HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: greg@uts.amdahl.com (Greg Bullough)
Newsgroups: rec.skydiving
Subject: place for first jump
Date: 15 Apr 92 16:56:27 GMT
Distribution: ba
Organization: Amdahl Corporation, Sunnyvale CA

Where, in the greater Bay Area, would readers of this group
recommend going to act upon the urge to step out the door of
a perfectly good airplane for the first time?

E-mail, please; I'll summarize responses if demand warrants.

Greg
From: jmills@cass.ma02.bull.com (John Luke Mills)
Newsgroups: rec.skydiving
Subject: Re: AAD Question
Date: 8 Apr 92 18:56:11 GMT
Organization: Bull World Wide Information Systems Inc.

In article <1992Apr7.011003.6867@uoft02.utoledo.edu> grx1512@uoft02.utoledo.edu (Dale Southard Jr.) writes:

>Notice that I am NOT saying that having it ACTIVE all the time is a good
>idea -- anyone doing CRW with an active AAD should seek medical counseling :-)
>(And in fact was the reason, as I outlined in my initial post, that my
>current rig doesn't have one -- but my next rig might)

For what it is worth, the Cypress documentation claims the expert
model is perfectly OK for CRW.  The trigger vertical velocity is about
110 ft/sec. (This might be off a bit, I don't have the documentation
with me.)  This is supposedly faster than the fastest down-plane.

This is no concern for me since I no longer do CRW.  I can't think of
much I have hated worse than being wrapped up tight....


                )
         o     /
        >     /    )__  __
       /     /    /   )   )
      /     (    /   (   (
  (__/
--
From: grx1512@uoft02.utoledo.edu (Dale Southard Jr.)
Newsgroups: rec.skydiving
Subject: Re: paragliding,skydiving and hang-gliding
Date: 17 Apr 92 00:56:13 EST
Distribution: rec.skydiving
Organization: University of Toledo, Computer Services

In article <1992Apr16.201536.13281@PA.dec.com>, rwheeler@tmax3.enet.dec.com (Rob Wheeler) writes:
> In article <1992Apr16.175946.3487@mercury.cair.du.edu>, tjreynol@zephyr.cair.du.edu (The Jumpin Dude) writes:
> |>In article <2058@ra.nrl.navy.mil> kim@i5160e.nrl.navy.mil (Ellis Kim) writes:
> |>>So i thought why not combine those two.  Can one skydive with a paraglider?
> |>>enjoy the freefall and then after having pulled the chute, go soaring for
> |>>an hour or so?
> |>NO WAY
> |>You would destroy the paraglider and yourself.
> 
> Maybe to make this a little more clear... The paraglider and parachutes that
> skydivers use look similar but they are not quite the same.  What Tim was
> saying was the paraglider would not be able to withstand the opening at
> terminal velocity (probably any velocity for that matter).  Sounds like a 
> cool idea though!

			<<WARNING>>
<<Rigger about to suggest a dangerous & stupid stunt>>

Of course one could deploy a regular parachute to dissipate the kinetic
energy and then canopy-transfer to the paraglider.  You'd be fighting
the paraglider (some of them don't recover well from closed end cells --
they usually have people to hold them open, so I can just imagine what kind 
of fun throwing out something with that kind of aspect ratio would be under 
canopy) and you'd have to have it ring'd so you could loose it after the 
main you cutaway entangles it but hey...what a ride, and probably almost 
FAA approved.

(Oh, and don't forget the reserve -- notice I NEVER said this would
be a GOOD IDEA TO TRY :-)  )

-- 
Dale Southard Jr.                                 Sr. Rigger
University of Toledo                             AFF/I   SL/I
grx1512@uoft02.utoledo.edu                          D-11216
Department of Chemistry -- "Just another skydiving grad student."
From: sparkie@spock.cs.wisc.edu (Mark Horn)
Newsgroups: rec.skydiving
Subject: Re: Opinions on a Glide Path Nova
Date: 10 Apr 92 17:35:00 GMT
Organization: U of Wisconsin CS Dept

In article <1992Apr8.200622.900@uoft02.utoledo.edu> grx1512@uoft02.utoledo.edu  
(Dale Southard Jr.) writes:

[ ..stuff deleted.. ]

>How were the landings under a more conservative wing loading (like 1lb/sq ft)?
>The phrase "To get a really nice landing you had to build some extra speed"
>usually translates as "the canopy is good aerodynamically, but I put too
>much weight under it and  needed Xtra lift or I would'a been a ditch witch" 

[ ... ]
>Dale Southard Jr.

True enough.  I could just be extremely bad at landing the thing, too!   
However, Glide Path is the first company to recommend a minimum wing loading  
for a canopy and they did so for the Nova.  They recommend a minimum wing  
loading of 1.2 #/sq. ft.  I think that max wing loading is 1.4 - I'm not sure,  
though.  

Anyway, there's an article in the April issue of Skydiving Magazine that quotes  
some company rep explaining why they made such a recommendation.  It went along  
the lines of "it just won't perform with too little suspended weight".  I don't  
know what that's supposed to mean.  I can't imagine that wing loading the  
canopy at 1.0 will prevent it from performing entirely.  But, then again, what  
do I know?

In reality, though, I attribute the problem to my ability (or rather lack  
thereof) to fly the canopy.  I'm used to jumping a Sabre which has a LOT of  
flare.  It's more than likely that I was flaring the thing lower than I should  
have been.  In any case, the point I was trying to make is that the canopy  
doesn't have as much flare as a Sabre 135 and no where near as much as my Sabre  
150.

Blue Skies!
--
- sparkie (Mark Horn)		C-21100, IAD JM
- sparkie@spock.cs.wisc.edu	<-- NeXT Mail
- NeXT Campus Consultant	U. of Wisconsin, Madison
---
Newsgroups: rec.skydiving
From: tjreynol@zephyr.cair.du.edu (The Jumpin Dude)
Subject: rec.footwear?
Organization: University of Denver
Date: Fri, 10 Apr 92 17:23:00 GMT

does anyone know anything about those strapless adhesive slippers
shown on the cover of the latest Parachutist? they look cool to me ;-)

tim
tjryenol@du.edu
From: boucher@hpcc01.corp.hp.com (Richard A Boucher Jr)
Date: Mon, 13 Apr 1992 20:07:16 GMT
Subject: DZ's in Northcentral Massachusettes?
Organization: the HP Corporate notes server
Newsgroups: rec.skydiving

 Can anybody give me some info on any DZ's in Northcentral Massachusettes?
I'll be there from 4/19 thru 4/23 and would like to check one out...

Thanks.     
:c
   
k
From: SKYDIVE@f15.n233.z1.FIDONET.ORG (SKYDIVE)
Newsgroups: rec.skydiving
Subject: Re: AAD Question
Date: 9 Apr 92 13:18:39 GMT

Reply-to: Hector.Mandel@p0.f15.n233.z1.fidonet.org (Hector Mandel)
Fido-To: chris irwin

In a message of <05 Apr 92  14:18:37>, Chris Irwin (1:110/68) writes:

 >I've always said that if everyone had 'em, there would be more accidents. 

Well, that's o.k. as long as you also make sure to say that this is just your  
opinion and that you have no real data to back it up.  You might convince me  
that you're right if you could share any data that you have.  There have been  
many many jumps over the past ten years with AAD's, so it should be possible  
to statistically analyze any data about fatalities caused by misfiring  
AAD's.  I suspect that the data would not support your contention.  Do you  
have such data?  (spare us the anecdotes, they don't prove anything).

 > I think it works out well the way it is; those that think they need them 
 >wear them.  I think that a lot of people see them as a potential source 
 >of danger in larger RW formations.
 >

A lot of people are just superstitious.  :):)
 

--- msged 1.99S ZTC
--- eecp 1.45 LM2 

 * Origin: A skydiver is taken by the gravity of his situation
 (1:233/15)
--  
SKYDIVE - via FidoNet node 1:233/13    (ehsnet.fidonet.org)
Newsgroups: rec.skydiving
From: dpuchals@engin.umich.edu (Douglas Puchalski)
Subject: Non-fatal incident
Date: Mon, 06 Apr 92 21:06:27 EDT
Organization: University of Michigan Engineering, Ann Arbor

AAD Incident report:

On April 5, 1992, a student exitted at 3.5k feet from a Cessna 182
on his first static line jump.  He was wearing an SST Racer with
a Manta main and a spring loaded (freefall) pilot chute.

He apparently negative arched on his hanging exit (pushed off?) and
went immediately back to earth.  The static line extracted the pin
and began to pull out the pilot chute, but somehow either the
bridle or the main's lines got wrapped around his arm.

Uh oh.  This seems to be the WORST possible malfunction for a 
student.  He's got lines around his arms, and a bag out that's
not opening.  All those lines flying around would scare the hell
out of me.

I assume this all means that the pilot chute and/or bridle was
caught on his arm.

He attempted to get "it" off his arm, and as we watched from the
ground (in horror:  I forgot **all** about his AAD).  Right before
we would lose sight of him behind the trees, with everyone saying
"pull it man!" (ala Fandango) we saw the round reserve open.

The jumpmaster followed him out.  They landed in between four 
houses with large (thank God) yards.  He was OK!

The cutaway handle was found near him, and neighbors found the
reserve handle some unkown distance away (not too great, the
wind was LV so he probably went almost straight down).  He claims
that he pulled the reserve and thought that he opened it, but
investigation revealed the AAD did fire.  However, I don't think
it would be unusual for the AAD to fire right after the handle
is pulled, if close enough to the firing altitude.  (It was a
sentinel AAD, the one with the green and red light, I forget
the model #).

All of this leads *me* to believe that he pulled his reserve and
*then* cut away.  But whatever he did, he was lucky his reserve
didn't entangle with all of those lines.

Whew.

AAD's:  I'll definately have one.  If another jumper knocks me 
unconscious, I'll want to live.  Or if I just screw up.  It
happens.
From: bonitz@madrone.eecs.ucdavis.edu (Bob Bonitz)
Newsgroups: rec.skydiving
Subject: Re: AAD Question
Date: 6 Apr 92 17:29:35 GMT
Organization: UC Davis  Robotics Research Lab

In article <1992Apr5.212008.6853@uoft02.utoledo.edu> grx1512@uoft02.utoledo.edu (Dale Southard Jr.) writes:
>
>	"THERE ARE NO GOOD REASONS FOR NOT WEARING AN AAD"
>
This is a rather extreme statement.  It is also unsubstantiated.  There 
are pros and cons to any system and it is up to each jumper to evaluate 
them and decide for himself or herself.  Premature firings of AADs can be 
a problem whether one is doing RW, CRW, style, freestyle, etc.  The 
question is how reliable are AADs; especially, when used by the general 
skydiving community.  

I have yet to see a comprehesive study on this subject.  It may be true
that the reliability of these devices is good enough that the pros outweigh
the cons and that widespread use would result in less loss of life.  It
would be nice if someone that has access to the available data would do 
such a study.  Sounds like a job for the USPA S&T director.

One last point.  The bulk of the fatalities listed in Parachutist where
one sees the phrase "an AAD may have prevented this fatality" might also
include the phrase "a brain may have prevented this fatality."  In 
addition to examining the potential benefits of widespread AAD use, we
should also continue to emphasize better and continued training to 
reduce fatalities due to brain malfunctions.
Newsgroups: rec.skydiving
From: dpuchals@engin.umich.edu (Douglas Puchalski)
Subject: Non-faltal incident
Date: Mon, 06 Apr 92 21:05:32 EDT
Organization: University of Michigan Engineering, Ann Arbor

AAD Incident report:

On April 5, 1992, a student exitted at 3.5k feet from a Cessna 182
on his first static line jump.  He was wearing an SST Racer with
a Manta main and a spring loaded (freefall) pilot chute.

He apparently negative arched on his hanging exit (pushed off?) and
went immediately back to earth.  The static line extracted the pin
and began to pull out the pilot chute, but somehow either the
bridle or the main's lines got wrapped around his arm.

Uh oh.  This seems to be the WORST possible malfunction for a 
student.  He's got lines around his arms, and a bag out that's
not opening.  All those lines flying around would scare the hell
out of me.

I assume this all means that the pilot chute and/or bridle was
caught on his arm.

He attempted to get "it" off his arm, and as we watched from the
ground (in horror:  I forgot **all** about his AAD).  Right before
we would lose sight of him behind the trees, with everyone saying
"pull it man!" (ala Fandango) we saw the round reserve open.

The jumpmaster followed him out.  They landed in between four 
houses with large (thank God) yards.  He was OK!

The cutaway handle was found near him, and neighbors found the
reserve handle some unkown distance away (not too great, the
wind was LV so he probably went almost straight down).  He claims
that he pulled the reserve and thought that he opened it, but
investigation revealed the AAD did fire.  However, I don't think
it would be unusual for the AAD to fire right after the handle
is pulled, if close enough to the firing altitude.  (It was a
sentinel AAD, the one with the green and red light, I forget
the model #).

All of this leads *me* to believe that he pulled his reserve and
*then* cut away.  But whatever he did, he was lucky his reserve
didn't entangle with all of those lines.

Whew.

AAD's:  I'll definately have one.  If another jumper knocks me 
unconscious, I'll want to live.  Or if I just screw up.  It
happens.
From: boucher@hpcc01.corp.hp.com (Richard A Boucher Jr)
Date: Mon, 6 Apr 1992 18:02:42 GMT
Subject: Suggestions for rigs to buy...
Organization: the HP Corporate notes server
Newsgroups: rec.skydiving

I'm a Level 5 AFF student getting ready to buy a rig.  Anybody have any 
opinions about Action Air chutes?  I'm doing my training at Skydance Skydiving
(near Davis, CA) and Action Air is located there at the DZ. I currently know   
next to nothing about the various manufacturers and would appreciate any
suggestions folks might have.  

As to the type of jumping I'm likely to do...  Although I'm temped to quit
my job and go cut grass at the DZ or wash planes for jumps I'm more likely
to get my license and hop every couple of months or so to let off some steam.

A little RW work now and then with some friends will probably do so I won't 
be diving every day looking for a spot on the Olympic team.   In short, I 
be looking for a good, dependable, weekend warrior type rig. 

Any ideas?

Newsgroups: rec.skydiving
From: mtimko@pdx066.intel.com (Mark Timko)
Subject: Re: AAD Question
Reply-To: mtimko@ichips.intel.com
Organization: Workgroup Computing Division, PDX, Intel
Date: Wed, 8 Apr 1992 20:29:14 GMT

In article <1992Apr8.185027.2498@cass.ma02.bull.com>, jmills@cass.ma02.bull.com (John Luke Mills) writes:
|> >
|> >Question:  Does this incident make you more or less likely to use an
|> >           AAD personally?
|> 
|> This doesn't make me any less likely to use an AAD.  It does however
|> indicate a potentially valuable lesson.  If you have an AAD, there is
|> now a minimum altitude where you should consider deploying your main.
|> This will vary depending on the tolerances and trigger altitude of the
|> AAD.  Below this altitude you should use your reserve to avoid the
|> possibility of two canopies fighting for the same altitude.

I would rather deal with two canopies than ASSUME my AAD will fire
and pull my reserve instead just in case.  I don't think you'll see 
the USPA supporting your recommendation all too soon.  The biggest 
reason is for those people with reserve static lines (which is 
recommended), pulling your reserve first means you don't get a second 
chance.  Even if you don't have a RSL, your logic would have you pull 
a reserve that could possibly malfunction and CANNOT be cut away. If 
you then pulled your main, it would probably get tangled in the 
malfunctioned reserve and then your really screwed.  I personally 
cannot see any reason to risk such a senario just to avoid the 
POSSIBILITY of an AAD firing and having to deal with two canopies.

|> If you get this low, this might be a good idea even without the AAD.

NOT!!!  Without an AAD, why should altitude determine which chute you
pull?  Your rational makes no sense in this case.  Without an AAD,
ther is no advantage to pulling your reserve over your main below a
certain altitude and there are quite a few disadvantages.

- Mark Timko
  A-11659
-- 

                  Mark A. Timko  (mtimko@ichips.intel.com)
      My opinions are mine, not my employer's - all disclaimers apply 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 Never forget: A bad day skydiving is always better than a good day at work  
     Two wrongs don't make a right but three rights make a left ..... right?
Newsgroups: rec.skydiving
From: tjreynol@zephyr.cair.du.edu (The Jumpin Dude)
Subject: Re: paragliding,skydiving and hang-gliding
Organization: University of Denver
Distribution: rec.skydiving
Date: Thu, 16 Apr 92 17:59:46 GMT

In article <2058@ra.nrl.navy.mil> kim@i5160e.nrl.navy.mil (Ellis Kim) writes:
>
>So i thought why not combine those two.  Can one skydive with a paraglider?
>enjoy the freefall and then after having pulled the chute, go soaring for
>an hour or so?

NO WAY

You would destroy the paraglider and yourself.

>
>
>--- Ellis
>-- 
>*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*
>email to:        | My professors are not at fault.  | First things first.  
>70kim@cua.bitnet | These thoughts are my own        | But not necessarily 
>                 | I am not a grad student yet.     | in that order.  - who

tim
Newsgroups: rec.travel,rec.railroad,soc.culture.europe,soc.culture.soviet,soc.culture.hongkong,soc.culture.japan
From: guest@lab.ultra.nyu.edu (Unused guest account)
Subject: Re: More about Trans-Siberian
Organization: New York University Ultracomputer Research Lab
Date: Thu, 16 Apr 1992 23:16:30 GMT

In article <IVAN.92Apr16133055@anavrin.cs.titech.ac.jp> ivan@cs.titech.ac.jp (Ivan Worthy Chung) writes:

>1)  It is rumored that the Trans-Siberian train service has been
>temporarily suspended due to the inclement political situation in
>the Soviet Union.  Is this true? 

I am fresh from Russia/CIS/Soviet Union. I am pretty sure, the answer
is 'NO'. BTW, the train Moscow-Vladivistok (the service you need?)
comes all its way through Russia's territory. So independent states
can not stop its operation.

>2) Assuming that the Trans-Siberian is still running, I was told
>that one must obtain transit visas for every country the train
>passes through (China, USSR, and perhaps the newly-formed CIS
>states).  Consequently, the potential problem lies in the difficulty
>of obtaining transit visas for the newly-formed CIS states, since
>most of them probably haven't established diplomatic relations with
>other countries, not to mention the absence of such embassies.  

There is no such problem. Just obtain Russian visa. There are no
border guards on inter-state borders in former SU. Then, if you start
at Moscow you'll never leave Russia on your way to China.

I make such statements because I lived in Omsk and Novosibirsk
for a long time and now get some direct news from matushka-Sibir'.

Vadim Maslov.
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject: Looking for rental Rehovot, Israel
From: vectr01n@VAX.CSUN.EDU
Date: Wed, 8 Apr 1992 20:52:33 GMT
Reply-To: vectr01n@VAX.CSUN.EDU
Organization: Cal State Northridge

I will be travelling with my husband and 2 children to Rehovot Israel.  
We will be there from June 21 through July 12.  I would like to rent
an apartment for that time somewhere in the area.  Could someone
please give me some recommendations.  Please reply by e-mail.

thanx in advance

--
dkay@vax.csun.edu
Newsgroups: rec.travel
From: white@csi.uottawa.ca (George White)
Subject: Sea travel from England to Portugal
Summary: Are there any ferries runiing from England to Portugal during the Summer?
Organization: University of Ottawa
Date: Thu, 9 Apr 92 17:00:11 GMT

Does anyone know whether there is still a ferry service running from any point in
England to any point in Portugal during the Summer months? This would be for
foot passengers only. No car! Thanks in advance for any info.


-- 
         George M. White            |   Telephone: (613) 564-2940
         Dept. of Computer Science  |   Fax:       (613) 564-9486
         University of Ottawa       |   E-mail:    GMWSL@acadvm1.uottawa.ca
         Ottawa  K1N 6N5    Canada  |              white@csi.uottawa.ca
Newsgroups: rec.travel
From: a_damata@oz.plymouth.edu (Anthony Damata)
Subject: American Travel Incentives
Reply-To: a_damata@oz.plymouth.edu (Anthony Damata)
Organization: Plymouth State College - Plymouth, N.H.
Date: Fri, 17 Apr 92 03:35:35 GMT



Help me please.  Is there a company named "American Travel Incentives"
and if so, what is their phone number, or better yet, a Internet
Address.  Thanks in advance for the help.

		Tony the Tongue
From: bakker@cs.uq.oz.au (Paultje Bakker)
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject: BALTIC REPUBLICS - HELP!
Date: 10 Apr 92 01:30:07 GMT
Reply-To: bakker@cs.uq.oz.au
Organization: Depts. of Computer Science & Psychology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia


Has anyone been to the Baltic Republics recently? How easy is it
to get a visa? Can you get one at the border? I heard a rumour that
visa's are available that are valid for all three countries.

Do they demand pre-booked accommodation for travellers, like Russia
did (and still does?).

And, what is the easiest way to get there? Fly in from Europe (which
airline?), or take a boat from Helsinki?

Please reply quickly, as this is urgent. I'll summarize the replies
and post 'em to the net.

Thanks in advance!!
paultje
--
PaulBakker ------------------------------------- email:bakker@cs.uq.oz.au
Depts.ofComputerScience/Psychology,UniversityofQueensland,Qld4072,Australia

"He who slings mud is sure to lose ground" - Lady Flo
From: garyg@emx.utexas.cc.edu (Gary Gandy)
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject: Looking for travel partner(s) for trip around the world
Date: 17 Apr 92 19:39:30 GMT
Article-I.D.: ut-emx.70492
Organization: x
X-UserAgent: Nuntius v1.1a2

A friend of mine is planning on travelling around the world for 6 months
to a year. He will leave from the US the first week of July. Here is a
complete list of the countries he plans on visiting: France, Spain,
Portugal, Italy, Greece, Egypt, Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi, Zambia,
Zimbabwe, Botswana, Seychelles, India, Nepal, Thailand, Malaysia,
Indonesia, Australia, and New Zealand. If time, money and politics allow
it, he will also visit Madagascar, Mozambique, Rwanda, Papua New Guinea,
Fiji, and Tahiti.

He wishes to make contact with people who live in any of those countries
and perhaps meet some of them once he arrives.

He also wants to ask people if they are interested in joining him on
parts of this trip, or on the whole thing. Any tips from travellers to
any of these countries is also welcome. Please reply to me, and I will
forward the messages for his reply to those who are interested in joining
him.