RossDagley

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Everything posted by RossDagley

  1. RossDagley
    http://www.dzsports.com/main.html Sells it (second page under video/dvd) in the UK. £20. Edited to add: better late than never - hey, you might like a second copy
  2. RossDagley
    Wow. I always thought I'd notice 200 odd sq/ft of additional cloth behind me when I look before turning a 180 or whatever... Would/Could you *really* simply not notice?
  3. RossDagley
    No you didn't offend me, I just didn't see your point of view (entirely)! - Such is the nature of the interweb. You're totally right - nobody should be reading DZ.com and then chucking themselves out of a plane Equally, I *DO* feel reading is learning - even if it makes the student prompt the instructor (any, not specifically this guy) th ask questions
  4. RossDagley
    You're joking... right? If an AFF student is reading these forums and reads this thread, and learns that an injury is the likely outcome of flaring much too early, then surely thats a good thing. Before going through AFF myself I read. And read. And read. And watched videos. And watched at the DZ. And asked questions. Here. At the DZ's. And read some more. Everything online needs to be taken into context - anyone who takes it as gospel is a fool. However, it DOES give great food for thought - the forums have prompted so many questions from me to my instructors that I wanted to know more about. I don't think the discussion of flaring too early and its downsides is doing anyone anything other than good. I'm sorry you feel differently.
  5. RossDagley
    No He was carried out of the van indoors (by two staff) but seemed 'ok' - I'm pleased it was wasn't more serious. Never nice to see an injury though, and not good PR as on a beautiful Sunday theDZ is jam-packed with Jo Publics and their families coming for tandems Still haven't heard how he is, so hopefully someone knows a bit more
  6. RossDagley
    From what I remember, he sort of 'panic-released' the toggles once he felt himself dropping (but I'm speculating here). He did flare fully, but arms appeared to be at chest height on landing. There was no attempt at a PLF. On a side note, this was lift #2 of the day - lift #1 had a AFF level 1 cutaway. Not the day for doing AFF
  7. RossDagley
    Anywhere between 11.5k and 12.5k, depending on 1 part tidal forces and 2 parts guesswork I think! Jump at Hinton (UK). Got three jumps in on Sunday - 11,400, 12,800 and 12,000.
  8. RossDagley
    I dont have much detail although I saw the incident - AFF level 1 student on first jump. I understand the skydive and deployment was normal, along with the approach (radio talkdown). Student flared to high (circa 15-20ft) and impacted ground. Student was collected from student landing area by dropzone staff in a van, and returned to the hangar. Ambulance was called and student was taken to hospital with a suspected broken foot/ankle. I dont know how hes doing however. Does anyone have any more information on this, or know the status of the student? (edited upon request)
  9. RossDagley
    Had mine about two weeks (in the UK). --R
  10. RossDagley
    I had Aerodyne build my rig and pack it back in June, but then had a very experienced instructor put the first jump on it (I had a sort of Karma thing going on, not that I didn't trust Aerodyne, more a 'Christine' car thing ) I'm also much happier now I've had a reserve repack by my local rigger - nice to know its not newspaper in there
  11. RossDagley
    Bear in mind there will also be local DZ restrictions in place that may be higher than these figures.
  12. RossDagley
    I reciently had over a month off after completing AFF abroad, and felt under extreme pressure to 'get it right' back here in the UK. New rig, new DZ, 'new' instructor (although I knew him before) new gear, new plane, new exit position, basically new everything. I put off going for 6 weeks - really wound myself up about it - the more i thought about it, the more i both kicked myself for putting it off, and the more depressed I got for NOT doing it. Eventually I just told my instructor - I *asked* to do a repeat level 5 (linked exit) for 'security'. Everything went very well. I then did another jump that day, and five jumps 3 days later - that was Sunday I still get the "why the hell am I doing this..." on the ride up, but once I'm at the door checking my spot that just gets blown away. Dont build the tension any more - get up there and do what you *know* you can do. Maybe do a tandem or maybe do a repeat level. Do ONE, the rest will follow
  13. RossDagley
    I'm pretty sure its 3.5k, but I'm still on consols. at the moment, so pulling at 4.5k. Without wanting to sound anal, its probably best to ask your instructor (like I'll be doing when I finish my consols!) --Ross
  14. RossDagley
    Today was a good example. Just back from Hinton - two h&p loads to 4.5k, and a "full height" lift to 10k (restricted by the 206 - pac being serviced). Supposed to be nice tomorrow though, so I'll deffo be slipping in at least one h&p
  15. RossDagley
    Yep bingo. I came straight off AFF status (7 jumps) then did two solos, straight to Scott Millers canopy course - the next 5 jumps at 5k. Got to the door - "fuck that!" to watch a friend under canopy (also on course). "well, balls to it - if he can do it, so can I. BANZAI!" - in the saddle at 4,600ft. Loved the next 4 jumps It was a piece of cake - but that first one really bothered me at the door. I'm still to do my 3.5k jump for the A licence, but it should be pretty straightforward. Now wait for all the old bastards to comment about their low exits (sub 1k etc)
  16. RossDagley
    Well, its kinda like this I dont know about my openings! I've owned that rig since the end of June when i got it in Florida. I didn't jump it out there as I was doing AFF on student gear. Once I progressed, I stayed on the student gear due to low jump numbers, and a big difference in canopy size (280 student gear 188 pilot). I brought the rig back and was supposed to put my first jump on it on Sunday just gone, but the damn thing hasn't got an RSL so I couldn't jump it! My rigger is fitting one this week, and I'll be jumping it Thursday, weather permitting. (thats how I know about the currency thing - I'll be doing a level 7 "repeat" myself) However! Pine (DeLands senior instructor) did jump my rig and although it swamped him (he's a little guy and I'm not(!) and my rigs a left handed throw out he managed to stay alive He said the opening was "beautiful" - his words. Nice and soft apparently. However, I'll let you know on Friday presuming everything goes according to plan
  17. RossDagley
    Scott Miller insists that even those who come to him for swoop coaching do his basic course first. Any jumper who is cleared to "self jumpmaster" can do his basic course; license not required. Bang on - I took Scotts course at the start of July with only 9 jumps to my name - and WELL worth it. Just dont ask me to do those damn toggle stalls again - please?
  18. RossDagley
    I cant find the UK regs, but heres an extract from the SIM (USPA) and likely to be the same. I suspect you come under part 4 (and typically this might be a 'repeat' level 7 dive), but discuss it with the S&TA or CCI at the DZ you intend to jump at in the UK
  19. RossDagley
    I've just finished AFF at DeLand. I started AFF at level 4 (single instructor, released as soon as stable). Had to repeat level 6 as couldn't recover promptly from my backflip (THAT never happened in the tunnel ) The downside to skipping levels or graduating AFF so quickly was my landing pattern sucked compared with other recent graduates (some other guys on my course graduated after completing >15 jumps compared to my 5 and could actually land in the right area ) - I moved on to do Scott Millers course the next week, and at least I'm more confident and a touch more accurate now
  20. RossDagley
    Thanks all who replied - I'll scope them out asap! Looks like I'll be doing quite a tour. How does the jumping at other DZ's work if I only wanted to jump for a day there to see what its like? Do they offer 'temporary membership' or something? Hintons membership is only a tenner, but times that by say 4 other DZ's to check out, and thats a couple of jumptickets The long grass isn't the only reason I want to move from Hinton (although I dont to fracture anything much either...) - theres *plenty* of other reasons
  21. RossDagley
    Ah right, thanks for that. I had planned on going to Chatteris this weekend (probably Sunday). I've got some jumps to get in at Hinton this weekend (providing they've cut the grass...) and I'll try and do that Saturday. I might start my tour the week after! Ta!
  22. RossDagley
    Not want to put a downer on your great achievement but... Your complaint about not being able to train in UK is because of the BPA "system" not the enthusiasm and motivation of the instructors. British Instructors are no less qualified, motivated or committed than any other, however they have to work within the BPA framework. Congratulations on your completetion of your AFF, and it is a pity that you had to go so far to do it. Bryn Thanks for the positive comments, but I'll attempt to clarify what I said I didn't mean to reference my UK instructors competence, just their enthusiasm. And remember I'm only talking about one DZ in the UK. My views are extremely sheltered.
  23. RossDagley
    Thanks Matt, I'll look into them and get round to view them all I guess.
  24. RossDagley
    Thanks Vicki - I'll pop up over the next few weeks on a recon mission I'm also thinking about Hibs too as after a few hours searching on dz.com, thats got a pretty awesome reputation. Anyone else wanna add anything?
  25. RossDagley
    I've *considered* a few places, but posted so hopefuly people will reply with they opinions. A website is an advert after all, I'm after personal recommendations! I've been a bit spoilt jumping from the Van at DeLand for my AFF, so I'm hoping to avoid the 206 only DZ's, but if push comes to shove I'd jump anywhere where they're friendly - thats the key.