CanuckInUSA

He might have been a student helicopter pilot, but it's only under very rare extreme cases that he would have been nothing more than a student pilot (on a solo flight). The vast majority of student helicopter pilots already hold some sort of fixed wing pilot certificate. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

As PIC, this guy was clearly at fault (I take it he was flying VFR, but what Navaids was he using). But shoot him down? Hmmm ... by the way this was written before you said you were kidding about shooting him down. When I fly in unfamiliar territory it's extremely important to carry the appropriate charts and pay attention to one's pilotage skills. But I also like using my portable aviation moving map GPS unit. In comes in real handy to alert oneself towards approaching airspaces as well as airport alternatives. If ya'll are pilots, then you know where I'm coming from. But if you're just people who jump out of airplanes, then I doubt very much you pay attention to where the airplanes you fly in, fly. Your home area can be confusing in different weather conditions let alone an area you're not familiar with. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

You're likely confusing the break off altitude differences between the RW groups and the freefliers. Freefliers need to slow down before we pull and thus break off and track much higher than RW groups. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

I would think that 2500-3500 is normal and from what I've seen 4000 is high. That's why it's nice to try and encourage the person to pull at 3500 so as not to disrupt the RW/Freefly order. But I'm sure a more experienced person might view things differently. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

I don't think there is a certain magical jump number that people should use as to when or when they shouldn't try to free fly. For me, it was a case of trying it once I knew I was jumping with a free fly friendly rig (my first free fly jump was an attempt to do a solo sit on jump #43). For sure you want to be proficient in the sit first before venturing head down. The sit isn't all that dangerous, but being out of control head down is. Now based on some recent observations, I believe that free fliers know how to fly their bodies way more than just belly fliers. I did a hoop jump at Eloy with a whole slew of belly fliers and one other free flier with the belly fliers having first crack at going through the hoop. The only belly flier to make it through the hoop was an experienced jumper and the funny thing that I saw was that myself and the other free flier (AggieDave) thought we were both in a great spot to make an attempt to get through the hoop. But all the other belly fliers took too long to get into position and we all ran out of altitude. Also, during the same trip while on the DZ.COM formation loads, I noticed that some belly fliers with similar number of jumps numbers than what I have didn't get to the formation as fast as I did. Now don't get me wrong here. I'm not saying that I was a formation skygod. Heck I don't have hardly any experience in this domain. It just seems that free fliers have a better knack at knowing how to fly their bodies than many belly people. So the sooner you want to learn how to fly your body, the sooner you should get into freeflying. I would still like to do the odd formation jump, but I'm a free flier all the way. Come to the dark side my friend. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

So when is this Perris nig noggery supposed to happen? Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

It's all about the beer. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

That's awesome Arthur. Lisa rocks!!! Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

That sucks Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

That's why you ripped off her arm in Eloy isn't it. You wanted more of her, but she was Peter's girl that jump. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

1:4:0 - 1 good time on Saturday night becoming the newest member of Team Bellas. - 4 jumps in on Saturday. But I didn't get to jump this morning due to some strong winds. Things died down later in the afternoon but it was too late. I had already poisened myself with some beer watching the Bucs beat the Eagles. - No beer owed this weekend. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Well it looks like Mother Nature has decided to screw with my jump numbers today. It's a beautiful warm sunny day today on the front range of Colorado. The only problem is that winds are howling at 30+ mph gusting to over 40 mph. I guess I'll just have to be contempt with the four jumps I did yesterday and the knowledge that I'm now a Team Bellas member (I've been impersonating one for some time now). Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

From the newest Bellas member (indoctrined in just last night), all I have to say is: BELLAS!!!! Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Peter ... Peter ... Peter ... what are you trying to do here. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

I know I'm not supposed to do this, but there is a slightly used boomerang helmet with about 60 jumps on it for sale (and motivated seller) in the DZ.COM classified ads. Check it out if you're interested. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Look on the bright side, this will give you some time to finish (or at least make progress) on the DZ.COM Eloy formation load videos. Actually I sort of know how you feel. I have this nagging shoulder injury (hurt a few weeks before the Eloy x-mas boogie) and I tweated it playing hockey the other night. I would be smart to rest it this weekend. But I won't. I'll be at the DZ tomorrow. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Darn skippy!!! Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Blame Canada ... LOL ... Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Way to go. Feels good doesn't it. Let us know when you do your first (oops beer) solo. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

If what Shark is saying is true, a $160 tandem jump is a good price. You should go for it. Besides, how could one go wrong jumping at Elsinore or Perris Valley? Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Isn't that remote more of an optical illusion? Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

I think I had too many of those free beers at the Eloy x-mas boogie. I'm sure I would have jumped more than my 42 times in 8 days had I been awake early in the mornings. But a good time was had thanks to the free beer by this Canadian camper during the x-mas boogie. I can't wait until next year.

Skybytch wanted me to post an update concerning my ProTrack issues. Also, I would like to add that the L&B people did contact me the other day via an email (saying that they never did get my original email I sent them Sunday evening) and that they were willing to work with me and Square One to get my problems resolved. Yesterday I shipped off my faulty ProTrack back to Square One and upon their receipt, Square One will be shipping me a replacement. Then Square One will ship the faulty ProTrack back to L&B and the L&B people will give Square One a new unit or some sort of credit. So when all is said and done, I should have a new ProTrack in my possession likely sometime mid to late next week? I know I can't rely solely on my audibles (which I really don't think I did in this scenario), but what I learned from all of this is that I'm going to be flying with a backup ProDytter. Afterall, audibles exist for a reason and they come in real handy (especially in a head down free fly). Happy skydiving everyone ... Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Just think, if I couldn't have made it to the x-mas boogie, I'd likely be there now and I'm sure I'd have had a great time. But I'm so happy and thankful that I was there for the x-mas boogie. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

My Whuffo family and friends are holding the fort with their hockey sticks. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over