Ron

We MAY have a range day before hand to allow those that do not have the proven level of firearms exp to come out and prove they can handle the course and brush up on some tactical skills.... CHL/CHP may not honestly be proof enough (I know the FL program is a bit of a joke). I want everyone to have fun and while I plan on having an RO for each active shooter...... Safety will be job one. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

I don't think it has been held in the last two years. Also, I wanted to remove the scoring for landing and make it like hit 'n' chug where it is a pure time event. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Thinking of holding a fun type competition. The idea is to do a hop 'n' pop, land and drop your gear. On the target will be a magazine for your weapon. You will pick up your mag and then have to move ~100 feet to a firing line where you weapon will be located, load up and engage a course of fire. (Think of it as a hit 'n' chug without the booze). Thinking of around four rounds: 1. Pistol 2. Rifle/carbine 3. Shotgun/jungle walk 4. Select fire (machine gun) What, you do not own a machine gun???? Not an issue, I can have loaners available. I can also make arrangements to have loaners for each weapon system if you are flying in or do not have that type of weapon. I am even working on having ammo there to buy if you need it so you do not have to lug it all/can't find it/are flying in if you let us know ahead of time. Simple rules... 1. Safety first.... Seriously. 2. Your time starts when your feet touch and stops when the course of fire is complete. 3. Course of fire is complete when: * Plates are broken * Steel is dropped * Paper has correct number and placement of rounds 4. Lowest time wins. 5. Do something stupid (ND, flag someone... etc) and you will be DQ'd. The Range/DZ is a grass airport with over 1000 foot runway Requirements.....Thinking of: 1. 200 jumps Min (due to the landing area and the USPA rules) 2. Some proof of firearms proficiency * IPSIC/IPDA ranking * Certificate from training academy * Military/LEO * CHL/CWP (Maybe?) * Personal reference from an instructor (Maybe?) DZ: Air Adventures in Clewiston, FL. http://www.skydivefl.com/# Range: Tactical Firearms Academy http://www.tacticalacademy.us/ Date: TBD Thoughts? "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

NICE!!!!!! Oh, and jump, just do not allow yourself to get in over your head. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

No problem... After Ben (former teammate of mine) pointed out I was an idiot, I eventually caught on. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Gullible, not dumb. I knew the answer. I was just assumed a guy asking a question actually wanted an answer. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

If you think that is expensive.......... This may not be the sport for you. OP.. Not a terrible idea. We played with it for some contracts a few years ago. We found that most times it really did not help. I think you will find that manipulations and hand signals works just as well. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

It is when you think you have done enough that you think you have the basics down and want to get on the "hot" loads. Problem is that with 100 jumps, you do not have the basics down and still make mistakes. This prevents you from getting on the "hot" loads and that is frustrating. You want to do something and think you are good enough and should be allowed, but you are not allowed. You think that the only way to prove yourself is by those guys letting you on the "hot" loads, but they will not do it. When you do make mistakes, it hurts your self pride. So at around 100 jumps you: 1. Think you are better than you are.... And when you screw up that pisses you off. 2. Think that you should be allowed on the hot loads but are not invited. 3. You get upset that others will not let you use their skydive for your learning. 4. Have done enough that you think you can "check the box". We had the same issue when I taught martial arts. By the time a guy got to blue belt we had the "Blue belt blues". I had it.... I just jumped right through it. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Nonsense, I know folks that started at the local DZ: * learned to pack in less than a week * Got a coach rating in less than ~4 mths * Started flying video in ~6mths * AFF in a little over a year * Tandem when they hit three years. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

You have 10 years on me, my profile info is close to correct. While 29 years ago a tandem may have been an 'oddity', and 10 years ago it may have been 'experimental'.... Today it is the most common type of 'student' jump made. Therefore, since it us 2011 not 1982 the fact that it is the most common method today still proves your analogy is incorrect. BTW, you do know that they trained WW1 pilots solo with short hops that got longer over time? Back then it was considered normal, today that method of instruction would be an oddity. Things change over time... Just look how SL was 'the' method 20 years ago and now AFF is much more popular. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Nope, they have been doing tandems for well over 20 years. More people jump tandem than any other method. More people do tandems that aff and sl combined. Tandem is now the 'norm'. For your analogy to be correct, you would have to go back in time. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

This I agree with. The USPA has a hard enough time running anything, and now they want to run more???? Not exactly true. Since the norm in flying is to have duel instruction anything other than that would be abnormal. It does when you consider that having to be the legal age of majority will prevent many people from taking a "joy ride". Now if they want to learn at 16, they have to take a full class. Many would rather wait than dedicate. I agree. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

It would help to know where you are..... Country at least. Personally, I like Michigan suits. Mike is the kinda guy that is involved with each and every suit he makes. He makes less suits than others, but they last forever. I have one with well over 2k jumps on it. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Sorry, I meant part time at skydiving. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

1. Move to where it is not shit. 2. Stick with the "real" job and do fun jumps or work part time. I have been a part time instructor for over 15 years and 5000 jumps. I have had great DZ's to work at where I can call up on a Thu and either say I can't work that weekend or ask if the DZ needs me that weekend. Between Tandem, AFF, My team and my coaching gigs I spend 3 out of 4 weekends at the DZ on average. Some months every weekend and a few week days, other months I do not even make one jump.... I still have averaged ~300 jumps a year for over 15 years. BUT I have the option to do stuff around the house or do something else..... IMO, it is the only way to live. Good luck picking your path. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

You would be surprised. Bring two sets and start fencing with random people.... You will have people lining up to talk to you. I used to take my radio controlled helicopter to the DZ (OK, I lived on the DZ... But still) and people loved to watch it. Anything that sets you apart, will draw a crowd.... Yes, I know what that says. This statement shows you are new here ..... No one is gonna care. Although, normally off topic stuff goes in "General". Here is a thought, why don't you start a post in General about ren and see what happens? "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Not dumb, and it does not make you look bad. It does make you look like you are excited and it does make you look like you are consumed with it..... We were all there once, some still are. you can PM: billvon, cpoxon, Meso, slotperfect. They can be found on the bottom of the "General" page. BillV is usually on more than the others. Like everyone has been saying.... Just be yourself "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Well what is the current cost of an Odyssey? And I did mention that I didn't know and that it *might* be the throwback rig. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Then think about the things you can control and not the things you cannot control. You can control your knowledge of gear and the next jump level.... You can't control how people think about you. Then why the focus on other "hot" chicks? Is a hot person going to get more attention? Yep. Does that mean you will not find people that will respect you? Nope. Dropzones are not that much different than life. If you are an introvert.... You are not going to graduate AFF and suddenly become an extrovert. Skydiving can help by proving to yourself that you can do anything.... And in this case survive a dangerous situation by using skill and being calm. 1. You have already done more than 99% of the population of the planet. 2. You have nothing to prove to anyone but yourself. Accept that, and the rest is easy. You drive them crazy talking about it. You start spending more time away from them and they get mad at you for it, they accuse you of loving skydiving more than them. Unless you have a good relationship with good communication and THEY have something they care about and do without you.... It can be a big challenge. Then why the post? Again, don't over think it. Not really. "AIDS" - Altitude Induced Divorce Syndrome starts when the one partner feels communication breaking down... they then demand more TIME together instead of asking for better communication together. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Maybe you have to sue a company in the State they exist? In that case, 18 for FL would be a valid signature. I very much doubt any of these companies have idiots for lawyers. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

I call BS. I am ugly as hell and male and the only time I had a problem getting a date from a DZ was when I was 20 and spent all my money and time on jumping. Most women seemed to be older and the 20 year old girls were all swooped up by the 25-30 year old instructors with thousands of jumps. Hell, a buddy of mine told me that I was screwed looking to date a girl from a DZ till I had a real job, some money, and a few thousand jumps. He told me to wait till I was 30, had a career, money, ratings, and a few thousand jumps.... Then *I* could steal all the young 20 year olds.... He was right For every person, there is a place. If you are laid back, then maybe a 4way team will not be your thing. Maybe you will do wingsuiting, bigways, or freefly. Once you get off student status, things change. If I walked onto an SCA reenactment with no clue what was going on, without anyone to guide me, wearing my normal clothes.... I'd feel equally as lost as you are on a DZ. Relax.... I think you might be over thinking... Well, everything. Normal, but it will drive you nuts. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

1. Easier. 2. Maybe the Tandem manufacturers are using the age of majority in the State the company exists? "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

This might be the "throwback" container they have been working on. I don't know all the details, but it is a basic container design. Kinda like taking a 1999 Javelin pattern and building it today with some advancements but without all the bells and whistles of the Odyssey. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

No, you have seen (and so have I): 1. People land UNDER A RESERVE trailing a PC in tow malfunction. 2. People land UNDER A MAIN trailing a reserve PC in tow. But a guy LANDING A PC IN TOW is going to hit the ground at 120 MPH... He is not going to survive. Not that hard of a concept.... You are doing 120MPH at the ground with only a PC out. You are going to die unless you handle it. For that reason, my opinion is to STOP the skydive first, then deal with the PC in tow issue. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Why not call and ask them? You will find Mike will answer any questions you have. Last I was there, they required a tandem before the AFF course. But there was no time limit. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334