slotperfect

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Everything posted by slotperfect

  1. slotperfect
    My first cutaway was jump #1885. I had another one on the same canopy about 100 jumps later and none since. I retired the canopy. I am just over 2800 now. Arrive Safely John
  2. slotperfect
    I just really dig teaching, especially tandem students. The way I look at it is that people place me in a position of honor by trusting me first with their lives, and second as a safe space for them to conquer their fears and step way outside their comfort zone. I make an effort to make the experience as incredible and rewarding for them as possible, personalizing it when I can. When I get a little tired of it, feeling like I need a change, I bust out for a fun jump or two. In April we had some dotcommers here at Raeford and I did mostly fun jumps that weekend with them. My current love as a change of pace is tracking dives. I did three of them in January and fell in love. So, when whatever one is doing in skydiving starts to get boring, there are plenty of other disciplines out there to try and gain a fresh perspective on the sport. Arrive Safely John
  3. slotperfect
    Kolla has given me her incredible customer service in the past several times as well . . . I even got to meet her in person last Summer at DeLand. Kolla is the bomb! Arrive Safely John
  4. slotperfect
    Break free from "training" and get involved in a skydive that is just plain fun. You can request it and get someone else to organize it for you. Anything goes, really . . . I just see that a change of pace might be the ice breaker you're looking for. Arrive Safely John
  5. slotperfect
    Obviously a significant event for both student and instructors . . . I'm glad it turned out well. The number one thing I like about teaching skydivers (AFF and Tandem) is introducing others to the sport that I love. The rest of the staff at Raeford is that way so the attitude is infectious in a very forwarding way. A close second in the "reasons I love to teach" list is the responsibility. I thrive on it. It is a honor to have others trust me with their lives (in a manner of speaking) and to have the responsibility of holding their fragile entry into this awesome sport in my hands is an honor as well. For these instructors I say "Well done!" And to the student I say "get it on!" Time for her to get the off her back! Arrive Safely John
  6. slotperfect
    That's awesome, Bill! What a cool way of coming full circle! Thanks for sharing it in such a personal way. I was at Eloy for three of the attempts and one of the end-of-day fly-bys . . . it was a sight to see. BTW - I, like you, read the GBofWR as a kid. I got it as a birthday present. My attempt was catching pennies dropped from a stack on my elbow. I got pretty good at it too, although I don't recall the number I caught. Arrive Safely John
  7. slotperfect
    Always get the serial number. Personally, I like to get a picture of the unit so I can read the serial number myself. Next, check the serial number against the list of stolen/unairworthy CYPRES which you can find HERE Next, use the Used CYPRES Value Calculator from the factory website HERE You will need to ask the seller all of the information to fill in the blocks. A new battery costs about $75 and the service at SSK costs about $185 including shipping both ways. Don't forget to factor shipping/insurance into your purchase price. I have bought two used CYPRES on eBay this way. Most all of them needed a battery and service. Hope this helps!
  8. slotperfect
    The main thing I teach students is to be agressive. The first couple may stall out halfway around with you rolling over sideways, or they may not quite come out on heading. But, after a couple you will get the basics down. Bottom line - be agressive! Arrive Safely John
  9. slotperfect
    Vans . . . I like 'em 'cause of the easy on-off and the wide smooth soles. Plus, my 12 year old skateboarding son thinks I'm cool! Arrive Safely John
  10. slotperfect
    Just to back up Dave a bit, lots of folks don't post a home DZ, or consider their home DZ where they were "born" as skydivers, even thought they don't skydive there anymore. My home DZ is Raeford Parachute Center and if I use that as a search string, lots of folks come up that don't skydive there anymore 'cause they haven't updated their profiles. Arrive Safely John
  11. slotperfect
    The reason that it hurts jumping in the rain is that you free fall through the pointy end of the rain drops. Arrive Safely John
  12. slotperfect
    Congratulations!
  13. slotperfect
    Amen to that. This (virtual) place is very special. The greenies help keep it that way. Kudos to your pixieness for going balls-out and expressing yo-seff! Arrive Safely John
  14. slotperfect
    Javelin Harness Sizing Guide Javelin Container Sizing Chart
  15. slotperfect
    {SP runs to get Tim a Kleenex} Arrive Safely John
  16. slotperfect
    What a handsome lad!!
  17. slotperfect
    My general rules of thumb (applies to my own landings): -if I can't see where my feet are going, I do a PLF. E.G., an off-DZ landing in a field of tall grass. This came from one landing I had in AZ . . . landed in some tall mesquite bushes, stood up, then realized I had about stuck my leg down a gopher hole that had been dug out by a coyote. I could have easily broken my leg if I had landed another three feet to the right. -if I know I'm going to land hard, I choose a PLF. I have bruised my tailbone before, and it took a while to heal. A PLF will bring me back sooner. 99.9% of my landings are soft and controlled. For the other .1% I have the PLF ready.
  18. slotperfect
    -Judgemental posts, especially those that border on personal attacks. Solution: folks should post from their own experiences and let the reader choose whether or not it works for them. -Posters that hide something in their posts, especially when posting about something very serious like incidents. Not being clear about intentions or having ulterior motives behind a post falls into this category. Solution: be clear about statements, questions, intentions, and reason(s) for posting -Frequently repeated posts about the same subject, e.g. "Advice on buying my first rig?," or "To RSL or not to RSL?" Solution: search the forums before posting. Arrive Safely John
  19. slotperfect
    Welcome! Congrats on a great start in your training! You have an aggressive (in a good way) goal set for yourself. Be sure and let us know how it goes! Arrive Safely John
  20. slotperfect
    Hi Laura! Welcome to these forums! Glad you chose these message boards to keep up with . . . you will be happy you did! If your USAF travels ever bring you to the Pope AFB, Seymour Johnson AFB, or Shaw AFB area, consider stopping by Raeford to pay us a visit! I'll treat you to an RC Cola and a Moon Pie! Arrive Safely John
  21. slotperfect
    Welcome to the sport! Glad to have you here with us as well. Chris Wagner ("somebody" here on DZ.com) just finished AFF instruction for his son last weekend. I am envious . . . can't wait to train my kids when they reach that age (mine are 12 and 9). They can't wait either.
  22. slotperfect
    Welcome to the forums! I am hearing you say that you were seeking some balance in your life, thus your brief escape from skydiving. I too have balance to maintain in my life with full-time military career, family, church, etc. What I have going now is working quite well. Anything is possible!! Arrive Safely John
  23. slotperfect
    Welcome back Mike! Glad to have you back here with us, and to see that you're back in the air without pain. Woohoo! Arrive Safely John
  24. slotperfect
    Hi Michelle and welcome to the forums! Congrats on your successful start in skydiving! Yes, even a botched landing or two can't dissuade the fact that you are now paret of our fold. As far as your landings go, you just get to trust your instructors and practice. It will click for you soon. Arrive Safely John
  25. slotperfect
    Clicky!! Arrive Safely John