skybytch

AFAIK, the major differences between a Vector and a Vector 2 is in how the container flaps close. On the Vector I, they close with velcro; on the Vector 2 they close with tuck tabs. I "think" that was when the change was made from the old small top reserve p/c to the one with the bigger top too. Both the Vector I and 2 have veclro riser covers. As always, my memory isn't perfect; I very well could be wrong about all of this.

The West. Of course.

One thing that I think is cool about skydiving is that you really can't ever know it all. Keep that attitude throughout your skydiving career; it just may save your life someday. I'd encourage you to continue posting, just be selective in where you post. You don't need to tell us how to do 270 front riser turns yet, but a student's insight into things that are not related to the technical and physical parts of skydiving has value (imho). I'd love to read about your student jumps. I think those kind of posts are great - for other students, for instructors and for other jumpers. Many people here have no idea what happens on static line progression jumps, so your stories would be educational as well.

The only way to figure out which canopy is right for YOU is to put some jumps on a variety of models from a variety of manufacturers and then decide for yourself. I love my Spectre. I know others who love their (insert name of canopy or canopy manufacturer here). Most everybody will tell you that what they jump is the best, and it very well may be the best... for them. That doesn't mean that it is going to be the best... for you. I'd suggest demoing canopies the same size as what you are flying now first. If after doing that you think you want to go faster, try out a couple models in a smaller size. Phreezone posted a thread here a while back with contact info for most manufacturers that offer demos.

"That'd be in the butt, Bob." *disclaimer - you may have to be a US resident and of a certain age to get this*

Was I swimming or skydiving?

Don't jump until you can run without pain. I'm not a doctor but I stayed at a Holiday Inn once...

I see two. Chris Farina with Perris 8Track and Pat McGowan with Collide-n-grope... err Kaleidoscope and Friends. Dunno how much training Chris did with his team, but I know that Pat hasn't jumped with Kaleidoscope since last year's Nationals, and this year's team has two competition virgins on it. btw... go Kaleidoscope!! One point outta the medals after two rounds!

Good point. I expected to see a new rig, car or motorcycle with a thread subject like that. Imagine my surprise when I saw he was talking about a person...

Really? That's fucked up. I can't imagine purposely doing or saying anything that might screw up his chance at this. I've even been being "good" myself, just in case they look at me before making a decision!

There are few times in a parents life when you get a chance to pay back your kid for all the rotten things they did to you over the years. Mine arrived in the mail today. See, my kid is in the middle of the hiring process for the Sheriff's department in the county he lives in. He's already gotten a provisional job offer, assuming that he passes the medical and the background. As part of the background investigation, the department contacted me to provide a reference. I could be sooooo . But of course I won't be. Yes, I'm biased, but I think he'll make a very good deputy. I'm constantly amazed by what an awesome young man he's grown into, especially considering how fucked up his mother is. I do worry, though... this isn't exactly a "safe" occupation he's chosen... this department has lost more than a few people in the past couple of years. One thing I don't understand - do they really think that his mom is going to give him anything other than a glowing reference?

Much as I love Brains, all my rooting in freestyle has to go to Davis' home team - Groovalicious. Go Kurt and Ryan! They've overcome some shit this year and they're still there competing. I'm hoping they come home with a couple of shiny new necklaces next week.

That's bullshit. Financial aid through the school (ie tuition and fee waivers) is one thing; for that I could (almost) understand the review process. But if you filed the FAFSA and got the SAR back, you're entitled to at least some federal financial aid (Pell Grants and student loans), depending on your 2005 income of course. I'll bet this "refresher" is going to make microbiology much easier than it would be if you hadn't taken this class first. It'll be worth it in the long run.

Great thread. I'm hoping to take the course in the next 6 months; here is some of what I've been told by the most experienced AFF I's where I jump. If there isn't, get with the most experienced AFF I there; you know, the guy/girl with 1000+ AFF jumps. Remember that what they train is what they will do. Don't let the evaluator get away with less than perfect practice on the ground; if you do you'll probably see them do the exact same things in the air. Dress for success!! Bring a fast suit, a slow suit and a midrange suit (and weights if you need them to go fast). Do practice jumps in all of them. Don't try to do the course in your freefly suit, especially if you haven't done a whole lot of belly flying in it. If the evaluator gives you the choice of what suit they should wear, put them in a suit that will assure that you will have no problems staying with them (ie skinny evaluator, tight suit; heavy evaluator, suit with lotsa drag). If the evaluator does not give you the choice, make sure that the suit you wear is the right one for how fast/slow you expect them to fall. Work on your awareness and recall ability. Lots of alti checks during the skydive and reference those altitudes to what is going on (ie "practice pulls were done by 10k" etc). A friend of mine (primarily a freeflier/camera flier) did some tunnel time a couple of weeks before her course to learn how to flip them. She passed the course with no problems. Like others have said, do as many practice and RW jumps as possible between now and then.

OTOH, I've always checked my rig and I've never had a problem. It goes in a gear bag with a note that explains what it is and a request that they contact me at the included cell # if they have any questions or problems with it. I also make a point of handing it directly to the TSA dweeb and telling them that there's a parachute in there instead of just tossing it into the pile of bags at the xray machine. YMMV, of course.

Shhhh.... There is some information about my past that I'd prefer not be common knowledge.

Talk to your instructors. That's what they are there for. Have someone video your landings and then have an instructor debrief the video with you.

Community college. They're used to dealing with people who is stoopid. Most if not all offer remedial classes in math and english and classes that teach study and research skills. They also offer free tutoring in most subjects. If you're worried about failing, start slow. Even one class is going to school, and doing well in one class will give you the confidence you need to take more units the following semester. Pick a subject that you are interested in and preferably one that doesn't require a lot of homework (hot tip - math and english classes require a lot of homework). Stick with the full term classes for starters; the shorter term classes are tempting because you think you'll be done sooner, but the homework and study requirements will be brutal. Community colleges are way less expensive than other schools too. I figure I'll be saving $20k+ by doing my lower division and general ed stuff at a community college instead of at a four year (and I'll get a really neat piece of paper to hang on the wall). The only classes I'm taking that won't transfer to a four year are the two remedial math classes (basic and intermediate algebra).

We decided against using a ratchet cuz it adds extra weight to the system. Tightening with a 3:1 'biner system isn't all that difficult, but it does require "two blokes". The ratchet would be nice if you're setting it up alone.

In most containers you can safely go down at least one size on the main (most accept two sizes smaller). Not exactly sure, but probably things like CRW specific toggles, blocks or 2:1's on the risers, retractible pilot chutes, etc. If you aren't doing CRW you don't need them. Single Operation System. It's a system in which pulling one handle performs both the cutaway and reserve activation. Triple risers have three risers on each side instead of two. They were thought to be better for swooping when they first came out; some people still prefer them. You don't need them, even if you plan to swoop.

It's a hold over from the days BZP (before zp). Back then, nobody loaded their main or reserve over 1.0. Since most mains were loaded at less than 1.0, it was okay to have a reserve that was smaller than your main; you weren't likely to be overloading it. I still have a reserve that is smaller than my main for a couple of reasons. I'm confident in my ability to land my reserve if/when I have to, but for the canopy I land all the time I prefer to have something bigger. When I put this rig together I was intending to downsize the main within 100 jumps or so, so it made sense at the time to go with the smaller reserve. And considering that I don't have a long torso, if I'd gone with bigger reserve I may have ended up with the bottom of my container riding too low on my ass for comfort.

Peace on earth. And a JetBoil.

The IHOP at Perris is a house. Not only does it have hot showers, it has a full kitchen and a living room with a TV.

That's it. IIRC, the logos on the side panels are also included in the base price (I think they cost extra on a standard Javelin) but I could be wrong about that.

Yup. We picked up four 'biners for tensioning (a 3:1 system with an extra biner in there to make removing/retensioning the line easier), 50 feet of 1" tubular nylon and 10 feet of 3/8" tubular nylon for the anchors. Total cost was under $50 at REI. You can find descriptions and a few diagrams of how to set one up in the slacklining forum on Rockclimbing.com.