htrammel

nicely done. was that your first?

And a good time was had by all

Heh...oh he lived too. We were all open by 500'...that's plenty right? Man, I just don't know how so many of us survived after all the shit we pulled. Did I tell you about the time a relatively famous rigger did night jumps on acid with us? He was zoning out on the stars thinking they were streetlights and wondering why they weren't getting any closer. Realized he was on his back at around 7-800 feet, rolled and dumped. Damn we were stooooopid.

The stories about bad weather and "party favors" remonded me of a DZ not too far from Cape Canaveral where you could buy your jump ticket and a beer at the same window. So we're doin' 4 way and trying to dodge the crew dogs (ya know which DZ I'm talking about now). We had been getting 12.5K all weekend and then some high clouds moved in. So our 4 way got out at around 7.5k. The problem was our mental clocks were still set for a minute of skydiving time. We're crankin points, all focused and shit. I look across at PAt and he just dumps. One look at his eyes tells me we're screwed. I'm under 800 right over manifest/ bar. I turn (don't know why) and dump. Look down to see this musclehead Navy search and rescue swimmer falling away from me. Somehow he gets it out in time (he was jumping a Racer SST with a Unit main). We land and we're all quiet as a church mouse. Finally muscle head pipes up. "Maybe if we don't say anything, maybe nobody noticed." Arghhhh.

Been asked a few times. Not offended at all.

Hide the SO? Not generally. Playmates? DEFINITELY! Some things mom just doesn't need to know

uh Dave? Too much time on your hands today?

Have fun. We'll miss you.Senp pictures

There used to be a copy of "Proof" on Skydivingmovies.com Don't know if it's still up, though. And yeah, it's the same Truman.

Bonnie, I used to jump with a Steve Weiss in FL in the 80's-90's. Surely not the same guy you seek? Hope you're well. Wish we were back on the West coast. Much Love, Henry and Kelly

LOL even the FAA themselves agree they are assholes. ____________________________________________________ No Matt, Just some of them. like SOME jumpers Not all.

the safest pilots plan for all contigencies. they make plans for the "worst case." they will do the same regarding FAA Inspectors as well. until an Inspector earns a reputation for being fair and reasonable, a pilot must expect the worst and act accordingly. _____________________________________________________ Well said and true. I've been there. Hell, I'm still sort of that way with Feds I don't know. I suppose I was just trying to defend myself and those of us who are fair and reasonable.

But, but, HENRY - how can you be with the FAA AND have 2500 skydives? ------------------------------------------------------------- Heh, I started jumping long before I was a Fed. I was an A&P mechanic trying my damndest to avoid any contact with one of those assholes.

How about the FAA guy that grounded a plane that had a dent in the horizontal stab? ----------------------------------------------------------------- Well, to clairify. No FAA inspector has the authority to ground an airplane. We can tell you what we saw, we can fill out a "Condition Report" and hang a copy of it on the aircraft. But it is the operator who is responsible for assuring airworthiness. If the dent had already been properly inspected and found to be within limits then they are absolutely within their rights to fire it up and fly it. Yes, we do check paperwork. It's one of the things I like least about the job. But I also have a solid background in GA, skydiving aircraft, biz jets and large 121 air carrier aircraft. You can bet I place a whole lot more emphasis on the actual condition of the aircraft. I'm sorry you had an experience with one of "those" inspectors. I'm just asking that we don't all get thrown into the same pigeon hole. Just like, as a jumper, I don't want to be stereotyped because of the actions of a few jumpers. Respectfully, Henry Trammel

I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news but the FAA is anything but your friend. You will find that out the hard way if they ever feel the need to investigate your work and you see how the guy you have a “relationship “ with will not give you a fair shake much less the benefit of the doubt. It is their job to find fault and culpability in ANY infraction. --------------------------------------------------------------- Sorry, I gotta take that one. I ALWAYS give people the benefit of the doubt and I ALWAYS give everyone a fair shake. It is NOT my job to find fault, it IS my job to ensure safety in aviation. It sounds like you have experience with one of the (increasingly fewer) FAA Inspectors who doesn't represent the majority of us. I'm sorry for that. But please, don't assume that all of us are just out to get you. We're just out to keep you from killing yourself or someone else. Blues, Henry

I see Mike McGuire. He was my S/L then AFF JM in the 80's along with Don Yahrling (RIP). HAven't seen Larry Elmore and Mike Wadel in many years.

With you on the other end, there would have to be a high five. Would it be your lovely wife we're... public forum. Never mind Wink ----------------------------------------------------------------

Heh Heh. Welcome to the debate Timmy. So, what do you think? High fives are acceptable, or adults ina pile should just be in the moment? Oh...and when are you coming to the east coast? We miss you. H & K

Heh...We don't know ya ...yet....but we likes ya How YOU doin?

I don't know ya, but I like ya. Laugh

Now what would be weird and stalkerish is if we took this conversation to PM. Shocked Or would it?

I gotta disagree. I did that once (in the bunkhouse at the DZ in Palatka, FL) and yeah, it seemed cool at the time. I was younger. But, I found that it is MUCH more satisfying to include all of the participants and not treat anyone like an object. I can guarantee you that the end result is MUCH more...um...satisfying. Do I sound like RhondaLea yet?

Aw shucks maam. That ain't freaky. It's just fun.

No we haven't met. It's been a long time since I jumped down south. But...I have seen many of your posts...just sort of expected that response. Made me smile Now, can you say "Ya'll again? any context, doesn't matter, I miss southern girls.