JYorkster

PM'd ya to keep my ass out of a sling. In short, it is a necessary evil. Rock

Yeah, I was shocked the first time a student told me they had been put out without an altimeter. I've never heard the 5 second rule, so I'm not sure what they were supposed to do in case of a mal. I say teach the right way from the very beginning. I give hard altitudes in the FJC...i.e. 'Decide whether or not you are going to land that canopy by 2,500' and "Do not cut away below 1,000 ft'. Now people may have different opinions of what hard decks to set, but there SHOULD be a hard deck. How will the student know when they reach it without an altimeter. Also, especially with the recent improved focus on canopy control, I teach some basic guideline altitudes for flying the pattern to land. You can't ask someone who has never even been in a plane before to estimate 1000 ft to start their downwind leg. On a positive note, when I approached any instructor who had been putting out FJC students without altimeters and voiced my opinion and concerns, they did not object to making it standard equipment from now on. Rock

Without being there to see you, I'll give my best guess about what may be happening... Students on S/L or IAD progression spend most of their time 'on the hill' It's not until 10 or 15 sec delays (depending on the student) that they actually get to a normal freefall, belly-to-earth body position. SO, to them, this feels like they are going too far 'head down'. This causes a slight panic and tensing up which usually changes the body position enough to induce some instability or turning. If this is the case, RELAX. Also, many student programs do not teach students how to turn at that level, but tell them to 'maintain a heading'. How do you 'maintain heading' without knowing how to turn. If this is the case, have someone teach you how to turn. That way, if you start turning, you can stop the turn and even turn back to the original heading. Learn how to turn and PRACTICE before your next jump. As an additional note, it is VERY difficult to accurately assess a student's body position past a 10 sec delay. If they can't tell you what you are doing wrong, your instructors should be leaving to the plane with you to more closely evaluate your performance. It doesn't have to be an AFF jump for the JM/I to leave the plane. Good luck! Rock

Ok, I can agree that there are definately some negative aspects of unilateralism, however.... The UN is not enforcing it's OWN resolutions. If they aren't going to enforce them, don't pass them. The UN is like a bad parent. They tell their child they will get a spanking if they are bad. Child is bad, but no spanking. Parent threatens again. Child is bad, but again, no spanking. After 12 years of this, the parent can't understand why the child (Iraq) is out of control and won't listen at all. If the parent is against spanking (France, Germany, Belgium, etc), they never should have threatened the spanking in the first place. Yes, if the UN does nothing to enforce it's own rules, then it has become irrelevant. Rock

You guys certainly know better than me 'cuz you spent more time there, so maybe what I saw was just a rare occurence. I believe it was Kevin, and he was literally begging to stop. He had flown the entire day non-stop, and it was getting late. He'd been in the plane at least 8 hrs only stepping out to fuel, and then even sometimes he stayed in while someone else fueled it for him. We were on what we were told was the last load of the day(our only time in the air that day btw). I told Kevin it was the last load. He was very appreciative and told us he only had fuel for one more anyway. We land and see the plane land a few minutes later, taxiing up to the hanger in the dark. Oh, but it seems a few of Mike's old buddies showed up to party and wanted to jump first. Kevin said there wasn't enough fuel. Mike, without checking, said 'Bullsh*t, you got enough for one more. You don't need fuel to land!' and made him go back up. Now granted, if that were me flying, I'd have told Mike to fly the load himself, so Kevin must have liked the job enough to continue putting up with the BS, but I never put a student out there simple 'cuz I couldn't work for the man. I'm not trying to bash the DZ. Just telling the facts. They have an excellent student program. But I will say the last thing I heard the DZO ever say was "I hate F*cking skydivers!" Not really the kinda vibe I'm looking for in a DZO. Rock

I don't think any are really 'looking' for pilots, but that doesn't mean you couldn't occasionally fly. Hinton also has gliders, so most of the pilots there also got signed off to tow. There's usually enough pilots there, but occasionally we have only one pilot and some students show up that could use another pilot for the 172. Don't even bother to look at Cushing...The owner treats his staff like crap. I've often seen him 'tell' the pilot how to fly from the ground via radio and 'tell' the JMs when to put out students...makes his pilots piss in a bottle and eat in the plane so he can keep the plane going and the $$ from students rolling in. I haven't seen too many homes here with basements. Not really sure why, and that doesn't mean they don't exist. Don't worry about the tornadoes...you almost always have PLENTY of advanced warning. There are usually pretty good houses available with the transient nature of the Tinker/AF community. I'd definately look in northern OKC/Edmond area, although I have some friends that live south in Moore/Norman. You'll probably be working (FAA) on the western side of OKC, so NW OKC might be the shortest commute/best living combo. Just my opinion. BTW, current Wx in OKC...1200 ft ceiling, winds 20-30. We might get to jump tomorrow... Rock

Ok, I guess I'm a latecomer to the thread, but I don't usually lurk the Talk Balk Forums... Anyway, it's pretty much been said. Of the 3 DZ's around OKC, I recommend Hinton. Chikasha (Pegasus) isn't bad if you just want some air. As has been said, it's difficult to get up at Cushing unless you are a student. Good vibe at Hinton with varying disciplines represented. There are a few Air Force folks from Tinker (myself included) and even one occasionally from Vance. The winds are usually fairly high, so most jumpers here compensate by getting smaller canopies. They don't get winded out too often, but it gets pretty interesting on the rare occasion that the wind dies to nothing. As for living in OKC, I'm not real thrilled about it. Of course I moved here from Phoenix, the land of perfect skydiving weather year-round, so my opinion may be somewhat biased. I'm sure there are worse places to live. It certainly is the place to be for an FAA job, though. Should be plenty of room for advancement. Just my 2 cents... As others have said, IM me for more info. We'll be waiting for you at Hinton. Rock

You bring up a good point. But not everyone DOES make enough money at their 'real' job to skydive as much as they want. If there is an open friendly atmosphere at the DZ, get all the I's and coaches together and work it out. I beleive if the jump requires a coach for the student program, the DZ should charge the standard rate for a coached jump. This is fair to all invovled. However, if you are doing coaching for someone off student staus, it is up to you whether you charge them. Other coaches should not be upset by this. What if it were a friend or relative or something? Would they charge them? Keeping it separated by on/off student status provides a clear deliniation, and if someone is depending on the money to keep skydiving, they can focus on the students who require coached jumps to progress. Just my 2 cents, Rock

Sorry listo, I have to disagree once again. A person's ability to teach and safely monitor and evaluate a student does not necessarily depend on the number of jumps he/she has. I got my S/L JM rating when I had just over 100 jumps. Yeah, some of the course evaluator initially raised an eyebrow, but when they saw my skills, they had no problems with me getting a rating. I had been an instructor/evaulator in other fields for a very long time. The ability to teach and evaulate are just as important as the ability to skydive. The reality is that it doesn't matter whether or not I can match an AFF I in the air. And making the skills required the same as a Tandem I doesn't make any sense at all. Some people get 6 hrs and an AFF rating before the 500 jumps required for Tandem. Minimums are set to rule out people who may think they are redy but are not. Most people getting ratings are ready for the task and actually care about the students. It depends on the individual. If they aren't ready, then they shouldn't pass the course. Rock

Listo, First let me say there is logic to your arguments, but I still have to disagree. I am S/L and IAD rated and have used both spring loaded/ripcord and hand deployed pilot chutes. While in theory, a hand deployed pilot chute is easier to hold on to, I have NEVER seen it happen with any of the students I have put out using hand deploy. However, I have seen an unstable student with a ripcord actually grab the spring-loaded pilot chute briefly. Having done both, I actually prefer IAD with hand-deployed BOC pilot chutes. The students learn the correct way to do things from the beginning with no change of equipment or procedures. As for your argument about whether a S/L instructor can stay close enough to solve a student problem, it is irrelevant. S/L and IAD instructors are not allowed to touch the student or interfere in any way to aid with deployment. If properly trained and not advanced before they are ready, students are perfectly capable of deploying there own canopy on their first freefall. There are thousands of students that have lived through the experience well before AFF was even an option. Proper training is the key. Rock

It's difficult to discuss currency without discussing experience. Even USPA recognizes this by setting different currency requirements for different experience levels. Basically, the less overall experience you have, the more jumps required to stay "current". Also, the required skill level for the jump you are doing makes a difference. I.e., a conservative canopy pilot with a conservative wing loading may not require as many jumps to stay "current" as someone swooping under an extremely high wing loading. Sorry I didn't really answer the question, but there are many things to consider when talking about currency. You should jump enough that you are comfortable with the type of jumps you are doing. Rock

Many of the replies to this post are scaring me! Close the container the way the manufacturer says to close it. That should be the only reply. Seeing that so many people pack however they want regardless of the type of container makes me glad that I pack my own. Bottom Top Left Right as per manufacturer instructions for Mirage. Rock

Josh, I used to feel that way, too. Then I lost a friend who lost a toggle as he was flaring. Now I am pretty picky about how I hold my toggles. Even though everyone may find their own comfort zone, why are you using the two weakest fingers in your hand? I don't think I've ever noticed anyone else hold their toggles that way. Just curious, Rock

BAD idea...although I think it would be interesting to visit. But let's say that EVERY active skydiver in the US went to see the museum...then what? It's simply NOT going to generate enough revenue to stay open. Therefore the money should never be spent to open it in the first place. the interest just isn't wide enough to fund the museum. Rock

I like the blue/black, but you may want to go with more blue on the canopy than black. After you get a few jumps on the canopy and the colors start to 'fade' a bit, the color change will be much more evident on the black. I'd personally go with mostly blue with a few black lines/accents. I also think you've made a good choice with the Hornet. Good performance for the price. What size did you end up choosing? Enjoy all the new gear! Rock

'Pre-flight"? Is that what you are doing? I thought it was called 'packing', since you were too lazy to pack it after the last load the weekend before. "Preflight"...that's a good one.... Rock

Very Cool! Thanks for the hard work and for sharing! Rock

I'd have to agree with Watcher. The SIM is full of inconsistencies like that. When the SIM is updated, only small portions are changed. The writers apparently fail to go back through the entire document to find those inconsistencies. Take this opportunity to vote for someone for the USPA BOD who is concerned about Safety and Training and wants to get member input before going final on such products. That's the only way we can get it updated. Rock

I'm looking for a small still camera to add to my video helmet. The SkyElph seems to fit the bill. Anyone out there tried it? If so, what did you think? Good photos? Easy to use? Any problems with bottom loading AND bottom mount? Basically, do you think it's worth it. Thanks for all input. Rock

I do have one, although I have jumped without. As others have said, jumping without one is certainly better than not jumping. Keeping your skills current is much more important than a backup device. However, an AAD is one of the cheapest insurance policies you can buy. You have life/health insurance, right? It's expensive, and you hope you never have to use it, but you have it just in case. Same with an AAD. Buy the rig, keep jumping, but make it a priorty to equip it with an AAD as soon as you can. Rock

Squeak, ask yourself something...What are the advantages of having a smaller canopy? Rig maybe 1/2 inch shorter, saying how cool you are, etc. Seriously, think about the advantages. Then think about the advantages of having a larger canopy. Safe landings every time in any wind condition. Weigh the options and make the decision for yourself. It's not that the guys at your DZ are trying to see you get hurt, it's just they may have forgotten what it was like to have only 14 jumps. There are also other factors that may influence their advice. For example, I found many jumpers in Oklahoma jump canopies that seem WAY too small for them. They do it because it is SO DAMN windy here, that larger canopies would mean they get winded out more often. But when they visit another DZ or the wind stops blowing, they are fighting to even stand up their landings. The opposite may be true for a DZ at higher altitude. There it may seem like the majority of jumpers have HUGE canopies for their size and advise others to get similar sizes. All in all, there may be many reasons for the different advice. So here's another 2 cents....Get a canopy that you will be comforatble with in any wind condition and both high and low altitude DZs. This sport isn't going away. There is plenty of time to downsize when you have much more experience as a canopy pilot. Good Luck, and let use know what you decide. Rock

I have to disagree. You should develop forward speed BEFORE dearching. Using your legs only will prevent you from going into a dive. Dearching helps generate a little lift by creating an airfoil with your body. This 'airfoil' will only work if it is moving forward. Get some drive BEFORE dearching and you will find yourself out-tracking everyone on the dive. Rock

Normally I say go with what your instructors say, because they know your skills the best. This time I have to deviate. There is no reason you should need or want that wing loading at your skill level. If you can't safely land a canopy in ANY wind condition, then you shouldn't be flying it. I live in an area where the winds are usually quite high, so everyone flies small canopies. On the few occasions when the wind dies, they crash and burn. At 450+ jumps, I am still jumping at 1.1:1. I am an encellent canopy pilot and have jumped smaller canopies. I just see no need to put myself at a higher risk. Read the fatality reports. Look at the wing loadings and the highest percentage of canopy-related accidents. If you were at my DZ, I'd probably be recommending no smaller than a 190 for you. Of course the type of canopy makes a difference as well. Rock

I have about 400 jumps on a Sabre loaded the same as you. I have NEVER been slammed. I almost always pack my own. I'm not saying that the packer did anything worng, but he/she may have done something VERY different than you are used to. I suggest that you watch the packer pack someone else's rig and aske him/her how they packed yours. Make sure you approach them in a freindly manner and don't blame them for the hard opening, but learning how the rig was packed may help you prevent that kind of opening in the future. Hope this helps. Rock

I'm fairly new to dz.com, so I'm not sure on the ettiquette, but I have seen other attachments to messages. Maybe a moderator can help us out. Rock