Ron

Yep....like I said before, If your Cypres fires and saves you, youre dead. This includes me. Like what? Sudden impact trama? If you loose track of altitude....the one BIG mistake, maybe skydiving is not for you. "Earth to big to go around, to thick to go through". Ron "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

I 100% agree with this... Too many people go out and get the "Super Swooper X" thinking that it is the magic ticket to long swoops. It's not toys, its knowledge. Learn evrything about your old canopy before you get the new one. But the larger problem is a person's ego. Most people don't need a Mustang GT. But I have one. I wanted one, it was as simple as that. Why? I like the way it looks, I like the way it drives, a friend of mine has one. This is the same thing that makes people buy the cool new canopy before they are ready.. The difference is that I am not 16 years old with a Mustang GT...I'm 30, and have been driving for almost 15 years. People don't like to think this way...If I could of had the Mustang at 16...youre damn right I would of had it. Education is the key..... But so is peer preasure. When I am asked by a guy with 100 jumps what to get, I don't tell him to get a Stiletto. And when I hear some crazy shit on this forum, I chime in. I try to do my part....If everyone who cared did also, we could maybe help someone, and if not I can sleep at night, because I tried. Ron "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Arlo would be better for this, But bring what you normally jump with. Just make sure you have closed toe shoes. (they have some there they will loan you, but bring your own...They are vans, but someone elses vans.) The most interesting thing for a solo jumper is not getting in or out, they will help you with that. It is having a perfectly still reference to use. And you know it is not going anywhere. If you think you turn in place the tunnel might destry that feeling. For a group the major new thing is the massive fall rate issues for the group...They are there in freefall, but now that you have a non moving wall there, they seem to be alot more. To fly smooth in the tunnel you have to make fall rate adjustments all the time. Just like you should in freefall, but they seem a lot larger. Smile and have fun. Are you going as part of a camp, or by yourself? Ron "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Swept wing, then (I always thought it was Flat top) this type. Brian had A LOT of different designs and different mods during the production run. I put a lot of jumps back in 1996 on a 95 sweptwing, flattop, eagle trimed canopy in "Fall" colors. It swooped like hell. It opened great, although it ALWAYS turned left on opening???? It was not the lines, leg straps, body position ect....No matter who jumped it, it turned left with the slider at the top of the canopy...very weird. But man that thing would swoop. The coolest thing Brian made in my opinion was some Airlocked 7 cell CRW canopies....They rocked. The were rock solid during any high speed docks. Ron "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

#1 never said anyone deserved it... I did say that if you have a back up save your life, you should look at if you want to do this sport again. When people have to cut away they look at why it happened. When an Airbag saved my life I looked at how I was driving. When an AAD keeps you from bouncing you should look at why? And if the reason was "I freaked out" then maybe this sport is not for you. #2. I did have one of my best friends bounce due to lack of ALT awareness. He was one of my best friends, he was also my piece partner in 4 way. I cried like a baby at his funneral. If he had had an AAD he would be alive..Of course if he had pulled his fucking reserve he would have been alive as well. I think they are wonderful. I like them, and I have one. Because, yes my life is with $1000.00 every 12 years. I don't think they should be required for Experianced jumpers, but I tell people to get them. If I was a DZO, and someone had a CYPRES fire... I would make them look at why it happened....If the only answer I could get was something that looked like it could happen again, I would ask him to leave my DZ...Bounce some where else. This sport is not for everyone.....It also should not be. Some people should not skydive. If you have an AAD save you might be one of them. Ron "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Needed it to compete in open at the US Nationals. I think it was need to get a PRO rating. Just like I needed my C to do beach jumps. And I had the jumps, and a guy at a DZ in FL asked if I wanted to take the test. It was a WX day, so I did. Just because I have a number, and an old card that says I am a "Master" does not make me act like I am....I learn new things everyday. Ron "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

I don't doubt you, I am looking at my actual License. From like 1994. All I am saying is it not kinda funny that our highest license is 200 jumps? It's not real important what it is called. But I just think that it is so low it does not matter as much if it was harder to get. And I think they dropped the "Master" durring a night jump debate. Ron "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Its just to have it.... I know someone who did a lot of Hop n pops to get her D several years ago. (like 70). She got her D before a lot of people, but the others were better skydivers. Why rush? Enjoy the ride...Learn as much as you can. If it happens great, but why rush it? No, I would not do the same. The selling/buying issue does not really fit.....different products. When I started martial arts years ago there were two places I could go. One right down the street from me, one about 20 min away. The one down the street said I would have my Black Belt in 3 years. The other told me I may never get it. I went to the other one...lots of people went to the first one, and got a black belt in 3 years....I took 4. But I beat them at every competition. It not a race. Ron "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

I have 2 rigs one with one with out. My "A" rig has it, and the smaller canopy. I would rather have it because "Shit happens" But it really does not matter. I did 600 jumps with out it. I have a friend that if he had one would be alive today.....but if he had pulled his damn reserve, he would be alive as well. It is a back up. It does bother me that I know people that will only jump if they have one. It seems to me that they are not confident with out it....It is a back up. I personally think (raises shields to protect from the flames). That if you have one save you, you should look into another sport. As far as I am concerned you died. Ron "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Who said I don't like you? Not me... If you can do 1000 jumps in a year great...But it will not make you a "Master" or an "Expert". I don't care that you are going to try and get the D under the wire. But why are you going to do it anyway? Since you feel as you say "a toddler in pre-school"...why do you want the D license? Ron "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

well sorry I looked at mine, and it says "Master" on it... I think it is very funny. I don't think of myself as a master now. I hope I never really do. But 200 even 500, not even close. Ron "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

OK, you don't care about the D (new or old) then don't get it. According to the Nov Parachutist 6,295 people have attained 1000 jumps. (Of course there are people like you that don't care, and probley have not sent for them). According to the USPA there are around 34,322 members. Thats 18% have reached 1,000 jumps. (Now I know that there is a differance between total jumpers to reach 1,000 ever, and current members of the USPA) But I have no idea how to get how many *current* members have over 1,000 jumps. And 1,000 jumps would be "Master" If everyone could do it, and some in less than a year, how could that be "Master". Yep, and in 10 years they could be a "Master". Thats why I moved South. The same reason that guys who live to surf don't live in OK, or guys who live to ski don't live in Florida. If it is not possible for everyone to reach "Master"...so what? It is not about everyone being able to do it....It is about those who can. (However ANYONE can do it. It is a matter of how much you are willing to give up.) Ron "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Read what I wrote again... At the coresponding jump #'s you would be allowed to do what you can do now. The reason to get the C when you have a B.... To become recognized as Advanced. Your right most people never would need a D. Even with todays standards. But people still get them. Its not about bragging rights. Its about aligning the current abilities to the same standards that were set. It very easy to get 200 jumps now. It was not back in the 70's Ron "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Ok I have read some on the wreck about the USPA changing the requirements to get more in step with the rest of the world. This raises some points. 1. Do you think it should be done? 2. Do you think it is even worth doing? 3. Do you think that it is reasonable? My answers. They are all my personal opinions. I think that the license requirements need to be raised, I think the USPA is doing this, but again...my personal thoughts follow. Yes it should be done. for several reasons. One of them is simply at 200 jumps you are in no way a "Master, or Expert Parachutist". This is a kick back to the days were you were lucky to make 3 jumps a day from a small aircraft. 200 jumps WAS a big deal years ago. Now people can go from student to 200 jumps in less that 6 mths if they have the money/time (not that there is anything wrong with this). But 200 jumps in no way makes you an "Expert". I don't think that jump #'s alone should be the way to rank people....I do think that is a very good way of showing that you can manage to save your life X number of times. I meet people with 5-7 thousand jumps, and a lot of these jumpers are not the cutting edge jumpers out there...but they have made 5-7 thousand jumps....and in that they have earned my respect. Same goes for "old timers" that have been jumping 20-30 years. I am in awe of these pioneers. I personally think that the A license should be the same as now. It is a good place to start...However more detail to packing , and spotting. Not just "check the blocks" B should be 100 jumps. In this day and age 100 jumps is not Advanced. At 100 jumps however you should still be allowed to do all the things that a current C holder can do. At 200 jumps you should still be allowed to do all of the things a current D holder can do. C should be 500 jumps. In my personal opinion 500 is an Advanced jumper...He knows enough to handle most situations, and has done enough to be able to handle himself in most situations. This is the jump # that I have seen most (including myself) become aware of the sport. I also think there should be a 2 year time in sport requirement... A lot can be learned by being around DZ's and skydivers. This is the reason that some Tandem makers make this a requirement. I also think that at this level you should be able to do more than one aspect of the sport. So you should have to be able to show some level of skill in more than one area...IE Freefly and Belly skills, RW and Video, Freefly and CRW, Accuracy and instructor/coach ratings....Swooping, Big ways, Style, Wingsuits, Rigger ticket..Hell, maybe even BASE. Basicly be able to safely do more than one thing. PADI SCUBA diving does this. Most people at this level can already do this, some can't. D is 1,000 jumps. Gold Wings....This is about equal today as the old 200 jumps. Some people these days are doing close to 1000 jumps a year, but just like the old days not everyone can do this. 1000 jumps shows that you have been able to save your life 1000 times. I also think that there should be a 5 year time in sport also. I also think that to get ANY license, you should in front of an S&TA or such....Pack in front of them, spot the AC by yourself, and land in a target area. The size of the target to adjust to the license you are trying for. If it's an A...hell just hit the DZ. D, land in the peas. This would make people be able to pack and spot...2 things every jumper should know how to do. Of course anyone that currently holds the current license would be allowed to keep them. But I do think it is time to update them Ron Jumping 9 years, 2,500 jumps. S/L and Tandem I, PRO rated. Biggest 110 4 way 14.9 AVG. 2 BASE 30ish T-10 S/L. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Hey Brother the wingload does not seem to be a large step. (Yes it's me that canopy Nazi saying that) If you were ataying with the same type of canopy I would just say "Be careful". But (here comes the lecture) Why not jump a Stiletto 150 before you have a higher wingload, AND a different type of canopy? Demo a Stiletto 150 for a few weeks (PD will let you demo one for 2 weeks I think). And put as many hop n pops on it in those 2 weekends. After you learn the differences of the canopies, at a wingload that you are used to, then downsize. Ask people at the DZ (who have a clue) to watch your landings these two weekends, and maybe video them. A 1.3 wingload is a good step, and if all you say is true, it might be time to downsize. I would like to see you get some time on the same size Stiletto first, and work on Half Braked (flat) turns. The Stiletto will turn a lot faster, and is much more sensitive to harness inputs. Ron "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

I am amazed..... I know that there were very good jumpers that went to this, but still they did a great job... I have a four 100 ways, but no desire to large ways again. Ron "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Alti 2 has the best customer service. I have 4 Alti III's Love them. Ron "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

He claimed that it was about Thurmands economic and defense positions.... I don't know, I am not him. But I know enough of the media that they will look for an angle that will sell papers. Race wars sell papers. I personally don't think he is that stupid. Ron "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

In just jump tickets it comes to around 1,000/hr. It can be less (Mullins Boggie till ya pukes) or more (SDC for 20.00 a jump). I have over 40 hrs of freefall, 2 rigs, a camera setup, and somewhere around 50 hrs in tunnels. (some of that is Ft.Bragg and was "Free", some more is coaching). I don't really want to figure it out. Its a lot. But I live on the DZ in a trailer and don't regret it. Ron "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Yes,,,, and no. Confidence is a good thing, Overconfidence is bad. Overconfidence will kill you. There will come a point....maybe not yet, but at some point you will say to yourself, "what the hell am I doing?" It may come after a malfunction, or a death of a friend, but it WILL come. Most of the time it is not a big deal and you just blow right by it, but it can be so bad that people with a lot of jumps just quit. Be confident, not cocky....the ground can smite thee. Ron "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

True, I am not an S&TA, or a DZO. I am an instructor, but I can also, and so can anyone else walk up to the DZO, S&TA, or DZ manager and let them know how you feel, and your fears. If the DZO, S&TA, or DZ manager is worth a damn...they will adress it. If not, look at another DZ to jump at. I am all for education first, and "giving the boot as a Last resort. But you have to think of his safety, your safety, the saftey of your friends, the safety of everyone. If someone is unsafe, teach them....If they stay unsafe...Ground them...If they still won't listen/learn. Boot them. They are not going to listen, don't risk anyone else's saftey. Ron "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

OK well let me chime in. I have 2,500 jumps... 1. Educate them. If they don't listen... 2. Ground them and educate them. Start with a Day, then a weekend, finally a Mth. If they still don't listen... 3. Kick them off the DZ. I would rather have them die, or kill someone else at another DZ. I would also call the other DZ's to let them know they are grounded at mine, and why. A dangerous person can not only kill themselves, but also others. Ron "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

I have been reading this for a while... If a person is a risk to himself....Then he is a risk to me as well. An accident happened in Lake Wales not to long ago where one guy turned into another at 100 feet....They both died. A reckless person has the ability to end my life while ending theirs. Another thing to look at is with each person who dies, we get closer to having another body impose rules on us (FAA, local legislation ect). This sport is as free as it is because we regulate ourselves.... If a person is a danger... Educate him If he does not listen... Ground him, and educate him If he still does not listen... Banish him. I would rather he die on someone elses DZ. Ron "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

You can go out HAHO and move farther (unless there is a kicking wind). The aerodynamics of the thing would be shot with even a simple basic combat load.....a much smaller type of load than SF would use. Ron "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

I only know of the testing ZHills did a few years ago. The R side JM has a handle that can release the BOC along one edge. The PC then falls out, and launches pretty good. It hits the wind from between the students legs. I have seen a lot of video that was taken during testing, and I am confident in the system. Ron "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334