rmarshall234

>>The best magazine on the planet, how can this be? Crazy times for sure. A suggestion: For those that would like to show their appreciation for the execellent work Skydiving Mag has accomplished through the years...when your refund check arrives throw it in the trash. That's what I'll be doing. For a measly $15/year look at what they've provided. Plus, its money already spent, I won't miss it. For those that would like to see someone pick up the torch and carry on - do the same. It might send the message that there is a willing and supportive market out here and provide the encouragement they need to take the plunge.

As for myself, I'll be contacting Skydiving Mag to let them know there is no need to refund the remainder of my subscription. What a great resource and great service they've provided through the years. Running a small business, especially a news reporting business in these economic times, is more likely a labor of love than a business venture. I thank the staff at Skydiving Magazine and wish them the best as they move on.

To me it means....the same thing a "self regulated" neighborhood meant when I was growing up. In other words....you didn't act out or screw up in front of Mrs... "Crabapple's" house. Or whoever the adult person of authority might be. Because if you did, they would be all over you explaining the right way to conduct yourself. And, that little exchange may find its way to your parents later that day for a second round of explanation. People that know better, watching out for those that haven't yet learned. That's what self regulation means to me. And, the "Mrs. Crabapples" are us, the instructional staff and senior jumpers in the sport. We either self regulate and work to improve the system, or the FAA steps in and regulates the sport.

Thought I might get away with being lazy again....damn. Here it is (in regards to the FAA model anyway). Part 61.51 Pilot logbooks (h) Logging training time (2) The training must be logged in a logbook and must: (ii) Include a description of the training given, the length of the training lesson, and the authorized instuctor's signature, certificate number, and certificate expiration date. Not sure we want to adopt the "length of the training lesson" part ;-) but the rest is there. And, I now know to include the "month" the rating expires as well as the year.

>The experation date of the rating I have not seen, but that makes more sense to me. It follows the FAA model and I'm sure must be in the regs somewhere, although I haven't searched it out. Example: If a flight instuctor signs your pilot logbook, they list the year their rating expires. Maybe someone like Tombuch can elaborate.

Signature, D#, Rating, Year rating expires

>>There is ample precedent in aviation law that an inspection does not say that everything stays legal throughout the inspection interval. The classic example of the ELT battery is a great one since it deals with the identical issue as applied to an aircraft. Actually, I think it is a better example than the AAD to show that the FAA does not expect component life to limit an inspection. An ELT is required equipment, and AAD is not. If your A&P says he will not sign off on an annual because your ELT battery will expire in 11 months, you go find another A&P. Why should the AAD battery be treated differently? --------------------------------------------------------- Exactly. Thank you. (Another example would be not signing off an annual inspection because the Transponder certification will come due within the next 12 months.) The signature at repack time signifies that the rig is in an airworthy condition at that time. It then becomes the owner or operator's responsibility to make sure it stays that way when in use.

" Then called my FAA FSDOand he opined it was the airman's/parachutist's responsibility if a governmental rule change causes something to "time out". Not the rigger's reposibility, when it was properly legal/in compliance when the work was performed. This is one FAA official's position, and, makes sense to me. " ------------------------------------------------------------ Additionally: Part 91.405 (as listed below) already addresses this issue of something going out of compliance before the next req'd inspection. I see no reason to expect the FAA to treat parachute equipment any different than they do aircraft. The onus is put on the "owner or operator" to make sure the equipment is kept legal and airworthy. I believe this approach is helpful in that if the user is brought in the loop, they will likely become more involved and more educated and that can only be a good thing. 91.405 Maintenance required. Each owner or operator of an aircraft— (a) Shall have that aircraft inspected as prescribed in subpart E of this part and shall between required inspections, except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, have discrepancies repaired as prescribed in part 43 of this chapter; (b) Shall ensure that maintenance personnel make appropriate entries in the aircraft maintenance records indicating the aircraft has been approved for return to service; (c) Shall have any inoperative instrument or item of equipment, permitted to be inoperative by §91.213(d)(2) of this part, repaired, replaced, removed, or inspected at the next required inspection; and (d) When listed discrepancies include inoperative instruments or equipment, shall ensure that a placard has been installed as required by §43.11 of this chapter

Would it reduce the malfunction rate from tension knots? I've always thought the rate was unacceptable and is the "first link" in a chain. I think the only reason we haven't seen more cutaway injuries/fatalities is the professionalism of the TI's.

I suck at posting pictures so I hope this works. Might have to cut and paste. Pics of the buildings at Pope and one of the runway (just past the road). These were taken in January of 04. Sorry they aren't any better...but should bring back some old memories nontheless. It really was amazing how little things had changed in ~ 25 years. [IMG]http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/4252/popevalley2nh5.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://img385.imageshack.us/img385/7043/popevalley3yf6.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/7036/popevalley1rh8.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/9529/popevalley4az8.jpg[/IMG]

Judy and I stopped by there a few years back to see how things have changed. It was remarkably the same. The buildings -as I remember them- were still there and the runway intact but overgrown with weeds. I'll see if I can dig up a few pics from the trip and post them later tonight.

That just tells me the poor quality of instruction and egocentric attitude is evident in log book entries as well. Doesn't surprise me. There are some really good intructors and some really bad instructors out there and you and I have worked with them both, Ed. It seems to me, making yourself directly available to the student population like you've done is the way to go. That way, you succeed or fail based on your own reputation. Which is in turn, based on your quality of work. Robert

Nice post. Give it some thought. (The man went and earned a perspective most of us will never know.)

I also, miss the way things used to be in the sport but am okay with the fact they are gone forever. However, unlike NickDG, I don't think the Tandems are to blame. I think it is more a result of the gear becoming so good and so safe. What attracted me to the sport many years ago was the sense of self-reliance required to participate. And, the rugged individualists like NickDG that personified the sport. As I remember, malfunction rates were 1 in 100 and you truly were a dead man when you left the plane unless you did everything right. I loved that. Except for the present Instructor corps (speaking very generally) I think those individuals are a small minority these days. There also, was an acute sense of family and exceptance that does not seem to exist now. Case in point; when Judy and I showed up at Cal City ~ 10 years ago to jump and they were blown out, we were welcomed by Nick and immediately given a beer. We then enjoyed a fun-filled poo poo platter dinner with him and his girlfriend in town. It was the only time before or since I've met him but will always remember. We didn't even jump and yet he showed us a good time. I don't begrudge any DZO's or Tandem Masters for catering to the tandem crowd, that's where the bread and butter is and it's become a lucrative business. Besides, the professionalism of this crowd (where I've worked anyway) has become something to behold. The old days are gone and that's fine. Time moves on. I'm just glad to hear they still exist in the Base community and people have a place to go to find it. As for the original post, that DZO seemed to pull a bait and switch (wether intentionally or not) and those flaky folks can be found in any business.

Had a couple buddies try this at Brown Field many years ago with a Sabre I. Bad idea. The opening shock slammed George into Scotty and broke his femur as well as snapping 4 lines on his canopy. The poor guy had to cut-away from that and land his reserve with a broken leg. A different time and a different canopy for sure, but a good example of what can go wrong. As for wing loading...not sure but I would guess a bit more than 400 lbs under a 170.

James Richey is his given name (according to the book anyway) we all just called him Gila. He remembered that he owed me twenty bucks on his way out the door and kinda looked around then reached in his bag and gave me the book as payment. I thought that was an honorable thing to do and respected him for it. His approach with that cocky student wasn't very elegant, but it sure got the point across.

There is always the very direct approach used by a very experienced colleague at Brown Field once: "YOU'VE GOT TWO *&%!!@ JUMPS YOU DON'T KNOW SHIT". Might want to work up to that one though. I think Gila needed a little time off...wonder what ever happened to him....gave me a copy of his skydiving book before he moved on...a very memorable dude. Peace, if you're out there bro.

If you call the DZ and can manage to talk to Buzz, I'm sure he'll work something out for you.

Wonderful services for a beautiful man. It was great to see everyone again....fly free Shindig.

What a fine man Shindig was. Always smiling, laughing, or telling a great story. And the proudest and happiest father you ever knew. And on and on... This one hurts more than most. I'm left reminded of the phrase.."the good die young". If anyone hears of when the services will be please let me know, I'd like to go. Robert M

In addition, aviation requires a healthy dose of respect. Respect for your equipment...things can _suddenly_ go to shit and you must have the knowledge, experience and composure to deal with it. Respect for the weather...the change can be insidious, and now you're in over your head. Respect for the regs....even though you don't agree with them. Respect for your peers....they know things you haven't yet learned. And even, respect for the system.....there is usually a pretty good reason things are the way they are. Keep at it and keep your mind open.

Jay Stokes has all the qualities you just mentioned. The kind of guy one would try to emulate, but always fall short. A rare individual...to be sure.

The idea is stop your descent and put the canopy into level flight (stage 1). Stage 2 is to continue the flare slowing down your forward speed (the swoop). As mentioned, if you can get to a good canopy control class (such as Flight-1 or Freedom of Flight) you'll be amazed at how much you learn.

And just as we were preparing to board for a jump the FAA decides to do a ramp check. Bastards! Still the coolest airplane I've ever jumped out of. I loved falling away and watching those 4 props spin slowly..and, that one-of-a-kind tail. All was right with the world until my Pagasus opened up with lines wrapped around a slider stop and I decided to land in half brakes. Ouch! Should have cut that one away.

I just put on my skydiving goggles and trainrobbery face scarf, and rode the scooter for about 8-10 miles in each direction of N. Escondido and it looks like we've seen the worst of it here. Now the clean-up begins. Rancho Bernardo got hit hard, lots of homes were lost there. With the low winds today and favorable forecast for the remainder of the week, we should be hearing some good news soon. Really glad to hear Skydive SD is okay. The sad part is...lots of people lost their homes in SD County and the fire season (for this area) has just begun.