Clues, Documents And Evidence About The Case

[haggarknew]

            Just curious... How often are chutes re-packed in order to be "legal" ?  (not sure of the correct terminology)

[Robert99]

            Just curious... How often are chutes re-packed in order to be "legal" ?  (not sure of the correct terminology)

In 1971, I think it was ever 60 days for civilian and ex-military parachutes.  With more modern parachute designs, fabrics, and experience with longer repacking times, plus bitching and bellyaching from some organizations,  I believe the legal requirement today may be as long as ever six months.

[haggarknew]

            Any idea how many civilian riggers were working around the Seattle area in 1970? (riggers that would have been certified to pack a chute such as this?)

[dudeman17]

          Sorry for the delay in response.... Having a hard time processing this... Dudeman17, you mean you rode your reserve more than one time? (you also 377?)    crazy S.O.B.s    LOL!!    You guys (any of you that have had to cut away your main in order to deploy your reserve) must be endowed with the biggest brass gonads known to man! Just the thought of cutting away your main terrifies me! And then to think that you've done it more than once.... Blows me away..

I think I've had about 5 on personal sport gear, and I've had a fair handful on tandems. But I think you're looking at it wrong. Having a reserve ride is not an 'OhMyGod!' near death experience. It's kind of like getting a flat tire on your car. Swap it out and get on with your day. It's actually kind of fun, you get to pull more handles and play with more of your gear.

[georger]

          Sorry for the delay in response.... Having a hard time processing this... Dudeman17, you mean you rode your reserve more than one time? (you also 377?)    crazy S.O.B.s    LOL!!    You guys (any of you that have had to cut away your main in order to deploy your reserve) must be endowed with the biggest brass gonads known to man! Just the thought of cutting away your main terrifies me! And then to think that you've done it more than once.... Blows me away..

I think I've had about 5 on personal sport gear, and I've had a fair handful on tandems. But I think you're looking at it wrong. Having a reserve ride is not an 'OhMyGod!' near death experience. It's kind of like getting a flat tire on your car. Swap it out and get on with your day. It's actually kind of fun, you get to pull more handles and play with more of your gear.

funny. flat tire! 

[haggarknew]

              You are probably right Dudeman17. Looking at it from a different perspective might be helpful. I know now (from discussions with you and 377 and others) a lot of my earlier preconceptions about skydivers to be misconceptions. I always bought into that swashbuckling , thrillseeking, push it to the limit, adrenaline addicted, devil may care, risk taking type of personality as being the norm , as far as skydiving people go. It has been eye opening to hear how meticulous and well planned your preparations are.

[fcastle866]

              You are probably right Dudeman17. Looking at it from a different perspective might be helpful. I know now (from discussions with you and 377 and others) a lot of my earlier preconceptions about skydivers to be misconceptions. I always bought into that swashbuckling , thrillseeking, push it to the limit, adrenaline addicted, devil may care, risk taking type of personality as being the norm , as far as skydiving people go. It has been eye opening to hear how meticulous and well planned your preparations are.

Were there any posts on what the rigger cards looked like in a chute that was on a military plane (mainly pilot or aircrew, but even an airborne soldier at the time)?  I've communicated with former Navy pilots of recon aircraft and they said that the aircrew had basically reserve type parachutes hanging in the aircraft, and that they wore harnesses so all they had to do was grab the rig and jump.  I'd have to find my old emails and see if I can find the guys and ask them about the parachute packing procedures.  They did send me pics of the inside of those planes (Beechcraft model something, I'd have to look).  These were recon planes of the 1940s and 50s, not the SR-71 type jet, etc.

There are theories that Cooper was former military and practiced skydiving to get re-acquainted.  If he was in the service during WWII, then 15 years later he may have been rusty.  So maybe he goes to Elsinore and jumps, but does not check out the rigger cards. Then he gets on 305 and because he likes to act like he knows everything, he does not need to look at the cards. But, is that because he learned about the cards in the service or at a skydive center?