BBKid

To be honest, I wouldn't even think about it. Unless the rig was made way too big for this person, it's not going to fit you. If it's an incredible deal, and you have competent master riggers in your area, you might be able to have the harness rebuilt, but it might have to go back to the manufacturer - I'm not sure. Since it's in another country, I wouldn't bother - it's too much hard work. Nick --------------------------- "I've pierced my foot on a spike!!!"

Sorry, I meant in the US! I seriously have no idea where I would be studying, I literally heard about this programme (or program for the Yanks) yesterday, and the skydiving would be more than 50% of the reason for me to come. I'll have more of a look into all the DZ's mentioned, I'm kinda busy at the moment. My contract at work (evil tax man) has been extended to the end of March, so I guess it would be around August '05. In the meantime I have a nervous finger in a very exciting pie right now (don't be crude, it's a metaphor!), and if that works out I won't make it over, at least not for a year of study anyway. Thanks for all the responses, any more are welcome! Nick --------------------------- "I've pierced my foot on a spike!!!"

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So, what's it like? I ask because I've just been made aware of an opportunity to study in GA for a year. When I left Uni I swore I'd never go back, but the ONLY thing I'd have to pay for, all year, is the airfare there and back! I'm looking for experiences of Georgia dropzones, good and bad, whether there's a particular vibe in that part of the country, whatever. Cheers! Nick --------------------------- "I've pierced my foot on a spike!!!"

If you really get into the sport you'll spend a lot of plane rides in between the legs of 6'2'' perverts with hairy arms anyway, so don't let that put you off! If you like that sort of thing, pop up to Peterlee and they'll sort you out!!! Nick --------------------------- "I've pierced my foot on a spike!!!"

Why not have a look at the Omni by Icarus. One of the camera flyers at my dropzone had one, loaded at 1.58, and that thing really moved! Read his review here: http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/gear/review.cgi?ID=300 When I come to buy a new rig I'm definitely trying one out! Nick --------------------------- "I've pierced my foot on a spike!!!"

The only exception to this way of thinking is if you have been jumping in relatively high winds, and therefore flaring means you end up flying backwards. I've been there, and it ain't fun. Either way, get some more qualified opinions than ours, and always be ready to PLF. It don't look cool, but neither is waving from the ambulance (or not waving, for that matter). Nick --------------------------- "I've pierced my foot on a spike!!!"

The man is a legend - and a great instructor too! If it wasn't for him I would never have stopped spinning on 15 second delays! I did think he was going in when I watched him freefall past me for what seemed like at least 10 seconds, after I had pulled at 4,000. Tell him to keep it up! Nick --------------------------- "I've pierced my foot on a spike!!!"

Boo Frickety Hoo! If I had tried to get isured on something like that (the car the thread starter was talking about) when I was 17 (legal age to drive in UK), I'd have been paying about $3600! And that's not for fully comprehensive insurance. Plus, we pay $7.20 for a gallon of unleaded petrol! 98% tax!!!! Moral of the story, quit whining and suck it up!

Fu**in' love that movie! "Alright miaow..." Nick --------------------------- "I've pierced my foot on a spike!!!"

I think Kris has this setup in his Mirage, which I think is an M4. PM him to make sure, but whatever he did, he checked with the folks at Mirage first. Nick --------------------------- "I've pierced my foot on a spike!!!"

Hmm, in the UK anyone over the age of 40 without skydiving experience has to get a doctor's note before they can jump. The doc's regularly give out these notes, so I really don't see it being a big deal, unless the compensation culture in the US really is as bad as everyone makes out! Nick --------------------------- "I've pierced my foot on a spike!!!"

I saw their stand at the AGM this year, and they looked like rock-solid, comfy lids. The elastic band thing isn't really a problem since the point comes down over your forehead. Personally, the shape of them isn't my thing, but a ratchet chincup is v. good. The price I thought was a bit high too, since for only a resonable amount more you could get a 2K Composites helmet, but like I said, the Headshield lids look solid! I was just chuffed to get a second hand Aviator for £60!!! P.S. I'll be up at Peterlee this weekend - assuming I can sort out my car - just say hi any time, but don't get in front of me if I'm headed to the bar! Nick --------------------------- "I've pierced my foot on a spike!!!"

Have a sexy lady standing by the landing area! Just kidding! Seriously, there's nothing wrong with rolling all the time, I know people with 1000's of jumps who still PLF 50% of their landings... NOTE: This is just what I would do - CHECK WITH YOUR S&TA!!! Sorry for shouting! Ask someone to watch you land, or give you radio talkdowns - it may be that your flare is a little early (so you come down hard), or a little late (so you don't bleed off enough forward speed), and try varying the point at which you flare. I haven't checked how many jumps you have or what canopy you use, but if it's ZP, see if you can try jumping a canopy one size bigger, so you will be coming in slower. If it's F111 (or a student canopy), try a larger or equal size ZP canopy, to give you the extra lift on flare. Basically, it's always seemed to me that if you don't have a lot of vertical momentum, you won't crumple to the ground, and if you don't have a lot of forward momentum, you won't roll forward. I am not an instructor - I give out BAD advice! Edit: I've just seen you jump a Navigator 260 - see if you can get hold of a Navigator 280 from anywhere. I was having trouble landing PD-280's when I was on static line, then jumped a 280 Navigator for a couple of jumps, and it halped me feel what a good flare is like, rather than just flare and wait until my feet hit the ground. Nick --------------------------- "I've pierced my foot on a spike!!!"

Or you could just drop soe acid and do it a lot cheaper Nick --------------------------- "I've pierced my foot on a spike!!!"

What is the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow??? Nick --------------------------- "I've pierced my foot on a spike!!!"

You actually have the weapon in your hand, plus a means to temporarily blind your foe whilst you prepare said weapon. Thus the process is "slosh, smash, stab". Of course, this only applies to Englishmen in Scottish pubs - Scotsmen would never waste good alcohol. The Scots version is "swig, smash, stab" EDIT: and a reply to Kennedy, I do know there are many firths, but there is no firth of fife - I was just correcting Deuce (in a nit-picking way). And he suggested target practise from it, that's all. Sorry if I confused you. And before anyone misreads that, it wasn't meant as an insult! Nick --------------------------- "I've pierced my foot on a spike!!!"

Sorry, it's Firth of Forth. And you'd probably be so cold you couldn't pull the trigger anyway. Nick --------------------------- "I've pierced my foot on a spike!!!"

To be a basic instructor (static line), yo need C license (200 jumps minimum, IC-1 plus other grade one qualification like FF-1 or FS-1), two years in the sport, and the reccomendation from a CCI who has observed you jumping regularly at his dropzone in the past six months. Often this is the hardest bit. Go on your category system basic instructor (CSBI) course, get a six month rating to train students (without promoting to first freefall or cat 8 status), and if the CCI still reccommends you , go on a category system instructor (CSI) course. If you pass this, you can despatch and train all static line jumpers. For AFF, you need a CSI rating, D license (as C license but 1000 jumps and I think another level 1 qualification - I'm not sure), and maybe there are freefall time requirements. For tandem I'm not sure if its CSI rating plus 800 jumps, or CSI rating plus D license. Hope this helps. Nick --------------------------- "I've pierced my foot on a spike!!!"

One thing that does have an impact on comfort, whatever rig you use, is the way you adjust the legstraps. I know I only have 43 jumps, but I've seen 1000s of people putting their rigs on, and only about 20% do it the "right" way. I know this is subjective, but I use the method recommended in Parachuting: The Skydiver's Handbook. Get this book as soon as you can, everyone should own it! Here's a direct quote (immature giggling mine): Nick --------------------------- "I've pierced my foot on a spike!!!"

Was looking at the VSE website a few days ago and saw that their rig has a velcroless RSL. I'm intrigued as to how it's secured, so if anyone can briefly explain it or attach a pic I'd be very grateful. I'm not going to buy an Infinity or anything, so I figure Kelly and his folks have better things to do than answer my questions! Cheers! Nick --------------------------- "I've pierced my foot on a spike!!!"

The money stuff doesn't make sense to me with your funny money, but I remember when apple Chewits were £0.10 (and still available), a can of Coke was £0.21, and TV programmes weren't sponsored. AT ALL!!!! Nick --------------------------- "I've pierced my foot on a spike!!!"

Icarus will make ANY canopy size you ask for (within reason I assume), and I'm sure they'd be able to make a 280sqft Safire2/Omni if you asked. It might cost a bit more than an off the shelf Sabre2 260 - if they are common enough to be described as off the shelf - but better than making your own by far. The other alternative to consider is to lose some weight. I'm not making any judgment about what makes up your body weight, but in some instances it's a viable option. Edit to include link. Nick --------------------------- "I've pierced my foot on a spike!!!"

BBKid's note to BBKid: Next time you decide to go hiking at the last minute, its useful not to wear boots that haven't seen action for 8 years. Unless you like not being able to walk and having blisters so deep they bleed. I'm going to hobble to bed now. Nick --------------------------- "I've pierced my foot on a spike!!!"

Someone's probably beaten me to it, but anyway: http://uk.news.yahoo.com/040521/344/eu6qn.html I'm not going to comment, just passing on the info. Nick --------------------------- "I've pierced my foot on a spike!!!"