sagan

Anyone else see this today? http://dsc.discovery.com/tvlistings/episode.jsp?episode=14&cpi=25351&gid=0&channel=DSC -Patrick

Does anyone have any updates on the accuracy issue? I'm finding mine to be inaccurate as well. I've landed it several times with it saying anything from 40 feet to 150 feet. -Patrick

The DZ I jump at (and where I graduated AFF, A-lic, etc from) has a pretty cool setup. It's renting on a per basis jump until the day rate becomes a better deal. At that point they switch it to dhe day rate. As for buying or renting... you haven't said if you owned all the other gear yet: jumpsuit(s), alti, helmet, goggles, etc. I (not saying you should) ended up buying these items first (many from dz.com classifieds btw). I don't know about the people with experience on their advice (I'm still ~50 jumps) but since your exit weight is so considerably lower than your current size canopy, I'd rent until you get to a size that you will stay on... for me that hadn't changed since the tail end of getting my A-lic but for others this apparently swings more. Also, depending on your body type/size, all used gear might be perfect but get into it and if possible jump it first. I ended up getting a new container as I have an awkward torso to rest of body ratio and most of the used containers "hurt" to fly in that I've tried. Good Luck! Patrick -Patrick

I guess I'll be the latest to chime in. I got my A-lic last year and basically everything stated before was true for me.... The funny thing with me was more that i'd get tense, let go and be solid like a rock tumbling down the hill -- made for a very interesting spin with an AFFI one time. I didn't really learn how to relax and keep myself from being psyched out until I got cleared to jump solo. At that point I started to take more time in the door to look around and it really calmed me down. It also really helped me to jump multiple times a day to get the memory of what the sights&sounds are in the door to sink into my mind as not being scary. Lastly, it appears (see all the previous replies) that this is very common at some level during an AFF progression. So to that, understand that it's normal, not a defect in your mind/body and that it passes with a bit of time. That said it's probably the correct response of your body to say "hey i don't think this is such a hot idea" and grip on when your first learning. (Mind eventually learns that it's fun and you do in fact have a parachute). Ok this got longer than I thought... so let me conclude with another AFF phobia and see if anyone else had it: When I was in AFF I had a fear of looking up during freefall in the same manner you would expect someone to have a fear of looking down but in my case it was up while I was falling... go figure (i got over it by the time i got my a-lic) Cheers Patrick -Patrick

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I'm gonna be in San Diego for a alumni reunion For Tue June 6th but was thinking I could combine it with some fun in the sky... Anyone wanna hang out the weekend of June 3rd? I'm planning on flying in early on Friday and was hoping someone from the San Diego area that jumps there a lot wouldn't mind orienting me there. I'm A licensed but low jumps (

"The DZ should carry insurance if it's an issue." Can someone explain the insurance bit to me? I was actually discussing with a coworker about the feasibility of attaching a radio beacon on the risers and the discussion turned quite interestng in the office, with the conclusion that insuring a piece of property worth $1000, $2000, $3000, whatever (it's less than $5000 for sure) is much cheaper than a tracking device. I mean loyds insures everythign and anything, I'd be curious what the cost of insuring a canopy for life would be? Co-workers familiar with insurance speculated the canopy manufacturers could attach an insurance option for about 5-10% of the cost of the canopy for life. *as for the topic at hand* Having just received my A license I've thought about that moment of, "hmm can I afford to cut it" before, thankfully while on the ground, and decided to never let that become a decision. -Patrick

Thanks for all the thoughtful comments (even the overzealous ones). I'll print out the thread and plan on talking to the instructors. -Patrick

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Great, I'll talk to the instructors about the angle trick! I figured the digital alti's may be a bit better low, I may have to borrow and try one. Ian thanks for clarifying the play time alt... in case it sounded like i'm being an idiot in "play time" i'll clarify that i'm still at the stage where things like "braked turning" "penetration checks" and getting used to swiveling my head is "play time". -Patrick

I'm a real newbie (40 jumps)... I've never NOT had a standup landing, and hit the peas really early on... that really boosted my confidence in AFF, but now I'm struggling by constantly OVERshooting my landing. I'm not having bad landings, just grossly overshooting them. The last time it was by at least 80 yards (with trees in the next 50 yards) hence my concern. So what changed? I got some of my own gear including an alti (Alti 3 pre-galaxy). It seems like the needle never moves off of 1000 feet under flight until it suddenly hits 500! I tried smacking it a bit but that didn't do it. I'm pretty sure the alti works fine (I jumped with another to compare + my audible and alti match at deployment) I know I need to train my eyes better for one and I also know alti's have a +/- variability that can't be trusted low. I only fly a standard landing pattern (from AFF). I haven't changed anything else... deploy, control checks, off to holding area, 1000 feet of playing time, and then off to the pattern at ~1200-1000 feet. Any one have any tips? I'm feeling a bit shaky and could use a good one over. (I'm also planning on talking to the instructors at the DZ but wanted to get some other info first) Other stuff: I'm jumping a Saber 210, wind conditions have been all similar to things I've seen the entire year, which means 0-10mph from both north and south. -Patrick

Just read the PD document and it is very helpful... however it doesn't ellaborate on if to unstow the toggles of both canopies on a side to side. Thoughts? Feelings? -Patrick

I did my first (and subsequently second) tandem in Capetown, South Africa while on semester at sea. I'm not really sure how I got roped into doing it the first time, I probably thought a chick that was part of the group that was going was cute or something. Enjoyed it so much that I did a second tandem the next day. From then on I kept saying, yea I really think this is a sport I'd like to take up, I wonder what it takes? Back in the states I started AFF a year ago, but had little success due to wind (only 2 jumps from august to october). Then as my graduation present I spent about 2 weeks finishing up AFF. Now everyone can't stand me because all I talk about is how much I love jumping on the weekends. -Patrick

Newbie response, but I jumped a sabre 1 for the past week in 210 and 230 sizes (yes beginner) and the only time i got a hard opening is when I had bad body positioning while pulling... i.e. backsliding, i had a tendency when i reached to pull my legs in. It surely woke me up quick and body positioning is now better. I don't think anyone mentioned but when your packing make sure the slider stays up when your playing with getting it into the bag. On my first few packs the riggers would take one look at my mumbo jumbo before stopping me and telling me to stop moving the canopy around so much during folding. (And they were right when I carefully pulled it apart the slider had a couple inch gaps, which I'm told is enough to open hard) -Patrick

isn't it as simple as looking at the various user manuals (usually free downloads) of the various alti's to find what the tolerances are? as a newbie i wouldn't want to suggest anything but it was my impression that experience in eye balling heights of 500 feet and below are critical for swooping. -Patrick