Good 1st rig???

[jmar595 0]

This question has probabally been asked many times, but here goes again. Does anyone know of a good source for starting out in the skydiving world? Goggles,, hemets, alt., jumpsuits, and 1st rigs? Thanks all for any help.

[TSISK 0]

Try This for starters
http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/classifieds/page.cgi?d=1

[thrillstalker 0]

chuting star offers some deals for students. i got an altimeter, helmet, and gloves as a package and saved a few bucks.

chuting star is a great gear shop, but also an excellent reference source. give them a call or email with any questions and i am sure mike will be glad to help you out.

"Never grow a wishbone, where your backbone ought to be."

[skybytch 273]

If there is one, the gear store at the dropzone you jump at it.

[riggerrob 643]

Chuting Star is great gear store.
Square One is a great gear store
Square Two is a great gear store
Square Three is a great gear store.
Aerostore is a great gear store.
Para-Gear is a great gear store.
Sunshine Factory is a great gear store.
etc.
Find a gear store near you, visit them and ask them a million questions.

[jmar595 0]

Thank you all, that is very helpful. I cant seem to find many used systems with a little bigger chutes though. They all seem to be mid 100's. I am going to jump a navigator 290. What would be a good size to start with?

[riggerrob 643]

Make a dozen jumps on the Navigator 290 chutes - provided by your school - then ask your instructors if they think you are ready to step down to a smaller sized parachute.

[wmw999 2,588]

The size to shoot for is dependent on your weight and experience level in the beginning. But if you haven't jumped yet, wait a bit.

Normally you want to aim for your complete weight (i.e. clothed, with parachute & container on) being about the same as the number of square feet in the parachute. That's called your wing loading.

But get through your student progression first. They start a LOT of people on bigger Navigators, and then move them to smaller sizes through the student progression.

Around the end of student progression is generally a good time to buy gear; if you start looking now with an idea of what you'll need then you will at least have a better idea of what's out there and how often it shows up.

Wendy P.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)