JSE

I can't speak about the I/E program, but I do feel like there have been a lot of threads here attacking new instructors as being unqualified, unsafe, or incapable. Frankly, I know that as a new AFF-I I do not have the experience of those who've been around longer, but that doesn't mean I'm not a good instructor. Likewise, I've seen some instructors who've been around a long time giving students very poor advice. So be careful making broad generalizations with regards to the quality of instructors you've never met. I agree. I was fortunate enough to take part in a ratings course where the evaluators had the opportunity to get to know each candidate. Each candidate was also given the opportunity to do as many training jumps and practice ground preps as was necessary for them to acquire the skills and confidence to perform at a high level when "going hot." The course also included a review of many of the teaching tools that are now a part of the coach course. Because my I/Es went that extra mile, when I took my first real student (the same day I graduated) despite being nervous I knew I was well prepared.

This my pet peeve when it comes to tandem videos. I've seen so many where the video guy looks like he is having fun, but the video of the student ends up sucking. Its all about getting the students face and using the natural lighting to your advantage. Also, it's important to act somewhat professionally around the student and during the interviews. Even though you've run through the same routine hundreds of times try to make it seem like you are interested and excited about the whole thing.

The American Boogie is June 23- 26 at Skydance. You should try to make it out for that.

I use it for camera jumps and it works well for me.

photo of said spool post impact No need for a photo, just picture a pile of wood that has no resemblance to a giant spool.

Assuming this guy isn't trolling... You've got to ask yourself, why is everyone saying that I shouldn't/ can't do what I want. There are two possibilities: 1. Everyone is out to ruin my fun and there is some type of conspiracy to hold me back. Every other jumper out there must derive pleasure in holding me back. OR 2. People who have been in the sport of a very long time and have seen more people than they care to count get hurt. They don't want to see me get hurt. Its dangerous for me and for others when I get in over my head. Think about which one of these makes more sense. Also think about how much of a fool you will feel like lying broken in a hospital. Don't believe me? I'd be happy to give you the phone numbers for several people who thought they were exceptions as well. You can ask the ones who are still here how that worked out.

Great post. It's a good time of year for a lot of us to refresh ourselves on many of these important points.

wow, getting rid of the speed rounds in the artistic completely changes the game. How does this affect USPA's rules for nationals?

That was said in jest, but really plaintiff lawyers do actually read this "shit." I've been contacted by other attorneys and PIs based on things I've posted there. I know others who have had the same experience. The incident forum serves an important purpose, just be aware that its public and all sorts of different people read it.

Here ya go. I'll let you know where to send my case.

You are right about the more narrow landing areas but I think that applies to big ones too. First of all people seem to have a hard time staying on their side. Second is that most people want to land on the side closer to the hanger anyway. Also the middle of the landing area becomes a danger zone as there are converging patterns. Its better than no rules but why not just set standard pattern so everyone is on the same page?

I'd love to learn more about you because I am in your region, even though you are running unopposed. One thing that might help is to actually visit the other dz's in the region and meet the members. I asked around this weekend and nobody remembers see you at my home dz on a sat or sun in recent memory. If you have then I apologize for calling you out, but if you haven't that would be a good way to start.

Thats great to know, but I think I'd still like to have an idea about what those things are. Maybe know for sure at least one or two things that I'd like to attend. It just seem strange that they have zero information up two weeks before tickets go up $100. Someone must be booked already.

I was think about going to this but the website doesn't have a lot of details. Before I spend a few hundred bucks I'd like to know what type of seminars are going on or other things that will be of interest to me. Also I'm confused as to what the difference between full registration is and just a cheap floor pass. Any info would be helpful. thanks. Also http://www.pia.com/2011/info.htm says that the discount enrollment goes until the 15th.

I'm not that familiar with the vortex as nobody around here that I know has one. That doesn't mean its bad though. The value of the container will depend on several things and is subjective. First look at its condition, how old is it? at under 100 jumps it should look almost new. Does it look like it was well taken care of? does it have all the parts? This includes items like risers, toggles, d-bag, main pilot cute, free bag and reserve pilot chute. If its missing those they you will have to replace them and that's more $. Does it need a bath or rigging work? Its usually cheaper and easier to buy a complete rig than try to assemble it yourself when you have limited knowledge of gear. But if you like the container and it fits you well, take it to a rigger for examination before you purchase. He/she can help you determine if it is a good deal too.

Those articles are great. I read them myself in the past and found them helpful. Perhaps I can print them out and make them available to our students for those windy days they are stuck on the ground.

I can see how the current format makes it easier to update.

I recently got to spend some quality time with the SIM while participating in a AFF-I course. While preparing for our mock ground preps a fellow candidate and I both realized how painful it was to actually sit and try to read the SIM like a book. It’s written like a technical manual. Now that maybe ok for instructor candidates who are already very familiar with the material, but for real students it has got to be a nightmare. Why isn’t this thing written like a textbook? IMO it would make it much easier to find, digest, and remember the information.

ok, skinny guy here. Have someone measure you as if you were going to buy a new rig and use that info to shop for used. In my case, a lot of my height is in my legs. That makes no difference in whether a rigs fits or not. What matters is main lift web (MLW) and yoke size. The rig I have been jumping for years belonged to someone 4-5 inches short than me, but fits me just fine. Hope that helps. Also, a vector II and zp.exe is really old stuff. With a little effort you can probably find something better.

That number is very disturbing, and from what I've read lately that number may be higher for more recent years. But it seems you are suggesting that this is due to swooping. I'm not sure this is the case. There have been a lot of canopy collisions lately that have nothing to do with swooping. Personally, I'm much more concerned with people who don't fly a predictable pattern or who are uncurrent then I am with the experienced swoopers at my dz.

I'm thinking it would be kind of awkward to get over the rail with another person strapped in front. Sometimes tandems have a hard time just getting to the door of the aircraft when all hooked up.

I'm not quite sure I understand how this "feature" prevents copyright infringement. Maybe you can give an example? Just curious.

I usually point down, then take my hands with palms facing each other and move them apart indicating a long distance. Sometimes this is followed by making an "O" with my thumb and index finger and repeatedly sticking the other index finger in the whole. You can probably guess what that indicates. I did this yesterday in fact, although it was on a tandem video jump. The instructor then indicated to me that he would pull slightly higher and gave me a three, two, one countdown and deployed. It was only about 1 grand higher than normal, but it allowed me to make it back so I could film the student's landing. In general the advice given by most of the other posts is right. Stay with the group. But, if you look down and realize that you are seriously far away then it might be appropriate to track off and pull a little high. This may get the rest of the group to realize where you are. If you track perpendicular to jump run and deploy slightly higher it should not affect other jumps in your group or others. If it does, then exit separation is the real issue not someone pulling a thousand feet to early. If your declared pull altitude is 3.5 I would not deploy above 5k. This is all dependent on many variables such as what your skydive/group is, the winds, what other groups are behind you, etc. Someone from a middle group dumping at 8k cause they aren't "right over the top" is not ok. I always thought it was stupid when people land in BFE causing a delay to everyone else because they sucked it down low instead of trying to make it back. While it is not always feasible or doable, the best thing to do is look down before exiting. But if you find yourself in free fall the next county over for god sakes pull high so we don't have to spend an hour looking for you. Please do talk with other jumpers and your mentor about this. Like most things, advice on the interweb cannot replace what you learn at the dz.

My optima has been on zero bars (battery indicator blinking) for about 5 months. I just keep an extra battery in my bag for when it finally quits. I've never found battery indicators (or fuel gauges) to be accurate on almost any I've owned.

http://www.huliq.com/8738/can-census-workers-enter-your-home-without-your-permission I dug up the relevant code section. http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode13/usc_sec_13_00000223----000-.html Bottom line, the landlord can be fined only for preventing access to a building or gated area, etc. It's complete BS.