hillson

Skydive City in Zephyrhills is your best bet. Largest DZ in this neck of the woods, permanent turbines etc etc. http://www.skydivecity.com/ Edit: other options are: Skydive Tampa or Lake Wales. Both probably a bit more of a drive depending on where you are in Pinellas.

eh, that was more of a way to gauge the height, dramatically. I suppose I could have said immediate turn into the pattern. lol. at any rate, it was rather low. and dumb.

Have a few dumb ones that all seemed to cluster around jumps 200-250 (go figure). 1) Low cloud day so we were running the Cessna for h&p. The ceilings kept dropping so the final load was ~2400. As it was the lowest I'd been out I was a bit nervous. Pitched as soon as I saw I was clear of the plane and proceeded to tow a bag lock while I sat around shaking the risers etc. I was fully open right above where electronics may have kicked in. Stupid. [edit] Not a simple low-speed hesitation...I sat there watching the stupid thing dance around. 2) Light load...I'm on a belly 4-way with video, there was 1 solo FF new guy and a couple of tandems. My first experience with later group(s) sliding under the formation. As I turn to track I find myself aiming for a fully open canopy. Avoid the canopy, panic, and end up pulling low (for me). Forget all about aviate and navigate while under canopy by spending time looking for the guy...proceed to run myself out of outs. For those familiar with ZHills - I landed between the packing mat and the hangar. Stupid. 3) Basic gear maintenance. Was having fits with my new risers as the webbing / tape / whatever on the toggle keepers was loose to the point where one end of the toggle would pop out, with some frequency. Third night jump on new year's...~1:45AM. Routine jump and deployment etc. Look up and *both* toggles are *barely* secured. I mean barely...came within a hair's width of having a double brake fire at night. More of a what could have happened but I definitely take much better care of my stuff now. Figured since it was brand new it would be fine. Stupid. Nothing dumb or stupid in the last year...would like to think that I've 1) learned from my mistakes and 2) make better decisions.

edit: in general, IMO, I tend to think the comparison / question is better when you're talking about folks in the 500-1500 range of jumps...when this guy has 9000, that guy has 4500, this dude has 12000 (be they tandem, demos, RW etc) the comparions begin to lose some meaning, I think. In general, I would assume that if someone is doing 1000 a year they're either being paid to teach, compete, are commerical or some combination. Dunno...sort of an odd thing to think about when there are digits bigger than 1 or 2 in front of the comma... While the plural of anecdote is not data, of course, the only concrete info we have is those that tried to outsmart the planet and lost (minus the rumor mills and the things that some know happen and are never reported etc etc). The USPA presents the data a bit differently depending on the year and it is admittedly a small sample but there is a running theme that the org has highlighted each of the last three years in their "general comments / remarks" section. I suspect it will be similar this year though I've not looked. Anyway, just some random thoughts... 2012 - 19 deaths Average Jumps 2049 Years in Sport 14 Age 46 Median in the same order: 850, 11, 47 The jump experience of skydivers who die in the sport has shifted to the high end.When the sport was in its infancy, students represented about 33 percent of the fatalities in any given year. In 2012, students (including two tandem students) represented 16 percent of the deaths, whereas people with more than 1,000 jumps represented 42 percent. Fifteen of the jumpers (80 percent) were at or above the D-license experience level. The average age of U.S. skydivers who died was 46. By way of comparison, in 1963, 35 percent of the people who died were students and about 6 percent had reached the D-license level. None had more than 1,000 jumps. The average age was 27. http://parachutistonline.com/feature/lessons-to-be-learned 2011 - 25 deaths Average Jumps 3634 (range: 1-20K) Years in Sport 11.3 (range: 1d to 43yrs) Age 49 (range: 21-75) Median in the same order: 1000, 9. 31.5 This was not a good year for students. Novice jumpers, those with less than 25 jumps, represented 20 percent of the total who died in 2011. This compares unfavorably with the previous 10-year average of 11 percent. The telling statistic in regard to experience level is the percentage of those at the USPA expert (D-license) level. The majority—64 percent—of the people who died in the U.S. in 2011 had more than 500 jumps. http://parachutistonline.com/feature/fatality-summary-2011 2010 - 21 deaths Average Jumps 2083 Years in Sport 18 Age 47 Median in the same order: 1450, 20, 25 Experience should be a real advantage in facing the challenges of skydiving, but overconfidence and complacency are killers.The average number of jumps for the people who died in 2010 was 2,083. In 2010, 83 percent of those who died were D-license qualified. Eleven of those had anywhere from 1,000 to 9,000 jumps. The average for those who died landing their main parachutes was 3,071 jumps. It is obvious that experience will not offset equipment choices and jumping conditions. http://parachutistonline.com/feature/time-to-regroup%E2%80%94-2010-fatality-summary

The only bit of advice that I have is...get one that comes with an external battery charger. Many have batteries that you can swap but are still charged through the device. A real pain in the ass. Also a big fan of the Kanger Protanks...the multi-piece ones that you can fully disassemble are great.

Come to FL and you can choose from multiple types of scenery: green or brown.

Did you ask your instructors about this? What did they say? You're doing AFF at Deland, IIRC. They've thrown a student or two out of a plane...and would probably be a good source of advice. I doubt you'd find new, greater information here than the folks at the DZ.

There are no tolls on I95 or I4. The various roads around them however...if you're flying into Orlando there should be zero problem getting a car with an e tag.

Even though it is a bit more of a haul...give Sebastian a try, too. They definitely cater a bit more to the "all-axis" flying crowd. Lots of good beginner camps etc. pretty soon you'll find out that the local FL community is small enough that you'll see familiar faces at any of the Big 3 down here. Not to knock Deland, of course. They get a bad rep sometimes about more serious, less fun. Unwarranted, I think...as I think it is fun place to jump and drink beers. Luckily variety is the spice of life, especially in FL

Looks like the inside of the JR Otter...that is one hot plane. Nice shot, too.

It it right on the order form directly above the the picture that outlines which sections of the container can be colored...and are listed on the options price list ($80). I've seen a few folks with them and they seem pretty happy with the option - mix of FF and RW types. They appear to be well integrated and I'd happily order them as an option (not that really means anything to anybody...). I tried on a few of the pre-production rigs (in various sizes) when the engineers were working out whatever it is they were working out. Pretty comfortable - moreso than my year old Talon. Never jumped a new one, though...FWIW.

Late to the game but...The Monastery Blend coffees from the Orthodox monks on Vashon Island near-ish to Seattle. http://vashonmonks.com/coffee.htm Had it years ago at one of those ethnic church festivals and still remember it.

You're seeking a rating that allows you to instruct, jump with, and evaluate pre-licensed students and you're quibbling over $175.

I know people probably tire of the hosannas to L&B...but I might as we'll add one, too. Had a Viso II and a Solo II that we're both acting up (both purchased new...but outside of the warranty window). I sent a detailed explanation of the problem early last week via the web form and heard back about six hours later. Brand new replacements arrived today. No hassle, no fuss. Like most I'm just your average weekend skydiver, nothing special to L&B. Their only request was that I send the old units to Deland once I received the replacements. Superior service which justifies the hype, in my opinion.

http://www.skydiveaz.com/docs/default-source/safety-documents/aircraft-policies.pdf?sfvrsn=0

Closer to $140 depending on the size of the class, IIRC. Hiring a F-1 instructor for the day (solo) costs ~$350. All sans jumps.

Assuming that you, indeed, have only seven jumps those skills which you describe as "excellent" probably need a lot of work. Hell, my stuff needs lots of work too. Assuming you won't travel south/west to jump during the winter season, use the intervening months to sharpen the skills that will serve you well when your training in the sky resumes as well as during your future, licensed skydiving career. Any halfway competent tunnel coach can structure a program that takes you from where you are to where you want to be. For someone far more than "halfway comptetent" contact Ben Liston (I think he sometimes posts on this site). He can help you out or point you in the right direction to someone who can. He is an exceptional coach (and belly flier, for that matter). Call SVNH and ask which coaches book block time during the evenings and ask for some contact info. Hell, SNE is open until the middle of November. Call manifest and ask for recommendations. If all else fails contact Ari Perelman and ask for recommendations up in that neck of the woods. When you pay for a coach you're getting something more than someone standing in the door while you fly and getting a debrief. Thousands of tunnel hours, thousands of jumps...scads of medals. A much better use of time and money than developing a progression plan which, most times, simply just throwing shit against the wall to see what sticks.

I'll bite because I'm bored...and the World Series is going as expected. Up front...this is rather poorly worded "quiz" with respect to some questions. Questions 7, 9, 12, 13, 16, 17, 18 are poorly worded / confusing / whatever. At any rate, pretending I'm a pre-licensed student: Parachutist Certificate Exam 1. Describes your emergency procedures in the event of a malfunction? look, locate, peel, punch, pull 2. Describe your canopy checks? is it there, square, and stable. flare, left, right, flare. 3. It is important to check your parachute equipment at what times? before you put it on, in the loading area, before you exit 4. You should check your deployment handles in what order? in the order that you use them 5. Upon canopy deployment you are facing another canopy, the fastest way to turn your parachute out of the possible collision is? rears. right, typically, though that isn't true for 100% of situations; depends where you're heading 6. Your main canopy opens with line twists, your immediate response is? check altitude. 7. Under canopy you find yourself at 3000ft down wind of the 2000ft or holding point. Your response should be? Fly to holding area. If you're not going to make the holding area and regular pattern decide on an alternate by 2000 ft. 8. What is your minimum decision altitude that you should carry out your emergency procedures if you are unable to control your main parachute? Whatever your hard deck is… 9. Your left hand flight path is going to take you over the centre of the PLA below500ft, your best response will be? Too many variables. At which point am I at in the pattern? 10. Correctly list the landing priority order? Wing level, land in an open area, flare to at least half brakes, prepare to PLF 11. Which correctly lists the deployment priority rules? Pull, Pull at the correct altitude, Pull while stable 12. You have ended up having to land off the PLA, your new intended landing point is in a clear paddock but the surface is on the side of a hill. The wind direction is blowing directly up the hill. What should be your landing direction? What altitude am I at? Too many variables to answer. 13. You are coming in to dock on a formation. You should never? Use the formation to stop 14. Is it possible to land your canopy on half brakes? Yes 15. On your final turn for landing you find you are traveling very fast. You look up and find you are landing down wind. Your reaction should be? Land like normal and prepare to PLF 16. The PLA is surrounded by obstacles of trees and buildings, careful flight and concentration is required to land in the PLA. The obstacles that you can’t see on first glance may well include? Turbulence? 17. Your equipment is fitted with an AAD that is fitted to? I would assume the reserve closing loop… 18. You are in the second group to leave the aircraft. You look out the door and see the first group falling directly below the aircraft as opposed to falling away on about a 45º angle from the door. This indicates to you that? Didn't' learn how to properly calculate free fall separation...? 19. The correct exit order for different free fall disciplines is? RW large to small, FF large to small, higher deployment at X altitude, students, tandems, high clear and pull, wing suit 20. You are flying a sport canopy in a load of 20 other canopies. Who has the right of way over you? Canopies below you 21. When is your skydive deemed to be over? When you and your canopy are both on the ground 22. The life and performance of your skydiving equipment can be greatly reduced by ................................? Exposure to sunlight

It was really awesome when Orlando was the only kicker in town; we won every month. Then Seattle joined in the mix and we actually had to work. Then NH showed up and we realized that 20+ averages in the beer brackets really didn't mean all that much. Then the Czechs arrived and we said "ah, fuck it, they're from Yurrop" and the realized that they can smoke it in the breezy tube Then SF crashed the party and things were reset again... I like seeing the weekenders (of which I'm one) compete in 4-way. I like it even better when ZHills, already dealing with the Project Orange stuff, has to bring in another plane just to deal with the lift needs of the 4-way teams competing in the FSL playoffs this weekend. Thank you for getting the NorCal stuff off the ground. We need more of it and it is awesome that it is happening.

This. If the airfield / dz can accommodate this type of jump and the conditions permit...why not? Had one of these this summer...chasing the typical Florida summer sucker hole. Just wasn't going to happen. It was clear below 3ish (I think I got out 2600-2700) and the whole load was local with nothing lower than a C license. Pilot received the ok for his intentions and 17 of 19 on the load did a clear and pull. I was out towards the end and I remember looking back after I was sorted seeing a string of jumpers behind me all under canopy. It was like some bizarre WWII bombing run...really neat visual for those in the air and on the ground. Granted the conditions were favorable and we received the ok to string out over the airfield...but if you're going to pay anyway you might as well jump if the conditions are such that you are comfortable. I can't describe most of my jumps as they are pretty similar but ill always remember this one.

Portsmouth, NH sort of has the "blink and you'll miss it" quality to it - especially compared to Portland, ME which is small in its own right (as I write from the tourist metropolis of, um, Tampa). But, better bars, good craft breweries. North NH will be beyond peak season if you're in the mood to leaf peep. I second (or third) the trip to Rockport, MA. The little fishing shack in the harbor is so iconic that its name is "Motif #1" for goodness sake!

are you gonna stick it in a full-face helmet? in my (limited) experience with the neptunes if you're going to stick it in a G3 it is going to be uncomfortable due to the size. Seem to work OK in a Phantom X, though. Other helmets...dunno. If you have the ability to head to a DZ and see what different audibles people stick in their brain buckets it might help narrow. If you're going open-face or on the wrist...can't help there. Anyhoo...just something to consider (I use L&B stuff, personally).

Same canopy. Who can get it to you quicker and cheaper? I'm assuming you're buying new. FWIW...most of the used stuff you see here or elsewhere comes from Spain. Just minus the fuck yeah.

Thx

Confession: know nothing about tandems. What are the yellow cables that are in frame at :20ish? Merely curious.