pandamonium

I really enjoyed this article also. Thanks for putting this all together.

Isn't the 6th jumper missing from the lineup? Wouldn't that be David Billings?

I had the chance to stop by here on 4/31/2016. Very nice DZ with all the facilities. Everyone on the staff was nice and the DZ is very laid out. Short walk to the plane, and they have a trailer pick you up in the landing field. They have a lot of equipment for rent in many different sizes. Packing area for fun jumpers is a bit small, but I didn't see anyone stepping over each other to pack.

Had the opportunity to visit on 4/30/2016. Extremely friendly staff. Did two jumps under some very new Vector/Aerodyne equipment. Would visit again in a heartbeat.

Welcome! Out of the Blue has a great view of Pikes Peak. Really nice DZ out there. They are 15 minutes from work for me. I hate landing in planes.

I did this exact same thing before my AFF a few years back. I did 3x10 minute sessions on Saturday, and the same on Sunday. I think I had like an hour break in between each 10 minute session. It's very doable. You'll be tired, but doable. Looking back, I think 30 minutes would have been enough for me. I'm glad I did. I felt like I breezed through the stable/maneuvers portion of the AFF. I think my rate was close to that. Maybe 950-960 for 1 hour with a coach. I hate landing in planes.

Welcome. I have a good friend in Twin Cities. I'm dragging him to his first Tandem in September. Blue Skies, Chris I hate landing in planes.

I flew to Skydive city / Zephyrhills to learn. Don't regret one minute of it. Great place, great people. -Chris I hate landing in planes.

It's pretty crazy here. I've got a few friends who got mandatory evacuated. I'm farther south. This is two major fires in two years. Last year Waldo Canyon threatened the whole West side of the city. This year the Black Forest is on the same warpath on the North side of the city. I hate landing in planes.

Those guys are great at SVCO. I did a bit of time prior to my AFF last May and really glad I did. I think I have 10 minutes scheduled in July to begin backflying. -Chris I hate landing in planes.

You might look at the "S" settings in the BIOS of the computer. I've had issues with that when I had hibernation/wake-up issues on PC's in the past. The article is for Windows 7, but it should be relevant. http://www.sevenforums.com/installation-setup/30124-bios-settings-s1-s3-hybrid-sleep.html I hate landing in planes.

Nice! I went to Florida last week for 16 days. It was worth it. I really enjoyed doing everything for my A license in one trip. I went to Deland for 3 solo jumps when ZHills was closed on one of the Wednesdays. (Summer hours) I liked it. Enjoy, focus, stay safe, and have fun. -Chris I hate landing in planes.

I definitely won’t be doing any swooping or proximity flying. I enjoy everything I’ve done in skydiving so far. I think it will keep me entertained for a long time. I do eventually want to get into wingsuiting, I figure I’ve already paid for the ticket up and I might as well get more out of it. My accident was in 2002, luckily I had good family to always keep me positive. I do have a handful, say 5 friends, that were there and thankfully are still here hanging out with me. It’s amazing who sticks around sometimes doesn’t it? Sometimes the people you don’t think will be there are their more than those you thought would be….did that make sense?!? I too was faced with the first doctor saying things don’t look good and you may never walk again. People don’t know I’ve had a major fracture until I tell them. Hint: Don’t put your foot on the dash as a passenger. :D I can honestly say that skydiving is ONE of the factors that make this part of my life the highlight of my 30 years on this planet. Everything has come together after a lot going in my life as well. Skydiving has given me the ability to truly appreciate life to its fullest. I think that level is different for everyone, and when you find it it’s amazing. Kind of like that feeling of riding a bike all alone for the first time. I hate landing in planes.

On my C1 or C2 I kind of zoned out like you mentioned. I totally forgot to do the practice pull. I was aware, but I just came out of the plane and just hung out there. The instructors hand signal was kind of like a "hey fucker pay attention" and I did a practice pull. Shortly after they released and I was on my own. I even forgot to lock on at 5500' and pull at 5000'. I ended up adding 500' to it. It wasn't bad, it just threw my instructors off. It honestly felt overwhelming that jump. I did the other C1/C2 shortly after that and did great. Stay positive and keep the basics in mind. That's what counts. -Panda I hate landing in planes.

These are all awesome stories. I'm glad their are more people with the same scenario I'm faced with. I actually went to 2 Physical Therapy sessions after my appointment a few weeks ago. (Most of the stuff I can do on my own after I was taught some exercises/stretches) We worked on muscle and flexibility. I think I found the culprit. It's my Iliotibial band. The Therapist stretched it properly and everything I talked about "streched out." Totally agree with knowing what elements are presented in front of you during skydiving. I to rode a bike a few years ago. People don't know what they do until they see what they do in position of a motorcycle. I just did 3 jumps this last weekend at Mile-Hi, I don't plan on quitting any time soon. Blue skies, Chris I hate landing in planes.

As a CCW holder, I don't know what I would have done. Movie room full of chaos, some asshole at the front of the theater popping shots, tear gas. The last thing we need is a 2nd person shooting. What if I hit someone else with a bullet? What if I was thought to be on the offensive? Maybe if I was in the front row with an option, open, and clear shot I'd consider it. I hate landing in planes.

Hey, just thought I’d give you an update just in case someone else had a similar issue in the future. I went to an orthopedic doctor today just to talk with him about my concerns. This doctor also is centered on sports medicine, so he was able to listen and give me positive feedback. The X-ray’s looked REALLY good. He was impressed with how I’ve taken care of my injury over a course of 11 years. He told me to really focus on landings. He thinks most of the “discomfort” I feel is associated with muscle strength. He said to still continue being mindful and cautious of my injury; exactly how I have been with my hip so far. He also mentioned that my joint that’s been fixed is no stronger/weaker than my good joint. He said if I understand the risk, and the greater possibility to arthritis, that I should be safe under normal skydiving procedures. Again, LANDINGS were the most of his concern. He compared me skydiving to me being a Marathon runner. I have an injury, I’ll have limitations. Should I run a Marathon…should I run at all? Probably not, but enjoy life. Should I skydive 10 times a day on Saturday and Sunday…probably not, but accept the risk and enjoy life. I’d like to do 10 skydives a day EVERY day, but I have already put limitations on myself because I know how I feel afterwards. I didn’t mention this earlier, but I’ve lost 30 lbs this year so far, and still want to get less than 200lbs. I’m going to keep that goal in mind as I go forward. The doctor also mentioned doing a bit of physical therapy to focus on strength and flexibility. I feel comfortable and physically capable to safely skydive. I have also considered and accept the risk of arthritis, because the payoff is worth it. I absolutely love this sport. Thanks for the feedback and considerations. See you in the sky soon! -Chris I hate landing in planes.

Thank you! I've got the same input from someone else who has had the same type of injury. Being that I'm new to this sport, landing is something I need to improve on. I consider my hip each and every time I decide to jump. I understand that I'm at a greater risk than a person who hasn't had this type of injury. As far a the other bit of advice, I don't consider it harsh at all. I know I can do better, and improve my overall health and abilities by working out more. I've taken this advice in a positive manner. Thanks everyone so far for the feedback. -Chris I hate landing in planes.

I did my checkups up until 3 years. Everything with the X-ray's looked awesome. I haven't hurt at all since my recovery overall other than what I described. I have been meaning to have a checkup, but really didn't have a reason to warrant a doctor visit/x-ray bill. With this in light, I think I'm going to consider it MUCH more. Like I said, what I'm feeling isn't abnormal. I seldom have pain that can be associated with some type of physical activity I hate landing in planes.

Howdy, I had a hip fracture that banged up my left hip socket (acetabulum) about 11 years ago in a car accident. I had to have about 10 pins and 2 plates installed to help me get back on my feet again. I feel great, and really only have small pain the next day (1 on a 1-10 scale) when I have to lift heavy objects. I think its more muscle fatigue because I tend to protect my left leg by depending on my right leg more. My doctor said I shouldn’t have “routine impact to lower extremities.” Other than that, I have no other limitations given by my doctor. Inevitably I’ll have to have a hip replacement between 20-30 years from the impact. I don’t run, but I walk a lot. I keep my weight manageable, and am 5’10” around 220 lbs. I could afford to lose a bit and get less than 200 lbs. I’m just starting out my skydiving career and love it. I had a wonderful opportunity to go down to Z-Hills and get my A-license over a 2 week vacation. I just did my 28th jump this last weekend and feel great. I do get that muscle fatigue/pain I described the next day after I jump. I think it mostly comes from the opening shock from the canopy. I wanted to post here to ask a few questions. No, it’s not medical questions I know I need to see an orthopedic doctor and get advice. 1. Does anyone else have the same situation that I have? 2. Are there ways to ease hip impact on chute deployment? I’ve thought maybe grabbing my chest strap and somewhat “flexing” to reduce the impact. 3. Are there container systems that may provide more hip support? Is there anything I can wear underneath to help this? I know I don’t want to restrict movement, but I think a happy medium can be achieved. 4. Am I asking for trouble? Thanks for the input, Chris I hate landing in planes.

Welcome to the forums and this sport. I hate landing in planes.

Success! I achieved getting my USPA A License. I flew down to Skydive City for 17 days on vacation. I stayed right on the dropzone. In two weeks I had actually ended 9 days available to jump. (Minus weather, travel time, ground school, weekends, etc) It was a close finish, because right after my check dive the wind picked up and it was my last jump while I was there. It’s such a feeling of accomplishment. It was everything I expected and more. The facilities are also amazing. The staff there is great. I felt that they were very professional and knew very well all the aspects they taught me about the sport. I left feeling that I was well informed about all the aspects surrounding my A license/student level and more. I know for a fact that I will talk about this experience for the rest of my life. I met so many good people to help me achieve my goals. I wouldn’t be here talking about this without all of their support and knowledge. I highly recommend Skydive city. I am looking forward to visiting there again…and again…and again. Blue skies, Chris I hate landing in planes.

I'll be there this Thursday and Friday. I have an hour I'm doing to help me when I go to do AFF in June. Glad you had a good experience with coaching. I've only been up for fun to SVCO so far. I hate landing in planes.

Yeah I put a lot of thought into it. It's the best time that I can make it down there. I might come in May if I get a chance to though. Hopefully I can get 23 jumps completed in two weeks/12 days if the weather will act right! I hate landing in planes.

The line that runs from the toggle to the rear-left of the canopy had frayed/broken. I pulled the toggle, and had about 6" of line in my left hand. The rest of the line wrapped up the corner of the canopy. There was no spin, but I was told prior that if something like this happens to reach up to the rear risor of that side and pull down. I only had right turns the whole way down under canapy. I had to hit the ground with no brakes. (Can't just pull the right toggle) I hate landing in planes.