Patman

Really like turtlespeed's.. If you are in anyway unsatisfied with this post and it's contents, please feel free to bite me. straight to the point! Don't tell me I can't! I already know that! Haven't you seen my x-rays?

If I hear my family one more time at Holidays telling me they have someone I have to meet, I"M GOING TO KILL! Now, you single ladies out there, reading this, what are you doing for Christmas? Don't tell me I can't! I already know that! Haven't you seen my x-rays?

Too Late!! Face it, you're gettin' it!!! Cancel plans for the weekend and face your doom! (Yes, the weather is supposed to be crap here, and I don't think you should have any fun either!) Don't tell me I can't! I already know that! Haven't you seen my x-rays?

That Aggiedave is sooooo smart! We inthe northern states wear a sweatshirt and thermal unerwear, winter mechanics/athletic gloves and helmets. 'Course, we tend to be cold blooded in the deep freeze part of winter. Oh yeah, a shot of corbel after you're done jumping REALLY warms you up! Don't tell me I can't! I already know that! Haven't you seen my x-rays?

Got to go with the ... cutaway//.... and goto the reserve!!! Don't tell me I can't! I already know that! Haven't you seen my x-rays?

Had my first one at 70 jumps on my first rig. The guy I bought it from never had a cutaway until around1010. You just never know. It depends on equipment, packing skills, are you being rushed, body position on opening, the amount of beer you owe... Too many things can happen to tell you truthfully. Be safe, double check, ask for help or tips, buy beer... Don't tell me I can't! I already know that! Haven't you seen my x-rays?

Jump more in one day. Repeat as needed. Jump more in one day. Repeat as needed. Jump more in one day. Repeat as needed. Jump more in one day. Repeat as needed. Jump more in one day. Repeat as needed. Jump more in one day. Repeat as needed. Jump more in one day. Repeat as needed. Get it? Practice makes for better excuses!! Don't tell me I can't! I already know that! Haven't you seen my x-rays?

Chris, You unfortunately make it sound like it is DANGEROUS to land with the airplane. It sounds like you are saying the pilots flying jumpers are not good at landing their jump ships with loads. You do it every time you fly, what makes it different with these commercial pilots than you? I believe the training a pilot is put through makes sure speeds and loads along with CG's are discussed. I had it in my private training. I believe what you mean to say is that there is always a risk during the landing portion of flight along with the rest of the time, but take off and landing are the most prone to accidents in VFR conditions. Not knocking you, just didn't care for the way it sounded toward jump pilots. Don't tell me I can't! I already know that! Haven't you seen my x-rays?

Just a tid-bit I have been told. Jump with only one other person until you know you can fly a stable sit. It keeps you from corking into others above you and gives you one focal point to fly off from. Just a little two cents worth. Don't tell me I can't! I already know that! Haven't you seen my x-rays?

I use DZ.com classifieds- you never know when you need to impulse buy and get another rig!! Don't tell me I can't! I already know that! Haven't you seen my x-rays?

Being a packer fan and from Wisconsin, my AA counselor says I can only tell you I jump and fly sober. from there on I am told the judge has to decide. Don't tell me I can't! I already know that! Haven't you seen my x-rays?

just my 2- I have been a pilot longer than a skydiver, and I seem to have fun no matter where I am hanging out. We have a few beers and tell our tall tales at both the airport and DZ. Both places get loud, and both are quiet at times. If you haven't done both, you can't really know the difference. Both are awesome in thier own ways. I just flew my plane to Texas from Wisconsin to visit a friend and skydive for three days. Looks like the flying helps me jump at more places and with more people. My small point is that both pilots and skydivers care more about the family they have inherited by doing what they do then worry about who's "bad". When the planes are put away at the end of the day, the family fun begins in both people, pilots or skydivers. I wouldn't give up either one for anything. (Okay, maybe for another rig or so.) Don't tell me I can't! I already know that! Haven't you seen my x-rays?

I knew I'd find a reason I got shitfaced tonight! Thanks Dave! I thought it was because it's freakin cold up north here. Don't tell me I can't! I already know that! Haven't you seen my x-rays?

I sit back, take a slow refreshing drink from my cold beer. Take a deep breath, and my mind drifts quickly back into my dream....... Don't tell me I can't! I already know that! Haven't you seen my x-rays?

paid 1800. for my javelin-1997/triathlon190/PD reserve (no AAD), 1600 for my Mirage1996/stiletto135/143res/cypress(at 4 yr due with batts needed), and 2400. for my wings-2000/Sabre135/126res. Sold the Sabre, matched the other Stiletto for same $ and now have two of the same to jump. Money is only paper, who needs it? BUY GEAR!! Don't tell me I can't! I already know that! Haven't you seen my x-rays?

Mike, you make a great point. I wonder who is really looking for the truth, the family and friends, or the ones who stand to "benefit" financially from any wining verdict. This just sucks, but why can't the public view the evidence and decide for themselves as was already said. Hide the evidence and feed the media, that will always get the general public stewing over how this could have happened without any real truthful information backing it up. SUCKS! Don't tell me I can't! I already know that! Haven't you seen my x-rays?

Very true. I stand corrected. Don't tell me I can't! I already know that! Haven't you seen my x-rays?

Got to go with Aggie Dave, just wear shorts and a long sleeve shirt to learn in. I'm just "starting over" to correct things that I learned wrong by myself and I have a full suit. We always want to look as professional as we can and sometimes forget that it's what we learn thats most important. Wait to get a suit or pants until you have the basics down solid, then you know how to speed your fall rate up as needed and you may want something different than you think you need now. Good luck!!! Fly safe!! Don't tell me I can't! I already know that! Haven't you seen my x-rays?

WFFC!!! I'd post some stories, but they're still kinda fuzzy! Don't tell me I can't! I already know that! Haven't you seen my x-rays?

Started on a Javelin, great rig! Went to an older Mirage, Great rig! Now have a Wings to go with the Mirage, Great rig! If these manufacturers didn't know what they were doing, they wouldn't be here. Everyone has a different opinion, but in reality, the one you can afford without sacrificing safety and still gets the job done is the best. Don't tell me I can't! I already know that! Haven't you seen my x-rays?

NICE! Don't tell me I can't! I already know that! Haven't you seen my x-rays?

gets pretty cold here in Wisconsin. A bunch of the guys, myself included, use thermal underwear under sweats and for the hands we wear winter mechanics gloves. Your local Sporting Goods store can help with the thermals, and any local auto parts store can get you the winter mechanics gloves. Thermals are good insulators, but don't restrict you movement, and the mechanics gloves are made to be less restricting for obvious reasons. The neck thing is up to you. I personally use a dickey for downhill skiing. Don't tell me I can't! I already know that! Haven't you seen my x-rays?

As both a skydiver and a pilot, the fact remains that the first 800 feet of the climb out is the most danger you should experience in the trip to altitude. That said, the pilots of our jump planes, be it large or small, have taken many hours of training on what to do in case something goes wrong. We all read about the planes that crash with injuries and/or fatalities, but what about the ones that land without incident? I'm sure there are quite a few jump planes that have had to set down in fields and roads that we have no reports on. Skydive Aggieland had a 182 go down on take off this past spring, and due to the pilots training and reactions everyone walked away with a story to tell. These airplanes don't just fall out of the sky when the motors quit, they glide. If you're really that nervous about it, talk to an instructor about a first lesson or at least sitting in on a ground school. Education could take away most of your fear. A little is normal, but to worry about it will keep you from the most important thing in skydiving, HAVING FUN!!! Don't tell me I can't! I already know that! Haven't you seen my x-rays?

There are quite a few good canopies out there for the beginners. Don't let this thread decide for you. A new set up is quite the investment to start with. I'm on my third rig and have not opted for new yet. As you advance your skills you may find you want to downsize and it's easier to do if you haven't spent your childhood savings on the new stuff. We (skydivers in general) tend to look at how we look when we're young in the sport, but function and safety are still the key. I jump an older Mirage and a newer Wings. One has a Sabre 135 and the other a Stiletto 135. Both are sporting a PD reserve (143 and 126). The wings is the current home for the cypress, and none in the Mirage. Both are great rigs, and I don't have a problem if selling one or downsizing were to happen (not likely at this point) because I don't have the big bucks in them. Wait until you have enough jumps that you know you're going to stay on that set up for more than 100 jumps before spending the inheritance. As Dave brought up though, talk to your DZ people and see what it is they suggest for wing loading and gear selection. Good luck and be safe! Don't tell me I can't! I already know that! Haven't you seen my x-rays?