SkydiveNFlorida

That story was hilarious!! I'm sorry, I'd be pissed, too. I sure hope you get it straightened out. Until then, get some rain-x and have that headlight fixed so you don't end up getting hit in the rain. Angela.

You mean skydiving is a sport? Well, I suppose i'm not as lazy as I once thought I was, then Angela.

I know, right! Tho, I still enjoyed #2, I just saw it a few days ago on dvd for the first time. I will try to get to see #3 before I forget #2. Angela

Ok, thanks,.

Is it that necessary? I hate to be a bother if it isn't a big deal. Obviously i've had it inspected and packed, and the rig I purchased (w/o a reserve) had a pack card in it which i'm using now. thx,. Angela.

re-read what you wrote. You should think twice about this, maybe thrice. I have thought about quitting, even had decided to take this semester off and get a 2nd job and save, bla bla. Well, I didn't get off this semester due to some odd circumstances... but i'm sure glad it worked out that way. It is hard to get back in once you take a break (I hear) and also, i'd have forgotten lots of calculus and chem and wouldn't have gotten back in the groove so easily. One day (I hope) college will pay off for me. That's why i've decided to quit my job at the end of next year and start full time on my bachelors degree, live (and skydive) on loans for a while, and let life take me where it will. Good luck. Hope you change your mind. Angela.

I also did not get the packing card with the reserve I bought 2nd hand. I thought it went with it, but the seller said it went with the container because of the cypres info? I don't have a cypres, so I don't know jack about that. So, should I contact them and ask for the pack card? The reserve has all of the repacks marked on the label. Angela.

Well, i'd rather not spend my whole dive looking at my alti. When I think it's getting time, I glance at it, and i'm usually right. I'd probably worry more about it doing solos than jumping with others. When to or more have audibles it's hard to consider that all of them would fail. Anyhow, I do see your point. Angela.

I have an MBNA card (not a uspa one) and they are terrible bastards! My rate was also increased, and unfortunately, as flyangel suggested, there isn't much I can do about the 3500$ I owe them. *sigh* :( Angela.

I've never understood this thinking? People want, want, want, but aren't willing to pay for it. Did you pay for your first jump class? Did you pay for the jumps following your first jump in order to get off student status? Do you cover coach slots if you want to learn something new or to improve yourself? Gee, how much could it cost to go to a canopy control class? The life you safe may be your own? So you give up a few jumps every other weekend to cover the cost. What's the big deal? Whoa, chick. I didn't say I didn't want to pay for the instruction. I said I didn't want to pay for it in my jump tickets when i'm not getting instruction. I will gladly pay when I want the instruction. But, suppose for a minute that I am a skilled canopy pilot with 2000 jumps, why the hell should I pay an extra 2$ a jump at a particular dz so that some 25 jump student can learn his canopy? I shouldn't and i'd just as soon find a dz that doesn't have these unreasonable jump fees. And, that's what anyone would do. The people who want the instruction pay for it. Just like I don't help pay for people's AFF or tandems. of course I paid for AFF. But, as far as coach jumps, I would rather not pay for those, i'd rather fly with people who offer to fly with me and learn that way. I hope to help others out when i'm good, too. Angela.

*bam* j/k good luck on ur tests! :p angela.

Yeah, really. I could think of worse things:P I thought about getting a trailer and living at a dz, but dammit, got.. to.. finish... college.. *sigh*. Hey, I hear ya. I've got a Calculus test tomorrow that i'm *almost* ready for, and a Chem test next Monday that i'm fearing like the plague. And, here I sit, typing away. Sometimes I wish they'd ban my IP from this site. Angela.

Michelle, the class was great. Flat turns are invaluable, and I learned a lot. I plan on taking more canopy control courses in the near future as well:) Marks, yes, I know. I am quite done arguing. have more than doubled my jumps since the time this was first posted, but I'd still rather stay out of canopy arguments as it's just easier that way. If anyone has any questions about Scott's class i'd be glad to answer. I would recommend his instruction any day. However, i'd like to keep my own personal information off of this site. Please keep any questions specific to instruction. thx. Angela.

No, I do not want to pay for it in my jump tickets. Tho, I could see paying for at least a couple coached canopy lessons every couple weeks myself. Maybe there are others out there who feel the same. Maybe dzs should make a point to employ, in whatever way they do, some coaches, or other staff, that are also skilled canopy pilots. And offer them for canopy coaching as well. Tho, I guess I see what you're saying in that if there is a tandem, they'll make more doing that, and won't want to help someone who wants canopy coaching. I suppose even with appointment, a canopy student would likely get bumped for a more prosperous tandem jump. Well, it was a nice thought I suppose. Angela.

I think this is how it should be. People should be made aware of the risks of whatever they're doing, rather than being prohibited (in most cases). Of course, this does not hold if it is something very dangerous where they feel the person would die. i.e., someone with 50 jumps on a crossbraced sub-100sf skyrocket or someone who spirals down to 400sf every jump w/o regard for others, before planing out and reading the flags then turning on final. I also think more dzs should have canopy coaching available on-site. I think that Derek's idea about canopy instructor ratings is a good one. And, every dz should hire one. Many times, ime, S&TA, instructors, or whoever are not the most proficient canopy pilots themselves and it would seem beneficial to both the jumpers, and the staff, to be able to have someone on site who is more qualified to critique skills and advise on canopy choices and/or give training to those who need it. Angela.

Well, when freeflying, it is easier to have something beep in your ear, then to look at an alti. Not to say you can't but it isn't nearly as convenient as it is when belly flying. Some people don't have quick reflexes to deal with a malfunction correctly and in time. It is nice to a little extra time to think while you're still relatively new. Although, I agree, at some point after student status, this should probably be choice rather than force. You don't have to have an AAD, but many people choose to. I can see it being a very useful device if you're knocked unconcious by someone in freefall, or if you hit the plane and go unconcious, etc. I'm all for freedom, don't get me wrong. I just wanted to comment on a few of the things you mentioned, just to give a different perspective:) I, too, love to hear the oldtimer's stories! I think it's awesome that not everyone feels the need to have an AAD, and other bells n whistles. Angela.

Good post, should help lots of people out who ask the same questions time and again:) I just wanted to comment on container size. I bought a container that is a size smaller than the canopy i'm jumping. Yes, it's a pita to pack, and it was nearly impossible for me to do at first. But, i've gotten used to packing it and I think my packing skills are pretty good because I did this. I have packed other rigs that are made for the canopy that is in them and it is a breeze now. :) Of course, not everyone will want to do this because it is tough at first, but it can be done. And, in the end, I can downsize two sizes before having to purchase a new container. Not that I will, but it's nice to know I can:) I would not have liked to buy a container larger than the canopy I am jumping, expecially a brand new container. Because then if/when I downsize from said canopy, i'd also need to downsize container. Just some thoughts. In the end, probably better to go with the container that is made for the size you're jumping. But, imo, if not that, then go for one size smaller. jmo. Angela.

I also bought all my gear used. Did not rec'v one receipt or original document. Just have things inspected by a trusted rigger before purchasing. No one had a problem with sending things to me for inspection prior to my sending out funds. Angela.

Wow, never heard that b4 Angela.

And your choices are your own. I do not list my gear because I do not have to, and in not doing so, I avoid hearing shit from people about it; not that there is anything wrong with what I am flying. I have 60 jumps, I jump at a .9:1 WL, which isn't any of anyones business, but I thought i'd mention it since it is so very low:) Anyhow, i'm kinda sick of hearing the "have you wrung out your current canopy" argument. I mean, I suppose I should still be jumping student gear then, since i'm sure I didn't test those to their limits, eh? Not that I could ever do so since I couldn't budge the risers Take care and stay safe. Angela.

I agree with you. However, when one speaks about something in a vague manor, it is difficult to pin point what they intended. Your quote could've meant anything, as could have mine; although i'd venture to say that neither of them was actually meant to be an extreme. Stay safe:) angela.

I think that a given dz has every right to enforce any rules they see fit; they can discriminate, if they please, and are absolutely allowed to enforce certain rules wrecklessly upon particular individuals and not others, even if there is no cause for such discrimination based on unsafe canopy flight or landings. Furthermore, I think that should the dz feel that a particular person is unfit to fly a particular canopy, regardless of whether they've had problems on it or not, they have every right to call all dzs in the area/state/region and tell them that the jumper in question is unsafe to jump said canopy, even if they have no record of said jumper being unsafe. of course, these are just my humble opinions. Have a safe day and make sure you all fly big boat-like canopies that bore the crap out of ya, ok? NEVER push the envelope! Angela.

"Too much freedom is not worth having if you don't live long enough to enjoy it after making a mistake."- Derek "If fear of dying plagues ones life, then life it not worth living." - Angela.