Just a blog to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. No, I will not say happy holidays, because I am celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, not some other random mumble jumble.
MERRY CHRISTmas everyone!!!
Monday, December 24, 2007
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
SQEAK! squeak!
I went to the dropzone on Sunday to do a jump with some austrailian guy. Ended up doing three jumps, but only one of them with him.
1st jump: 2 way: with a newer 42 jump guy. We did open accordian exit. switched sides, star, 360 turn, star... got through the page twice. He is pretty good for that low numbers.
2nd jump: tracking dive. I crashed into someone on exit. woops, got my bearings, looked down, and saw that I was above/in front.. I tried to turn around, and start tracking witht them, but I sunk out too much. bummer. One of these days, I will actually be IN the tracking dive.
3rd jump. kind of a memorial jump for skinnyshrek. We did a tube exit. though this was a different tube than any I have done before. 3 way. had 2 on floor/door, and me above. launched the tube. held for a few seconds, let go. got into a star. spun the star. squeak let go, and let us go flying apart. got back together, had some fun just flying there, geeking each other.
It was a fun relaxing, no stress jump. I like those!
1st jump: 2 way: with a newer 42 jump guy. We did open accordian exit. switched sides, star, 360 turn, star... got through the page twice. He is pretty good for that low numbers.
2nd jump: tracking dive. I crashed into someone on exit. woops, got my bearings, looked down, and saw that I was above/in front.. I tried to turn around, and start tracking witht them, but I sunk out too much. bummer. One of these days, I will actually be IN the tracking dive.
3rd jump. kind of a memorial jump for skinnyshrek. We did a tube exit. though this was a different tube than any I have done before. 3 way. had 2 on floor/door, and me above. launched the tube. held for a few seconds, let go. got into a star. spun the star. squeak let go, and let us go flying apart. got back together, had some fun just flying there, geeking each other.
It was a fun relaxing, no stress jump. I like those!
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Job Hunt
Well, I lost my job two weeks ago, and have had no luck finding a new one. I'm trying to get into the electrical field, but will take anything that comes my way. If anyone knows somewhere that is hiring, let me know! I'm more than willing to relocate out of state if the pay is enough to support. Here in so cal, i'm looking for something that pays $16/hour. but will settle for something that is $12/hour. I just need something, asap! I'm at the point where it is starting to depress me.
hmmmm, Looking at my blog, It seems that I have taken a turn in the content that I originally wanted for this. Perhaps I will make the change back to geared at skydiving, or just keep it going as a personal journal in the life of a skydiver type of deal. Only time, and posts will tell!
hmmmm, Looking at my blog, It seems that I have taken a turn in the content that I originally wanted for this. Perhaps I will make the change back to geared at skydiving, or just keep it going as a personal journal in the life of a skydiver type of deal. Only time, and posts will tell!
Saturday, December 8, 2007
I'm going to be a daddy!
YIKES! I have recently gotten news that I am going to be a daddy. That is some scary stuff right there! A little shermanator running around. Can that be a good thing?
Anyways, This is a child made out of wedlock, so that stinks. But what can I do about that? marry the girl? HELL YES! Before this situation happened, I was already wanting to marry my beautiful girlfriend. The reason that i haven't gotten a ring yet, is because she was is not ready. She is not ready to give up the irresponsible fun life.. Thought what i see in her is already a responsible young lady, who doesn't really go out and party too much.
So, what is next? I will get a job, because i lost my job a week after finding the news. .. Get a job, Get a ring, propose , get a place/get married. how does that sound? It works in my head. .. Maybe get two jobs?
Anyone out there willing to give advice, I'm all ears.. or in the case of this being the internet where text is the median.. I'm all eyes.
Anyways, This is a child made out of wedlock, so that stinks. But what can I do about that? marry the girl? HELL YES! Before this situation happened, I was already wanting to marry my beautiful girlfriend. The reason that i haven't gotten a ring yet, is because she was is not ready. She is not ready to give up the irresponsible fun life.. Thought what i see in her is already a responsible young lady, who doesn't really go out and party too much.
So, what is next? I will get a job, because i lost my job a week after finding the news. .. Get a job, Get a ring, propose , get a place/get married. how does that sound? It works in my head. .. Maybe get two jobs?
Anyone out there willing to give advice, I'm all ears.. or in the case of this being the internet where text is the median.. I'm all eyes.
Monday, December 3, 2007
1 800 sky ride SCAM ALERT!
Well, USPA has decided to accept skyride approving of their decietful methods of business practice. In doing so, they have taken off of their website, the consumer warning against 800-sky-ride. I have decided to post one of the MANY warning against skyride here, in hopes that this will pop into someones search while they are looking for a place to make a skydive, will read this blog, and find an actual dropzone, not a skyride website/phone number.
Consumers Beware of a National Gift Certificate SCAM!
We DO NOT accept national gift certificates from any organization, for example 1-800-Skyride. They are NOT an actual physical drop zone, but a facade web site intended to divert customers away from actual established places. Their claim to have the "best" safety record is probably true: If you make zero jumps, you have zero incidents!
Learn why this is a scam that hurts our sport:
www.funjumper.com/skyride
www.1800skyrider.com (an anti- Skyride web site)
http://www.uspa.org/about/index.htm
http://uspa.org/publications/parachutist/capcom1004.htm (from USPA headquarters)
http://www.makeithappen.com/jumps/review/cedartown.html (Jan Meyer's compilation)
DZO's from across the country are currently discussing how to address this issue that creates bad PR for the sport. Here's how you can tell it's a scam:
The web site encourages the reader to call and make an appointment. There is never any physical address listed.
The complete package price includes a port fee, weather insurance and sometimes an extra charge to ride in the big plane.
After you give out your credit card information you are told where the drop zone is. No one is ever told where the drop zone is until money has changed hands.
Two people suspected of heading this fraud are actual skydivers and DZOs, Ben Butler and Cary Quattrocchi.
We and many other DZOs have been contacted by 1-800-Skyride several times to solicit our involvement in accepting these national gift certificates. We declined for many reasons (glad we did) but we believe that is why they have focused a web site directly against our drop zones.
If you've been a victim of this, contact the Better Business Bureau: Update ond 30 Jan 05: or contact the Federal Trade Commission.
USPA at their recent Board of Directors meeting denounced the business practices of 1-800-SkyRide and "strongly urged" them to discontinue. An owner from SkyRide was present to take the reprimand.
The following is taken with permission from www.skydivenewport.com (Thank you Marc Tripari!)
Beware the middleman! In the recent months many web sites have popped up offering skydiving gift certificates and attempting to book reservations for skydiving.
They appear to be representing a skydiving center in your local area and make claims that they have the highest skydiving safety record, use the best equipment, have been serving the local area for a long time, offer the least expensive skydive, and have the closest jumping location to metropolitan areas.
However, these web sites are actually nothing more than a middle man or skydiving reservation agency which costs you money. Be leary of their many misrepresentations!
To help you determine if a web site represents an actual skydiving center:
Does the web site provide a business address for the drop zone?
Does the web site include specific information about their jumpmasters or the name of their Chief Instructor?
Does the web site include specific information about their facilities such as which airport, lounges or type of runways?
Does the web site claim to be a National Skydiving Association (NSA) participating skydiving center? The NSA is fictional.
The only regulatory agency for sport skydiving in the USA is the United States Parachute Association (USPA). The USPA is a membership organization that maintains and regulates a group member listing of drop zones which abide by the association's Basic Safety Regulations.
Still not sure if they are legitimate, call the 800 number and ask where they are located. If they cannot answer immediately without asking where you are calling from, then you have reached the middle man!
You might be asking "why not go through one of these agencies?"
Deceptive business practices: They employ a templated web site which offers the same facts and pictures across the country, but claim to represent a local drop zone.
Location and distance: The agent will only book you with a participating skydiving center, sometimes several states away!
Bogus fees: Airport Fee, Homeland Security Fee, Poor Weather / Re-Schedule Fee are all tacked on after you have already paid over the internet and arrive for your appointment. You may initially only pay $165 over the internet. However after you arrive and add up the fees, your bill can quickly exceed $250 for the jump alone. The Homeland Security Fee is especially troublesome, since it preys on our fears of terrorism and your belief that you are contributing to National Security.
Low budget operations: Usually, the skydiving center in the area who is participating with these booking agencies is so small and low budget that they are unable to market for themselves. And if they can't afford marketing, how can they afford good instructors, quality gear, or have properly maintained aircraft?
Making a skydive is an experience you will remember and cherish for life. It is important that this experience be performed by a competent, professional center associated with the United States Parachute Association. Choosing to make a reservation with an agency which makes claims of, but has no control over, safety, instructors and equipment quality is literally throwing caution into the wind. Do your research before you jump. Your safety and enjoyment depend on it.
This web page has been brought to you by a concerned community of USPA certified skydiving centers serving the Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Rhode Island areas.
Consumers Beware of a National Gift Certificate SCAM!
We DO NOT accept national gift certificates from any organization, for example 1-800-Skyride. They are NOT an actual physical drop zone, but a facade web site intended to divert customers away from actual established places. Their claim to have the "best" safety record is probably true: If you make zero jumps, you have zero incidents!
Learn why this is a scam that hurts our sport:
www.funjumper.com/skyride
www.1800skyrider.com (an anti- Skyride web site)
http://www.uspa.org/about/index.htm
http://uspa.org/publications/parachutist/capcom1004.htm (from USPA headquarters)
http://www.makeithappen.com/jumps/review/cedartown.html (Jan Meyer's compilation)
DZO's from across the country are currently discussing how to address this issue that creates bad PR for the sport. Here's how you can tell it's a scam:
The web site encourages the reader to call and make an appointment. There is never any physical address listed.
The complete package price includes a port fee, weather insurance and sometimes an extra charge to ride in the big plane.
After you give out your credit card information you are told where the drop zone is. No one is ever told where the drop zone is until money has changed hands.
Two people suspected of heading this fraud are actual skydivers and DZOs, Ben Butler and Cary Quattrocchi.
We and many other DZOs have been contacted by 1-800-Skyride several times to solicit our involvement in accepting these national gift certificates. We declined for many reasons (glad we did) but we believe that is why they have focused a web site directly against our drop zones.
If you've been a victim of this, contact the Better Business Bureau: Update ond 30 Jan 05: or contact the Federal Trade Commission.
USPA at their recent Board of Directors meeting denounced the business practices of 1-800-SkyRide and "strongly urged" them to discontinue. An owner from SkyRide was present to take the reprimand.
The following is taken with permission from www.skydivenewport.com (Thank you Marc Tripari!)
Beware the middleman! In the recent months many web sites have popped up offering skydiving gift certificates and attempting to book reservations for skydiving.
They appear to be representing a skydiving center in your local area and make claims that they have the highest skydiving safety record, use the best equipment, have been serving the local area for a long time, offer the least expensive skydive, and have the closest jumping location to metropolitan areas.
However, these web sites are actually nothing more than a middle man or skydiving reservation agency which costs you money. Be leary of their many misrepresentations!
To help you determine if a web site represents an actual skydiving center:
Does the web site provide a business address for the drop zone?
Does the web site include specific information about their jumpmasters or the name of their Chief Instructor?
Does the web site include specific information about their facilities such as which airport, lounges or type of runways?
Does the web site claim to be a National Skydiving Association (NSA) participating skydiving center? The NSA is fictional.
The only regulatory agency for sport skydiving in the USA is the United States Parachute Association (USPA). The USPA is a membership organization that maintains and regulates a group member listing of drop zones which abide by the association's Basic Safety Regulations.
Still not sure if they are legitimate, call the 800 number and ask where they are located. If they cannot answer immediately without asking where you are calling from, then you have reached the middle man!
You might be asking "why not go through one of these agencies?"
Deceptive business practices: They employ a templated web site which offers the same facts and pictures across the country, but claim to represent a local drop zone.
Location and distance: The agent will only book you with a participating skydiving center, sometimes several states away!
Bogus fees: Airport Fee, Homeland Security Fee, Poor Weather / Re-Schedule Fee are all tacked on after you have already paid over the internet and arrive for your appointment. You may initially only pay $165 over the internet. However after you arrive and add up the fees, your bill can quickly exceed $250 for the jump alone. The Homeland Security Fee is especially troublesome, since it preys on our fears of terrorism and your belief that you are contributing to National Security.
Low budget operations: Usually, the skydiving center in the area who is participating with these booking agencies is so small and low budget that they are unable to market for themselves. And if they can't afford marketing, how can they afford good instructors, quality gear, or have properly maintained aircraft?
Making a skydive is an experience you will remember and cherish for life. It is important that this experience be performed by a competent, professional center associated with the United States Parachute Association. Choosing to make a reservation with an agency which makes claims of, but has no control over, safety, instructors and equipment quality is literally throwing caution into the wind. Do your research before you jump. Your safety and enjoyment depend on it.
This web page has been brought to you by a concerned community of USPA certified skydiving centers serving the Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Rhode Island areas.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Props to Velocity Sports!
So I bought all of my gear new, including an Infinity by VSE. about 118 jumps on it, I had my reserve repacked and my rigger caught the loop on my riser was frayed. not good. to top it off, it was on my riser with rsl, so, if it were to bust on me, I would have been in a heap of trouble, dealing with an entangles reserve. never a good thing! So I emailed Kelly at around 2am, on dropzone.com of all things, and heard back from him the very next morning. Send the risers in, and they were fixed for me. I can't say how grateful I am for the service I received from Kelly,. and Tony, all of the VSE team. I am happy that i chose them as my harness/container maker. Now... If we can get them to put the skyhook on it, I will diffidently be a lifelong customer.
Lot of accidents going on out there, be careful everyone!
Lot of accidents going on out there, be careful everyone!
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Safety
With safety day now over, and a couple of bounces that occurred, I think that I should say something on the matter.
I attended the safety day meetings at Elsinore on March 10Th. They went well. At first they went over some statistics of previous years accidents. For me, that was a bit boring. Rather than going over any specific incidents, it was just statistics and more statistics. What I was hoping for was some specifics: what happened, how it happened, and what could have been done to prevent it. Specifically those accidents that happened on the DZ. I know they don't like to talk about them, keep them hush hush, but they need to be known. I want to learn from others' mistakes, to become safer myself.
With that said, there is a portion of the safety meetings that i really pulled a lot from. Ryan S. gave a nice presentation on landing patterns. Yes, it is mainly review, but well needed for a lot of people. This seems to be where most fatalities are occurring in the past couple of years. Prior to this, i was thinking, that no matter what, I should do a downwind, cross, and final. but, with the presentation, I learned that it would be acceptable to join the pattern, from a long spot. I know, it is common sense, but, for some reason, it just was not clicking in my brain.
An example of something I did just that day that I could have used that information. I was on a longer spot, and was headed into the wind . I did not want to just go strait in, so I started to implement a quick landing pattern. I don't know why, my brain just told me to do it, and I did it. .. What ended up happening from it, Right as i started on the toggle, I then realized that i was already cutting it close to making it back, continued into a 360 turn. Looked around, and now had 2 choices: 1. to land on the roof of the industrial building, or 2. land in that building's parking lot, with trees and such on either side. Of course, I went for the parking lot, and had an uneventful landing. My little stunt scared the ST&A. As I was walking back to the DZ, I saw him on the street corner, looking for me, with a worried look on his face. I got the nice little speech, and it was done with.
It is funny how the information I needed, was just a couple hours away, in a meeting. I learned a valuable lesson, and hopefully those reading this can learn from that lesson as well!
Spencer, one of the pilots, and fellow jumpers did a presentation on aircraft safety. He went over the way his GPS spotting works, and how he figures everything into the equation, such as upper winds. It was very useful information. And thanks to spence, i will never stand on the second step of the loading ramp waiting to get on board...Don't want that unspent fuel on my rig!
Please everyone, be careful out there, keep your head on a swivel, and watch where you are going. I have heard of way too many canopy collisions. Luckily, the ones involving the people that I know personally occurred at a high enough altitude that EP's were able to save lives.
On that note, make sure, in a canopy collision/wrap that you communicate with each other. I have heard a story where 2 canopies collided, wrapped, and *what i have are rumors/second hand info* reserve was pulled before cutaway, no communication, and both pilots had rsl's still connected. Luckily, all was OK, both survived.
I attended the safety day meetings at Elsinore on March 10Th. They went well. At first they went over some statistics of previous years accidents. For me, that was a bit boring. Rather than going over any specific incidents, it was just statistics and more statistics. What I was hoping for was some specifics: what happened, how it happened, and what could have been done to prevent it. Specifically those accidents that happened on the DZ. I know they don't like to talk about them, keep them hush hush, but they need to be known. I want to learn from others' mistakes, to become safer myself.
With that said, there is a portion of the safety meetings that i really pulled a lot from. Ryan S. gave a nice presentation on landing patterns. Yes, it is mainly review, but well needed for a lot of people. This seems to be where most fatalities are occurring in the past couple of years. Prior to this, i was thinking, that no matter what, I should do a downwind, cross, and final. but, with the presentation, I learned that it would be acceptable to join the pattern, from a long spot. I know, it is common sense, but, for some reason, it just was not clicking in my brain.
An example of something I did just that day that I could have used that information. I was on a longer spot, and was headed into the wind . I did not want to just go strait in, so I started to implement a quick landing pattern. I don't know why, my brain just told me to do it, and I did it. .. What ended up happening from it, Right as i started on the toggle, I then realized that i was already cutting it close to making it back, continued into a 360 turn. Looked around, and now had 2 choices: 1. to land on the roof of the industrial building, or 2. land in that building's parking lot, with trees and such on either side. Of course, I went for the parking lot, and had an uneventful landing. My little stunt scared the ST&A. As I was walking back to the DZ, I saw him on the street corner, looking for me, with a worried look on his face. I got the nice little speech, and it was done with.
It is funny how the information I needed, was just a couple hours away, in a meeting. I learned a valuable lesson, and hopefully those reading this can learn from that lesson as well!
Spencer, one of the pilots, and fellow jumpers did a presentation on aircraft safety. He went over the way his GPS spotting works, and how he figures everything into the equation, such as upper winds. It was very useful information. And thanks to spence, i will never stand on the second step of the loading ramp waiting to get on board...Don't want that unspent fuel on my rig!
Please everyone, be careful out there, keep your head on a swivel, and watch where you are going. I have heard of way too many canopy collisions. Luckily, the ones involving the people that I know personally occurred at a high enough altitude that EP's were able to save lives.
On that note, make sure, in a canopy collision/wrap that you communicate with each other. I have heard a story where 2 canopies collided, wrapped, and *what i have are rumors/second hand info* reserve was pulled before cutaway, no communication, and both pilots had rsl's still connected. Luckily, all was OK, both survived.
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Flat Stanley
This was a jump I did a while back for a friend who has a younger cousin whom was doing a school project. the project was to send this charactor, 'flat stanley' in the mail, on vacation. Stanley happened to end up at my friend's house, then I was asked to take him skydiving. When i was asked to take Stanley skydiving, I did not know it was a piece of paper... I was quite shocked when i found out! Enjoy the video.
Flat Stanley goes skydiving
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Flat Stanley goes skydiving
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Training Training Training
The team I am on, Carpe Grips met for training on Saturday, march 10. Training went well. Dive flow was : Exit a Bow (H), to an open accordion (F), to Hook (K).
The first jump of the day I did with the team went well. Second jump, better. Though our exits seem to take a little bit to feel right. yes, they pull off the exits, but sometimes they feel a bit shaky. I am outside center, and think that the instability might be mainly my doing. When exiting, i have been dropping off more than pushing out, and not presenting to the relative wind. next two jumps didn't go so well, we fumbled the exits, and lost it. bummer. When we do well, we average 7-11 points. Not too bad for a beginning team, right?
I'm not sure how well we will do in competition, as I have never been to one before, but I do know, that I will do my best, and being on this team is diffidently a good experience for me. I am learning a lot! If you want, feel free to leave comments on ways that I can improve my skill, advice, and the likes.
The first jump of the day I did with the team went well. Second jump, better. Though our exits seem to take a little bit to feel right. yes, they pull off the exits, but sometimes they feel a bit shaky. I am outside center, and think that the instability might be mainly my doing. When exiting, i have been dropping off more than pushing out, and not presenting to the relative wind. next two jumps didn't go so well, we fumbled the exits, and lost it. bummer. When we do well, we average 7-11 points. Not too bad for a beginning team, right?
I'm not sure how well we will do in competition, as I have never been to one before, but I do know, that I will do my best, and being on this team is diffidently a good experience for me. I am learning a lot! If you want, feel free to leave comments on ways that I can improve my skill, advice, and the likes.
Friday, March 2, 2007
skydiving blog
Hello Everyone! Let me first introduce myself, and get that out of the way. My name is Shermanator. I, am a skydiver. To date, I have about 230 jumps out of a 'perfectly' good airplane. But those of us that jump, know, there is no such thing as a perfectly good airplane.
I started jumping on October 14, 2005. My first jump, well, it was only going to be a one time jump thing. Simple enough, spend a day training for about 5 hours, then jump. Obviously, one jump turned into an addiction, that now has me on a 4-way skydiving team. Don't believe me? fine then, check us out.. CARPE GRIPS.
On this blog, I plan to tell my stories, and you can watch, and learn, as an inexperienced skydiver learnes the lessons that the experienced already know. Read, and follow my progress from a 200 jump wonder, to, wherever this sport takes me. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the stories, sad, happy, and scary. Feel free to respond, and ask questions. Weather you are a Skygod offering your all knowing power, or someone who is wanting to try a jump, I want to hear from you!
That is all for my first blog. Stay tuned to hear some more.
I started jumping on October 14, 2005. My first jump, well, it was only going to be a one time jump thing. Simple enough, spend a day training for about 5 hours, then jump. Obviously, one jump turned into an addiction, that now has me on a 4-way skydiving team. Don't believe me? fine then, check us out.. CARPE GRIPS.
On this blog, I plan to tell my stories, and you can watch, and learn, as an inexperienced skydiver learnes the lessons that the experienced already know. Read, and follow my progress from a 200 jump wonder, to, wherever this sport takes me. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the stories, sad, happy, and scary. Feel free to respond, and ask questions. Weather you are a Skygod offering your all knowing power, or someone who is wanting to try a jump, I want to hear from you!
That is all for my first blog. Stay tuned to hear some more.
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