tigra

I did my first 2 tandems and AFP 13 with Kris Bagwell.

There's a pretty detailed report on Wreck Skydiving. He's OK. The person who wrote it up was a friend of the jumper's who saw it from above. He didn't mention a collision or near collision- just a low turn under a small high performance canopy he was demoing.

First, I think PD Slinks are for PD canopies only- I'm almost positive that applies to reserve Slinks, but I'm not sure about mains. I have "slinks" on my sabre, my spectre, and the reserve in my wings container. The PD Slinks are reusable soft links, and are not difficult to install. But, if you aren't familiar with hooking a canopy up to risers, then have a rigger do it or at least check your work. Shouldn't be too expensive for either the soft links or the riggers help. What did your canopy come with? Isn't your rig all put together already? If so, you can just have your rigger change to the slinks next time you need a repack.

Watch the price when buying a used Cypres. Its been mentioned before, but the price of a new cypres has come way down. If you shop, you can find a new one for around $900.00. With a used older unit, you need to consider the cost of maintenance and batteries when deciding just how much you are saving. Batteries need to be replaced every 2 years- say $60.00 give or take? Every 4 years it needs to be sent in for a complete inspection (plus new batteries) and that runs around $200.00, give or take (not including rigging.) I'm pretty sure a rigger needs to install/ reinstall the unit, and the batteries. Just something else to consider. I've seen people asking $500.00 for a 4 year old cypres still due for its 4 year check. If you are new to the sport and don't know any better, you might think that's a pretty good deal.

Paula, Your first 36 way IS a big deal. But do you really need an award to tell you that?? I have a photo on my desk of my first completed 44 way. That picture (and the feeling when I landed ) mean more to me than any award or certificate that the USPA might send me. I guess for me, the USPA awards don't mean as much as one of my peers or mentors telling me I did a good job, or me KNOWING I did a good job. I'd like to see and do more sequential big ways. 5 point 20 ways, 4 point 40 ways. Build it, fly it and turn points! Now, that's relative work!

No problems with mine. I love it. And I haven't heard or seen anyone else with a Wings that has that problem.

For the record Phree, The organizers did cut people and they did turn people away, even though they were short the 300 people they wanted to set a new record. Safety was very important to all of the participants and organizers. Jumpers at SDC and across the country were doing "big ways" all season (and the previous season as well) in preparation for the event, and skills of all the skydivers who wanted on the attempt were being evaluated constantly. If you couldn't cut it, if you weren't a team player, if you had 1000 jumps, but not enough "big way" experience, you didn't get on, plain and simple. Did the organizers do what they could to lure Jerry Bird and others to the event? Of course they did! But the 200 jump wonders who showed up with their D licenses were politely but firmly turned away. The men and women that participated in that record attempt showed a great deal of heart throughout the week, and every day more and more qualified skydivers showed up. These weren't sky gods, just regular everyday "weekend warriors" who worked their asses off to be qualified to participate in a record attempt like this. They were proud to be there, and ready and willing to do their absolute best. By the end of the week, there were enough qualified skydivers to set a new record. And, yes, some scrambling was done to get licenses and FAI cards in order. A lot of people around the world worked overtime to help out so that any record would be "official" if it happened. If you weren't there, and didn't see the faces of the participants as the boarded their aircraft, or finally packed up and left the hangar at the end of a 14 hour day. If you didn't see the captains and organizers late at night sorting out the day's jumps and planning for the next, why speculate and comment about what really went on? Why insult the participants or the organizers? And Steve, Yes, these large formations are very risky. Just one person not being in the right place at the right time can cause a serious accident or fatality. Everyone knows that from the start, and makes their decisions accordingly. A detailed staged breakoff and deployment plan is practiced for every dive, and that plan needs to be followed in order to prevent the kind of accident that happened in 2000. I have mixed feelings about the quest for a world record 300 way. I can't help but wonder if the risk is too high, but a part of me also wants to participate. I'm not sure if the opportunity will ever come up, but if it does, that's a decision I will need to make at that time.

Welcome! The beer drinking is a definate plus to your career as a skydiver! And while there are a lot of youngsters in this sport, there are aslo plenty of people your age and older, and plenty in the middle too. Some are veterans, and some are just starting like you. That's one of the things that is so cool about skydiving. We are a pretty diverse group of people. Your shoulder is something to watch and be careful of, but don't let it stop you. As Lisa suggested, work on strengthening exercises in preparation for AFF, and jump a more docile, slow opening canopy. I think a canopy would really have to spank you in order to dislocate your shoulder, and if it opened that hard you would probably have more to worry about than your shoulder or how to steer. Check in and let us know your progress. Too bad you have to wait until April, but at least you will be warmer!

Well, any time the riggers seal or the reserve packing data card are missing and/ or appear to be tampered with, that's cause for a red flag. Especially since this is unfamiliar gear. Add to that the missing cypres (which I assume he thought he was buying) and the lack of response to emails or phone calls and I guess I would be concerned as well. Even if the rig appeared to be otherwise perfectly fine. Personally, I'd be concerned about buying or selling any used gear over the internet or phone. I wouldn't buy used gear without having it checked out by a rigger I trust (even from someone I know) and test jumping it. And I'd be hesitant to send a canopy or rig to a buyer (or prospective buyer) without payment first, and without them test jumping it.

Definately get rid of the velcro toggle stows. I think its Relative Workshop that makes the risers with the pin for the excess brake line? They are nice, and I think thats a great way to stow excess brake line. (and I think its a good idea to stow excess brake line, especially with a Stiletto, although I know a lot of packers just leave it loose.) Why shorter risers, though? Are you having a problem reaching the slider? I asked about mini risers when I got my Wings container, and I was told they came with smaller toggles, so I said no thanks. Wouldn't want to lose a toggle in the middle of a 180 degree hook! But, I'm sort of paranoid about that. I like to keep a firm grip on my toggles, and I don't want to have any problems getting my hands through them, with or without gloves. As far as the slider behind your head, well I guess you wouldn't be doing that until you had a good canopy, but there were 3 fatalities last year with camera flyers whose gear got caught in the camera helmet after a cutaway, so I guess that is something to consider. Just my opinion. Don't know about the 3 rings, and I don't fly with a camera. blues!

Thank you! For a minute I thought I was the crazy one.....

Sounds to me like you are ready to jump with other people, but what do I know??? A few solos are fine to get you comfortable in the air by yourself, but after a certain point, you really need to jump with other people. It doesn't have to be a coach, maybe someone else just off student status that wants to do 2 ways.

Rob, What I do in that situation is a little more conservative and a little more controlled. I just tighen up my arch and bring my arms in, make myself "small". Then I can drop straight down fairly quickly. We do a lot of "big ways" at my dz, and if I tried the stand or sit approach, I'm pretty sure I'd be axed off the next load and not asked on another.

If she's floaty even with a tight suit, and plans to do any type of RW, then a weight vest is a good option. Face it, she can only arch so much. Both of you will learn more control with your fall rates as you gain more experience, and jumping together is a good way to do that. Things like booties and swoop chords can help, just like weights can help you go faster, but in the end they are just tools so try not to become too dependent on them, and don't let them compensate for sloppy body position. Two things I hear a lot- which sound kind of contradictory- "Fly your body, not your suit!" and "Dress for success!". Blue ones!

I have to say that a properly fitting jumpsuit is really important for RW. And also one that fits your individual needs. Do you fall fast or slow? Will you be using it for 4 way mainly, or big ways? My first 2 suits were Tony Suits, and I'm happy with them. Well made, and good customer service. But my newest suit is by Zute Sutes and it is far and away my favorite, and flies the nicest for me. I got the spandex wing with the continuous swoop chord, and it rocks! Way more control! 1st thing you need to do is have someone (either the manufacturer or a qualified dealer) measure you. Don't even attempt to take your own measurements, or have a buddy do it for you. This is so important in the fit of the suit! Then decide what you need in a suit. Booties? Fat grippers? Swoop chords? Spandex wing? Tight suit, slightly baggy? Slick fabric or higher drag? And order accordingly. I think the price and turn time between Zute Sutes and Tony is pretty comparable, as is the quality. But, I gotta tell you, I love my Zute Sute! Part of it was being able to order it directly from the person who made the suit, Jenny, (who also took the measurements and helped with fabric selection and design) and having it personally delivered when it was done. Now that's service!

OK, I'll add my .02......... The whole Freak Brother thing started before my time too. FB 1& 2 are Carl and Roger Nelson respectively. I never had the opportunity to meet Carl, but both he and Roger have done a lot for the sport over the years, and the freak brother movement continues. We still try and get our Freak Brother numbers, and you still see plenty of hats and patches at my dz. Maura FB4100

You might want to check out Zute Sute. She does a great job and has a lot of different fabrics to choose from.

RW rocks. Its so cool when things start to click. Like nailing the exit or turning points on the slide! Or just flying in for a smooth dock. Congrats!! and thanks for sharing.......

A friend had a premature deployment last summer. The PC came out of the pouch, wrapped around his arm and dislocated his elbow. **OUCH** He didn't unstow brakes. Basicly just steered the canopy (a jedei) with his body, pointed himself into the wind and plf'd. aside from the arm, he was OK.

Nice job, Chris! Sorry I missed out on the beer. Sounds like you made the safe decision up high, and you were lucky enough to get a ride back!

Sorry, guys, but if the winds are insane enough to drag you while on the ground, then they are insane enough to inflate your reserve. I know someone who broke her back that way. That's why people recommend disconnecting your RSL on a windy day. But, IMHO, if its windy enough to consider chopping ON THE GROUND, than it is probably too windy for most of us to be jumping. (I know, I know, 60 degrees in January, in the midwest. Kind of hard to resist.......) In the midwest, unseasonably warm usually means funky winds as well- just something to think about.

want some cheese to go with that whine? sorry, couldn't resist.........................

Actually, it sounds like something skydivers would do on a cloudy or windy day! Nothing quite like a bored skydiver......Did anyone check their cars for skydiving bumper stickers?

I agree with Lisa. Go bigger on the reserve, especially since a bigger one will fit, and you are obviously uneasy about the one you have. Double check with the manufacturer and/or rigger as to what would fit. I think my rigger said a PD143 has about the same pack volume as a Raven or Tempo 150. It shouldn't be too hard to fnd someone with a little container who needs a little reserve and wants to save some cash if it comes to that. You might lose a little money, but you will feel better about your reserve.

It says the kid made a mistake, pulled low, then had a malfunction he did not have time to deal with, lost altitude awareness and cutaway and tried to deploy his reserve way too low. This sport can be pretty unforgiving at times. Blaming anything other than human error would be a mistake. I'm not saying the canopy wasn't a factor, but you can't blame the canopy or the dz for his decision to pull low, or for his loss of altitude awareness. In the end, we are all responsible for our own lives.