nws01

Why is there not a Jumpsuit section under Gear? Just Asking.

I have only approx. 75 RW jumps and I am not perfect. Because of my weight and lack of a quality suit if I go low I usually can not get back up and have to bail. What are the strengths of the swoop suit compared to other suits with a little more / slower fabric?

Collier County was going to make Jim West, the owner, have insurance on it whenever the dz already had all the insurance. Has to do with 9/11 and I am sure that kid who crashed in Tampa. This county is harsh. They are trying to work out the details but I believe they will be doing beach jumps until it is all figured out.

This was just planned because of the insurance problems and they are getting a new building at Immokalee and it is not there yet. So instead of not jumping they are doing beach jumps!

Naples IS meeting up at Page Field in Fort Myers and jumping out over Fort Myers Beach and landing at the Holiday Inn. Call the dz at 1.888.447.JUMP to find out more. It is a small plane and I know they have tandems so call before you come. It might be closed the dz'ers only. I used to jump there all the time but I have been in Orlando for a few weeks and missed out on the info. I got a call from some jumpers there...it is happening...and I am jumping. Call. Nathan

It is called Skydive Naples now. It was the first one until someone else took the name.

Naples is currently doing beach jumps at Ft. Myers beach instead of at Immokalee Airport. Using a C-182 to 10 K and meeting up at Page Field near Fort Myers. They are a small dz and having troubles with the insurance since 9/11 but I am going down on Saturday to do the first Naples Beach Jump. Must have a USPA C License if you are interested. However, I believe there is a new dz near Sarasota but I can not remember the name. Sorry. Nathan

My question is the alternatives. I am young at 26. Business I know ...Skydiving I am learning but what about other goals. Becoming a pilot. Summitting Mt. Everest! What else

Besides skydiving...what do you want to accomplish in life?

Everyone thinks that downsizing to an elliciptal "swoop machine" canopy should be when they feel comfortable with their current canopy. I was impressed in the interview in the recent Parachutist with J.C. Coclasure with his canopy progression. Parachutist: Describe your canopy progression starting as a student. JC: Manta 240 - 15 Jumps Sabre 210 - 40 Jumps Sabre 190 - 100 Jumps Sabre 150 - 100 Jumps Stilleto 150 - 900 Jumps Stilleto 135 - 200 Jumps Stilleto 120 - 300 Jumps Icarus FX 115 - 1,000 FX 112 - 1,000 VX 94 - 1,500 This guy is 6'4 205 exit weight. I am no expert but I think think people with experience will recommend that when you become experienced with you current canopy such as a PD 190 making a small decrease to a 170 than a 150 then to an elliciptical will save your life. Too many of us are injured / killed moving to canopies with too much performance at a too high wing loading and that is the top reason skydivers are killed / injured nowadays. Yes we are confident but also remember we want to be around to jump again. Anyone agree? -Nathan

I have 100+ jumps and I will always jump with someone new. How else will they learn? I am a newbie myself and my personal preference is to not use the RSL. That's all. I am from a small dz and just moved to Orlando where I have several dz's in the area. I am looking forward to attending Skydive University, Sky Venture etc. My own 2 cents.

I disconnect on big ways (not saying an eight way is a really big way) because I am usually jumping with newbies and I have seen entanglements. If I cut and have to pull out the knife and chop I want to allow ample time to get everything away before I pull the reserve. I might be wrong but it makes sense to me.

I just moved to Orlando. Staying at a friends house but will have a place by then. Send me an e-mail as it gets close. I will not only attend but you can crash and we can go to a few dz's in the area to perform our newly acquired skills. Nathan

I was on a 8 way at Lake Wales. I drove three hours to get there and it was the first jump. Because it was RW jump I disconnected my RSL and got on the Casa. At the two minute call I checked my handles and noticed my cutaway handle was tucked behind the rig. I fixed it and had an awesome 8 way. Tracked away, looked around, deployed and the lines were twisted and the slider was all the way up the lines. I tried to kick and twist my way out with no luck. I got to the hard deck and grabbed my cutaway, grabbed my reserve handle and chink chink. I fell feet to earth and next thing I know I have my red PD Reserve above my head and I am watching the freebag and canopy fall to earth. RSL...my opinion you do not need it if you do the emergency procedures. Practice when you gear up, and at door call. You will do it.

I would demo his Samurai tomorrow but then I would not be here anymore afterwords so maybe I won't. Recover quick so we all can jump together. The only reason why I said this is because I am not ready for his canopies yet. But when I am...I will buy. www.bigairsportz.com Nathan

The weather is great in the Tampa / Orlando area. Nice and warm. do you jump at Aerohio? Nathan

I would demo his Samurai tomorrow but then I would not be here anymore afterwords so maybe I won't. Recover quick so we all can jump together. Nathan

My friend has a Crossfire 119 and he demo'd a Nitron and said he definetly liked the crossfire better. However, he sent his crossfire to Icarus because of the recall and he has had serious line twists almost on every jump since it came back.

Better yet send her e-mails periodically. This is her second accident involving the sport. She was taken out by someone doing head down up north last year and was just returning to the sport. She was supposed to work at the Olympics this year doing graphics and that is now off. She needs our support so ALL skydivers need to respond. Her e-mail is sunnydove@hotmail.com Thanks, Nathan

Dove broke her tibia on Monday and will be out from skydiving / work for awhile. Start posting get wells so we will provide her some sort of entertainment. She is a great person. Nathan

I jumped in Marathon last week with the group from Homestead. The airport let them jump. AerOhio owners brought there twin otter down and it was awesome. We jumped Tuesday and Wednesday and there was probably only 8 people there on Wednesday and the Aerohio owners went up anyway. The landing area is small and really rocky and there was tons of turbulence from the concrete and trees. Power lines about four stories high are right by the landing area and there is a major road with lots of traffic there too. You have to have a C license / 100 jumps to do it and you must rent flotation gear. The group from Aerohio talked about doing it again in March. I would definetly contact them to have them e-mail you if they do. You jump out over the ocean and all you can see is water all around with a little piece of land down below to land on. Sunset load we did hop and pops from 14k and it was one of the most amazing things I have ever done. 14 K every load for only $20 jump tickets. Nathan

Will do spell check next time.

So the owners of the company I work for and I had a disagreement and we came to a mutual agreement that I was leaving. The problem was that I was at the job as much as they wanted because I was always out skydiving or I was studying books on it or online at dz.com studying the sport. I am now leaving the city I lived in and moving to Orlando/Tampa depending on where I can find a job. I am now jobless and will be staying at a friends house near Orlando so I am anxious to meet anyone in the area. I also am interested in Skydive University so if anyone instructs or has taken the clas let me know. My priorities are straight...skydiving first. Nathan

I just got a G3 three weeks ago with soft handles. Had my first cut away on my fifth jump. (Packing Error). I had no problems with the cutaway or the reserve pull. I say pull because I just yanked the hell out of it and a few brief seconds later...aahhhh. Nice red canopy above me flying gracefully. I do not know the cons but at least know one PRO!!! Nathan "The one who always owes beer for some reason".

Dove, I will be there on the 11th with Roy from Rigs and Things and probably at least a 4 Way Team and Camera Flyer. I know you want to Freefly so we will do a Head Down and try to Carve around our Videographer and then we will do relative work! Great times with Great people...