skreamer

Also, if you are cleared for freefall but are still a bit nervous, there is NOTHING wrong with doing another SL PRCP just to give you that extra bit of confidence. You are going to be the one jumping out of the plane and pulling that rip-cord, so you need to be happy with your ability to do it in a timely fashion. And remember, absolutely everybody was scared before their first freefall (AFF, IAD, tandem, SL progression - everybody), accept that you are going to be scared and then go over your drills and rehearse what you are going to do when you leave that plane (and practice your EPs repeatedly as well).Visualize, visualize, visualize. Then when you have made your first freefall, come tell us about it, because there is a family of about 60 000 waiting to welcome you!

Slightly off-topic, but why is the UK altitude for graduation clear 'n pulls so high? In South Africa it is '4 000, in the states I joined an AFF graduation load (v. cheap JT) from '3 000 for a hop 'n pop. Local safety regulations like the gear check before boarding are great - but a clear 'n pull from '5 000? Gives me a whole lot more respect for UK SL progression students. Will

Next time somebody farts in the plane, I am DEFINITELY using that phrase!

I'm white trash!

Hey cloud, I hope that isn't an air traffic control room!!!

Click here!

Hmmmm, yes, you're just jealous because you don't get invited on my solo RW jumps... Man, I can't wait until Friday, I met Allan at Langar this past weekend, he finally got to jump again and made 6 jumps on Saturday alone (nice bloke even if he does drink girly beers - and not many at that!). Now all I have to do is figure how to get all 3 of you in a death-grip, maybe use my legs in a WWF-style head-lock? hee hee, can't wait man, we are gonna have a BLAST!!! /s

hee hee, well put, that's funny! Actually when I have jumped with experienced jumpers they always did seem to be laughing a lot in freefall, I never could figure out why... /s

You make some excellent points Carl. What I also do is when I am under canopy at about '1 000 (just before I start my downwind leg), is take a good look at the ground and tell myself, 'yes it is f$^^$ing close, but if you have to, you will F^$%ing pull those handles'. If possible I also take a quick grip on the handles (just to feel where they move to under canopy). I do feel sorry for the friends and family of the guy who died, but my thoughts also go out to his AFF JM who has to live with the 'what if' questions. /s

So Carl, how is your Wagner power sprayer franchise doing? /s

Oops, sorry dude, don't check that one too often - use it to protect me from the cyber-stalkers (you know, people like Ric ) I still need an autograph for that last jump, was at Langar this weekend, but had a cold so just helped out with tandems and drank lots (hey, cheap red wine is a cold remedy right?). Yeah, the on-line logbook looks pretty good (put a nice skin on it though!). Why not post that link on the forum and see what everybody else thinks of it? /s

And you guys thought I was farting in the plane? hee hee - Still haven't found a buyer for that redundant kidney of mine, but I do now have a personal loan and an extended over-draft - woo-hoo, no more crappy 3 jump weekends for me!!! About the topic of this thread, I think you guys are missing out on one very important point : it is always scarier the second time. Everything I have tried : static line jumps, bungi jumps, new mountain-bike trails etc - they ALL were scarier the second time. So yes, well done to all the tandem *students*, but the second jump when you aren't all fuzzled by sensory overload and actually start looking around and thinking about things - THAT is the sphincter crimping moment. So maybe once they get home, watch the video a couple of times, all the 'I'm still alive, life is great!' exhiliration wears off, then the doubts start creeping in. /s PS of course EVERY jump with Ric and Gus scares me!!! (but that's cause they can't track....) PPS but the ride to altitude is a right laugh!

I wouldn't mind doing another static line one day, just for the hell of it and I would definitely do more hop 'n pops. But the thought of being a tandem passenger scares the hell out of me. Even if it was a free jump with somebody trying for his/her rating, I don't think I would be up for it. Maybe its a control thing, but if I get into shit, I want to be the one getting me out of it. /s

Yep I'm there, where do I post the money to? /s

Friday the 11th of May on my second jump of the day, I got bitch-slapped by a riser. This slap cost me my Pro-Track. On Sunday the 13th of May I emailed L&B to tell them my sad story (with witness references), not expecting much, since my losing their product shouldn't really have been their problem. Boy, was I surprized when I got a reply less than two hours later from Mads Larsen saying that they were sending me a replacement free of charge! Tuesday the 15th of May my new Pro-Track arrived, along with some stickers and a cloth patch. It is safe to say that I am now a VERY loyal L&B customer. Should I ever need to buy a second audible for camera or freeflying I know who I will be buying it from. Thank you L&B!

hee hee /s

Hi Guys Some of you might have read a previous thread I posted entitled 'Bye Bye, Mr. Pro-Track'. Here is the chain of events : Friday 11 May : I get bitch-slapped by a riser on my second jump and my Pro-Track is lost. Sunday 13 May : I get to work Sunday morning and immediately email Larsen & Brusgaard my unhappy story (with names of skydivers who saw me exit WITH Pro-track and saw/heard me land WITHOUT). Within 2 hours Mads Larsen replied and said they would replace it free of charge. Tuesday 15 May : My brand new replacement Pro-Track has just arrived - they even paid the postage and I got some stickers and a really cool cloth Pro-Track patch! I can't believe how awesome these guys have been! Anybody out there considering getting an audible, I REALLY recommend either the Pro Dytter or Pro Track. If you can afford the Pro Track definitely buy it. Their after sales service is un-freaking-believably good! The big sticker is going on the back of my car and the patch is going on my jump-suit. I have offered to have a sex-change operation to have their babies, but Messrs. Larsen and Brusgaard politely declined. *phew* /s

Hi Jack No worries on that front mate. I live in London and jump at a DZ called Langar 2 hours north of London. I work from Sundays to Thursdays, so I drive up to Langar on Thursday evenings on my own - so I can give the three of you a lift up as well. /s

rotflmfaopimp I'm sorry FFF, but that is just too freakin funny, man. This is just creasing me up - "it looks like somebody shit a brick!" - waaaaahaaaaaaaahahahahahaha OK, I know the kid is only 10 years old, but would you please buy him a Coke on my behalf? That boy has balls! (or he will have when they drop!) Man, there is a story I will be repeating tomorrow at work! /s PS and my guess is that if you have influenced him this much now already, in 6 years time young Scotty will be taking to the skies!

Holy shit!!! wingi, just watched your video - forget your first, when we get to Texel I am buying you some seriously serious alcohol at the bar! That decision on whether or not to chop that bust main could not have been easy - but you had the balls to make the right one! Well done dude! /s

Two in one month? This is not good - the friends and families are in my thoughts. Sangiro, I have checked the on-line papers and rec. but can't find any details - further info on both incidents would be appreciated. Will

I think that is an excellent idea! Take some pressure of yourself, go out to the DZ, watch people landing, help catch some tandems, hang out and before you know it you will be feeling really positive and motivated. Being around other skydivers is good for your confidence and if nothing else, the parties in the evenings will remind you what a crazy bunch of happy people we all are! Remember you are doing this for yourself and I remember reading about all the sacrifices you have had to make to get yourself out of the financial difficulties (you had gotten yourself into). /s

Hi Matt It is not as if the JM has to check everybody's pins or anything. But he will give you a quick once over. Things like chest-straps not being routed properly have been spotted and lives have been saved. It is not like they get paid to do it either (I'm not sure if their slot is free). If that JM had told me to ride the plane down, I would not have regarded it as a wasted jump ticket, but more that he might have saved my life. I am only on 55 jumps now, and for people in my position (off student status, but not very experienced) it is re-assuring to have a JM on the load. /s

Hi Andrea Maybe this will be of some comfort to you. I made a demo jump on a Hornet '170 this past weekend. My main that I normally jump is a Cruiselite '220, this was my first jump with anything smaller (and 9 cells). It was really (surprizingly) easy. I threw in some '360 s and they were fun, not scary at all. I had been a bit worried beforehand about landing it, but it was really not a problem. I have also asked for advice from knowledgeable people (thank you Chuck Blue and the Gear and Rigging forum) and the Hornet was quite well regarded. I'm getting mine the end of June and I can hardly wait (but don't tell anybody, because I am too cheap to buy beer!) /s

Yes, and if Merrick ever decides he is gay, then I am going to turn gay too and marry him so I can get 2 rigs as well!!! /s PS just remember Merrick, baby, I am there for you...