nightjumps

Yeah, a weekend of packing with no reserve rides gets them a $25.00 - $50.00 tip. At the WFFC, individual tips since it may not always be the same packer.

Ditto, just one to set the lines, then its off to the terminal.

Well, here I go... This is probably going to hurt, but so be it. I like the idea of not having an altimeter on students. Its how I learned in the dark ages. I learned to count well from the time I left the plane and I counted again after pulling my ripcord handle. I learned how to observe the ground and determine my altitude with "my calibrated eyeballs" and a time count. It built my internal clock. I bought my own gear and had a belly-mounted dashboard with an altimeter and a stop watch. The altimeter blew off one day, but I still knew exactly how high I was. I didn't buy a new altimeter for a couple of years, counted and used the stop watch. SO... I once heard an AFF Instructor gloating about his ability to teach an AFF course in three hours. My thoughts are, How much better training and how long would you spend with your students if they were taught without the aid of an altimeter, an AAD and an RSL. Would that make you a better intrstructor. It made my Instructor's great Instructors. No detail left unattended. Let the bashing begin. But before it does, think about it. What more would you teach if you didn't have those devices on your students? Cause, if you're not teaching them as though they don't have them......

Generally speaking, it won't become "wrong." It is possible and does happen on occasion... if there is slack in the risers and by moving around for the second ring to flip thru the primary ring.

Check of Three's 1. Three handles touched in their proper order (Hackey, Cutaway, and reserve) look while touching. 2. Three straps - look to see if all are properly threaded. 3. Check three rings - Inspect cutaway cable and that all three rings are properly routed.

1. Check of Threes is good, but if you missed it the first time, chances are good you'll miss it a second time... nothing beats a good old fashioned "Gear Check" by someone else before boarding. 2. My old Instructor (Curly Roe) beat on us about doing "Secret Agent" Gear Checks. He made a game out of it. On the ride up, secretly check everyone else's rigs, if you find something wrong on someone, they owe'd you a beer. By sharing wih everyone - not the asshole. We all learn, learning is knowledge, knowledge is what keeps us alive. Sharing is good. You did good to share. Thank you.

Never been an issue on our DZ. In fact, most of the time - male or female < 200# will get passed to me by my fellow TIs. Tandem restrictions are defined by the reserve canopy weight limits and we work together to ensure the continuity of flow is best for generating revenue for each other and the DZ. Even if I get trumped on weight, I help my fellow TIs with gear-up, harnessing or JMPI'ing the student and the TI. No charge. We're a team. When they have a couple under 200# (male or female) they'll pass them off to me cause I may have made a few less due to weight restrictions. They may even give me two in a row and pack for me between students to help out (for which they won't charge me.) We carry the same total weight and the same certifications. The DZO is paying us for professionalism and that pays the same. Hope that helps

Erik, I too, was laid off last year with a symphony of computer & Telecom certifications (Networking, GIS Applications programming & SysAdmin) and haven't been able to get back into the field. But, where there's a will, there's a way. I've been through a couple of recessions now and for those who find the spirituality in skydiving, you can find the money for at least one skydive per month. It would appear that you are still on student status which pretty much puts you at the bottom of the pole for earning money at the DZ. But, I can't help but think that someone with a level of intellect and ability to learn VB.NET can't earn enough in one month to pay for one jump per month to stay current. If you have enough time to write on dz.com, study, etc. then you've got enough time to earn some cash. Mow a couple of yards, dig some ditches, wash some cars, paint a house, offer to mow the DZ's landing area in exchange for a jump, etc. You can either get creative or snivel. If you came here for sympathy and to whine.... you're not going to get it here. If you want it bad enough, get off your butt and go do something about it - anything to make enough for that one blast a month. It ain't going to come to you, you have to go after it. Now get after it and the next post you put on here better be about your latest skydive.

Thanks, Ryan. If I decide to go back, I'll talk to my rigger about it. Most of my flying is RW & Tandems, so the Hackey works for me right now. I do have the pud handle as a backup, though... so duly noted.

I gave up on the pud handle. Tried it without velcro and it floated on occasion. Tried it with velcro and was peeling too hard to get it out. Went back to a Hackey on my Wings and all is righteous.

There's several variables to consider... Student Harness weight-maximum Total weight for reserve canopy (I don't like to press it too close to the 500 # limit). Total weight for the Main Canopy. Shape the person is in - in this case, round is not a shape. I'm a big guy myself at 6'6" 235#... 277 out the door with tandem gear on... Therefore, the max I'll take is a 200 pounder. (no pun intended)

I've noticed a reduction in line twists. But, that could be a self-fullfilling prophecy. I think it, therefore it must be true.

Feel free, Kris. If you tell the students the test before the packing class... They will give you their undivided attention during the packing class. It has reduced the number of; "I don't remember what we did here" questions. ALso, I'm going to PM you my "Student Packing Checklist" that I give them during the packing class. I let them follow the bouncing ball, then use it while they practice. Feel free to use them also.

I own several Wings containers. Grommets don't need to match up. I also use the inner band loops AND stow the "D" bag straight up and down in the main pack tray (don't roll it to lines down at the bottom of the pack tray). When it lifts off my back... straight off.

And there you have it. Very direct. Thanks, John.

WHile the "A" License Proficiency Card requires a supervised pack job. That means a final sign-off for you to be able to pack your own. At our DZ, you are required to attend a formal packing class. You have to pack it enough times to feel like you can pass the test. Our test is you must pack it three times in a row -perfectly. If you flunk during any of the three supervised, you start over at number one. Then we throw a wad at you and you must untangle, perform continuity check and pack. If you pass the three test and flunk the wad test, you stay at the wad test until you pass. Sorry, we're a bit anal about packing.

I prefer the term "FAST," Forty and still trackin.....

First mistake. Think about all the things that could go right. Nice exit, feeling the air, canopy dancing in the sky, soft landing, sense of euphoria after the jump and the feeling of accomplishment. Get a couple of gear checks and make your first dive easy.

Yeah, but you did 18 of the Paracommander rides last weekend, Don

Parachutists over Phorty Society

Marianne Kramer. She went from less than average student to one of the top competitors in virtually every discipline (male or female) in about four years. An amazing gift of focus.

Well said. I will remain open-minded and receptive to new ideas in the interest of safety,

1. What if someone is over you; you see them, they look down and see you; you roll over and modify your direction at the same time and direction they modify = bad at the bottom end. 2. What if someone is over you; you see them, they look down and see you; you stay on your back and modify your direction to ensure a different direction; aren't you getting a little low at pull time to be doing those manuevers = bad. I "think" [remaining open-minded] I'll play by the tried & true rules - if I follow the "mantra" and track flatter, more forward, then I gain more valuable distance. I'll be waving at 2500 & throwing at 2k. If you're tracking over me, while you're looking left and right, look down too. If I'm below you, please throw an arm down and veer your azimuth a few degrees and continue tracking for distance. Sorry, I'm just not there with the logic yet.

Same here, Chris. Watching guys who had been Airborne longer than me getting pitched outta Gig row during test time sure tightened my sphincter.

This seems to be a subject of late and I'm not sure what started it. For years, we've been "Flat-Tracking" hard and aggressive from a formation while checking left and right in the track, then wave off and pull. I assume that doing a barrel roll manuever at the bottom end of your skydive is to check above before dumping, but what started this and is it really logical to be doing this type of manuever that close to pull time? Its always been the understanding that low man has right of way and if you're over someone whose tracking, change your angle and give them clearance. Feedback please.