Jackpunx

when I started AFF .. they pounded EP's on us.. I didnt even realize I had an RSL until I got through a few levels.. even then.. they still pounded EP's and not to depend on anything but our hands and eyes.. Im gratefull for it.. I understand what an RSL does now.... and I also understand that they can fail.. thats what happend to the student that went for Red instead of his PC on his first AFF.. so he cut away his main.. his RSL broke.. and back then the cypress was on the main.. so the dude was SOL until he pulled the reserve.. Now the schools have RSLs that require a tool to unhook.. but the demo/rental gear that Im on now dosnt have that.. It only takes a little pull of the fingers to release the RSL.. Kinda scary.. I wouldnt even tell the students about the RSL.. I would just pound EP's.

well done on the "off student" status.. try not to get caught up in jumping solo to much.. get all the coach jumps you can.. make friends with the local load organizer.. they will be waiting for you when you get your licnese. I dont know anything about FF... but make sure you do your share of RW work .. Im new too.. Im not really concentrating on anything other than belly flying for now..

congrats!!.. you got to do the Beer... I walked in with a couple of cases on my first solo..

So you too see the value in the college education. There are plenty of people who succeed without it, most typically as self employed. But the average incomes show a clear benefit. Owning a business is hard work - I prefer using that excess energy for play. I agree.. Although I don’t work for myself.. I work for one of the top 3 ISP's in the world. I’m a global business administrator and in charge of our applications world wide... to add.. I’m no where near a nerd.. Just very resourceful If I had gone to school.. I would have more choices.. I’m not saying not to go to school.. I’m saying that its not everything.. With all that has been said.. You should go to school.. Your almost done.. then you can take a break from it.. Teach skydiving for a while, decide what you want out of life and if working as a skydiver will provide that.. It has been said here already.. But school will give you more choices.

sounds like you get wrapped up in drama pretty easy...

I didnt go to college.. I have a great job.. and skydive,race boat, race cars.. for fun.. Not for work.. I would love to quit my job and do one of my hobbies for a living.. but.. Then it would be a job.. and not a hobby.. Can you do both in moderation? also... My point.. I worked very hard to get where i am.. and have lots of people that went to college working for me Enjoy your life.. but create balance....

Lew got some pics?.. the Lew that works for the school? Post them

thanks Wendy, I am downsizing as I progress .. I sarted with a 280 and Im on a 210 now.. I'll probably do the demo program until Im on a 190 and purchase a container.. I feel pretty comfortable on the 210 but the flare is a little lower.. Once I figure out the size I like and buy it Im sure i'll start to feel some consistancy with a rig.. but for now they have all been a little different.

All great posts.. thanks for taking the time.. Im not in any rush to go beyond my comfort level ..but I can see my comfort level changing as time goes by.. as for now....I should have my A next week or so and was invited by the load organizer to join them.. Im excited about that and as Im a beginner im sure they will accomodate me until im comfortable.. after the few RW coach jumps I did yesterday.. Break off about 5 .. wave off and clear airspace around 4.. pull about 35-3700.. it all made sense.. I never felt like I was pushing the envalope.. I got a hop and pop, a packing class and my last final jump.. and Im on my own.

now thats a fair statement Im sure you guys get a newbe that askes the same question every couple months.. Im not trying to cause trouble.. just wondering thanks for taking the time to reply

Im not sure.. thats why Im asking you guys what you do I know that my pull alt is 35-3800'.. thats because I want to be under canopy by 3k and if I dont like my canopy at 3k.. I'll be under a new one by 2k.. what are your numbers and why?

Im not sure.. thats why Im asking you guys what you do

I guess nobody here went through aff where the decision alt is 2500" lol I only wanted to know what happened and when did you decide that you didnt really need 2500" anymore.. Is just because other people did it.. so you did it too? is it because its not safe to pull so high? is it because you need the extra 6seconds of freefall? Just curious.. Ive seen people with lots of jumps say they pull at 3500 to 4k.. and Ive seen people with low jump numbers.. that pull at 2500.. Personaly Im comfortable waving off at 4 and pulling when my airspace is clear.. I was just wondering if you all had a secret that you werent telling me...lol

after I read some the replies ... your exactly right.. so.. what is the wave off for most of you?

QuoteWhat are you jumping that would take 1000 feet to open? reply] I wave off at 4k and probably pull around 36-38 and am under canopy at 3k. Im jumping a 230 srectre

I just finished AFF..and they teach us to have a decision altitude at 2500 at what point did that go away for you? if you pull at 3k or less.. and it takes about 1k to inflate a chute.. I understand as you get more experience you may push the envalope a little.. also depending on the spot.. I pull at 4k right now.. I am under canopy by 3 k and able to do a Crrontrolabilty check.. Im sure things will change for me.. just wondering what changed for you? when it happend? and why. thanks

Actually.. just for shits and giggles.. you should go to your instructor and tell them.. Dropzone told me I could.. and they said to ask you why Im not on a 150 yet.. and they said to ask you where my free skyhook is and bring a camera to take a pic of AFFI's face when you tell them that..

LMAO.. PHEW!!.... I'll be trying all that stuff.. as long as its not a guy in a gorilla costume with an erection that Im tangeling knee's with..LMAO BTW... I had a jolly rancher in FF

whats a horny gorilla? LOL>.

I can tell you why they do that. You are working your way down now in canopy size. If you buy new for a 190, you will be able to put a 170 into it no problem when the time comes. If you have the money to do it, it will be better for you in the long run. As the rig will be built for you, it will be very comfortable and you will be able to downsize safely with that container. The big thing is the comfort you will get from the rig, and you won't be wasting money on the used rig. If they think you are downsizing to fast, listen to them!!!!!!!!! The staff at SQ1 has seen many things that you may not even think about. If they are telling you that you are going to fast LISTEN TO THEM!!!!! I used to work for SQ1 and believe it or not they are looking out for your best interest. Many people have come before you and not listened to them and are now in a wheel chair or worse. Ask them about the many people they have seen that have really messed themselves up by trying to go to fast. DON'T BE A STATISTIC!!!!!! PLEASE!!! My advice to new people buying their first set of gear is to buy a new HC and Reserve and a used 1st main. Because you won't stay on the main for a long time. SQ1 has a really good demo program that allows you to even just buy your HC and Reserve while continuing to use their mains while you downsize. No need to rush or be aggresive while downsizing. That can kill you. Be safe and take your time. SQ1 allows you the chance to do that. Listen to the others. They may not be able to get the point across in a way that you can understand, but they are trying to keep you safe and in the sport a lot longer then you may otherwise if you don't take their advice. Thanks for the reply, Im not suggesting to SQ1 what I feel my progression is.. Im totally open minded and not into rushing this.. Just want a container that supports the progression.. So in other words.. I’m doing it on their time.. not mine.. as far as the other people thinking I might be a little aggressive.. Those are people who would never jump out of a plane or go over 100mph in a boat.. I want to progress slow.. Im way more into RW then aggressive canopy rides.. and don’t really have the interest right now for a small canopy.. I just want to have a nice comfy container I think my 1.1 is a 190.. I'll work my way down to that and see how I feel.. I'll probably purchase a used 190.. fly it for a while and maybe go down to a 170.. I really don’t plan on going below 1.1 until I have at least 150 jumps under my belt.. I like the way my legs work right now and want to keep them metal free thanks for the info and re enforcment.. Im going new on everything but my main

I dont think it did.. I was glad to hear in the interview that he wouldnt be jumping again.. although.. with all that had happend.. He probably would never pull that one again..

our student gear has RSL on them

How many of them have something for sale that "should work for you"? I suggest used to a lot of people as well (my first two rigs were used and I was very happy with them), but for those who jump at Perris and have the cash to buy new I'll always recommend Sq1's demo program. One nice thing about the demo program that I didn't mention. Most people end up buying - and having the skills to fly - something at least one size smaller than what they would have purchased had they bought gear right off student status. For the majority of containers out there, yes you can. Some people will suggest that you buy a container to fit a 170 and stuff a 190 in it; I disagree with that approach. Seen too many people who give up on packing because it's too hard and/or downsize too soon because it's hard to pack/looks like crap. Have seen a few broken stiffeners and damage around the grommets on the main closing flaps from doing this as well. thanks you

Of course they are. They make more money selling you a new rig than they do selling you a used one. That's not to say they are wrong for doing so. The demo program Square 1 offers is, imho, the best deal gong for a novice jumper. At their Perris store you have access to more containers and more canopies than at any other gear store I've seen, and it's all modern, up to date equipment - no ragged out mains or 15 year old containers like some other gear stores and dz's offer for rental. This allows you to jump pretty much everything that's out there before you make the decision of which is right for you, which is the best way to figure that out. The program also allows you to downsize slowly, biff landings on someone else's gear (and jumpsuits), learn to pack on non-new canopies, and not have to deal with reserve repacks and AAD maintainence. If you have enough cash on hand to put down the required deposit, do it. I'd suggest that you talk with the folks at Square 1 (particularly Brenda or Dave) and one or more of the instructors at Perris regarding what size canopies might be right for you. I'd also suggest that you schedule a canopy control course ASAP. And please... save aggressive for when you know WTF you are doing. Im going down there today.. I'll talk to them.. and make a decision in the next couple weeks with regards to new or used. I wasnt bad mouthing them for pushing me new.. just have talked to lots of people who suggest used Right now Im just really enjoying the new sport.. I feel like Im pretty conservative.. My other friends (non skydivers/boat racers) call me nuts.. Im nothing like some of the people I see swooping at the DZ..lol I appreciate your concern about being aggressive.. I guess I should have worded it different.. Im just one of you guys.. in the beginning stages.. I like the way my legs work right now.. so.. I'll be cool.. I promise I'll let you know what they say.. but my question is.. If I think I want to go say 190 to 170 to 150... can I do all that on the same container? thanks

thanks for the reply