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From: dappel@grafted.UUCP (Dave Appel)
Newsgroups: rec.skydiving
Subject: Re: Skydive City
Message-ID: <3yyHw2w161w@grafted.UUCP>
Date: 28 Jan 91 19:38:37 GMT
References: <1991Jan23.150425.3610@Stardent.COM>
Sender: bbs@grafted.UUCP
Organization: Grafted Branch, Indianapolis, IN
Lines: 41

joep@Stardent.COM (Joe Peterson) writes:

> I was wondering if anyone knows about the relationship (good or bad)
> between Z-Hills and the new Skydive City (Jerry Bird's place, I hear).
> I know they are very close to each other, and I assume there is some
> friction.  I hope not too many negative vibes result from this.
> Any body know the scoop?
> 
> 					Joe Peterson
> 					Stardent Computer
> 					joep@stardent.com

     The owner of Z-hills has tried to get the city to deny
Jerry Bird from opening his own DZ.  Bird use to do all sorts
of seminars at Zhills.  Kabeller, the owner of Zhills DZ, not
the city, sorry, has probably filed suit.  There are a lot
of details in SKYDIVING magazine.  I would not even put it
past Kabeller to even  go to the FAA and say that 2 dz's at
the same airport are dangerous for mid-air collisions of
planes and skydivers.  I would not even put it past
Kabeller to put a contract on Bird.  Kabeller is a complete
jerk in my book.

    Of course Bird's DZ is going to take business away from
Kabeller.  I've been to Z-hills several times, and talked with
people besides skydivers.  The mayor of Z-hills and the city
council just **LOVE** skydivers.  We bring them a lot of money.
But they all hate Kabeller.  They wanted him to sell the DZ,
but he wouldn't.  So a lot of people backed Bird and the other
owners of the competing DZ.
    Its very possible that both DZ's will survive.  Its also
very possible that Kabeller's will fold.  Its also possible
that Kabeller would stoop to sabotaging Bird's planes.
    
    I did not like the $25 cover charge for boogies at 
Z-hills, because I don't drink beer.  I don't like their
high(er) prices either.  I usually stop at Deland to
skydive on my semi-yearly trip either to or from Florida.
And I usually stop for a day at Z-hills. (I drive my
parents' car down to florida for them in the fall, and
drive it back for them in the spring. They're snowbirds.)