Jackpunx

This is where the point has just shot right over your head. If you can get stable, and deploy safely, your freefall skills are adequate. Having adequate canopy skills is a little more involved, mostly due to the fact that you WILL run into the ground one way or another on EVERY canopy ride. Think about it. Now think about how most skydiving fatalites and injuries are happenign these days. Choose your focus carefully. I don’t think the point went over my head.. I prefer the upper portion of my skydive VS the bottom.. That doesn’t mean I don’t have fun under canopy.. I land my landing on my feet where I want to.. I will take a canopy cntl class as well.. I never want to stop learning.. But there is nothing I cant do after Free fall that it takes a H/P to do.. I still pull at 3500 regardless.

other then having the landing area to yourself... its the same difference as a full jump. Isnt it? Not for me. I concentrate mainly on my canopy skills. I don't have a huge dive plan to remember, what altitude are we breaking off at, who's tracking which way, etc. Other than getting stable out the door and pulling, my mind is on my canopy skills. And at my DZ, rarely do you have the landing area to yourself on a hop n' pop. I’m not knocking them.. I just love to free fall with other people and thinking about exits and break offs and dirt dives.. I like the canopy ride too.. but I'll make it quick to get back in the air.. Our H/P's are 15 vs 22. I got a new canopy recently and did a few high pulls... 6k just to get some time on the canopy.. I love it.. I would do a hop and pop any day of the week if we had low clouds and that was my only choice.. but.. with out those conditions.. I'll take it to 12,500

other then having the landing area to yourself... its the same difference as a full jump. Isnt it?

We have.. or I consider this to be "a mentor program" Skills Camps, LO's and experienced skydiver that you get to know as you go to the DZ more often.. I have found all the information Ive needed and more just by showing up.. There are so many people that would love to take you under wing if you are willing to put in some work and commitment. That has been my experience.. Maybe it has something to do with my DZ (Perris) not sure.. There are people out there that you can pay to teach you.. I have done that and am wayyyy better off for it.... Get your A license and make some friends.. Once they have grabbed you up and taken you in.. It will be your turn to do the same to the next new guy.. Good Luck Mark

Looking forward to it

my G3 is so comfortable that I couldnt imagine a G4 being any more comfortable.. Im very happy

I got all new except for the AAD.. I looked alot but was not able to find something as comfortable as the gear I had been renting along with the canopy that I have been jumping and really like. I ended up getting a new mirage, Pilot 168 and PD 160.. I did my major amount of downsizing on rental gear (down to 1.1) before I decided to commit to a canopy for a while.. I had a lot of apprehension on buying new.. but Im am very happy and can support a couple downsizes if I choose to do that.. So I should be good with this container for a while.. I also got such a good deal that If I choose to sell.. I should be able to get very close to what I paid for it.. Those deals are out there if you look.. It was new.. but pieced together by Bonnie at gravity gear..

I got a new rig this weekend.. and was itchen to try it out.. but I was just getting a cold.. Not a bad one.. and it hadnt really moved from my chest to my nose/head yet.. so I went.. I jumped twice.. the second time my left ear didnt clear and hurt like hell.. when it did clear it was like someone stuck me with a knife.. Later in the day it got better.. I almost jumped again..LOL>. but decided to go in the wind tunnel for 15 min instead.. Im glad I didnt jump.. We flew to the DZ that day.. on our decent.. my ears were not right.. They are good now.. I thought I might have popped my ear drum.. I'll never do that again.. but it takes what it takes.. good luck

I got the rig, Jumped and love it.. thanks to all who posted and thanks to Gravity Girl for hooking me up

Do you have a demo program that you can take advantage of where you jump?.. I started on a 260 and my progression went 260,240,230,210,190 and finally 168.. I ended up purchasing one.. and Im really happy.. I got a container to support a downsize if I go that rout in the next few hundred jumps.. but for now.. Im really happy I waited.. The thing I learned is .. you probably want to jump that size canopy before you buy it.. its generally not good to try to grow into a canopy because you may force your progression before your ready for it.. I would wait until you have your A license before I even started looking.. good luck in whatever you do and dont get out of your comfort level.. Im a huge fan of this list.. do that on every canopy before you downsize and you'll be fine.. but make sure your instructors aggree with you before you do it on your own. http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/safety/detail_page.cgi?ID=47

OOOOoo that must have sucked... Well done..

Call me.. Im down! With almost 80 jumps.. You should be packing a little faster.. do you think we might be able to jump more than 3 times that day

weak packers..... I'll pack if for you any day.

I ended up getting a brand new container (Mirage), new reserve (pd 160), new Main (pilot 168) , a slightly used cypress rigged and delivered for 4299. I’m pretty happy about it as I have seen this same set up with a few years on them for 4500+ .. The flaming part of my last post with just for fun..

well.. for shits and giggles... go ahead..LOL

I did see that and think its a good relevant document.. but I think there are many people who have more jumps than required that cannot do this http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/safety/detail_page.cgi?ID=47#crosswind Which I feel is more important. Under currency it only explains if you jump 100 or less a year.. at the rate I’m going now I'll be around 400 jumps this year. I feel like I sound defensive.. I don’t want to come off that way.. I just wanted to know if it was hard to find container combinations like the ones I was looking at.. I have found something and am very happy now. With the price I got it at if I decide to sell it in the next few years for whatever reason.. I should be able to get almost what I have into it. The only thing on the rig that is not new is the cypress. She gave me choices on colors of the canopy.. the one I picked was brand new.. so.. Looks like the packers are going to have fun with this for a while

But that's the sort of reason most likely to ellicit flames! BTW, your profile says WL of .9 with a 210. Is a 170 really 1:1 for you? Sorry.. I updated it.. Im 168 lbs.. 190ish out the door I have seen lots of people get lashed with regards to downsizing.. I was not asking for advise as my instructors and store from who I rent gear (and jump with) have suggested that I drop before I buy.. So I’m comfortable with it. I guess I was trying to avoid the inevitable.. Instead I brought attention to it..LOL Oh well..

there is a ton of used stuff. buy each piece separate so you get exactly what you want. the container is the tough one - it needs to fit you. Under "containers" I have 2 for sale currently which look like what you are looking for... rm I started going down that route.. but thought I would be better served to go through a reputable pro to do this for me. Also I feel like Im getting a killer deal and also exactly what I want.. that dosnt mean Im not open minded.. send the link

With all this talk about minimum size and standards, this is what scares me the most... You need to be able to do aggressive corrections close to the ground. Using a canopy that you feel fine under if you dont turn below 500 feet wont do you much good when someone cuts you off at 100 feet. I’m sorry it scares you.. but just because I drive a sports car doesn’t mean I need to race it around a track.. but it does mean that I can use its performance for either fun,,, or to get my self out of a jam.. I’m not saying I am not capable of flat turns and maneuvering.. with my little experience.. I have had to do that outside of just practice.. but what I am saying is I don’t think I need to be doing front riser hook turns yet.. Which this has nothing to do with my choices.. I was just avoiding a flame for downsizing with my jump numbers

Thanks for the link I’m downsizing to a 168 next week. Im thinking I'll stay there for a while (about 2-300 jumps and see if I want to downsize from there.. the 170 puts me at a 1:1 I have been averaging about 30 jumps a month.. and have been able to do everything on the downsizing checklist (on a 188) except landing up or down hill. So my comfort level with the 168 is pretty good. I don’t see myself becoming extremely aggressive close to the ground. Im going to take a canopy class and master that before deciding if I want to move lower. The container should support something in the 140 range.. so I think it’s a good all around fit that will last me a while. .

It looks like I found something... Brand new G3 with all the bells and whissles, new reserve PD 160, used cypress, slightly used Pilot 168 (6 jump demo), Rigged and on my doorstep for under 4k.. Im pretty happy.. should have it on paper this afternoon.

Yes. You need to less picky about your first rig. Articulation? Not necessary to learn how to jump. Only Pilot 168? Not only main on the market. Not sure what othe parameters you have but the Pilot hasn't been out very long. So older less expensive ones aren't going to exist. Also, partly because of marketing, a lot of people (like you?) want one. I'd suggest concentrating on a harness that fits, a main that is appropriate for your size and experience (Pilot isn't the only one), any modern reserve, and a middle age cypres. LOL.. well there it there.. The reason I am looking for those specific things are.. I have rented almost every other rig.. with and with out hip and chest rings.. I have jumped a spectre, sabre2 and a pilot.. I like the Pilot best.. the Mirage that was fully articulated fits the best and is the most comfortable.. so .. I have tasted the fruit ..LOL.. I don’t want to go backwards.. I actually just got off the phone with Mirage.. they said they could probably get fully fitted and brand new for 4-4500.. So.. I might bite that.. but would much rather spend less and jump more this is with a ADD cypress Its kinda like skiing.. If your cold.. Its no fun.. So having gear that fits and is comfortable makes it a little more interesting.. I think I have myself talked into it already..LOL But if any of you find me something. I’ll pay a finders fee Mark

I have been looking for gear since I have figured out what size canopy I was going to commit to for a while.. Everything I have found has been more than 4k.. If Im going to pay 4500.. why not buy new? I found something for 45.. but I think it’s a little to much for something made in 02 My budget is 3kish.. If I found a great deal on somthing.. I could bring it up to 4.. but it has to be perfect for that.. Im 5 10 170 looking for fully articulated with 17" main lift web.. that’s at least what I have been jumping and for the most part it fits pretty good. I want to buy a pilot 168 to jump for a while.. but want the option to downsize to Pre 150.. So I think something that is made for a 150 will work Do you think I’m asking to much? thanks

I think you have to have a D license.. but not positive

congrats.. Now get on with LO's and skills camps.. Over here they are free and I have learned a lot really quick.. for me Skydiving is a social sport.. and I dont like feeling like I need to jump by myself because Im not good enough to jump with some of the others.. You will find there is a lot to learn.. Have fun