hongkongluna

Hey Andres, THanks man! The canopy coaching didnt happen. Weather conspired against us & we couldnt get everyone together at the same time. Looks like a little more advance planning will be in order. Going to the phillipines for 3 weeks in Dec but will be back 1st week in Jan. If i can, want to visit Skydive Miami again! -Rainier Sparks Brother #1 // "I vaguely heard someone yell "wait!" but by that point i was out the door." Quote from dz.com somewhere

I had the pleasure of getting my A this weekend too, at the Ranch. Did a few loads with Justin. AND! we had the pleasure of our very own "How Not to Do A 4-way" (see skydivingmovies.com). Did a 4way with Joe (Dzo) & MJ, instructor. & boy was it ugly. My favorite post 4way moment? JOE: "Rainier, when you're upside down for that long, you should just let go" Rainier: "Oh, okay." I had the deathgrip on his suit :) RW is alot harder than it looks when the Golden Knights do it... -Rainier Sparks Brother #1 // "I vaguely heard someone yell "wait!" but by that point i was out the door." Quote from dz.com somewhere

I got quotes w/ skydiving rider specifically attached. Looking into this actively, will post what i find out. -Rainier Sparks Brother #1 // "I vaguely heard someone yell "wait!" but by that point i was out the door." Quote from dz.com somewhere

Does anyone here have long term care insurance? I've gotten quotes for Term Life Insurance, 250K benefit which I'll sign up for but what if, God forbid, I have an accident skydiving & dont die & need care in my home for 5 years. That would suck more than dying IMO. Now that i think about it, I dont see too many incident reports where people survive a bounce, so why get long term care ins anyway ? - its expensive too, between 1-3 k per year depending on coverage term, monthly benefit, etc. Your thoughts and info would be appreciated. -Rainier Sparks Brother #1 // "I vaguely heard someone yell "wait!" but by that point i was out the door." Quote from dz.com somewhere

Ouch. Thats gotta suck. It didnt look like he was coming down that fast either! What happened there? -Rainier Sparks Brother #1 // "I vaguely heard someone yell "wait!" but by that point i was out the door." Quote from dz.com somewhere

I made a snowboarding trip and used a company called Travelex. That had pretty extensive coverage, even including airlifting me out of remote location in case of injury and all that. I paid around $40 for 1 week. Perhaps they have UK offices? https://www.travelex-insurance.com/Consumer/Welcome.htmx -Rainier Sparks Brother #1 // "I vaguely heard someone yell "wait!" but by that point i was out the door." Quote from dz.com somewhere

Thanks everyone here at dz.com & thanks to stephanie, teresa & damian at STL for answering all my questions. Weather supposed to be mostly cloudy til 2 and winds near my cutoff limit. Not gonna drive all the way out & sit around...canceled my spot. -Rainier Sparks Brother #1 // "I vaguely heard someone yell "wait!" but by that point i was out the door." Quote from dz.com somewhere

Cleared for solo at Blue Sky Ranch means i go up & come down alone but they still give me a radio for pattern & landing help, if needed. Also, i can't manifest myself, instructor has to do that for me. Does this mean "cleared to self-supervise" also? -Rainier Sparks Brother #1 // "I vaguely heard someone yell "wait!" but by that point i was out the door." Quote from dz.com somewhere

Cleared for solo & cleared to self-supervise Is there one ? -Rainier Sparks Brother #1 // "I vaguely heard someone yell "wait!" but by that point i was out the door." Quote from dz.com somewhere

Thats a BRILLIANT suggestion and i didnt even think of it. thanks. Might wait til after the 5 jumps to ask for the coffee tho -Rainier Sparks Brother #1 // "I vaguely heard someone yell "wait!" but by that point i was out the door." Quote from dz.com somewhere

Thought that avatar was kinda weird for someone named Mike. Figured i had other problems besides a new DZ, as in vision loss. Anyway, i'm cleared to self-supervise but i cannot manifest myself yet. Basically cleared to Solo, but an instructor has to put me on a load. Is that a standard ? Does that mean i'm cleared to self-supervise? i've never asked about the difference between "cleared for solo" & "able to self-supervise" Emailed with 1 of my instructors yesterday and had to double check that the rental gear at STL is same type of main, which it is, Navigator 230. Not something more hp. Also, STL will be sending an instructor up with me for the 1st h&p. Spoke to STL regarding my currency & experience level & all relevant details. Now, hopefully the weather will clear up enuf -Rainier Sparks Brother #1 // "I vaguely heard someone yell "wait!" but by that point i was out the door." Quote from dz.com somewhere

Its a Scott Miller course, which i've heard good things about. Not worried about doing a hop n pop. Actually excited about that. My main concern was the gear. If it was different gear, i was going to back out because that would be too many new variable, imho. But, i confirmed w/ the DZ today that its the same gear setup, except for a slightly larger main, 230 versus my current 220. I'll get there as early as possible to familiarize myself w/ the gear & dropzone. If, for any reason, i dont feel right about it, I wont jump, bottom line. -Rainier Sparks Brother #1 // "I vaguely heard someone yell "wait!" but by that point i was out the door." Quote from dz.com somewhere

Signed up for canopy course at Skys The LImit in PA. Question is, i'll be at a new dz, currently jump at the ranch, and doing hopnpop, which i have yet to do. Are these too many new variables to introduce ? I"m currently working towards my A, on coach jumps, no hopnpops yet. Still on student gear too & the student gear at Skys the limit is 230, which i jump a 220 right now, and BOC so no new equipment to worry about. I dont feel uncomfortable going but wonder if i'm seeing all the angles. Any input is appreciated. -Rainier Sparks Brother #1 // "I vaguely heard someone yell "wait!" but by that point i was out the door." Quote from dz.com somewhere

http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=695183;search_string=bird;#695183 do a search for bird strike & there are a few. the link above has a reply w/ pics of a small bird embedded in someone's visor!!! -Rainier Sparks Brother #1 // "I vaguely heard someone yell "wait!" but by that point i was out the door." Quote from dz.com somewhere

Jump # 2 yesterday for a coach level went well in ff. Once i deployed and checkd my canopy, had the oh shit moment where i saw what looked like tension knots or twists way up my control lines, maybe 2 feet down from the attachement points. At first, looked like line over on both sides of my canopy which my brain said didnt make sense cause i wasnt spinning or turning or anything like that and the canopy was out, square & stable. I wasnt prepared for what that looked like, didnt know what to do immediately but i was slightly above 3k and flying stable so i didnt panic. My controllability check went fine so i decided to land the parachute & everything went well. It was a little scary at first because it seemed like i was experiencing something that hadnt been covered in my FJC and thought i would have to chop if i couldnt steer with control lines. Lots of things went thru my head, esp, don't waste anytime cause the hard deck is approaching AND don't chop right away because it LOOKS like something is wrong. My question is, do i try and steer with rear risers if my control lines aren't "working" but my parachute is otherwise flying stable? I know that thats not what happened to me exactly but what if, lets say, my toggels fell off or both control lines were out of the picture? I did a search and read a few posts here but wonder whats applicable to a newbie flying a 220 main, student gear. Also, fyi i've never attempted to land using just risers. I will also discuss with my instructor again now that other questions have occurred to me but want to hear some input here also. My JM showed me why the twists happened and how to make sure they dont happen in the future. BUT, i'm not packing my own chute yet so its a matter of trusting my packers right now. He showed me how the toggles get twirled up... -Rainier Sparks Brother #1 // "I vaguely heard someone yell "wait!" but by that point i was out the door." Quote from dz.com somewhere

It counted for my B !! -Rainier Sparks Brother #1 // "I vaguely heard someone yell "wait!" but by that point i was out the door." Quote from dz.com somewhere

So thats what i shoulda done?! I landed in that damn pond instead of swooping it...sheesh. nice pics dude! thanks for posting 'em. -Rainier Sparks Brother #1 // "I vaguely heard someone yell "wait!" but by that point i was out the door." Quote from dz.com somewhere

Oops. Shoulda searched a bit first. http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=692213;search_string=winter%20jumps;#692213 -Rainier Sparks Brother #1 // "I vaguely heard someone yell "wait!" but by that point i was out the door." Quote from dz.com somewhere

Hey all, WIth the winter on its way in the Northeast, I'm wondering what people have used as gear to keep warm when they jump. I also snowboard so i've got some of the first layer stuff. Just wondering what will give me the best protection against the cold but not have me walkin around like a starfish & make it difficult to pull ! & steer & land etc... I assume a face mask is required as well as gloves. P.S. I do plan on making a trip down to FL, perhaps Deland :) but will need to make at least 1 or 2 jumps up here. -Rainier Sparks Brother #1 // "I vaguely heard someone yell "wait!" but by that point i was out the door." Quote from dz.com somewhere

You know what i meant dude!!! This year she was 98. -Rainier Sparks Brother #1 // "I vaguely heard someone yell "wait!" but by that point i was out the door." Quote from dz.com somewhere

I have similar feelings. When the pilot banks & you feel the increased Gs in the plane, i get that WTF feeling a bit. I also get it when i approach the door but it disappears when i'm actually in the door, or maybe just decreases alot. I get a huge wave of release as soon as i've let go of the plane. Kinda counterintuitive. I got over (most of) my stomach butterflies on the ride up by reminding myself, "hey, i'm wearing a parachute.." I don't have many jumps so i'm sure it will decrease as time goes on but i hope it doesnt totally disappear as i think it keeps me just paranoid enuf to gear check gear check gear check :) dont prefer diving to floating exits. like them both.. can you post the link to the fuselage shimmy tail guy? i'd like to see that & do it in the future (far future)!! -Rainier Sparks Brother #1 // "I vaguely heard someone yell "wait!" but by that point i was out the door." Quote from dz.com somewhere

98yr old woman jumps at Blue Sky Ranch every year from what i gathered. Rides up on a Harley !! http://theblueskyranch.com/feature.php -Rainier Sparks Brother #1 // "I vaguely heard someone yell "wait!" but by that point i was out the door." Quote from dz.com somewhere

Thanks. 0ct 15-16 at Sky's The Limit in PA ! -Rainier Sparks Brother #1 // "I vaguely heard someone yell "wait!" but by that point i was out the door." Quote from dz.com somewhere

Anyone know of a DZ close to NYC which has regular canopy control classes? My home DZ is Blue Sky Ranch which has invidividual training but i would like a group class, because of cost issues ... :) -Rainier Sparks Brother #1 // "I vaguely heard someone yell "wait!" but by that point i was out the door." Quote from dz.com somewhere

Hi, Click on the SAFETY tab and read those articles.. :) -Rainier Sparks Brother #1 // "I vaguely heard someone yell "wait!" but by that point i was out the door." Quote from dz.com somewhere