skybytch

If money were an issue, and I already had an analog altimeter I'd get an audible first - for use in freefall, not for use in the pattern (unless/until you are swooping, where altitude of final turn is very important). Analog altimeters work fine. If you have issues seeing the numbers, don't focus on them. Instead think of it like a clock. If the little hand is pointing straight down, it's 6 oclock, right? Same with the analog alti; a quick glance at it to see where the hand is pointing and you'll have the info you need just like that. As mentioned above, +/- 100 feet isn't a big deal in the pattern (well, as long as you aren't making your turn from base to final at 100 feet ;-)). You'll be able to eyeball turn altitudes soon. Don't get in the habit of relying on technology. It's awesome, but it's also far more likely to fail than your eyes are.

Have you had the line trim checked? I'd start there.

The most important parts of the harness that need to fit correctly are the main lift web (MLW) and the laterals as changing their sizing is a pretty major undertaking that must be done by a rigger. Leg straps and chest straps can be lengthened/shortened much easier, again by a rigger. To get a rough idea of the MLW length that will fit you best, take your height (in inches), subtract your inseam (in inches) then subtract 20. Example - I'm 68" tall and have a 33" inseam. 68-33-20 = 15. So a 15" MLW should fit me well (and it does). Before buying anything, it's a good idea to try on one or two containers that have the MLW you figured out and see how that length fits. Ask around at the dz, someone will have one and let you try it on. AFAIK, there is no handy formula to figure out lateral length. If the owner is of a similar body size/shape as you the laterals will likely fit fine.

I think we have one of those too. Hmmm.....

Agree. I can't see anyone jumping it more than once. Kinda like a round; another canopy to add to the "I've jumped that" list. Happens all the time around here. But I'm not the typical wife, so...

We picked up a Nova 150 for the collection a few years back from an old friend. It's in great shape, probably because it didn't have many jumps on it when they were grounded. I know they were grounded because people died, but I don't remember the exact issues the canopy had. This is a long shot, but any old farts out remember anything about it? Maybe jumped one back in the day (billvon?)? Can someone remind me why this canopy should never be jumped again (other than the whole grounding thing)? If it were jumped today, would a person be breaking any "rules"? How about in an intentional cutaway rig? I'm know it's a stupid idea, but I'd really love to jump it even though it's probably way beyond me even at a 1.0 wingloading. It'd be one for the logbook, for sure! But the husband won't let me (smart man he is)... so I'd appreciate it if someone could tell me what I'm missing.

Is there a gear store at your dz? Is it staffed with jumpers? That is a great place to start. If there isn't one at your dz, you can contact one or more of the "big guys" (Square One, Chuting Star, etc). Usually the salespeople are experienced skydivers and can definitely help you figure out what gear might work well for you. Most have used gear available as well. Your instructors, local riggers and other highly experienced jumpers can be great resources for getting this sort of information. Just be aware that most jumpers will tell you that what they jump is the best of the best - which it may be for them but might not be for you. And then there's the internet. There are a lot of threads here that discuss what you are asking about; do a search or ten (there's a lot of info and opinions here). Every manufacturer has a website. A few of the big dealers have excellent basic gear selection information on their websites. Take some time to check them all out. Now for my opinions (I used to sell gear so I do know a little bit about selecting it). Used vs new - Jumpsuits are best ordered new; it will be made to your measurements (and in your favorite colors too!). Used containers, AADs and canopies will save you money and get gear in your hands faster than ordering new (delivery times range from a few weeks to a few months depending on the manufacturer). The biggest thing with used containers is to be sure the harness fits your body before making the sale final. Have any used gear item inspected by a local rigger to be sure it is both airworthy and what the seller advertised. It's a good idea to stick with gear that is less than 15 -20-ish years old unless you are really broke. Jumpsuits - Look around the dz and see what jumpsuits other belly fliers are wearing. Talk to them about what they like and don't like about their suits. Order through a dealer or direct from the manufacturer. They will be able to tell you which of their suits will work best for your body shape and size. Containers - Again, look around the dz and ask other jumpers what they like/don't like about theirs. imho you really can't go wrong with any modern container - they all do what you want them to do. Some have available options that others don't and some of those options might be important to you. This is where researching the various containers online can be really helpful. Order through a dealer or direct from the manufacturer (some manufacturers only sell through dealers). Canopies - You need to figure out what sizes you want/need first. A good rule of thumb for new jumpers is to size your canopies so you are at about a 1.0 - 1.1 wingloading - ie your exit weight is close in numbers to your canopy size. For example, I'm 150 out the door and I jump a 150 sq ft canopy, which is a 1.0 wingloading. If I downsize to a 135, I'd be at a 1.1 wingloading. The lower the wingloading, the more docile the canopy will be - docile is good when you are still learning the basics. A few good main canopies for new jumpers are the Spectre, Sabre2, Pilot and Safire (there are others out there, these are just a few of the more popular ones). Reserve sizing should be much the same. Which reserve isn't that big of a deal as long as it is not too small for your experience; they will all do what you want them to do. Again, order through a dealer or manufacturer. AAD - Pick one. They all work. Congrats on getting off student status! Now the real fun begins.

Boom. May also be an issue with packing if it is happening on two different canopies. Husband and I both jump Spectres with Dacron. He's put over 1000 on one, I've got a couple hundred. No hard openings, ever.

Anyone can submit an incident report to USPA. These reports have always been voluntary until recently. There is a new requirement that a report be filed if an AAD fires on an AFF or tandem jump, whether it was the instructor's AAD, camera flier's AAD or the student's AAD. This is required of the instructor/camera flier on pain of disciplinary action for NOT reporting it within a few days. If one does report it on time, there will be no disciplinary action, even if something happened on that jump that in other cases might be a reason for disciplinary action. No clue what any disciplinary action might be since USPA doesn't release such information. There is no requirement for anyone to submit a report to USPA if any jumper (including students) is injured or killed, even if requested by a USPA director; only if an AAD fires on a student jump. Some jumpers/instructors/S&TAs/DZO's will never file a report because they don't trust USPA to keep the information 100% confidential. According to USPA these reports are destroyed with no copies retained by anyone. Release of some or all of the information on an incident report can definitely affect potential legal action. It has happened before when a board member kept a copy of an incident report then somehow the information on it got into the hands of ambulance chasing attorneys.

I also live in the Sacramento area. If my mother was doing a tandem, I'd take her to Skydive California in Tracy, but pretty much any of the dz's around here run very safe tandem programs - well, as safe as they can considering that this is jumping out of airplanes and shit can happen even to the best. The only dz in the area that I would suggest avoiding is Lodi. Personally I'd be more concerned that when he lands he will have decided he wants to be a skydiver.

Don't kick yourself because you aren't flying like you think you should be at this point. Skills improve fastest if you are jumping often, and they tend to erode if you don't stay real current. If you can bump up the number of jumps you are doing, you'll get there faster. Tunnel time spent working on levels will help a lot, as will 2 ways with someone who will fly base while you work on up/down. You'd be surprised how many jumpers are more than happy to jump with you. You might think the jumps are boring for them but they are actually a lot of fun. Jumping with a newer jumper requires actively working to stay with you. It's a challenge, and they get to share in your successes as you progress. It's also great practice for future AFF instructors. Stick with it. And remember to smile and have fun on every skydive.. cuz that's what it's all about, right?

Containers have been built to handle freefly speeds and potential issues for about 20 years now. Something to be aware of? Perhaps, and good on ya for taking the time to learn about gear before buying it. But "freefly friendly" is not something you need to worry about when buying modern equipment - it's the standard throughout the industry. Like Joe said, harness fit is something to think about. Leg straps that are too long can slip when sitflying, sometimes ending up at your knees (good times). A butt bungie can solve the issue fast and cheap, but ideally the leg straps and/or leg pads should be shortened. If you are buying used, be sure that you will be able to try the rig on. preferably in front of someone who knows how a harness is supposed to fit, before the sale is final.

Be sure to check out the Wings. The W18 and W21 will hold a PD193R and Sabre 2 190 with room to downsize the main. The standard Wings is a bit shorter top to bottom and fatter front to back than most containers, which can work well for shorter people flying larger canopies as the container won't hang below your butt. As for the reserve size, I didn't realize you had experience (most of the time these questions are from very new jumpers). A 176 might be just right for you. PD offers demo reserve canopies set up as mains; you can put a few jumps on one to see what you think. Highly recommend it.

I agree, the container is the most important component. But I don't see a difference between containers in core functionality. Technical details about the reserve PC, ripcord cable, swaging, stitching in the corners.... this is all far beyond the ken of non-rigger skydivers. When safety issues arise, a service bulletin is issued - I remember one that required that every reserve ripcord out there be inspected before the next jump and at least one that affected the 3 ring system. Could you be specific as to which modern containers have design or construction issues in any area that affects core functionality that have not been addressed and what those issues are? If my canopy decides to open on it's own, isn't that more a function of how I am packing and/or maintaining the rig than which brand it is? A well maintained, properly sized and properly packed container with the correct length and condition of the closing loop isn't likely to randomly deploy the main, is it? Same with the reserve. If premature deployments are a brand specific issue, then why do they happen on every container out there? Premature brake release, handles under shirt, snagging a handle with a toggle, lines or bridle snagging on a handle or flap...how are any of these brand specific if they happen on every brand container? I'd submit that these are jumper related issues instead. Being able to find handles - aren't handle locations the same on every container for that very reason? Aren't jumpers trained to locate their handles before jumping from the very beginning? The only potential problem I can see with this is if someone is not of average size and shape - ie a short person might have a problem reaching the p/c if the container is longer (top to bottom) than their torso is, or a weight lifter might have issues reaching the p/c due to larger than average shoulders, arm muscles and chest. Some manufacturers do offer container sizing that may address these issues. Hopefully the jumper has someone around with some knowledge about these potential issues to advise them on which container might work better for them, but I think we both know how rare that is.

Buy a container that holds the canopies you are jumping for the next couple hundreds jumps. You can downsize to a 170 in most if not all containers built for a 190. Then when you are ready for a 150, sell it and buy something smaller. If you think you will be downsizing quickly, buy used gear now then buy new custom gear when you are down to a 150. Something else to think about - if you are flying a 190 main, why a 176 reserve? Ever jumped anything that small? Ever jump a 7 cell? Want your first jump on anything that small to be on your first reserve ride? Into a shitty landing area cuz someone screwed the spot?

Spectre with Dacron lines. Opens like butter, easy to land. I'm 54 and previously injured, 135 # body weight flying a 150. One of the best canopies for us old farts. You can get a demo from PD. But that's just my opinion. I'd suggest jumping as many different canopies as you are interested in. What is perfect for me might not be perfect for you. A canopy control course is a GREAT idea. Your landings will improve, and it will likely help your confidence.

Lol! Haven't been referred to that way in a long time! Is there a dz in Paso again? Might have to go down there. If you get up to Nor Cal, be sure to jump at Skydive California in Tracy. Let me know and we'll go flail in freefall together. I promise to never again toss you and your phone into the pool.

Didn't jump for 6 years (medical issues). Got back in the air a couple months ago. Did some ground review and a hop and pop for the first jump, then did a two way with my hubby (AFF I/E). I was really surprised at how much I had forgotten, but also how much was still there. Freefall really is like riding a bike; it will all come back quickly. Happy to see that you're getting back in the air! Where will you be jumping?

The best way to determine if it's the canopy for you is to fly one. What's right for others may not be right for you. Contact Aerodyne to arrange for a demo canopy to be shipped to you. Aerodyne Demos

Similar jump numbers and condition? I'd go for the 2000; that's $600 you could use for the rest of your rig. My Spectre is a 2003 DOM. It flies no different than a newer one with similar jump numbers. How many jumps are on them?

If you were stable in freefall, they didn't give you a legs in signal because you were stable. You will get additional training on body position before your next skydive - legs position that does not affect stability is not a priority on a level 2 (Cat B) skydive Maintaining that body position was the right decision. Forward speed in freefall is not just a function of body position. You can leave the plane at the perfect spot, in a perfect body position, hold it for the entire skydive and still find yourself a mile or more away from the dropzone when you open. Why? The higher the winds are at various altitudes, the more drift you will have in freefall. | Think about being under canopy. Once you turn final, is your forward speed in no wind the same as it is when the winds are at 10? How about downwind instead of into the wind? The same applies to freefall.

There is not that much difference between containers other than cosmetics. They will all do what you want them to do - hold your canopies, keep you attached to your canopies, and provide a way to deploy them as well as cutaway from a malfunctioning main. As long as the harness fits your body and the container fits your canopies, any of those containers will be comfortable. Of course what I jump is the best of the best. But all of those containers have excellent reputations. I don't think you can go wrong with any of them.

Jack Ceman, who posted here as jceman, died on Thursday, July 25, of a massive heart attack while sitting in the living room watching TV and eating salad. I can think of many worse ways to go out. Jack was very active on the forums back when dz.com was much smaller. He and Lynn were at numerous World Freefall Conventions. He was also my business partner when I was in Florida. Blue skies, my friend. Thanks for everything.

Check out this 4 way gone wrong. Kinda proves a point here.

This works so well. I worked with an AFF student who was having a very difficult time with Cat C. She tried three times and the jumps did not improve, she was so stressed about everything. Husband and I (both AFF I's) took her up and did a no-pressure, relax and have fun jump. Her priorities on that jump were to fall, smile, pull, flare and have fun. After a (textbook) exit and some practice touches, I let go and flew around in front of her. I then geeked the shit out of her, smiling, laughing, sticking my tongue out. Just seeing me doing these silly things changed everything for her; skydiving was fun! She smiled and laughed back at me, finally able to relax mentally and truly enjoy the skydive. Husband even let go of her and she flew stable, no turn issues, for the rest of the skydive. She finished her AFF jumps with no more repeats. If the things that others have suggested above (all excellent advice btw) don't work for you, this type of "relax and enjoy" skydive very well may help. Don't give up! Remember you can only fail if you don't try.