rapper4mpi

I work in advertising and design and went to college for it (graduated in 98). A mac is your best bet, even if you switch majors. The new macs are entirely compatible with PCs, and the software (office) comes standard with it, so no need to pirate anything. My advice is this....Go to www.smalldog.com You can't beat the price or customer service, trust me! -Rap

I'm going and plan on getting a high altitude, helicopter and balloon jump in....I'll also be shooting up to Summerfest as well. -Rap

How soon are you looking to downsize? If you wait a little bit, Big Air Sportz is in the testing stage of a cross-braced airlocked canopy that is amazing. Mike Swanson has two of them currently. -Rap

At our DZ, we notted up an old Static line and climbed down it hanging about 10 feet below the bottom of the Cessna, makes for a greta shot, make sure you either have someone in the aircraft to pull it back in, or the pilot! -Rap

I would suggest going with www.freeflytrainingcenter.com located in Sebastian. Mike Swanson, Dave Brown, Rob Silver and Chris Lynch are some of the best in the scene, and have been around for many, many years. The best part about them is they are real people, down to earth and easy to undrestand. They are professional, but not so serious that they intimidate you. I would suggest emailing them to find out who is where because some of them may be training this summer up North. Good luck! -Rap

Wow, I'm surprised, I used UPS, shipped a rig from Vermont to Las Vegas via COD and had my check within 10 days, very impressed. I would go to the drop off location or the nearest headquarters and see what is up! -Rap

Basically you ave to consider your fall rate. The tighter the suit, the quicker and more precise your movements will be, but also you can become more unstable. If you are a fast faller go with a suit made out of heavier material, and a little baggy. If you are a slow faller, get a suit made out of lighter material and less baggy. Unless you weigh over 200 pounds you can probably get away with a regular fitting suit. Most times when people are fast fallers it has more to do with body position than anything. The goal is to have a suit that will allow you to fly at a good comfortabel speed in a neautural position so you have room to speed up and slow down when needed. Good luck. -Rap

Check out www.ground-rush.com Go to the used gear page and they list about 5 sites. I personally use the following: www.dropzone.com, www.enclave.com, Barry's page, www.skydivechicago.com, all these combined should help out. -Rap

The best questions that I use to evaluate skill level is to just ask the what type of freeflying they are doing. If their answer is "Well, I'm still in a sit and I'm learning transitions" this would tell me they are still beginners and I should probably not jump with them if I'm learning too. Another thing to watch out for is the beginning head downers, probably even more dangerous to jump with. So get an idea of what they are doing on their head, and if they are just learning headdown, don't be afraid to ask them to stay on their feet for this jump. Use your judgement and a good out if you are unsure is to just say "I'm going to work on some stuff, so I'll go solo" Good luck! -Rap

I've dealt with Marcus at Pier LTD many times before and have nothing but good things to say about him! -Rap

Bill I agree, I hate that it came to this but,... "The Plaintiffs' were given 3 different opportunities to drop the case without the Defendants pursuing their counterclaims, costs, and fees according to Hawkes." So basically you have to spend a ton of money to defend yourself if someone decides to take you to court. Then they lose, and walk away? Meanwhile you have spent $700.00 to prove that you are innocent? I think I lot less cases would even go to court if the plantiffs have to pay the defenses court costs if the plantiffs lose. Just a thought. Regardless, it does set precidence. A dropzone I know of has been in a 12 year battle with the town who wants to throw them off a federally funded airport. Does the FAA step in? NO, does the USPA do anything? NO. The only way to survive after being brought to court is to counter sue to get that money back. Anyway, just my thoughts! It's Friday and I'm gonna jump this weekend! -Rap

Press Release 05/24/02 "Six weeks ago, Co-Defendants Joseph Herbst (Fun Jumper), Skydive Las Vegas Inc., and Michael Hawkes won a Unanimous Defense Jury Verdict in a Wrongful Death Lawsuit brought by the Parents and Family of Fun Jumper / Cameraman Vic Pappadato. The Pappadato's expressed a desire to appeal the verdict. The Co-Defendants spend approximately $700K over the last three years in their defense. Today, Las Vegas District Court Trial Judge Michael Cherry jointly awarded a total of almost $440K worth of Legal Costs and Attorney Fees to be reimbursed to the Co-Defendants from the Plaintiffs. The Pappadato's wrote in their pleading that such a judgment would put them into Bankruptcy. Michael Hawkes stated that he doesn't have any sympathy since the Pappadato’s had been trying to Bankrupt SLV and the other Co- Defendants for the last 3 years, especially by asking for a $9 Million Wrongful Death, and $3 Million Emotion Distress Claims. The Plaintiffs' were given 3 different opportunities to drop the case without the Defendants pursuing their counterclaims, costs, and fees according to Hawkes. Hawkes noted that he has worked thousands of hours over the last 3 years trying to set this precedence so that all future Plaintiffs and Attorneys will know that Skydivers are not easy targets, and won't bow-down to threats and intimidation. " Don't mess with us! -Rap

I couldn't resist...Nice, very nice! -Rap

I would also suggest, among all these other fine suggestions, to check out in the gear section on "dropzone". There is a new section with jumpsuits and pictures, it might help you with ideas. Good luck! -Rap

You didn't state how many jumps you have total? I think you are asking for trouble by even going with the 150. That would still put you at an innappropriate wing loading which is considered appropriate for experienced/aggressive pilots. At 100 jumps with the majority on a Spectre 170, I know you would be quite happy on the Cobalt 170, and this would put you in a fun wingloading of 1.2 I'm sure it is easy to discard my opinion, but coming from an instructor, you should at least consider buying a used semi-elliptical 170, putting another 130-150 jumps on it, then go for the new 150. Good luck! -Rap

Another thing to consider if you find yourself consistantly below jumpers is your jumpsuit. Fast fallers should have baggier jumpsuits made out of heavier material. This will allow you to have a slower neuteral fall rate without sacrificing body position. Also, to slow up and cover a lot fo ground, simply going onto your back is not always the best way. In fact, it is better to keep the neuteral "sit" position and pivot backwards as of your hips is the axis, all the while keeping your form. This is what I have been taught by Brian Germain and Mike Swanson. Have fun and be careful out there! -Rap

I knew I could not resist giving my two cents. I think you are asking for trouble by even going with the 150. That would still put you at a wing loading of 1.4 which is considered appropriate for experienced/aggressive pilots. At 130 jumps with the majority on a Spectre 170, I know you would be quite happy on the Cobalt 170, and this would put you in a fun wingloading of 1.2 I'm sure it is easy to discard my opinion, but coming from an instructor, you should at least consider buying a used semi-elliptical 170, putting another 130-150 jumps on it, then go for the new 150. Good luck! -Rap

I hope you are not considering a Vengence? Flyhi has almost 1,000 jumps, as you do not. Stick with what you are currently flying, OR ask your DZ instructors for advice. Good Luck. -Rap

Hmmmm, I ordered mine this year (I think March) and got it within 3 weeks. I wonder what is up? -Rap

I shipped my gear C.O.D. I knew what I was selling was good, and shipping C.O.D is not too expensive either.

I currently own two freefly Michigan Suits. Of course I have good things to say about them, but I have a story to tell instead. I placed my online order for my new Michigan suit, and hit the "SEND" button. After reviewing my color choices I realized that I put the wrong colors in the wrong spots. oops! So I immediately called Mike and he noted the correction. 3 weeks later my awesome suit arrived and fit great. But wait, something didn't quite look right???? Well, the color change never made it through, and it got lost in the shuffle. I called Mike, he apologized, made no excuses. He asked if the suit fit well and if so, send it back and he will fix the color problems. I sent it back to him 2-day and called him on the day it was scheduled to arrive to confirm delivery. He said he received the suit and I should be getting mine in a day or two. Wow, how's that for service. He made me a new suit and sent it immediately, before the orginal even got back to him. Mike makes an awesome suit, the quality in construction, and customer service makes the Michigan suit, my suit of choice! -Rap

At 250 jumps I would suggest you shy away from all elliptical canopies. Furthermore, with a wingloading of 1.45 you may be asking for trouble. I would suggest going with a lightly tapered canopy with a wing loading around 1.2 to 1.3 max (if you're good). I also would check the experience level of people giving you advice on this forum before actually taking any of their advice. If you are unsure still, ask around your DZ to the instructors as they know you and your flying ability best. This is the key, ask those that know your flying best and are qualified to give you advice. I'm going to ignore any protests from anyone that took this post personally, so don't bother flaming. Anyway, good luck and be safe! -Rap

Heather, yes I've heard of both. Both have been very popular in the past. I put about 175 jumps on a Blue racer with a fury 220 in it. Great transition gear, very reliable. Just by chance, who is selling this gear? Do you have a name for the person? Thanks. -Rap

I did an informal survey at my DZ. I looked at about 8 pilotchutes, 2 had the apex above the skirt, probably from age (shrunken kill-line). But about hlf had the support tape sewn incorrectly not on the bias. Very interesting. -Rap

Mark, I had a Vector II DOM 1993. Although it was in great shape and the pin protector flaps always stayed closed, I still did some modifications. The biggest and most important was to make sure the riser cover velcro was fresh. I also had a small piece of velcro to hold the bridle secure from the closing flap to the BOC pouch. I didn't do a lot of headdown, but put about 550 sitfly jumps on this rig with no problems. Just watch your closing loop and all other components. Of course once I got the money I purchased a V3 about a month ago. Love it! -Rap