Hey Meester, I borrow your 'chute? Thanks! Got ten bucks?

[Rondo 0]

Hello Everyone,

I found this website a few days ago, and have enjoyed reading the posts, and responding to a few. Looks like this is turning into a cyberplace I'll probably be visiting frequently in the future, so I guess I better check in at the manifest and warn people of my presence on the DZ.

My name is Pat Regan. I made my first jumps during a hitch with the Marines between 69 and 71; and got into sport parachuting in California after that. My nickname was Rondo (long story), and some people even gave me the dubious honor of calling me "Captain Rondo" after I became a jump pilot. (Jumpers will do anything to schmooze you out of extra altitude!)

I was a product of dope-rope training; remember when parachutes were round, Paracommanders were hot, and Domina Jalbert was trying to convince people they needed little triangular air-rakes ("flares") on the underside of square canopies. Not tootin' my own horn here, just trying to provide a frame of reference as to where I'm coming from.

I remember Norton and Haley, and others of the KNOW-SENSE CRW team. I bought Steve's rainbow Strat to finance his trip to the Turkey Meet in Florida where they showed CRW to the World. Still have that rig and (after I lose some weight) plan on jumping it again. (See attached picture).

I really loved my involvement with skydiving. We had a saying: "Skydivers have more fun than people." It's true. Some of the best times of my life happened on dropzones; and some of the VERY best I am no longer able to remember, so you KNOW they were good! ;-)

The good times and amazing happenings I do remember would fill a book; and I've often thought about writing one. Maybe some day....

What I remember most are the people I had the pleasure and privelege of meeting, jumping with, and partying with too. I wonder where they are now. If anyone out there reading this remembers me: "No be shy! Say Hi!"

I remember good times and bad: people that lived to tell about it, and others who didn't. I saw radical changes in equipment and techniques, and recall the chances we took (sometimes unknowingly) while those advancements were being developed. The good thing about all that is I know I'm not alone; there are many others who remember those days, too. Those were incredible times, weren't they?

But my fondest memories of all are the ladies of skydiving. I guess you could say I "got lucky" a lot. I want you all to know I remember each and every one of you, and treasure what we shared even if it was only for eight hours one night. (My other nickname was "The Marathon Man".) You were all great! If there are any little Rondos running around out there that I don't know of, I'd like to hear about it. You gotta pay for the DNA test, though! ;-)

Anyway, I'm happily married now (to an ex-jumper, of course), but if there's anyone out there I helped get their Mile High Pin, why not shoot me an E for old times sake?

And of course, if there's any of my old jumping / drinking buddies out there, same-same. Give me a holler. We'll talk old times.

I like to participate on internet forums when I have time. As a qualified old fart, I have some tales to tell that might astound, educate, and entertain. If you guys like, I could post some of them here from time to time. I know you kids are all busily living life at warp speed, and that's the way it should be. But if you ever slow down for a moment and want to hear about "the old days", let me know.

Peace, Love, and Nylon Overcast,

Pat

[skymama 37]

Welcome to the forums! I hope you enjoy our little corner of the world.

She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man,
because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon

[Rondo 0]

Thanks for the welcome, Andrea. It does this old heard good to see that skydiving ladies are still as lovely as ever.

All you young guys out there: I hope you realize how lucky you are!

;-)

Pat

[skymama 37]

Quote

It does this old heard good to see that skydiving ladies are still as lovely as ever.

Why, thank-you.

She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man,
because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon

[Rondo 0]

[loflyer 0]

Well, welcome & I look forward to reading future posts from you!

Blue Skies forever!

[artbel 0]

First of all a big Welcome to the forums.

I've got a question for you. (or some to be exact) Is that you on that pic? And if so, do you not still only have the chute but also the jumpsuit?

I've jumped with a suit like that & I'm nuts about it.
The only problem is that I don't remember a constructors name or anything like it. So if you can spare that info....


Greetz Q

You don't need a parachute to jump out of a plane, but you need one if you want to do it again.

You don't need a parachute to jump but YOU DO if want to do it again.

[Beerlight 0]

Quote

But my fondest memories of all are the ladies of skydiving. I guess you could say I "got lucky" a lot. I want you all to know I remember each and every one of you, and treasure what we shared even if it was only for eight hours one night. (My other nickname was "The Marathon Man".) You were all great! If there are any little Rondos running around out there that I don't know of, I'd like to hear about it. You gotta pay for the DNA test, though! ;-)

WTF? are you talking about.....? What happened to your avatar RONDO?!!!

[sangiro 24]

Welcome to Dropzone.com!

Safe swoops
Sangiro