freelyflyn71

In Reply To: I believe that would suck a little bit. Like I said I had one of the boys under my leg strap and they heard me scream from about 3,000ft. ----------------------------------------------------------- That's got me thinkin'...maybe briefs instead of boxers...or go to the extreme...jock strap! Gotta keep the boys safe 'n happy! The Braver the Bird...The Fatter the Cat.

In reply to: On the 'shock cooling' topic I've seen an aircraft throw a cylinder and prop and just manage to do a DS landing before the engine fell out . The guy operating it was seen tightening something with a shifting spanner just before the load took off. That incident was blamed on a cooling problem . We were glad that aircraft got taken out without killing any skydivers. ------------------------------------------------------------ Geez, sounds like more than a cooling problem, losing the prop too! As for the shifting spanner, not really the "right tool for the job" on ANY aircraft! Works OK 'round the house though! As for the money issue, I would LOVE to see lift ticket prices go down! While on that kick, jumpsuit prices are REDICULOUS!! But my DZ is great as far as prices and attention to new guys...I know...I'm one of 'em. Check out Skydive The Farm's website, if you get a chance! The monthly re-curring boogie deal is something I will be taking advantage of very soon! And like I said, no problem with attention to the newbies...the DZO has almost 6000 jumps and answers any question I have, as do the other staff! The Braver the Bird...The Fatter the Cat.

I'm looking for a suit also, and I have a good idea of what I want, color-wise, but I have some issues w/paying over $250 for a jumpsuit! Your colors should match the rig, and they do...you just might want to put thought into those dark colors...as the previous posts said, very hot in the summer! Maybe the torso/back area of the suit could be one of your lighter colors of your rig...the light/lime green perhaps. Just a thought! However those ass/knee slides now and again that we all have, it would be nice to have that darker color to hide the grass stains! The Braver the Bird...The Fatter the Cat.

In reply to: "I recently hired an aircraft for a couple of hours for under $200. It was a 6 place strutless high wing aircraft with retractable U/C ..a real little beauty. This price included a calm highly experienced pilot as well as covering the maintenance and fuel costs of the aircraft. We climbed and dived and did some low key aerobatics as well as zooming around some mountains at low and high levels......and generally had a real ball. The operator was one of those ex-airforce types who had forgotton more than most of us will ever know. He had attracted a crew of highly talented people and is involved in doing up old aircraft as well as maintaining new ones. 2 hours equal 4 loads of 5 jumpers to 10000+ .So that’s 20 skydives for less than $200." ------------------------------------------------------------ As a pilot and mechanic myself, I think you will find it hard to convince that same company you chartered for a couple hours of "cruising around", to consistently offer that same rate to haul skydivers all day. The reason is that piston powered skydiving aircraft are under tremendously higher mechanical strain, and the fuel consumption rates are MUCH higher than a "sightseeing" flight would be. As you know, jump aircraft are at full throttle conditions all the way to jump altitude, then they descend quickly, and if precautions aren't taken, the engine can "shock cool" resulting in engine damage or failure. Sometimes, even when precautions are taken, shock cooling can, over a period of time, lead to more costly annual inspections and maintenance down time. I'm definately not a DZ owner, but I can see the expense and potential headaches it has caused! I say talk to an experienced DZO, and get the inside track on operating one...you may not be so quick to judge. The Braver the Bird...The Fatter the Cat.

Oh, if your rig harness (front) is other than black, the black front of the suit would probably accentuate the rig and not look as plain as the suit itself. If your harness IS black, maybe bright colors on the reserve handle and mudflap would look sharp. The Braver the Bird...The Fatter the Cat.

I like #4...but GravityGirl is right...it needs something else. But I DO like the tapered stripe look...just needs something for the midsection! The Braver the Bird...The Fatter the Cat.

It sounds to me like you need a confidence boost...maybe hanging out at the DZ, or try another tandem to see if you still have that "need" that I know I do. My situation is similar to yours in some ways. I started jumping in July of 1997 and accumulated 20 jumps by October of 1997. By the time spring came around I was going through a nasty divorce...one of the main reasons...yep, skydiving. Long story short...it's August 2005 and I recently moved from Kansas to Georgia and discovered that with my new wife (married in May 2005) skydiving was a possibility again! With her full support, and wanting to start HER training after my re-current training, all I'm waiting on is $$$. With her beginning a new job soon, plus my salary, $$$ will no longer be an issue. BUT, I feel much the same hesitation you do...the sweaty palms and nervousness just VISITING the DZ! But that is where I MAY differ from your situation...I NEED to skydive! It's all I think about anymore, which you mentioned that too, that's why I suggest a step BACK to tandem or maybe (if reasonably accessible) a wind tunnel. The above poster's are correct though...my advice is for that "NEED" feeling. If you are truly feeling "fear"...that's maybe not such a good sign. On the other hand, if it's "butterflies" or nerves...any of these experienced guys/gals can tell you that's completely normal, but true FEAR...probably not. Best of luck! Eric The Braver the Bird...The Fatter the Cat.

Roger that! Hope to see you at the Farm this weekend...As a future (hopeful) camera flyer, I've got a million questions for ya! The Braver the Bird...The Fatter the Cat.

I'll probably be at the Farm this weekend, wx permitting! Gotta check on some gear sizes!

Feel free to drop by the FARM too!! [url] The Braver the Bird...The Fatter the Cat.

Mail Fraud!! Now that's an idea! Maybe a possible loophole, like nabbing gangsters for tax evasion...hopefully "what comes around, goes around" will soon apply! The Braver the Bird...The Fatter the Cat.

My wife found this while looking on a job website Wish something could be done too... ------------------------------------------------------------ Reservation Specialist Needed Immediately 1800-Skyride/Thrill Planet is seeking Reservation Specialist for our growing Marietta/Smyrna Reservation Center. This is a great entry level position with a fast growing company . Experience is preferred but not necessary, we will train the right person. We are a national, full service marketing company that caters to the adventure sports industry. Responsibilities include Inbound/Outbound sales calls, account management, new business developement and more. The right candidate must have a clear, professional speaking voice and be self motivated to succeed. We offer an excellent compensation package including hourly and commission pay structures with daily cash bonuses. We are conveniently located off Windy Hill Road near I-75. We offer a flexible work schedule with part time, full time positions. Hours of operation range from 8 am to midnight, Monday thru Sunday. THIS POSITION IS AVAILABLE IMMEDIATELY! EMILY@1800SKYRIDE.COM VENDORS@1800SKYRIDE.COM YOU MAY ALSO FAX A COPY TO 404-745-8281 The Braver the Bird...The Fatter the Cat.

Thanks for all your suggestions! I think she might reconsider the flower idea now, as for the Firebolt, I was under the impression that it was a docile canopy when loaded at manufaturer specs, much like the Spectre. The Braver the Bird...The Fatter the Cat.

"Practical" doesn't apply to most women who have their mind set on something...ladies, feel free to reply... The Braver the Bird...The Fatter the Cat.

I'm wondering if it's screen print like a t-shirt, or something similar...like my Raven main says "Raven" above the stabilizers... The Braver the Bird...The Fatter the Cat.

My wife wants an all purple main with a pink flower in the middle w/yellow center on flower! Hmm, anyway, what would something like that cost? I've seen many custom canopies similar to this...anyone had a design like this done? The Braver the Bird...The Fatter the Cat.

Front seat works well too...gotta keep re-trimming if she thrashes around alot... The Braver the Bird...The Fatter the Cat.

I never got one either...the rotten sons-a-beeches! Actually I could call my old instructor up at CAPC and get one...which is what I believe I'll do! The Braver the Bird...The Fatter the Cat.

I always thought it was possibly the syrup in mixed drinks such as Jack 'n Coke and the beer reacting in some way... The Braver the Bird...The Fatter the Cat.

To add to the above...I am going to demo a Triathlon as well as a Spectre...and probably a few others as well...I will not limit myself entirely to the opinions of others. The Braver the Bird...The Fatter the Cat.

Very enlightening...I agree...When you read the reviews you can get various opinions...maybe even misleading ones from actual employees that just wanna plug their company they work for...much as the DZ ratings were. Some employees of different DZ's (seen from their profiles) seemed to jump online when they saw their favorite DZ being trodden upon by bad reviews, and try to save it from certain demise...I'd give an excellent example from my new home-town, but I'll refrain. Anyhoo, it's still hard to argue the percentages. The Braver the Bird...The Fatter the Cat.

Not to disrespect the Sabre...I am sure it's a fine main...not that my opinion means shit! Seriously...I've never flown one...or any other for that matter, but I only know what I hear from other jumpers from the reviews and forums...and from those opinions, the Sabre spanks harder than the Spectre...which is great...if your into S&M!! The Braver the Bird...The Fatter the Cat.

Good choice. Last year one of our junior jumpers (6' and muscular 230 pounds) demoed Hornet 190, Sabre 190, Triathlon 190, Synergy 210, etc.) and eventually bought a Spectre 210. Now most of his landings are soft, near the bowl. Thanks for the feedback! I hope these posts shed a little light for huka551, also. And I DO realize that ALL canopies are prone to handin' out ass-whoopins every now and again w/out ryhme-nor-reason...but I still stand by my previous post...It's hard to ignore so many good reviews when they are backed up by good remarks in the forums. I guess I'm a percentages kinda-guy when it comes to this...example.......look at reviews for Sabre2 and look at reviews for the Spectre. When you read every post in detail, then take those opinions back to the forums and do some searchin', the outcome is hard to ignore! The Braver the Bird...The Fatter the Cat.

I bought a Spectre specifically because it's known for soft openings. I've now been spanked by two different ones, one time positively enough to break two lines. Geez, anything different about the jump that could've caused that?...or was it like mine that I packed...nice body position---good stable throw-out---then GACKKK!!! The Braver the Bird...The Fatter the Cat.

Thanks for the reply! I did a lot of packing back in '95 to help pay for my jumps...mains only of course, and under the close supervision of a rigger. But he was also the DZO and was stretched pretty thin, so it was hard to hang around him while he was packing a rsv...kinda got grumpy when you watched him sometimes too. I'm gonna talk to a rigger this Thursday...he sounded nice on the phone, so maybe once he gets to know me he can help me out w/my ratings. Maybe I'll get lucky and catch as good of a deal as you did! Eric The Braver the Bird...The Fatter the Cat.