Croc

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Everything posted by Croc

  1. Croc
    learn small; jump big, unless you want to jump with friends instead of other CUSTOMERS. In that case, jump small. "Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy
  2. Croc
    Thanks for everyone's input. I've got an e-mail in to Rusty Vest to ask about some of the points raised. "Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy
  3. Croc
    I'm a Crew pup and my main canopy is a Spectre 170. I took one of the Crew camps at Start Skydiving and they were using Spectres set up for Crew. I'm thinking about sending mine in to PD to get Crew lines. But I have a question about getting a retractable pilot chute. Will it still have a d-BAG? Since this is my only canopy, will there be any drawbacks on having a retractable pilot chute for other types of jumping? OK to take it to terminal? Thanks. Dave "Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy
  4. Croc
    Great news! Blue skies. Croc "Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy
  5. Croc
    Great advice on the bending of the fingers and toes thing. I'll try that with my students. I never have had a student spin who arched correctly; presenting a flat surface to the prevailing wind appears to exaggerate any poor body position and make what might be an arched turn into a spin. As a result I stress arching by having them practice arching while standing in front of a wall rather than lying on the ground. IMHO virtually all exit and freefall problems will go away with a proper arch. I also do as you do and teach my students how to turn as soon as I see them having a problem in freefall. This approach seems to work best for them. "Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy
  6. Croc
    One thing I would like to add to these excellent posts is that it is alright to ask your instructor to be sure and give you a boost as you go out and hang. (That's the instructor's job anyhow.) I would practice it in the plane while it is on the ground. With small students the instructor should help lift the container towards the strut. Also practice the poised exit from the step in case you feel that you cannot hang. (You can--the prop blast will help you.) Regardless where you exit keep your head up and your pelvis into the wind so that you watch the plane as you fall away from it. Your exits will improve, just keep with it. "Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy
  7. Croc
    Wait until you are financially independent. If you are serious about jumping, get a job at the DZ. Learn to pack and pay your own way. Skydiving is extremely dangerous and cannot be made safe. That is a fact. "Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy
  8. Croc
    Jerry's Skydiving Circus, Franklin, IN $11 to 4500 "Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy
  9. Croc
    Damn, let's not let another tech writer get their grubby hands on the SIM; let's get a WRITER to make it readable and MEMORABLE. In it's present form it can put a ward of insomniacs to sleep. (If you don't believe it, read it out loud to a non-jumper. I vote for a prose version of at least the FJC. Shucks, I might write one myself. "Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy
  10. Croc
    Before the era of PC, "Amos and Andy." My favorite character, Lightning. "Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy
  11. Croc
    A jumper who had a thousand jumps nearly killed us both when he spiraled down in front of me. I was on final after flying a conservative, predictable left-hand pattern. Anyone can take you out at any time. "Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy
  12. Croc
    A coach is responsible primarily for teaching two skills--adjusting fall rates and swooping to a formation. These are sometimes difficult skills to aquire, but they are easy to teach. Only above average flying skills are required; however superior communication and observational skills are needed to be effective. One hundred jumps is enough for the right kind of person. "Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy
  13. Croc
    Yesterday I had a student show up with hiking boots with hooks. We taped them up. Makes quite a fashion statement! "Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy
  14. Croc
    Not all dropzones follow the ISP outlined in the SIMS. Those dropzones will use a one page proficiency card with different requirements than the two page card used with the ISP. I suspect that DZOs using the ISP may be able to answer your questions, and DZOs who do not follow the ISP will be hard pressed to answer them. In either case, how quickly you get your A depends entirely on you--the effort you make in the ground prep and air, and the effort you make in the "book" stuff at home. Good luck! "Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy
  15. Croc
    Yes, unless you have already decided on a career path that requires a degree. I am a plumber, and I can tell you that after 29 years in the trade, the engineering skills in the US of A are going to hell. My theory is that the "good students" (i.e., the well behaved) are encouraged to go to college and steered towards engineering and the sciences without any real aptitude for it. Thus we have engineers that have spent their childhoods with their noses in books rather taking things apart to see how they work. Sorry for the rant. "Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy
  16. Croc
    What he said. "Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy
  17. Croc
    He wanted to play another year at Green Bay and now he's with the Jets? I'll bet he really wants to retire now! "Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy
  18. Croc
    Entertainment. "Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy
  19. Croc
    Survivorman vs. Bear= Boring vs. Good TV "Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy
  20. Croc
    Ryan- You can get better instruction at your DZ than "hugging the ball" or wearing baggy suits! Get with a licensed coach or instructor and do some two way jumping. It's free! Dave Crocco "Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy
  21. Croc
    I don't know how it was in the old days, but I know how it was at the tandem and AFF factory where I learned. Now I jump and instruct static line at a nearby Cessna DZ. The day it closes its doors will be the day I sell my gear. Tandem I can see. AFF sucks. "Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy
  22. Croc
    All else being equal, the speed of your flare depends on wind conditions. Are you not on a radio at this point? "Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy
  23. Croc
    My personal experience bears out Airtwardo's advice. I was VERY apprehensive about night jumps, heard all the horror stories, was encouraged to get it pencil whipped, etc. But after another season on my canopy I felt much more confident. As a matter of fact, my two night jumps last summer were the highlight of the summer. Plan your four way carefully, and don't forget to track! "Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy
  24. Croc
    That will be another $89. "Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy
  25. Croc
    You need to follow your plumber's advice and not the advice of DZ commers in this matter. Only your plumber knows whether you are capable of this repair. Get the parts in wrong and you could take out a whole city block, or, at least, cause a drip. "Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy