Bokdrol

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Everything posted by Bokdrol

  1. Bokdrol
    Thanks, all, for the clarification!
  2. Bokdrol
    Are there any circumstances (BPA or USPA) in which just one (1) instructor accompanies a student on a level 1 AFF jump? I recently viewed a video on FB of an AFF level 1 where there appeared to be only one instructor with the student. No secondary outside the door, just the primary instructor, who took the video, on the student's right hand side. I asked the student about the secondary and he/she advised me that ''after 24 hours of funnel (sp) time and 2 tandem jumps, my brilliant instructor took the decision'' (i.e. to dispense with the secondary). I am not an instructor, hence the question. Hopefully the answers from you instructors will be that this is an acceptable practice and thereby set my mind at rest.
  3. Bokdrol
    Performance Designs do some very helpful videos on parachute packing. Google them and have a good look. You may not have your own rig for a while, which again presents a problem because hired equipment is generally packed by DZ staff. Ask if you can pack your hired rig after each jump and then have the DZ packer pull it apart and critique your packing before they do the proper packjob. You'll obviously make fewer jumps but the benefit is that you will be able to practice your packing as well as iron out your bad practices on the ground rather than at terminal velocity on your own rig. (so you'll probably get in more jumps in the long run).
  4. Bokdrol
    Not been there personally but I have a couple of jumper friends who did their AFF there. They still go back there once or twice a year for fun jumping so I guess that says it all. The reviews for FFU in the Dropzones section are also positive.
  5. Bokdrol
    I'm sure you'll get varying points of view on this question. For my tuppence worth, I have no intention of downsizing. The older, less experienced jumpers like me will have one point of view, the younger jumpers, probably another. I've been flying a Spectre 190 for about 7 years. I know it, I like it, it packs well and opens nicely and most importantly, I feel safe under it and landing it. I've also had the same jumpsuit, alti and helmet for even longer, so maybe that tells it's own tale!
  6. Bokdrol
    You might find that your association subs only include 3rd party cover. There is a Europe-wide cover available for about GBP150.00 p.a. from skycover@towergate.co.uk. This covers accident, loss of limb, medical, search and rescue etc. etc. at various levels of remuneration.
  7. Bokdrol
    Certainly a whole lot better than my Level 1 where I went to the door, did the first 'check out' then left the plane without completing the full exit drill. The instructors wanted to know if I was an Association 'plant' sent to test their reflexes...but it still felt great.
  8. Bokdrol
    Just returned from a family holiday in Empuriabrava. Our flat was within walking distance of the DZ. Reception was excellent and docs/kit check/DZ brief handled quickly and efficiently. We were in town for 4 days and had fantastic weather/low winds for all 4. They run a Beech, Twin Otter and Porter - all of which I managed to jump from during the course of my stay. Lifts are turned with little delay - many back to back.The packing area is indoors and spacious. The views when jumping are fantastic. Easily the most beautiful DZ I've jumped at. The restaurant area is still under construction (October 2017) so a prefab is used in the meantime. Plata da dia is excellent. All round friendly place, well run.
  9. Bokdrol
    This is a FB post from Scotty Milne who owns and runs Active Skydiving; 'Big shout for Jamie Fearon Dempsey who was awarded his B licence and FS1 on this trip. Not bad for a lad who lost his left leg in a traffic accident and flies like a bird with his false leg' I'm sure you can connect with Jamie or Scotty via FB and they can give you some advice.
  10. Bokdrol
    A stolen UK rig was recently recovered after it was put up for sale on eBay. 99% of the thieves out there know sweet eff-all about skydive kit or terminology and it was apparent from the sales pitch that the 'vendor' didn't know what he was describing. So keep your eyes peeled on local and international sales forums. You might get lucky.
  11. Bokdrol
    If you can just relax while holding the b.b.p. in freefall, it helps a whole lot. When I did my AFF I often put too much effort/strain into arching after level 3. Nett result was FUBAR. Once I learned to relax, it all fell into place and AFF eventually went off OK.
  12. Bokdrol
    There will probably be a deafening silence from the BPA on the age limit thing. I started AFF at 58 (plus 10 months...) Struggled more than most of the youngsters but with a Top AFF Instructor achieved my A licence then B and a few years later C licence. Still jumping at 66 and hope to continue until I'm old. One positive aspect of the BPA's H.U.A. attitude is that the weather in the UK doesn't often align itself to the A in AFF. By jumping in warmer/sunnier climes continuity can almost always be guaranteed.
  13. Bokdrol

    Skydive Spain

    Bokdrol reviewed skydivespain's dropzone in Spain

    I was on a family holiday in Seville but had planned to get to this DZ for a few jumps. I took a taxi from Seville, which was expensive. The driver told me that was because the access road was not that good. When I arrived at the DZ the docs check/kit check went smoothly. Manifest were helpful and Cedric (who I later learned is a champion skydiver) took time out to show me the ropes and do the DZ brief. Due to the heat the DZ closed around 13.00 which suited me perfectly. I made some new friends, one of whom was doing AFF and who offered to drive me back to Seville and also collected/delivered me the next time I went to the DZ, thus solving my major transport issue. I went there to skydive, which is what I did. The fact that the other facilities (toilets etc) are a bit basic, worried me not a jot.
  14. Bokdrol
    This DZ is under 2 miles from my home but, until I read their article in the latest BPA Mag, I thought they were tandem exclusive and it was pot luck for fun jumpers like me. Not so!! The reception was first class and welcoming all round. The CCI, although obviously busy with DZ operations, spent his time with me checking docs etc and giving me the DZ brief. I was then manifested and up in the air in short order. Due to a previous commitment I could only manage one a.m. jump but could have been jumping again within minutes of packing my rig. Everyone on the DZ was friendly and introduced themselves and asked about my southern African accent - even the cameramen!!! The packing area is small and we packed outside which wasn't ideal for a slow packer like me as it was a bit windy to boot. You may also need to take your own tray weight, as I will do the next time I jump there - hopefully when they open up again in Spring 2015