rickfri59

I just got my new Wings all rigged out with my old main, reserve and cypres. So now I have a Vector II to get rid of. I saw this rig scrubbing post and decided to give it a try with the Vector. A four hour soak in Woolite and I scrubbed the entire rig with a soft brush once each hour and hung to dry in the basement for 3 days. Like someone else already said, the difference was unfu**ing believable. It's a beautiful black/burgundy rig now. I just increased the resale value by $800 bucks . A bit of WD-40 on all the cables & hardware and she's ready to go.

Yikes, I can vividly remember the day I was cleared to jump on my own after AFF. I was so looking forward to that day, to get on the plane on my own, and jump on my own just like the "big boys and girls". Damn, today's the big day and I'm scared shit to the point where I'm making excuses not to go up. I convinced myself I was too tired that day. A few days later I drove an hour to the DZ wondering the whole way about everything I could possibly do that would result in my burning in. What if, what if... I got to the DZ, the flags were blowing slightly and I decided it was too windy (6 - 8 mph). Stood there for hours watching, waiting. Oops, too bad, now it's too late to jump. Better go home. I really beat myself up that night. Next time out to the DZ I knew I had to overcome. So I grabbed the rental gear, checked it over a zillion times, got placed on a load, geared up and checked things another zillion times, five zillion PRCP's and SOS touches on the ground, climb in the Otter mock-up and practice exit position several times. Manifest announces it's time to board the bus and I'm ready to piss my (rental) suit. Get out to the boarding area and ask two separate jumpers for a full front/back gear check. Tell the organizer I'm doing a solo belly jump and got my place in the exit order. I couldn't take the anxiety anymore so I walked over to a bunch of the fun jumpers and said this was my first time out alone and I'm scared shit. Two of them told me to stick with them. They'd have me sit on the floor by the door with them even though neither they or I were close to being first out. At altitude and red light one of the guys says "open the door we'll check the spot together" I'm thinking I'll probably fall out the door (big deal. I'm wearing a parachute). We agree on the spot, green light goes on, and half the load gets out before us. The guy says "you first" gives me a rap on the helmet and one of those funky sliding half hand shakes and says "take a deep breath, RELAX and do it dude!" A few seconds later I'm watching the Otter fly away..... Yea, I did it. Finally. I couldn't get up and down quick enough the rest of the day. I guess I just needed that little bit of baby sitting to get over the hump. I'm glad I swallowed my pride and made a plea for help, but more importantly I'm glad someone else saw how rattled I was took the time to take me "under their wing".

I've never seen a leaking battery, but from what I have seen, I thought the only way to spin-up the Otter was with a jump cart.

Hmmmm.... I don't get around enough. Guess I'd better crawl back under the 5 foot snowbank in my driveway and keep quiet.

I happened to catch the Cheers episode last night. I was suprised at the authenticity (sp) of the gear they were wearing. But.... has anyone seen a jump plane with curtains in the windows, or a plane that wasn't packed like a cattle hauler?

Sweeeeet

When did you get your copy of Parachutist delivered?? Damn, I'm still having to check the mailbox everyday....

Has there been any activity @ Pepperel, MA or Skydive New England since the snow started piling up @ Christmas time?? Man the weather sucks and I'm too itchy.

Did you break through the ice? If so, how did you manage to get back on top with rig, lines & nylon all over the place? Please tell more of the experience so that others, who might get in a similar situation, might learn something (besides not jumping when the DZ is not in sight).

Ahgggg, When did Parachutist come? I've been checking my mail box for the past week (there's no reason to check the box the rest of the month).

I need to be more careful with my spelling. The post should have read: The bottom of the loops are about 17 inches from the base of the riser. See the pic. Best I could do.

I'm far from being an authority on the issue (and beat me down if you want), but is this 150 lbs? If so, I'll bet the JM is nowhere near 6'5". There'd be an issue if the guy freaked. Not to mention, upon landing, whose feet touchdown first? Could be a nasty mess in a tumble.

The bottom of the loops ate about 17 inches rom the base of the riser. See the pic. Best I could do.

Mine was six weeks almost to the day.

I'll take some pics later tonight of my brand spanking new rig. I'll put a ruler in the pic beside the risers for reference.

Hmmm...Had to get a 680K file down to 60

Thought you'd never ask! It's not rigged yet so it looks a bit deflated. At this point I can only wear it around the house. My wife won't let me take it to bed

***Since we MUST look cool while skydiving, you're not likely to see anything with real impact protection any time soon How come? Is it the added bulk bulk of the high density foam making the helmet "bigger", and therefore not sleek and "cool" ? The Protec snowboarding helmet I've seen isn't as ugly as the basic student helmets used at DZs, and it doesn't appear to be too bulky. I'm new to the sport, and in choosing a helmet I went along with the opinions of experienced jumpers ( I wanted to do RW) at my DZ. The Z1 is all it was said to be. I just on't get why the manfacturer doesn't throw more hi density shock absorbing material in the shell. I have seen a retro-fit kit on-line for about $90 bucks. Any opinions or experiences with one of these kits?

My new Wings was delivered to my house this afternoon. Can't tell you how it feels to jump it, but it sure looks great!

I have a Z1. I love the fit, it's warm, it's quiet, and looks great. However, I question its ability to protect my head in a serious bang. LIke most other "Skydiving" helmets I've had the chance to examine, there's no hi-density foam between the skull and the helmet shell. I haven't seen too much more padding than some comfort foam rubber. I want to get an open face helmet for the hotter days when I'm jumping alone. Aside from a Gath or Hurricane there's not much on the market for under a buck-sixty, and again, there's the protection issue. So, I've been cruzin' the snowboard & ski stores looking @ at helmets labeled as "winter sport" helmets. The price of a decent looking Boeri helmet is about half the cost of an open face skydiving helmet. The impact protection, IMO, is superior. it looks pretty cool, and there is a pocket in the ear fabric/padding (both sides) that with a little velcro would make a pretty good place for my Dytter. The only shortcoming I see are the vents oner the ears, which could be covered with duct tape. I cant see any snag points (after removing the goggle strap retainer) Pro-Tec even makes a decent looking snowboarding helmet with all of the Boeri features. So, for the more experienced crowd out there, is there any reason NOT to go with a good snowboard helmet??

I had one just the other night..... I had chopped from a streamer and my right arm wasn't long enough to reach across and grab the reserve handle. I was shifting the harness all around with my left hand trying to get the reserve handle closer to my right hand (remember it's a dream..I never thought to pull with my left hand). Anyway, I floated ever so slowly into the parking lot of a local convienience store, all the while in a panic because I couldn't get to the handle. Guess I've watched Breakaway about 100 more times than I should have

Right....Nowhere in the disclaimer did it warn of a burning desire to spend lots and lots of money. But damn it's a blast !!!!!

Holy sh_t my jaw just hung in amazement........ I was searching through the video store last night and a DVD jacket with Skydivers caught my attention. Needless to say, I said screw the video I came in for and headed home with Cutaway. I have never seen such bad acting, but more amazing is the stuff they do in the movie, and what non Skydivers would be led to believe about the sport and DZ life. I can't figure why I spend hours learning to pack, and why I anguish over whether my lines are twisted or go over the nose. What the heck, all this time all I needed to do is drop the rig on the ground, (in bright sun light) and start dressing the cocoon. Is it really easy to get laid at a DZ, by a pretty blonde? You've got to see this movie, preferably drunk. You'd probably piss your pants.

Thanks to all for the responses and advice. I had lots of time on my hands this afternoon and was checking all seams, attachment points, etc.. When I slipped my arm in the cell and felt the hole, it was like "holy fu_k! Especially since the first hole I found has about an inch of fray (not an inch deep, but an inch along the edge). So it sounds like a trip to the Rigger is in order to fry the fray.

Thanks. Blood pressure is back to norbal