rhys

although that is very funny, I have to disagree. I was grumpy at a previous dropzone and I couldn't work out why for some time. I was doing 1000 work jumps a year, I was paid well and on time and was living in what I consider to be the most beautiful part of the world. What was getting me down? It was the pressures to jump when it was not appropriate, being told by the DZ owner that my ratings achieved in Australia were worthless an that I would never be a tandem Instructor there because of a landing incident I had 1500 jumps before, not being able to take time off to train at a dropzone where a days worth of sport jumping could actually be done! this was in fact a Tandem/Sausage factory. What did i do? I left and got a job elsewhere! Now I have traveled around the world (a little) and am more content doing less jumps but with more satisfaction. And luckily for me the same amount of pay with no tax and a lifestyle of a king! although 1000+ jumps a year sounds wonderful to most it does come with its disadvantages. I am happy to be doing a similar amount of sport jumps and work jumps now! Wendy Smith said something I will never forget; "you can do 1000 jumps and you can do 1000 jumps the same" Food for thought! Rhys "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

aint that the truth! NOFX is hardly sunday morning material! more like friday night! Unless of course you are driving up the mountain to go riding on the snow! thats when i like my Punk the best! otherwise, give me some classic hits from the 70's and 80's and 90's to bring back the good times. Rock on! "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

Man powder!, Bah. that shit is for pussies Nothing like a good old scratch of a sweaty scrotum, Hang loose! "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

In my 10 years of snowboarding every season I have been complimented about my skill of writing my name with my wizz in the snow many times. it is an acquired art and it helps to have a single syllable name also! I can also draw a picture of a snowboarder dine a 'Mute Grab' with wizz but I need to have a particularly full bladder for that one. Snow art is fun. "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

round and round and round and round, i feel a little dizzy and my toes are tingling.but look at the pretty pattern! "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

Good on you katrinka, there are far too many negative people on this site that put people off. If all you get out of the book are a couple of good pointers.... then it is wort it. I also suggest trace 101 and the university videos. Take it all in. and keep that endless smile

How about the origional x brace.... the FX? That is what i chose, i got a crappy rinsed out one for $400 and found it was not too different to the x-fire i was jumpin previously but just a little faster and the openings a little crisper! I now have a JVX and i am glad i had transitioned from an FX. had I went from the x fire to the JVX i would have regreted it! the JVX is VERY fast. on my first landing i swooped about 70 metres on a 90 degree approach and on the fx i was lkucky to get that from a 270. Why is the FX not an option? I didn't vote because i couldn't Blue skies, Rhys "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

NOFX I didn't think much of them at first but when I understood what they sang about I really began to like them. Like the beastie Boys they started as a rough punk band and have evolved into quite good musicians through thier actual passion for what they are doing. and their attitude toward making money is amazing. They still remain my favorite band! I particularly like 'Franko Un-American' and 'Dinosaurs will die' they have 100's of songs and some could be describe as pure noise and others are spoofs of different Genres. The main thing is they can put forward their opinion and still have fun... not too serious but dealing with serious issues! as well as some random issued that I still can't quite work out myself. NOFX rule! "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

Although Grumpy Tandem masters will probably not be looking here due to a lack of passion, I have a message for those that do get to read this. Please get another Job! There has been a lot of talk about the decline of our sport etc. It is the Grumpy bastards that are only jumping for the money and are not actually enjoying themselves that are the problem. When I was emptying rubbish bins and helping the packers and doing the menial jobs waiting for a slot, there were grumpy bastards that didn't even own a parachute that would only complain about having to go to 15000' and that it was too cold etc.... Well fuck off then! I want your Job and I will enjoy it so the customers can as well. Ex military personnel are the worst for this, I have noticed! There are always camera guys that want to do tandems, packers that want to do camera and plebs that want to start packing to pay for their jumps so they can get good enough to fly camera. AFF is another department! So please if you really are not enjoying yourself then get another job. I love my Job! "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

That is true, The only times I have had someone pacjk for me was also the only time I saw tandem masters srowing the brakes was on extremely busy days in New Zealand (140 pax+) myself and allt he camera staff had to back to back so had tohave packers and the packers would get so far behing when 2 planes were operating that we all had to help pack the tandems, to keep the plane in the air. It was teamwork because we all knew the the more efficient we could do it the more jumps we could do in that day, my biggest day was 18 camera jumps and I still packed half of them. I only use a packer if I really have to! Packers are paid to pack, stowing the brakes is packing. If they want you to stow the brakes than you should get a dollar or 2 off the price! "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

Hi Koni, thats exactly what i did! it wasn't the thermal that was kinda cool it was the 28 knot gusts that came shortly afterwards. we had a mint sunset load when it all settled down. Say hi to all in Wanaka and see you in october/november! "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

Hi Skyfree, You can make a good living off skydiving and have a wonderful lifestyle, but it takes time, commitment, money and passion. The biggest factor of all is that you have to be willing to travel. Even if you land the perfect position in your home town, you will no doubt get complacent with the benefits and start to concentrate on what is not right. You will have seen what i would describe as, 'Grumpy Tandem Whores' that do not appear to be having any fun at all and are not happy with what they earn? Avoid being one of these at all costs,it will inhibit your progression. If you really do want a Career in Commercial Skydiving, then I suggest the 'Diploma in Commercial Skydiving' www.skydiving.co.nz I started this course as a lost snowboard bum, with no money at 27 years old. I put all my energy into it and got 96%, worked for free for a couple of months at what was called 'work placement' and worked my way from emptying rubbish bins to packing, to camera then AFF. I didn't get my Tandem rating until 2200 jumps and that was only 3 years after my very first skydive at the (as it was called back then) 'Christchurch Parachute School'. It also took traveling for me to get there fast, at the 'COOL' DZ's there is always a que for the jobs but on the internet there are people that need staff now!. or Take a packing Job at a friendly DZ and you will be in the sky at some stage, you just have to show them that you can, this takes time! The diploma course puts you in a position where you jump under close supervision and full time! for your first 200 jumps. then you are placed in the field at the destination of your choice if it is not chosen first. This is not just a New Zealand thing you can do your placement in any country you want. I've heard some guy did his Empuriabrava! The course is subsidised buy the NZ, Australian govornment for the affected citizens and UK students can apply for a Career development loan! I'm not saying this is the only or fastest way but It sure as hell helped me and I feel like a rich man with how I can live my life these days. After only 5 years I have over 3000 jumps and only 500 of them are tandems. I am also competing at the world championships and world cups with my partner, traveling around the world and earning/saving great money at the same time. Blue Skies, Rhys To those that say you can't be rich from skydiving! Define rich "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

The military is responsible for a huge amount of technology that is used each day from super glue to international travel and communications. In this respect the military is good and a small fuck up like this doesn't mean they are incompetent. Like I used to say "the man who makes no mistakes, does not usually make anything". The real problem with 'Modern Military' with all its fandangel bits and pieces is the old school, 'don't think just do what I say', feudal system. Collective thought is the best way to move forward, but in the military you could be a professor being told that 2+3=6 and you might have to agree or be punished. my $0.02 Rhys "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

Hi, I posted this here as It is most likely that experienced tandem instructors would have some sort of experience with these. Yesterday we had a relatively busy day and half way through the piece (not long before we went on a weather hold!!) I had a lightweight girl (and I am not so chunky myself) and we were at 3000' for some minutes! I have done some ground launching but no para gliding so my experience is little with thermals. I was spiraling and trying to fly over different surfaces to lose some height but.... I couldn't! It was kinda cool and I was thinking maybe I should try to ride it as high as I could but the 4 people waiting on the ground and my tired biceps told me otherwise. Not long after we landed, the wind was gusting over 28 knots on the ground so I was glad for my decision. Has anyone else had this sort of thing? I am on the equator, next to one of the highest freestanding mountains in the world and there is a hurricane only a couple of thousand kilometres away so I guess some thermals are to be expected. I heard of a woman being taken above 25000' on a paraglider not too long ago but I guess that is not too likely on a parachute? Rhys "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

Hi Peej, I transitioned from a crossfire 109 to an FX89. I had about 800 jumps on the crossfire over a year and a half. the FX was not too much different considering the size difference but still a considerable step. I only put about 100 jumps on the FX and then transitioned to a JVX 84. the difference between the JVX and the FX is quite immense even though the size difference is comparatively smaller. So in saying all this I would think an FX or Velo 7 cell xbrace is the best stepping stone from a regular 9 cell. 9 cell cross braced VX's and JVX's etc. are another level again due to the much higher aspect ratio. have fun, be safe. Rhys "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

I have just read an interview from the ambassador of Iran to a news paper here in Tanzania, so not tainted by the US media! In the interview he mentions that European and US companies were invited to invest in their nuclear research (that was for the use of energy and not weapons), but no one wanted to. It was also mentioned that before the revolution the western countries supported their endeavors to support their heavily populated country by investing in nuclear energy. It was said that it was because of the religious stand of the country more than the threat of weapons, that their country has such a strong opposition. O.k. They have not had the best track record but in recent years their literacy level above the age of 6 years old is in the 80-85%region, more than 50% of university students are women and more and more women are in government and executive positions. From what i have read the country has moved in leaps and bounds. How is the US in a position to question the ethics of another country? The past is the past but also the present is the present. people should sort their own shit out before judging others! "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

How on earth did your manfrotto fail? If it is used correctly the only way it can fail is if it is not snapped into place correctly, the screw comes undone or the unit breaks(and that is not likely) I have seen a couple of stroboframes fail but never a manfrotto? I did well over 2000 jumps with the same manfrotto model you had and I got it second hand from a tandem factory and it already had 1000's of jumps on it. It is a solid unit and with my top mount I had at the time(blade helmets) there was no snag hazard whatsoever! stroboframes are far less sturdy and more susceptible to failure than a manfrotto. The newer small manfrottos are wonderful because you don't have to take the unit off to change the battery on a EOS350d. "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

I gave them a credit card number! "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

The decision is yours, Maybe you should try a different approach. You live in Belgium so it is not hard to travel to different places. you can travel to a boogie somewhere or a busy DZ with plenty going on. I have worked and played at some drop zones where the people are clicky or just completely different to me. This is not the fault of the sport but the place and people you are jumping with. I would suggest saving the money you would usually spend on Jumping and go to a boogie or a DZ that runs all week. My specific Suggestion Is 'Stockholm's parachute club' in Sweden. The jumps are cheap, the aircraft are cool (twin otter and an Antanov 28) and the people are nice. you will find all disciplines being performed there and you can stay for free on the drop zone in the bunkhouse. A change is as good as a holiday! chin up.

There was a lack of communication when i ordered mine too. They did send it an it arrived unexpectedly. It is a very comfortable and light helmet. Worth the wait. there are dealers that have stock too. "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

Maybe the BPA might give British competitors at the world champs a Little more than a t-Shirt now. frig it was cold in Germany and I felt sorry for the British competitors that had only T-Shirts supplied for a Uniform. The NZPF charge only NZ$100 = 36 GB pounds. All members get a couple of issues of NZ skydiver magazine and all NZ competitors(in world champs and cups) have all entry fees paid for and a personalised tracksuit stating name, discipline, and event. Many counties had to pay their own way, the USA teams only got a tracksuit and had to sew the USPA badge on themselves . The French however are heavily subsidised by their government and are even on payrolls in some cases. we heard the French National anthem more than any other "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

I agree 100% I was flying a F111 7 cell 200 for 800 jumps. when I had a couple of hundered jumps i tried a Sabre 170 and it felt really amazing, and I felt like I was finally flying a parachute not 'driving a bus' like you mentioned. I would demo 170's and 150's and see what you like. a safire2 is what I would recommend. Be safe and have fun! Rhys "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

Hi, There was an awesome discussion on this subject when I was searching; http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=67774;search_string=glide%20ratios;#67774 I want know more specifically if anyone knows what glide ration a JVX with a standard line set and loaded at 2.0 would have?(assuming no wind and no inputs in full drive) Does anyone have a formula? "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

I'm no rigger but i would have thought that it would depend more on the container it was going into than what the canopy is? I have seen a hobbit in a D-bag and you have mentioned it can be packed without. So wouldn't the defining factor would be what container it goes into? I'm sure my old Maveric could be packed into a base rig (with a pocket attached) and would work. but i'm fucked if i would jump the old rag that way! it is still my baby though "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

If I had a Knee operation or something that stopped me from being able to run out if i had to then 'yes' I would jump another slower canopy. Freefall is mint! I am also aiming at getting a GLSxf (non cross braced and a reduction in wing loading) for big ways and ground launching so that is another yes. So I guess the answer is; Yes "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix