TF2 PoleBender

TF#2 Pole Bender

Name: James White

Nickname: Polebender (have also been called "the flying bro")

Email: james.s.white@ae.ge.com

TF#2

First jump: August 15, 1999

Training: "adopted" AFP baby chick after finishing AFF at two other DZs

(Skydive Pennsylvania and Centro Paracaidismo in Mexico.)

Jumps: 539

Rig: Yes... if we exit at an altitude of 10' AGL or higher - in that case

I'm wearing a Mirage.

My wing: Stiletto 150

License: D23595

Home: Skydive Chicago - there physically from Friday night through Sunday,

but my heart and mind never leave the place.

Other DZs jumped: Skydive Pennsylvania, Centro Paracaidismo de Monterrey,

Skydive Atlanta, Millennium Skydiving, Carolina Sky Sports, Skydive Dallas,

Skydive Monterey Bay, Skydive Sebastian, Skydive Cuahutla, Skydive Coolidge,

Skydive Arizona, Skydive the Legend, Skydive Hastings, Skydive Illinois,

Aerodrome Skysports (Richmond), Chicagoland Skydiving, Skydive City (Zephyr

Hills), Skyventure wind tunnel.

Weird jumpships: balloon, OH-6 helicopter.

Weird jumps: 4-way from 4500' AGL (yes, we did funnel the exit), the

"Blow-out Billy" 9-way tube jump with his premature deployment, the tracking

dive where I passed a TF brother in freefall after he had deployed (yep,

went through an extra pair of drawers that weekend), the naked 6-way with a

naked tandem with a naked tandem master.

Cool jumpships: Super Otter 30EA at SDC (oh yeah, that one's a Cadillac),

CASAs, Mullins' King Air.

Cool jumps: 2-plane Cessna jump at the beach in Mexico. Watching my

friends at SDC chase after me to build a start for my 100th. The first time

4-way team Booty Surf scored 10 points. A night 4-way that rocked. The

2-way with Leemo the day after Debbie joined the skies forever.

About me: Monday thru Friday I get paid jump-travel-gear money by a big

company for making deals with their suppliers. You already know what I do

on the weekends.

Why do I jump?: That's easy. The real question should be "why do I go to

the dropzone?", because you'll find me there about every weekend, rain or

shine. Have you ever seen that little twinkle in the eyes of a first jump

student who "caught the bug" and got instantly hooked on skydiving? The

magic that makes that happen is in all of us, but... skydivers know how to

use it. If you've ever been around a bunch of people that have that special

power, then you understand why I go to the dropzone. If you've never felt

it, just hang out with us for a weekend or two and you'll probably figure

out a few things about life.