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I think you did a great job with the video and the post. Thanks. I know you understand this but to anyone having to make this decision remember you can spend the rest of your life trying to fix your gear. If in doubt.... "... this ain't a Nerf world."

This takes us back to marks' response near the beginning. Jun 85 would make it old enough to go drinking. I will occasionally jump a main older than that but would try to avoid it as a reserve. You can do much better than that. I didn't really try to count the cells. One of the riggers would do a much better job anyway "... this ain't a Nerf world."

So you think an idiot under a round doesn't stand a better chance than an idiot under a ram air? I would think the slower forward speed of a round alone would make it more forgiving of misguided input or no input. You don't think so? I have 6 jumps under a PC and it is light years ahead of a true round and you had to plan far ahead in order to "fly it precisely". Do you disagree? "... this ain't a Nerf world."

I would agree with either decision. Remember, the higher you are the more options you have for landing. And for those who think opening lower will help with finding the freebag remember it falls faster than a person under canopy. With a little altitude you may see where it lands and still have time to land safely yourself. We all live with our own decisions so choose your poison. "... this ain't a Nerf world."

Don't be so hard on yourself. It is good that you are willing to take responsibility but remember that we all make errors in judgment. Often they don't result in a collision or get caught on video so we may not recognize they ever happened. Skydiving comes with risk and we all know that and accept it. We also know that we have the responsibility to do everything we can to protect each other. I am sure you have learned from this and so have I. Now is the time to stop kicking yourself and be grateful we can all enjoy the holidays. Thanks Jason, I have a few friends that can benefit from this. Cheers, Robin "... this ain't a Nerf world."

I don't really understand this preoccupation with "twitchy" canopies. I prefer the feeling of canopies loaded between 1.9 and 2.4 . At those loadings movement in the harness is a form of input. That doesn't mean that I can't put the risers together and turn 180 in the harness. It just means the weight needs to be even to do it. I have always found Crossfires to be quite responsive so I am wondering what kind of trim issues the Katana you speak of had. Or maybe is was just pilot "perception" because you felt you were over your head. I have been pleased with the opening and flight of the handful of Katanas I have jumped and enjoyed all but one Crossfire2 opening. That one slammed me but once open it flew and landed great. I may be the only one who doesn't get this twitchy label from experienced pilots at heavy loading but I kind of doubt I am. "... this ain't a Nerf world."

Have faith in the fact that it is very hard to maintain that level of intensity. My wife's parents hated her skydiving but gradually over about 2 years they relaxed a bit and now her dad has done 2 tandems. Her mom probably never will but she is okay with my wife jumping since she obviously enjoys it so much. As far as doing anything that would be contributing in such an early stage? I can't imagine that would have happened. Don't let this difference drive a wedge between you. They only want to do what is good for you and can probably only come to terms with it in their own time. Ask for stuff you can trade in for cash and then pay for your own jump. "... this ain't a Nerf world."

And don't forget one important thing. If you are not going to become proficient at flying parachutes, you will be much safer under a less controllable round than under a ram air. He slipped that last post in while I typed. "... this ain't a Nerf world."

Vector owners don't like to look cool??? I know some that do. No one may be talking up the wonderhog logo but I still see it on mudflaps occasionally. It has never occurred to me to attack the rig over the logo but if that is the worse thing about the rig, I guess it makes sense. Kinda says very good things about the Mirage doesn't it. Maybe it isn't too late to ask Santa for a G4....I been pretty good.... "... this ain't a Nerf world."

That is it! Rush the downsize so you can buy the rig you want and then when you are mending in the hospital, you can try to locate a larger rig to get recurrent on. Try not to encourage early downsizing. We all know where that can take us. 200 nice landings will not justify the 1 mistake that breaks you. Just because a lot of people survive driving drunk doesn't make that a good idea either. Try to avoid using canopy sizes in general statements since all skydivers don't have the same exit weight. I don't mean to single you out because I know you mean well but this advice is potentially very dangerous to our new jumpers. "... this ain't a Nerf world."

I think Beth was polite and I don't mind her asking for footage at all. I also doubt they will be able to retire off of this DVD. There is always a chance they won't even break even. Since you have so much good footage why don't you edit it on your $2500 computer and sell it through paragear and those other stores. If it is really good I will buy one and give you a kudo or two. Where can I pick up those kudos anyway and how many come in a box? "... this ain't a Nerf world."

You should listen to this. It comes from a guy who knew everything and was unhappy about it a short while ago. Now I hear he is on the path to becoming a fine skydiver. It is possible to clutter your mind and become very difficult to teach. "... this ain't a Nerf world."

Of course the micron is an excellent rig. I just got too good of a deal on the Voodoo to pass up. I wonder why an almost new rig was so cheap? Oh yeah, it only holds a 113r and a sub 100 main. That sorta trims down the market. "... this ain't a Nerf world."

You don't like vaginas? That may clear things up "... this ain't a Nerf world."

Now you tell me So what do I do with this smooth rock I found? "... this ain't a Nerf world."

That must have been after some old timey rw tracking "... this ain't a Nerf world."

So are you saying heavy loading makes openings harder? Most canopies I have jumped in the last few years have been loaded between 1.9 and 2.3 . The opening issues I have had have mainly been corrected by new lines. I also have seen too many students get spanked even though their loading is very light. I don't think the loading is an issue here. "... this ain't a Nerf world."

lol, plenty of time for that stuff later. "... this ain't a Nerf world."

Congrats and I hope you have a great jump. Now let me caution you on soliciting too much advice. A lot of preconceived notions will just make it harder on you and your instructors. At first try to limit it to advice from instructors that you can look in the eye and be certain you understand what they are saying. Make a note of anything you don't understand during the class and if it isn't answered during class be sure to bring it back up. In the middle of a jump is a lousy time to remember what you forgot to ask. Most things become clear during the ground work though. Enjoy the skies "... this ain't a Nerf world."

You are right. When I read your post all I saw was someone urging jumpers to make their own decisions and forget what the pilot says. I was in a King Air stall when I had less than 70 jumps. Looking at a video on the plane we determined we lost 2500' in 4 seconds. The pilot was too busy for long discussions and simply said "weight forward" and proceeded to work his ass off. Had we been rushing the door, he couldn't have regained control. The other thing I saw was a recommendation of bailing out at 500'. Have you ever stood on anything 500' high and thought of jumping off and opening a parachute? Not to mention as someone else pointed out, you may not even stay at 500' long enough to get out and if you do, our reserve systems are not exactly packed for BASE jump altitudes. We can only go by what you write and don't know what you are thinking. You also have to take into account all the low timers who read your post here. How would you feel sitting in the plane and watching them start a panic toward the door after you decided that the pilot knows what he is doing this time? No one is intentionally distorting what you have written. It is just hard not to get a little emotional when we see how dangerous it could be to a lot of good people. I hope you can understand my point of view. I am trying to see yours.

I know... there you are minding your own business and out of nowhere....someone threw a planet at you!!! Interesting thing about relaxing. You can't force yourself to do it. You have to redirect that energy somewhere else. Thinking about your breathing helps most people. So next time just relax and breathe and I am sure your instructors can get you through this. Remember this is fun and don't psych yourself out. You will be fine. "... this ain't a Nerf world."

I would print out a copy of that response just in case a different person checks in your gear. Might avoid a little hassle and confusion. "... this ain't a Nerf world."

And logo envy rears it's ugly head.... It is a sad day folks. Lets give him his dignity and try not to stare. "... this ain't a Nerf world."

I am not a pilot either but I think under most emergencies the weight (us jumpers) is not really helping the situation. If I am told to buckle up I would assume there is a good reason. We are only the "pilot in command" once under canopy. Inside the aircraft the FAA is clear on who is in charge. Robin "... this ain't a Nerf world."

Of course, hitting them may be the only way to get them to see you I'm sorry I just can't help cracking on an old guy once in a while. Nothing personal "... this ain't a Nerf world."