brianfry713

Most true skydiving reserves have what's called a free bag, consisting of the reserve P/C connected to the reserve deployment bag and neither of them are connected to the reserve canopy. So when a normal sport jumper has a cutaway, then need to look for the free bag and the main canopy separately (although they usually land somewhat close together). During intentional cutaways and filming of those you're supposed to use at least 3 canopies, or carry along one extra you don't plan on using unless something goes wrong. What you're seeing could actually be someone cutting away one main and then deploying another main, while their reserve stays unused. Make sense? On most mains the P/C and dbag are attached to the canopy. One more thing, don't be in a rush to buy new gear. Get the accessories you want, get current, try rigs and canopies out, figure out the size and models you want, then get something used first. You'll save money and be happier that way. BASE 1224, Senior Parachute Rigger, CPL ASEL IA, AGI, IGI USPA Coach & UPT Tandem Instructor, PRO, Altimaster Field Support Representative

4 jumps seems a little soon to be buying gear. It's cool to look and see what you think you'd like. Student gear will be provided during your training (AFF, S/L, or IAD). You're likely to be on much larger canopies during that time. After that, gradually downsize as you feel comfortable using rental gear. Once you hit something you'll probably want to jump for a while (1 year or a few hundred jumps), buy a used rig. That way if you again want to downsize you can without losing as much money on the deal. Try before you buy. You can find a good safe used rig for not too much money and that way you won't be stuck with something you're bored on or end up spending thousands of dollars for something you bought and sold in a short time. BASE 1224, Senior Parachute Rigger, CPL ASEL IA, AGI, IGI USPA Coach & UPT Tandem Instructor, PRO, Altimaster Field Support Representative

In the door, you lock your legs at the knees with one or more other people. Just bend your leg and stick it in between someone else's legs and they do the same and then hold a little tension by squeezing your legs together. It usually works better to hold a hand grip as well for the exit. Once you're off and it's flying (either upright or upside down), let go of the hand grip and lean back flying it that way. Then either spin like mad or wait until you fall over to let go with your knees. It's basically a linked sit fly position. BASE 1224, Senior Parachute Rigger, CPL ASEL IA, AGI, IGI USPA Coach & UPT Tandem Instructor, PRO, Altimaster Field Support Representative

When you get scared. If it looks like the ground is getting close, that's because it is. Once you're comfortable pulling at 6.5k, drop it down a little at a time, but not below 3k as a student. Really, there's no good reason you should ever go much lower than that, unless it's a BASE jump of course. If you're pulling above 4k, let others on the plane know and you should probably be getting out close to last, depending on who else is on the load. Tandems usually pull around 5k, and wingsuiters get out after everyone but people doing hop&pops at altitude. Check your spot often, if it's bad, you may need to pull higher to make it back to the landing zone. Don't forget to wave off and check your airspace. BASE 1224, Senior Parachute Rigger, CPL ASEL IA, AGI, IGI USPA Coach & UPT Tandem Instructor, PRO, Altimaster Field Support Representative

Nick, Russel, Rob, and a few others flock in Davis once in a while. PM idoru99 at Monterey, and some tandem instructors when they're not busy. Hollister's got a few birds, and they're putting together a WS wars January 14 - 15. No guarantees anywhere except for Hollister on those dates, if you see me at Davis or elsewhere I'll jump with ya. BASE 1224, Senior Parachute Rigger, CPL ASEL IA, AGI, IGI USPA Coach & UPT Tandem Instructor, PRO, Altimaster Field Support Representative

On a PC, right click the "Download movie" button, and select "Save target as", or something like that. BASE 1224, Senior Parachute Rigger, CPL ASEL IA, AGI, IGI USPA Coach & UPT Tandem Instructor, PRO, Altimaster Field Support Representative

I liked the Otter too, I was just posting that there was a change. In case it hasn't sunk in yet, everyone was putting their helmets on at 5k, a few minutes after take off and enjoying the view. I barely had time to zip up my wings and check my gear before the door was open at 15k. I was shocked at how high we were every time I checked my alti in the plane. Greg seems proud of his plane and how fast it is. I know many used to consider it just a tandem factory, but from what I can tell so far, it's a different DZ now. There seems to be a lot more love for the fun jumpers. I had to leave early, but I think Greg was going to keep the plane flying as long as people wanted to jump, regardless of whether they had tandems to do or not. Something that, in my limited experience, wasn't common there in the past. BASE 1224, Senior Parachute Rigger, CPL ASEL IA, AGI, IGI USPA Coach & UPT Tandem Instructor, PRO, Altimaster Field Support Representative

Before you order that one on amazon (us), you might want to check the ISBN and the author's name. I don't think it's the same book. You can try your luck on ebay (uk), or find it here on amazon (uk) for 15 pounds ($26.13 US Dollars) + shipping. http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0099232618/ref=ed_ra_of_dp/203-8399750-1332742 Or search around for a cheaper one elsewhere. Note that there's a paperback and a hardcover version. More info here http://www.groundrush.co.uk/ BASE 1224, Senior Parachute Rigger, CPL ASEL IA, AGI, IGI USPA Coach & UPT Tandem Instructor, PRO, Altimaster Field Support Representative

I'm an expert skier (24 years) with some (very little) BASE experience (2 jumps so far, hopefully more by then). I'd love to do my first ski-BASE sometime in the future once I'm ready for it. I live in San Jose, CA. Put me on the interested list, I'd like to come and watch this year if that's cool. BASE 1224, Senior Parachute Rigger, CPL ASEL IA, AGI, IGI USPA Coach & UPT Tandem Instructor, PRO, Altimaster Field Support Representative

I haven't bought any in a while (I had some leftover from a few months ago). According to their web site http://www.skydivemontereybay.com/ it's $20 each for blocks of 10 or $22 for single tickets to 15k. I think they charge something like $10 extra to go to 18k for fun jumpers when they have a tandem upgrade. BASE 1224, Senior Parachute Rigger, CPL ASEL IA, AGI, IGI USPA Coach & UPT Tandem Instructor, PRO, Altimaster Field Support Representative

It's mine, no outbidding me. BASE 1224, Senior Parachute Rigger, CPL ASEL IA, AGI, IGI USPA Coach & UPT Tandem Instructor, PRO, Altimaster Field Support Representative

The Neptune records data for the entire skydive and canopy flight. You need to upload it to Paralog to see the details of your descent rate. The jump profile graphs this out and your can scroll through it with a cursor to look at the exact numbers. BASE 1224, Senior Parachute Rigger, CPL ASEL IA, AGI, IGI USPA Coach & UPT Tandem Instructor, PRO, Altimaster Field Support Representative

0:3:0 Some WS in Monterey. BASE 1224, Senior Parachute Rigger, CPL ASEL IA, AGI, IGI USPA Coach & UPT Tandem Instructor, PRO, Altimaster Field Support Representative

That seems odd to me. Is there data to back that up? BASE 1224, Senior Parachute Rigger, CPL ASEL IA, AGI, IGI USPA Coach & UPT Tandem Instructor, PRO, Altimaster Field Support Representative

Just thought I'd post something about this since I didn't see it on here yet. Jess Rodriguez has sold the DZ to Greg Nardy. Greg's flying his "Faster then Mullins" King Air for the jump plane. It was getting over 3,000 feet a minute yesterday. It took something like 6 minutes from takeoff to jump run at 15k. The Otter is still parked in the hangar but is for sale. http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=1944678 Videographer, AFFI, and S&TA Terry Goode has left for Skydive Airtight in Oklahoma. I had a few of the old SMB purple jump tickets and they switched them to their new style recipt-like jump tickets for me. They may not honor the old ones for more than another week or so, if you have any left I'd recommend heading down there or giving them a call. I was only there for a few jumps but the vibe seems pretty good. There were a few fun jumpers and the view is great as always. BASE 1224, Senior Parachute Rigger, CPL ASEL IA, AGI, IGI USPA Coach & UPT Tandem Instructor, PRO, Altimaster Field Support Representative

If you started AFF and want to skydive, you should continue. Staying current (30 days in the US for students) is a good thing. If you have the money, go for it, despite what your parents say. It is an extreme sport, it's probably just not mentioned in this Forbes article http://www.forbes.com/2002/08/07/0807sport.html because BASE jumping is and most people would agree that BASE jumping is way more dangerous. As much evidence as you can gather, your parents will likely just see the side the media portrays which is almost always negative coverage after an incident. Give them your reasons why you want to jump and why you feel that the risks are worth it. I jumped once when I was 18, told my parents afterward but I didn't have their support and couldn't afford it then. I waited another 7 years until I had a job and some money, and then jumped for about a year until I told them. My sister and her boyfriend made a tandem so I showed my parents the video thinking that would give me a little support. During the conversation that night, my mom asked me "why don't you just go jump off a bridge?", which I replied "Ok, I'm doing that next week." Now things like skydiving, driving too fast, extreme skiing, and other dangerous sports I do seem tame after the BASE jumps. She's threatened to cut me off financially, but hasn't fully yet. Go jump, have fun, talk to your parents about it but don't let them stop you. I regret missing 7 years of jumping, and am having a ton of fun now. BASE 1224, Senior Parachute Rigger, CPL ASEL IA, AGI, IGI USPA Coach & UPT Tandem Instructor, PRO, Altimaster Field Support Representative

If you're using something like PayPal or sending a check, the rigger/dropzone doesn't have to actually deal with the money, just be trusted to hold on to the rig until the seller notifies them that payment has been received and cleared. BASE 1224, Senior Parachute Rigger, CPL ASEL IA, AGI, IGI USPA Coach & UPT Tandem Instructor, PRO, Altimaster Field Support Representative

Check out: http://www.dropzone.com/dropzone/North_America/United_States/index.html http://www.uspa.org/dz/index.htm Have fun BASE 1224, Senior Parachute Rigger, CPL ASEL IA, AGI, IGI USPA Coach & UPT Tandem Instructor, PRO, Altimaster Field Support Representative

Read the articles here about buying a first rig http://www.dropzone.com/safety/Gear_and_Equipment/index.shtml Also do a search on this topic, as I'm sure it's been discussed many times. You should pick up something used with main and reserve sizes/shapes you're comfortable with and will have fun on for a little while. Also make sure the harness fits you and the system looks safe. Check the classifieds here for something in your budget. Once you're ready for something else, you should be able to sell the rig or change mains without losing too much money on the deal. BASE 1224, Senior Parachute Rigger, CPL ASEL IA, AGI, IGI USPA Coach & UPT Tandem Instructor, PRO, Altimaster Field Support Representative

I used to use the alarms when I had my Neptune on my wrist/hand for the canopy alarms. My only answer is sometimes. I never heard the freefall alarms. The canopy (swoop) alarms in V2.6.0 are a single beep, double beep, and then a triple beep. I sometimes heard some of them but not all of them. They're not loud enough to depend on and remember that the sound hole will be facing your hand so that will dampen the sound quite a bit. I now have two neptunes, so I use one as an audible and one on my hand, so now I've turned off the sound on my visual one. Of course it is easy to hear the canopy alarms if it's in the audible pocket inside my helmet. It's possible but not easy to hear the swoop alarms while using the Neptune as a visual altimeter so I guess it depends on your helmet, hand location, air speed, and hearing ability. I'd recommend staying altitude aware at all times, regardless of whether or not you've heard the swoop alarms. BASE 1224, Senior Parachute Rigger, CPL ASEL IA, AGI, IGI USPA Coach & UPT Tandem Instructor, PRO, Altimaster Field Support Representative

http://www.uspa.org/publications/SIM/2006SIM/Section4CatA.htm#1e BASE 1224, Senior Parachute Rigger, CPL ASEL IA, AGI, IGI USPA Coach & UPT Tandem Instructor, PRO, Altimaster Field Support Representative

I think I saw the same thing happen to me. It's a bug somewhere in the Neptune or Paralog that causes these profiles to not upload when the Neptune's jump numbers are changed. Here's what I think I was able to do to get them off of my Neptune, renumbered for your example. First delete these 3 new jumps from Paralog. Change the Neptune's log book back to 3 jumps, then make room in Paralog for them by renumbering jumps 1-3 if present. Then upload them into Paralog and the profiles should be present and you can renumber the jumps there to their actual jump numbers. Then you can renumber your real jumps 1-3 back to jumps 1-3. Problem solved. I'll email Klaus (Paralog) and Lara (Alti-2) this thread to see if this very minor bug can be fixed. Your future jumps will not have this problem and the profiles will be downloaded normally if you renumber your Neptune's total jumps to your actual total jump number before you make the skydives. As for your original problem which caused the additional jump to be added each time you upload data from the Neptune, one solution would have been to upload your data, delete the fake jump from Paralog, delete the Neptune's log book, and then update the Neptune's total jumps and total freefall time to your actual values before making your next jump. This would solve the problem and avoid this bug. Another solution I used when seeing this same problem was to insert or modify the fake jump in Paralog under the appropriate jump number and change one of the fields to "delete" or something like that. As long as Paralog is setup to not overwrite existing data, that way you know it's a fake and don't have to delete it every time. You shouldn't see this problem if Paralog has every jump already included. BASE 1224, Senior Parachute Rigger, CPL ASEL IA, AGI, IGI USPA Coach & UPT Tandem Instructor, PRO, Altimaster Field Support Representative

You can be ready to PLF on every landing. Keep you feet and knees together, legs and knees slightly bent, then land feet first. If you're coming in softly, stand up. If something at all goes wrong, PLF. BASE 1224, Senior Parachute Rigger, CPL ASEL IA, AGI, IGI USPA Coach & UPT Tandem Instructor, PRO, Altimaster Field Support Representative

Batting gloves work well. They're not too thick so you can still feel the handles and they keep your hands warm enough on most days. palejo, my mistake, I understand your handle set up now. BASE 1224, Senior Parachute Rigger, CPL ASEL IA, AGI, IGI USPA Coach & UPT Tandem Instructor, PRO, Altimaster Field Support Representative

A typical breakoff plan for anything but the smallest hybrids is for all the freeflyers to drop grips and break off at least 1000 feet higher than the belly fliers. They should track hard and be gone by the time the belly fliers break off. The belly fliers should only track enough to get separation from each other, not so far that they catch up with any of the freefliers. As always, clear your airspace before you pull, including looking for people above and underneath you about to pull. BASE 1224, Senior Parachute Rigger, CPL ASEL IA, AGI, IGI USPA Coach & UPT Tandem Instructor, PRO, Altimaster Field Support Representative