Jumpah 0 #1 October 2, 2008 A friend of mine once had a CReW wrap and ended up riding in his collapsed main, the other dog's chopped and collapsed main still wrapped around him, and his reserve..also mostly a ball of crap. He was unscathed...one small scratch. A birch tree was broken in the process of cushioning his fall. While untangling the canopies back, someone mentioned something like "I guess this makes you a member of the thunderball club, doesn't it?" Does anyone know about this? I may have the word "Thunderball" mixed with something else...it was a while ago and I just thought to ask it now. If you ever heard of this or something like it I'd like to know some history. Thanks in advance Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NickDG 23 #2 October 2, 2008 I can't figure out if you are talking about one guy, or two guys, but if two I guess the first guy would just be in the Lucky Club. The second guy that had some part of his reserve out would be a member of the Caterpillar Club . . . NickD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jumpah 0 #3 October 2, 2008 yah...it was unclear....to clarify: The lower jumper cutaway and landed their reserve no problem (no longer a factor in the rest of the story). The chopped canopy remained on my friend and fowled his main producing two balls of crap. He tossed his reserve out without chopping either as he was getting low, and the reserve did some good, but not something you'd want to land without lots of luck. Basically the whole thing came straight down, spinning slightly. Thanks NickD...I enjoy your posts. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
keithbar 1 #4 October 2, 2008 I thought you had to jump from an aircraft that was in the process of having some sort of aircraft emergency. to be a member of the caterpillar clubi have on occasion been accused of pulling low . My response. Naw I wasn't low I'm just such a big guy I look closer than I really am . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
howardwhite 6 #5 October 2, 2008 The official records of the Caterpillar Club are held by Airborne Systems. Unfortunately, the link on their web site to the Club is currently broken; I've told them about it. As chair of the PIA Historical Committee, I spoke with their PIA rep at a meeting a couple of weeks ago; she wondered whether PIA might be interested in publishing a book of Caterpillar Club stories based on the original applications they have on file. I said yes. Now we just have to make it happen. HW Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NickDG 23 #6 October 2, 2008 I think you just have to use a parachute to save your life in an emergency. So I've always thought using a reserve after a main malfunction would qualify. I could be wrong though . . . NickD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #7 October 2, 2008 Quote I think you just have to use a parachute to save your life in an emergency. So I've always thought using a reserve after a main malfunction would qualify. I could be wrong though . . . NickD http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar_Club >>>More recently, a group of twelve skydivers were denied membership when one of them fouled the plane's tail and caused it to fall from the sky. He died in the crash, but the other eleven parachuted to safety. They did not qualify because it had been their original intention to jump from the plane. The pilot, however, was admitted to the club. ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mccurley 1 #8 October 3, 2008 I Believe the catipillar club was started by irving and the official membership was for people who saved their lives using an Irving parachute.Watch my video Fat Women http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRWkEky8GoI Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
howardwhite 6 #9 October 3, 2008 Ah, yes, Wikipedia, that bastion of reliable, verifiable info. I'm surprised no Wikibody has inserted [citation needed] somewhere in the vicinity of that quote. Anyone ever heard that story anywhere else? HW Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #10 October 3, 2008 Quote Ah, yes, Wikipedia, that bastion of reliable, verifiable info. I'm surprised no Wikibody has inserted [citation needed] somewhere in the vicinity of that quote. Anyone ever heard that story anywhere else? HW HOWARD...it's on the Internet...it MUST be true! Point being, if ya went up to jump out...no pin - no tie. ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
piper17 1 #11 October 3, 2008 Howard, Pioneer used to award some device (caterpillar pin) for aircraft emergency use of their equipment as well. Not sure if that is still done or not."A man can never have too much red wine, too many books, or too much ammunition"...Rudyard Kipling Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
councilman24 37 #12 October 3, 2008 They will issue a Catipillar club mamerbership to anyone using any manufacturer's emergency parachute. Skydivers using their reserve do not count.I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
