craichead

Do you mean the USPA Skydiver's Information Manual (SIM)? Here's a particularly helpful section for AFF students: http://www.uspa.org/publications/SIM/2005SIM/section4.htm _Pm __ "Scared of love, love and aeroplanes...falling out, I said takes no brains." -- Andy Partridge (XTC)

And here's the second article, featuring our very own Loud Tom! http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/chi-050711jumpside,1,3409166.story Accidents, death just part of the business By Jimmy Greenfield RedEye Published July 11, 2005 The beauty and wonder of skydiving is what drove Tom Startz to leave his landscaping business seven years ago and begin jumping out of planes for a living. Actually, it's not quite a living. "We make a bare existence," said the 45-year-old instructor at Chicagoland Skydiving Center. "But I open my parachute at 5,000 feet, and there's my office." Startz, who has made more than 2,000 jumps, has also seen the dark side of the business. Four years ago, he was standing about 15 feet away from two of his friends when they fell to their deaths. Deborah Luhmann and Steve Smith, along with Startz, were part of a 12-person team practicing for a national competition on Oct. 6, 2001, when Luhmann and Smith's parachutes became entwined about 75 feet above ground. "As they were coming in to landing, they got tangled up," Startz said. "They were spinning under their canopy, and they hit the ground. Not having seen that before, I thought both should have gotten up. But they didn't." Less than 24 hours later, the rest of the team, including Startz, was back up in the sky practicing for their competition. "(Deborah's fiance) said, 'Let's go.' When the man who lost someone says, 'Let's go,' you don't fail him." The accident occurred over the drop zone of Skydive Chicago, the largest skydiving school in the Chicago area. There have been 15 fatalities since Skydive Chicago opened in Ottawa in 1993. The most recent came last July when a 31-year-old Chicago man died. Startz was an instructor at Skydive Chicago for several years before joining CSC in 2004. "Some of the things that happened down there just happened," Startz said. "I lost a couple of my instructor buddies doing silly things they shouldn't have been doing. But that's the nature of the business." Skydive Chicago co-owner Melissa Nelson said she and her brother, Matt, run a safe drop zone. Their instructors are drug-tested every year, and they recently upgraded their equipment. The problem, she said, is not skydive centers but individual skydivers. "People come here, they want to show off," she said. "Different skydiving place, different people. And they just get that hot-shot attitude. Because egos are a big thing in our sport, and sometimes they do things that ultimately lead to death. Skydiving is a sport that's so much fun, but it's also a sport you need to respect." --jgreenfield@tribune.com __ "Scared of love, love and aeroplanes...falling out, I said takes no brains." -- Andy Partridge (XTC)

There are two complete articles online at the Chicago Tribune main web site. Here's the first one: http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/chi-050711jumpmain,1,1508622.story High life By Jimmy Greenfield RedEye Published July 11, 2005 The nerves that first-time skydiver Jamie Novack had been feeling on the ground grew stronger as she watched soloists jump out of the plane. Then she jumped, and the butterflies flew away. "It was no fear, no nothing," said Novack, 26. "It was like we were floating." Novack, who made her jump earlier this month at Chicagoland Skydiving Center in Hinckley, roughly 50 miles west of Chicago, isn't the only one floating on air these days. Although one might think that jumping from an airplane is inherently dangerous, if not deadly, about 3 million people skydive each year, according to the U.S. Parachute Association. But there were only 21 fatalities in the U.S. last year, according to the USPA. That was the fewest since 1992, when the USPA started tracking fatalities. The deadliest year was 1998, when 44 skydivers were killed. Only about 1,300 USPA members reported injuries in 2002, the last year for which statistics are available. That number could be low because of underreporting, said USPA spokesman Chris Needels, whose group has more than 33,000 members. Hinckley's Skydiving Center, with around 25,000 to 30,000 jumps a year, has had no fatalities since it was purchased by Doug Smith and Todd Davis five years ago. The only Chicago-area skydiving death in 2004 occurred at Ottawa-based Skydive Chicago, which has 50,000 to 100,000 jumps a year. Skydive Chicago has had 15 fatalities since opening in 1993. That doesn't mean it's an unsafe drop zone, Needels said. Drop zone is the name for the area in which skydivers land, but it also can refer to the entire facility. "You have to look at each fatality on what caused the fatality as opposed to just aggregate numbers," he said. Siblings Melissa and Matt Nelson inherited Skydive Chicago from their father, Roger Nelson, a skydiving entrepreneur who died in a skydiving accident there two years ago. He died when another jumper swerved into and collapsed his parachute about 50 feet above the ground. Skydive Chicago came under public scrutiny after Nelson's death and the string of other fatal accidents in 2001 and 2002. Nelson's death was ruled an accident, and the Federal Aviation Administration said at the time that no regulations were violated. "We don't want people in the local area to have such a bad taste in their mouth about who we are. Because they just don't know," Melissa Nelson said. "My brother and I have our own future together." Neither Skydive Chicago nor Chicagoland Skydiving Center would be in business without the money that comes in from first-time jumpers like Novack who jump in tandem, attached to an instructor who is responsible for pulling the rip cord of the parachute. Tandem jumpers at CSC go through about a half-hour of instruction. These tandem jumpers, who pay around $150 to $200, keep the industry afloat, according to Davis. Experienced jumpers buy jumps in bulk, which allows them to jump 10 times a day or more at around $20 a jump. "They jump all weekend, every weekend of the summer," said Davis, 32. "It's a lifestyle for them. It's an escape from their life." After making his first tandem jump earlier this summer, Pete Oliveira, 39, paid $2,300 for an additional 24 jumps at CSC. Oliveira said he likes the camaraderie at the skydiving club, which brings together people from all walks of life. "One thing I've noticed is it's not real cliquish," Oliveira said. "You have all socioeconomic backgrounds. It's fun being able to hang out and with people and not worry about all the other things that go on in life." Often it's a family affair. Oliveira's first jump was with his son. Novack was jumping with her father and husband. JaNette and Steve Lefkowitz spend their weekdays as business consultants, but when the weekend arrives, they leave the comfort of their Lincoln Park home for the thrill of skydiving. JaNette, 26, has made nearly 200 jumps at various jump zones and still has many jumps remaining on CSC's 100-jump package she bought for $1,600 at the start of the season. She's more terrified of riding in cars than she is of jumping out of planes, she said. Even as she nurses a swollen lip after a recent jump, she downplayed the seriousness of the accident. "We were supposed to go 1-2-3 and jump out all at the same time," she said. "And I just went out too early and got kicked in the face." Andy Whitmire, 22, talked about skydiving for a long time with his friends, but when he turned 18, the only person who would go with him was his uncle. Now Whitmire is spending his summer vacation from Penn State University as a parachute packer at CSC, jumping when he has the time and money. "I don't see it as being that dangerous," he said. "It's a high risk jumping out of a plane, but it's more dangerous driving a car here." Tory Davidson-Bell, an 18-year-old UIC student, had never even been in a plane when she came to Skydive Chicago in August after seeing a video of her boyfriend skydiving. She made her first jump on her birthday, got hooked and took a job with Skydive Chicago in February. She's now living in a trailer on the drop zone grounds, has 20 jumps to her credit and has still never flown on a commercial jet. "To this day, I've jumped out every single time [I've flown]," Davidson-Bell said. --jgreenfield@tribune.com __ "Scared of love, love and aeroplanes...falling out, I said takes no brains." -- Andy Partridge (XTC)

Yep! It flew two loads yesterday...looks like it's flying today, too! Tomorrow's weather looks perfect for the Friday Afternoon Club--I imagine a lot of people will be "getting sick." Andy and I won't get to jump it this weekend...we're going to Canada. _Pm __ "Scared of love, love and aeroplanes...falling out, I said takes no brains." -- Andy Partridge (XTC)

Unfortunately neither of us had a camera with, so Andy borrowed the DZOs camera to take pics. The photos will probably appear in the next CSC eNews Update this week...hoping they will, at least! Various interior shots (pre jump mods) can be found in the link that AndyMan first posted. _Pm __ "Scared of love, love and aeroplanes...falling out, I said takes no brains." -- Andy Partridge (XTC)

"Pre-seconds" -- LOL, that is the BEST euphemism I've heard! _Pm __ "Scared of love, love and aeroplanes...falling out, I said takes no brains." -- Andy Partridge (XTC)

WOOHOO!! Congratulations, Jeth! I do believe that is ! _Pm __ "Scared of love, love and aeroplanes...falling out, I said takes no brains." -- Andy Partridge (XTC)

Er...stickers meant to go on helmets? Which reminds me, I really need to put my "BLAME CANADA" sticker on my helmet! _Pm __ "Scared of love, love and aeroplanes...falling out, I said takes no brains." -- Andy Partridge (XTC)

Framed and sitting on the top shelf of our bookshelves in the den.

She's here! "Junkyard Dog" has arrived at Chicagoland Skydiving Center! She may be ugly on the outside, but the interior is gorgeous (beauty is on the inside! ), and she even has that NewOtter (tm) smell. For those who were wondering about the seating arrangement, it's equipped with two side benches that fold up (no back bench). Last night AndyMan and I went out to welcome the new jumpship, which incidentally arrived with several cases of Fat Tire! We toasted with champagne and had a cookout with burgers and brats. It was indeed a good night. Many thanks to Doug & TD (the DZOs) for the new toy and for the beer and food. _Pm Edited to add bench info and a link to CSC's webcam page: http://www.skydivecsc.com/zone/webcams.php __ "Scared of love, love and aeroplanes...falling out, I said takes no brains." -- Andy Partridge (XTC)

I dig the navy color series...but that's probably because my rig is primarily navy in color. The grass stains don't show up quite as much on my navy leg straps. I chose G, navy + yellow. As far as the backpad and legstrap linings are concerned...I think I like smoke.

LOL! AndyMan calls 'em "frog legs." Seems that more and more people are doing that now and NOT getting shit for it... Great pics, Mike! Purdy rig, too!

Haven't you noticed that we don't get the "when are you going to have babies" question as often? That means we get to "pay it forward"! _Pm __ "Scared of love, love and aeroplanes...falling out, I said takes no brains." -- Andy Partridge (XTC)

I've always wondered this myself... AndyMan and I had a civil ceremony with a justice of the peace. We're not religious in the slightest bit. I guess we're not really married--we're civilly united. Silly semantics! _Pm __ "Scared of love, love and aeroplanes...falling out, I said takes no brains." -- Andy Partridge (XTC)

Bummer, Anne--I know how much you were looking forward to your honeymoon in Rantoul. But the important thing is that no matter when/where your honeymoon is, you'll be with the love of your life!!!

Welcome Back, Mike! Congratulations again on getting your A license! Current weight: 185.0 Loss since Week 5: -2.8 _Pm __ "Scared of love, love and aeroplanes...falling out, I said takes no brains." -- Andy Partridge (XTC)

Bummer...we LOVE our Costco's booze department. I'm pretty impressed with their wine selection! With the way we and our friends drink margaritas, it should come in 5 gallon jugs! But alas, we can only get the 1.75 liter bottles...at least it has a convenient carrying handle so that we can hang on to the bottle even when we're drunk. _Pm __ "Scared of love, love and aeroplanes...falling out, I said takes no brains." -- Andy Partridge (XTC)

It's just an article on Salon.com about "smoothies," the new small-town metrosexual. Safe for work! http://www.salon.com/ent/feature/2005/06/30/smoothies/index.html Meet the smoothies! Metrosexuals, move over. The small towns of America are churning out macho, high-maintenance pretty men who love women and Budweiser -- and have perfectly waxed privates. _Pm __ "Scared of love, love and aeroplanes...falling out, I said takes no brains." -- Andy Partridge (XTC)

But, but...Andy sent me the link!!! _Pm __ "Scared of love, love and aeroplanes...falling out, I said takes no brains." -- Andy Partridge (XTC)

Agreed, Wendy! Mmm, smoothies. SFW Edited to add: The link is pretty harmless. Just an article on Salon.com about the increased media, er...exposure of those "hot looking bare-chested guys" Wendy speaks of.

But you don't need to be convinced to jump!

See here: http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=1510262#1510262 And here: http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=1510409#1510409 Edited to add: As far as the sale/manufacture of scratchy underpants is concerned...I have absolutely no clue on how people would vote. But if wearing scratchy underpants does it for ya, feel free to buy and wear scratchy underpants! Sounds kind of kinky to me... _Pm __ "Scared of love, love and aeroplanes...falling out, I said takes no brains." -- Andy Partridge (XTC)

When AndyMan and I were on our way to the DZ, we stopped at Costco to pick up supplies (the usual: water, fruit, tequila and beer ). There were a couple workers watching the Adrenaline Rush video and discussing how unnatural it was for someone to jump out of a plane. Andy whipped out a couple of his vidiot business cards (which also serve as $10 off coupons) and told them that if they were ever curious enough to try, Chicagoland Skydiving Center was about 45 minutes due west. They were still skeptical after our pep talks, but who knows? Maybe we'll see them out at the DZ this summer. _Pm __ "Scared of love, love and aeroplanes...falling out, I said takes no brains." -- Andy Partridge (XTC)

There was a really interesting story on NPR yesterday about a guy using bio-diesel fuel that he makes himself...he said that the exhaust often smells like takeout/fast food, and he would joke about how many cars would pull off at the nearest McDonald's exit if they were following him. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4722639 Morning Edition, June 29, 2005 · Mike Pelly, owner of Olympia Green Fuels, uses bio-diesel fuel to power his two cars. He makes the mixture from used vegetable oil discarded by Chinese restaurants and fast-food joints. Pelly tells Steve Inskeep how it works. _Pm __ "Scared of love, love and aeroplanes...falling out, I said takes no brains." -- Andy Partridge (XTC)

Cool, thanks DeNReN and sdctlc for your replies. Looks like we're going to be the trailblazers with these goggles! I just ordered a pair last night... _Pm __ "Scared of love, love and aeroplanes...falling out, I said takes no brains." -- Andy Partridge (XTC)