Ron

49 people, all flying one plane each. Spacing is done just by looking at the aircraft around you and making SMALL adjustments. Largest I have done is 4 planes. But that didn’t count because you were still in transient parking. Sparky If you say so: "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

I'll rephrase for the rude. You made a comment that could easily have been seen as racist. only by the dim Right..... "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

So? CRW dogs normally know A LOT more about equipment than AFFI's. It is about KNOWLEDGE, not SKILLS. The course is supposed to test skills, but it would have to be a lot longer to test all the knowledge questions. I asked a simple question... If you do not know it it is fine to NOT know it. But if you had been around the sport longer you might have known the answer. And having been around the sport 20 years with 6K jumps on all different types of canopies.... I know the answer. I have jumped both and I have had several discussions on the topic on my many YEARS in the sport. So, do you know which is larger or not? Old canopy attachment method. It was outdated for sport jumping before I started, but I still jumped them in the Military. Technical Standard Order... And having been around as long as I have I have participated in drop tests on several occasions. If I remember, Germany uses the manufacturers recommendations. So if the company says it s good for a year, then it is good for a year. But I know of at least one rig system that has a 5 year pack cycle. See how easy this is: I don't know without looking it up. Even in my 20 years I have not been exposed to this. Aspect ratio is the ratio between the span from nose to tail and the span from end to end. Higher aspect ratios normally means higher performance. It would depend on a bunch of other factors than just AR. Wing loading, proven skills and currency for example. A Stiletto is about 2.7 if I recall correctly and a guy that is lightly loaded, current, and has shown good skills might be fine. You should probably factor in density altitude, winds, and obstacles as well. You are doing your first PRCP. Again, watch how easy this is: I don't know, I have my theories. And I'd bet that in most cases the guy that has been around 10 years knows MUCH more than an AFF student. All the answers I gave here today were without research. Can you say the same? So I aks again, "Which is bigger a Safire 1 150, or a Stiletto 150?" It makes a difference. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

I'll rephrase for the rude. You made a comment that could easily have been seen as racist. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

And we teach deaf students.... But that also takes more time and is a disability that cannot be changed, so we deal with it. If he is going to wear a full face helmet, then both he and the instructor need to practice that skill set. And while I don't mind doing it, I can easily see why a DZ would not want to take that extra time or that extra liability. It has already been stated that a Prtotec is the ONLY helmet to have actual impact tests done on it. So if a guy shows up with a G3 and pounds in (maybe because he could not hear the radio). Do you really want to be the DZO that gets drug into court and has to explain why you let a student jump a non-rated, *non- standard* student helmet that made it more difficult to hear the radio (and in some cases, see the emergency handles)? As for it not being a cookie cutter world. If the student felt better wearing a Go Pro, would you let him? Also, I am assuming you work or own a small DZ. It is much easier to make concessions at a small DZ (one of the reasons I actually suggest smaller DZ's to learn). It is about scale. If I had 10 students to jump with in a day, I'd want them as cookie cutter gear equipped as possible. Just like I try not to jump Strong and Sigma on the same day back and forth. But when I have a private student I often have them in a full face and wearing a bootie suit before they are done with L7. But in those cases I have ALL day to spend with them and I can make them walk around flipping up and dropping the visor all day if I want. This is about ignoring best practices. I am not saying it can't be done, but it adds risk and liability. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Again, *I, me, this guy* do not have a problem with a helmet like the G3. I would not let you jump a helmet that obscured your handles (as someone pointed out it as an issue, I didn't mention it because you had bought a G3 and it does not have this issue). I can't personally see why the DZ would have a problem after you are off of the basic 7 AFF levels and no longer on a radio. But you would have to ask them.... I have done private classes where the student was in a bootie suit and with a full face helmet. But that is a totally different situation. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

If it was two black adults and a white child you sure she would not have asked the same questions? "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

If air blasting in your face is going to break your concentration... You have better quit now. There is nowhere in the USPA BSR's that says you can't wear sunglasses, but you accepted your instructor wants to be able to see your eyes. It is also no where in the USPA BSR's that says you can't wear a scuba mask.... But it is still not a good idea. And this was all with the Goggles. Everyone thinks they can handle the situation..... Confidence is good, but everyone thinks they are above average. As for "All three jumps"... Two were tandems right? You could be a soup sandwhich and it will not matter on a tandem. Imagine snot on the inside of the helmet. 1. It will make it difficult for you to hear commands in the plane. 2. In freefall I can yell in your ear... Yep, you will hear me with a protec... Can't say you will with a G3. 3. You will hear less under canopy and you need to be able to hear the radio. 4. You will hear less under canopy and you need to have your head on a swivel to avoid others under canopy. 5. Just as you are task loaded... So is your instructor. Now I have to not only check your gear like normal, I also have to check to make sure you put your helmet on. I have to check to make sure the visor is locked down. I have to make sure you close it before we climb out, I have to make sure you can open it in case it fogs. You are trying to be the square peg destined for a round hole. Should all of these be big issues? Not really. But the fact is that a training program is exactly that... A program and the best way to get through the program is to not make waves and not ask for special treatment. That being said, I would not have an issue with a student with a full face helmet. But then again, I work for a DZ and that DZ overrules my personal opinion. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

We live in a messed up world. Human trafficking is a big deal. How would you feel if the employee didn't ask and the kid was a kidnap victim? "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

99% is good enough for me to bet my life savings on. You could argue that number of jumps is not as important as freefall time. You could argue that number of jumps is more important that freefall time. You could argue that time on sport does not matter, you could argue that time in sport does matter. The fact is they ALL matter. But Tandem ALREADY has a jump number requirement. If I ran the world, AFF would have a time in sport requirement as well. Both Tandem and AFF would require 3 years, 500 jumps and 6 hours of freefall as *minimums*. Then you would have to prove your stuff in the course. But alas, I don't run the world. Simple question. Two guys are standing in front of you: 1. 500 jumps and 5 years in the sport. 2. 500 jumps and 2 years in the sport. Who do you think most of the time will KNOW more? This is not a question of who has more skill, but who most likely knows more? Not knowing how a skyhook works will not kill you - Other than being quicker than a standard RSL it is functionally the same at the operator level for the user as a standard RSL. However, not knowing what a NOVA is, might kill you if you are foolish enough to jump it. This is a good example of important information and unimportant information and experience will tell you which is which. If I could only give you knowledge on one of the two topics: Nova or how a skyhook works.... If you were only a jumper and not a rigger, I'd make sure you knew not to jump a Nova. I'll give you another example: Which is smaller: A Safire 1 150, or a Stiletto 150? Eh, if I am rude you will just ignore me. You seem willing to listen even if you are not going to change your mind. These kinds of discussions are fun. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

He asked a question, I gave him what I saw as a complete answer. Giving him ALL the options available (Like I did with Camping/Chromy's/RV/Hotel). And Wendy's and Friendlies are all options there (along with other options). Eating at one place will get old quick. The perfect spot can have good food. I have also had bad food there and I have had food that took DAYS to get prepared. I have seen cycles there between good and bad. DZ standards? Might be better than others, but I have had just as good of food at the bombshelter and the bent prop as well and Chicago at one time had AMAZING food (2001-2003ish). When hanging out in DeLand we normally went into town and didn't stay at the DZ longer than a beer or two. This is one of the things about DeLand. Locals normally jump like hell and then get off the DZ unless there is an event. They normally go home, get cleaned up, and head into town to get food. I don't consider myself a DeLand local anymore. But I was there enough at one time to end up getting married to a manifest chick (got married on the DZ actually) and was on at least two skydiving teams from there. Since then I have lived in NC, Dallas and now South Florida. I lived on the DZ in Zhills for a while as well. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

But Andretti is more qualified than you or I to join NASCAR. Your opinion. My opinion is that time gives you more knowledge than pure jumps alone. I had an AFF I that got his AFF ticket at just over 6 hours of FF. He was all excited because he just got what he thought was a SMOKING deal on a new canopy. He asked me about it. When he told me the name, I told him to walk away from it as fast as he could. Ever hear of a NOVA? No amount of jumps will give you the knowledge to know that name. And there is your answer. If 7 out of 10 times it is true, then it is not a bad standard. Of course, everyone thinks they are above average and are better than the norm.... That is so common that it is actually normal for people to think they are above the curve. I disagree. TIME has given me more experience to more weapon systems. Here is part of the problem... You think it is JUST about putting lead on target. But it is more than that. It is also about rules, it is also about knowledge that *can* be gained quickly, but it MOSTLY (there is that damn mostly word again) is gained by experience and MOST people get that experience over time. This is an old debate. Normally it is some new guy that that thinks himself to be ahead of the curve wondering why the rules want to hold him down. How unfair it is that he is judged by standards that should not apply to him. I was that guy once. I get it. But the fact is that if I needed to select a guy to go clear a room with me..... I'd choose the guy with more experience over the guy with less experience every single time. And no, just cause a guy cleared a room once 10 years ago does not mean he has 10 years experience.... But I can bet that MOST times the guy that has been doing something longer has more experience than a guy that just learned a skill. Even if he REALLY knows that one skill. I realize that you will scoff at this. This happens ALL the time. But after you have 5 years of experience.... You will realize all that you didn't know at one year. After 10 years you will realize all that you didn't know at 5. And after 20 years you will realize that you know so much more than you did at 10. You may not LIKE it. And maybe you truly are "gifted". But I have seen plenty of "gifted" guys make MAJOR mistakes that they should of known better. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

49 people, all flying one plane each. Spacing is done just by looking at the aircraft around you and making SMALL adjustments. Largest I have done is 4 planes. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

I normally carry a water bottle of 100LL in my Citabria just so I can dump it and feel like a real pilot in case of an emergency. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Emails are so impersonal. I think a 2am drunk dial would be much better.

Well: 1. Bring beer. Everyone likes the guy that brings beer. 2. Call ahead and schedule a coach to work with you a bit. They open doors. 3. Try to find a DZ that will have organizing. I'd suggest Florida. I'd further suggest Zhills. They have coaches (Sally Hathaway comes to mind, but they have others). And they have organizers. Some DZ's do not have organizers on deck every day, ZHills normally does. Part of why I suggest FL is you can go to Zhills, and then Maybe DeLand, then Maybe Sebastian, then maybe Lake Wales, then maybe.... Point is you can get around a do a bunch. As for the intimidation.... Yeah, don't sweat it. Most pro's are normal people who like to help. If you are in South FL. PM me. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

I think both case are just a sign of the times. When I learned you learned to pack or you pretty much didn't get to jump. Even as a student they were involving us in the packing of our own rigs. But we had the TIME. Everything was not immediate gratification. Spotting. I don't think people know how to spot anymore since we don't spot anymore. When I was a JM at a Cessna DZ I had my students watch me, help me, spot for me. But I could do that because we had 4 people on a plane that was doing 75MPH and not an Otter full of folks. If the spot was a bit off, it was not by much and the "whole" 182 could easily make it back. Plus a go around in an Otter costs a bunch more than a 182. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Bonfire.... No. Places to stay. Depends on what you want. One of the great things about DeLand is that it is basically in a small city. You can go from camping on the DZ, bunk houses (I think Chromy still has one), hotels, to finding an RV park nearby. Places to eat. The DZ has a restaurant. There is an airport restaurant that used to have fantastic burgers. And like I said earlier you are in a small city so there is a bunch of places to eat from fast food (Wendy's) to dine in food (Friendly's) to really nice restaurants. Emmy's used to have nice German food and it is not that far. The Blind Pig used to be a nice place to get a brew... Basically, you can get just about anything you want/within a budget there. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Well you are wrong on two counts so far..... But it does not take a person who knows Simon to know that he intentionally flew in standing to a head down record. And it seems that he bragged about it later. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Because you don't know what you don't know. It really is a simple as that. I wish the AFF rating had a time in sport requirement. Maybe, but on average the guy that has been around 10 years knows more than the guy that has been around a year. It is not about what you think, it is about what the majority thinks. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Eh, I would not say it is a "must watch". I jumped at WTS at the time, went to Mikes last marriage. I don't see him as the killer type and the Jury agreed. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Taken down.... Still up here http://www.buzzfeed.com/jacelacob/this-breaking-bad-alternate-ending-must-be-seen-to-be-believ "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Thinking of getting my riggers ticket this year. Who has a rigger course? I know of Dewolf, I think I heard of one in AZ, and I know there is one in Chicago. But I can't find dates/info for any of these. Thanks. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

And to throw another wrench into the works.... I believe that the USPA no longer calls the 'D' as 'master'. The SIM makes no mention of 'Master' and even in the SIM glossary it makes no mention of 'master' just saying it is 'the highest of the four levels'. My license says 'Master', but I have seen other people who's 'D' said 'Expert'.... "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

There is no USPA or FAA requirement to keep a manufacturer's rating current if the USPA rating is current. And there is no FAA rule that requires the USPA tandem cert is current.... Or even ever held. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334