chuckakers

To bad Facebook wants everyone to join Facebook. Which anyone can do, with an independent e-mail address and fake name is desired. Thanks chuck. But that would be lieing. I don't want to go to the bottom level of hell. BTW what is a independent e-mail address., something like gmail? Yes, basically an e-mail address that has no other associations with the addressee. And it's not lying. It's remaining anonymous. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

If that's true I would hope someone with personal knowledge of it would call him out in a most public way. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

To bad Facebook wants everyone to join Facebook. Which anyone can do, with an independent e-mail address and fake name is desired. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Here ya go... https://www.facebook.com/libby.lyver?fref=ts Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

I use a cheaper, simpler device - the "remove my helmet" cutaway. After losing a GoPro to the cheapo plastic GoPro mount, I bought an aluminum screw-to-the-helmet version, and did so knowing the camera would become a snag hazard. I jump a Z1 and practiced removing it without unlatching the chin strap. Quite easy. I grab the helmet from the back and pull it upward and forward. Comes right off. With the high cut on the back of most skydiving helmets my guess is most can be removed just as easily. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

He is...in a criminal court of law. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Thanks for the reply. One thing I would try include in the design is the ability to release the wingboard from the tow rope and land it like a glider. That would eliminate a great deal of the risks. I think it's the low altitude "what if's" that could hold the thing back as a viable product. You might even change the design so the pilot is seated until reaching maneuvering altitude to make a release and landing easier. Just a few thoughts for you. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

To say you hope to make wingboarding as safe as wingsuit flying is to say you hope to make it as safe as skydiving in general. While there are some risks associated with wingsuiting that don't exist in regular jumping, training and protocol development in wingsuiting have made the safety statistics for the two comparable if BASE and proximity flying are left out of the numbers. I don't think I ever saw an answer - are you a skydiver? Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

At least I interpreted that as SHTF at low altitude -> save your ass thanks to high horizontal speed, which is extremely optimistic view point. ***Though with only a few skydives under my belt... Which probably explains the optimism. So the wingboarder uses the parachute at 50 feet and is still oscillating, spinning, or whatever when strikes the ground. Perfect. I'd say the inventor has his work cut out for him to perfect his low altitude strategies. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

You mention in your promo video that the wingboard rider would be able to perform "right in front of a crowd". Besides my skepticism about the crowd-drawing appeal of such an act or competition, I also wonder how you plan to deal with low-altitude emergencies. I can't see how the wingboarder would be able to be close to the crowd - meaning close to the ground - and still be able to save his/her ass with a parachute in the event of an emergency that required ditching the board. BTW, are you a skydiver? Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

This doesn't require a DZ and the aircraft owner might be the same guy(s) that want to hop on that gizmo. General aviation is filled with guys who experiment with horribly unproven stuff. The guy in the video seems obsessed with the audience this could draw. Not sure why that matters. This thing would have as much spectator appeal as water skiing competitions which typically draw a "crowd" of enthusiasts and family members of competitors. Whoopy. What concerns me from a technical perspective is the possibility of a low-altitude problem - stability issues, loss of tow rope, gizmo airframe failure. If anything was to go wrong at an altitude too low to use the parachute it's bye bye. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Don't over-think it. Booties are typically very easy to get used to, even for noobs. Get them altered to fit properly and go jump your ass off. BTW, my son was a dz kid and had his own jumpsuit before starting AFF, so he did his entire student training with booties and never had a problem. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Oh yes, the parties. Holy smokes, it's a wonder any of us are still alive. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Possibly. Stu was truly one of the most talented pilots I ever knew. His version of tight put most pilots to shame. Same for his freefall skills. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Stewart Cavanaugh, long time Texas jumper and former owner of Skydive America in Beaumont, Texas, passed away October 3rd. Blue skies, Stu Cav. Hug Sabre for us. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

A record without documentation and a certifying agency isn't a record, it's a claim. Without a certifying body to review evidence of the claim there's no way to trust that the data is accurate or even real. I used to operate a DZ here in Texas and we once flew a high altitude load to 30,700 feet. It is to this day the highest jump ever made in Texas. It is not a record. Congrats Spaceland! Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

What was concluded? The thread was rather long and thus on quick examination it wasn't clear what the issue was with the HMA lines Stiletto. Reference: Truffer fatality thread http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?do=post_view_flat;post=4490938; I assumed that after reading the entire Truffer fatality thread, that the problem was not with the choice of the suspension lines, but mainly with the packing of the canopy and the stows !?!?.... This was in response to Chuckakers , referring to Mike Truffer and to Bealio, both having a different approach to flawlessly packed canopies ! I only glanced at the Truffer thread, but from what I saw the packing and line stow comments were pure speculation. It's my understanding that Mike packed the canopy himself, just as he had done countless times before. I also understand he was pretty meticulous. On another note, I think some on this thread are either splitting terminology hairs or don't get my point. Call it whatever you want, guys. It is absolutely possible to take a canopy without flaws of any kind and pack it precisely as it was designed to be packed, and end up with an opening that can injure or kill you. Any canopy on any jump. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

I consider removing my belt at the prescribed altitude part of my "never forget" list, right along with gear checks before boarding, handle checks before exit, etc. In fact, I spend the climb-out monitoring altitude with my hand on the buckle, ready to take the belt off as soon as allowed. For me personally, I want to be ready to bail at any moment, especially at low altitude should it be necessary. On a side note, at my home DZ we jump Otters and Caravans and most of the year it's warm enough that we want the door open after getting to a safe climb altitude. Part of our routine procedure includes the folks who open the door confirming all belts are off before doing so. The door is not opened until a thumbs up is given by the jumpers confirming belts are off. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Congrats! Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

If your debit card can also be used as a credit card you still have all the protections afforded credit card holders. Look for a Visa or Mastercard logo on it. Body Sport has been around for years and are (were?) legit. Have you tried calling the "ordering" number? Companies that are avoiding customers often still answer their sales lines - Order Desk: (800) JUMPSUIT [586-7784] Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

If it's perfectly packed, it won't kill you. If it does kill you, it's not perfect. Tell that to Mike Truffer (RIP). Parachutes can and do occasionally behave bizarrely despite being in perfect condition and packed flawlessly. You may have just been doing a bit of word play with your reply, but it's important for us to not send the younger jumpers incorrect messages, even if by accident. Yes, ANY parachute can open in such a way that it injures or even kills EVEN when properly packed. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Check with DJ at The Ratings Center. He holds courses all over the place and at his home DZ, Skydive Spaceland in Houston. Get enough bodies and he will come to you. https://www.facebook.com/theratingscenter Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

People who have chronic hard openings on Sabre II's either have a rare bastard canopy or aren't packing properly. With that in mind, remember that any canopy can open hard enough to kill you on any jump, even when perfectly packed. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Clearly a man defined by his contributions to the sport. RIP, Tim. We owe you. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX