sasteam

I'm 5'10", 200lbs, and generally fall around 114Mph (+/- 5Mph) on my belly. That's according to my ProTrack (measuring Skydiver Air Speed). I tend to fall faster when jumping solo, and slower when doing RW. New jumpers tend to have difficulty controlling their fall rates and may find it difficult to jump with others since they're usually going high or low while performing maneuvers. With experience, one learns to control fall rate, generally with fine grained adjustments (made consciously or subconsciously, many times per second). Key to this is being aware of one's position with respect to others. Visual cues are key to such awareness. For example, one needs to keep an eye on an RW reference point (e.g. another jumper or jumpers) during the entire execution of a turn. With practice, a jumper generally gains enough control over fall rate such that he or she can use body position (arch) to compensate when jumping with faster or slower fallers. This may not be a comfortable (relaxed) position, though, which is why some choose to adjust their average fall rate using weights or a different jump suit (fabric, bagginess, etc.). I don't have a particularly baggy jumpsuit nor do I wear weights. When I first started jumping, I had less control over my fall rate and was either told or believed that I fell fast (or at least faster than others). From my limited experience, I'd say that it's fairly common for beginners to think that they don't fall at a good (or the correct) rate. However, this is usually indicative of a lack of control rather than simply due to body type or composition. Just keep jumping and learning... you'll eventually get the hang of it. Scott P.S. Also... a vertical wind tunnel is one way to quickly gain flying experience and confidence. Although it can't provide an understanding of all aspects of skydiving, it is an effective training tool for a neuromuscular understanding of freefall. See http://www.skyventure.com if you're interested. Crazy Ivan and the Crew (2005-2006) Team Insane (2004-2005) Insane in the Airplane (2003-2004)

I'm thinkin' that Dan Rossi should be jumping out there. Crazy Ivan and the Crew (2005-2006) Team Insane (2004-2005) Insane in the Airplane (2003-2004)

I think we all know the consequences of skydiving can be grave and that incidents result in genuine human tragedy, suffering, and sorrow. But, does that mean we aren't supposed to laugh at comics like, http://www.ucomics.com/closetohome/2003/09/14/? Are there cultural norms in skydiving that aren't generally taught like, "don't joke about (potential, not actual) accidents/incidents because they aren't funny"? In acting, it's OK to say, "break a leg." In skydiving, probably not so funny. Are there any related superstitions that are widely held? Curious, Scott Crazy Ivan and the Crew (2005-2006) Team Insane (2004-2005) Insane in the Airplane (2003-2004)

Stick with the . It certainly was intended as humor. Whether it's bad humor is subjective. One of my wife's first questions, after having visited the local DZ a number of times, was, "do you have to have a tattoo and smoke in order to skydive?" Obviously not but, it seems, we all have to be a little bit crazy (at least in our own way). I know I am. She recently accused me of turning into a bad boy (hah)... just because I started riding again and took up skydiving. And she's the one that wants the tattoo. When I first started, I couldn't get enough. 220 jumps in about a year and a half. Not huge... but not bad. I've had to slow down because of a blip in the finances. So, don't cry for me, Argentina. I'm not looking for sympathy. I just thought we'd see either a little of ourselves or someone we know in the list.

Chill, man, it was just a joke. It wasn't meant to be taken seriously or literally. Crazy Ivan and the Crew (2005-2006) Team Insane (2004-2005) Insane in the Airplane (2003-2004)

Thanks, everyone, for the feedback. I do feel like maybe, someday, I'll fit in.

It seems to me that I may never have what it takes to be a true skydiver. From what I can see, becoming a true skydiver requires a number of attributes, many of which are, possibly, beyond my reach or are things with which I'm simply not comfortable. For example (in no particular order), many of the true skydivers that I see - have and display one or more tattoos - smoke and often require at least one cigarrette between loads - have body piercings (ears don't count anymore) - can drink heavily in the evening and be on the first load the next morning - are ectomorphic or, at least, fall on the ectomorphic side of mesomorphism - have some kind of attitude (doesn't really matter what kind - come across as a bit touched (and by touched, I mean crazy) - live a relatively non-materialistic lifestyle (money isn't good for much except jumps and beer!) - live in the present (can't really execute emergency procedures if you're daydreaming about the future, now, can you?) - live from jump to jump (always thinking about that next fix) - consider themselves good looking (the guys) and have skydiving SOs (the gals) that are good looking - seem to actually live (!) at the drop zone - can easily pack in 10 minutes or less (mostly, it appears, because their canopy is about the size of a trashbag) - have a seemingly unending source of money (maybe something illegal going on here, like in that documentary CUTAWAY about that cop... what's his name... Stephen Baldwin or something) - (some) inexplicably live nomadic lifestyles (how high do you have to exit to actually reach the next DZ?) Now, I don't have any tattoos and no one at the DZ seemed particularly impressed with the lick'em and stick'em type. I quit smoking something like 13 years ago before basic training and I haven't had much of a desire to start back up. I do wear an earring but haven't really wanted to pierce anything else. Well, I don't really want to exhaust the list of my deficiencies... I think you get the idea. So, what's an aspiring skydiver to do?

Anyone have any idea why aerial photos of the DZ aren't more comon on DZ websites? I've always thought it would be useful to get an overhead visual familiarization with a new DZ from the web before visiting. Compass heading, scale, and obstacles could be marked. Is it thought, perhaps, that it's just better to check out the DZ when one arrives? Some other reason or just a common oversight? (Perhaps not the right forum for this question. Thought of Safety & Training, Places To Jump, and Photography & Video forums but decided on this one.) Crazy Ivan and the Crew (2005-2006) Team Insane (2004-2005) Insane in the Airplane (2003-2004)

Also covered on Yahoo with picture: http://sg.news.yahoo.com/030731/1/3d0ih.html Crazy Ivan and the Crew (2005-2006) Team Insane (2004-2005) Insane in the Airplane (2003-2004)