howardwhite

From War Department Technical Manual TM 1-44 (Jan. 10, 1941): "It has been observed...that many jumpers, when leaving an airplane head-first, draw up their legs, which invariably causes a rapid 'somersaulting' of the body before the parachute can be released. This often results in the release of the parachute at an instant that it is underneath the wearer. When thus released, one or more suspension lines are occasionally drawn violently over the inflating canopy, resulting in frictional burning of the silk." HW

I was there, and he wouldn't give it to me even when I offered a flash drive. HW

This R-44 (or ones from the same company) has been used for jumping in Massachusetts several times. The DZ is 180 feet MSL. It was taking three jumpers to 5 grand for (I think) $65 or so. Turnaround time about ten minutes, IIRC. No one asked about going higher, but I guess it would cost a lot and take a lot longer. I was surprised to see that it was able to drop jumpers from a complete hover; didn't think it could hover that high with a load. HW

The online magazine Slate has a story -- keying on the recent incident when the tandem instructor died and the passenger landed safely. You should also read the comments. One is by Doug Garr, a lon-time skydiver who has recently written a book about his skydiving career. He takes major issue with the Slate story. HW

For an interesting read on this, a new book documents the role of the Air Force in parachute technology, a lot of stuff that later shows up in sport gear. "The Art of Drag" by Andrew S. Kididis is available from Para-Gear or Skydiving Book Service or pm me for info. Probably if very early an A1 umbrella, or the later spring-loaded version. HW

Jerry (and Chip Maury, another great photographer) are planning to be at the Pioneers of Sport Parachuting reunion in Raeford in May. (Along with many other distinguished old farts.) HW

So....wanna jump it? It's in my garage. Just needs repair of a couple of lines and a little corner of the canopy that had an unfortunate encounter with a Cessna 150 prop.

Jumptown (Orange, MA) opens for the season March 1 (Sunday) and will be jumping Cessna or Otter as appropriate to the demand. Since this is in the Freefly section, maybe it's of interest that Dave Brown of Team Mandrin will be one of the speakers at Safety Day March 14. He coaches (for free) at Jumptown one weekend a month. HW

Found it here. A message down the thread has a whole buncho pictures. HW

I think I already have, but I'm too tired to look for it. I'm at PIA, where the Achievement Award was presented tonight to the grandsons of Floyd Smith, described by Dan Poynter as "Mr. Parachute." One of Smith's patents, Dan said, was for a slider for round canopies. Later, he said, Greg Yarbenet adapted the idea for squares. HW

In 1976, on a visit to California for a USPA board meeting, I had Jerry Myers of the Altitude Shop install a slider on my Strato-Star, replacing the ropes and rings it came with. Later, I wrote a story about it for Spotter magazine. Elek Puskas, then president of ParaFlite, wrote an angry response to the effect that sliders had not been tested with StratoStars and it was irresponsible of me to report on what was in fact happening in the field. Subsequently, of course, ParaFlite began installing sliders. Earlier, (maybe in 1974 or 75) I made a lot of jumps on a Volplane with a slider from Pioneer that had probably been built by Greg Yarbenet. It replaced the original hydraulic reefing system. I still have the Volplane, the hydraulic reefer and the slider. HW

PIA today published on its website a new Technical Bulletin (also attached here) which addresses issues of maintenance of sealed parachutes between regular repacks. Riggers (and skydivers) may find it of interest. HW (reporting in from Reno)

Gee, I went to Pat's Place a lot, often in the company of the late Don Dupont, a major-league party animal. But there was also (maybe somewhat later) the Crystal. Jumpers who had partied heavily there were sometimes described as "crystallized." And there was the other really sleazy bar near OJ's. The British Marines hung out there a lot. HW

There will also be a CASA boogie at Jumptown, Orange, MA Fourth of July weekend. HW

I've just learned, very belatedly, of the death of William H. Tucker, an 82nd Airborne Division WW2 combat jumper who went on to become probably the only skydiver in a prominent position in the Kennedy administration. He jumped into St.-Mere-Eglise on D-Day, and had made an earlier combat jump in Salerno, Italy. His final combat jump was during Operation Market Garden in Holland in September, 1944. He wrote four books about his combat experiences. He lived for a time in Athol, MA, near the Orange Sport Parachute Center, and became an active skydiver there. He was a member of the Massachusetts Parachuting Commission, the state board which oversaw facilities for the Sixth World Parachuting Championships in Orange in 1962. A lawyer active in state politics, he was a friend and campaign worker for Kennedy, who appointed him a member and then chairman of the U.S. Interstate Commerce Commission. In a March, 1961 Associated Press story published in newspapers around the country, he said he "dropped golf and took up parachuting because I found it more relaxing." He added "In the next few years I think parachuting will become as well known a sport in the United States, and as well followed, as it is in France, where it compares to a major sport in this country." Last July 14 (Bastille Day) he was presented the French Legion of Honor. He was a founding president of the 82nd Airborne Division C-47 Club. He died Nov. 21. He was the second Massachusetts D-Day veteran skydiver to die in 2009; Robert M. Murphy passed away earlier in the year. HW

Gladly: http://www.pia.com/ANNOUNCEMENTS.htm Top item on the list. HW

PIA has published on its website today a new version of its FAQ on the 180-day repack cycle. (attached) It has been "blessed"by AFS-300 at FAA. Note that it includes a new, seventh question dealing with the issue of opening and resealing a reserve or e-rig between repacks. HW

One common explanation is that -- prior to manually-operated parachutes -- it was used to describe the cord that "ripped open" the opening on a balloon so that the balloon would descend. The existing word later transferred to parachutes. FWIW HW

Annotated booth layout attached. Just wander through the Aerodyne booth; you'll find him. HW

And just to be clear, it's not "on the front," it's at the top; note that the lines pass in front of it. HW

I've exchanged emails with Jerry today (I had some issues with location info on one of his pics.) And there are even more of his great pictures on line than there were a few hours ago. He's thinking about jumping and thinking about going to the Pioneers of Sport Parachuting Reunion in Raeford in May. There's at least a possiblity Chip Maury will also be there. How cool would it be to meet up again with a couple of the best cameramen around? Maybe we need to ask Andy Keech to come, too. HW

I posted this in History and Trivia a while ago... so it's a repost. It's a Soloy conversion; the rear engine replaced by a tailgate, the front engine replaced by a turboprop. AFAIK, one of a kind. HW

Another in my never-ending quest to make old pictures look better... Note that if you looked at Jerry's pictures a few days ago and not since, you should go back. He seems to add new ones every day. HW

Possibly because it has a prop behind the door, as well as in front. 337s have been used for jumps (mostly demos) but generally with the rear engine shut down for exit. HW

You need to be a bit more specific than "round parachute." HW