slotperfect

I looked up IU East on the map; you are not far from Skydive Greensburg at all. I have heard great things about that DZ. Turbines, wind tunnel, lots of amenities. Welcome to the forums and to our wonderful sport of skydiving!

I had one; it did not hold it's accuracy anywhere near as well as the Altimaster Galaxy I have now. I calibrate mine every 90 days since I have access to a chamber. Arrive Safely John

Man, that's a LOT of t-shirts and stickers! Not to mention a truck load of beer! Woohoo! Arrive Safely John

Once the main risers have left the three rings, the main canopy is clear. Two forces are working in opposite directions to encourage clean air for the reserve to deploy - the drag from the cutaway canopy and the gravity pulling the jumper at a faster rate toward the ground. All three of the systems you mentioned build in a momentary delay (literally a split-second) to allow for a clean reserve pilot chute launch. The RSL deploys the main only after the riser it is attached to has cleared the 3-ring. Result = clean reserve pilot chute launch. The skyhook (from what I have read - I have not seen one) basically uses the cutaway main to deploy the reserve, but only works once the main risers have cleared the 3-rings. Result = clean reserve pilot chute launch. On an SOS, with both the cutaway cables and reserve ripcord attached to one handle, uses a much longer reserve ripcord. When the metal handle has pulled the cutaway cables enough to release the risers from the 3-rings, the handle reached the swedge at the end of the reserve ripcord cable, deploying the reserve pilot chute. Result = clean reserve pilot chute launch. Arrive Safely John

Wow! Most hooty! I had no idea you would be up here. That means I get to adjust my plans for the weekend. See you Saturday!

Welcome back, Katie! Glad to have you back home. I hope the rest of it goes by quickly. Blue ones, Arrive Safely John

So, I guess it was really high on the priority list, eh? Arrive Safely John

Teaching demo accuracy in the past, I have asked many different jumpers to show me what a 45 degree angle looks like. Very few of them were close to being in the ballpark. Arrive Safely John

Funny . . . I can remember jumping with the Green Beret and 82nd Sport Parachute Clubs in the late '80s when only C & D license holders were allowed to wear frap hats. The rest of us were wearing Pro-Tecs, Cooper hockey helmets, and Bell motorcycle helmets. We couldn't wait to hit 100 jumps and get our C license to wear the cool looking and more comfortable frap hat. How times have changed! I'm going to go take my Geritol now . . . Arrive Safely John

I have seen Tim's suit, and I like his customization. That would work well for me as well, although I may switch to a 2-piece suit next season. Arrive Safely John

I have three canopy transfers as a result of an AAD firing high (military version of the old Sentinel). On all three occasions my main was fully open and working properly. I left the brakes stowed on both canopies, made sure my main and reserve were clear of one another, and that my reserve was fully inflated, then cut the main away. I teach students a decision altitude, cutaway altitude, and do-not-cutaway-below altitude. I understand that this varies slightly from DZ to DZ, so I will leave the numbers out of this post so as not to confuse anyone. I teach students to pull the cutaway handle to full arm's extension and discard it, then pull the reserve ripcord to full arm's extension and discard it, then check canopy. In my opinion this procedure builds enough delay in the process for the main to be completely clear of the deploying reserve. I agree with Bill that intentionally building a delay into one's procedures is a bad idea. I also agree with JW that a simultaneous pull invites an out-of-sequence deployment/main-reserve entanglement scenario. Arrive Safely John

Please clarify: does Strong "require" some kind of head protection, or does he "recommend" it?? RWS "recommends" at least a frap hat for both Tandem Master. I have had that discussion with reps from their company. There is no"requirement" from RWS in this area. I have heard of a movement afoot in USPA to "require" a helmet for both Tandem Instructor and Tandem Student. I have not gotten clear on how I feel about this one yet. Arrive Safely John

It might help if you took some time to reflect and get clear on why you started skydiving in the first place. What value does it bring to your life? Does it serve you? How do you experience skydiving when you're engaged in it? If you find through your reflection that skydiving is indeed forwarding for you in your life, then perhaps you can seek a way to honor Roger, your mentor, for whom I experience you as having great respect, by carrying on the love that he doubtless had for our sport. If it's a phase, find another source of joy for yourself until you yearn to be surrounded by blue sky again. Respectfully, Arrive Safely John

Nice disclaimer! I wanted to point out that "newbie" tandem masters are a great source of up-to-date information and techniques, having come straight from spending some up-close-and-personal time with a Tandem Examiner. So far, you have shown yourself to be a prime example of that. Thanks for your input! Arrive Safely John

First, you are on the right track - seeking advice from those who have experienced this condition. I applaud your desire to help keep yourself and the sport of skydiving safe. [Bow] My opinion is that you should have this conversation with an eye doctor who is also an experienced skydiver. He would be able to help foresee situations in which a shift in procedured might be necessary. Also, I feel that once you have finished your research (seeking advice), etc, that you should inform your DZO. You will likely be asked to include that on the DZ waiver as an "infirmity" as well. I believe that most other skydivers, including me, having seen that you carefully and responsibly made adjustments to what disciplines you participate in, your procedures, etc, will continue to cheerfully skydive with you. I hope this helps!

I have read this before, but have never heard an explanation. I am very interested to hear why some people believe that wearing a frap hat is worse than going without any helmet at all? Arrive Safely John

I wear a frap hat. I'm curious to see what the majority of fellow Tandem Instructors wear? Feel free to post your tandem jump experience and opinions . . . Arrive Safely John

I wear a standard Tony Suit, polycotton, nice and baggy for lots of control. I am curious to see what the majority of fellow Tandem Instructors wear? Feel free to post your tandem jump experience and (gulp) opinions if you like. Arrive Safely John

Like my fellow Cabeza Brother Senor Quade, I have a HUUUGE noggin'. My head is too long even for a XXL Factory Diver. Three years ago they made me a custom helmet, dubbed "XXL/L." It fits great and I love it. I recently ordered another, which did not come back the right size or color (the company apparently changed hands recently). My dealer, Sky Kat, sent it back, with Sky Systems agreeing to make me another. I expect it back in three weeks or so, and if I can find this thread again I'll give you some more feedback. "He'll be crying himself to sleep tonight on his huge pillow" Arrive Safely John

If you think you would be satified with the correct version of the item, I would accept the replacement and ask them to throw in a goody or two (t-shirt, patch, stickers, etc) to make it up to you. If you are simply not satisfied with the company/product altogether, I would stick to my guns and ask them for your money back. I work through a dealer, Sky Kat, who treats me with respect, and stands behind what they sell. I have every confidence that despite the occasional manufacturer's mistake, I'm going to get what I asked for. [End shameless plug] Arrive Safely John

My average is 185.46 jumps per year. My highest year was 1992, my first year as a Golden Knight Demonstrator, making 369 jumps. My best year recently was 2000 (218 jumps). Last year I made 141 jumps; this year will be below average because I was out of the country for 2.5 months in prime jumping season (although the weather was very poor at home). I like to set goals for myself - this year's goal was 300. I have made 99 so far - I have a ways to go!! Lots of thunderstorms in the area today, but I have the day off - so I'm off to Raeford to see if I can't add a few more to my logbook! Arrive Safely John

I'm with ya for a case 'o beer donation! Here's a little help for those who wish to jump on board the donation train: THANKS HH! Arrive Safely John

Hubba hubba! Arrive Safely John

Absolutely hilarious! What a great way to start my day! Arrive Safely John

Hi sweetie! Yes, as you know a large chunk of mine was spent overseas. So, I have had a very short one as well. Both my kids are back to school now too, but as for me I still consider what I am enjoying as Summer. We have a family trip planned to Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, VA over Labor Day weekend with another family of very good friends. That will be our last hurrah, so to speak. I am really looking forward to September, October, November . . . Fall has always been my favorite season. A perfect time of year for friends from nearby to visit me at Raeford (hint, hint). Don't forget to write! Arrive Safely John