fly4jumps

Very accommodating dropzone for fun jumpers... Can't beat $21 to 14,000 anywhere in the area IF you remember to bring cash with you! I've even witnessed them add a few minutes to the call for people packing to get on loads.. The say they'll fly anytime a group wants to come out with a minimum of 8 jumpers on the Twin Otter (they have 2 of them). Didn't see many tandem students when I was there... the priority is clearly us.

Incident - An occurrence, other than an accident, associated with the operation of an aircraft that affects or could affect the safety of operations. So yes, both were "incidents" as long as this plane wasn't damaged. In this case, shouldn't we be applauding the pilot for surviving?? we don't actually do anything but gossip here unproductively, do we? All you commenters are "experienced" pilots and skydivers, no? Then you want to know that it wasn't pilot error so what, you won't fly with that pilot anymore? Lets be real, how many jumpers actually go and interview pilots before getting aboard for a jump? Even after we determine that if this was pilot error (NTSB says all 2/3 incidents are pilot error), then what? Anyone want to suggest piloting or maintenance techniques that pilots mechanics or jumpers want to try to prevent this from happening with jumpers aboard? Seems we pilots can do a few things... -know the weather and how its changing, stick fuel tanks, know the a/c systems better, good non-rushed preflights, stay calm when stuff does go wrong, know what to do when something goes wrong, PRACTICE power OFF approaches, never give up power off glide distance to somewhere which allows for a full stop landing or successful crash, learn from fu*k ups so you don't do that again! Ok girls, resume non-productive, narcissistic gossiping procedures

First of all, I am not starting up a new dropzone. Recently however, it seems that even in my little world I am hearing about all kinds of small dropzones being talked about and being started. What's more bewildering is the brilliant minds that seem to be behind them... We discuss and argue over being good skydivers, being good pilots.. Qualifications always come into play at some point, but what about being a good DZO, or more correctly becoming a successful DZO? If you are one, or know the stories... How did you or your DZO get started? What experience did they have when they began? Troubles, trials... Major issues.. Nonissues.. What airplanes, rigs, any competition? Was it big? Small? What kind of personalities did they have starting out...? My curiosity isn't limited to these questions ive written here.. Lets not make this a battle of egos.. All tales welcome! Successful ones, failures... But stick to past reality.. Not what we "think" it takes!! Go. :)

Hypothetical Situation: (this didn't happen yet) You jump at whatever experince level you're at, at whatever dropzone you jump at and out of any plane you want. Jump goes well, then you pull. Nice soft opening. Canopy is square, stable, slider is down AND you can steer it. The catch? You're looking at your pilot chute infront of your canopy and you are flying backwards. Land it? or go to your Reserve? Why? Under what circumstances or experince level would you change your mind?