JSL5150 0 #1 April 18, 2003 Greetings everyone! I've been lurking and learning here for a couple months and finally signed up! Dropzone.com has been a wonderful learning environment for me as well as a lot of fun. I need to preface my question, plus this will give a little insight into my situation. I recently got my A license and did all my training (S/L progression) at a very small DZ. The biggest AC I've jumped was a King Air and that was a tandem! The landing area at my DZ was a postage stamp and I was usually the last one in the air. I've visited both Perris Valley and Elsinore as a spectator and found both places amazing. I was at Perris for the Jack Off to Perris boogie in January and was awestruck. I've got 30 jumps and am wingloaded at 1:1. I've got my own rig and am ready to jump here in So. Cal. Here's my question. I want to know what to expect as a first timer at these two DZ's (Perris & Elsinore). Is one place more receptive or helpful to low timers? What about general atmosphere? I know absolutely no skydivers in California and want to make some new friends. I am intimidated about being under canopy with so many other jumpers. I saw people landing every which way and airplanes taking off and landing right next to the landing areas. Will both of these places clue me into the rules about what to do (and not do!) before going up? I know that to really find out, I should just jump at both places, and I will, but I'd like to have a little bit of a heads up as to what's going on at each place before I go. Thanks in advance for responding, and if there is anyone in the West Valley area that likes to talk skydiving, e-mail me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slotperfect 7 #2 April 18, 2003 Quote I've been lurking and learning here for a couple months and finally signed up! Welcome to the forums. I experience you as someone who has already learned how to take advantage of the wealth of information here . . . enjoy! Quote I recently got my A license and did all my training (S/L progression) at a very small DZ. So, you're a Fast-Tracker! Way to go! Quote The biggest AC I've jumped was a King Air and that was a tandem! You hop in and fasten you seatbelt, it climbs up, someone opens up a hole in the side, you jump out. They are all fundamentally the same. Each different type has its own particulars, but that's nothing you can't handle. Just speak up when you get there, and someone from the DZ Staff will orient you to the aircraft. Quote The landing area at my DZ was a postage stamp . . . Consider yourself very well trained. Quote . . . and I was usually the last one in the air. Loading a 200 sq ft canopy at 1:1 you will likely continue to be one of the last ones in the air, right in front of the students and the tandems. You'll find that's a comfortable place to be. Quote I want to know what to expect as a first timer at these two DZ's (Perris & Elsinore). I know absolutely no skydivers in California and want to make some new friends. From the Dropzone.com home page, click on "Skydivers" then click on "More Search Options" at the bottom of the page. Type "Perris" (then later "Elsinore") in the "Home Dropzone" field and Search! You will find a list of registered Dropzone.com members from each DZ. Just search some profiles and find those who post a lot, and you have instant friends from your area! Quote I am intimidated about being under canopy with so many other jumpers. I saw people landing every which way and airplanes taking off and landing right next to the landing areas. Ask someone from the DZ Staff about the wind indicators (windsock, tetrahedron, etc.) and if there is a prescribed landing pattern. Most bigger DZ's have two landing areas. One for the swoopers and one for those who care not to mix it up with all of the highly experienced canopy pilots. Of course, you're welcome at Raeford anytime you're on the East Coast. You'll find lots of people at your experience level AND wing loading, as well as lots of Dotcommers to keep you company. Welcome to skydiving . . .Arrive Safely John Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
covey 0 #3 April 18, 2003 Welcome to life out of the shadows. I don't have enough experience to give you advice. Just thought I would send out a welcome. Believe those who are seeking truth. Doubt those who find it. -Andre Gide Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #4 April 18, 2003 Welcome to the forums! I agree that your training on a dz with a small landing area is going to put you ahead of the game. As long as you keep pulling relatively high, at 4000 or above, you will usually go out before the tandems so you won't have to worry about clean air-space. Remember that the general rule at most dz's is to follow the landing direction of the first person down. This is especially important to remember on low-wind days. I was a visitor to Perris last fall, and I had a great experience there. It is very professionally run and has a lot of friendly people. Make sure you give yourself about at least a half-hour to get through all the first-timer procedures, there's a lot. And, it helps to have friends from dz.com to look up, so put the word out that you're coming, and you might be able to find someone to hook-up with. If I was there, I'd jump with you! She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dgskydive 0 #5 April 18, 2003 I was in your same boat about 8 years ago. I learned how to jump at a small 2 Cessna DZ in Wa. Came to Perris with about 30-40 jumps for the first time. All I can tell you is that you will have friends in know time. Just be outgoing and nice and you should have know problem. PLenty of great jumpers to learn from and hang with. No matter if it is a small DZ or a big one. The one thing that remains the same is that we are all jumpers. Perris and I'm sure Elsinore well fill you in on all the rules and what is expected of jumpers as far as safety goes. No matter which one you choose you will find your spot and you won't regret it. In fact the next time you are at Perris on a weekend, look for me and I'll jump with ya. Just have me paged at manifest and we will have some fun. Welcome!Dom Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JSL5150 0 #6 April 21, 2003 Hi, Thanks everyone for the great advice and responses! I look forward to checking out these great So. Cal. DZ's within the next few weeksI suppose I have to work on an icon and a clever tag line, don't I? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SanDiegoRW 0 #7 April 22, 2003 Nah you don't need an Icon or a clever line but it may add to your forum personality. Hasn't helped me get laid or anything yet so what's the point? j/k Anyway, if you ever come down to Otay I'll jump with ya. Have a good one. -Kenny Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #8 April 22, 2003 Quote Hasn't helped me get laid or anything yet so what's the point? Well, maybe you just haven't found the right combination yet... --"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SanDiegoRW 0 #9 April 22, 2003 Maybe I'm just funny looking -Kenny Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racenic 0 #10 April 22, 2003 Welocme Newbie, I jump Perris all of the time. Since the weather is getting warmer plan a long weekend at Perris. Decide if your going to stay in the bunk house 8 dollars a night, or pitch a ten or sleep in you car. Arrive early Saturday Morning and get all of your paper work out of the way. (one time deal) Pre pay for your jumps. Ask in the Manifest office who is doing Load Organizing for the day and introduce yourself. If your doing RW you will meet approximately 10 other skydivers who will jump with you right off the bat. same with Free Flying! At the end of the day you can take a hot shower and hit the Bomb Shelter for dinner (some awesome food) and beer. (don't forget first round is on you) stay up late (more beer) and introduce your self to others (your making more friends) Sunday rolls around and you meet another L.O.(maybe the same one as the day before) and some of the 10 skydivers you jumped with the day before and some new ones too! Come back next week or the week after, you'll see the same faces (all whom will say "good morning are you on the next load" ) Plus you'll meet more skydivers. It really is that simple.......... Good Luck and Blue Skies!! Oh yeah, Have some of the people you jump with sign your log book, that way you won't forget their names, a different name for each jump! Nick D The key to Immortality is- first living a life worth remembering” Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JSL5150 0 #11 April 29, 2003 Hi all, I took the plunge at Perris last Saturday! Hooked up with some great people (thanks Jack and Josh) and had 3 great dives! Jumped 2 new A/C, attempted a 5 way (didn't fully form, but I got in there!), and wasn't too freaked about all the canopies flying around! Learned some new lingo, evidently I was "chipping" a bit in the air, maybe I should change my online name to Pringles or Lay's? Anyway, 33 jumps and counting, now on to Elsinore! Oh yeah, what the Hell is Otay? I did a search, but nothing turned up Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SanDiegoRW 0 #12 April 29, 2003 What is Otay? As in Skydive San Diego? -Kenny Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JSL5150 0 #13 April 29, 2003 Duh, as in Otay road, Otay lake, etc. Took a peek at the website, looks really nice. How come no one has reveiwed the DZ here on DZ.Com? I'll probably make it down there sometime this summer, I'll look you up. Can you really see the ocean? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SanDiegoRW 0 #14 April 29, 2003 You can see downtown, the ocean, Coronado, the Strand, IB, Mexico, Ect. -Kenny Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jtval 0 #15 April 29, 2003 I will say this...actually I'll type it. my best friend at new dz's when I was traveling around the world was the S&TA. if you dont know anyone go see the S&TA they'll show you all the stuff you need to know before you get off the ground. Then I would look for some dz.commers. I'm a whore here so I honestly like talking to the S&TA to get the point of view form someone who DOESN't know me first. after that I usually go and find some friends who will then tell me thier perspective on things! The S&TA has given the briefing 1,000 times. where as your friends may take for granted that you know what youre doing. I like to use every information gathering technique that I can beofre Im in the air! have fun!My photos My Videos Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sarge 0 #16 May 2, 2003 Hey, how are ya? welcome!! Never been to either, maybe someday soon, good luck!!-- I'm done with the personally meaningful and philosophical sigs!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
