Kolla 0 #1 January 11, 2012 It's happening again! The Skydive Expo planning committee has been hard at work for the past few months. We want to invite you to join us in DeLand, Florida April 3rd - 8th, 2012 for the Skydive Expo! Visit manufacturers of awesome skydiving gear at their booths and hit up seminars by some of the best and brightest minds in skydiving. On top of all that, load organizing and fun jumps by world class skydivers. Watch the Expo website Expo for updates on vendors, organizers, seminar speakers, hotel deals and all that good stuff. We will update this thread with more information as it comes. If you are interested in being a vendor, get in touch for more information. The forums here are a great space to let us know if you have any questions about the event or let us know if you are hoping to get something specific out of it - or you can drop us a line at expo@blueskiesmag.com. We are also looking for volunteers to help us running this non-profit event. Word has it that both Skymama and Normiss will be slaving away, so you have a chance to get up and close with both of them Registration will open shortly and look forward to see everyone enjoying the Florida sunshine with us in April KollaBlue Skies Magazine Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #2 January 12, 2012 Quote so you have a chance to get up and close with both of them But not both of us at the same time, that's icky. I had such a great time at the first Expo, I'm really looking forward to this event. I think I went to 6 seminars; I would have gone to more, but I was slaving away at the other times. The vendor booths are awesome because the event is geared towards regular jumpers, so I didn't feel like an idiot asking questions. If you want to go to a boogie and actually learn a few things, this is the event for 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 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
normiss 843 #3 January 12, 2012 All that and hott sky chicas to flirt with. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
piisfish 140 #4 January 12, 2012 Quote All that and hott sky chicas to flirt with. OK, I'm in scissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #5 January 15, 2012 After reading another forum, I just had a bright idea for a seminar: "How to operate a Skyvan door". Edit: Actually, in all seriousness, it might be a good seminar to give an overview of of the jump planes normally used and the do's and don't of being in one and exiting from one. Heck, I've only been in a Cessna one time, even I could use a refresher on that one. 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 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Skydivesg 7 #6 January 15, 2012 That's not a bad idea. So - question for you Mama, if you've only been in one Cessna - how is your spotting technique? I've been on some loads where the lights and/or GPS went out and someone had to spot an Otter. It's pretty funny to see the fear on people's faces when you ask them if they're going to spot. They suddenly don't want to be any where near that door. ***************************************Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #7 January 16, 2012 Quote So - question for you Mama, if you've only been in one Cessna - how is your spotting technique? Well, being a freeflyer, I'm usually at the back of the plane and can't see exactly what is going on at the door. But, I do take a look when I climb out, I don't just blindly jump. If pressed, I think I could spot well...or good enough. But, maybe that would be another good topic for a seminar!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 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Skydivesg 7 #8 January 16, 2012 Yeah ..... just busting your chops. You could teach spotting theory in a seminar but you really have to put your head out the door in order to teach it properly. And it takes more than just a few times to get good at it. When DC-3s were the popular planes they created a real challenge for spotters. When you could consistently put everyone on the DZ out of a 3, that's when you knew you could spot. (I didn't just give away my age did I)Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
popsjumper 2 #9 January 16, 2012 Quote When DC-3s were the popular planes they created a real challenge for spotters. When you could consistently put everyone on the DZ out of a 3, that's when you knew you could spot. (I didn't just give away my age did I) Hell, -3 pilots actually took corrections. Try to give corrections to some of today's GPS gurus and you might get dumped out the door on a 90 degree roll. My reality and yours are quite different. I think we're all Bozos on this bus. Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kolla 0 #10 January 16, 2012 Great idea SkyMama! Skydivesg has a good point that nothing beats some hands on experience, as not all doors are the same (even if on the same type of aircraft). We will ask our organizers to make sure to do a "door briefing" with their groups, and if possible, allow people to observe or assist :)Blue Skies Magazine Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Skydivesg 7 #11 January 16, 2012 Hey Kolla. I'll make sure to do that. I'm usually first out anyway. Looking forward to seeing you again.Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
piisfish 140 #12 January 17, 2012 so who is going ? anybody needs a ride from Miami on 4th ?scissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
normiss 843 #13 January 17, 2012 I think you have just clarified our current issue....we're counting on LO's to do proper door briefings. I'd say there is some issue there - given the recent "drift indicator" released from a Skyvan prior to releasing jumpers. It would be AWESOME if we could get a simple video brief of various jump ships and the intricacies of the door therein. "In-plane operations, communication, door opening, separation, and general aircraft fuckery" (Footnote on extra altitude requests should also be considered and encouraged) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kolla 0 #14 January 17, 2012 Normiss, I think that would be a great project - I know a magazine that would love to publish such videos! As for a seminar (and videos), would you looking for a project to be a part of??Blue Skies Magazine Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Skydivesg 7 #15 January 18, 2012 Please don't forget that not all Skyvan doors operate the same. The van from AZ (and many other DZs) uses the handle/latch to release the door from the open position and then uses it again to lock the door closed (prior to take off). And of course it is used to lock the door in the open position prior to jump. The van from Skydive Chicago uses the handle/latch to lock the door closed but does not use it to latch the door in the open position. Instead when lifting the door open you simply push up on both sides (all the way to the stops) and the door latches open on it's own. When you're ready to close the door prior to take off, you simply pull on the red lanyard located in the center of the ceiling just forward of the door and it releases. This set up is very easy to operate. And then there is the Sherpa that we used at Summerfest. Now that door was a pain in the ass.Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BMichaeli 1 #16 January 22, 2012 is anyone going from Zhills to DeLand on the 2nd or 3rd? also is anyone going from DeLand to Orlando on the 8th? I am trying to go to both flock and dock and the expo but i need a ride Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
piisfish 140 #17 January 22, 2012 Quoteis anyone going from Zhills to DeLand on the 2nd or 3rd? also is anyone going from DeLand to Orlando on the 8th? I am trying to go to both flock and dock and the expo but i need a rideTony maybe ?scissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WickedWingsuits 0 #18 January 25, 2012 We will!Summer Rental special, 5 weeks for the price of 4! That is $160 a month. Try before You Buy with Wicked Wingsuits - WingsuitRental.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WickedWingsuits 0 #19 January 25, 2012 So excited to be going to the expo! Wicked Wingsuits and TonySuits have a few surprises planned....Summer Rental special, 5 weeks for the price of 4! That is $160 a month. Try before You Buy with Wicked Wingsuits - WingsuitRental.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kolla 0 #20 February 1, 2012 We have just received the word that the Fastest Rigger on the planet (per the PIA reserve packing contest in Reno last February) will be attending the Expo. All you riggers out there can visit with Master Margaret at the Rigging Innovations booth and get some tips from her on efficiency and cool rigging stuff Blue Skies Magazine Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #21 February 1, 2012 Oooh, I watched that video. She is so impressive! 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 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
piisfish 140 #22 February 1, 2012 Quote Oooh, I watched that video. She is so impressive! she is very impressive indeed in the record video. Also very impressive to see her at work in a calmer environment, both in packing and repairing. So much precision and neatness. Definitely an example. With one of my rigger/friend here in Switzerland (who is already one of my examples to follow), we love to get rigs who were packed by Margaret to analyze how it was packed. These packjobs have some magic inside I tell you.scissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kolla 0 #23 February 13, 2012 Happy to share that Brianne Thompson and Niklas Daniel from AXIS Flight School in Eloy, AZ will be attending - Brianne to organize FS (RW/belly) jumps, and Niklas to stalk us with his camera (both in the sky and on the ground). Fuuuuun!Blue Skies Magazine Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
piisfish 140 #24 March 8, 2012 So Kolla, what other great news have you got for us ? I am getting super excited to visit the Expo, meet new people, meet old friends again. Did I mention I was super excited ?scissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
piisfish 140 #25 March 12, 2012 3 weeks to go, we want more scoops. puuuuhhleeeeeease scissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
