Ghobbs444 0 #1 December 29, 2011 I JUST TYPED A WHOLE BIO AND EVERYTHING GOT DELETED! Heres a brief synopsis. Im brand new to the sport; Just got my A license and just bought a new rig and setup. I went brand new because I had the funds and got a smoking deal- That and, as good as peoples intentions are on the internet to sell their gear, you never know. I went with Wings w-18 with all the options. ( I mean all the options) Pilot 188 canopy WL at 1.1 and a smart 176 reserve. Contrary to popular conversation I went with an argus AAD. My friends all have them in their wings and havent had any problems (or fires, thank God) I bought my gear from good ol Ralph D-394 at western parachute sales and have learned a lot from him on safety and good solid skydiving. Total cost for the rig and assembly was only 5200 bucks! Im looking forward to what this sport can continue to bring to me as I continue to look for ways to give back to it. I was hesitant to create an account here because I felt as if I couldnt contribute as much as other people with more experience as myself. But, I realized I have more to learn by trying to contribute than if I stay in the shadows. Any advice I receive will be greatly appreciated from my new family. On a side note: On the subject of WL. I started on a 290 for the first 3 jumps then downsized student gear to a fusion 210 for 20 jumps and have jumped a fusion 190 3 times, all stand up landings. I went with the Pilot because my friends have them and I loved the way they felt with response, snivel, and control. I am not one of those new jumpers who wants to wingload his canopy at 1.6 and see how quickly I can learn to swoop. I believe that most canopy "pilots" dont fly their canopies to their full potential-- kind of like motorcylists who go for the highest power and end up being scared of their bikes as opposed to riding them to their full capacity. I hope the information I learn here and through experience ACTUALLY SKYDIVING will one day give me enough experience and knowledge to educate someone who is in my current shoes. Much appreciated is any advice and recommendations from my brothers and sisters in the sky! Blue Skies G-It is by choosing the paths of least resistance that makes men and rivers crooked. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
primetime 18 #2 December 29, 2011 Welcome to the aerial playground, my friend. Don't hesitate to comment or, more importantly, ask questions on dz.com. Who knows which little fact or tidbit will one day save your life? I was LOL about your comment that the rig you purchased from Ralph's was a smoking deal--at $5200 bucks! It made me feel like a grizzled veteran. In 1994, when I purchased my first main/reserve/container, I paid a whopping $325. Granted, it was a real POS. The main canopy even had a nickname..."the Cruise-Lite of Death." My advice regarding canopy progression: Stick with 188 sq ft for at least fifty jumps. When you are ready to downsize, purchase a non-crossbraced canopy in the 135/150/170 range (depending upon canopy model and your exit weight). Put hundreds and hundreds of jumps on it. Wear that bitch out. When you are completely dialed in on that canopy, in every situation, weather condition and landing area, and you can hit the pea gravel/landing target every single time...only then should you consider downsizing further. And if you are thinking about high-performance landings, proceed with caution. That shit can kill ya. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #3 December 29, 2011 Welcome to the forums! 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
Ghobbs444 0 #4 December 30, 2011 Man o Man-- a whopping 325! Well, you're still hear which means the rig did its job. I appreciate the advice on the canopy downsizing. I weigh right around 225 when I get out of the plane which would put my WL right around 1.1-1.2 . Ill probably jump with this canopy all summer and possibly into next year, just to make sure I can land it on point every single time, in all conditions. As for the high performance landings... Ill probably save those for a later date. Until I feel comfortable. Skymama- Ill be posting some pictures soon of the gear and setup so you all can drool over it too... Im pretty sure I was more excited for my rig when it came in, than when I got married for the first time (im divorced now :) But there is one thing that will never let me down. And you know what that is :) Thanks guys for the responses and Im sure we'll be talking soon! Blue Skies G-It is by choosing the paths of least resistance that makes men and rivers crooked. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
deltron80 0 #5 January 6, 2012 welcome to the forums & congrats on the new gear..now let's see some pics Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
