What needs to change at WFFC?

[ChasingBlueSky 0]

I also heard a few vendors complain about the reg fee and the tent fee this year. There was some serious grumbling going on. One told me it would have been worse for them if there was good weather and no one was shopping.

I also heard a pilot or two complain about not coming back next year as well since the cost has gotten too much to handle.

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you can burn the land and boil the sea, but you can't take the sky from me....
I WILL fly again.....

[mwabd1 0]

and by the way the same $69 registration fee for non-jumpers is bull!

[PhillyKev 0]

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and by the way the same $69 registration fee for non-jumpers is bull!

I really don't get this argument. That's $10/day. That's less than the typical campground costs around here.

[Kramer 0]

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a BIG tetrahedron in the main landing area, i watched a lot of people landing into oncoming traffic and i have a feeling this might have to do with the two tiny windsocks that were out there.

No kidding!

I mean...it's supposed to be the busiest skydiving airspace in the world, and all they had were two dinky little windsocks that you can't see until 500 feet. My little Cessna DZ has more than that.

I'm a fan of the tetrahedron idea...like that huge one Richmond has you can easily see from 13,500'.

The FAKE KRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMER!!!!!!!!!

[Jib 0]

A spotting class for at least one pilot.
(Mullins was always dead on)

Music off after midnight

water near tent city

What's the purpose of the caution line/tape between the runway and bean field? A sign that says do not cross maybe.

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the depth of his depravity sickens me.
-- Jerry Falwell, People v. Larry Flynt

[moodyskydiver 0]

A map of the area surrounding the airfield, or even better, a county map complete with roads labeled and given to each jumper in the registration bag.I've discussed this with numerous jumpers during the convention and they thought it was a good idea.It'd be a great thing to have for those off-landings or when people are chasing the balloons to help pick up jumpers etc.

I know the locals have been great about giving rides to jumpers when they land off but you cant guarantee someone will be there.Its good to have a cellphone to call people but when all you can tell the person coming to get you is "I'm on a gravel road surrounded by corn" its a bit of a lesson in futility...especially since the majority of us aren't familiar with the area.Having a map people could just fold up and stuff in their jumpsuits or keep handly while chasing balloons/off-landers would be so helpful IMHO.

"...just an earthbound misfit, I."

[diablopilot 2]

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and by the way the same $69 registration fee for non-jumpers is bull!

Actually I'm all about that. Non jumpers are getting using just as much if not more of the resources that registration pays for as jumpers and jumpers are spending extra on jump tickets.

Besides wasn't it non-jumpers that led to the demise of the Quincy event?

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You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

[billvon 3,073]

> A spotting class for at least one pilot.

Hmm, only plane I had a problem with was the PAC.

[diablopilot 2]

Never had a problem with the PAC, had a WAY long spot on a CASA.

Wasn't the Air Boss the one who decided where pilots to drop (VIA the GPS) and set up the jump runs (all three of them)?

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You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

[bbarnhouse 0]

I could offer a lot of things but most have already been expressed.

What would make it better is having Djan and Skr at convention. They were noticeably missed this year!
And damn as a non-drinker..I never did find the free soda! In fact, I never have.

[sunshine 2]

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6. Showers need to be cleaned and it wouldn't hurt if they sprung for some soap dispensers or at least a tray to place your soap on. I actually liked last years set up in that I could get to the showers relatively close to were I was most of the time and where most people are to begin with.

We has soap dispensers in the women's showers. I really hope you guys get stalls for next year. I mean i'm glad we have them, but i did think it was kinda unfair that the guys didn't.

The whole refusing to give go-rounds when the spot runs like is bullshit. I can't help it if all the groups in front of me take forever getting out of the CASA, so why should i be penalized and forced to jump with a bad spot or ride the plane down and lose my $20.

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meow

I get a Mike hug! I get a Mike hug!

[ChasingBlueSky 0]

We had soap in the showers - but they were empty by Wed or Thurs. I think they meant there was no place to put your soap other than on the floor. We had prison style showers at Quincy as well, which is why the showers the last two years were nice...even with the line.

I believe there is video of some high jump number individuals/LO's taking a looooooooong time chunking an 8 way out of the skyvan. I think I heard 30+ seconds in the door.

The PAC had some issues with spots on the first day of the convention, but after that both Ray and Chris were right on, including the night jumps. Even from the tailgates I wasn't upset if I landed on the airbase, other people felt it was a bad spot if they had to land at the end of the runway. However, the worst spots seemed to be from the tailgates.

I will tell you this - if you land in the golf course, there is a huge fence you have to climb over! I just had to swoop that putting green!

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you can burn the land and boil the sea, but you can't take the sky from me....
I WILL fly again.....

[bbarnhouse 0]

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The whole refusing to give go-rounds when the spot runs like is bullshit.

Seeing as how there are 3 jump runs and aircraft running 2 minutes apart do you really believe go arounds are safe?
I'd rather walk five miles than crawl five feet. Having another group dropped on top of me isnt my idea of a good time.

[Jib 0]

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I believe there is video of some high jump number individuals/LO's taking a looooooooong time chunking an 8 way out of the skyvan. I think I heard 30+ seconds in the door.

Mullins said 5 seconds between groups. I saw a three way wait 9 before even starting to climb out and another 8+ to actually leave. Consistently!

But, the tailgates were what I was referring to about the spots.

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the depth of his depravity sickens me.
-- Jerry Falwell, People v. Larry Flynt

[indyz 1]

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The whole refusing to give go-rounds when the spot runs like is bullshit.

Seeing as how there are 3 jump runs and aircraft running 2 minutes apart do you really believe go arounds are safe?
I'd rather walk five miles than crawl five feet. Having another group dropped on top of me isnt my idea of a good time.

I would assume that a plane could arrange to get back into the pattern for a go-around the same way that they get into the pattern for their first pass.

[sunshine 2]

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Seeing as how there are 3 jump runs and aircraft running 2 minutes apart do you really believe go arounds are safe?
I'd rather walk five miles than crawl five feet. Having another group dropped on top of me isnt my idea of a good time.

If there is radio contact it is safe, i would much rather circle and wait 5-10 minutes for a good spot than land 5 miles away. I was called a mullins snob because his is the only plane i ever wanted to jump cause he gives good spots. To go along with the group, i did skyvan and CASA jumps. Landed off when jumping from those planes except when i was in the group first out of the CASA. So yes, i do believe go-rounds should be given.

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meow

I get a Mike hug! I get a Mike hug!

[bbarnhouse 0]

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I would assume that a plane could arrange to get back into the pattern for a go-around the same way that they get into the pattern for their first pass.

You know what they say about assuming.
Think of the number of planes in the air, multiple jump runs, ground speeds and all the variables. Consider too the type of jumpers e.g. wing suit flyers.
Go arounds are not a good idea at any large boogie with multiple jump runs and aircraft.

[wingnut 0]

i'll vote with more port o pots.... maybe just spaed out more, not nesicarily more of them..... i'd rather wait a minute for one a quick step away than to not wait at the 4 that are 100 yds away....(yeah so i'm lazy)

the music intent city gota go... didn't bother me as i was always up untill aftere they got done playing buti know it pissed of someof my friends....

specialty aircraft would be nice.. nothing there i hadn't jumped before..... (a helo exit is a helo exit in my book).... well besides the pac750xl.. that was new to me but not really specialty........

cros roads through tent city like someone else said would be super nice... not havingto worry about tripping over tent ropes while trying to cut across....

a designated landing direction in the main area like they have at other dz's not into the wind........

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"i have no reader's digest version"

[bbarnhouse 0]

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If there is radio contact it is safe, i would much rather circle and wait 5-10 minutes for a good spot than land 5 miles away. I was called a mullins snob because his is the only plane i ever wanted to jump cause he gives good spots. To go along with the group, i did skyvan and CASA jumps. Landed off when jumping from those planes except when i was in the group first out of the CASA. So yes, i do believe go-rounds should be given.

I suggest you speak then with the pilots, air bosses and ground crew. Perhaps they would be able to explain it to you better than I can.

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a designated landing direction in the main area like they have at other dz's not into the wind........

I agree. Set up the main landing area like a run way. The other two can be used for into the wind landings for those not comfortable landing in what maybe a cross wind situation.
I would also think it wise to better enforce a no fly zone 500 feet above all tents, and no swooping the cart drivers!

[ChasingBlueSky 0]

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a designated landing direction in the main area like they have at other dz's not into the wind........

That doesn't work so well in the Midwest where we have strong winds. Or at a convention where the average jumper has about 200 jumps.

They did announce landing direction on light wind days, but no one payed attention to it....or it was just hard to hear the PA. Even with a radio in the dz.com tent it was hard to hear it if anyone was talking....how could you hear it on the flight line with all of those planes?

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you can burn the land and boil the sea, but you can't take the sky from me....
I WILL fly again.....

[indyz 1]

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I would assume that a plane could arrange to get back into the pattern for a go-around the same way that they get into the pattern for their first pass.

You know what they say about assuming.
Think of the number of planes in the air, multiple jump runs, ground speeds and all the variables. Consider too the type of jumpers e.g. wing suit flyers.
Go arounds are not a good idea at any large boogie with multiple jump runs and aircraft.

Betsy, I was responding to the part of your post where you said that it is not possible to safely give go-arounds. If that is the case, then I simply to not see how it is possible to safely put any aircraft on a jumprun. I never said that it was easy, that it made good financial sense, or anything beyond that it is possible.

[sunshine 2]

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I suggest you speak then with the pilots, air bosses and ground crew. Perhaps they would be able to explain it to you better than I can.

No need to. I'll just continue only jumping Mullins plane.
Edited to add. Yes, i prefer mullins plane to all the others. I know lotsa peeps that like mullins plane best. Doesn't mean i'm making "digs" at the other aircraft, just stating that i prefer mullins. If given the choice, i prefer the skyvan over the CASA, i prefer a Caravan over a 182. I didn't know stating my opinion on what aircraft i like best would create a problemo.

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meow

I get a Mike hug! I get a Mike hug!

[bbarnhouse 0]

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Seeing as how there are 3 jump runs and aircraft running 2 minutes apart do you really believe go arounds are safe?

I believe I asked a question, and not as you put it. I never said it wasn't possible.

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No need to. I'll just continue only jumping Mullins plane.

A nice aircraft it is too.

[Jib 0]

Is it really safe to have people coming down a mile off the field in any direction while planes are taking off and landing?

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the depth of his depravity sickens me.
-- Jerry Falwell, People v. Larry Flynt

[indyz 1]

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Seeing as how there are 3 jump runs and aircraft running 2 minutes apart do you really believe go arounds are safe?

I believe I asked a question, and not as you put it. I never said it wasn't possible.

I'm sorry Bets, I inferred that because a go-around is unsafe, that it why it is not possible to get one.

Anyway, I stand by my argument that if it is safe to take off, fly a big circle while climbing, and get into the pattern, then it should also be safe to fly a big circle while maintaining altitude and get into the pattern. If the WFFC or the aircraft owners don't want to give go-arounds because it is inconvenient or not profitable, then those are their rules and I can play by them or go home. But I maintain that the pilots and ground crew at Rantoul absolutely have the ability to arrange for a safe go-around.