chuckakers

Holy shite! CReW with a tandem? Are these folks nuts? Didn't the TI listen to the "NO CReW with tandems" parts during his course? Unbelievable Not just tandem CReW, backwards tandem CReW with the student picking up the grips! From what I understand though, the TI was also the S&TA so I guess it was ok. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

From the company's website: PHOTO & VIDEO iPhoto (click yourself with a mini camera mounted on your wrist (click to view sample) $60 iVideo (video yourself with a mini camera mounted on your wrist (Click to watch sample) $90 *** You will shoot your own video using a High Definition micro digital equipment on a wrist mount. Your personalized DVD production is edited with the latest digital editing software available. We are proud to be the FIRST and still the ONLY dropzone in the U.S. to offer online clips of EVERY video taken at NO EXTRA cost. You won't see this ANYWHERE else! Can't wait to see the student handcam shots combined with this awesome stuff.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMK0n9fEExI&feature=fvst (cue in to 5:15 for the real action!) Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Ask your instructors once you actually begin jumping. Everyone is different when it comes to appropriate gear so there's no good way to know what will be best for you until you get a few jumps under your belt. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

I didn't see anything overly positive or negative with the tandem, but if that guy swooped me like he did the jumper under the blue canopy, the real show would have been in the middle of the landing area. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Yeah, we know. But we love to watch him fume over silly sh*t. He's been dragging that dead horse for a dozen posts now. Well I'll just break out the popcorn and watch. Here's estion though. Saturday I am catching the ferry flight from 1 dz to another. I haven't jumped at the destination dz before. How does this fit the risk profile? If I jump from the ferry that is. Always watch the horizon. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEE2NFPDezM Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Yeah, we know. But we love to watch him fume over silly sh*t. He's been dragging that dead horse for a dozen posts now. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

yep I'm not saying that off airport jumps shouldn't be taken more seriously or that the psychological issues didn't play a role here. Your earlier - and staunchly defended - stance was that this jump was no different than one at an unfamiliar established DZ. Now "off airport jumps" are different??? I think you're supposed to beep when you back up like that. No, now you are just twisting words. The above statement is not making a comparison. If it were it would read, "I'm not saying that off airport jumps or jumps at an unfamiliar DZ shouldn't be taken more seriously or that the psychological issues didn't play a role here. Is that better? I thought you intelligent enough not to stoop to make a point. I've given you a simple task if the supporting guidelines exist. Wow, are you bored? I guess I could ask you the same thing. ........................................zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. So, can we take that as you have no intent on backing up your position or are you going to take a break and WOW us tomorrow? You can take that as my having no intent of participating in your developing and eventual rant. Good Lord, man. Take a hit. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

yep I'm not saying that off airport jumps shouldn't be taken more seriously or that the psychological issues didn't play a role here. Your earlier - and staunchly defended - stance was that this jump was no different than one at an unfamiliar established DZ. Now "off airport jumps" are different??? I think you're supposed to beep when you back up like that. No, now you are just twisting words. The above statement is not making a comparison. If it were it would read, "I'm not saying that off airport jumps or jumps at an unfamiliar DZ shouldn't be taken more seriously or that the psychological issues didn't play a role here. Is that better? I thought you intelligent enough not to stoop to make a point. I've given you a simple task if the supporting guidelines exist. Wow, are you bored? I guess I could ask you the same thing. ........................................zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

yep I'm not saying that off airport jumps shouldn't be taken more seriously or that the psychological issues didn't play a role here. Your earlier - and staunchly defended - stance was that this jump was no different than one at an unfamiliar established DZ. Now "off airport jumps" are different??? I think you're supposed to beep when you back up like that. No, now you are just twisting words. The above statement is not making a comparison. If it were it would read, "I'm not saying that off airport jumps or jumps at an unfamiliar DZ shouldn't be taken more seriously or that the psychological issues didn't play a role here. Is that better? I thought you intelligent enough not to stoop to make a point. I've given you a simple task if the supporting guidelines exist. Wow, are you bored? Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

yep I'm not saying that off airport jumps shouldn't be taken more seriously or that the psychological issues didn't play a role here. Your earlier - and staunchly defended - stance was that this jump was no different than one at an unfamiliar established DZ. Now "off airport jumps" are different??? I think you're supposed to beep when you back up like that. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

yep Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

You don't know that the landing area size wasn't a contributing factor. That is a complete assumption on your part and kind of a double standard for a guy that wants to talk definitions. Tight landing areas are notorious for sucking people in with target fixation, low performance turns to stay clear of obstacles (more perceived than real), and a variety of other factors. Getting sucked in could be even more prevalent in someone who wasn't current, was jumping a high performance canopy, and performing a high performance landing. Unless you are talking to Greg from beyond the grave, you can not say with any degree of certainty whether a tight landing area contributed to his error. It's pretty obvious that a low turn was the eventual cause of death, but you apparently don't want to discuss the above very real factors that may have contributed to Greg making that low turn. And in case you haven't noticed, we are both arguing. Actually we were arguing. My point is made. I'm done. Go pour me a drink. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Hair splitting and a complete thread drift. My point - to stay on topic - was/is that a jump into a private gathering away from an established DZ - however you choose to classify it - carries many of the same dangers as anything you would call a demo. Just because you can legally classify this as not being a demo, many of the attributes of this jump were the same as one and may have contributed to the incident. Thanks for the move, mods. I didn't expect such triviality. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

I have no problem with tight landing areas, but I wasn't discussing my perception vs yours. I was referring to known and established circumstances. The landing area in question was, by the "official" standard, pretty snug and may easily have played a part in this incident. Table 7.A—Size and Definition of Landing Areas 1. A minimum-sized area that will accommodate a landing area no less than 500,000 square feet. 2. Allows a jumper to drift over the spectators with sufficient altitude (250 feet) so as not to create a hazard to persons or property on the ground 3. Will accommodate landing no closer than 100 feet from the spectators Level 1 1. An area that will accommodate a landing area no smaller than at least 250,000 square feet up to 500,000 square feet 2. Or an area with the sum total that equals 250,000 square feet, up to 500,000 square feet) with a one-sided linear crowd line 3. Allows jumpers to drift over the spectators with sufficient altitude (250 feet) so as not to create a hazard to persons or property on the ground 4. Will accommodate landing no closer than 50 feet from the spectators 5. Many Open-Field athletic areas constitute a Level 1 area. Level 2 1. An area that will not accommodate a 250,000 square-foot landing area but will allow an area no smaller than 5,000 square feet per four jumpers 2. Allows jumpers to fly under canopy no lower than 50 feet above the crowd and land no closer than 15 feet from the crowd line 3. Parachutists who certify that they will use both ram-air main and ram-air reserve parachutes will be permitted to exit over or into a congested area but not exit over an open-air assembly of people. 4. This area would require an FAA Form 7711-2 to conduct an approved demo. Stadium 1. A Level 2 landing area smaller than 150 yards in length by 80 yards in width and bounded on two or more sides by bleachers, walls, or buildings in excess of 50 feet high 2. This area would also require an FAA Form 7711-2 to conduct an approved demonstration jump. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

I don't think chiming in here is out of order. I disagree with your assertion that there is no difference between this jump and a jump at an unfamiliar DZ. At a DZ, there would be a large (not just long) landing area. Using the Google map image provided on a post in this thread, I measured the width of the "landing area" at less than 200 feet at the widest point between hangars, private taxiways, trees, houses, etc. That qualifies as a postage stamp, especially when you consider that Greg was flying a high performance canopy and doing a high performance landing. At a DZ there would likely be landing restrictions - an established pattern, and a beer line if you will, and a designated landing area that is obstruction-free. At a backyard demo there are seldom any rules or standard operating procedures and often - as in this case - few if any large areas without obstacles. A DZ would also typically have "no-fly" areas established to keep people away from parking lots, aircraft parking areas, buildings, etc. At a backyard demo it's typically every man for himself, and by the way "be sure to impress the crowd". A jump at an unfamiliar DZ would be viewed by the jumper as just that - a jump to be made with an extra bit of caution because it is unfamiliar. A jump into a backyard party is often viewed as an opportunity to put on a show for people who will be in awe of you all night long as they get drunk and listen to your death-defying stories. Over and over in our history we have seen demo's turn deadly, often because the dangers of the jumps were under considered. There will be many, many more for the same reason. From the SIM: "An exhibition jump, also called a demonstration or display jump, is a jump at a location other than an existing drop zone done for the purpose of reward, remuneration, or promotion and principally for the benefit of spectators." None of that exists on a new DZ. There are HUGE differences between ANY demo and a jump at an unfamiliar DZ. Some of the deadliest differences are between the ears. None of that applies to this location or gathering. The cause of this accident was in the harness. Agreeing to disagree. Adios. From your previous post in this thread: "This was a small gathering of friends jumping a Cessna at a private property." My guess is there were more than just the jumpers at this "small gathering". You know, girlfriends, co-workers, ready-to-be-impressed single whuffo chickies, etc. Those folks are called spectators, regardless of how many there are. That is a party to folks on the ground, but it's a "backyard demo" when you are the one jumping in, and these types of jumps are often THE MOST dangerous because they are perceived by jumpers as low-key, no pressure jumps - even though they are not. We can argue semantics all day, but one thing is clear. This was NOT the same as jumping at an established, wide open DZ, and that fact may certainly have played a role in this incident. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

That's the one I try to get into every pilot's head. Bailing when you don't have to won't hurt you. Not bailing when you should will kill you. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Ian, could you detail that for me? Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

USPA does not take in this money, it goes to the host. For more information, you can read through the SCM to understand each party's responsibilities. Look specifically at “sanction fees” and you’ll see what money is received by USPA ($10/competitor). This is a typical model of the sporting industry. Sure, there were 7 of us affiliated with USPA, however, during CP Nats we went by different titles. They were Meet Director (Wenger), Chief Judge (Laughlin), Chief of Judge Training (Florio), FAI Judge (Schlichtemeir), Controller (Hayhurst), etc. Oh, and one was even a competitor (Berchtold). Though sometimes he was also “fixer of the blasted timing system”. The ones that were there on “official USPA duty” weren’t covered by registration costs – they’re pretty much covered by the sanction fees. Nowhere near accurate. Again, the SCM can help you with some of these figures. The rest can be requested from the host (see above about responsibilities). Also, Hans did an exceptional thing and hired more judges than he needed and even helped subsidize the cost of training for more FAI-rated judges to be on the course. But to put it in perspective … we only had 1 judge’s rental car. Oh, and we doubled up in rooms. There were so many independent variables that it would be rather difficult to even come up with an estimate without getting the exact report from the host. And by “local judges” – I’m sure you’re referring to those from Canada, California, Texas, Florida, Connecticut and Virginia. Glad you enjoyed it!! It’s so cool to see the Advanced class building so much. See you next year in the hillz! Actually I didn't expect to be accurate or even close in my explanation or numbers. I was just trying to demonstrate some typical costs to operate an off-premise event. My point was/is that the price to play was - IMO - very reasonable and that folks who ask where the money goes aren't really considering the true costs associated with putting on a Nats. Thanks for a great event. You will see me in Z-hills for sure! Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

I think if you look at things with a bit more of a critical eye, you won't wonder where the money is going. This year there were 41 open and 16 advanced class athletes. At $280 each (100% of jump ticket costs presumably went to the DZ), that means USPA took in $15,960. That $16K had to cover the travel and accommodations for half a dozen USPA reps, meet staff, equipment transportation, and lots of other details you never noticed. Let's say there were 8 folks that had to travel. Flights averaged probably $400 round trip, hotel rooms $90, rent cars $30 or so, and of course each person had to eat. Flight at $400 + a hotel at $80 every night for a week is $560, rent car at $30 times a week is $210, and per Diem of let's say $60 is $420 for a week. That's $1590 per person, or $12720. That leaves $3240 to pay for local judges, equipment transportation, miscellaneous rentals, fees, marketing, medals, blah, blah, blah and more blah, blah, blah. I have no idea if USPA sent 8 people or more, but I saw at least 8 folks there that I knew were repping for HQ. The local judges had to be paid and took time off work to be there - some probably without vacation pay. I'm not sure if USPA rented Albert's swoop course gear, but it would be the right thing to do and that stuff is damned expensive. I could go on and on but hopefully the point is made. Nothing is free. Given the costs had to be split across just 57 competitors, less than 300 bucks plus jumps wasn't so bad, IMO. For perspective, this was my first swoop comp and I thought it was exceptionally well organized. I will gladly hand over my money next year. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Sorry to hear. Ed was a terrific guy and a joy to be around. Blue skies, Ed! Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

I trained thousands of students in my days as an AFF Instructor and DZO and never experienced the 50+ connection you speak of. Might want to look for a different common denominator. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

So was this piece of sh*t an experienced jumper or a student? Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Not sure what you mean by the recovery being "faster". If you mean the canopy takes less time and altitude to recovery from the turn-induced dive, I believe the opposite would be true. Higher temperatures decrease air density, making the air "thinner" and thus delivering less lift for a given airspeed. Higher humidity levels do the same thing. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Nope. That's what it felt like at the time. With your jumps you never felt that? My guess is you felt something else. I doubt there could be enough difference in the air for the human body to increase or decrease in speed in any noticeable way. You may have actually gone through a temperature inversion, which are sometimes very noticeable. In my 27 years and thousands of jumps, I have never felt anything like you mentioned, and have also never had anyone I know say they have either. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

You're kidding, right? Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX