miked10270

Hi there, Hmmm.... Spotting. First, I should confess that my spotting has improved dramatically over the years... in the days of rounds my spotting was distinctly iffy, but now that most folk fly 9-cell ram airs my spotting is a lot better! Still, it is as much an art as a science. One of the things I have noticed at big US DZs is that no WDI is thrown on the first lift of the day... and that seems to be the one where out-landings happen. I may be something of a dinosaur, but wind does change strength & direction with altitude & while most folk can make educated guesses for their DZ they're still guesses. How many experienced folk have thrown a WDI at 2,000ft agl at the assumed opening point (so it lands on the DZ & saves a walk to collect it) only to see the thing disappear in a totally unexpected direction? Yeah... Me too! While wind strength & direction at specific altitudes can be ascertained by a pilot comparing his HSI & IAS with GPS, the pilot who can do this on top of flying, monitoring engine state, communicating with AIr Traffic Control etc... is rare! I do know one pilot who can do this (& does routinely), but this is the pilot who insists that a WDI is thrown to establish the opening point and only then he suggests exit points at altitude. He is also VERY experienced at the DZ he flys at. IMHO the DZs who say they don't need to throw throw WDIs on first lift actually do... If you're on the first lift, you're the WDI! Mike D10270.

Newbie, NEWBIE!!! (visualise steam coming out of my ears!!:-) (hope the old icons still work). OK, I appreciate that I haven't been too visible here for a while, (those of you who remember me through the te-kill-ya haze can appreciate the technical problems of operating a computer under enforced medication, & yes... the sky is still mauve), but NEWBIE!!!!!!! Still, this is an american site, so... in the best traditions of US car hire, short notice flights & fast food... "I DEMAND AN UPGRADE!!!" AS, I'm sure do many other users (hi Sis). So... what is the best way to ensure that my demand is met? Possibly by ingratiating myself, mentioning how much I like Sangiro's bike, asking after him & JKA, commenting on his tasteful image posts of the past? Naaaahhh... lets go for the threat option :-> my plans for "re-integration" of the former colony are still fresh in my mind and are all the more likely to succeed now you have a president who's unlikely to be able to pronounce "invasion". Picture the scene: Dubya: "Hey guys call out the army, the Bri...? errm brit..? errm, them guys are launching an inva...? invasi...? errm thingy? errm.... BOMB IRAQ!!" OR... we go for "Takeover Plan B". this is where we infiltrate & replace the Supreme Court & just vote ourself into power (this one is particularly economical 'cos it only takes 5 persons which is well within the bounds of my schizophrenia :o). Then again... maybe I'll get time to start posting "mikeisms" again :->. anywy, missed you guys lots & hope to get back here regularly again so... Ouch... wooow.... pretty pink walls............ Hi there, Iona here, it's time for Mike to go sleepybyes again. I honestly don't know how he woke up & got past me.