SkySlut

are you looking to do aff??? or post aff coaching??? Just because therre are SDU coaches there, doesnt mean that they will be teaching you your AFF course. The SDU rating really only covers post aff coaching, not aff training applications...although I do believe that a CURRENT SDU rated person can effectively apply SDU principles into your aff training. The SDU AFF windtunnel program is only offered in Deland, FL. There are SDU rated AFF windtunnel instructors but they reside in Florida. If I were you, I would actually go out to both DZs and hang out for a weekend or at least a day to see what they people are like and talk to them. I am sure that if you told them what your concerns are, they would be more than happy to speak to you and answer all of your questions. Talk to the AFF I's and see where are you the most comfortable to do your AFF training. That can really make a difference too...what are you going to be comfortable with??? Just because there are SDU coaches...doesnt mean that they are current SDU coaches...just like with AFF I's...Currency makes coaching or instructing easier for both the student and coach/I. If you dont use it...you loose it. Go ahead...ask the questions!!! If you feel more comfortable with the DZ without SDU for your AFF...go for it, then if you want SDU...go to the other DZ. Good luck.

come on...Ponch rocks!!!

No problem. Yeah, it can be difficult sometimes to tell, but IMHO, a student typically gives you telltale clues on the ground. It is more difficult for a level 1 student because they may act all macho, but not knowing the students personality previously...you may not know that a macho attitude may be covering up severe terror. The more that you jump with them, the easier it may become to tell that they may or may not jump. Typically, everyone has the same physical effects of stress. sweating, clammy plams, shortness of breath, change in voice, and their overall demeanor may change. It may take some time to pick up on these clues if you arent looking for them. There are several little things that you can do to get a litmus test from a student before you jump without asking them "so how scared are you???"

I certainly didnt mean for that to be a personal attack, if it came across that way, my apologies...but I do believe that there is something to be said for a student being prepared. Physically and mentally. They tend to go hand in hand with each other. Fear is a normal thing and I want to have a student with fear, it keeps them honest with themselves and a certain amount of fear is a good thing. Too much fear or overstimulation can lead to poor performance on the lesser side or at worst it can lead to an extremely dangerous situation for the student as well as the instructor. I really dont like risking my students life or mine. That is what I was getting at. Not meant as a personal attack, my apologies again, if it came acrorss that way.

Why did you waste her money and your time if she and you knew that she was "terrified"???

I have had that happen a couple of times and it happens usually when I get under canopy. I have attributed it to spending too much time at the bonfire the night before (dehydration) and not breathing in freefall, because it usually only happens when I am freeflying. I know that I am not relaxed and I am fairly certain that I am not breathing at all. Ever try to run a mile when you are out of shape and dehydrated. Its a similar feel to me. Bellyflying is my primary mode of flying and I have never had a problem, but when I am not breathing and really tense I get a feeling that I am going to puke under canopy. You may want to think about your breathing and see what happens. good luck.

Not a bad guess for a punk kid from New England...

Shannon is pretty tall and lanky...I am guessing in the 180 range , although, he could be using weights so it wouldnt make that much of a difference...

Yeah, I met the US Rep...I met him at the convention in Jacksonville. He was jumping at Skydive New England, but I believe his business address was in NY somewhere...I am not quite sure. I got a business card from him. I will try to find it and I will post his contact info...thats if I cand find it.

we will see after ther world meet...

Ever see some Crw guys??? One, they have to use front risers to get those Crw canopies to land well, but I have seen some really nice swoops out of a Lightning!!! Anywho, I believe that there is a picture in last months Parachutists of someone swooping a reserve across the pond. Check it out.

Nope...had to do the wedding thing, sorry, I was up there friday afternoon and sunday all day!!!

No they asked me about a "canister"...so I told them "no, no canister". I thought I was going to have to whip it out though.

Make sure Vic gives you credit (free jumps) for bringing those students!!!!

Yep, they will be holding another search next year!!! The location has yet to be determined, but last I am assuming it will most likely be in Deland this coming year. Watch Parachutist for ads, it should be out before the end of the year!!! That ad wont have the location in it either, but it will be in Florida. ps. check out www.searchies.org to see a brief article on 2003s Search. It was done by one of the attendees from England.

So I went from Orlando to Providence this past week. Here is my story: Orlando was no problem whatsoever, my rig which was in a carryon bag didnt even get a second glance. My g/f's bag was looked at more because of a makeup kit. I was pretty happy about that!!! Heading back to Orlando from Providence was a different story. I have no idea what set their metal detectors off (I had nothing in my pockets at all) but I had to get the wand with nothing found, then they wiped me down for bomb residue!!! (by the way, when they do this DO NOT ask them why they are testing you for bomb residue, apparently asking a question that contains the phrase "bomb residue" really makes them nervous and gets you scrutinized even further-I thought I was going to jail for that question for a brief time). So the guy opens up my bag and digs through everything...jumpsuit, with special attention paid to my grippers...logbook, they dug through everything...rig, the guy knew what he was looking at and didnt pull any handles or anything, but they put it through the xray machine again along with a few questions about "canisters". Anyways, they let me through and I was off to Florida. Just when I thought I was done...I was unpacking my bag that I checked and I found this "Notice of Baggage Inspection" in my bag. I thought I would pass this on. Here it is in its entirety: To protect you and your fellow passengers, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is required by law to inspect all checked baggage. As part of this process, some bags are opened and physically inspected. Your bag was among those selected for physical inspection. During the inspection, your bag and its contents may have been searched for prohibited items. At the completion of the inspection, the contents were returned to your bag, which was resealed. If the TSA screener was unable to open your bag for inspection because it was locked, the screener may have been forced to break the locks on your bag. TSA sincerely regrets haveing to do this, and has taken care to resear your bag upon completion of inspection. However, TSA is not liable for damage to your locks resulting from this necessary security precaution. For packing tips and other suggestions that may assist you during your next trip, visit: www.TSATravelTips.us We appreciate your understanding and cooperation. If you have questions, comments, or concerns, please feel free to contact the TSA Consumer Response Center: Phone: 1 866 289-9673 Email: TellTSA@tsa.dot.gov

ok...now that I am done...things are good and I have a buzz....I dont really know the diference, but I do know that I am going to carry my rig on the flight tomorrow...I will let you know that happens. peace!!!

Its interesting how things get deleted....I live in Sebastian and I know about Sebastian XL, yes, they are leaving Sebastian...and yet...Dolemite got his post deleted...gone...whatever...pretty poor. Fight the power...Punky!!!!

as we speak...pretty weird....

Well I would imagine that John Edowes (sp) may be interested...call him!!!

Thanks, pretty lazy today, but I was also thinking that he is at a tandem progression dz considering his post...where a COA maybe a bit different compared to an AFF COA, but I could be wrong. I havent worked with tandem progression before.

Heading-Altitude-Left JM-Right JM = COA (may vary slightly from DZ to DZ on verbage)

100% agreement!!!

Well, I am off to New England for about a week so I wont be there this weekend, but I will say hello next time I see you!!! Good luck this weekend.

Haaaaaaa!!!!! I dont know wether to laugh or cry...Damn!