richardd

I having been investigating rigs a little. I weigh 225 pounds and jump a student 280. I may be looking at a triathlon 190 main with 210 reserve with a view to keeping it for some time. Undecided on new or old but a friendly JM as offered to allow me to jump his rig of similar spec. Will investigate further.

Im struggling with the idea of maintaining a heading from exit at 14k potentially over mist/cloud with my limited experience. Maybe its something to practice. Diving outs a big enough step at the minute!! How far could you potentially track from 14k out of curiosity?

What methods do you use to ensure safe tracking and track direction? On my first track jump i used a combination of the sun(as slightly cloudy) and ground references to ensure i was tracking 90 degrees from the planes flight path. This assumes you know the planes flight path however. Assuming i get chucked out anywhere how do i know which is the safest way to track ?

I think sometimes we are guilty of making decisions based on a limited knowledge base. I for one as a near qualified student with a recent high wind experience can vouch that shit can happen and develop quite quickly. Certainly for now im happy to fly a 280 for as long as neccesary.

I wear my alti in the pub at night. When the woman ask what it is i say Oh no i am still wearing my alti - what this old thing, i always forget to take it off after skydiving!... and then bobs your uncle... Only joking ...

thanks thats good advice. What does a reline cost and what does it involve replacing and is the kit therefore as good as new afterwards?

I expect to have gained cat-8 very soon and contemplating buying a complete rig considering it be more of an investment over a given jump period. So 1. What is the lifetime of a rig / max jump number ? I appreciate this is a bit like 'how longs a piece of string' but there must be an indication. 2. I weigh approx 225 pounds. What conponents would form a sensible first rig ? 3. New or used ? 4. Cost ? I will obviously get good advice but would like to understand the issues.

I started a RAPS SL in june, have had a few weeks holiday and a bit of dodgy weather. Im on jump 16 and have the following to do 1.dive exit and backloops 2.track turns 3.qualification jump If this weekend has good weather and im sober im optimistic about completing in 3/4 jumps. I will be quite proud when i crack this coz never intended to do a 2nd jump initially!!

I think you are right. I have a big 280 canopy and i think i was more of a passenger than a pilot in those strong winds. I was looking at the others on the load(pros) for an indicator of a good run in direction which was probably not beneficial as they just cut through the wind and i drifted off to see what fate had in store It was surreal. I flared into a PLF going backwards and was being dragged across some grass at a reasonable rate. Whilst quickly pulling through my brake line to collapse it a nearby grazing horse went crackers at the sight of this big red canopy and ran off making a racket. "apologies to the owner who came out to ask if i was ok". I dont smoke but it was one of those 'castella cigar' moments for those that have seen the adverts. On my next visit to the DZ i will be wearing a wig and comedy glasses to disguise myself as it was a bit embarassing.

I think the lesson here is in recognising the wind strength. There was very little wind when going up. In normal conditions i would have landed spot on. Yeah in hindsight turn 180 earlier and land backwards. I hope i dont overcompensate for this experience by landing in the mddle of the airfield every time!!

Thanks. Looking forward to the next jump to put that one behind me. Dive exits and backloops next!! and a good landing!

Well into my RAPS training had a great day yesterday. Jump 15 was from 8k in the big boys plane and did turns. Jump 16 was from 14k and did an unstable exit....awesome. Im now quite close to cat-8. But.... Under canopy everything was ok intially. However the wind had picked up to 25+ from very little(4-5). I approached as usual, faced into wind above the crowd of people(@500FT) with a view to desending slowly towards the target. I ended up being taken backwards rather than forwards and drifted over numerous hazards (hangars, cars etc). I landed in a PLF backwards and was dragged a short distance stopping near a hedge right next to the road entrance to the airfield....im fine though. Got some stick by a bloke that picked me up who didnt seem interested in my reasoning although my JM said conditions changed and nearly caught him out. He said that at my experience i wasnt to know and did everyting as usual. I was also told that i wouldnt hve normally jumped in those conditions. So i feel it was a close one and i messed up but can justify my actions but have learned a lot. I didnt do any low turns or anything silly. Anyone experienced anything similar. Im annoyed with myself over this one as it took the edge off a great day.. Feedback gratefully received.

would like to a tandem with angelina. Clinging on in fear

you must have a permanant arch!

none of it makes sense to us who have a degree of knowledge. 400,350,300 - alti stil says 3000!! or whatever!! The only thing i was unsure about was if you are wrapped in lines then u cant cut away! In my limited experience if i couldnt unravel i would pull my reserve and hope for the best. dunno what u think!

Sorry if this is perosnal or naieve. Not sure what SSRI is but does you're jumping help you?

yes its pretty naf. Re the SL exit! what was all that about - he put one leg out and tumbled over the SL. We were trained seated and sought of hop out facing the airflow. Quite agree though. Awful commentary when skydiving turns bad...

i feel a bit sick on my way to the airfield and alive on the way home.

I was sat at langars manifest on sunday and went out of my way to speak to this great lady. She was so enthusiastic and friendly and spoke about everything so positively. I was so impressed and said what an inspiration i thought she was. I believe she had completed some relative work on that big jump. I wish i, and other people had more of this ladies qualities and i wish her all the best for future jumps!

I did a tandem in 98 and after a few beers talked myself and some mates into a solo static line jump. 14 jumps/2months on im nearly cat-8 and loving it.

Im loving the SL program. Allbeit only 5 jumps were static line the rest were increased freefall delays etc. Im on jump 14 and well near cat-8. Just need a friendly weather day or two. I like the idea the responsibility lies with me. This must be a good confidence booster as everything you have achieved has been through your own progression and actions. I probably would appreciate some in flight tuition at some point though! and would like some video footage to impress the ladies

Im new to this (approx 14 jumps) via S/L RAPS category system. Ive been using ripcords/springloaded PC's and have never been taught to look for the handle. Simply bring my left hand above my head and right hand back to pull the ripcord. All very natural with stability etc. I personally wouldnt be too comfortable having to look for the ripcord. just my experiences. I think we do convert to throwout however.

Not sure if posting this thread has caused annoyance as its a bit hyped and probably not good for the sport. Im just trying to prepare as much as possible mentally to deal with all situations.

Im very postive about the whole thing and appreciate its gonna be a waiting game. Im actually quite pleased with the progress. Im nearly there in a minimal number of jumps and only started in june. I like to get each weekend if i can or my nerve starts going. Only a few jumps away and i think this will be my biggest personal acheivement. I never intended to a second jump originally!!! Cheers for the support.

Anyone seen SkyDivingMovies.com. Im new to this sport and was watching some mal videos. There was a rather scary incident hyped up a bit by TV but would have been pretty worrying. http://www.skydivingmovies.com/dl.php?f=cutaways/foxsports_premature_deployement.asf Any form of horse shoe is probably my worse fear. Just watching these vids for my own learning. What ifs etc