Trying again Saturday September 19 2009 late afternoon. There will be a big "boogie" (skydive meet) at Byron CA DZ this weekend so our ability to make HAHOs will be limited due to potential conflicts with the freefall jumpers. On the sunset load (last flight of the day) we will probably be able to do a high altitude opening and work radio comms during the descent.
Prior to the sunset load the vertical airspace over Byron will be busy with freefall jumpers. I (Mark AF6IM) and Michael KF6WRW, will be doing freefall jumps during the afternoon. Exit altitude will be about 13,500 ft AGL. There is a small chance that we will be able to do short radio comms after opening at about 2500 feet, so stay tuned. If the airspace is crowded, we have to focus on canopy collision avoidance. If we are the highest open canopies on the load, the problem isnt so bad. Two very experienced skydivers were killed at the Lodi CA DZ last weekend as a result of a canopy entanglement from which they were unable to extricate themselves. They were careful highly experienced skydivers (4000+ jumps each) but last weekend the odds stacked up in favor of the reaper. If you pray, please say a prayer for Barbara Cuddy and Robert Bigley whose untimely deaths leave a big hole in the skydiving community. http://www.sacbee.com/topstories/story/2180582.html Sorry about all the prior weather based cancels. I really hope we can do the ham radio HAHOs Saturday, but if the conditions aren't right we will cancel again. Safety has to always come first. Thanks for your patience and participation. Looking forward to working you PARACHUTE MOBILE. 73, Mark AF6IM
