seekfun

OK, I figured soon enough someone would ask about the 42.5 jumps. The half-jump is my reserve ride. YeeeeHaaaaa! TTFN, topher "...there is a there out there..." - Tom Robbins

Wow, thank you everyone for the fast responses. This forum is an absolutely wonderful resource for the skydiving community. Asking questions is learning, so I'll keep posting the questions as I get them. Now, can anyone send me some blue skies via email? TTFN, topher "...there is a there out there..." - Tom Robbins

I'm a newbie with a question that popped into my head whilst staring at the damn, cloud-filled skies yesterday afternoon. In an aircraft emergency or intentional hop-n-pop, can you deploy while head-low if you're still on the hill (belly to the relative wind, i.e. diving exit)? My thinking is that the relative wind will facilitate a relatively normal opening, with the body simply swinging a little further once gravity does its thing. Can anyone confirm or deny my thinking on this? I appreciate any insight, correction, or elaboration. Rock on Milwaukee, topher "...there is a there out there..." - Tom Robbins

Quote: Talk to manufacturers of high performance canopies that also really understand wingsuits, and they'll tell you that you get a better glide from a wingsuit than a small canopy. This is something I've witnessed on many occassions, as well. Please, everyone, do not jump to conclusions about this statement. While true, please remember that to achieve these wonderful glide ratios, wing suits REQUIRE faster air speeds. So, don't go thinking you can try to land that wing suit today. It might be coming, but we've got to find someone who can run really, really fast. And with that, I'll shut up and go do some more jumps so that I can begin thinking about trying wing suit flight. TTFN, topher "...there is a there out there..." - Tom Robbins

Funks, There is an easier way...Buy an Icon. I just ordered a new system - Icon/Smart/Safire2 - and the process was simply simple. Someone above made the comment that going to someone who sells rigs all the time would help. This is true. I ordered mine from Para-Concepts at Skydive Chicago and they were immeasurably helpful. And, being so new, all of this help was wonderful. Thanks PC. Thanks Aerodyne. Good luck getting the new rig... topher "...there is a there out there..." - Tom Robbins

MM, When I first started skydiving, I was surprised with how easily I leapt from the plane, devoid of any fear or nervousness. But, as I progressed through AFF/AFP, I noticed that I developed a lot of performance anxiety that was potentially more dangerous than a healthy fear of the planet that was rushing at me. Performance anxiety can be distracting, whereas a healthy, realistic fear/respect of skydiving can heighten awareness, judgement, and even enjoyment. I've earned my A license and have been jumping regularly since. When I fun jump alone, I'm all smiles. But, when I'm invited on an RW jump, I get the nerves again. I don't like the idea of potentially wasting other people's jump money by messing up their skydive. The reality is, however, that we learn by jumping. And, every skydiver has to go through the process of having bad jumps to get to the better ones. And, no skydiver gets to the better jumps without having others share their experiences. So, I've tried to relax. I listen attentively to those who are kind enough to share knowledge (which is nearly everyone), and I try to accept criticism and praise equally. So, while I still get the nerves, I'm working on relaxing and simply enjoying the fact that I'm lucky enough to be participating in the wonderful sport of skydiving. Thank you to everyone who's accepted me so willingly. And, good luck MM. Welcome. Support Our Troops, topher "...there is a there out there..." - Tom Robbins