more after he let me crash with him for a week in Europe.

Here is video of the jump in question. Two things to note that are the subject of discussion here. 1) The board was a "tow in" type board with straps to hold it to the feet (they turned out not to be strong enough to hold it through opening shock). 2) There is a boat waiting under the jumpers, which you can see through the rail as he climbs over. The boat comes up the river to pick him up after the jump. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

No. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Nope. I meant every taxpayer in the state of Idaho. We own the bridge at the state level. I pay my taxes here, and I think that entitles me to a voice regarding the use of state property. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Interestingly, I'm not sure this is true. The tanning guy apparently put friends of his off for some time, for free, before opening this little business. I don't think he expects to make a ton of money at it. I'd guess he's more doing it because he thinks its fun, or cool, or whatever. I'm sure it's nice to make a little money, but I doubt that's his primary motivation. If it was, you'd see him advertising heavily, putting jumpers off every weekend, etc. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

I do think that some discussion of the system used is appropriate, as it helps in reaching conclusions about the level of risk. I don't know jack about military parachute systems. Bryan, on the other hand, knows quite a bit--that's what you get from being a military demonstration parachutist, coach and instructor. Maybe I'll see if I can take him down to have a look at the tanning guy's gear when he gets here this afternoon. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

I don't think anyone has said they want to shut him down. But, I could see people wanting to do so. The motivation would be concern for the potential impact on the site, specifically the impact if an ill-prepared or poorly equipped "student" was hurt or killed. Having an out of town BASE jumper come here and get hurt is one thing. Imagine the uproar if (for somewhat exaggerated example) the 17 year old daughter of the mayor went in doing something that was advertised as "safer than any skydive". I guess the short answer to your question is "site preservation." -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Please don't. Discussion = learning = good Shouting = insults = bad -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Josh, Relax. This is just an internet discussion. It's net effect on real life is fairly low. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

JP, The larger question is really _whether_ we ought to seek government regulation. This bridge is never going to be privately owned. The government will always retain the power to shut it down. The issue is whether it is better for BASE jumpers (in general) if: a) we continue on with the status quo or b) we seek some kind of government regulation of jumping (most likely regulation of only the "teaching" of beginner jumpers) I'm honestly interested in which of these two courses of action you think would be superior. Thanks! -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

It seems to me that several posters have tried to answer that question. The reasons given included: 1) Antiquated gear 2) Inadequate preparation for both students and instructor 3) Possible impact on US BASE if there is an accident 4) Potential injury to participants who are not fully apprised of the risks It seems somewhat disingenuous to merely repeat the question, and disregard the answers that have already been given in the thread. Just because you disagree with the answer someone gives does not mean they didn't give an answer. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com