mikefarmer

Your first inclination about the big disadvantage of th mod was correct. Why increase the risk of totally losing a toggle when you have a reserve. Most BASE jumpers don't have time for a reserve, so it is VERY important to be able to clear a mal on the main. As far as the tailgate goes, I've heard the basics of it, wut hopefully someone with experience in BASE can enlighten us both on that feature. One of the coolest things I've seen in BASE canopies is the use of vents in the bottom skin to help keep the canopy inflated in VERY slow, or backwards flight (a stall). This would be useful in avoiding cliff strikes while still keeping the wing inflated. Sounds pretty cool! Mike I ponder on this dangerous, but irresistible pastime- Pink Floyd

Yippeeeeeee, fresh meat! I gotta show up now! We'll get JT drunk, and then who knows what might happen!!!!! Mike I ponder on this dangerous, but irresistible pastime- Pink Floyd

Farm for Mikes. That's actually one I hadn't heard. It ain't easy being named Farmer and growing up in a town called DEL City, believe me!! Mike I ponder on this dangerous, but irresistible pastime- Pink Floyd

Hey, glad you guys made it!! What was the problem with the plane?? CG??? Mike I ponder on this dangerous, but irresistible pastime- Pink Floyd

Pammi, we could never bitch slap YOU! Besides, you have an awesome attitude! So does Merrick. I sure haven't seen many low time jumpers volunteer to get dragged around the airport by a pickup under a Unit 4! I just wish I could make it out more often and jump with you guys! I hear the sitflying is spectacular; especially the exits!! Peace Out! Mike I ponder on this dangerous, but irresistible pastime- Pink Floyd

Just found out we could do polls, so here's a wierd one: If I could take one piece of equipment besides my rig on a jump, I would take: An Altimeter A Helmet A Cypres A Beer Mike I ponder on this dangerous, but irresistible pastime- Pink Floyd

I am far from "old school," but you mentioned helping newer jumpers with their mistakes. I have only been jumping for 5 years, and I try my best to help when I can. Most "newbies" are cooler than shit, and will probably be better skydivers than I am before long. The vast majority take constructive criticism for what it is, a safety net. However, there are a select few skydivers (and people in general) who, despite their inexperience, refuse to take accountability for their mistakes. I implore you to help the experienced people by pointing out to these guys (usually guys) that they may hurt themselves or someone else unless they learn from their mistakes. I always end up lecturing on the forums, and again, sorry. But it frustrates me when I say to someone, "Hey, you got awfully close to *^(&% under canopy, awfully low, what happened?" and they say "Hey, man, I saw him, it's cool." This person needs to have the concept of what happens to a canopy when it has its air stolen explained to them, but will not listen long enough to learn some safety and courtesy. Please keep an eye out, and help the old guys with tips on better ways to point out errors! Mike I ponder on this dangerous, but irresistible pastime- Pink Floyd

I have a canopy from that movie. Yes, I'm bragging! Pretty sad that that's my big claim to fame. It's a 7-Cell PD 253 with a tail pocket and straight A-lines. One of the Red, white, and blue ones that the good guys land on the roof . Just runnin my mouth!! Mike I ponder on this dangerous, but irresistible pastime- Pink Floyd

Uhhh, maybe this DZ does IAD. Same income as S/L, and maybe they bashed S/L simply to keep the student from going elswhere. Improbable theory, but possible and hadn't been mentioned. Mike I ponder on this dangerous, but irresistible pastime- Pink Floyd

I wish we could vote for an AFF or something so you could start into a progression. Mike I ponder on this dangerous, but irresistible pastime- Pink Floyd

Copied from my longer post on "Make and Model: Thread: . I do believe that the pilot chute that used to be on the Clipper is still in use on another rig, and still has my bloodstain on it from an unfortunate runway landing. You kiddies listen to your jumpmaster when he tells you that maybe you should have more than 19 jumps before you decide to be cool jumping in those Teva's!! Thought you might get a laugh out of that! Mike I ponder this dangerous, but irresistible pastime- Pink Floyd

Ahhhh, the Clipper 196. I remember being just off student status jumping Raiders, and being elated that I could now try the *exciting* rental gear that consisted of a Clipper 196, and a PD 190. I do believe that the pilot chute that used to be on the Clipper is still in use on another rig, and still has my bloodstain on it from an unfortunate runway landing. You kiddies listen to your jumpmaster when he tells you that maybe you should have more than 19 jumps before you decide to be cool jumping in those Teva's!! I'll tell you what, I'm looking for a Crossfire or FX to load at 1.9 to 2.2, but thinking back, those old worn out trucks used to offer a lot of excitement. And I don't remember complaining about lack of flare or whining about penetration! Mike I ponder this dangerous, but irresistible pastime- Pink Floyd

Bored much? Go jump. Mike

Sweet, on the Safety and training page talkin about sneaking on loads at Quincy!! I gotta visit here more often! Mike

i Am nOt aS taalntEd as KRiS aT tHIs. GoOd Vidddeo)99 tHouGh!! Mike Veni, Vidi, Velcro...I came, I saw, I stuck Around

Anybody ever jump a Polish "Wilga"? 55 minutes to 8 grand before we gave up. No doors. COLD (in August in Oklahoma.) As far as we know, we were the first load on one in the US. We issued Wilga #'s (-1, -2, -3 etc..) It was hilarious, all of the instruments went backwards. A nice cliche. Mike Veni, Vidi, Velcro...I came, I saw, I stuck Around

OK, I believe these are called Integrity risers. Mike Veni, Vidi, Velcro...I came, I saw, I stuck Around

My Dad has a Sabre 190, and it seems like he just stows the one line, and then lets the excess of the other one fall into the pack job. BUT, I'm not sure. You guys gonna be out this weekend? Mike Veni, Vidi, Velcro...I came, I saw, I stuck Around

Just curious, Reversed like integrity risers, or reversed like big ring on top??? Mike Veni, Vidi, Velcro...I came, I saw, I stuck Around

Nah, it could be worse. You could be over confident. Keep flying, HAVE FUN, you'll do fine! Mike Hey, I'm not packed, what's in that one? Never mind, I'll jump it!

Man, that's twice I've run into you on canopy related threads. Both times you've made perfect sense. You're lucky I'm married! Mike Hey, I'm not packed, what's in that one? Never mind, I'll jump it!

Yeah, I thought about ixnaying the signature, but then, like I said, It's your choice! And I've jumped about every type of square/eliptical around. Most of these jumps I was not using the best judgment, but that's how you learn so you can lecture others. Man, I did sound kinda condescending. Sorry. Just my opinion. And yes.........F*^& IT! I'll Jump it! Mike Hey, I'm not packed, what's in that one? Never mind, I'll jump it!

Yeah, what Kris said. There seems to be an idea that since it has pretty much been determined that ellipticals are better airfoils than squares, everybody should jump one. I disagree. I do not have thousands of jumps, and do not consider myself to be any kind of an expert, but I have to throw in my two cents in the interests of safety. I've been in this sport for about 6 years. My first rig was a Vector II and a Sabre 170. Stilettos were state of the art, and Batwings were fringe. 6 years later, I am selling my Sabre 150 for a crossfire/cobalt/vengeance(whichever I like better when the demo's get here.) I load my Sabre at about 1.65, and just now feel like I can fly that canopy in any situation that might be necessary. I truly believe that a skilled pilot can surf a Sabre, Tri, or EVEN an Esprit farther than an average pilot can an elliptical, not to mention more safely. (FYI, I am jumping a PD-253R 7-cell until I buy a new main, and LOVING it.) Ellipticals ARE better wings, look at paragliders. If we could get a paraglider to deploy reliably, I bet they would surf for a mile. BUT, a better wing doesn't mean a wing for everyone. WE ARE ALL RESPONSIBLE FOR OURSELVES, and 98.5% of the time, a jumper won't get hurt with a canopy he/she can't fly to it's extremes (full brakes, or deep in the corner, or stalling out at 50 feet because of a dust devil.) That's your choice, but a square canopy may be more forgiving due to its LOWER PERFORMANCE. Sorry about the lecture, and remember....IT'S YOUR CHOICE, thank God! Mike Hey, I'm not packed, what's in that one? Never mind, I'll jump it!

Oh, I know who that is! HILARIOUS!! He definitely doesn't belong in the "Skygod" category! You guys going to the DZ this weekend? The wife and I are going to one of those Murder Mystery dealies on Sat., so I don't get to jump til Sunday . Mike Hey, I'm not packed, what's in that one? Never mind, I'll jump it!

Ooh, Ooh, Ooh....Name names Pammi! C'mon, everybody loves a good DZ rock fight! (Remind me to tell you guys the rock fight story if you haven't heard it.) Mike Hey, I'm not packed, what's in that one? Never mind, I'll jump it!