NicoNYC

You women suck. You always get the best bargains and best deals for anything and everything. Seriously, sounds like you made out like a bandit. I hope that I'm as fortunate as you were in finding a good deal. I'm patient though. I have from now until April of next year to find something. Thanks for your tip. I will definitely consult with someone that knows me first. How many hits of adrenaline can you take?

I was just about to ask you if you were a rigger or an assistant. Service bulleteins for rigs or canopies. Wow, I thought they only had those for automobiles. Cool. Can I reference that on the manufacturers website or is there another source for that info? I'm definitely going to have a rigger check out the rig. However, if I am going to purchase this online, that may be a little difficult to do because that would mean that I have to bring the rig out to my DZ. I doubt that anyone would ship their rig to me w/o some kind of down pymt or something. Great tip though. Thanks! How many hits of adrenaline can you take?

Dude, that's awesome man. Now I'm really pysched about buying used gear. Vector 1? Would you think that outdated or original series containers may or may not be a good move? How many hits of adrenaline can you take?

No problem dude. These guys are always great in answering any questions or resolving any dilemas that I may have. How many hits of adrenaline can you take?

I'm going to leave that one alone dude....hehehehe j/k. Thanks for your input. How many hits of adrenaline can you take?

Let's say I'm not dude. I'm 5'6" and I weigh 150lbs. I'm not selling yet, but I think that's a usefull way to look at it.*** You're right about that. I think I may go with the used route. I hope you successful in selling your rig when you're ready to sell it. How many hits of adrenaline can you take?

Great tip dude. I think i may just go this route. It's sensible and I can shave off at least a thousand bones. How many hits of adrenaline can you take?

I hear ya about that. The last thing I'm really concerned about is the resale value. When it comes to selling something used, I always expect to lose. I hear ya about this one too. However, I'm only looking to downsize from 240 to 230 the most. I would like to hone my canopy skills first before I even downsize to 210, which is what I was flying last year. I don't freak. I bitch if I even get my jumpsuit stained but then I thank god and pat myself on the back for walking away with my own two feet. You and Phree are absolutely correct. Since Winter may keep me grounded until next year, I might as well devote that time for looking for a used rig. How many hits of adrenaline can you take?

I did my 2nd jump this year after my recert on Columbus Day. The freefall was okay. I was mostly psyched about pulling at 5500 to put my book learned canopy skills to the test. After everyone pounded following the leader for a landing pattern in my head, I did just that. I was at my approached my selected holding area and instead of watching the windsock I kept a sharp watch on the two canopies below me. I played followed the leader. To my good fortune, it was exactly how I planned my pattern legs. Therefore, everything went off without a hitch. Last but not least, thanks to Doug F. and D. Pancake for giving me last minute tips on the plane. How many hits of adrenaline can you take?

You're right on that one. You're right about currency being the key to survival. The colors and harness size on used rigs may not be perfect either. I guess I just have to get lucky. I wish I fit in that category. If I did, then I wouldn't even have posted this thread. I guess this all depends on your own personal preference. I really wouldn't mind colors and I'm not particular about manufacturers and what not. I just want the right harness size, a 220 to 240 size canopy, etc. I know the odds of finding that may be rare. I would consider the option to buy a container that would fit me and just buy a new canopy but that kind of cost may be similar to just buying a new rig. Hence, the confusion. How many hits of adrenaline can you take?

Now that is some good and sound advice. Thanks a lot for the useful tip! How many hits of adrenaline can you take?

I hear so many different opinions about new rigs such as: Newer rigs are more dependable when it comes to saving your life, newer rigs have longer life spans, newer rigs are more sturdier, newer is just better, you know exactly how many jumps a newer rig has (zero) before you buy it, As for used rigs: Used rigs are cheaper, with used rigs, you can't really determine how much jump life you'll get out of it, you won't really get an accurate previous jump count on used rigs, used rigs may fall apart faster than a new one, etc.... Can anyone shed some light? I know that with a used rig, I can have a rigger check it out before I buy it. However, I'm still a bit confused. Should you still trust used rigs? I know that the skydive and landing all depends on me but you know how murphy's law works... How many hits of adrenaline can you take?

I did my next jump after my recert on Columbus Day. The freefall was okay. I was mostly psyched about pulling at 5500 to put my book learned canopy skills to the test. After everyone pounded following the leader for a landing pattern in my head, I did just that. I was at my approached my selected holding area and instead of watching the windsock I kept a sharp watch on the two canopies below me. I played followed the leader. To my good fortune, it was exactly how I planned my pattern legs. Therefore, everything went off without a hitch. Last but not least, thanks to Doug F. and D. Pancake for giving me last minute tips on the plane. How many hits of adrenaline can you take?

Point taken. Just like everything else in my skydive. I will proceed with caution having others safety as well as my own saftey in mind. How many hits of adrenaline can you take?

I stand corrected then. I shall always follow the same pattern as everyone else. No matter what. How many hits of adrenaline can you take?

That's actually a great suggestion. How low is low wind? 0-5mph? I would definitely like to try this. In X-Keys, the swoopers, faster canopies and tandems land east, closer to the hanger. Students land towards the center and west of the hanger. I think the landing area is about 3000 square feet. I would never do it but there is usually a nil chance of a collision happeing there. I mean of course, Murphy's law exist but I haven't heard of any canopy collisions out there. Believe you me I'm not about to break that trend either. I hear ya, well.....whether if its into the wind or not I must follow the pattern. How many hits of adrenaline can you take?

Definitely. I think more than 10 people have said this to me. That sucks dude. Did you lodge a complaint with the DZ owner or post that in the comments for the DZ? How many hits of adrenaline can you take?

This is what I respect about the forums. Newbies like myself learn a great deal from people like you. This cardinal rule has been embedded in my mind already. You're absolutely right about that. However, if I'm the last one off the load and everyone's grounded after I pull. Also, the next load will not take off until the previous load's jumpers are on the ground. Hence, since I pull at about 5500ft and jump with a 240-260 can I be the exception to this rule if there are no more canopies in the air besides me or does it still apply? Of course, I wouldn't even fathom to do this if I'm not the last one out the plane and if there are other canopies on the ground. Can't the only guy in the air after everyone is grounded, do whatever he wants? Dude....Hell yeah! I had freaked out in my last downwind landing. The winds were blowing at 15mph and I kept looking at the ground because I was coming in so fast. My depth perception was off. My knees were locked. I came in so fast and wasn't paying attention, flared at 5 feet and tried to PLF but I was too stiff. I did two forward hand springs and broke my middle meta carpel bone in my right hand, tore ligaments in my knee and ankle and chip two fragments in my ankle. Needless to say, I learned a lot from that incident. I learned from my instructors that I can at least do 1/4 brakes at 20ft and flare the rest of the way while watching my forward speed and sink rate. When I am ready and relaxed, I would like to practice this for real. No to everything else. Yes to the last one. I know we don't live in a perfect world. However, if I cannot do a square or rectangle landing approach 85% of the time then I will never grasp the concept of good canopy control. I will definitely talk to my instructors about how to approach downwind and crosswind and landing off the DZ. Man! There is so much more to Skydiving and you just never stop learning. Don't get me wrong, it's definitely fun learning in the process. How many hits of adrenaline can you take?

Dude, thanks a lot for clarifying that. I forgot about the trailers and the fuel tank by the pond. It's been a while since I've jumped there. That's the problem. Ideally, I would like to see the socks at above 1000ft just in case I'm too far upwind or too far downwind. If I can't see the sock until 1000ft and I'm downwind at least I'm in the right track and I can get up to my desired setup point. However, if I'm upwind at 1000ft I have a greater chance of screwing up everyone else's pattern if I have to do figure 8's or s-turns. Also, there's probably a greater chance of colliding with another canopy. I know you can't be perfect all the time to do your square pattern but if I'm going to master canopy control, I've got to be on the money at least 85% of the time. However, I know and will always keep in mind, safety first for myself and other canopies. How many hits of adrenaline can you take?

Can this be morally correct to do such a thing? Any massive injuries? That sucks dude. I know this is a sport where you're supposed to look out for others safety as well as your own but come on now....there has to be a fine line where you can adjust the pattern provided there is no traffic above or below you. I mean, if you're at least 1000 ft apart (below or above another skydiver in canopy flight) that you can turn back into the wind. Or am I just talking out of my newbie @$$? How many hits of adrenaline can you take?

Newbie here....what is biff-in??? How many hits of adrenaline can you take?

Glad you feel the same way I do. Of course, I would carefully check below and above so as to not collide with other canopies. How many hits of adrenaline can you take?

I gotcha. I guess that is a rule thumb that must be adhered to. Kinda sucks if you have to go downwind but gotta follow the rules, right. Although I don't totally agree but like you said, if I don't like it then I shouldn't land in the main area. How many hits of adrenaline can you take?

Does this apply even if you are the last person off on the load. Meaning, you are the last one off the aircraft and the only one in the air within 2000 feet? How many hits of adrenaline can you take?

It just so happened that during this incident I was the last solo diver out of the plane. By the time the haze cleared everyone landed already. That's what I get for pulling at above 5000ft. Well, now I know to check for all the flag and windsock positions against certain landmarks so I feel confident enought that this won't repeat. Thanks. I'd like to think so too but I'd like to be normal and do a square or rectangular pattern instead of improvising my own patterns. How many hits of adrenaline can you take?