WFFC

Yes - posted last night. http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=2297599#2297599 ----- ~~~Michael

btw, I am feeling better. down to 99.8 at last measure. ----- ~~~Michael

Let me know if you need a permission slip or a Dr's note. I'm sure we can come up with one. ----- ~~~Michael

To clarify, this was one year that it was all a done deal. The aircraft insurer (Lords of London) pulled the plug at the last minute, the last minute being the morning it was supposed to arrive in Rantoul. It was not advertised as 'confirmed' other than this one year. I've got copies of the letters from the operator confirming and pulling out on a CD in a box somewhere. Yes, it did leave a sour taste in people's mouth, but a boogie is not all about a single plane is it? I thought it was about the brotherhood and comraderie? And yes, you can get that at your local big DZ, but what about your brothers that you only get to see once a year at a large event? I didn't go to the WFFC last year but honestly I'm looking at going this year just to see friends that I now haven't seen in almost 2 years, only talked to and chatted online. ----- ~~~Michael

Since this is something we need to plan for, those who have previously jumped the 727 all received their DB Cooper numbers. Since our buddy DB didn't jump out of a DC9, what kind of numbers should we come up with for this bird? ----- ~~~Michael

I'll hit with the bad news first so you all can beat me up in cyberspace here. The AN-2 is having to pull out due to insurance reasons. They initially had approval from their insurer but the insurer decided against and the operator does not want to fly without it, so it's not coming. Sorry all. We all get burned, but better before than during. Now the jet update. The test drops should be completed this Monday or Tuesday (June 26-27) and if all the data comparisons turn out as anticipated (the 727 -v- MD80 -v- DC9) they'll get the final piece of the paperwork needed to drop jumpers out over the skies of Rantoul. A short history on this particular DC9: The Perris DC9-21 'Sport' is for short fields and high altitude airports. The airplane was the last of 10 built to these specs in 1969. The DC9 has never been officially jumped anywhere in the world so as long as all goes well with the test drops, we'll all get the pleasure of checking out this baby's backside. So, beat me up on the AN-2 and I'll update on the Jet when the results of the test drops are known. P.S. No test dummies are needed for the drops. The positions have already been filled. ----- ~~~Michael

I've previously answered this but I'll state it again here. This information has always been privy to a select few of the senior members of the staff - I'm not one of them. This unfortunately is not one that I will be able to get an answer for. I've been advised there will be a helo there. As the negotiations with the operator have not been completed, it hasn't been confirmed. I'm not going to put anything up that hasn't been confirmed. ----- ~~~Michael

ChrisL - I would agree with you on this, but this is what we did in the past and it was very effective. In years prior when I was involved, I was working a corporate job with semi normal hours. Now, I'm working as a consultant building a global communications network for an oil and gas company. I'm globetrotting to various sites (some cool, some 'what the hell am I doing here'). I'm not working normal hours and when I initially had a chat with Don about returning, I advised that I had already covered more than 125,000 flight miles this year (This was the middle of May). I've chatted with a few road warriors and this is way beyond anything they've ever seen too. I'm dedicating what freetime (freetime=rest/sleeptime) that I have to getting the information out regarding the WFFC so that it is accurate and also being the single best resource for all your information needs. For timing, my freetime generally only comes at night in the hotel after a 14-18 hour day. I'm sitting at home finally (I haven't been here much - 29 days in 2006) on my 4th day with a 102-103 degree fever that is refusing to break. All I was asking is give me a couple days to get this fever going the right direction and I'll get everything posted at once. This does not mean I'm going to crash on the couch all day doing nothing, I just would prefer to be in better health so I make sure that I don't miss a thing. Beth, Ellen & Judy in the office have been getting me everything that I need when I ask for it so I'm not anticipating any delays. On that note, anything new that I have I will post tomorrow evening (Friday June 23) still ill or not. Regards, ----- ~~~Michael

That's what I'm here for. ----- ~~~Michael

Hey all - I am reading everything here and I will get everything answered. I aplogize if I don't have a response today. I'm sitting in an airport with a 102 degree fever on my way home to get better - I cut my current trip short due to this and honestly, I'm just not feeling well. Also, I've only been back involved for a couple weeks and I was not involved from April of '05 up till recently. I've been brought back to inject some of the good vibes and assist in helping to bring back some of the specialty things the WFFC is know for. Now, here's the 'rules' that I ask everyone to try to adhere too: 1. If you didn't hear it from me, it's probably not true. 2. Ask me - Otherwise it's total hearsay and speculation. 3. give me a day or 2 to medicate and get over this fever. (please note that #3 means the most to me right now ) Also, when I say I'll have an answer, I will - if I say I'll post a response on Xday, Xday ends at midnight so please don't start trashing me at 6 AM. OK...running to the gate. ----- ~~~Michael

This has always been a closely guarded secret that even in my former position I was not privy to. Hearsay and speculation it sounds like. Either way, it will be a good time with plenty of lift capacity and a good time will be had by all. Please advise where I can get a $1300 7day hangover in London. Last time I was there I think it was about $600 for the hangover night. I'm awaiting a reponse on this. There has only been one other time as I recall that the jump ticket price changed (went up $1 as memory serves), but it did not affect any tickets that were purchased during pre-registration. I've been told yes, but haven't received confirmation of the who/why/when yet. As soon as I have confirmation, this will be posted. Yes - Rigging Solutions will be on the onsite rigger. ----- ~~~Michael

So these guys are going to give new meaning to 'pitching a tent' eh? ----- ~~~Michael

Give me a couple days. I'm on the road ill and heading home in the morning with some antibiotics awaiting me when I get there. (getting sick was not in my project plan damnit) ----- ~~~Michael

Yeah, you big meanie. ----- ~~~Michael

Fruit of my Rodriguez loins, Travel away. I just want to stay home and vacation for 7 days solid. Scratch Nigeria off your African adventure - Unless you're into dashing (bribing) the customs and immigration officers to get by them. Oh, and the mopol (Mobile Police aka big black dude with an AR15) was helpful getting around if traffic stopped. Oh...I get it. Grab any of the Lonely Planet books and go. Best guide books to get around the world on a tight budget. This year (I'll throw in the last 12 months), i've been to Norway, Scotland, Germany, Nigeria, Mexico and will be going to China, Brazil and back to Nigeria, Scotland and Norway before the year is up, probably multiple times. I've found a bit o time to play tourist and it's definitely made the torture of so many days away from home worth it. btw, I write this from a hotel on the tail end of a 11 day trip. ----- ~~~Michael

Exactly - Now, here's one more avenue to pursue. Get the hardware and get it mounted/setup/etc. Then, remove the bracket and just jump without it (the bracket) installed. Get a few more jumps under your belt and strap it back on at home. Stop by the WebCam/Photo trailer (should be up by manifest/ticket sales) and we should either be able to help or locate an experienced camera flyer to help you out. ----- ~~~Michael

My current project puts me in Houston a bunch. Trying to make sure that I 1. Schedule a trip down there during Skyfest 2. Schedule a day at the 'datacenter' to get some things 'done'. A skyfest stop is not set in stone (next month is way too far into the future for my travel plans). I still need to find a trailer to haul my 'toys' back to Rantoul. ----- ~~~Michael

I 'think' you might be able to do that. awaiting confirmation. ----- ~~~Michael

Well, I've got a couple things for tonight. First off, Powered Parachutes will be with us in the mornings and evenings from July 21-23. More info: Powered Paraglider Demonstration at 2006 World Free Fall Convention Twenty powered paraglider pilots from Illinois and Indiana have accepted a special invitation to the 2006 World Free Fall Convention in Rantoul, IL. These experienced and licensed pilots have been asked to demonstrate their unique sport in the WFFC Spectator Area during the mornings (Sunrise to 10:00 a.m.) and evenings (4:00 p.m. to Sunset) starting Friday (7/21) evening until Sunday (7/23) evening. Come witness the most simple form of flight where each pilot will strap on their paramotor and paraglider and within a few steps be airborne flying their parachutes that go both UP and down. The WFFC Spectators will have the up close opportunity to check over these flying machines and to talk with the pilots and ask questions about this fun aviation hobby. To learn more about powered paragliding check out the United States Powered Paraglider Association's (USPPA) website: //www.usppa.org/ or this video http://www.litetouchfilms.com/movies/portableppg.wmv And the confirmed 2006 Vendors to date: Miabay Jewelers Pack'n Cathy Rigging Solutions SSK Industries, Inc. Tony Suits E G Sky Technologies There are some others who have been in recent discussions but not committed yet. As other people do, I will upate the list. Be safe alland have a great weekend~ ----- ~~~Michael

OK...so I found 30 seconds: ----- ~~~Michael

Any idea of the price range for those jumps? I don't think that's been determined yet. Will find out the following: Seat count on the AN2 Projected jump ticket price for the Perris jet. I got dumped on last night and I've got a few things I need to do at my client's before flying out tomorrow AM. If I don't post answers to these tonight, I'll get them up with the confirmed vendors tomorrow. (Not seeing much sleep in my night tonight). ----- ~~~Michael

Not sure...checking. ----- ~~~Michael

Oh cool...so floaty sparkly things have been added to the hose water since I was there last?

This airplane was in airline service in the Ukraine from 1970 till 1992 and registered as CCCP-02445. The plane departed Chernigov, Ukraine on April 4, 1992 and arrived in Murphreesboro Tennessee on May 5, traveling a distance of more than 9000 miles and endured temperatures as low as -42 degrees C. while stranded on a frozen lake in Siberia, north of the Arctic Circle in a freezing fog storm. Since that time the plane has appeared in many airshows and has had the Golden Knights jump from it in 1998. A craft of this type was at the WFFC in 1994 for limited jumping. The FAA is working with the WFFC on the documentation review process and when complete, will be the only craft of it's type approved for jumping in the US, only at the WFFC. (See attached) So? ----- ~~~Michael