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You have received a lot of good points here but as someone pointed out, you did some research already to find those images. As an instructor I would not allow you to modify or add to the equipment. I would introduce you to our rigger and let you discuss your ideas with him and I would talk to you as well. As far as AFF goes, as long as you arch is there any chance of falling out? I would advise you to think about why you are asking this question. Are you really afraid of the gear or are you looking for a reason not to continue jumping. The only reason to pursue skydiving is because you want to so badly that you will dedicate the time and funds and neglect other stuff in the process. You don't have anything to prove here. Make your own decisions and I hope you are happy with them. Cheers, Robin. "... this ain't a Nerf world."

I have found that you can't trust the numbers on these lenses. Even with different lenses by the same company. I tried a cheap Kenko .5 ($25 to $35) and it wasn't nearly wide enough but the SGW-05Pro is much wider than any other .5 I have seen. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=2102&A=details&Q=&sku=262059&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation This is my favorite lens so far but any lens you try is going to be something of a gamble. If you can try some lenses from other jumpers first that would be a plus, otherwise try to buy from places with a liberal return policy and be careful not to make any marks on them. There are much more expensive lenses out there but I haven't tried them after finding this one. My TRV is also wider by itself than my wifes PC101 so cameras vary too. I am not sure there is a "silver bullet" in this case. Good luck. "... this ain't a Nerf world."

So just because they wear women's undies that makes those old guys "ladies"? I can never quite decide but if it works..... "... this ain't a Nerf world."

Congrats "... this ain't a Nerf world."

Man that is a scary thought!! I have a PD113 because that is the largest my rig will accept. I just hope I don't regain consciousness long enough to unstow the breaks and then pass out again. I think I should "survive" a brakes stowed landing. I look forward to the low bulk reseves being around for a while. I'm going to go knock on wood. "... this ain't a Nerf world."

I really don't pay the wind much attention unless it is really gusty or bumpy. Just be sure and do several practice flares up high and think of how it feels like it is responding and then be sure and leave room to overshoot your target. I hope you enjoy the new toy. "... this ain't a Nerf world."

You make a very valid point. Once the equipment is in hand or the decision has been made there is nothing to gain by withholding guidance or advice. The other side of this is that these posts may effect the choices of other new jumpers who haven't yet decided to make the ill advised progression. What I will tell individual people is not necessarily the same advice I would give some of the really ambitious new jumpers I see every weekend. There is a lot of potential with these new guys and it isn't uncommon for me to be amazed at their progress. These successes can also pave the way for over confidence and some poor decisions that many would say are inevitable. I made my share and I suspect you did as well. Some canopies and progressions are more forgiving than others. For those who want to take the learning curve to such a steep level maybe getting good coaching and/or a competent mentor isn't really an option. Maybe it is needed and then they can get much more personal and accurate advice and come back here and share with me what they learned. I would be eager to read about it. I really think you make several good points but I don't think you are considering the wider reaching impact on young "mavericks" who really are looking for someone to tell them it is okay to downsize quicker because they are smarter than we were and todays wings are so much more efficient. I like to land fast for my own enjoyment but I can't claim to be much of a swooper. I have however survived some poor decisions that needlessly endangered my life. Sometimes answering questions without pointing out the risks associated can be seen as an endorsement of this kind of decision. I can see you think about what you say and I hope the rest of us do as well. I am sorry if I am sometimes too short or others are too sensitive but I will assure you I mean no harm. The life you save could be mine. "... this ain't a Nerf world."

I had the same problem so I put a layer of gaffer's tape on the underside of the plate. It totally eliminated the problem and I have only replaced it if I needed to remove the mounting screw for some reason. I also highly recomend the anti twist plate for the stills but it won't fix the looseness you are talking about. "... this ain't a Nerf world."

I was wondering if you were not coming. All that chatter about flakers and you weren't on the list. "... this ain't a Nerf world."

Well said and this also gives you more options for your landing area. It would suck to take that moment getting a stable pull only to realize you are either landing next to a busy street or in power lines. I'll have some of that altitude. "... this ain't a Nerf world."

Post: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In Reply To -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yea tuck up like you doing a canon ball as soon as you leave the plane, that way you know your instructors are earning their pay. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- umm..ya cant..they are holding onto you...lol I have video to prove that you can. I still held on but it can be one heck of a ride. Listen to the instructors for the jump you are doing right then, and limit the advice you take from others. At least run it by someone you know to be knowledgable...like your instructors. Have fun "... this ain't a Nerf world."

Find someone at your dz with a few hundred jumps and explain to them your situation. Then ask if they would like you to pack for them a few times. I know 'it sounds nuts but there are people out there that have faith in their gear and don't really enjoy packing. Until my camera equipment got too heavy to risk a snappy opening, I used to do this for people once in a while. I would watch parts of their handling of the canopy, slider, and lines but usually found my advice to be focused on not "over handling" the pack job. Seeing their work save me seemed to be a huge confidence builder. At some point you will need to trust yourself but what you are feeling now is very much a normal and healthy feeling. Good luck. "... this ain't a Nerf world."

If only this could have been posted a month ago, Nadia and I could have planned to attend.... Just kidding, we are on the way! Yeah Spence I know we have said this before but now we live in Athens so it is a lot closer CrazyRick dzmemories FlyDoc fmmobley Hushpuppy Lauraliscious nannerbanner namgrunt Popsjumper TMPattersonJr (maybe) Skymama stitch Psychobob and Psychopatty icevideot smud79 "... this ain't a Nerf world."

Jen your post makes me very happy for Bueno as well as much as it makes me happy for you. You are right about how resolute he was about living by his beliefs and I am very pleased you too spent such time together. I know it is never enough but I am happy you had what you did. As far as being argumentative, I think that word is misleading. I am accused of being outspoken (and it is likely true and without the benefit of Cliff's keen insight) and I found Cliff to be quite agreeable. The things he brought to the discussion were usually things that I hadn't noticed and we sometimes debated these much longer than they deserved. He did a wonderful job of building a case for his view and I enjoyed these discussions very much. I never quite got used to the purple PT Cruiser but it definitely fit him at the time. He showed up at our sleepy little King Air dz in a swamp in SC (not Southern Cal.... the SC on the east coast) with a fairly new AFF rating. I think he would have moved on after the weekend but our DZO loved Budweiser with rare exuberance. I endured many long dissertations on the value of having an "NCB number". He tried tirelessly to save our souls by teaching us not to buy cheap beer. Get it? NCB= No Cheap Beer. Anything worse than Newcastle would send him off to the nearest store to try and teach us more respectable habits. I truly enjoyed his friendship and can only hope people someday look back at me and remember me for being anywhere near as kind and friendly. I haven't seen him in a couple of years but the winter air holds a bit more chill knowing he has moved on to another existence. If we ever discussed religion I don't remember it but if God grades on a curve, I am certain Cliff did very well. Peace and love Cliff and I hope to meet you again someday. "... this ain't a Nerf world."

The original issue with Crossfire 1 canopies was not completely a line issue. There were also some out of tolerance cases in the sewing of the canopies. Most of the canopies were fine, some were marginal and were relined to increase safety and reliability and some were deemed to be unairworthy. If you want the true story contact Mel at http://www.skyworksrigging.com/ His dropzone handle is masterrigger1 and he was very involved in the identification and solutions to these problems. With questions involving your safety like this, it is fine to look for answers in the forums but always confirm them from a trustworthy source. After all, what do I know anyway? Mel is reputable and will steer you in the right direction. "... this ain't a Nerf world."

Yeah that is exactly what I was thinking. It is also not really possible to seperate safety and the learning curve in skydiving. Skdyiving is such a high speed sport that safety needs to be an integral part and not a add on. I understand what you meant but doing a couple of jumps every 7 days doesn't really keep the curve so steep either. "... this ain't a Nerf world."

I am sure you didn't mean that in a bad way but I can assure you there is a huge difference in how far most of us think we swooped and how far we actually went. 407 rocks Spizzzarko!!! I don't even go that far in my mind's eye. "... this ain't a Nerf world."

This brings up a good point to consider. Just because you can't jump for a while doesn't mean you can just forget about skydiving. Visualizing your skydiving procedures and keeping emergency procedures fresh in your mind will minimize the impact of a long break in jumping. If you don't forget something you don't really have to relearn it. I hope all you snow bunnies will be thinking of the skies and pulling imaginary handles this winter. You will be much safer in the spring. "... this ain't a Nerf world."

It matters less where you go than it does how you approach it. Go in with an open mind and be eager to absorb what the instructors are teaching and practice everything until you could do it in your sleep. Then when it is time to jump you are free to relax and not fight the air because you aren't struggling to remember what you are supposed to be doing. That being said, a large busy drop zone can often get you through AFF in 4 days or less but you will only get out what you put in. It is also hard to describe how helpful tunnel time is with solid coaching. Enjoy. "... this ain't a Nerf world."

I only said that condone and condonation do not have vastly different meanings as jraf stated. As for his tone, well if you openly state that many people are not going to like what you are saying because you don't agree, people who don't bother reading your statements will assume you are right. Why wade through all of those $2 words is he summed it up like that? He also attacked his own character and declared himself to be rather dispicable. I don't know him so I can't really defend him there either. Happy Christmas Eve everybody.

I agree with sundevil777. Virtually same meaning. You can lie to us but don't lie to yourself. It is kind of sad really. "... this ain't a Nerf world."

Oh come on. At least discuss it with the S&TA at the dz and let us know what his view is. I really would love to know. The next person this guy yells at may take it to heart and eventually be hurt by it. Blue Skies and Clear Airspace, Robin "... this ain't a Nerf world."

This person is clearly an idiot. Everyone here is right when they say to stand your ground with him. If the pilot isn't calling for the door a little before the time to exit then it is his fault that the exit isn't going fast enough to suit him. If this guy really works for the dz find the chief instructor or S&TA and ask them nicely whether or not you should check the spot. If the say no then ask who has to suffer the consequences of a bad spot. Then tell them to get this prick off your back. I would tell him off myself but I can be a "button pusher" at times so you don't have to confront him yourself if you don't want to. His ass chewing will carry more weight coming from someone with more experience and pull than he has. "... this ain't a Nerf world."

Was the green light on? Some pilots and DZs have different procedures and we all have the right to choose where we jump and don't jump. You are taking responsibility for the outcome whether you look or not. Of course if you are first out you can look when you open the door and not wait until the green light and if you are in a later group you look while you are giving seperation. "... this ain't a Nerf world."

IMHO It can be challenging enough to teach them to actually read the altimeter and just "notice" a ground reference. Some AFF jumps are busy enough I don't get to scan the horizon very well. I do mention the need for it whenever I am discussing the need for things like a good track and wave-off. They need to be prepared to be on their own but the first handful of jumps have plenty going on already. "... this ain't a Nerf world."