mdrejhon

Na.... I'll tell you first thing I'm a totally shitty freeflyer. And I'm not a swooping expert -- I've only done double fronts (albiet 150 times now, going to transition to slight swoop turns eventually). Edit -- I actually really don't consider myself a big way "expert". Maybe a damn good big way rookie at my jump numbers, relatively speaking.

Tracking practice jumps, so that you can have a point of reference to track relative to. Or even big way jumps, because big way breakoffs allow you to pay attention (by necessity too) to your neighbours to the left/right of you. If that interests you -- I suggest the Perris 50-way camp coming this September. You're almost 250 jump minimum requirement, and if you've done 20-ways (another requirement), then there you go. During breakoff, you get to try to out-track the jumpers to the left and right of you. If you do better, you'll be higher and further away from formation center than your neighbours. You get some "tracking team" training, where you must level tracking in a close group away from formation (group of 3 to 5 trackers in tight formation) in your sector of the formation, before fanning out with the best track, often trying to beat each other's tracking ability -- you're good if you're further ahead and higher (more distance at less altitude loss)

Actually, she looked like a speed skydiver, not a freeflyer. (Semantics, I know). Or even just a regular big way delta dive, if the delay was just about 5 to 10 seconds. When I dive on big ways, as last out, I am sometimes 7 seconds from the first people exiting, especially when the exit is being fumbled. I catch up and dock. I have the ability to adjust my dive trajectory while I deep dive to catch up with the formation. We try to empty planes quickly, but sometimes, shit happens. Depending on how it's planned, I think this mythbusters jump was safer, IMHO, than the chuteless jump -- but YMMV. There's a lot of off-camera planning that is not explained on television. I do half of the mythbusters skydive now and then (7 seconds instead of 15), all the time in some my big ways -- last out of a trail plane for a 100-way -- and safely dock. However, if a 2-way jump was planned as such, I could swoop past the other guy (that would be dangerous, but I could aim to zoom 50 feet away, with full control of my dive trajectory). What I'm interested in is if, off-camera, it was a well-planned speed skydive. Not much has been said in this thread about the planning behind this. If it was a random planned skydive, then yes, it is dangerous... The diving I am doing, is not really head-down, but a controlled dive. I have seen a big way where the first person exiting was 10 seconds from the last person exiting, and the last person still made it. (It was an exit mistake that caused the spread. Granted, there was more working time - 80 seconds of working time - much more than a tandem - since the dive started at 15000 feet, and mere breakoff altitudes of big ways, are sometimes lower than tandem deployment altitudes.) Also another footnote. I occasionally track at 100+mph horizontally past opening canopies that's only 100 feet to the left or right of me. It's a fact of life of big way breakoff, that it sometimes happen especially when some people breaks off early by mistake, and some of us are left trying to outrun people behind us from the later breakoff wave, meaning there are occasionally times some people end up zooming past opening canopies, at relatively high velocities not too different from the Mythbusters show. Events like this more so likely to happen, when tracking is semi-messy due to a spetacular funnel (we had an entire 39-way funnel today as an example). Oh, and we outers are often told to pull no higher than 2500 feet -- that means razor thin hard deck and almost always a number of full canopies just under 2000. Lots of altitracks and neptunes show deployment complete as low as 1500 for the lowest opening outers, with many in the range 1700-2300. Yes, pushes the BSR's in a way, when a razor-thin margin is delayed by one second. Yes, low enough that there's been two cypres fires at the last Perris 100 way event. Yes, we do stuff that sound dangerous. But I think it's still safer than the chuteless jumps. Big ways aren't just boring 1 point skydives, eh!?

I figured that out a long ago already. I'm reminding organizers I want to do early diver slots where I have to get to mny slot quick in the midst of red zone traffic. I've made my slot every time in the last 3 big way events but need to gain trust from organizers to be put into difficult slots. Got some fun stuff recently at Chicago 40-ways I did during the Independence Day weekend. First two big way sequentials was complete for the first two points. Then Guy Wright threw some difficult formations along our way. Our first attempt at a facing-diamond jewel formation spetacularly collapsed in a 39-way funnel after it was mostly complete due to different fall rates all throughout, and was able to evade being tumbled. In such events I fall slow upwards the tube (tunnel helped...) and being able to burble-compensate rather than sliding randomly under the formation struggling to fall slow like some people do). I am almost getting bored of being a late diver (last out or near last-out) -- LOL -- as I've been assigned that a lot. So I'm beginning to ask to challenge me with more difficult slots like speedy early diver slots. When I was assigned a no-contact-exit base slot, I was able to dive out of the door, and beat a couple of floaters to a 6-way base, in a smooth dock. I have almost doubled my jump numbers in 12 months (220+ jumps of currency in the last 12 month period from today), 75% of it at big way events -- and 6 hours of 4-way tunnel in the last 12 months -- really helps me here. Now if I could only win the lottery. I can't increase my jump numbers fast enough and exceed 1000 jumps by World Team 2011. .... Recent video debriefs in last few events nobody seems to be talking about me so I seem to be doing well. Despite my deafness I had been complimented that I have been successfully paying more attention to the dirt dives than many were. Even though I do make mistakes, I make relatively few to the point that people told me I was very rarely specifically mentioned in any video debrief. Maybe I'd think I'm at least a candidate for being one of the very few sub-1000 jumpers on the World Team (only 9 on the previous 400-way record); I figure that me being far more big way current than a 2000 jump tandem instructor or freeflier who only occasionally jumps bellyfly big ways. Even though I'm still a bad freeflyer though because of my large focus on RW -- I am not 100% neglecting other kinds of jumps -- did a freefly jump today, and an accuracy landing (stomped the center peas disc today... making sure I still have those accuracy skills that may degrade if I only do bigways where I cannot practice accuracy -- for those backyard sized landings -- I've done one already). Trying to keep skilled in other areas to keep me well rounded, even including an occasional beginner CRW practice jump too. And learning from any big mistakes I do in any kind of jump. I try, I try... Anyway, it was a spectacular weekend of 40-way jumps with Guy Wright in Chicago. I'll be back at the end of the month, even just to hang out (as a near-local friend of mine is coming here, and can carpool with him) -- the 100-way sequential is full, but who knows -- maybe a slot will open up!

21 people in a Caravan? It didn't happen unless you got video

Georgia, my bad -- thanks. (I was remembering one of the upcoming state records on bigways.com didn't have a listed previous record size. My apologies.)

I am curious... I checked the State Records Listing and found there's no state record for Colorado. Is that correct? Will this be the first establishment of a state record for Colorado, and how big will the 2010 record be?

Several of the RainbowSkydivers Members on Facebook are planning to attend, however, I'm announcing it here on dropzone.com too: Rainbow Boogie 2009 -- August 6th - 9th, 2009! At Cross Keys Skydiving 2nd Ever World's Rainbow Skydiver event, a gay-friendly skydiving event, continuing on the success of Rainbow Boogie 2006! Smallway RW, Bigway RW, Freefly. First skydive, novice jumpers, advanced jumpers, load organizing, banquet, partying. Featuring the "Gay Way" World Record attempt, as well as mixed gay/straight skydives. Tiki bar, restaurant, bonfire, dancing/DJ in the hangar, afterhours fun. Camping and bunkhouse on dropzone, also nearby hotels. Easy to reach via Philadelphia (PHL) airport only 20 minutes away, we can pick you up at the airport (please contact me to help co-ordinate car-pools occuring on Wed and Thurs) And - Yes - Event is Hetero-Friendly! All skydivers are welcome... Gay, lesbian, straight jumpers... Jumpers still "in the closet" - including army guys (3 of whom I know as members of RainbowSkydivers) - can blend in anonymously with the straights, if need be!... And non-parachuting spectators who just want to watch the parachute in the sky while having a drink at the tiki bar. Bring your friends! * Website - www.RainbowSkydive.com * Facebook Page for Rainbow Boogie 2009 * Facebook Page for RainbowSkydivers - Join if you are one! *** Event is also hetero friendly -- all is welcome! *** (Lots of us are straight-acting, and about half attending are actually straight, including good looking girls too!)

Minor correction :-) -- That'd be CanadaBigWays.com ... We've got your tunnel camp listed there, not on that other site.

Hello -- My plans may have changed; I may be driving for 13.5 hours from Ottawa in my old Jeep. $300 of gas roundtrip is still cheaper than $550 airfare + $200 car rental However, if a good airfare sale comes up... can you keep your offer a standing one at least until next week?

Most doctors aren't familiar with skydiving and may often give distorted answers, from either lack of knowledge or from bias against skydiving. Since skydiving generally isn't as aggressive (for the most part) as, say, rugby/football, this means if doctor clears you for those, you're probably also OK for skydiving. Obviously, my reply does not constitute medical advice, but provides an avenue for those with doctors that may be deemed "skydiving-illiterate".

For a 4 minute package in a 14 footer cylindrical-walled recirculator, that's not bad. The usual weekend rate for 1 hour of time, roughly equals $15/min for skydivers like me, but hard to get this rate in 1 minute increments. Anyway, you should be able to ace the rest of your AFF levels, as long as you concentrate on the safety and canopy aspects...

If it is a half inch hole, that'd be an endoscope operation, I think. Recovery times are pretty quick with those, but vary greatly from person to person. mxcale - Ask a doctor about whether you can do "sports activities" next weekend, and just be vague ("all kinds" or "which kinds will you allow me?") when pressed to be specific. That said, I wouldn't recommend jumping, but definitely avoid high risk jumps if you can, and hopefully you don't jump a fast-opening canopy!

Now, now, tell me, do you regret not buying a 10 or 15 minute package like I told you to...

BTW -- a fast way to back up your logbook is to take a digital camera photograph of every page spread. Useful if you don't have a scanner, or your scanner is a slow/older model. Do it outdoors in bright light, so the camera is fast and sharp.

Copy of my reply on CSPA forums: ____ For the logbook, if it is any consolation, I have heard of ways to resolve the problem. It won't solve 100% (missing logbooked proof towards B license), but will solve a lot of other problems: 1. Ask all dropzones you've recently been to, to print out all the jumps you've ever made there. Many dropzones use a computer based system. Some even attach the time of the jump made to each of the date, if they were using a computerized manifest system. Other dropzones, may only use a paper system, but ask them to do their best (may need to pay them a 'paperwork' fee to give them incentive to go through this.) 2. Fill a new logbook (from jump 286 back to 201, at least -- you can for now skip jumps #1-200 until later, depending on how successfully you were able to go back to jump #200), based on the dates of the jumps that you made. 3. Talk to people you've jumped with, and have them re-sign the same jumps they signed last time. Often, they will also have a corresponding logbook entry in their logbook if they jumped with you, which is proof. These are useful for Coach/Instructor jumps. Now you've got a logbook that re-documents your jump #201 to #286 (Logbook Volume #2) .... It's not many, but should be pretty accurate if all the dropzones you have been to, had computer records, and you are able to track down all the coaches/instructors you jumped with. Most dropzones only ask for the most recent logbook volume (I have two logbooks - #1-250 and #251 to #500 - and often only need to show the latter volume). Now, that won't help your B license (Unless you were able to go far back enough).... but at least, you won't need to do much re-jumps to get your B. #201 - #286 is still 50 jumps, so as long as you manage to meet or repeat some jump requirements (accuracy landings, RW jumps, etc). For the B license I am sure the logbook examiner will understand with the explanation of stolen logbooks, and evaluate you based only on jump #201 onwards... (whether #201 is really #201 to them, or it's really #1 to them) __________ EDIT: If you manage to get dropzone printouts for all jumps, blank comment fields will be fine for many requirements -- i.e. 500 jump minimums for D license and tandem instructor ratings -- if you can supply the manifest evidence, and get the jumps signed by that dropzone, so at least you do have proof that the jumps were indeed, made, even if details are lost. Re-jumps will be needed for forgotten accuracy / RW / coach / etc jump details... (i.e. to meet B license)

Anyone? What about O'Hare? I can fly to that one instead as well. My alternative is to drive from Ottawa to Ottawa (the Canadian one to the Illinois one), which is 13.5 hours one way but still cheaper than airfare+rental. (Hoping I can still avoid that long drive...!)

This is fine for most normally high altitudes as a student, but half of my pulls seem to be as a bigway outer -- that means I pull at 2500 (organizer orders do not pull above 2500 as a big way outer on that particular jump, as an example!) and I'm in the saddle anywhere in the ballpark of 1700-2300 feet. In these cases, a mal for me is going to be a cutaway at 1500 feet, possibly lower if I'm unlucky to get a confusing mal -- I'm going to do a very rapid two-punch for most mals. This is somewhat below hard deck of 2000 feet for most other jumps, so I'm not going to take my merry time between the handles, just a fraction of a second. The risk of entanglement is far lower than the risk of death by splat, if you're not fast enough with your EP's when altitude is running out. Even a canopy transfer (reserve before cutaway) ends up being theoretically safer in some cases, though I wouldn't risk doing that either. In a similiar circumstance, another girl at a big way event I was at (Perris May 2009) had a reserve ride beginning at 800 feet over a bad spot, and that wasn't enough time to land injury-free.

Added July 16-19: 20-ways -- Skydive Moncton (New Brunswick)

I'll vouch for this. At Rainbow Boogie 2006, Mike H definitely looked 85% more gay than Kelly.

He's up on the website now at http://www.karnagekrew.com/ ... Apparently, the name up on the website is Wayne John.

Be noted, Montreal just opened in April so you will see some unfinished fittings here and there -- it's a brand spanking NEW tunnel, one of the smoothest-running vertical wind tunnels in the world.

Hello, If anyone is flying into Chicago's Midwway airport on July 2 and renting a car to go to the Chicago 40-ways (July 3-5) -- please message me. It'd make my life easier if I can skip renting a car and pay for a couple gas tanks! (Or if you're a Chicago resident that can swing by the airport.) Much appreciated!

They told us to jump in. Not the easiest thing to do and very hard to loose forward speed and thus find stability when jumping forward. This is normal for Niagara/Flyaway tunnels, but Skyventure is a different beast -- you just lean in. The spotter will help you -- so don't worry :-) Different tunnels have different entry procedures... You will be surprised how quickly you'll adapt to Skyventure Montreal, and start kicking yourself for not having gotten 5 or 10 minutes instead of 3. You should be able to fly in the center of a Skyventure in just the first minute, if you've already done 3 AFF jumps. In fact, in 2005, I'd have give up one AFF jump for one month, just to pay for 15 minutes of Skyventure tunnel time. It's actually that worthwhile.

A skydiver 15 minute block cost about $250. (About $16 per minute, compared to the $23 per minute you're paying now) For me who likes RW, it gets even cheaper: If 4 skydivers buy an hour (like buying a 15 minutes block for each) all 4 skydivers can share the time -- 1 hour of 4 ways formation skydiving in the Skyventure Montreal chamber. 60 minutes of chamber time for the price of just 6 to 10 jump tickets! If you're tight, try upgrading to a 5 minute block. It may actually pay for itself in saving you from having to do an AFF rejump.