outlawphx

Definitely spend money on independent video. Even if you have to jump less, you'll progress faster. Having an experienced flyer or coach is also highly recommended. From the sounds of it, you probably could get away with just someone experienced. The real advantage of having someone else review (even if you think they're only as good as you) is that their opinions will be more easily accepted by your teammates. If you already have a "know it all" tag, egos can come into play when they're evaluating your advice. Also, criticism between teammates can start to sound a lot like blame. Plus, how receptive are you to advice if you think you're the best flyer?

I've always been partial to launching meekers out of otters or skyvans. They're a nice tight formation with strong grips.

Well customer service like that has convinced me to look at a Smart instead of a PD reserve.

That sucks man! Hope your hands are OK. After having so many friends crash and one die on the street, I've decided to keep it strickly on the track. Less hard stuff to hit. I've gone down myself, but nothing a set of Frank Thomas leathers and Alpinestars carbon gloves couldn't handle.

Well, I chose Arizona State University since it was close to Eloy

I bought my wife one a year ago, and we both like it. I'm 6'1" too, and it's got plenty of headroom for me. It's a minivan with really being a minivan.

Nice bike! Can I play too?

Dubs on the Otter that don't stop spinin' every time it stops, platinum 3 ring hardware, jumpsuit by Armani, gold altimiter with diamonds on the bezel by Rolex....

When I was a senior in high school, I did a night demo jump into my high school homecoming football game with the Flying Elvi. It's quite a rush looking down at the goal posts, stadium lights, stands, the parking lot, and trying to figure the best landing pattern and what "outs" you have on approach. I was jumping a Nova 150 on the weekends, but I used a Manta 288 for the demo. I definately agree with jumping a bigger chute for demos, because there are too many variables on your approach and landing for most people to consider while under a little hot rod. Most spectators are impressed if you can just touch down softly in the middle of the field, so don't worry about pulling off a 300ft swoop. They'll be impressed anyway Anyway, I jumped into my high school's homecoming football game again when I was a freshman in college, and I made a few night demos into the Las Vegas Silver Bowl for a rodeo. Demo jumps are quite a rush Oh. I didn't have a Pro Rating, but the S&TA was on the jump with us. I had about 250 jumps and a D License at the time. I had completed all 10 of my predeclared jumps, but I didn't have the 350 jumps they required at the time. BTW, I was 17 at the time.

hmm.... I landed my round reserve parachute on a power line pole in a residential neighboorhood due to 20 mph winds when I was 16. Maybe I only have 7 left

Hey, I liked my Nova 150. It only collapsed on me once out of about 100 jumps, and I was only like 2 feet above the ground. Someone happened to catch that landing on video, and it shows the three outer end cells collapsing. I managed to slide through the pea gravel and save the landing though

Nah, I tried that. They would always dry off in freefall, so by the end of the dive I was screwed anyway

Yeah, I'm going to start handing out gift certificates for lead weight vests and IHOP breakfasts at my DZ

Skydiving is one of the few sports that make me wish I was shorter and smaller.... Between try to slow down my fall rate, fit into a Cessna, and finding gear that fits, I feel like big jumpers are being discriminated

Nothing feels quite as good as a nice fitting container

What kind of container are you waiting for?

Hmm... I knew a Lee (about 50 years old), Joe Koffman (tandem master), Fonzback(tandem master), Moffet (tandem master and S&TA at the time), Bob Mcdermott (ex-Golden Knights guy, but only doing instruction now). I'd have to check my logbook to jog my memory, since it's been so long...

I started jumping in Las Vegas in 91, but I haven't been back since around 97 when they moved to Jean. I made about 300 jumps with that crowd, so I was wondering who was still around...

Hey, is the DZO Tom Cannarozzo at the place you guys are jumping at?

Wow. For my first couple years of jumping, I was the only jumper under 30 at my DZ It's nice to see some younger kids getting into the sport

Well, I started skydiving when I was 15. My parents helped me a little at first, and then I begged for and got a job packing student rigs and tandems. Between that and my part time job in high school, I managed to jump about 10 times a month. The DZO also took pity on me and occasionally gave me a free jump ticket In college, I ate a bunch of Top Ramen Noodles to save my cash for jumping and beer

5 years and 5 months. I jumped for the first time since April of 97 this past Sunday down in Eloy. After convincing the instructor over at the skydiving school that I still remember what to do, I went up and made a solo. I'd forgotten how much fun skydiving was I don't think I'll be able to wait another 5 years for my next jump Now I'm just upset that I sold my rig for so little back in 98

Hunter, my 8 year old chocolate lab, and Toggles (you know you're a skydiver when...), my 8 year old Beagle/Dachshund mix, playing tug of war with each other. Hunter usually lets Toggles win

I actually named my dog Toggles back in 95 Dave D-15324

26 and marrying a 35 year old next month. I feel like I'm 35, and she looks like she's 26. I figure that's a good match Dave D-15324