Ron

The canopy looks like it "downplanes" (which I think you really meant to say "dives") while opening. Based on me correctly assuming you meant "dives".... read on. If not, then read on, but ignore it since it does not answer your question. The reason is the canopy wants a certain fwd speed based on design and brake position and will dive to get that speed. Once that speed is reached it will level out... If it gets more speed than it needs, it will pull up and bleed some of that speed off. In a plane, you would call the pitching down for speed and then the pitching up to bleed off the extra speed as phugiod oscillation. These oscillations will drop in size till a steady speed is achieved for any given trim. Yes, it is normal No, it is not something to worry about. Doubtful. But really you only have one question at your hard deck... "Can I land this safely?" Don't over think this, listen to your instructors and do what they tell you.. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

A private pilot can fly jumpers as long as it is not "for hire". The FAA does no such thing. No and No. If it is not a DEMO, a NOTAM has to be filed with the FAA, but that is about it. A demonstration jump, also called a display or exhibition jump, is a jump at a location other than an existing drop zone done for the purpose of reward, remuneration, or promotion and principally for the benefit of spectators. One purpose of USPA is to promote successful demonstration jumps as part of an overall public relations program for the sport. Bolding makes all all the difference. This was not a "demo" since there were no people in the stands "principally for the benefit of spectators". "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." The problem is not with AFF. But it might be solved by another method that works better for YOU. Might help, but the tunnel is not going to help get over the fear and anxiety of jumping from a plane. I have had students with fear like you are describing... It is normal after all to not think that jumping from a plane is the best idea. I have taken them on tandems so they can get used to the idea and I have changed them over to SL so they can conquer one issue at a time. When they are sick of tandems, we put then on AFF again. Or when they are sick of just doing an exit, we let them start hop n pops. I'd just hate to see you slamming your head against the same wall using the same methods and getting the same results and getting frustrated. Frustration is not going to help, but rather just add more emotions to the mix. I suggest you change methods and see if that works... You can always go back to banging your head against the perceived wall later. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

So?????? This is not a race. And yes it is normal to want to compare yourself to others.... But it will never actually do any good. You want to compare yourself to people? How about the SL student that took 25 jumps to get stable enough to be taken up to full altitude.... That later won SEVERAL Wold Championships? How about the AFF student that took 20 jumps to get off of AFF... That later went to win a World Championship? Fact is that it does not matter how many jumps it takes to get a license.... Do you know how many jumps it took ME to to get of SL? Nope, and since it was 19 years ago don't expect to be able to find out either. Point is that it does not matter. Try hypnosis. I never really bought into it, but I know folks that swear by it. (and it is fun to make them cluck like a chicken on command ) Another option is to try and find a place that does Static Line. Much less expensive and feeds you a little bit of information at a time. You only have to perform a little extra on every jump. Just something to consider... Might be less stressful and it should be less expensive. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Started in Sept 1993 with a Tandem Did Static Line in Oct 1993 Average 250-300 jumps a year every year. Most are training/play. I very rarely go more than two weeks without making a jump. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Congrats.... So, you are working at JR's place? If so, he and I worked together some this year... Tell him I said hey. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

I know people without health and life insurance (and have kids).... Yet, they manage to go visit the wind tunnel at least once a mth..... I see a problem there. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

And what those of us that have been around see that someone says it is a good idea... And then others only hear you HAVE to do it. We have seen this when 4way teams have three cypres fires since they were skydiving and the audible didn't go off. We have heard cases of jumpers who went low did it because their "beeper didn't tell them to pull" Why is it SO hard to understand that no everything is directed at you and your self perceived level of skill? Also, in the article he states, "There have been many technological leaps that have changed the sport forever, and audible information for canopy flight is proving to be one of the most profound. By knowing exactly how high we are at all times, we can act appropriately. " The audible will only give you clues at THREE points. The only way to know "how high we are at all times" is buy the use of an alti or our eyes. Besides... You don't listen to Brian when he talks about wingloading and jump numbers, why are you suddenly thinking he has a clue on this? "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

I have driven many cars that did not have a working speedo.... I didn't get a ticket. Many cars with working speedos and people still got tickets. Relying on any device blindly is foolish. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

If the pilot cannot be bothered to answer a question in the time it takes to go from 9.5 to 3k in a stable gliding airplane..... Then he should not be flying. If I tried to ask the pilot and he ignored me for that long... I'd likely get out... I mean if he is so tasked for that long that he cannot advise the PAX, then I doubt he could handle the dead stick landing. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Since I am not a Dr.... I would only let you jump if you came to me with a note from a DR saying that it should not be an issue. I always find mental issues funny as a double edged sword. 1. People with them always want them to be considered "real" issues that are serious, but when you you treat them like a real medical issue people get upset. I am a Diabetic, and even being a diabetic I am not qualified to say if another diabetic is safe to jump. So, if I would ask a diabetic to provide some form of documentation clearing them to jump, why would I NOT ask someone with another type of illness that requires medication for the SAME type of documentation? Yet people get mad if you mention it. 2. Mental issues are often solved, by drugs.... But the taking of the drugs (which should make the person safer) often prevents them from participation. So... Yes, you could skydive on ssri's... But since I am not a doctor, I would ask for some clearance from a Dr. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

You are not ready to downsize. 1. You can't land a 260 at less than a 1:1 WL. 2. You ADMIT you are not flaring correctly. Smaller is just going to make those issues WORSE, not better. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

The thing that bothers me is when I see a jumper who has no medical insurance, but manages to have enough money to jump and have a 4k rig and travels all over to go to boogies and is always seen after jumping with a beer ALWAYS in his/her hand. That is a priority problem. They have enough money to jump, buy gear and party, but not have insurance? I don't feel really bad for them... Well, I feel bad for them, but I don't see why I should support a person who decided to party and have fun instead of taking care of the basics. For example, I paid my sisters car payment for a few months when she was unemployed UNTIL I found out she was not even looking for a job. I then told her that she could get rid of the RANGE ROVER and buy a used Hyundai and I would keep making the payments, or I was done. She made the choice to stay unemployed and tried to make me the bad guy... She has not gotten any financial help from me since. I sent a buddy money when his apartment burned to the ground and he lost everything. I loaned my other sister money while she went to school. But, I will not loan to people who are out of cash, but somehow manage to always have money for beer, pot, and jumps. A guy that makes ~200 jumps a year (5k), has new gear, and travels all over to boogies and parties all the time...... Yeah, I'll send my money to a more responsible person. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Why? I wasted about 100 jumps before I started wearing a vest.... Notice I said "wasted"? "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

While this can work.... Being bent in half limits your ability. the goal is to be in a middle of your range body position in the middle of the fall rate range. This provides the most control available. So if you can stretch your way to the middle... Great, but I think most people will find that they will be bent in half and still be closer to their max speed. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

That is asking for a failure. You should stick to small groups and when people want to join, politely say no but that you will jump with them later since you want to work on small formation skills. Seriously, stick to three or four ways. Your learning curve will thank you. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

I like the idea.... But here is the rub. My interest would depend on the laws in the State I am in. Most States have a good sam law.... Some States this only applies to regular folks with little or no medical training. So, if the State I was in said that the level of class would still allow me to fall under the "normal" guy... then it is a great idea. If it elevated me to a higher level of expectation.... then no way would I be interested in any "official" anything. It would totally depend on the States laws. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

My suggestion to you would have been to plan on flying the attached pattern (suggestion in blue). If you wanted to land on the target you originally had, you could have used a braked approach, or modified your pattern (Talk to an instructor more about this). "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Honestly, not a big deal. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

In most cases telling a prospective employer about you being a jumper will hurt your chances. There are exceptions, but I'll tell you this... Unless I could spin it into a VERY positive attribute, I'd not mention it. One job I had was as a corporate training instructor teaching in a loud and fast paced environment... Telling them that I had been a skydiving instructor for 16 years helped. My current position it would not have helped and therefore I didn't bring it up. Two friends of mine disagreed with me.... They said they both used skydiving as a good thing. But one was an 8way World Champ, and the other was on the World Record bigway. Not exactly run of the mill jumping. So, unless you can show how it makes you special (Working the logistics of a World Record, performing at the Worlds Best level) ... I would suggest not mentioning it. But, many newer jumpers just love the sport so damn much that they think it makes them special and they want to proselytize about it.... OK, but to *most* people it makes you weird and dangerous. And in an interview you need to shine, but not look too far outside the norm. I also compete in machine gun completions.... You think I include that in an resume for an analyst position? Hell no. Now if I were trying to get a job in security, maybe. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Shame some people will not just listen to the advice they were given. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

HA HA... you guys are old! "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Nope, you would still have the same people making the same types of comments.... And some would still be flat out wrong even with the video aids. I can tell you that I often see a problem in freefall that is not evident on the video. The reverse happens as well... Best case is to have the guy that was actually in freefall with you look at the video (I am sure they did this)... anything else is second hand. Best advice is still to trust the folks that are sitting in front of you. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

For fun, I'd go to Zhills. They have organizers all the time for just about any experience level. If I was looking to bang out a bunch of jumps or team training, I'd go to DeLand. Both have good student programs. Fun: Zhills Training: DeLand "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

I think the more important thing is to decide what part of the Country you might like to go to....The higher cost of a flight might easily eat up any savings on the course. Also you need to decide WHEN and WHERE. It might be a bad idea to head to Perris when the Santa Anna winds are kicking, Chicago in January, or Zhills in the middle of summer. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334