Zoter

Thanks...thats a very informative thread. I understand now that you should be trying to 'mimic' and aerofoil persepctive. Would should you be doing with arms and hands ( positioning) ..behind you to create even more lift?

Any guys and gals out there got some tips/techniques on Flat /Horizontal tracking. I just finished my FS1 and am looking to improve my horizontal track....but I would like some tips on getting even more lift during the track Thanks all

Question: If you are on a 'low' way say 2 or 4......how do you know where the wind line is at breakoff....in order top avoid tracking up or down the windline. Can this only be achieved by taking a ground reference at altitude and using that lower down ( or maybe the suns position)? As a beginner most of my formations do turn some with all the points...

DBCooper /Jimbo..... Could you perhaps explain a little more about what you are talking about ...." tracking off the wind line"...ie when do you do it (after exit, or later)....why you do it...who should do it ...and how you know where the wind line is.??? Thanks

Perhaps.....the culture needs to be changed a little....generally rather than individually. Canopy control teaching to get your basic licence ...well here in the UK anyways....is minimal UNLESS the individual decides to seek additional tuition. By the time an individual wants to do some swooping....I would say here they are not really in the loop of 'compulsory training' anymore. Personally I would like to have seen ALOT more tuition go into CC training as part of the basic licence and would be encouraged to see some sort of compulsory system of teaching /training/assessment for everyone who wants to do swoops.....and this means these people will have to 'come back in' to the Instructors fold again......I reckon thats only going to happen if its compulsory...swooping/hook turn licence maybe ??

Just my 2 cents..... I'm definately of the same mindset as your friend in that I have NO DOUBTS whatsover I won't pull that silver thingy !! harness shifts during cutaway, spnning with High G, dislocated shoulder.....whatever it is I just KNOW i am going to find and pull that handle. But I wont jump without a Cypres....just wont...Every jump is made with a mindset of 'forget your AAD is there' and do everything like it aint there ( low alti pull decisions notwithstanding) Im not a sheep following the herd ..I make the decision because I think its the best thing to do.....sure your friend may not be jumping in proximity to others...she aint gonna get knocked out right??? Ever banged your head diving out? ( damn those Skyvan exits with us 6footers ) or I have read of incidents of people hitting other parts of the plane on exit)...or what if you are completely on your own and some dude comes outta nowhere and Whammo!..it has happened to me and luckliy was not knocked out, but it could happen.. And what if you have a prem.opening during a freefly that stuffs the canopy up and shakes you up enough to make you lose conciousness..... Damn...why wouldnt anybody want a proven system for these admittedly rare situations....I call that reckless.

Anybody got any dierction they can point me in.... I want to buy a weight belt suitable for skydiving Im from the UK so local sites would be great....but whatever/wherever is cool all advice and links greatly appreciated..:)

Did my AFF in Seville....skydive spain...the weather was a sure thang and the DZ staff alot more relaxed than the ones I have seen on the UK scene Note: relaxed does not mean less capable or safe......The CCI is the best Rigger in the UK and a great fella to boot...as are the rest of the staff had a great time...and just got back from there after a progession trip for FS1. They did me good...at a better price to the UK and I had a blast.....the 'intensity' of doing the course over a short period of time DEFINATELY helped Skydive spain.....IS my true home DZ!! Have fun! wherever

Just got my FS1 out in Spain on a beautiful 4 way on the sunset load with a fluffy cloud layer at 5K and a floating cameraman to catch it all

Check yourself...what the hell have you done to upset your packer ??.....or does you packer wear dark glasses and have a white cane ?? Its all in the pack job ... Glad to hear you is fine....what an introduction to this wonderful sport....stick with it...statistically speaking you aint due a mal for a long while now !!( unless you keep the same packer)

Hey webracer...give the guy a break ! I have read all the posts here and Newbie is only asking more experienced canopy pilots about their experiences and methods....he's not saying he's going to do the same as a pilot who has over 1000 jumps !!....... Granted the DZ.com forum can be a source of 'pure' misinformation....but give a guy some respect !! myself and just about anybody I know in the sport would ALWAYS consult with a local instructor before attemping or putting into practice any advice suggested on the 'com.......if people didnt then jeez...how did they get past the basic licence...?? I understand YOU or others ( or me in the future) wouldnt want to be responsible for passing on YOUR views that led to some sort of accident/incident....but give the guy his due....he just wants your views....what he does with them after that is up to him...and there are PLENTY of experienced people out there watching /contributing to these forums EVERYDAY ....and IMHO....these 'moderators' ....and we all know who they are....'big up ' the good advice and 'poo poo' the bad stuff. And if that aint enough ...just change your signature line to ' BUT ALWAYS check this with your instructor first'.....anything happens after that....IMHO its natural selection. Newbies like us...just like to get a rounded view of things...not because we ARE going to do stuff that you say WORKS for you...but because we want to get a broader view on our education....thats all... BTW...dont flame me...! I respect your experience!

In fact I loved that small DZ feeling so much ( loads of rig availability and great service)......I'm going back there for a fortnight next week....to do some progression jumps

In my humble opinion.... I did an AFF course a few months back at a fairly small DZ in Spain. Although it was small the Staff there are very qualified instructors.......big dont necessarily mean 'best'. I did an intensive course.....all in all 10 days and that definately is the way to do it...I saw other weekend AFF'ers...who often had to relearn things they did on last weeks level....an intense course gave me focus and continuity. The 'small' DZ attitude was great.....you do feel like everyone is focused on you and that motivated me to do well and gave me that little 'extra' if you know what I mean.....when ALL the DZ Staff gather around after the jump to watch your instructors video....you really feel like part of a community. When I came back to the UK I found that attitude was not really there with the large DZ's...and you sometimes feel a little 'isolated' but I know the backup is there . We jumped a small 3 person Cessna and frankly it was great.....of course there is not much room...but after jumping in those it feels much more personal....and TBH when you get on Porters,Caravans ,Lets .....it feels like Limo luxery !! Stepping out on the wheel strut for poised exits...well its a bit freaky during AFF but I wish I could do some more now....It was great ! My point....if it gets you up to 12K +...who cares what it is .

Anybody got any data on what the range of gear weight ( you have to add to your own weight to give your exit weight).....is Alot of peepes are quoting 25lbs...but is that for that tiny lil rig the intsructors wear,,,whats a realistic number for a 230 main/220 reserve new rig....any ideas ? Ta

Nice landing Bsoder...!...you enjoyed it anyways! I'm a

Proud owner of a new Pro Track Audible altimeter/log Just working through the manual...but any of you guys have any hints /tips.....or worked out shortcuts you would like to share ?

Yeah jimbo there its important to know that side of the equation as well......although....I wont need to be so accurate that I can enter it in my logbook afterwards

Thanks...thats the ticket ! and damn....Jimbo... I was thinking about the time I just had...rather than the time I had left !!!! but thanks for the clarity anyways

If I exit at 13K and pull at 4K.......assuming I fall on my belly at approx 120mph...how long is my freefall...and is there a nice simple calculation to work this out that incorparates exit altitude and pull altitude? I aint no mathematics teacher

Hey...Im glad you made a choice and it turned out OK. Just my tuppence...cause Im not experienced enough to give you it from experience. What you just posted I think is contrary to just about everything I have heard or read....you should never consider the cost of replacing equipment in your EP's. if YOU thought you couldnt land it in those conditions...then 'maybe' loosing your main and PC should not even enter the equation......If your not happy with what you got....thats your own personal call...and you dont wanna get cloudy thinking about the cost of a main that you 'might' not find again. How much will it cost you to break your legs and fracture your vertebrae ....?? I'll wager a bit more than the cost of another main canopy ... Good to hear your OK

I'm not entirely sure the stats count anyways..... You are comparing 'skydiving' as an activity versus 'driving' as an activity. I would respectfully say that the majority of skydivers , purely through the risks of not getting it right, invest a significant amount of time ensuring Emergency procedures are current, that they invest in training for more difficult disciplines and manouvres, that the equipment they use is safe and checked beyond that which is 'formally' required, and are alot more concious of the enviroment they are in and the people they are around. Can you say the same of the 'majority' of drivers? If you want to compare the two....your average skydiver (comparing to your average driver ) is someone who does not invest in any more training after student status, gets his kit serviced once a year or if it' breaks' and is only formally required to pass a total kit check 'once' every year ! Hmmm....something to think about !

I had one repeat on my AFF....level 6 Instructor told me why...and I agree completely I had a bit of an incident on my Level 5 which was hanging in my head I guess.... Just got to agree with all the posts here...dirtdive dirtdive...dirtdive and visualize ! For me the biggest key to all this was getting over an unstable exit...I felt so much happier after I knew I could recover from that!

Never mind under canopy....after being in the sport for a very short time....and on my first few solos...a jumper who decides to jump out and fly near me...without discussing it beforehand....unerved the hell out of me !!....on two occasions he actually made contact with me without me expecting that at all........this was reported and the CCI 'warned' the jumper... Man I dont wanna be any where near people like that , especially at 12K......I took my name off the manifest twice after that...because he was on it

Just wanna add.....I got nothing but respect and awe for the general peeps in the SD community who dont make at all a big thing of peeps being a bit 'scared' I've had some strange and close calls .....ie saving my own life, sewing myself up etc with some other activities.....but the hardcore have made me feel a bit slope....that just dont exist in the SD community I respect it and I love it.....and all you brothers and sisters out there !!

AS a