opnet [OpNet] Hello all

[Interceptor]

Hi everyone. Just dropping a line to all. I erupted about 8 months ago and have finally got my head cleared up from it, I'm sure you know what I mean. I'm based out of Chicago, and I just started up a new but very small (just me and my business agent) company, offering flights for people. It's called Dreams of Flight, and I'm also working with the Make a Dream foundation for young sick kids who want to try flying just once.

Just sending a shout out. I go by the name of Interceptor, still not used to that, but the ad agency said it went well with my abilities and it had just opened up, I'm not sure what they meant by that though. Take care!

[kestrel404]

Hello Interceptor, it sounds like you've found a good place for yourself.

What kind of safety equipment do you use in your business? Oxygen masks, wind screens, helmets? I'm not a flyer myself, so I have no personal experience, but wouldn't taking on passengers be somewhat dangerous?

[BlackStar]

Hi, Interceptor, welcome to this place of reunion for us novas. I think you had a good idea with your Agency. I remember very well my wishful thinking about flying when I was a child.

[Hugin]

Quote:

Originally posted by Interceptor:
I go by the name of Interceptor, still not used to that, but the ad agency said it went well with my abilities and it had just opened up, I'm not sure what they meant by that though. Take care!

It means that the Nova who previously had the name Interceptor locked up no longer uses that name. Look up the history. It's interesting.

[Interceptor]

Hi Glenn, safety first, that had to be my motto for this endeavor. I applied for my license with the Illinois entertainment committee, my particular niche falls best under that. So like 6 Flags, and carnivals I had to get licensed. I had to prove (with a little help from the MR Facility) that I could provide sustained and maneuverable flight and lift heavy loads at the same time. Some of the other abilities I gained were enhanced strength, so that wasn't much of a problem.

From there I had to make a modified tandem parachute harness, the kind that an instructor uses. I had it made from Eufiber for extra strength, and so it would mesh well with the suit I bought (between the harness, the suit, and the licensing, most of the small business loan I got was used up). I managed to get two of them, one is a double for two people. From there I had to get insured, that is what's really costing me. However if all goes well for six months or so it should get better. After that most people where a parachuting suit, which I provide, as well as helmets and goggles. I often fly over water for extra safety, so a thin life jacket might be worn also. Oxygen masks aren't necessary, since I'm not insured for flights over 200 feet in the air, or speeds requiring them.

I charge $250 a flight, and you have to be 18 or over. The ideal weight is under 300 pounds, but the harness and I can hold a lot more, it just is rather uncomfortable for the person. For the tandem harness, the combined weight should be no more than 450 pounds. I allow those under 18 to fly, but they have to fly with an adult. For tandem flights it's $350, $325 for a minor and adult. It's a fifteen minute flight, and I try to make it a little exciting if they can handle it.

Ironically I ran into trouble with the taxi union early on when I flew someone to work. I almost got sued! Apparently I need a taxi license. Rather than get one, I just made it a rule that I always end the flight no more than 100 yards away from where I started it.

It's a bit expensive, I know, but that's mainly to cover insurance. I also work out group rates for parties, and I have contests on Opnet radio stations for free flights. When I go accident free for six months I'm hoping to reduce the price. I'm also looking forward to getting approved with the Make a Dream Foundation, they were the ones that approached me initially, and inspired me to start the company. I'm also in talks with the city of Chicago emergency services for possible rescue work. We'll see how that works, kind of like a Nova on volunteer call.

If you're in the Chicago area look me up! I could always use the extra publicity, and it's a heck of a thrill!

[Interceptor]

"It means that the Nova who previously had the name Interceptor locked up no longer uses that name. Look up the history. It's interesting."

I was going to, but my business agent said that it's bad luck. So I'm a little torn, I do have my suspicions (and they're not too positive) about how and why the name is available, but for now I'm leaving well enough alone.

[Interceptor]

Quote:

Originally posted by BlackStar:
Hi, Interceptor, welcome to this place of reunion for us novas. I think you had a good idea with your Agency. I remember very well my wishful thinking about flying when I was a child.

Thanks a lot for the welcome. That's pretty much why I made the company, before I could fly I had plenty of daydreams abot it, as I'm sure many do. I just wish I could lower my rates a bit.

[Great Monster C]

Quote:

Originally posted by Interceptor:
It's called Dreams of Flight, and I'm also working with the Make a Dream foundation for young sick kids who want to try flying just once.

Thank you. Thank you for showing that we are not all completely mercenary at heart. I'm already a advocate and supporter of Make a Dream, but if I wasn't your simple generosity would have inspired me to become so.

[Interceptor]

Quote:

Originally posted by Great Monster C:

Quote:

Originally posted by Interceptor:
It's called Dreams of Flight, and I'm also working with the Make a Dream foundation for young sick kids who want to try flying just once.

Thank you. Thank you for showing that we are not all completely mercenary at heart. I'm already a advocate and supporter of Make a Dream, but if I wasn't your simple generosity would have inspired me to become so.

Thanks, but really...I mean, I just want to help out and all. They came to me first to see if I would do it, and from that I thought of the company. I don't think I deserve that kind of praise. But thanks.

[Sakurako Hino]

Quote:

Originally posted by Interceptor:
Hi Glenn, safety first, that had to be my motto for this endeavor. I applied for my license with the Illinois entertainment committee, my particular niche falls best under that. So like 6 Flags, and carnivals I had to get licensed. I had to prove (with a little help from the MR Facility) that I could provide sustained and maneuverable flight and lift heavy loads at the same time. Some of the other abilities I gained were enhanced strength, so that wasn't much of a problem.

From there I had to make a modified tandem parachute harness, the kind that an instructor uses. I had it made from Eufiber for extra strength, and so it would mesh well with the suit I bought (between the harness, the suit, and the licensing, most of the small business loan I got was used up). I managed to get two of them, one is a double for two people. From there I had to get insured, that is what's really costing me. However if all goes well for six months or so it should get better. After that most people where a parachuting suit, which I provide, as well as helmets and goggles. I often fly over water for extra safety, so a thin life jacket might be worn also. Oxygen masks aren't necessary, since I'm not insured for flights over 200 feet in the air, or speeds requiring them.

I charge $250 a flight, and you have to be 18 or over. The ideal weight is under 300 pounds, but the harness and I can hold a lot more, it just is rather uncomfortable for the person. For the tandem harness, the combined weight should be no more than 450 pounds. I allow those under 18 to fly, but they have to fly with an adult. For tandem flights it's $350, $325 for a minor and adult. It's a fifteen minute flight, and I try to make it a little exciting if they can handle it.

Ironically I ran into trouble with the taxi union early on when I flew someone to work. I almost got sued! Apparently I need a taxi license. Rather than get one, I just made it a rule that I always end the flight no more than 100 yards away from where I started it.

It's a bit expensive, I know, but that's mainly to cover insurance. I also work out group rates for parties, and I have contests on Opnet radio stations for free flights. When I go accident free for six months I'm hoping to reduce the price. I'm also looking forward to getting approved with the Make a Dream Foundation, they were the ones that approached me initially, and inspired me to start the company. I'm also in talks with the city of Chicago emergency services for possible rescue work. We'll see how that works, kind of like a Nova on volunteer call.

If you're in the Chicago area look me up! I could always use the extra publicity, and it's a heck of a thrill!

*sniffle*

You're awesome.

Seriously. I mean, taking all the time and effort to give something wonderful like this.

I wish I would have thought of it. >.<

Hrm.... Perhaps there might be something out of this after all... Perhaps in a couple months I should meet up with you. Learn about your business. Perhaps we could franchise. I know there's alot of people in Tokyo who'd just beat down my doors for an opportunity like this.

Being a flier myself, this sort of thing intrigues me. It'd be a hell of a business.

As for the rescue work, I'd be willing to donate some equipment I've been developing for such emercency work. Drop me a line.

[Jager]

Hey, Interceptor. Nice to hear from you. Also, nice idea for a business. Best of luck.

[Interceptor]

Thank you very much Sakurako, sorry to hear about your recent problems, I hope everything turns out OK. Please though, if you're ever in the Midwest look me up, and who knows, I'll probably travel sometime in the future.

The main obstacle with the rescue work, as before, is insurance, and unions. For insurance they don't know where to begin. I'm not a licensed rescue worker, but I meet many of the physical requirements easily. The main problem is getting safety equipment to hold and carry say 3 to 5 people, to allow them to get hooked in safely for a quick flight to the ground. So far they're thinking perhaps a cargo net with some oxygen tanks on board, they're figuring I would be ideal for high rise rescues. It would be easier if I didn't need all that, but it really isn't easy holding several panicking people with just your hands, even if you're super strong.

I think that's where you could come in! Rescue equipment like that could revolultionized city protectors and the work they do. Definitely drop me a line on that, or send me a business address. I could send that to the Chicago city council for approval.

Thanks again, this could be great.

[Interceptor]

Thanks Jager, hello right back. Come to Chicago sometime, it's a heck of a place!

[Ashnod]

Welcome to N!Prime, Interceptor.

[Interceptor]

Thanks Ashnod, good to be here.

[Sakurako Hino]

Interceptor, there is a TeknoKat Innovations office in Chicago.

I'll be sure to let them know you're stopping by. I'll be in the midwest in July. A friend invited me to a festival in South Dakota, so I should be able to spend some time in Chicago. Heck, I'll be stopping in that area to meet up with a fellow nova who's also going to the festival...

Talk about coincidence! ^o^

In any case, stop by the TKI opnet site, and drop me a line and I'll start the process off. I need something to take my mind off of things.

And thanks for the support none the less.

[Johnny Magnum]

Good to meet ya, Interceptor, I guess I don't feel so much like the new guy anymore! I heard about you when I was in Chicago but I never got a chance to meet you.

[Interceptor]

Hi Johnny, good to hear from you too. Technically I'm not in Chicago, but the Northwest Suburbs. I'm in Oakbrook, a nice little suburb, but I usually just say 'Chicago' because no one would have a clue where I was if I didn't.

TeknoKat? Hmmm, I'll tell my agent and we can check it out. I had some ideas also. I'm no inventor, more of a basic artist, but I made a few sketches. The thing I was thinking about was if we used a cargo type net, the people in it would likely get a little squeezed, which is fine for adults, they can take it. But for elderly and little kids or infants, that could be real bad. So I was thinking, go with the cargo netting, and on the outside, where there would be no constriction once I pulled up on the net, there could be like pods, or bundles, where we could put little kids and infants, or even a bigger one for an old person. There could even be like a hood over it with a small oxygen tank for them, they wouldn't even need to do anything with it you know? Just pull the hood over and it should keep the smoke out and allow them to breathe easy.

What do you think?

[Sakurako Hino]

*scratches chin*

You know, this is starting to be a pleasant diversion, coming up with ways to save lives.

I would advise you, Interceptor, not to put out any more ideas over a public forum. There may be others thinking of stealing your ideas. You should get the credit, and I would be more than happy to start making your ideas a reality.

[Interceptor]

Quote:

Originally posted by Sakurako Hino:
*scratches chin*

You know, this is starting to be a pleasant diversion, coming up with ways to save lives.

I would advise you, Interceptor, not to put out any more ideas over a public forum. There may be others thinking of stealing your ideas. You should get the credit, and I would be more than happy to start making your ideas a reality.

Yeah you're right. Dummy me, I even took a course on this kind of thing, you'd think I'd know better. I'll check out your office and drop off what I have there, it might help to set an appointment though right?

[Sakurako Hino]

Yeppers. I'll tell you what, I am going to be moving around the world for a bit. I'll stop by over there, but I will let you know when I plan on being at the office. Security is quite tight at the moment. Right now I'm using a dynamic connection so I can't be tracked.

I will rattle off a message to you when I'm available to talk. In person. I'd like to see your business up close.

[Interceptor]

Quote:

Originally posted by Sakurako Hino:
Yeppers. I'll tell you what, I am going to be moving around the world for a bit. I'll stop by over there, but I will let you know when I plan on being at the office. Security is quite tight at the moment. Right now I'm using a dynamic connection so I can't be tracked.

I will rattle off a message to you when I'm available to talk. In person. I'd like to see your business up close.

Thanks, I'll be waiting. BTW sorry I didn't respond sooner. I flew out to St. Louis (and boy are my arms tired!) for a charity walk and run. I was handing out flowers and stuff to survivors of Breast Cancer, more of an anniversary thing really, I guess there hasn't been any new cases in awhile. At the end I stuck around and gave out free flights for a raffle prize. A fun weekend, caught a concert on Saturday night before I headed home.

Let me know whenever you're ready. There's no rush, I'm still caught up in negotiations with the city anyway.

[Sakurako Hino]

You're a class act, Interceptor.

I'll let you know.

[Interceptor]

Thanks, now cut it out, you're making me blush.

[Interceptor]

Hey Sakurako, when do you think you might be in town? I've been a bit busy myself recetly, I'd still like to meet up with you (probably should get in line Ha-Ha) or your representative about those plans for the harness. Have things calmed down a bit for you?