longpete

If I should Go In If I should go in, don’t shed a tear, I’ve played the odds for many a year. Don’t be PC, and hide the cause, A high risk life, with many flaws. I roll the dice, jump gutter gear, But as I exit, grin ear to ear! Mistakes I’ve made, have earned guffaws, And more than once, medical gauze. The scars I carry, are worth the pain, Pop some pills, and manifest again! It’s more than just a pastime this, It’s not a phase one can dismiss. A lifestyle that infects the brain, Special friendships that you gain. Weird senses of humour you can’t resist, Countless nights you spend out on the piss. So at my wake, please do let rip, As that final toast you keenly sip. Tell the truth about your departed mate, “He’s not getting through the Pearly Gates.” No insult if you do let slip, “Once too often, he bashed his pip.” To all who ask, just plainly state, “He whistled in.” Don’t say: “He’s late”… LP 2022.

I think the record might belong to the Russians: http://imgur.com/gallery/DMxEG6b

More pictures here in the History of South African Skydiving facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.10151414633921691&type=1

Swooping Star To the tune of “Shooting Star” Proof That Skydivers are "Bad Company" Johnny was a schoolboy when he got his first X-braced square, Velo '89 I think it was, hook-turned without a care. Got himself a grounding, used to hobble home every night But he wore a real cool outfit, Thought "everything’s all right", don't you know?" Johnny told his CI, "Hey, Dickhead, I'm goin' away. I'm gonna hit the Swoop circuit, gonna be a big star someday," Yeah. CI kicked him out the door, tossed his rig in the sand. "Don't come back again, from now on you are banned!" Don't you know, yeah yeah, Don't you know that I am a Swooping star, Don't you know, don't you know. Don't you know that I am a Swooping star, And all the babes will dig me just as long, As long as I are. Johnny went to DeLand , hooked low on jump number one Suddenly he's on the bench, his dreams of glory are gone Watching the loads go by, surprised they fired his ass, Johnny looked around him and said, "Don't they know I have talent and class?" Don't you know, don't you know, Don't you know that I am a Swooping star, Don't you know, oh,yeah, Don't you know that I am a Swooping star, yeah, And all the babes will dig me just as long, As long as I are, a Swooping Star Don't you know that I am a Swooping star, Don't you know, yeah, Don't you know that I am a Swooping star, now And all the babes will dig me just as long, As long as I are Johnny died one day, in a DZ's flower bed, Low toggle turn, hit the ground with his head Johnny missed the swoop pond, he thought he'd hooked real fine, If you listen to the wind you can still hear him whine Oh oh oh Don't you know that that I am a Swooping star, Don't you know, yeah, don't you know, Don't you know that I am a Swooping star, Don't you know, yeah, Don't you know that that I am a Swooping star, Don't you, don't you, Don't you, don't you, Don't you know, don't you know, oh, yeah, you are, Yeah, a Swooping star, yeah, oh Oh oh oh oh...... Don't you, don't you know I am a Swooping star, Don't you don't you know......

http://www.douglasc47.org

As a young jumper, along with excessive drinking, I was introduced to a lot of the Songs & Poems (and variations thereof) featured in this thread. It's great to see them again, and to learn new ones. Over the years I have written a few of my own. They are usually inspired by the funny things that happen at DZ's, competitions and at Boogies etc. Mostly they would only be understood by people who were there. Sometimes the not so funny things also inspire: In SA skydiving, we refer to the planet earth as "The Stone". ("Die Klip" in Afrikaans) Despite the many who have failed at trying to beat The Stone in a one on one hitting match, every year more line up to try. Some pay the ultimate price. To the tune of "Rainy Day Women #12 And #35"--Bob Dylan-(AKA: Everybody Must Get Stoned) Everybody Loses To The Stone. LP. Well the stone wins when you're trying to be so cool, The stone will win because you are a fool. The stone will warn you first it is quite fair A roasted knee- some dust gets in your hair. But I would not feel so all alone, Everybody loses to the stone. Well the stone wins when you think that you are good, The stone will win just like they said it would. Your friends will have to drive you to your home, The stone will warn you with a broken bone, But I would not feel so all alone, Everybody loses to the stone. Well the stone wins when you thought you hooked it sweet, When you're broken from your hips down to your feet. The stone wins when you're lying on your bed The pain is still a-throbbing in your head. But I would not feel so all alone, Everybody loses to the stone. Well the stone wins as the months they slowly pass, You're still pulling grass and thorns out of your ass. You're only mobile with a set of crutches Arth--ritis has you in it's evil clutches. But I would not feel so all alone, Everybody loses to the stone. Well the stone wins when you think you can return The stone wins when you make that last low turn. At the church they'll say that you were really brave The stone has won and you are in your grave. But I would not feel so all alone, Everybody loses to the stone.

We also hear the "Same old story" too often in SA. Sometimes when other methods don't seem to work, I resort to humour to try and educate DGITs. It doesn't appear to work any better, or worse, than conventional methods, as these type of incidents continue. To the tune of Bob Dylan's "Rainy Day Women #12 & 35" (AKA Everybody must get stoned") In SA we call the planet earth "The Stone" Well the stone wins when you're trying to be so cool, The stone will win because you are a fool. The stone will warn you first it is quite fair A roasted knee- some dust gets in your hair. But I would not feel so all alone, Everybody loses to the stone Well the stone wins when you think that you are good, The stone will win just like they said it would. Your friends will have to drive you to your home, The stone will warn you with a broken bone. But I would not feel so all alone, Everybody loses to the stone Well the stone wins when you thought you hooked it sweet, When you're broken from your hips down to your feet The stone wins when you're lying on your bed The pain is still a-throbbing in your head. But I would not feel so all alone, Everybody loses to the stone Well the stone wins as the months they slowly pass, You're still pulling grass and thorns out of your ass You're only mobile with a set of crutches Arth--ritis has you in it's evil clutches. But I would not feel so all alone, Everybody loses to the stone Well the stone wins when you think you can return The stone wins when you make that last low turn At the church they'll say that you were really brave The stone has won and you are in your grave. But I would not feel so all alone, Everybody loses to the stone LP

I would love to see that M & B calculation. I find it very difficult to believe that with pilot, plus two tandem pairs (5 people-two with heavy rigs), that a C 172 is not over loaded.

You mean this 'photo? I found it in my archives, from a SA Sunday newspaper, Feb. 6 1983. Jim Beck and daughter Devorie, according to the article.

Humor is a rubber sword - it allows you to make a point without drawing blood. Mary Hirsch Humor is also a way of saying something serious. T. S. Eliot (1888 - 1965)

Swooping Star With apologies to "Bad Company" LP Johnny was a schoolboy when he got his first X-braced square, Velo '89 I think it was, hook-turned without a care. Got himself a grounding, used to hobble home every night But he wore a real cool outfit, Thought "everythings allright", don't you know?" Don't you know, yeah yeah, Don't you know that I am a Swooping star, Don't you know, don't you know. Don't you know that I am a Swooping star, And all the vleis will dig me just as long, As long as I are. Johnny told his CI, "Hey, Dickhead, I'm goin' away. I'm gonna hit the Swoop circuit, gonna be a big star someday," Yeah. CI kicked him out the door, tossed his rig in the sand. "Don't come back again, from now on you are banned!" Don't you know, yeah yeah, Don't you know that It's quite Bizzare? Don't you know, don't you know. That you think you are a Swooping star, Your leg is just one long scar long, As long as I are. Johnny went to DeLand , hooked low on jump number one Suddenly he's on the bench, his dreams of glory are gone Watching the loads go by, surprised they fired his ass, Johnny looked around him and said, "Don't they know I have talent and class?" Don't you know, don't you know, Don't you know that I am a Swooping star, Don't you know, oh,yeah, Don't you know that I am a Swooping star, yeah, And all the vleis will dig me just as long, As long as I are, a Swooping Star Don't you know that I am a Swooping star, Don't you know, yeah, Don't you know that I am a Swooping star, now And all the vleis will dig me just as long, As long as I are Johnny died one day, in a DZ's flower bed, Low toggle turn, hit the ground with his head Johnny missed the swoop pond, he thought he'd hooked real fine, If you listen to the wind you can still hear him whine Oh oh oh Don't you know that that I am a Swooping star, Don't you know, yeah, don't you know, Don't you know that I am a Swooping star, Don't you know, yeah, Don't you know that that I am a Swooping star, Don't you, don't you, Don't you, don't you, Don't you know, don't you know, oh, yeah, you are, Yeah, a Swooping star, yeah, oh Oh oh oh oh...... Don't you, don't you know I am a Swooping star, Don't you don't you know......

As this is my first post on Dropzone.com, allow me to introduce myself: I am a current PASA S/L and AFF Instructor, and ply my trade, full time (16 years out of 25 total and counting), at Skydive Cape Town. Although SCT is a Cessna operation, it is the only true 7 days a week DZ in South Africa. I work with S/L and AFF students, and the equipment they use, on a daily basis. In the past, I spent some time in the USA, and held a USPA AFFI rating. I have also assisted on a USPA AFF certification course as an AFF Evaluator. I am a current PASA Instructor Evaluator for S/L, AFF and Tandem (also for RWS), and hold the PASA equivalent of an FAA Senior rigging rating. As a competitive FS skydiver up until a few years back, I have travelled extensively and met many good skydiving friends, some of whom are instructors, I maintain contact with many of them. For a few years, I was the National Safety and Training Officer (NSTO) for PASA, and am now a member of the current National Safety and Training Committee (NSTC). We are tasked with, amongst other things, the maintenance of the PASA Manual of Procedures (MOPs- the equivalent of the USPA's SIM), and also with keeping an eye on the equipment used, especially by students, in the country. In short, I am one of the "Old school" Instructors, that run the sport at national level, of whom Tonto gives the impression of having little time or respect for. I would like to reassure him, and other readers of Dropzone.com forums, that far from being out of touch and ultra conservative, we do try and keep up with best practices world wide. All DZs in SA are members of PASA, and voluntarily subscribe to adhering to the PASA MOPs. As a fairly small community, we do have fairly standardised training methods and equipment countrywide. As mentioned this assists students, and others, who may travel around. We feel it makes things easier, and safer. We are however open to change if it is properly motivated. The NSTC encourage all members of the Association, local manufacturers, and especially rating holders, to participate in this process by communicating with us via the available channels. If they have suggestions, ideas, or proposals for change etc, they are more than welcome to forward them, with motivation, to the NSTO. We would prefer members be involved this way, rather than making unsubstantiated, incorrect comments via forums such as this. Many changes to our MOPs and equipment have come about due to this. Other changes have happened due to progress in techniques and knowledge in other Skydiving Nations. I am sure this will continue. I have some comments on statements made by Tonto, and would like to correct the impressions he may have, and may have created in other peoples minds, of the PASA, especially the NSTC. *** Ripcord - Right hip. BOC is not yet allowed for AFF or freefall progression in South Africa. *** And *** -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In Reply To -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hopefully JSC will be able to transition to BOC even if it's a BOC ripcord. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It won't happen for a long, long time. PASA (Parachute Association of South Africa) regulates student gear so that it is standardised throughout the country. Any student changing DZ's will always be familiar with the gear. There are 15 DZ's offering student training of which only one doesn't offer Static Line progression. The Practice pulls on SL require a hip mounted ripcord due to the fact that the container is open during the practice touch sequence - making BOC positioning tricky. JSC shares the rigs used for AFF with those used for the freefall part of the SL progression. Since the sport is often run by the "Old school" instructors at a National level, many feel the ripcord is better for those (very rare on AFF) occasions that the student pulls unstable. *** This gives the impression that the PASA NSTC is against BOCs for AFF, and is entirely incorrect: The NSTC has never been opposed to the BOC ripcord, or pure BOC system, being utilized for AFF students, in fact we have actively encouraged it. 1. BOC Ripcords: There are 13 active student DZs in SA. Of these, 8 offer AFF, 2 of them exclusively so (no S/L). One of these two currently uses the BOC ripcord system with the full approval of the NSTC. We have made it clear we think that if "exclusive for AFF use" rigs were available, and with the appropriate control over rig issuing (a problem at some DZs, based on actual incidents of incorrect equipment being issued to students), then BOC ripcords are a good idea. Therefore it is the DZ's themselves, including JSC, that have chosen to remain with hip mounted ripcords for AFF, in order to have their equipment available for both AFF and S/L to FF progression students. At the instigation of the NSTC, one of the local manufacturers has looked at designing a S/L system that would retain the shape/stiffness of the main container after deployment, thus allowing the placement of a BOC dummy ripcord. However, with the small market size, this perhaps would not be economically viable to pursue. 2. Hand Deploy BOC: In conjunction with one of the two local manufacturers, one DZ in SA has already run a 6 month session of hand deployed BOC on AFF, this again with the full approval and participation of the NSTC. The DZ that is currently using BOC ripcords, will soon, utilizing the other manufacturer's equipment, be switching over completely to hand deployed BOC on AFF, once again with the full approval and active involvement of the NSTC. *** The fact that Pilot chute hesitations and even PC in tow situations are almost routine on AFF bothers them little, since the AFF I's deal with those issues equally routinely. *** This again is untrue: We would be extremely worried if PC in tow incidents were routine. The complete lack of incident reports to the NSTO, from any SA DZ, listing these kinds of malfunctions, does not indicate that they are. Perhaps it is the AFFIs who are little bothered? Pilot Chute hesitations are another matter, from my own experience and observations, they do occur, but not routinely, and more frequently on the two instructor levels. They happen, I think, mostly due to the larger burble around three people. With the same rig, I have seen them on dual levels, but not on single levels. We have found that replacing old, possibly worn-out PCs helps. So too do Instructor techniques, such as the RH Instructor leaving as soon as the ripcord is pulled, among others. By the way: *** We teach "Reach - touch - feel" for practice touches and "Reach - touch - pull" for the deployment. There is no look, and hasn't been for about 10 years for all the reasons you gave. Arch is a given. *** The PASA AFF manual gives the count for practice touch as: "Arch, touch/feel, arch" and for the pull as: "Arch, touch, pull, arch" Once again: The PASA NSTC looks forward to the positive contributions from all members, and other interested parties, who are genuinely interested in assisting us to keep up with modern skydiving trends. The correct communication channels exist, for those on SA DZs, chat with your local CI, or feel free to contact me or the current PASA NSTO, Mark Bellingan. [email protected] Here’s hoping for Blue Skies! (rain in Cape Town) Long Pete Aka: Peter Mauchan Skydive Cape Town [email protected] www.skydivecapetown.za.net 082 888 9681