chuckakers

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Everything posted by chuckakers

  1. chuckakers
    I suggest you start the season right at the Skydive Spaceland Spring kick-off boogie March 8 - 10. This event is in conjunction with USPA Safety Day and is intended to be very young jumper friendly. Tons of organizers for everyone, and we will be hosting the first ever "Noobie Nationals" a competition specifically for folks with less than 200 jumps! Check back in this forum soon for details! Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX
  2. chuckakers
    +1 Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX
  3. chuckakers
    Leeeeeet's BOOGIE! Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX
  4. chuckakers
    Thanks; so according to that chart I'm in the 150-160 range for square footage. So I see you jump at Spaceland; how far do they go when it comes to laying down the law? If you're new on the DZ do they actually demand to see "your papers" in a german voice, put you on a scale and unpack your main? Or is it just if they happen to see someone face-plant in the landing area, pull them aside later and check some stuff out? DZ management at Spaceland drops the axe when necessary, but they don't usually have to. http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?do=post_view_flat;post=4304014;page=1;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;mh=25; Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX
  5. chuckakers
    The line never sits still. Get close enough and you'll eventually cross it. Hell, there's a pretty good chance that you'll cross it even if you don't try to get close. Fire burns. Play at your own risk. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX
  6. chuckakers
    http://www.facebook.com/theratingscenter?ref=ts&fref=ts The most professional instructional business I've seen in nearly 30 years of skydiving. Come to Houston or organize a course and DJ and Val will come to you. They really rock. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX
  7. chuckakers
    LOL - for real! Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX
  8. chuckakers
    We more seasoned jumpers use a trick from the old days. Whenever we have trouble breathing in freefall we: 1. Inhale 2. Exhale It's been working for me pretty nicely. Relax, Banger. Just breath. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX
  9. chuckakers
    Bought - just like some people's ratings! Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX
  10. chuckakers
    Tom Piras. He taught us all how it was done - and then he bounced. He wasn't wearing a helmet, but at least his Cypres was turned off. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX
  11. chuckakers
    From the other side - my wife and I never asked our kids if they wanted to jump. We didn't have to. They counted down the days. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX
  12. chuckakers
    Interesting opinion. I have ~ 1800 jumps on Stilettos, loaded 1.3 to 1.4 ish, pretty tame. I've had my share of line twists but only one chop due to line twists. Frustrating more than exciting. As much as I've enjoyed the performance and handling and usually soft openings, now that I'm dabbling in wingsuits I may have to shop around for a canopy more tolerant of line twists.
  13. chuckakers
    Not at all. If someone wants to continue being an idiot and repeating stupid myths, that's their problem. Sounds like you know of a few more and you're not shy about repeating those. Carry on... In all fairness, it's not completely a myth. In my experience the Stiletto does have a propensity to twist up with less asymmetry or packing issues than most ellips at the same loading. IMO it was never of the level of meriting the nickname, but everyone's entitled to their view. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX
  14. chuckakers
    You're a little thin-skinned over a joke about a canopy, don't ya think? How about the Racer SST - which some said stood for "struggle, struggle, thump", or the Nova that many called the "Novacaine" after there were a few "issues" with them. Then there was the Cruse-lite, better known as the "Bruise-lite", and I'm sure countless others I'm not thinking of. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX
  15. chuckakers
    Skyvan doors are crap. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX
  16. chuckakers
    Hold on there, Skippy. I never said it was ok. Re-read my comment and you will find that I said I had never heard of a problem with hoodies...YET. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX
  17. chuckakers
    Might wanna crack a SIM once in a while. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX
  18. chuckakers
    So I assume you NEVER wear gloves as they are not necessary either right? Necessary is subjective in this case. I wear gloves on every skydive regardless of weather conditions or type of jump. I started wearing them after getting cuts on my fingers and broken nails from riser slaps during deployment early in my career. So for me, they are necessary. As for the hoodie thing, it's a lot like the reserve flap mounted slider keeper. As far as I know there has never been an issue with them....yet. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX
  19. chuckakers
    Easy - over-sized tetrahedron positioned by servo motors guided by a sensitive wind indicator. Add a manual over ride for no-wind days and a control unit to keep it from displaying erratically in wavering winds and you're there. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX
  20. chuckakers
    Dood.... Uninsured United Parachute Technologies, LLC 1645 Lexington Avenue, DeLand, Florida, 32724-2106, USA Tel: +1 (386) 736-7589 Fax: +1 (386) 734-7537 Email: sales@uptvector.com Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX
  21. chuckakers
    Part of your change in fallrate can probably be credited to experience. Students & novices often fall considerably slower than more experienced jumpers because they are stiff. As they gain experience they begin to relax, arch better with their back and hips, and speed up. The only true test is back-to-back jumps with both suits and the same body position. I doubt you will see a 35-40 mph difference from a change of jumpsuits alone unless the suit you described as a baggy "normal" suit was REALLY "baggy", and even then a 40 mph difference would be pretty incredible. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX
  22. chuckakers
    Wow, I gotta get me one of those. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX
  23. chuckakers
    First, don't listen to your friends. They typically dispense really crappy advice. If you're going to solicit advice on the DZ, start with the DZO or Chief Instructor. You'll have a better chance of getting objective - and wise - opinions. Next, who says you will downsize quickly, and more importantly what makes you/they think that? Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX
  24. chuckakers
    Each jumper should wear the combination of jumpsuit and/or weights to allow for the use of a medium fall rate body position to achieve a medium fall rate relative to the group. It's pretty simple - if you are already wearing the tightest, slickest jumpsuit you can find and still can't stay down without flying in the fastest end of your range, slap on weights. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX
  25. chuckakers
    You missed the part in Part 105 that says notification only needs to be made if jumping in or into controlled airspace. Jumps made in Class G (uncontrolled) airspace don't require ATC notification. Cool. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX