Jumpervint 0 #1 September 14, 2003 This happened a week ago, but I was busy and forgot to post it. the article is horrible. The cause was good. The picture (not included) was good If you have any questions, let me know. Vint Saturday, September 6, 2003 Spokane Parachutists jump for homeless Colin Mulvany On his 38th skydive of the day, Noe Cortez pauses before letting go of the wing strut. Cortez and colleague Mike Lyons set a regional record by jumping 50 times in one day. Benjamin Shors - Staff writer DAVENPORT, Wash. _ DAVENPORT, Wash. -- What makes two men jump from an airplane 50 times in one day? The homeless. ‘‘Because we never know," said Mike Lyons, climbing into a 1960 Cessna 182, ‘‘we might be homeless some day." Lyons, 43, and Noe Cortez, 50, raised more than $2,000 on Friday through pledges, all of which will go to local homeless shelters. In addition, the men believe their tandem jumping, which lasted more than seven hours, established a regional record. ‘‘If somebody did more jumps, there's no record of it," Lyons said, adding that he checked with the U.S. Parachute Association prior to the jumps. On the ground, David Wall of Union Gospel Mission watched excitedly. His mission will split the money with its sister organization, Anna Ogden Hall. While not the largest of donations, Wall said it may be the most creative. ‘‘It's an incredible thing going on today," he said. ‘‘Guys jumping for the homeless. It beats a carwash." The tiny one-seat crop-duster ferried Lyons and Cortez down the thin runway west of Davenport, past dried weeds and up into the air. It handled all 50 jumps. At 2,500 feet, the men leaped again and again from the plane. They fell for about five seconds before pulling their chutes and sweeping onto the dusty landing zone. Once on the ground, workers rushed to their side, with yet another packed parachute. Pancakes, cinnamon rolls and coffee sat in the back of a truck. The men ate turkey sandwiches for lunch, as the plane carried them up. In between, they sprayed Pledge on their goggles to clean off the sweat. Lyons' wife, Stephanie, helped pack parachutes in a makeshift shelter. She and Lyons were married on a skydive above Spangle, Wash., three years ago. The couple operate West Plains Skydiving School, and she is accustomed to his stunts. ‘‘You're always a little worried," she said. ‘‘But we are prepared." A half-dozen volunteers stuffed packs continuously. Only two chutes were removed, after workers discovered they'd been improperly packed -- a situation that could create a ‘‘major malfunction," in parachuter parlance. Several workers watched with a touch of envy, as Lyons and Cortez drifted in every seven-and-a-half minutes. The talk in the tent centered on jumping. Once strapped into new packs, the men rushed to the waiting Cessna. When asked if the plane was safe, the pilot, Dr. Angelo Ferraro, who is also a cardiologist, sidestepped the question. ‘‘It's legal," he said. However, he conceded, ‘‘None of the instruments work except for the speedometer and altimeter. Even the duct tape's peeling off." By jump 43, the men were showing signs of fatigue. ‘‘All the G-forces from spiraling down take it out of you," said Lyons, who's made more than 3,000 jumps. Both men, former instructors at the survival school at Fairchild Air Force Base, carried altimeter watches to track their height above the Earth. They also carried curved knives to cut away a chute in an emergency, so that an auxiliary chute could be deployed, if necessary. Both are `D' experts, an elite status requiring at least 500 jumps and giving them authority to do demonstration dives. Throughout, both men remained enthusiastic, highfiving and pumping their fists. ‘‘It's exhilarating every time," said Cortez, gulping an energy drink. Just after 2 p.m., two planes carried 10 jumpers to 12,000 feet. The ground crew watched for half an hour. At last, the planes' white bellies emerged from a cluster of clouds. The parachuters swept to the ground, with Lyons and Cortez in the lead. ‘‘Outstanding," Lyons pronounced upon his 50th arrival. With that, he tucked the chute under his arm, and walked bowleggedly back to the airplane hangar.. . . . . "Make it hard again." Doc Ed “A person needs a little madness, or else they never dare cut the rope and be free” Nikos Kazantzakis Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
betzilla 56 #2 September 14, 2003 How does a "tiny one seat crop duster" carry two guys to altitude? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jumpervint 0 #3 September 14, 2003 The article was horrible. It was a 182, not held together with duct tape, as the article states, and had more instruments working than just the air speed indicator and altimeter, as stated in the article. The pic showed Noe hanging from the strut before exit. Must have been the way he rode to altitude, too. The reporter was this really young guy who obviously was looking to spice up his writing. Those crazy skydivers, they'll risk thier life every time! Vint. . . . . "Make it hard again." Doc Ed “A person needs a little madness, or else they never dare cut the rope and be free” Nikos Kazantzakis Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
