nicknitro71

http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=1618673;search_string=broken%20back%20in%20moAB;#1618673 This kid made two jumps one year apart at Bridge Day. After the first jump he was a BASE jumper, after the second he was a seasoned BASE jumper. Read the thread about his third jump. Memento Audere Semper 903

I second that. I dodge trees on 99% of my jumps and I tree myself once thus far. Why do you fear the 3-ring system? As Tim said, if you got a MIN of 5, better 6" of slack in the cutaway cable then the system is solid. If you really like slinks use them instead of the yellow cable but not to connect the rings together; however a mini rapid link works better for this use as already stated. Memento Audere Semper 903

Try to glue the tape before stitching. Memento Audere Semper 903

I too was pleasantly surprised when I saw the sign. NPS in short just don't get it. NPS is a federal agency so they could not care less about the local economy. Yet the Major, the Governor and the two Senators of WV might be interested in knowing how much good BASE jumpers can do for the local economy if we were allowed to jump 365/year alike TF. My wife is an economist so she can help me writing a little proposal to the four of them showing the numbers. I know the NPS won't listen to BASE jumpers but if really money talks then things might get pushed from above. I guess it's worth the shot and we do have TF to be used as a model. Memento Audere Semper 903

Please define "experienced BASE jumpers" and also the type of drug they were under when they came out with the statement. PS For reference my very first BASE was off a terminal wall and in retrospect was a very stupid idea but hey I had a whole good 40something skydives. Memento Audere Semper 903

It sucked. I was ready to give up after my 1st jump. One problem, the trains. Second, too much time between jumpers. Solution: derail all the trains , reinstall two platforms and keep the jumpers moving. Memento Audere Semper 903

That's the reason I make my own ones. I had a problem with what is the most popular Kill line PC out there. It was not calibrated correctly and did not collaspe all the way, not a biggy to fix but when your drop 100 bucks for a PC you'd expect to work. Now it only costs me about 10 bucks... Memento Audere Semper 903

Tom, If you think this is not appropriate get rid of it. Guys of course you are free to do whatever you want but things are not going well with the NPS. Also there will be few extra beloved rangers all over the park this week. Local police is also working overtime... Feel free to do whatever you wish but before adventuring out the least you can do is to contact the locals and maybe just abort things out for couple of days. Just a thought, I would really hate to hear my brothers getting in trouble. Memento Audere Semper 903

If you really do what you preach we'd see less accidents and far less episodes like this one. I pretty much agree with you. A Tandem is not another skydive. Somebody put their own life in your hands, think about it. Shit can still happen don't get me wrong but I know my attitude is much different when I'm with a T student, much different. Before take off I glance at the oil pressure and temp gages, the trim and the flaps, it takes three seconds. If I see something is off I have no problems telling the pilot. I don't give a shit if he is in commend, if the pressure is off, the trim is off, or no flaps, I'll tell her/him ESPECIALLY if somebody else's life is in my hands. As for incompetent cameraman...Have you made a jump with the guy to see his/her skills? If not then it's the TI's fault if something goes sour in FF due to lack of skills on the cameraman part. Seatbelts and helmets...if I'm with a student I make 100% sure everyone is wearing seatbelts and all the helmets/cameras are strapped, again it takes three seconds. Maybe people forget that a tandem is not just another skydive. As for the video I really do not think the TI did everything in his power to avoid what happened; He did overlook few things... Memento Audere Semper 903

Yes, The PD 126 packs bigger, not a lot but it's noticable. Memento Audere Semper 903

Dude, it's a canyon not a pussy Memento Audere Semper 903

True on 99% of the DZs especially the big ones. Also very true. You can take your money somewhere else just to find out that the same and other violations are being broken. Memento Audere Semper 903

Sweet, who's gonna get the ticket and who should we send the money to? Memento Audere Semper 903

Done deal. Memento Audere Semper 903

Point well taken, Yuri. However if they find out who the deceased was jumping with, rig or no rig is going to get messy. My thought was that if the rig is not there, then they might cut it short and assume suicide instead of launching an investigation that might lead to nearby DZs and the opening of many cans of worms...Not a easy call indeed... Memento Audere Semper 903

One odd thing about both the Nitro and the Blade is the very short lineset and the low aspect ratio (2.58). Memento Audere Semper 903

Robi, The wing grippers allow to "stretch" the wings more...are you suggesting that it's better to fly "empty-handed" or to keep tention on the grips and bend at the elbow more? Thanks Memento Audere Semper 903

Shit Nick, sorry you won't come. Is this set in stones? Memento Audere Semper 903

If the dude is really absolutely dead (like an open skull with half of the brain on the ground) then ito me it really does not matter, really. I'd take his rig off, call 911, and leave. If he is still alive or not dead, then I'd to the impossible to keep him alive, call 911, and wait; if I get arrested fuck it. The key here is to know if the person is really dead. I agree with Nick, certain things MUST be discussed ahead of time. Memento Audere Semper 903

As far as last year Nextel did not have good reception if at all. Now that they merged with Sprint who knows... Memento Audere Semper 903

I don't' want to make this a pissin' contest... However: 1. Atair uses a different method of measuring canopies than the PIA standards. The method they use produces sizes about 7% bigger than if they used the PIA method. Drop a line to Stane at Atair to find out more about their method. 2. I was just talking about sizes here not flying characteristics. If you think two canopies should fly alike given the same size you are wrong. A Stiletto is a completely different canopy than an Alpha/Cobalt even if the size was exactly the same. Just look at the line attachment points and where the jumper is located relative to the canopy, for instance. Also, next time you have a chance overlap a Stiletto 97 and a Cobalt 95 and let me know which one is bigger. Then overlap the Cobalt 95 with a Stiletto 107. 3. I fly Alphas (the daddy of the Cobalt) and I would not trade them for any new non-x-braced canopies on the market, ANY! Memento Audere Semper 903

I feel it man, the sarcasm Memento Audere Semper 903

Because they are bigger or other canopies smaller. Atair uses a different method for calculating the area that is IMO more accurate by the way. A Cobalt 95 measures similarly to a Stiletto 107 for instance. Memento Audere Semper 903

As usual Nick, great post. However, when did Little Johnny take some responsibility? He never did. Let's say he was told not to downsize but he did not and the S&TA told him that he was going to kill himself. But there are no RULES that regulate WL, he did sign the waiver, and he promised the S&TA that he'll be careful. So in the end the S&TA said "you know what, fuck it, jump that thing, your are going to do it anyway some place else". Nobody did brake any rules beside common sense but that is subjective as well. The jury will hear the other side of the story too: Johnny was told, Johnny was a consenting adult, the FAA does not have rules on WL, we are a self regulating community and in the end it comes down to personal resonsibility, a thing in the past by the way. So let's blame everybody but Little Johnny. I can only think about education here but I feel being too rethorical. Memento Audere Semper 903

To death! Memento Audere Semper 903