piahenzi

..if I may interject here... I went straight into freeflying right after my first 50 jumps as well... and didn't spend any time working on belly skills ( 2-way, 4-way, tracking etc.) got to 1000 jumps and found myself from time to time, trying to do few fun jumps on belly and was PATHETIC!! I have to admit that at that jump number I was terribly embarrassed not having any belly skills outside of making it into an 8 way star.. and last to the formation...or always in the base) so, my advice is, before you start getting into free flying, spend 100 jumps or so working on your belly skills, do some tracking dives, have fun learning the basics. You'll want them as your career in skydiving progresses ( 4-way video, tandem video etc... ) it's just my $0.02 but I think you will thank me in another 500+ jumps... and as far as tunnels are concerned, you will have to prove your proficiency on belly and some backflying before you get to sitfly in a tunnel. Enjoy the journey... it is a long one... and don't forget your canopy skills!! Make the most of every skydive.... I look at each skydive as 2 opportunities to learn different skills.. "upstairs = freefall and downstairs = canopy. Each discipline provides an opportunity to improve a skill set and you will get the most out of your jump $$'s...and who knows..maybe even swoop a pond someday

.. I'm going to rig the FARM 2009 FLCPA meet so you can win .....and THEN you HAVE to wear your new tank top in the last round.... Yeah baby!!!!

LOL!! Try beer... it's healthier than McD's and tastier too!!! I decided last minute to go and it was the best decision I could have made as far as seeing how much I could execute my skill sets learned at FLCPA. I did go with a Velo 84 which raised some eyebrows considering the conditions and my experience level on that wing (limited at best) but I felt very comfortable under it (although the openings are still tricky - I am trying to fly the opening and learning that is NOT what I shld be doing - gave myself 6-7 linetwists -AAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!) In any case, had great support from all of my FLCPA friends and made some new ones - watched the best and one always comes away with new information. I had a blast and can't wait to start FLCPA again in January, get some PD coaching and learn this wing before I get too many bad habits. Next year, I'd like to score every round....that's the goal for 2009.

....don't worry Dave, there's a bunch of us chubbychaser chicks out there.... and the FARM boys and likesized were the sexiest bunch of swoopers out there... ...hard earned beer bellies should pass through the gates first... THAT'S HOT!!

..nah... he just carries a lot of "thrust" in the midsection....awesome to watch him haul the groceries across that pond...

... we could only dream of that.. Ranch at $23 no matter how high (or low) you go... and no HNP's when 2 planes running (ie weekends) makes it very expensive to try and train (with no traffic)... at least that's my excuse for lack of real progress in my quest for better swoopage ....

....that's a lot of beer money... was wondering about that surcharge myself....(sings) "things that make you go hmmmmmmmmmmm"....

...agree on the Crossfire2 and Katana comment re piloting and I shld add that I learned a lot on the Crossfire2 coming off the Stiletto - first off, for me, add 250 feet for a 270 if you want to get it remotely right..

Ian -it's done ....and it's GOOD!!

sorry - typo!! Actually PD only lists down to a 79 on their site, right?? Nevertheless, the point stands that a Katana can be a lot of fun for even a die hard Velo pilot.... at least the one I can reference to

off topic but I just want to do a shout out to my guys .....TI's for the most part at Ranch are also VERY good at working with us videots. Having started this year with that at Ranch, a lot of them have helped me tremendously - getting to me if I am low, facing student into sun etc., giving me as much as they can to help me get a successful jump on tape... and some good face shot stills...and that all starts with a great exit count....student grabbing something not withstanding

Ok Al, your email was the clincher... I am registered and flights are booked.... which bikini should I bring for my swim(s)??? - yeah, I know... the smallest one Ian - I am going shopping for you today

for what it's worth, I went from a Crossfire 2 99 to a Katana 97 - miles different!!! - the dive on a Katana doesn't stop and the front risers are "butter" - they practically do the work themselves... A good friend of mine who has regulary flown a 74, 84 and 90 Velo with serious w/l'ings LOVES my Katana. His w/l on it is probably around 2.2-2.3 on it so that says something for sure...

...I need a room.. thats the only sticking point.... got some floorspace for me???.... besides, I gotta deliver the xdresser tanktop to Ian... in person just seems so much more appropriate

Ooooooooooooooooooooohhh, I am so tempted to do Nationals....Delta still has decent flights.........hmmmmmmmmmmmmm

waaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh!!! I wanna come too .... Mike -video EVERYTHING!!!!...and be sure to take it off the plane on the return flight.. Have fun, be safe kids! ....and pls tell me I get to redeem myself from Atlanta next year with FLCPA 2009....must do better...must do better...must do better...must not be scared of big bad ponds...must not be scared of big bad ponds....

if you are "looks like I'm gonna hit" (edit) low.... don't use rears.. that's a LAW my friend .... don't ever think otherwise...

Dave - happy to say that I am finally back on mine after my pond incident.... sight picture as to when too low DEFINITELY there :)) Sussex July 18th - b there !! Shane - be careful!! Not "understanding" rears can really really really be painful... trust me, I know ... good luck!! looking forward to seeing your progress next year

thank you ....you wear it as well as I do !!

If the student gives the "no 1 sign' that's one thing... if it's the TM, and in this case it was... then, I'm not so convinced... Obviously I am in the minority on this..must be my Swiss upbringing peeking thru :)

agreed... we can all be loose and have fun with each other...that's the sport and everything that comes with it...but when it comes to a professional product that people are paying for (tandem vid and stills) the standards, at least for me, are different. To each his own. I don't make decisions for other videots or Parachutist, but I have my standards and code of conduct in this area.

yes, it's true... I checked the mag... that said, I review my pics before burning them to disc for the student (time allowing) and would most definitely delete this one, even if it meant they wouldn't have the pic for posterity. Not acceptable...and someone at Parachutist shld be seriously embarrassed...of all the awesome pics they must get every month...really...c'mon..

LOL!! That's how I felt under the Katana. Getting more comfortable with her now....and I have the packing down for her now.... I'm sure once the Velo becomes the canopy of choice, I'll be right there with you !!

same here... slider just easier to deal with /stow when the risers are still "pinched". loosen chest strap ( ahhhhhhhhhh!!!!) and then release brakes no lower than 2K for controllability check. However, for rem slider I can see the first two changing position.,, I have on occasion had to deal with a popped toggle (oh, so much fun!!) and then the slider just stays up.. I don't fight it over unstowed toggles (no velcro on mine)... so I land looking like a rookie.. beats having the grommet stuck over a toggle and dealing with that issue..there's always next time

....same here.. I have my main rig with one and my swoop/pond rig without. I have jumped both rigs equally when back to backs are called for for video etc.... I used to segregate more and I would still do so, choosing the main rig with AAD knowing I was going on a zoo dive/large freefly jump etc. but I have to admit, it has become less and less of an issue in the back of my mind.... and I have pulled both handles 4 times (I am one of those jumpers - it seems - that brings the average down for those who go 3000 jumps w/o a cutaway... yeah... lucky me!!!) and was always under my reserve above 2K.... I realize this is no way to guage the safety of not jumping with an AAD but it does, incorrectly or not, leave me with assurance that I know what to do when it comes down to it... Having a mid-air collision in freefall is always a possibility... so are so many variables in this sport that can kill you. I find that checking my rig for obvious packing or "gearing up" mistakes takes up a lot more of my concern than the AAD. I probably look at my cheststrap 10x before I exit... not to mention handles , bridle routing, pin position, overall inspection at the beginning of the day etc etc... and you'd be surprised how many jumpers worry about their AAD being on while boarding the plane with their cheststrap undone.... go figure....