DanglesOZQld

I left school and went straight into an apprenticeship and gained a trade as a qualified printer. During my apprenticeship I also gained my private pilot's licence and then got involved with skydiving at the same time. (Flying yourself to a dz is sooo much fun!). I had to give flying up eventually (Apprentice wage!) and went full throttle at skydiving happy to be doing it on weekends around the small "family" that so many dropzones become. Eventually I moved interstate and decided to teach others and gained an Aff instructor rating to do some more jumps on weekends as well as put back into the sport. Unfortunately I had a whuffo wife who did not appreciate me not being at home on weekends and also wanted other things in life like kids (which I did not) so we parted. Once the house was sold and there was only rent and no mortgage I decided to take the leap and get my TM rating and start getting as much work as possible (I.e - doing jumping full time with Printing to fall back on if the poo hit the fan.) I was also in one of the places that made it possible to make a living full time skydiving, and believe you me there are not that many Dz's in Australia where you can *reasonably* expect to do this. I am not going to be able to afford to buy a house in the near future with what I make skydiving but I am happy with what I am doing on a daily (7 days a week) basis and would not have it any other way. A big part of why myself and my ex split was because every single day when I was printing I knew that it was going to be another grind and I HATED every minute of it. This loathing of work was taken home and I was to be honest rarely a happy person. When you say as your profession "Professional Skydiver" some people treat you like a person who is on the dole or like a full time surfer and look down on you but I think it is they who are the fools. Just like the folks who say that oh so original line "so why do you jump out of a perfectly good aeroplane?" They simply do not fathom what they are missing out on!! I look at what I do as something I love now, have in the past and hopefully will in the future until the day I retire. I am happy now every single day with a few small exceptions and will be doing what I do at the moment as long as I possibly can. I WOULD RATHER BE HAPPY THROUGHOUT MY WORKING LIFE AND POOR AT RETIREMENT THAN HATE EVERY LIVING MOMENT WORKING AND HAVE MAYBE 5-10 YEARS MAXIMUM TO "LIVE LIFE" AT THE END - By which time as well you are probably a little too old to do some of the things most people can do when younger. Don't get me wrong though ; we do have a few older guys who work with us and I think that skydiving has kept them fit and with a much better outlook on life than an office or factory-caged monkey ;) I also went into the sport full time once I had been in the sport for 8 years plus so knew what I was getting myself into. The sport has nearly killed me on more than one occasion but what doesn't kill us only makes us stronger. I admire those people in the world who go after what they want no matter what other people think and have goals that some others cannot see or will not understand. -Such is part of our sport. Sorry for the ramble guys and girls, just needed to say that. Blue skies no matter what you do as long as you jump when you can!!! ;) -Mark. "A Scar is just a Tattoo with a story!!!"

Some of the jumpers from Taupo NZ have probably done more than the numbers listed above but 24 in a C182 is a hell of a lot for one day! BSBD!! -Mark. "A Scar is just a Tattoo with a story!!!"

A Bad Jump is still a lot better than a good day at work!!! Also an AFF jump not "passed to the next stage" is not a fail but a repeat!!! BSBD! -Mark. "A Scar is just a Tattoo with a story!!!"

Had "frontal" most times whenever I jump and have any issues - Take it from me you would not want to wish that pain on your worst enemy!! Take some sinus tablets and nasal spray and if there are any issues on the ground don't even think about going up. Better safe than severley damaged and grounded for some time on this issue. BSBD!!! -Mark. "A Scar is just a Tattoo with a story!!!"

Colds/Flu watch out! If you can't equalize on the ground don't jump. I get colds now and then but still jump with nasal spray and sinus tablets pre jumping. If the pain gets bad I simply ground myself. I have seen one of our camera guys burst an eardrum and have blood coming out of the ear. NOT WORTH IT! With the valsalva method if you do choose to do it then GENTLY! The "last little bit" hurts like hell if blowing like a madperson!!! If I do have problems it is usually around the top of the nose re sinus issues. Near to where you would pinch your nose with a bad nose bleed and I have been told one of the most painful problems. Not unusual for some slight issues regarding jumping but if it is a common thing seek a professional's (doctor's) advice. BSBD!! -Mark. "A Scar is just a Tattoo with a story!!!"

SOME canopies do not have a problem opening in a track............ It is a concern that so many new jumpers want to run before they can walk these days and as a part time aff'er (Full time drogue chucker) I see this all the time. Some people NEED friends or a dzso to say NO at times or they WILL end up hurting themselves. Not just themselves but the people and jumpers around them. Watching someone do a hook turn in front of me and badly break an ankle left me feeling sick for a long time many years ago and most guys and girls who have been around the sport for a while will also have been through a similar experience. Being an "extreme" sport skydiving tends to attract an element that doesn't listen to anyone as they know everything already. It's up to those with authority and/or experience to ban them from hurting themselves or steer them into a direction/option better than pain and suffering or WORSE. BSBD! -Mark. "A Scar is just a Tattoo with a story!!!"

There is a reason why we don't have King Airs as jump ships in Australia.......cost again for one. Would be nice to have something like Mullins over here though! BSBD! -Mark. "A Scar is just a Tattoo with a story!!!"

Ours was the only one in Australia used for jumping and it required by CASA law two pilots in order to have it fly. 1)You needed an overseas instructor to certify every new pilot for the bird. 2)We had problems getting it onto the Aussie register and thus had to have it done offshore - VERY EXPENSIVE. 3)2 turbines, 19 people...... 4)Our workload is now less than a while back when we first got the bird and we cannot use it enough at the present time for it to be financially viable. Always said that if there was a really good 10 seat plane this would suit us Aussies more. -BSBD! -Mark. "A Scar is just a Tattoo with a story!!!"

"I'm still at the fetus stage" Oh my god the visions of a flying fetus!! ;) But seriously take it easy coming back into things after a longish layoff and talk to your instructors at the dropzone you most jump at. Nothing like some personal advice from someone who knows you better than at the other end of an online forum!! ;) BSBD! -Mark. "A Scar is just a Tattoo with a story!!!"

Yep - and make sure you rent (not own a house) or live in a caravan, no way you are going to own a house!! The upside is that you enjoy your life during the working years and even though the money ain't pouring in you deal with it. A lot of people do it full time for 4-5 years then go back to what they were doing. With me I am still hanging onto jumping full time here in Australia and have done so for the last 4ish years. I am a qualified trade Printer and do that part time of late as well to help make ends meet. Oh, and marry a whuffo who earns well also ha ha !!! BSBD!! -Mark. "A Scar is just a Tattoo with a story!!!"

It was able to have 19 jumpers on board as well as two pilots as there were spr's on the floor at the front and rear of the plane. A load of 9 tandems and 1 outside camera was still better than 7 tandems on the caravan!! BSBD! -Mark. "A Scar is just a Tattoo with a story!!!"

Just wondering if there are any people out there who have straddle seats in a Cessna Caravan or grand caravan and if so could they possible pm me some pics. Just curious ;) BSBD!! -Mark. "A Scar is just a Tattoo with a story!!!"

Mmmm oh goodie more money to spend....... ;( BSBD! -Mark. "A Scar is just a Tattoo with a story!!!"

Confucious say, "The harder it is to get the best item, the better that item often is." BSBD! -Mark. "A Scar is just a Tattoo with a story!!!"

The previous camera skill is good for producing a better handcam video but has nothing in my view to do with the overall skill or safety level required to take a handcam on a tandem jump. Having done outside camera I take into account a lot more like the direction of the sun and other extra features of the camera that some "only done tandem jumps" instructors don't do and thus making a better handcam video. BSBD! -Mark. "A Scar is just a Tattoo with a story!!!"

Some countries really suck when it comes to letting GOOD aircraft operate in their airspace. Apart from those types of aircraft used at the moment for jumping there is an equal amount of BETTER planes around that cant be used due to some piece of red tape or another. Yes aircraft need to be screened and go through stages to ensure quality and integrity but they let aircraft like the nomad go on the aussie register lol!! BSBD! -Mark. "A Scar is just a Tattoo with a story!!!"

Wondering if anyone else has had this problem.... -I have constant problems with muscle strains at the point under my shoulderblades (left and right) as well as centre at the same level. Basically I stretch and do exercises before jumping and nothing I do jump wise causes the above problem. It is like some sort of small muscle spasm that causes the grief in the long term and it is extremely frustrating and an ongoing hassle. The "pulled" muscles are those annoying ones that stop you from taking a full breath easily. Anyone out there got any ideas or am I just a premature old fart at 34? ;( BSBD! -Mark. "A Scar is just a Tattoo with a story!!!"

Yeah, done the hard yards in a C182 ;) As well as hanging like a drunk chimpanzee from a C206!!!!!!!!! BSBD! -Mark. "A Scar is just a Tattoo with a story!!!"

Seems to me that a lot of the newer jumpers don't get what we have gone through just as we don't undertstand the round parachute jumpers prior to us. Some are old farts but there are a lot of good stories and experiences out there - don't discount what ya don't know - you might learn something new or interesting! BSBD! -Mark. "A Scar is just a Tattoo with a story!!!"

Sounds like my Sony 108 warranty repair. Two lots of parts have been ordered and the camera has been with the repairer since 27th of June. Was supposed to be an "urgent" job. The warranty is not worth the paper it is written on. Cheap crap - will be looking at getting another brand in future. (5 out of ten Sony pc 108's have had to go back for warranty repair from our workplace alone!!) BSBD! -Mark. "A Scar is just a Tattoo with a story!!!"

Currently using a Caravan at the moment, not sure what the future holds. The owner sees fit to get 7 tandems in the thing as well, not had a 7 with all handcam yet but NOT looking forward to it!!!!!! BSBD! -Mark. "A Scar is just a Tattoo with a story!!!"

It appears as though a lot of dz's are putting their jump prices up by at least $3 in Australia. I used to be able to jump from 14,000 feet for $15 Aussie but that has now changed thanks to our Let going bye byes o/s again. SUX SUX SUX! (Oh and to the Yanks out there who whine about car fuel prices we are now paying about $1.06 a LITRE here which is fairly CHEAP compared to the rest of Australia!) BSBD! -Mark. "A Scar is just a Tattoo with a story!!!"

Lost our jumpship of some 5+ yrs this week, not getting enough people through for the two pilots, engineer and o/s rego costs. Bloody sad to see her go. Nothing like sitting on real seats and STANDING up and walking to the door before exiting ;) BSBD! -Mark. "A Scar is just a Tattoo with a story!!!"

Oh god - another one!!! Ha ha - congrats dude and welcome to the drogue chucker's society! ;) "A Scar is just a Tattoo with a story!!!"

Ha ha thanks Squeak!! Bob -I bought them from BUNNINGS which is right next door to where I skydive and they last for a minimum 6 months and cost $11. Very easy to get back on tax also being proper protective gear. The brand is PROTECTOR and they already have two holes in the right spot for an old canopy line (trimmed at the ends to squeeze through) with a spring loaded bobbin(?) not sure what they call it, to secure it in place during the jump. Wouldn't leave home without them lol! Also as stated they are also quite ok for passengers with contact lenses. When the passengers see that mine has the sunnies some get a tad shitty when given the clear "proper skydiving" goggles......... BSBD!! -Mark. "A Scar is just a Tattoo with a story!!!"