Scoop

I don't really see a problem with it. We don't live in an anonymous society. From the moment we are born our lifes audit trail begins. If it stops johnny foreigner from sneaking on to our island and blowing the shit out of us or billy burglar from evading detention I'm all for it. If they are taking these kind of steps to monitor identity for immigration etc then it suggests that we are finally going to start getting hardline with asylum and other immigration issues. Something which is long overdue. My fingerprints & DNA are already on the register

During my first jump I didn't really have any emotion, I think I was too overwhelmed and went into auto pilot doing the drills I was taught to do. Once I was on the gorund though the feeling was awesome and I still haven't been able to match that first jump buzz yet. I do get enormous satisfaction from doing a good jump or nailing a paticular maneouvre though. Its a different, more controlled kind of rush now

Oh well, it was worth investigating

I was wondering if, for example, I could have a USPA licence and appropriate third party insurance and jump in the UK as travelling visitors must do. I'm guessing they don't have to purchase any type of BPA membership. The point you raise about insurance is interesting. Its a nice we-want-to-keep-the-monopoly cause isn't it

Time for BPA renewal will be upon us soon and my skydiving progression isn't going as fast as I'd like it to. Membership is expensive and for the amount of jumps I've been doing it works out alot of money per jump. Whilst in Spain I met alot of disgruntled Brits who never jump in the UK due to prices amongst other issues. Does anyone here jump on a foreign licence and 3rd party insurance or is it not worth the hassle? Wondering what your thoughts are or if people are already doing that.

I've done it a few times on the student canopies and sworn it must have been a gust of wind. Its quite odd and quite scary to suddenly be turning on landing. Luckily it was just a case of tripping as trying to stand at funny angle and hurting my wrist a little as I leant out to stop the fall. If you're jumping a tired old F111 student canopy don't try a staged or progressive flare either. It just doesn't work very well!

I think you should keep them in front of you for now. It prevents you inadvertantly steering your canopy if you flare unevenly as both toggles are in your field of vision, or at least thats what I was told and I agree it works. You shouldn't have much forward glide on a student canopy to need to find your balance as such, like if you were running off a landing. My landings were hit and miss and still are to a certain degree but its just something that comes with practice. Take my advice with a pinch of salt but thats what I was told by my instructors so I imagine its probably the same thoughts behind your instructors instructions.

I spent every last cent of my travel money in Spain and queued for 2 hours at check in at the airport. When I got there I got told I was on the wrong day... my flight was tomorrow ..... So I slept in the terminal laying on one of the benches and waited a furthur 24 hours with no food or drink I can laugh about it now

OK, well I bought some Under Armour in a 'generous cut'. I'll have to see how I get on with it. Its likely I will come across fires but extremely unlikely to be unexpectedly caught out by it like you guys could. Thanks for your help.

Nice one thanks. I'm just skeptical how, in the height of summer, its cooler to wear an extra layer under my body armour and uniform shirt. If it works It'll be well worth the money. Riding a bike all day in the sun in armour isn't ideal

This might be a good question to throw to you military guys. Have you tried any of the 'staycool' type shirts that you wear under your body armour? Summers approaching and I'm thinking that if I hear good things I shall flex my spending muscle and order a couple. Any recommendations? I'm looking at these which are more targetted at athletes http://www.armourfitshop.co.uk/Product_Canterbury_Armourfit_Hot_Essential_Short_Sleeve_T-Shirt.htm Many thanks

This is still my fav... Off his head http://my.break.com/media/view.aspx?ContentID=209753

Yes there is and its her, Emma Elmes

Is the beard optional?

Don't..... d..d..d..d..d..d..d ... don't.... don't..... don't believe the hype!

I don't know how you are delivering your lesson but this very short clip I cut out of one of my AFF jumps may prove useful if you were possibly using a powerpoint presentation... http://s76.photobucket.com/albums/j35/scooper85/?action=view¤t=PCinburble.flv The proper .mpg file is only 1.3MB so if you do want it let me know and I'll email it.

I bought a rig from the US and had it shipped over. I think I just got lucky and it slipped the net because I never got any import duty applied even despite customs holding the item until I explained what it was. You could try getting your parents to repackage it in a discrete box and labelling it creatively I suppose. I dunno.. 'lifesaving equipment - do not tamper' or 'sporting goods from repair'. I don't know whether any of that would work but beter than just mailing it as is. Alternatively you could probably find a travelling skydiver or friend to bring it back for you as hand luggage.

Much appreciated! Now I hope its worth all the fuss

Not surprising at all if your going to go around marrying foreigners for cash to get them passports

In England, infact, to pass your driving test now you do need to have basic knowledge related to maintenance of your vehicle. They make you pop the bonnet and ask you a few questions for example.

I think its good, both Harry & William are good for our country and are proving to be very respectable. It annoys me when I see pictures of Harry having been out and had a few drinks with his friends. So what for gods sake. He deserves a night off like anyone else, paticularly as his spare time will be full of other royal duties. He doesn't just have a military career. Heres hoping the throne skips Charles and goes straight to the younger blood

Mouth is the best weapon. Looking at some of these US cop shows, it seems many of them have forgotten the art of communication. Anyway, I don't get involved in that shit!

I thought in the UK anyone could assemble the components of a rig (minus reserve of course)

Well, it started off as loads of bullshit as all courses do. Maintenance, legal stuff and health & safety with a 5 mile ride on the first day which I actually found hard going as had a cold. Today we had a blast though. Started off with self defence tactics (yes honestly, and they are pretty cool and would definately hurt... ALOT!) then we did slow speed skills which was pretty cool. Learnt some tricks which really helped with negotiating obstacles and stuff. Then took our bikes down through the town centre and up and round for about 4 miles and off to a park where we took over a skate park and abused some of the ramps, albeit quite conservatively, and had a weird type of bicycle assault course set up followed by an 8 mile ride back to base UP HILL! It was hard work and I felt like giving up at the time but I didn't. We had 3 groups and we all went different routes of similar difficulty and same distance back, we were the last to leave and the first back by over half hour So, now I understand why they give you a 2 day course on how to ride a bike. It was really good. Whoever it was who said to me that I'd probably enjoy it after doing it, you were right!

We used to do that when we went to new circuits so we could learn the track. Those bastard circuits aren't as flat as they seem on TV Try cycling around Brands Hatch!