GravityGirl

I'm actually going to answer from the perspective of a gear dealer. I sell more new systems to first time jumpers (in my region) than used. Not because I think it's better to go new. But often the appropriate fit and size in modern sport gear is not available. I take special consideration to make sure the buyer gets the best value. That usually includes pairing a used main parachute with a new custom built container. Also we consider a likely downsize. But yes. I DO think that the buyer who gets a brand new rig stays on it longer than one who buys used. The used gear buyer is focused on working their way past their initial set up. The new gear buyer seems to take better care of their gear and are in no rush to "go to the next level". There is no blanket choice for buying your first rig. Every individual is different. But there are some guidelines to take into consideration to find the best set-up for each individuals experience level, currency, budget and goals. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peace and Blue Skies! Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear!

Awesome! I would also like to put in my request to be one of the JMs. Particularly if it's a HOT "has been" star! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peace and Blue Skies! Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear!

It wouldn't be so bad as background noise, but the music sucks ass! Yes. I just turned it on. Kind of like a car wreck that you have to look at. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peace and Blue Skies! Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear!

Better yet, make the stars jump. Or at least the "has been" and daytime TV starts. See which one becomes the best skydiver. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peace and Blue Skies! Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear!

Any audible will fit comfortably in a Pro Tec. Just put some gaffers tape on the outside to make it easier to hear the beeps. Also make sure you secure it with some wire ties. You don't want to loose it in freefall. Also check out the Solo and the Optima. Feel free to PM me with any specific questions. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peace and Blue Skies! Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear!

Mary. How can I help you? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peace and Blue Skies! Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear!

How often do you jump? Where do you jump? Do you jump all winter? What is your physical condition? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peace and Blue Skies! Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear!

What do you want to do with your canopy when you downsize? I assume that you want to go faster, hence the downsize. But what is your normal approach? What kind of progression would you like to make in canopy flight? Better accuracy? Learn to swoop? Better penetration into the wind? Each canopy pilot is different, with different wants, needs and desires. Try to pinpoint what you want out of a parachute, then we can help determine which parachute would best suit you. Keep in mind that downsizing means less decision time in the pattern. So in preparation for a downsize, fly full flight the whole time. Fly your current canopy down quicker and at the same time, expand your awareness level of other canopies in the air with you. Be aware of where you "fall into the pattern". Do this by judging the decent of other parachutes in relation to yours. Generally the lightly loaded parachutes will have more open air space because the majority of the other parachutes on the load are out-descending you. Once you increase that wing loading, you'll have more traffic. In short. Downsizing is not just about the landing. It's about the ability to fly more aggressively from opening clear through to landing. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peace and Blue Skies! Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear!

I have recently re-established my business relationship with Icarus. So far, so great. Fast. Friendly. Accurate. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peace and Blue Skies! Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear!

Visual. I broke my visual alti this weekend. I jumped my audible only. But when the clouds rolled in and I had a chance of getting caught in the industrial haze, I sat out. I didn't want to be in the air if my eyes could not tell me where the ground was. Also, in the event of a malfunction, it's handy to know where you are at. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peace and Blue Skies! Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear!

I'll use UPS or FED EX. But I never use FED EX Ground. FedEx farms out their ground shipments to various delivery services. The problems that I have encountered include: Couldn't find us, so never delivered. After much research and an hours drive and reaming some ass, I got my packages. Left out in the rain. Yes. Rigs. And although it didn't happen to me.... a delivery service acting on behalf of FedEx left their truck running with the keys in it downtown San Francisco while he was running a package in to a building. THe truck was stolen. So our company policy is UPS or FedEx Air only. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peace and Blue Skies! Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear!

Gary Glitter is not American, is he? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peace and Blue Skies! Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear!

Can you bring Dumpster back some Appleton Rum? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peace and Blue Skies! Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear!

You are so intuitive. I'm meeting him in San Diego tomorrow. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peace and Blue Skies! Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear!

Still. To me it looks like you need to pull that rig up over your shoulders more and tighten up the chest strap a bit. Then rotate those leg straps forward. It's not going to fit like whatever it was you were wearing before. So just try to get that out of your mind. This is a brand new rig. It's going to be a bit stiff. Try what I said and take another picture. Ya know. It would be easier to assess the fit, if you weren't wearing the jumpsuit. Can you try it on in a speedo and post a pic? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peace and Blue Skies! Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear!

It's hard to tell from pictures. I can't quite make out where your hip bone is. But it does look like you need to tighten your chest strap and rotate your leg straps. Pull the rig up over you shoulders and tighten up your chest strap. Then rotate your leg straps forward and get them as snug as you can. Why do you want your chest strap loose? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peace and Blue Skies! Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear!

Damn Eric! You look hot in that avitar! I'll been jumping in San Diego on Friday..... weather permitting. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peace and Blue Skies! Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear!

It doesn't make THAT much difference, but it is noticable. I had two different colored legs with an overlay at one point. I like my semetrical suit better. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peace and Blue Skies! Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear!

That is correct. I'ts a tricky process. Either get a professional to help you, or go to www.Dharmatrading.com Used garments may not turn out as bright as you hope. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peace and Blue Skies! Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear!

Steeper is kind of an intimidating word. I picture the canopy flying nose down to the ground more. In fact the 7-cell has less "glide" than a 9-cell. It has more "sink". Good for accuracy. Good for landing in a small area. It needs less of a runway to land it. Find your optimum flare point up high. Fly it. Flare it. You'll do great! Note: I like to think of the optimum flare point as that spot that sorta lifts you up, but doesn't quite rock you backwards. Just practice a few times up high until you feel that lift... with out that falling back sensation. Most importantly.... HAVE FUN! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peace and Blue Skies! Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear!

You can jump in anything. A low or medium drag freefly suit on a big guy will do fine for fall rate. But you won't do your jumpmates any favors by not having grips for them. Particularaly if they are newer. It is possible to get grips on freefly suits. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peace and Blue Skies! Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear!

At what airports did this happen? How long ago? I travel with gear A LOT. I check it. Would be good to know which airports could be problematic. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peace and Blue Skies! Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear!

It's not that the asymetrical layers will make you unstable. It's just more comfortable to fly a jumpsuit that doesn't have overlays on one side and not the other. The layers add bulk. You will feel it in freefall, but it's not like it will spin you out of control or anything. You can dye or color jumpsuit fabric. But the pattern you have selected would be combersome, and will likely not turn out the way you are envisioning it. If you have your heart set on that pattern, then I would suggest a freefly suit by a manufacturer who can build it without the layers. Firefly would be a good bet. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peace and Blue Skies! Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear!

It was beautiful in Byron yesterday. Of course we were closed, so it didn't matter. Did you try Lodi. They don't do weather. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peace and Blue Skies! Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear!

I carry a small backpack instead of a purse. I just strap it to the outside. That is if I don't check luggage. If I check luggage, I stuff it with my bras and panties and pack it between my clothes. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peace and Blue Skies! Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear!