Derekbox

I havent done it, but I have some knowledge about them, have studied several installs etc. WHat you wanna know?

Vodka Redbull

Well I cant edit the origional post... so I will reiterate it with a bit more tack. The likelyhood that some one maliciously tampered with my rig is slim to none. But the possibility does exist. It is definitaly more likely an error (probably on my part). I dont want to burn bridges here but it is likely to late. I AM NOT pointing fingers, at anyone or the DZ. I still feel safe there and trust everone I know there. I am ready to chalk this all up as a small mistake that turned into a mal. BUT the fact remains there is a slight possibility my a rig was tampered with (however slim) and if that exsits people have the right to have a heads up. Now just to be on the safe side everone should be a little more aware and extra safe and not worry. For those whose toes I stepped on and those I angered by my actions, I am sorry, that was not my intention, but I do not believe I made a mistake in coming out with this information, I just put in a way that came off sounding more malicious than it should have. Thanks for your time, Derek

I stowed the brakes, but it was packed by a packer (whom I trust). I stowed them just as he was starting to pack too... he said he didnt restow any lines, he just packed it... I believe him and know that he didnt do that. Also he would have properly stowed the lines, not sending it through the loop. As far as accusations, I am not pointing fingers, and I have no idea who did or would do such I thing, I trust nearly everyone I know on the DZ. But things of this nature have happened before, and it would be prudent to just keep an extra careful eye out. hopefully it is just a screw up on my part. As far as a tension not, it was not. I will post a picture shortly if I can get some. Once you see it, it is pretty obvious of the severe unlikelyness that it was a tension not or other common stowing/lock issue. Either a toggle or enough steering line passed through the hole where it could be knotted around the toggle. If you wanted to make line go through there it is semi difficult. As far as a toggle passing through there... Anyways, all is well that ends well. Im safe, everyone else is safe, no cut aways, no damage to rig so life goes on. When I get to the DZ later today I will be jumping. ill just be watching my rig extra closely from now on... D

Yes, like that. Either, an entire toggle was passed through there, or a bite of line passed through there. But there was line passing through there that knotted up and it appears it wasnt accidental. I dont want to create hysteria, it is technically possible that it was an error or accident, and if so I hope we figure that out quickly and this is all dismissed as such. But it just doesnt add up, and there are other SUPPORTING details I intentionally failed to mention because it isnt my place to do so which also support this. just everyone be careful. Double check your gear (actually give it GOOD lookovers), have fun and be safe. Ill be out jumping again tommorow, just after a throrough gear check D

I had a brake line knotted today (I think it was malicious). Since it is a safety issue, I posted it there. If you could take a look, Id appreciate it. Derek

Background: was on a 4 way FF, tracked off, someone was right above me.... so i kept tracking a lil more, waited till i was clear but pulled a lil lower than normal (was passing through about 3k when i pulled) - uneventful opening - did a riser turn towards the airport, stowed my slider, then went to pop my brakes. one did, one didn't. right toggle was in a knot. went into a slow spiral. immediately compensated with left toggle. i tried untieing it messed with it, tension from canopy kept it tight. next instinct was to cut the line... no hook knife (lost off rig in store). i looked at the alti, 1500, decision time, i checked the canopy - she was ok. i felt i could fly her in, and didn't think i needed to chop it. so i wrapped about 4 wraps of toggle line around my left hand to compensate for the right line, flew risers, flew my pattern and landed with risers in the main landing area. no wind landing on a 1.2 loaded Sabre 2 (loaded enough where a flareless landing is going to really mess me up) but i stood it up (phew). Investigation: initial look confirmed what i saw in the air, some how, steering line had been passed THROUGH the riser (at the top of the risers where the slinks or metal ring attaches the suspension lines to the riser) and knotted. On the ground when the knot was untied, the toggle was passed through the hole ONCE. (a master rigger was checking it out, he untied it) Recreation: We found one viable "accidental" scenario. after being properly stowed, the slack is someone passed through the suspension line hole, then the toggle may be passed through that loop and create a very similar knot. BUT 1) I stowed my brakes, and I put the slack in the keepers where they are supposed to go 2) there is practically NO WAY the line could have "accidently" gone through that hole (and then gone through with enough slack for the toggle to go though) try doing it, is a pain to intentionally do it 3) when clearing that knot (the simulated accidental knot), it is cleared WITHOUT a toggle passing through the hole, and IF the toggle IS passed through, it has to be passed back through AGAIN before it is completely cleared. So the toggle is passed through either 0 times or twice. BUT if the toggle is (deviously and intentional) taken through the hole (entirely passed through it), tied in an overhand knot and then restowed, it has to be cleared by undoing the knot and passing the toggle back through ONCE. So I am led to believe somehow that knot was introduced intentionally. Point is, it could have been an accident, maybe not. The consensus is that it WAS NOT an accident. i would like to think it was a screw up on my part, but I stowed the brakes, it was packed by a someone I trust 100%, but was sitting in the hanger long enough for someone to do it. Now in hindsight, I shouldve been open a few hundred feet higher, that was a mistake on my part. I was in the seat by Id say 1900. But please ppl, double check your gear carefully, don't leave it laying around, and be safe. If any of you have any ideas how this could have been created accidently (or otherwise) please let me know. Other than that, be safe ppl. Thanks Derek

Im 22 and the beer will be bought shortly... I got cake instead... - My mommy called from GA, had someone at the DZ buy me some food stuffs - Ha and a cake with some mushy words written on it... Thanks mommy. Ohh yeah on another insignificant note... I broke 150 this weekend which is odd since I just broke 100 like 2or3 weekends ago. Hummmm

1:12:2 1: Number of jumps I was on where Norman Kent decided to tag along for the hell of it... (got video/stills..) of course everything post beautiful head down exit funneled... Case o Beer 1 12 jumps. Did a bunch of great 2 way sits, one of them I managed to pull off a sweet ass totem Pole ( came in and docked on top). Case o Beer 2. Ummm today is my bday too, so they had a lil party for me and give me some lil presents, had some good cake, great time had by all... Derek P.S. happy 20th skydive Deland.

If i recall right, was the funniest. Freakin hilarious to be more specific. D

Isnt taht when the cat got shot? Has been like 2 years since I saw it but Im pretty sure... Damn good flick. Derek

Lets see 5:9:2 5 - Number of times I puked after the Majik party - damn that Majik punk. 9 jumps, did some sweet 4 way FF, 2 sits, 2 Headdowns. A couple of tracking jumps. I found someone to jump with now on a regular basis, so we are working on flying relative, getting solid basic docks, etc etc. 2 - I dunno what for, but shit I always owe beer... Wait, hows this, for a sweet ass little 20' swoop into the damn middle of the peas... (Strait in, no risers, nothing just a great canopy with a good flare). yeah. woohoo. Were having a bday party for me next weekend, sunday. Your all welcome to come, bring beer or food. Derek

I have been refused a a couple of times... Always for the same stupid reason to.... Get this shit. Cause I didnt have enough $$$ in my account... Cheap bastards wouldnt let me go in the hole... hehehe j/k. ;) They arent bastards, I love my manifest ladies. Derek

Shit yeah I forgot.... I just woke up, 6:30am, shower, shave, brush my teeth, and then jump on my computer tosee my computer is telling me its 6:05AM instead of 7:05AM as Id expect... ohh well. Back to bed. Later Derek

My bday is Next sunday (Nov. 3) not this sunday, but come anyways. ;)

Good enough for them to get to alti.... After that isnt really my problem hehehe.

Im not a fairy... Well I dont think I am? Am I?

Not the ones you fly on... *MUWAHAHA*

It is possible for me to walk into jobs making $20/h. More realistic tho is 15/h + full benefits.

I pass the General and Airframe O/Ps. ;) Woohoo. I AM NOW A FAA LICENSED AIRCRAFT MECHANIC!!!! hehehe, tests only took 7 damn hours. But I passed. Derek P.S. Anyone got a job for me?

Reminds me, Im out of cupOnoodles... need to go shopping.... need real food Blah sleep

Anyone else here ever hear of the IFIF club?

Dont own one, but plan to someday in the not to distant future....

Propellers, food is decent just over priced and manager by a supercheap food nazi.... Talk is cheap man, since I have been here, I have heard alot of MRO rumors, but I know this - the dept has been around since Riddle started (practically) and I doubt it is goin any where - just like Mr Titus.

Dammit, Bullshit is my #1 tactic. Im screwed... hehe. Actually I more or less have the oral test, and I am not stressing the practical... Well to get a license (airframe or powerplant), you have to take 3 tests, a written (obvious 100 question multiple choice, have to make 70+), oral, similar to a written except it is oral, they ask you answer, and a practical - thats the fun part. You are given, a problem (several actually), reference material, airplane or something and you have to diagnose/fix/etc the problem. Ohhh yeah, you have to also pass a general knowledge W/O/P too, so tommorow I am taking a general and airframe O/P... grrr. Cant you see how excited I am. ;) But it is why I came here... Here is the program I am in http://www.asta-erau.org is a 16 month intensive (read: 8 hours a day, 5 days a week), hands on A/P training program. Derek