nbryant

Just so everyone knows, Orbitjunkie took me from being so scared I couldn't even exit by myself (after I graduated AFF!) to teaching me last weekend that just because I could get to the large formation first doesn't mean I should dock an unstable formation(although he did get pissed and tracked off when other people docked on the unstable formation). I thanked him last weekend in person for his concern and I want to thank him again on DZ.com

First of all, I'm not a newly licensed skydiver. I just never really cared about keeping up a logbook, or getting a license. I worked at the DZ and I never really had a chance or desire to go to another DZ because we have an incredible plane, great landing areas, and I was at my DZ working every weekend. Being that I worked there, I'm sure that no one questioned my wingloading because they all assumed I have been skydiving for a longtime or something. Probably because I primarily jump with the experienced jumpers at the DZ. I don't keep a logbook, and I jump at least 3 loads a day so I'm sure they just assumed I have a bunch of jumps. I also have a lot of tunnel time so I've always been able to complete complicated dives or freefly since my first few jumps. That probably fostered the assumptions of a high jump number and I never volunteered information because I was afraid that something like this forum would happen. Before this forum, my abilities or judgement was never questioned. After this forum, I've been called an idiot, told I have no respect for the sport or those that came before me, I'm a incident report waiting to happen, etc... I would like everyone, to realize that in this case, everyone made judgements about my motives, experience level, and my level of respect for experienced jumpers' advice. This all started because someone (who is still my close friend) with 500-700 jumps who flys a wingloading of 1 to 1 had a problem with my canopy selection. The most ironic thing is that the same day he started this forum he complimented me on my landing the Crossfire 129. It wasn't until he asked what kind of canopy I jumped that he became upset. I'm not saying that he was wrong to cause such an uproar, however I am very disappointed at how my fellow skydivers reacted, and the way they expressed their thoughts of me. The biggest lesson I've learned from this forum, is how quick you guys are to judge and call names from a simple one line question. Not one of you have ever seen me fly a canopy, or take an off DZ landing, or avoid those AFF students that love get in your way on approach.

I'll tell you if you tell me which DZ let you jump a wingsuit at 78 jumps. However, I must point out that I highly doubt that they knew what my wingloading was and I never gave them any reason to question my wingloading. In fact, no one questioned me jumping or landing the crossfire until this forum was created.

I am the guy who jumped the 129 Crossfire 1 at a wingloading of 1.43 (I lost a little weight). I would first like to say that I have been jumping a 1.4 wingloading since I've had 32 jumps. Probably not the best idea however, I didn't know any better and it's what I've learned on. That being said I stand up every landing, and land exactly where I want to everytime. Secondly, I am a very safe skydiver and canopy pilot who takes all conditions and variables into consideration before every jump. I am not some careless idiot looking to end up in a body bag. Before I jumped the Crossfire, I received canopy coaching from 2 CPC competitors, one of them was a recent winner. After witnessing me land numerous times and witnessing me land the crossfire they both said that I had great landings. I am very confident that I can land the Crossfire all day long in perfect conditions. It is the imperfect conditions that I am concerned with. After talking to several D class jumpers and the DZO I agreed to go back to my Sabre 135. I want to make this very clear. You can ask anyone at my DZ and they will tell you that I am a very saftey concious and conservative skydiver & canopy pilot. I never put anyone in danger at anytime, especially not myself. I would never jump something that I couldn't handle. However, I plan to be in the sport for a long time and I have no problem slowing down my canopy progression. I would just like to point out that there is an article on here outlining the manevuers that one needs to be able to perform with precision before downsizing. Being that I have only downsized twice, I was able to perform every technique outlined in that article with precision every time with every canopy I've jumped. So for all that think I am a careless idiot, I read everything I can about canopy flight, I have been receiving weekly canopy coaching from CPC competitors since I graduated AFF, and I did ask experienced canopy pilots who know my abilities if the downsize would be safe and appropriate for me before I ever put the canopy in my rig.