dmddave

I don't have a digital camera yet or a working scanner. I am probably going to get a camera this weekend, so I'll post it soon If I can.

I never planned on getting one, but decided to when I was in Moorea on my honeymoon. The first 3 minutes hurt a lot, but the remaining hour and a half was almost exhilarating. Normally I'm not that fond of pain but it was deinitely a rush watching this guy draw on my leg and knowing it's permanent.

The concern about the rsl was due to an unstable reserve deployment and I did not feel I had time to look for my rsl while in a spinning malfunction that was rapidly getting worse. And although I'm certain I still would have had to cut away, having a few extra seconds to deal with my main would have been nice.

I have an 80lb golden retriever who loves cats and everything else for that matter and a 150lb rottweiler who hates cats with an unbelievable passion (sorta like me).

Had a cut away on jump number 38 which was most likely due to my own packing error. I had pulled high intentionally because I was at a new dz and when it opened I knew I had a problem, then did controlability check and chopped because I had an rsl and was going into a spin fast. I wasn't scared at all, mainly embarrassed because I had questioned that pack job to begin with. I am seriously thinking of getting rid of the rsl because not having it would have given me a bit more time to work with my main.

I have a Wings container and my reserve flap comes untucked also. I talked to a rigger and he said it's because the way the reserve is packed. If it's packed right, it won't come untucked. I too bought my rig from Rig's an Thing's and got a great price but had to wait four months instead of the promised six to eight weeks. It was worth it though, looks good, constructed better.

I just got mine in the mail today, about an hour ago, Lic.# 40153. It took about two weeks.

ADRNALN, when did you send in your paperwork and how long did it take to receive your license? I also finished everything on the card this summer but just sent it in recently.

I tried the tunnel in Las Vegas about a year ago and found it to be nearly worthless for help in skydiving. They alternated the speed of the fan too much so I was always compensating and not able to work on any skills. Also, the baggy suits didn't help and the instructor who was awesome in the tunnel had never made a skydive. The air was much different than actual freefall.

My first time was in 1993 and was a s/l out of a 1942 Beech 18. I climbed out and put one foot on the wing, arched and let go. My canopy openly perfectly without any line twists. My friend, who I talked into jumping had a much different experience. Apparently, he climbed out 2nd after me and instead of arching, he immediately went head down, (not recommended on your first s/l). When his canopy opened it tangled around around one leg forcing him into a violent upside down spinning malfunction. Fortunately, he had the presence of mind to cut away his main and out popped a big, white, round reserve. The place we jumped had virtually no landing hazards except for some power lines 2-3 miles away which he managed to miss by about 20 feet. The funny thing is when I was under canopy I heard on my radio, instructions from the instructor saying malfunction! malfunction! cutaway! cut-away! I was shocked to hear this and immediately looked up at my canopy to see if anything was wrong, but it looked just like it was supposed to, so I wasn't about to go for the cut-away handle. Instead, I just flew my canopy like I was supposed to and watched his main pass me on the way down. When we were safely back in the hangar the DZO jokingly threated to charge him for two canopy rides and then proceeded to grill him on what a proper arch was supposed to look like. Yes, he did make another jump, with almost the same consequences. On exit the 2nd time, he again went head down and when his canopy opened the lines ripped off his shoe and watch but his main opened okay with just line twists. He definitely got more than his share of adrenalin for his $$.

The address in PA. is definitely an old one. When I ordered my AirFX suit Paul told me that they moved from PA. to Florida for better weather=more jumpers=more business.

I ordered a jumpsuit about a year ago from AirFX and the owner Paul, helped me out immensely and turned out a nice fitting suit for a good price. The address I have on their order form is 985 Riviera Ave. Sebastion,FL 32958 ph.# (561)388-2270. However, when I call their number the person answering says it is the wrong number. I have a fax# for them somewhere and will continue to look for it. Dave

How much maintennance is really needed on the canopy release system, cable, housing etc. I'm talking a new Wings in particular.

I'm waiting for my first canopy to arrive-a new spectre. Anyone have any good advice on packing this canopy such as flat pack, PRO pack rolling the nose etc?