immanence

Yes, indeed. You're right, of course, which is why I wouldn't want to push the metaphor. Maybe I should have more accurately compared a Lexus with a Winnebago (or maybe, as you suggest, the vehicle metaphor doesn't apply much at all). At any rate, there is the problem of natural flying speed, at least relative to inexperienced pilots. But responsiveness, agility and input accuracy are important flight characteristics that pertain to safety and confidence in the air and which larger, "docile" canopies aren't designed to provide. I'd simply say that bigger is not necessarily better for one's first 100 jumps, while clearly too small can be downright dangerous. What exactly is "too small" is a relative question, as is the question of what's too big. It is not the leap from 280 to 170 that matters, but whether 170 fits with this particular jumper's weight and canopy flying abilities. I never cared (and still don't) about impressive landings, but I sure remember being so much happier under the agile and solid Reflex 145 than I ever was under the flappy old Manta 280s I had to jump before I bought my own gear. The optimal canopy for an early post-AFF jumper should have drive while not outrunning, at its natural flying speed, the limits of the pilot. "where danger is appears also that which saves ..." Friedrich Holderlin, 'Patmos'

Others may disagree and have more experience than I to bring to bear on this matter, but in my opinion downsizing to a 170 from 280 student gear need not be an excessive step. Much depends on the weight ratio and mental attitude of the jumper. After around 28 jumps on Mantas I transitioned on my 59th jump (30 jumps had been on rounds) to a Reflex 145. Given that I'm light (at around 155lbs) the weight ratio was good. I was simply extremely cautious (still am) for the first 20 jumps. In general, I believe I am much safer under this smaller, zero-porosity canopy. It flies much better than any student canopy. I know if I had to, I could get out of the way of something fast. It lands swiftly if I make it, gently if I wish. Toggle input is immediate and predictable after a few jumps. I wouldn't want to stretch the metaphor too far, because some present canopies can surely only be handled by experts, but I think there is something to seeing canopies as one might see cars: I, for one, would feel safer behind the wheel of a Porsche 911 than a Cadillac Eldorado. One doesn't have to drive the Porsche like a lunatic. I guess it all comes down to knowing where one's own limits are, and driving or canopy-flying within those limits. Relative to the specific question posed by this thread, yes, it sounds like a good deal. Probably you should put in at least 10 jumps beyond your AFF before downsizing, but your instructor can better assess your level than any of us. One word of caution: you may wish to think on the subject title you chose for this thread. "Clueless" is not what you should be when engaged in this sport. Blue skies, ian "where danger is appears also that which saves ..." Friedrich Holderlin, 'Patmos'

For me it came from nowhere. There wasn't one thing that caught my attention. I knew about the sport before. I had even had one of my housemates in college do a sponsored jump but I thought nothing of it. Then a question appeared for me: "Why haven't I ever done that?" Then I found myself doing it ....... "where danger is appears also that which saves ..." Friedrich Holderlin, 'Patmos'

I have never had a malfunction but I know on my fourth jump (which was a static line round) I completely switched off in the door on exit. I was just absent. If I'd have been onto freefall without an AAD (and AADs were not always common on student kits in 1993) I'd have gone in. I think this kind of blanking out is quite normal, however. It is a stage to be surmounted and is not often talked about openly because of the unfortunate bravado that sometimes goes with our beautiful sport. Perhaps there are some who from the beginning have no levels of fear to break through, but for many there are complex, subconscious and conscious levels of intensity to process. I think the first 50 jumps are crucial because you either grapple with this intensity incrementally, or you face it all at once, like in the situation you describe. Plenty times since jump number four for me I've been a few seconds behind the instructions of my instructors, but I never blanked out like that again, and I doubt that you will either. TFFTM is on the money: practice, practice, practice. Drill on the ground. I must have run through EPs thousands of times in my head, with my rig on, alone at the mockup while others were chilling out ..... and even in my sleep. I still do. What the practice does is not only create muscle memory but presentness of mind. When I blanked out I was lost somewhere in the back of my own mind. With practice and drill and thought you leave your fears in the back of your mind and the skydiver in you comes forward. Blue skies, ian "where danger is appears also that which saves ..." Friedrich Holderlin, 'Patmos'

Thank you, Andrea, for this sweet welcome!

I'm seriously looking into teaching one semester in Dubai just to be close to that DZ I also have friends there and few excuses for not going "where danger is appears also that which saves ..." Friedrich Holderlin, 'Patmos'

Hi all, There is no dropzone in El-Gouna / Hurghada, nor anywhere in Egypt, until now. I am part of a small team trying to navigate the labyrinth of Egyptian bureaucracy and finance to get one established. I'll be posting in these forums soon in this regard. There is a real gap in the skydiving map over Egypt: we have 365 days per year of blue skies as well as warm waters, beaches and remarkable desert scenery. I'll keep you all posted. Blue skies, ian "where danger is appears also that which saves ..." Friedrich Holderlin, 'Patmos'

Dear Joolee, I know this reply is late, but I just joined these forums. There is no dropzone in El-Gouna / Hurghada, I'm afraid. Nor is there one in Sharm El-Sheikh, at least yet. I'm part of a small team trying to get a civilian dropzone off the ground in Egypt. I'll be posting on these forums soon in this regard. Keep your eyes open, and anyone else who may be interested. Blue skies, ian "where danger is appears also that which saves ..." Friedrich Holderlin, 'Patmos'

Hi to all! I'm an academic / journalist living in the Middle East. I started skydiving back in 1993 and deeply love the sport, though I have yet only done 134 jumps due to being continually far from a drop zone and / or broke. Graduate study didn't fit well with a passion for this sport, and neither does being in Egypt, where there is, until now, no civilian drop zone. More on that in another post soon: a small team of us here are working to set up a viable civilian skydiving centre in this beautiful land where we have blue skies 365 days of the year. I started on rounds, jumping first at Topcliffe in the UK, and learning from some wonderful skydivers: Graham Guest, Dave Coverdale, Terry Kilmaster and Trev Dobson, among others. I then jumped at many other places, including Brunton, near my parents home, with the remarkable, soulful and sadly late Graham Marley. Tim Andrews took over that drop zone and I was very pleased to find him again last year when, after several years out, I passed my FS1 (Cat X) at Empuriabrava jumping with some astonishing members of the Spanish national team who run the Skydive Uni there. In between, I jumped in France with Marc Bonneau and Jean Texier, the United States, Australia, from a balloon in Spain, and from a C-130 (on my 100th) over the desert here in Egypt. In sending this greeting, I want to acknowledge all the inspiration I have stolen from all the skydivers I have watched, talked with, and been around over the years. Each one of you has helped me in ways impossible to summarise. I really hope that soon being back in the air is the rule not the exception in my life. Blue skies to all! ian "where danger is appears also that which saves ..." Friedrich Holderlin, 'Patmos'