freeflybella

Wow. Great questions! Please keep them coming. Thanks again. Not to hijack my own thread but . . .

If you had the opportunity to ask questions of any of the individual team members (Heath, Jay, Ian, Shannon or Cisco) or The Team as a whole what would you want to know? The guys are putting out a year end DVD and are looking for real questions - that current and upcoming swoopers (or anyone, really) might have - to be answered by the team in interviews. Feel free to ask anything from technical to silly - but help us out by posting by 11/25 pm. Thanks!

No, No! Didn't mean to imply... I stand corrected! It was an announcement and you're just very proud of "your ass". Good show!

Is that an announcement or an invitation? Sorry, I couldn't resist... Action expresses priority. - Mahatma Ghandi

Hey Girl! If you have Dr. Dave right there on your DZ... (Lucky you, BTW, he's a great flyer/coach and a great guy!) ...why don't you ask him for advice on when you should get coaching? Explain your goals, he may even check out some vid of you "on your head" now, explain your $$ situation - and see what he recommends? You don't have to commit to a zillion jumps - if money is really an issue, see if you can buy a jump package (cheaper that way) and spread the jumps out over an appropriate span of solos and 2-ways. But - as has been said here MANY times before - a little extra money spent now will go alot further than having to spend money and time unlearning bad habits. Dave isn't going to milk you for cash, you don't have to travel and you have home DZ access to a world class coach! Quit buggin' and get to it! Shani Action expresses priority. - Mahatma Ghandi

OOOOH! Low blow! And too easy, as well. Everybody beat Heath! Glad you guys had fun! Wish I could've been there. (BTW, Heath and Jay took FIRST in the team event.) Action expresses priority. - Mahatma Ghandi

BASE jumping is illegal from most BASE spots in the US - it has the air of being dangerous and criminal. BASE is largely unregulated (mostly because it is illegal in most spots) meaning just about anyone can put on a rig and go do it. Alot of people are SUPER uncomfortable not having rules and regulations to keep them safe from themselves. BASE rigs for a long time had only one canopy, i.e., no second chance. (edited: and even with a second canopy the lower heights are still an issue) Many objects BASE jumpers jump from are obstacles under canopy (buildings, cliffs - with no overhang, guy wires, etc) and present increased risk. These are only a few of the reasons I can think of why BASE is initially off-putting. I think alot of people who have that first impression would be pleasantly surprised at how safety-concious and respectful of life some BASE jumpers are. (Of course there are dangerous idiots everywhere!) Anyway, as with everything else, manage your own risk and learn what you can to be safe. I've only got 4 jumps but I LOVED it. Action expresses priority. - Mahatma Ghandi

Skydive Crosskeys. 1. AireExpress planes (skyvan, otter, caravans, porter, cessnas, Alouette helicopter, bi-plane) 2. Open all-year: this means up to 350 tandems on weekends alone in summer and hard core jumpers throughout the winter to keep the planes flying. 3. World Champion jumpers/coaches of all disciplines 4. A very progressive student program including Skydive U. and Freefly Introduction 5. Staff that fun jump as much as the regulars - they still love the sport for all the reasons we do, not just making a little cash and hucking tandems. (BTW, busy enough all summer to RAKE IN some $$ and then f*** off for the winter) 6. A world-class dz with a small dz feel - the dzo's family runs the café, the same people who opened the dz originally still jump here. 7. A legendary party atmosphere after-hours. (nudity? we got nudity!) 8. 15 minutes outside a REAL city: Philadelphia is only a few miles down the road - this means access to actual restaurants, clubs, bars etc. without making a 1-2 hour drive. 9. Facilities: indoor carpeted packing hangar, packing concession, Square 3 gear store, full-service loft, café, swoop pond, swimming pool, camping area, tiki bar, fire pit, observation deck 10. The greatest vibe between students, lo and high number jumpers, instructors/staff of any dz I've ever been to. Action expresses priority. - Mahatma Ghandi

While I understand what you guys are saying here, it's a bit unfair. There may be an awesome freeflyer out there who wants to coach but just plain lacks the teaching skills - but my guess is that it is mostly a personality issue (as grega describes). I was lucky enough (7 years ago) to get coaching from 2 of the best freeflyers/pioneers in the sport (no, not Olav). One of them, I did not click with at all. He was a great guy and I wanted to learn from him but he had a very aggressive approach, described things technically that I couldn't translate in the air, etc. The other had more of a 'zen' approach. I learned emotionally what to do with my body in the air. It clicked immediately. But that's not to say that my first coach was a bad teacher. He's a great teacher - I just needed a different style of teaching. I always recommend to students to look for a coach that fits your learning style. As to the original question, I think it has been answered. The standard (for the U.S.) is between $65-75 per single jump. That should include detailed pre- and debrief and video. edited: Most schools give jump package discounts. As far as where to start looking for a coach, I would recommend going to the best you can find. Who's flying do you admire? (If he/they have a school) Go there. If you can't afford alot, explain to him your situation, do as many jumps as you can afford and hopefully he'll give you tons and tons of advice and drills to practice. (Good coaches care about inspiring you to fly and helping you achieve your goals) Good Luck!

JRock - are you directing your post to me? Because I agree with you...mostly. I work for Monkeyclaw Freefly and our school has prices similar to those you are describing. They are pretty standard nationally. My point in the previous post was to go to a reputable school with trained coaches - not just a guy charging for freefly coaching. The part I don't agree with is the ego part. No excuse to have an "ego". Sometimes personalities are misinterpreted by those who 'expect' you have an ego but being an ass is never acceptable - even by those at the top of their game. And I can assure you that none of the coaches with Monkeyclaw Freefly have "egos". Ever. Action expresses priority. - Mahatma Ghandi

That's why you should not go to "guys who try to get 2 tickets + $30-$50 per jump". You should go to a coach at a Freefly School. Action expresses priority. - Mahatma Ghandi

OK, Crosskeys crew out there, all together now: ! Action expresses priority. - Mahatma Ghandi

I believe that we are in agreement on the personal choice issue - but to say that peel and pull is misleading ...is misleading. I have no doubt that, in your experience, a simple twist of the wrist whilst pulling is sufficient. In my experience (having practically girlie-midget hands) it is/was not. Especially with brand new velcro, a definite peel and pull action was required. Note to everyone reading: get your hands around your current set-up at least every repack period and find out for yourself what it feels like to pull your handles.

Assuming you have something out, your main will be malfunctioning at an altitude where you have some time to either make a decision to chop, or to peel and pull. If there are ANY issues in your cutaway procedure that put you at a lower than 'comfortable' reserve deployment altitude, a d-ring is easier to grab and yank - than to peel and pull. I have a d-ring reserve and a pillow cutaway handle. I had one mal where I wished I had a d-ring cutaway. I've had 3 where the pillow cutaway was no issue. For me, it's about those things most likely to occur. Action expresses priority. - Mahatma Ghandi

Absolutely. Either in this thread or a similar one, someone wrote that the 'comfort' (ease of mind) factor is part of the decision. And that is SO true. Get informed, and as with ALL things you read here - check it out with people you respect face to face. Know who you are getting your advice from. I have a pillow cutaway and a small d-ring reserve handle. I freefly and I vigilantly protect my gear. I have had a cutaway where I was SO THANKFUL to have a d-ring handle. I've had a cutaway where I would have been fine with a pillow. For me, there is comfort and security in the d-ring. For you, it could be different. Action expresses priority. - Mahatma Ghandi

I am nothing. And no one. There is only a perception of 'me' by those around 'me'. Action expresses priority. - Mahatma Ghandi

That's a great link!!! Here's my favorite so far: ******** FROM BILLBOOTH: Although I made my first jump in 1969 on a 28' round, with a front mount reserve, with no pilot chute in it, no automatic opener, no RSL, and only about two hours training, I wasn't scared a bit. (Probably because I was 18 years old, and invincible.) What did scare the hell out of me though, was when I found out some 30 years later, that my instructor only had 6 jumps when he trained me. I hit the ground so hard, it knocked me clean out...and when I woke up, I was greeted with the unbelieable sight of my jumpmaster trying to get my canopy back from a cow, which was in the process of EATING it. We got it back, patched up the new holes with more duct tape, and packed it up for my next jump. Students nowadays have it far too easy, if you ask me. ********* Edited: ALL of those stories are awesome. Thanks again for the link. Action expresses priority. - Mahatma Ghandi

To quote PhillyKev in another thread (Catholic school girls chase down and beat up man exposing himself) : "I love my city." Nothing 'vanilla' here - The Birthplace of The Nation* is still as passionate and headstrong as ever. Plus, there are some great restaurants!

uh...I think I need to wait for the statute of limitations to run out before... I mean, NO. No stories here! Also, I know what you mean about the 'freedom' and 'wildness' of the stories - and who'd have thought they'd actually live throught it! Action expresses priority. - Mahatma Ghandi

I just want to give a shout out to the jumpers in this sport who can say "Back when I started..." or "Hell, 5k is nosebleed altitude..." My DZ has alot of Herd members with some great stories to tell. Low-pull contests, stumbling to the plane 'not-quite' sobering up from the night before, etc. Hell, even the rigs they were jumping! (I'm not taking a stand on either side of the right/wrong aspect of these stories - it was what it was. Safety is relative to knowledge.) And it's a GREAT reminder to my generation of jumpers and the 'little ones' getting into to the sport now - of just how far the sport has come and has changed in a very short amount of time. (With all the talk of canopy BSRs and other 'restrictions' - it's an interesting big-picture perspective.) I look forward to being the 'old-timer' with stories to tell - hopefully I'll keep an open mind and progressive attitude and still be alive and happy and jumping just like they are!

Reminds me of something I heard in my first jump course: "After this, you'll either get it out of your system, or you'll get it into your system." Action expresses priority. - Mahatma Ghandi

More accurately, "a good number of swoopers" have spent their time in the ER getting their legs and lives put back together after a botched swoop attempt. And, more and more, less-experienced jumpers who do not have respect for the time and effort involved in learning how to swoop safely and responsibly, have died. It's an awesome discipline but only for experienced skydivers. Action expresses priority. - Mahatma Ghandi

Are you sure? I took *this* info from the site and there seems to be more. (The event waiver is also for 2003) Either way, Sonic's email is up and accurate. Yay! More Xkeys to represent! Good luck! *******How Can I Participate at SkyQuest 2003? Get in touch with the manager of your event first of all. The event managers are all listed on the right side (black part of the event pages) with e-mail links. They will provide you with all the details for your event. Once you have your slot and your are qualified, then you can make your payment by credit card directly on-line (see below or at your event page), by phone or fax, or you can send a check. All payments need to be completed until October 21, 2003. You can already download the event waiver now. Specific registration forms to download will be added to the event pages. Contact: National Skydiving League 1100 Biscayne Boulevard DeLand, FL 32724 (386)740-9093 Tel. (386)740-9094 Fax NSL@Skyleague.com Action expresses priority. - Mahatma Ghandi

Hi Tree! skyquestflorida.com is the website. That's all I know. PD is going. Are you? Action expresses priority. - Mahatma Ghandi

Hi