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I was asking this question last year. Bill Booth responded that he wasn't aware of any problems like that. I have Strong and Vector ratings. After thinking about it a while I realized that when doing Vector I'm the only Tan/I around. When doing Strong I'm one of many and notice welts on other Tan/I's necks and have others with the same expierence to discuss it with. I've even bloodied my ear when wearing a frap hat. I don't recall ever being wacked in the ear or neck by the Vector. Do a search and you should find something on "riser slap" to see what Bill said. It has something to do with how the drogue collapses before pulling the bag off. Keith ''Always do sober what you said you would do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.'' - Ernest Hemingway

Don't do it. Speaking from expierence you just end up with a bigger sewn patch later. It doesn't take that long for a rigger to put in a patch. Keith ''Always do sober what you said you would do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.'' - Ernest Hemingway

That is nuts, dangerous and wrong. When you're under your reserve you need to think about yourself and landing safely. Leave the rest of your gear alone. Sure if you have time, keep an eye on it to see where it will land. If you're a student don't even worry about that. That is the DZO and staffs job. Chasing it could get you into trouble real fast. Doing that would put all your focus on the main or freebag and not where you will land. If you did catch it things could get real ugly. Think how much drag a main would have if you had in your hands. Worse yet, in your reserve! The freebag and pilot chute could cause problems if it entangled with your reserve. Leave your shit alone! Keith ''Always do sober what you said you would do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.'' - Ernest Hemingway

If you aren't low and have time after you figure out where you will land do some practice flares. That is probably the most important thing to do once you have seen that you have time and someplace decent to land. You don't want to be surprised by a sudden unexpected stall. Keith ''Always do sober what you said you would do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.'' - Ernest Hemingway

I've tried several times today and can't get it. Anyone else or is it just me? Keith ''Always do sober what you said you would do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.'' - Ernest Hemingway

43:25 Keith ''Always do sober what you said you would do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.'' - Ernest Hemingway

1700, 7 Keith ''Always do sober what you said you would do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.'' - Ernest Hemingway

The price is going to go up 50% August 15th. It sounds like if you have a demo scheduled for later than the 15th you can still purchase at the current rates. (from Madolyn Murdock email reply) Info from the meeting is at uspa.org. I was impressed that I recieved two replies from Madolyn, one before and one after the meeting. I'm sure they were all very busy. Keith ''Always do sober what you said you would do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.'' - Ernest Hemingway

You don't have to bring your arm in. All you need to do is ,maybe, turn your wrist a little and look. Keith ''Always do sober what you said you would do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.'' - Ernest Hemingway

1. Usually. 2. It's a good place to keep a Dytter and on the Strongs it lessens the pain of a riser slap. 3. Frap. 4. Usually. 5. I guess since I was taught that it's supposed to protect my face. In hindsight it really didn't do much for me the one time I got bonked in the nose. Now I try and keep my head out of the way. 6. Frap. 7. Yes. 8. I'm more flexible on going without lately. 9. Vector, Strong. 10. 406. Keith ''Always do sober what you said you would do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.'' - Ernest Hemingway

How strong were the winds? I've caught several rotors downwind of trees/etc. and they can accelerate you to the ground real quick. Wind shadow or any turbulence you need to be prepared to speed up your flare and plf to save your ass. Keith ''Always do sober what you said you would do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.'' - Ernest Hemingway

I got mine at Radio Shack a few years ago. Comes with a velcro strap. 10 -15 bucks. Keith ''Always do sober what you said you would do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.'' - Ernest Hemingway

I love them. They're a lot more fun without the flares. Keith ''Always do sober what you said you would do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.'' - Ernest Hemingway

It's old but it has all the updates and has been to the factory within the last year or two. Was that more common when they still used a curved pin instead of the 6'' cable pin they use now? As to Andys question: the last 15 or so tandem passengers haven't minded, all they're missing is the last bit, they help steer and play until just before landing. If the winds are 10+ or the passenger is light it isn't really an issue but with the bigger ones and light winds it is much easier. No surprises makes it safer for both of us. AFFs starting with tandems are different, they need the practice. Keith ''Always do sober what you said you would do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.'' - Ernest Hemingway

Had my first premature container opening on a tandem Thursday. Cleared nicely. It was on a Strong system with a Set 360 main. Nice front loop exit out of a Porter, rock solid student with a good arch, perfectly stable, no rush for anything. Throw the drogue, feel the tug like normal and then something on my leg. I'm thinking how the hell did I get the drogue around my left leg. Look back and see the the bag bouncing around. Only one thing to do, pull the handle and see what happens. I wrapped my legs around the passenger anticipating a mal but was pleasently surprised to have a nice soft opening. Best guess is the drogue bridal found some way of rubbing/pulling on the pin bridal as it was getting to full stretch. Any better guesses'? Also was reminded how much easier it is to land without the passengers help when one dropped the toggles when I said "Hands all the way up". It seems a lot easier to nail the landing without fighting thier adreneline. I would like to hear other tandem I's thoughts on this. Keith ''Always do sober what you said you would do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.'' - Ernest Hemingway

Well said Jim. Please, write the book. I'll buy at least one copy. Dave, get the rating and learn from from guys like Jim. Keith ''Always do sober what you said you would do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.'' - Ernest Hemingway

Welcome to the sport! A decongestant (non-drowsy) might not be a bad idea. It's usually not too cold. Shorts, t-shirt and tennis shoes should be fine. If they want you in a jumpsuit, they'll give you one to wear. When you're done screaming "yeah baby", close your mouth. Relax. Don't get fixated on the ground. Look around, like for the camera person. Check all this out with your instructor. Call them now. Have a balst. Keith ''Always do sober what you said you would do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.'' - Ernest Hemingway

What John said about "routine". Set one and stick to it. Don't ever let them rush you through your hookup, handle checks routine. Be anal/obsessive/compulsive about routine and handles checks. Follow manufacturers procedures. Have a blast but be ready for anything. Keith ''Always do sober what you said you would do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.'' - Ernest Hemingway

My dad won't even watch if I'm on the local news from a demo. "I don't even want to see it." Got really chewed on for doing some base jumps back in the '80's. Now he's afraid his fiance is going to sneak off and do a tandem with me. Keith ''Always do sober what you said you would do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.'' - Ernest Hemingway

Mine has a rider on it. More money but not terrible. I think 10 - 15 dollars a month. The wierd part is when I got it (10 + years ago) they asked how many jumps a year I made. More than 50/year costs more. Seems backward to me but I guess actuary tables work just by numbers and don't take being current (I think more safe) into account. Keith ''Always do sober what you said you would do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.'' - Ernest Hemingway

With the newer/better ways that the pud is secured now, that's not a reason for me. When I started jumping in '85 they were considered death rigs by everyone that didn't have one. I don't think that's true anymore (with more secure pud). But this old dog doesn't want to learn that trick. I resist change. Keith ''Always do sober what you said you would do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.'' - Ernest Hemingway

If you talked to Ed Cummings you probably got the whole story. When I talked to him about it the rigging it didn't sound too easy at all. Plus there are a lot of ways to screw it up. It's probably worth the money. I just couldn't afford it so am still hanging a flag from a harness/bag w/ weights. Some of the early methods to rig a flag in the lines were causing about a 30% malfunction rate. Too high for me. Keith ''Always do sober what you said you would do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.'' - Ernest Hemingway

2000' in a mini blizzard. The silly free flyers wanted more altitude so we went around and up to "500' below the clouds". It was nice on the ground but really cold up there. We could see little snow piles in the nose of my canopy. Keith ''Always do sober what you said you would do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.'' - Ernest Hemingway

I don't hook up the first S/L until at least 1500'. In the event of fire or a wing falling off we need to be able to get out fast. Below that is reserve time. I have no problem sending anyone (including me) out on thier last chance. That's what it's there for and it's better than landing in a malfunctioning airplane. I like the idea of not having to switch pcs/sl back and forth on IAD and not having the bag and/or the sl banging on the plane. I havn't done IAD but I can't think of any cons that wouldn't trade off with SL cons. Hookit (I think) said something about "a competent and confident JM out on the step" being the important part of doing IAD well. Keith ''Always do sober what you said you would do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.'' - Ernest Hemingway

0:14:1 A great weekend; swoops, flag jumps, 1 tandem, CRW with many rotations and a couple of dragplanes, even some good RW thown in for balance. Keith ''Always do sober what you said you would do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.'' - Ernest Hemingway