Skydivesg

Mine started packing at 9 and jumping at 17. He was ready to jump much earlier (maybe 14-15) but he had a hard time convincing my wife. He's done pretty well for himself so far. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

What do you guys have for FS organizing? It's probably on here but I'm just lazy. But it does give you a chance to reiterate. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

As others have advised up thread - call the DZs first and explain everything to them before just dropping in to see them. It could save you guys some big frustrations. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

If you are near Orlando druing the first week of April go to Deland for the Skydive Expo. www.skydiveexpo.com Most of the gear manufacturers will be there with demo equipment. You may not have enough jumps to actually try the gear but you can attend the expo and the seminars. Very educational and you get to talk to the people who know the gear better than anyone. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

I like my Katana 120s. In fact I'm just about to sell a very nice one. (450 jumps) Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

I can't really comment on the X stol but i know of two DZs that have very fast climbing 182s. Skydive Fargo has one that rockets to 13,000 feet. And the Lincoln Sport Parachute Club in Nebraska has two 182s with the P-ponk. I know they do everything they can to get performance out of their planes. I'd check with both of them. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

Trunk is right. The TGI is a great, very low profile camera and gets awesome video. Plus you can't go wrong dealing with Trunk at GetHypoxic. He's the premiere skydiving video and electronics guru. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

I agree. It looks like the pile velcro was removed leaving that double row of stitching around the yoke. It looks like who ever did it didn't do a thorough job. Also if you order a new Vector today and ask for no RSL I don't believe they will sow on any velcro. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

Go to UPTVector.com and look up the sizing charts for the 304. It will answer all your questions. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

I sent you a PM. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

If you're the one who put this video together, you did an awesome job. I'm impressed. How can we see more? Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

I'll take "What are STDs" for 500 Alex. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

There are no barrels to tighten on PD Slinks. (But he should still get a rigger to look at things) Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

Hey twspahn I sent you a pm. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

Hey hokierower -- just to be clear -- these guys are giving me shit because the PD guy in the video is my son and they know him and me. He's no longer with PD but he's still pretty active in the sport. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

Please don't forget that not all Skyvan doors operate the same. The van from AZ (and many other DZs) uses the handle/latch to release the door from the open position and then uses it again to lock the door closed (prior to take off). And of course it is used to lock the door in the open position prior to jump. The van from Skydive Chicago uses the handle/latch to lock the door closed but does not use it to latch the door in the open position. Instead when lifting the door open you simply push up on both sides (all the way to the stops) and the door latches open on it's own. When you're ready to close the door prior to take off, you simply pull on the red lanyard located in the center of the ceiling just forward of the door and it releases. This set up is very easy to operate. And then there is the Sherpa that we used at Summerfest. Now that door was a pain in the ass. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

Fog -tech wipes. I use one about every 30-40 jumps with no issues. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

Hey Kolla. I'll make sure to do that. I'm usually first out anyway. Looking forward to seeing you again. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

Man, if I took 16 seconds from "Green" to "Go" my ears would definitely be burning. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

Yeah ..... just busting your chops. You could teach spotting theory in a seminar but you really have to put your head out the door in order to teach it properly. And it takes more than just a few times to get good at it. When DC-3s were the popular planes they created a real challenge for spotters. When you could consistently put everyone on the DZ out of a 3, that's when you knew you could spot. (I didn't just give away my age did I) Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

Hey Scot. On a lot of Skyvans you're right - one person can handle it. If I recall, the one at SDAZ is one that you can just push up and it locks open (correct me if I'm wrong) But several of them require you to push up and then close the handle locking pins which have to line up on each side of the door. While this can be done with one person it's pretty awkward. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

That's not a bad idea. So - question for you Mama, if you've only been in one Cessna - how is your spotting technique? I've been on some loads where the lights and/or GPS went out and someone had to spot an Otter. It's pretty funny to see the fear on people's faces when you ask them if they're going to spot. They suddenly don't want to be any where near that door. *************************************** Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

I agree that the Packing Made Simple video is nice but that young guy (Nick) from the PD Youtube videos sure is a good looking guy - don't you think? Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

Actually if you make your jump at the DZ you mentioned, the cost for both will be closer to $700 USD. Check out my PM I sent you. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

I'm scared to death of heights. I own a two story home and I can not clean out the gutters because I can't let go of the ladder with one hand. I've had a small size branch on top of my roof since October. I got up on the roof to get it off but quickly decided to wait for some one else to handle it. I was physically shaking when I got down off the ladder. Skydiving is not the same. Everything on the ground is much smaller when you are at altitude and you don't really have anything relative to show how high you are. If you can fly in an airplane with out freaking out, you should be able to handle making a tandem jump. I'm not saying it won't be scary but that's part of what makes it so much fun. I've been shooting free fall video of tandems for several years and almost every single person says that even though they were scared getting near the open door, once they left and got in free fall they were totally stoked and thrilled they chose to jump. You say this will be your first and last jump. I said the same thing when I made my first jump. And now almost 8,000 jumps later I still can't get enough of this very addictive activity. I'm sending you some suggestions in a PM. Good luck and have fun. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.