Dave W added these comments in the current discussion du jour ...

Thanks, must've missed it. I counted 85 in the formation with
one more coming in to form the top peak. Do you have ANY ideas
how this could be done safely? I know NO-thing about
paragliding, or whatever this is really called, but these guys
must have dropped a LONG way as they were lining up, and I
would think they'd need guidance from a nearby plane to help
them.

A few years ago somebody posted a short Windows Media file
showing this (or a similar) parachute formation. I did a web
search and most of the links were now dead. Its a neat little
clip, look for:

2006_81waystarbursts2.wmv

I don't know if it would be proper for me to post it here (or on
a.b.m.a) since its not my file (and I've never attempted a
multimedia post before). Its only a bit over 5 MB. In any event
it would probably be tomorrow before I could post it cause my
spouse just demanded that I immediately get off the computer and
take her on a Sunday outing.

Thanks for what to look for, Dave. As for posting here, I've never
seen any formal rules, things are pretty relaxed. I'd guess that
the majority of pictures et al are not original to the OP.

I know absolutely zip abot whatever this "activity" is, but it sure
seems that it would take a fair amount of time for each jumper to
get into position. I don't even want to think about how many small
planes are involved or if they use bigger planes, and I don't even
want to guess how much altitude they lose as the creat the
"starburst."

Cheers!

--
Jerry, aka HP

"If you are out of work and hungry, eat an environmentalist" -
Florida billboard