training with a new chute/ other newb questions

[chemist 0]

Is it possible to train for a class A license with your own parachute? I am looking at a chute from sunpath and it says it is a entry level student parachute.

I feel like I'd almost rather learn with my own chute while I can with instructors who can answer my questions and give me confidence using my own gear rather than get my class A and then go at it on my own. Or am I just rationalizing a way to prematurely buy really cool equipment?

I am posting this with hesitation out of fear of being chastised so please go easy on me.

I really want to start doing this and I no longer have any legitimate excuses to put this off any longer. But I still have that 'sick to my stomach' feeling and am feeling guilty about wanting to do this even though I know it's really safe.

[NWFlyer 2]

Quote

Or am I just rationalizing a way to prematurely buy really cool equipment?

Yes.

Go to the dropzone. Hang around. Talk to the instructors. Talk to the jumpers. Ask about instructional programs. Learn how safe (and not safe) it really is. Sign up. Or don't. But quit overthinking it.

"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

[chemist 0]

that's not the answer I wanted to hear.

[NWFlyer 2]

chemist

that's not the answer I wanted to hear.

Welcome to skydiving.

"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

[chemist 0]

ok but seriously if it's a student rig just like one a DZ would rent out to students what is the difference if it's my own or theirs?

sorry if I sound stupid.

[wolfriverjoe 1,523]

I would strongly suggest waiting to buy any gear. Particularly the actual rig (Harness/Container) or Canopy (chute).

#1 - Gear appropriate for a first-jump student is not what you will want after you get your license. It is very possible you will progress through a variety of different sized canopies as you go through the student progression.

#2 - The DZ will provide the gear for your initial student jumps. Any reputable DZ would not allow you to jump your own gear for your first jumps. At least not without inspecting it very carefully to make sure it is appropriate for you and that it is in safe condition to jump.

You don't need to buy anything at first. It's all provided for you.

But if you have to buy something a logbook or a pair of goggles won't cost you much.
A helmet (Benny or ProTec) or an altimeter would run a bit more, but are also common early purchases.

But wait until you have at least a couple jumps before you get much, and make sure you discuss this with your instructors before you buy it.

"There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy

"~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo

[likestojump 3]

chemist

that's not the answer I wanted to hear.

You should go and spend $6000-$7000 on a new gear that you can get your A license with.

Better ?

Just remember - you will most likely end up taking a $1000-$2000 loss on that gear when you will be selling it 50-100 jumps later.

As long as that's cool - go for it. And don't forget the most likely 12-38 weeks waiting time.

[chemist 0]

yea I guess I don't mean right away, I want to do at least a few jumps to make sure I'm not going to 'wuss out' off skydiving. But I'd like to buy it during my training as motivation, something about jumping out of a freaking airplane requires a lot of motivation.

[chemist 0]

likestojump

***that's not the answer I wanted to hear.

You should go and spend $6000-$7000 on a new gear that you can get your A license with.

Better ?

Just remember - you will most likely end up taking a $1000-$2000 loss on that gear when you will be selling it 50-100 jumps later.

As long as that's cool - go for it. And don't forget the most likely 12-38 weeks waiting time.

So if I ordered a Javelin from chuting star or something it would take minimum 12 weeks for me to get it?

This is actually motivation for me to go out and start getting jumps in so I can buy stuff before winter starts.

[Trafficdiver 8]

chemist

******that's not the answer I wanted to hear.

You should go and spend $6000-$7000 on a new gear that you can get your A license with.

Better ?

Just remember - you will most likely end up taking a $1000-$2000 loss on that gear when you will be selling it 50-100 jumps later.

As long as that's cool - go for it. And don't forget the most likely 12-38 weeks waiting time.

So if I ordered a Javelin from chuting star or something it would take minimum 12 weeks for me to get it?

This is actually motivation for me to go out and start getting jumps in so I can buy stuff before winter starts.

I would also suggest using the DZs gear. Do you want to be that golfer with the bestest, newest clubs that can't hit the ball off the tee?

I would go to the dz you plan on doing your tandem, or sl or AFF at and talk to the instructor before you do anything else, then jump, then come back and talk to us.

Have you done a tandem yet?

[cavscout73 0]

Hold off as others have said. you will most likely want out of the ”student size” soon after you get your license. and then your either gonna be stuck jumping equipment your not going to be happy with, or losing money when you try to sell.
Buy the basics, helmet altimeter, goggles. Look for a good used jump suit.. Once you have your license or close to then look for a rig.. You will be glad you did.
I bought my first by jump 6 I think. By jump 35 I sold it . Lost some money .. It was cool having my own stuff right away, but it sucked losing a few bucks and buying again after just a couple months.
My .02

[Bignugget 0]

chemist

Is it possible to train for a class A license with your own parachute? I am looking at a chute from sunpath and it says it is a entry level student parachute.

I feel like I'd almost rather learn with my own chute while I can with instructors who can answer my questions and give me confidence using my own gear rather than get my class A and then go at it on my own. Or am I just rationalizing a way to prematurely buy really cool equipment?

I am posting this with hesitation out of fear of being chastised so please go easy on me.

I really want to start doing this and I no longer have any legitimate excuses to put this off any longer. But I still have that 'sick to my stomach' feeling and am feeling guilty about wanting to do this even though I know it's really safe.

Buy a new 190 rig.

Make sure it fits someone 5'8 ~185lbs.

When you sell it in a couple months.

PM me.

Thanks.

[-Joey- 0]

chemist

ok but seriously if it's a student rig just like one a DZ would rent out to students what is the difference if it's my own or theirs?

sorry if I sound stupid.

Because you don't want to be on a student rig with a dinosaur-sized main after you're licensed and have a few jumps under your belt.

Plus, you may want to get into more specialized disciplines such as freeflying or wingsuiting and what you decide to get into will have a big impact on your container and canopy choice.

Skydiving is serious business

[Trev_S 0]

Spend money on coaching, it's far more valuable.

You will probably only put 5 jumps on the first rig you jump in AFF. I went 260 4 jumps --> 250 4 jumps --> 230 20 jumps --> now I'm on a 210 @ 30 jumps and will be on a 190 for a couple of hundred jumps soon.

You will learn, as I recently have, that the scariest part of skydiving is the $$ it costs to learn. Save your money!

[rwieder 0]

Quote

that's not the answer I wanted to hear.

You asked a question, you received an answer. Don't be upset if it's not what you wanted to hear. If you want to buy your own rig, get at it. Insure it has an RSL, AAD and a main that keeps your wing load at no more than a 1:0:1 Fly the wings off of it. You'll figure the rest out by yourself. Take a canopy course, and before you buy a main, demo, demo, demo. I would suggest a 7 cell to begin with. They're very forgiving canopies.

-Richard-
"You're Holding The Rope And I'm Taking The Fall"

[chemist 0]

Trafficdiver

*********that's not the answer I wanted to hear.

You should go and spend $6000-$7000 on a new gear that you can get your A license with.

Better ?

Just remember - you will most likely end up taking a $1000-$2000 loss on that gear when you will be selling it 50-100 jumps later.

As long as that's cool - go for it. And don't forget the most likely 12-38 weeks waiting time.

So if I ordered a Javelin from chuting star or something it would take minimum 12 weeks for me to get it?

This is actually motivation for me to go out and start getting jumps in so I can buy stuff before winter starts.

I would also suggest using the DZs gear. Do you want to be that golfer with the bestest, newest clubs that can't hit the ball off the tee?

I would go to the dz you plan on doing your tandem, or sl or AFF at and talk to the instructor before you do anything else, then jump, then come back and talk to us.

Have you done a tandem yet?

yea I did a tandem last summer. I'm just going to buck up and start jumping, talk to people and have the goal of buying a chute within a couple of months after about 50 jumps. I'll have my license and will know more about equipment then.


I was looking at the Javelin Legacy and it doesn't really look that bulky. Of course a picture does not equate to what it actually is like in real life.

[chemist 0]

rwieder

Quote

that's not the answer I wanted to hear.

You asked a question, you received an answer. Don't be upset if it's not what you wanted to hear. If you want to buy your own rig, get at it. Insure it has an RSL, AAD and a main that keeps your wing load at no more than a 1:0:1 Fly the wings off of it. You'll figure the rest out by yourself. Take a canopy course, and before you buy a main, demo, demo, demo. I would suggest a 7 cell to begin with. They're very forgiving canopies.

you are making assumptions. I wasn't upset at what I didn't want to hear.

But this thread is helping me realize I need to get my class A fast, because the sooner I get a license the sooner I'll learn what parachute I need.

[Bluhdow 31]

Before you get too deep into skydiving you should learn how to listen to people who know what they're talking about. It will be important down the line.

Apex BASE
#1816

[chemist 0]

Do you want to be that golfer with the bestest, newest clubs that can't hit the ball off the tee?


nah I don't want to be that guy but it's not the same. I don't want to be the guy that says you have to start on a used 250cc either. Riding a motorcycle is easy as pie. There's a balance to be drawn between suck and being safety conscious.

[chemist 0]

Bluhdow

Before you get too deep into skydiving you should learn how to listen to people who know what they're talking about. It will be important down the line.

I am listening to people.

[Quagmirian 40]

rwieder

I would suggest a 7 cell to begin with. They're very forgiving canopies.

Yes, get a Diablo loaded at 1:1. That would be a great student canopy.

[Maksimsf 0]

Dude, you can get a nice deal here @ classifields for a used velo, jvx, jfx, Katanas, why bother with student shit?
Edit: this chemist sounds like some engineer that was banned not so long ago :)

[chemist 0]

Ok I got it. Consensus is don't buy a new student rig, wait until after 50-100 jumps and buy something better.

I don't want to buy used.

[rwieder 0]

Quote

Don't be upset if it's not what you wanted to hear. If you want to buy your own rig, get at it. Insure it has an RSL, AAD and a main that keeps your wing load at no more than a 1:0:1 Fly the wings off of it. You'll figure the rest out by yourself. Take a canopy course, and before you buy a main, demo, demo, demo. I would suggest a 7 cell to begin with. They're very forgiving canopies.

Since you obviously didn't hear me the 1st time. This is about the best advice I can give you. When I was going through the AFP back in the day at SDSL I ordered my rig straight away. I didn't wait for wood, water or coal.

-Richard-
"You're Holding The Rope And I'm Taking The Fall"

[Quagmirian 40]

chemist

Ok I got it. Consensus is don't buy a new student rig, wait until after 50-100 jumps and buy something better.

I don't want to buy used.

That's absolutely fine. Buying new has a number of benefits, like having the harness sized to you, and knowing exactly what you're getting. Be aware that there are some downsides, like the initial lead time and a significant drop in resale value when you come to sell the rig.