Brian425

So I am off student status and working on my A license. I have done well on all my canopy control exercises. My landing are good and I feel comfortable under canopy. Are there any canopy classes for low level jumpers like myself? what should I look for in a class? The only time you should look down on someone is when you are offering them your hand.

It's my next jump. Basically it's a solo done at about 5,500 feet. I'll give you all the etails next Monday after mine. Have fun, be safe and stick with it. It's worth it. The only time you should look down on someone is when you are offering them your hand.

I am just off student status and I am working on my coach jumps. I did not have to repeat any of my student jumps. I did decide to repeat my level 11 coach jump (adjusting fall rate). I just was not able to slow my fall rate and be stable. I talked with my coach and we decided to do the jump again. Plus Baker was fun to jump with. For me the key was to really practice the dive on the ground. I would practice until I could do it without thinking at all. For me in the first few jumps there is so much on your mind that I wanted to have the jump down. The key is to study the jump and then try to relax while you are in the air. I know it's had; but, relaxing makes everything easier. Some keys that will help you pass all levels are very basic. BE ALTITUDE AWARE AND PULL! If you always acomplish these two things, you will do fine. Be safe, have fun and stick with it. I know it's hard. In the end, it's worth it. The only time you should look down on someone is when you are offering them your hand.

I don't mean to hijack the thread. I'm off student status and I am now doing my coach jumps. Still using school gear. I just about have my rig complee, now I'm looking for an altimeter. Any advice a good analog altimeter? i need something rugged for the occasional PLF's that us newbies do. The only time you should look down on someone is when you are offering them your hand.

Bubbles, I hear you got your 100th jump this weekend. Congrats!!! I was at Cavu for a little while; but, I went for sleep because I didn't want to be hung over for Subday. The only time you should look down on someone is when you are offering them your hand.

My coach told me not to worry. She says that the exit is the same and I will have no problem getting stable. The big upside is that I will be able to jump on days when we cannot get full altitude for my last coach jumps. I guess since it's new I have some concerns. I have faith in my coaches that they would not put me in a dangerous spot. It's just another way to get me closer to my A. I'll be back this weekend for two days. Lets hope the weather holds. The only time you should look down on someone is when you are offering them your hand.

They have not gone away yet. I still sit there and wonder what the hell am I doing. The fear goes away as soon as I leave the plane. It's strange I would have expected it to be the exact opposite. I hate the ride up. I asked a guy next to me on the way up if he still get a little nervous. He smiled and said yes. Then he smiled more and said he was a little nervous right now and farted. I have to admit I never go out the door so quick. I spotted, got in the door and was gone!!! Fresh air was neverr so nice. The only time you should look down on someone is when you are offering them your hand.

I have my first hop and pop coming up this weekend. I'm just wondering what to expect. It may sound weird; but, I like to have more altitude. My exits are not great. I'm about 50/50 on getting stable right away. I'm a little concerned about getting stable quick enough. My coach told me not to worry, I'll be fine. Is there anything special I should be aware of? Of course I will discuss this with my coach this weekend; but, I want a little advice of what to expect. And of course I'll buy beer. That much I have learned. The only time you should look down on someone is when you are offering them your hand.

I spoke with my eye surgeon today. All is well with jumping. I've had laser eye surgery and a pucture pump put in my tear duct. Apparently with a little bit of a stuffy nose and the pucture pump (a small valve put in my tear duct to improve flow of tears), I can build up quite a bit of pressure in those little mystery passages in my head. Doctor said NEVER go up with a bad cold or sinus infection. Otherwise he said if I am slightly congested due to allergies, etc to take cold medicine and wait unitl I am completely clear before going up. He said I am the greatest case for his work. I had a motorcycle accident at the track 3 months after the laser eye surgery and now sky diving with the pucture pump. He told me to call him after my next jumps to see how it went. Maybe I'll buy him a tandem for Christmas. The only time you should look down on someone is when you are offering them your hand.

I think that being able to do solos and hop and pops will help me. I am always more relaxed on the second jump of the day. I also have to work on my exits. I still do not present very well. It can make for an interesting perspective of the world. plane, blue, green, plane, blue, green. I always get stable; but, it's only 50/50 that I get a nice exit. I need to imrove that. I watched a guy go out on Saturday and he was the picture of a poised exit. That is my goal. I know it may take time; but, I think that it's a worthwhile goal. If I had time and money I would be off to Florida for some more jumping over the winter; but, that damn work thing keeps getting in the way. I guess I can't complain, it doews pay for jumps. The only time you should look down on someone is when you are offering them your hand.

Well, my reign as god of wind and rain still holds. It was supposed to sunny and in the 70's at the ranch. Well, I show up early on Saturday and it's cloudy until around noon. I got in two jump on Saturday after the clouds cleared up. I did pretty well on level 10, docking. Level 11 I struggled. I had to adjust fall rate to match my coach. I just could not do it. When I went to slow my fall rate, I was potato chipping like crazy. My coach came over to stabilize me and I still could not adjust my fall rate very much. I was given the choice to move on to the next level. I decided after talking with my coach to repeat the jump. My feeling is that I should spend my early jumps working on basics and getting them down pat. Plus it was fun working with Baker (my coach). Sunday was MISERABLE!!! I got up on jump 2 even though there was some high clouds. We go to 10,000 and there were too many clouds for the student jump. My coach (Pete this time) suggested I do a hop and pop. I said yes. Something didn't feel right as we were coming back down, I felt a sharp pain in my eye. I had my first two way plane ride. It seems like I was getting a cold and my nose was a little stuffed. Well, now I am sitting here all stuffed up and not having gotten to jump. My eye feels better but it's a little bloodshot. This has never happened before. The GREAT part is that they cleared me to jump solo and do hop and pops. So even if there are no coaches to jump with me I can jump while I wait for them to be ready for me. So next week, bring the rain coats and look for me doing my best to jump my ASS of while waiting for my last two coach jumps. Thanks to everyone that has given me support and advice. I left the ranch at 12:30 did the weather clear up? Brian, now officially know a Storm The only time you should look down on someone is when you are offering them your hand.

All I know is that a very cute mommy showed up with the kids dressed as I Dream of Jeanie. The kids got extra candy!! I love warm halloween nights. The only time you should look down on someone is when you are offering them your hand.

Well, this is it. It's my last weekend to finish my student jumps. As you are well aware, my student status has been extended by my incredible ability to bring wind and rain to the DZ. The forcast is for warm weather, some sun and light winds. If the wind picks up or it rains, please say a quick prayer for me as I am sure I will be killed by all the other students. I will finish this year. If I must I will go to Florida or Az for a few days and complete my course. If it rains in Az, I'll just pack it in and stop torturing all you guys. B The only time you should look down on someone is when you are offering them your hand.

I'll be there. Not sure about the hung over jump at this stage. I guess I'll have to start early and finish early. The only time you should look down on someone is when you are offering them your hand.

To me arce means nothing. It you treat me well and I have fun when I am with you, I don't care who you are, where you are from or what god you pray or do not pray to. To me we are all just people. It's fun to meet different people and learn about their cultures, foods, etc. Here is my religion and if you want to join me feel free. Be nice to people. Try to never hurt a person or property on purpose. If you do, try your best to correct you misdeed. Keep an open mind. Try to understand why a person did something before getting upset. It's all pretty easy do. Oh yes, almost forgot one of the most important ones. Cherish you friends and family. Make time to be with them and enjoy their company. They will be gone far to quickly to waste our time with them The only time you should look down on someone is when you are offering them your hand.

I bought my cypress from Zoli. Corrupting me on the ground will be EASY. I've been know to have a beer or two. If I stay up there this weekend, I will try to make rounds and introduce my self a little. I must say I'm glad i picked the ranch. It's been a very good experience so far. Even when I bring the wind and rain. The only time you should look down on someone is when you are offering them your hand.

Lila, Talk with your instructors. It is their responsibility to teach you this skill. Where I am in school, we are guided in on radios. As we get more jumps, we get less radio instruction. After every jump, I talk with the radio person. We review my landings improvements needed and compliments on good work. I also stay to watch other people land. You can learn alot watching other people. Do not wait. Start working on landings now. In my short time, I have not seen anyone hurt on any type of malfunction; but, I have seen 3 people hurt from bad landings. Be safe and have fun. Brian The only time you should look down on someone is when you are offering them your hand.

Grouper, I'm learning from Dan, he was in an all red jumpsuit. I think I explained it wrong. The idea is that I will pack with and for him until I feel comfortable to do it by myself. I feel that he has my best interest at heart. It's not a case of I teach you and you owe me. More I'll be there with you to guiide you until you are comfortable packing. I will definitely look into the mentoring program. I'll be up there Saturday and Sunday. I may stay over so I'll have time to hang out and have a few beers wsince I won't have the drive home. Brian The only time you should look down on someone is when you are offering them your hand.

I have a Sabre 190 set up to use for my first few jumps off student status. I figure it's best to move down in increments. By the way, what is something nice to do for someone who lends you a canopy to use? (Beer is a given) B The only time you should look down on someone is when you are offering them your hand.

Lisa, I bought my cypress, and this weekend I picke up my container (Javelin) and reserve. I have two offers to use a Sabre 170 for free. (one is from a nice person on this board) I think I will try the Sabre for a few jumps until the weather gets too cold up here and then buy over the winter. Now who has a Safire they will lend me The only time you should look down on someone is when you are offering them your hand.

My instructor recommended a Sabre 170 for a first canopy. My canopy control has been good and I have been standing up my landings since jump 2. I was mainly looking for a similar class of canopy to widen my search for a used canopy. I am leaning toward a Sabre/Sabre2 because they seem readily available and I have heard good things about them. I have been jumping on a student 215 and we (coach and I) have lined up a sabre 190 for me to use after my last coach jump. Since I will be loading the 170 at almost exactly 1:1, she feels that it will be fine. I trust her 100% she has not steered me wrong in any way. It seems that the Sabres and Safires are a good starting point to begin my research. Thanks Cory The only time you should look down on someone is when you are offering them your hand.

Thank is my goal. Thanks for the advice. I hope to narrow it down to 2 or 3 canopies then put hardcore research into it. Thanks B The only time you should look down on someone is when you are offering them your hand.

Hello, Well I have gathered up most of my gear for when I am off student status. I only need a main canopy and I'll be all set. I have been looking at a 170 Sabre or Sabre2 for a first canopy. (Exit weight in full gear will be just about 170lbs) Any other canopies I should be considering? Anything bad about a Sabre for a beginner? Also what should I look out for when buying a used canopy. (Our rigger already said she will inspect it for me) All advice appreciated. Thanks, Brian The only time you should look down on someone is when you are offering them your hand.

As someone who s almost off student status and in need of more jumps for my A, I think it's a great idea. At my DZ, it seems I have a few unofficial mentors. I am starting to learn packing and the deal is that once I get good enough, I will pack for the people for free for a while. I have some offers to do some two ways when I am off student status. My coach has told me that i can only jump with certain people until my A. Then she said go jump with as many different people as possible and try to learn one new thing on each jump. (She's already introduced me to some good belly fliers to work with after my A) It's comforting to see people willing to teach us new guys. I personally like the idea of learning from others. I think it helps the students get to know the regulars and I think in the end it makes the students feel more attached to the DZ. It also helps if a student is looking to buy a rig. I found my cypress, container and reserve all from people at my DZ. I have people looking out for a main for me and I've had 2 offers to use a main for free unitl I can find a main of my own. This would never have happened if I did not get to know some of the regulars. I say set up the mentoring program. I think it's would be best to make it official for people with their A. Before that you may have liability issues for experienced (non rated) jumpers jumping with students. Students can still learn just spending time with the experienced people. I am a big fan of mentorship. Hopefully I can I can pass what I learned when I get more experienced. For now, I just great all the new tandems with a smile and I try to help out the students on lower levels than me in any way I can. B The only time you should look down on someone is when you are offering them your hand.

Angela, Take my words with a grain of salt. I am still a student. I think you need to look at the person's intention. I believe they truly had your best interest at heart. I know it may feel intrusive; but, they meant well. I would just let it pass and have a friend re-check my gear. Checks are for our safey and must be done. No need to add extra stress before a jump. As a student I tell people I will only check the main pin. I do a visual check as best I can. I just want to make sure that they are aware I am still a student and I ask them to have some one else give it a second check. I also ask for a check in return. I welcome a check from any of the regulars at the DZ. People I do not know, get a smile, a thanks and a second check from a coach or someone I know. My recommendation is keep people's intentions in mind and move on to a check from a trusted source. Keeping intentions in mind helps me let lots of stupid things from bothering me in life. B The only time you should look down on someone is when you are offering them your hand.