Subject: Frames of Reference 1 of 5 - NPJR
Date: (posted early 95 - late 94)

I got the urge to write about this a few weeks ago when we were
talking about spotting with high uppers, and we saw how the same
physical situation could appear so different in different frames
of reference.

I think the topic here is that the same is true of jumping in general.
We look at people jumping out of airplanes and we all have a different
idea of what we are doing.

Beauty being in the eye of the beholder is an ancient bit of wisdom,
and yet I didn't always know it. I began to learn it as I saw the jump
world adopt one consensus reality after another.

It's hard to know where one story ends and the next one begins (it's all
one story) so I'm going to start this one with an excerpt that shows
one frame of reference.

-------------------- begin NPJR quote

Newsletter of the National Parachute Jumpers-Riggers, Inc.,
August-September 1956
as prepared by Joe Crane, President of the NPJR>

NPJR                                                       - 7 -

             NINE-MAN JUMP - - HOLDING HANDS

While in Europe, we learned of a very novel jump made by a group
of Frenchmen. Nine men hired a flying boxcar and holding to each
other's harness, jumped from the boxcar at one time. Their names
are Young, Braten, Ladouet, Perissinotto, Pupin, Michaut, Cros,
Leclaud and Billard. Young is the same Ray Young mentioned pre-
viously in this newsletter.

Their plans were to fall 12 seconds, but they were forced to
separate after falling 10 seconds not being able to hold on to
each other any longer. When they separated, they went in all
directions, all opened their chutes and landed safely.

While in Paris before returning to the states, Lyle Hoffman and I
were strolling down the Champs-Elysees and we met Ray Young. Ray
discussed this jump with us and I am agreeable that it is quite an
experience. I am also happy to know that everyone on this jump
came out alright but I do believe considerable chances are being
taken on such jumps and am sure that CAA would frown on jumps of
this nature as there is absolutely nothing to be gained materially
by such a stunt. I hope Ray and his friends will let well enough
alone and not attempt this type of jump in the future.

                   * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

                   PASSING RELAY STICK IN MID-AIR

Very recently I have heard of another performance in parachuting
which, in my estimation, is about the most accurate parachute
jumping ever made. On September 16 at Sens Air Force Base, Jean
Louis Potron and Jackues Chalom (Petrom was in the 9-man jump)
jumped from the same airplane with one man carrying a small stick
as used in relay foot races. There was 2 seconds difference in
their leaving the plane and after falling for 15 seconds, they
were able to make contact in the air, transfer the stick to the
other party, then separate and open their chute. This is real
maneuvering of the falling body and something which certainly
shows skill. I am not passing any judgement on something like
this because there is a possibility that in time, jumping of this
type might be considered as a real professional sport, but I will
say that a person should not attempt a jump of this kind until he
is a jumper of the highest calibre.

-------------------- end NPJR quote

(to be cont) Skratch

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