Chris-Ottawa

Hey, Cessna DZ from 10,000 ft. You can land nearly anywhere, there are some fences around but you can generally see where they run once you get a bit lower. There have been landing in the schools in town, or on the highway, or the opposite side of the airport. It's a long walk back across the airport. There's some blue stuff they tell me it's not good to land in...can't figure out why. I love my home DZ! Go Mile High! Chris "When once you have tasted flight..."

Hey Guys, When everyone on here is referring to safety, I don't think they're so much thinking of the guns damaging your gear. (Please read story below, but that wouldn't be my concern). I would be thousands of times more concerned about people trying to "catch" another person in freefall, or another canopy. Are you really goijng to be able to properly fly your canopy, keep an eye on the guy you're chasing, hold your gun, prepare to fire, all while managing to watch for other air traffic? I don't think so. If it was 1 on 1 at a small DZ, maybe, but it's still asking for trouble. It may not be as fun as you think, if you did this in freefall, the odds of you hitting someone would be next to nil unless you were point blank or below the person. The ball's terminal speed would be much slower than you I suspect. This is just asking for trouble. Story: I used to play paintball competitively. In my small hometown for training we had 3 different fields that we built. We were playing at our biggest field and had a few noobs out to play. Of course they didn't have gear so we lent them what we had, but we were short a mask. The field we were at was owned by my friend who's dad is a welder, so this was perfect, we'll go grab some welder's goggles and go play. ONce we had the goggles, we though it might be smart to test them first. So, we placed them in a tree, went about 40 feet away and fired a single shot. I have never seen something explode the way those goggles did. Paintballs are fairly dangerous at close range, they are a 68 Calibre bullet that has some decent weight behind it. I don't think it would break a full face helmet visor, but all other goggles, I'm willing to put money on the fact that they would. This does sound like a fun idea, but top risky for me. Let's not bump the "statistics" up unecessarily. Chris "When once you have tasted flight..."

Hey guys, These are things I don't know. I know right now that I'm not comfortable jumping without an RSL unless I'm doing something that having one would make it worse. It's just a choice I'm going to make when I get there. I know the winter will take away from my jumping experience. I don't know if I'll get 200 jumps by the end of this summer, depends on money. We'll see Chris "When once you have tasted flight..."

......And the result was??? "When once you have tasted flight..."

Hey Labrys, It's not necessarily jump numbers that will weigh my decision to stop using an RSL. It's more a comfort factor. Right now, with 55 jumps, I would feel comfortable jumping without one, but if I was in a situation where I needed it (IE Low pull with a mal or something), right now, I'd be glad it was there. My magical number of 150-200 jumps is my rough estimate when I'll feel comfortable that I can get myself stable quickly with any gear in any situation. If I don't feel comfortable at 200 jumps, then the RSL stays on. It's just my outlook at this time, and it will likely change. I do agree that jump type will affect whether it's on or not as well, I was simply giving my opinion and this is how I feel at this point. Chris "When once you have tasted flight..."

Hey, I think this all relies around the stability question. If you have time, sure try to get stable if you're comfortable doing that, if not, dump right away. I personally think it's pretty unlikely that once those 3 rings release, that there would be any chance of your reserve catching the main. I mean, in a split second you're probably already 20 feet from the main. I guess it's possible, but still pretty unlikely. My handles sounded like this when I had a mal: CHING CHING! No delay at all, and I'm glad I did everything right. It was jump 33, wasn't a violent mal but I couldn't land it, and there was "NO" delay whatsoever. No RSL on the rig either. Just another point of view, one of my instructors was doing an intentional for his tandem rating and had a video guy follow him for fun. The plan was to chop, delay 5 seconds then dump the reserve. It didn't go exactly as planned. The video showed that he delayed about half a second, even though the guy cutting away thought it was a good 5-6 seconds. It's pretty amazing what stress/adrenaline will do to the mind. My plan, if I have altitude to spare, I'll attempt stability, but for now, my RSL stays connected. I haven't decided that it would be safer for me to remove. It's a tough call, but I think once I have about 150-200 jumps, I'll likely jump without it. There's alot of pro's and cons, it's just a personal decision as to which one weighs more. Chris "When once you have tasted flight..."

Hey, I'm pretty new, but I have had the oppurtunity to jump a bunch of different canopies. Softest to Hardest Openings 1:Pilot 170 2:Spectre 135 3:Sabre2 150 x2 4:Navigator 280 5: Manta 288 6:Silhouette 210 Best flying parachutes(note: size has an effect here): 1:Sabre2 2:Spectre 3:Pilot 4:Navigator 5:Silhouette 6:Manta Best Flaring parachutes (Again, note for size): 1:Sabre2 2:Spectre 3:Pilot 4:Navigator 5:Silhouette 6:Manta I only got to put a few jumps on the PIlot and Sabres but they are nice canopies. The Pilot scared meas it took a LOOOONG time to open. I don't know altitude wise, but rest assured I had my hands on my handles ready to chop. I now jump the Spectre all the time and I love it. It is always on heading, nice and snappy in turns, great flare, always make it back, I just love it. I've opened in a track a few times and there's no difference from a normal opening at all. The Sabres were nice openings, but I found them quick. They weren't hard at all, they just happened faster, which makes them seem harder, but it's a consistent opening if that makes sense. It doesn't slam you at any point, it just opens quicker. I think my Spectre was my favourite canopy so far out of all of them. Even if I downsize in the next 2 or 3 years, I'll likely still keep my Spectre, I plan on getting into video. I would also like to try a Pilot at the same W/L as my Spectre. Chris "When once you have tasted flight..."

Hey, Just thought I'd pipe up here since I'm fairly new myself. I think my first packjob that I jumped was on jump #10 or so. It was just after AFF, but before I had my solo. I was scared like no tomorrow. The main thing for me was the boost I got from the instructor showing me how to pack. He had been showing me here and there, but it was a slow day so I had him watch me through the whole thing and did like someone posted above, don't say anything unless I'm royally screwing up. Yes, I asked a question here and there when I wasn't sure, but for the most part I packed it myself. I now asked him if he thought I could jump it (hoping he would say no, so I could redo it, he took it and made a jump on it. Man was that a huge boost of confidence. Then I figured, if he trusted my packjob, I trust it. I've never paid for a packjob...ever. I did have a mal on one of my packjobs though, still not sure if it was my fault or not, but when it happened, there wasn't anythign I could do to fix it, so I chopped and used my friendly rigger's packjob (the reserve). I had a tension knot on one of the lines, it could have been my fault, it could have just been how the wind grabbed the lines, who knows. The point in all of this is, if someone who watches you and is experienced is willing to jump the rig, why worry? Go jump it, pull high to give yourself lots of time to recover if you have a mal, which you won't, but it will give you strength mentally. You know you're EP's right? You're confident in your EP's? Good, go jump it, you know you already have one working parachute, no biggie if your packjob doesn't open. Don't you have to jump your own packjob once before you can get your A anyways? Or is that just packing it? The scariest packjob I ever did was when I had about 25 jumps and I was paid to pack a rig while the guy went on another jump using a different rig. I was scared shitless because I knew in advance that it wasn't going to be me jumping the rig. I did the pack job and gave the guy his rig. He knew that I was "fresh" and asked me if it was going to open, my response... I can't guarantee it will, but I'm willing to jump it. He said, ok and jumped it. I watched that opening from start to finish and what a relief. Now, I'm willing to pack rigs if needed and feel confident in doing it. "If someone will jump the pack job, anyone can jump the packjob" Go jump it man...nothing like having the confidence to save your own life. Chris "When once you have tasted flight..."

I agree... I jumped, It happened, I assessed the situation, felt it necessary to chop, I chopped, followed y main down and still made it back to the landing area. Landed and kinda got freaked out on the ground. After about 30 mins, I was ready to go again...but couldn't for other reasons. Got out the next weekend and I wasn't scared, but bet you bottom dollar I knew where those damn handles were. I never really though about the fact that it really was dangerous and I shouldn't do it anymore. I made that choice when I signed up for PFF, I accepted the risks and that still hasn't changed. Ask me this same question when I have a family and kids...I may have a slightly different answer, but for now, that's it. Have fun, be safe! Happy Holidays "When once you have tasted flight..."

Hey, Just wanted to share something with you. I started skydiving in May, funded in full by myself. I didn't expect my parents to contribute to any of it. My parents have become more accepting of it now that they know I've done it 55 times and nothing has happened. Now when I called my mom after my first mal, she questioned why I still want to do this, so I had some coercing to do. I still don't think she fully accepts it, but she understands how passionate I am for it and how much happier it makes me. Now, to my advice for your parents. I'm really surprised that no one has said this yet, but get her out to the DZ. Don't jump, just show her all the jumpers landing safely and how happy everyone is. She will get a sense of the adrenaline and understand why it is much more than an attempt at suicide. Which we all know it's is not. Anyways, that's my advice... I think that would be the best option. Chris "When once you have tasted flight..."

Good to know. I'm basing my frame of reference on the Aerodyne canopies I've seen this summer. Aerodyne's yellow and "tangerine" colours look sexy. not sure if PD's are the same colour, but I'm thinking, solid Tangerine canopy, with either yellow or black ribs. Maybe a yellow cell or 2. It's gonna be a very hard decision "When once you have tasted flight..."

AHHH.. I love that picture of your pilot. It looks so crazy! I'm also a big fan of orange, especially Aerodyne's bright orange which I dubbed "hunter orange". My next canopy is wither white with orange ribs, or orange with white ribs. Orange canopies are visible for miles! The orange I want is like your Katana. "When once you have tasted flight..."

Gets me every time.... DOOR!!! My stomach sinks. Since day one it has never gotten any better.In no way does it hinder me or prevent me from getting out, it's just a reaction. I agree with everyone else about the first 1000 feet or so as well. The only other part where I get a bit of nervousness is in the pattern. Not because I'm worried about the landing, or other canopies, but I'm scared shitless of heights. There's a certain height that just doesn't work for me. 15k feet is no problem as I cannot make out detail. 1000 feet is fine, 100 feet is fine, but somewhere around 150-300 feet just freaks me out. I live on the 9th floor of an apartment building and will willingly hang over the balcony. I have a friend 8 stories above me and I can't bend over the balcony. I just get freaked out. Mind you, if I had my rig on it may be different. I got the same feeling when I was doing my first tandem last october, I got freaked out at about 6-800 feet. Not sure what it is. The only other skydiving moment that scared the hell out of me was my first reserve ride. I am happy to say that I was calm and executed my EP's correctly and landed without incident. My instructor broke his femur on landing too which made that my most memorable jump to date. I'm happy to say that he's walking without crutches and the DR cleared him to jump in December. Now, if we weren't in Canada and the DZ wasn't closed.... I told him that I'd like to do a jump with him again once we can get some winter jumps done. Chris "When once you have tasted flight..."

Smoke jumper (Firefighter) I like the drug smuggling one...that is pretty sneaky. "When once you have tasted flight..."

The first picture looks a bit low.....no? Like under 2k, but still close to 2k? "When once you have tasted flight..."

I really don't understand why everyone gets so upset about this. He asked for opinions, give him yours. Don't say anyone else is wrong. There's no need to get sarcastic about it. Your opinions differ, great, that's why I can have my opinion and you can have yours. To the OP, disregard the arguments that everyone is having bout what is better. It has been said and the point is you'll get there either way. Don't worry about starting AFF then having to do a H+P and freaking out. Doing a H+P is like jumping from 10K and dumping right away. Altitude loss is minimal. I went AFF and absolutely love H+P's. Note the lowest I've gotten out is 3k, some would say that's still somewhat high, but it's weird getting out at/below your dump altitude. The point is: to each his or her own. I do think the biggest thing though, is that distance to the DZ will play a big factor. If you wake up at say, 4am to make it to the 8am SL course, you'll be drained and not learning effectively. The closer DZ is the better option. "When once you have tasted flight..."

Does anyone else agree that a white canopy, with bright or different coloured ribs/crossbraces looks damn sexy? Hills80, you have one of these "elusive" canopies. I think I'm gonna make a canopy similar to that when I'm ready to change canopies, but not the same colours. I would probably look at a Cobalt, with neon green ribs and diamonds, with white cells. Anyone with a white canopy, do you find it gets dirty? how would you clean a canopy? Thanks to everyone for posting. I did this for 2 reasons, I love looking at canopies, and I know everyone loves showing off their gear. Chris "When once you have tasted flight..."

Oh I definately agree. I should have made mention that I jumped from a Cessna and the camera doesn't come out until I have checked everything. Notice brakes are still stowed too. While I'm taking pictures, I'm flying using my harness so I'm not landing out and paying attention around me. And the biggest factor, I was the last one out of the only Cessna up that day, and I was at 10k, everyone else was a bit lower...ie 2k. The only concern I realy had was other air traffic. But as soon ast the camera was away at 10k, I released the brakes and burned it down to 7500 when I took the camera out again and took a few more pics. Then I spiraled down the rest of the way, got myself a bit woozy and entered the pattern. I was being very aware and wasn't just taking picture after picture, I only took 7 pics on that flight, 5 when I did it again in NY. Thanks for pointing that out though, if you're going to do it, put some thought into it. And PS...tie a string to your camera...that could do some major damage at terminal. I used a key chain with an extendable cord. Laters! EDIT: Hukt un Foniks werkd fer mee... "When once you have tasted flight..."

Whatever choice you make, you're joining a great sport. I had a friend start AFF, then switch to SL, and another who went SL all the way, while I went AFF all the way. Yes we all got to the same point and we're all still great jumpers (for our experience level), it' basically comes to preference, time, location etc... It's not a simple yes no answer. Oh, and I hope you don't have to repeat a level, but if it makes you feel any better, I failed level 1. I was a bit slow dumping at 4500 ft so my instructor did it for me, I ended up grabbing the bridle just after he dumped for me. Either way, here I am 55 jumps later. Welcome to skydiving... Chris "When once you have tasted flight..."

Elisha, do like I did, take up your own camera and take your own picture. I'm gonna turn into a "camera guy" around the DZ. I love keeping my digital camera handy. Once I get enough jumps, I'm gonna get into camera to help the DZ if needed, but mostly to document my jumping and other's jumping. I use a 2MP Sony DSC-U30, it's smaller than a cellphone so I keep it in my jumpsuit. Here's some other pics I took while under canopy, I love doing H+P's up high and enjoy the ride down. Pics 1+2 Mile High @ 10k and pic 3 is in New York @ 4k . I love my home DZ for spotting, can anyone tell why??? Haha. It's slightly hard to miss. Chris "When once you have tasted flight..."

That looks like a really nice area, Cali I assume? "When once you have tasted flight..."

I respect the fact that you think static line is better or you prefer to be unbiased. But, If no one had an opinion these threads would just not work. Imagine reading this same thread and all the replies, said, "they're both good...flip a coin." That really doesn't help the OP. I started a few of these threads and did it to get opinions, not right or wrong answers. If 90 out of 100 people replied and said SL, I would probably lean to SL, or at least get more of a reason as to why 90% of the people thought that. It's to help me make a decision. The OP knows that no one is going to tell him that SL is the way to go and AFF should be banned etc... Most of the posts on these forums are opinions, simple as that. I wasn't upset that you disagreed, I was just stating that it's an opinion, not an answer. Chris "When once you have tasted flight..."

Well...he is asking for opinions isn't he? It is my opinion from what I've seen, and my DZ does both, that I think there is more that can be gained from AFF than SL. Whether it's right or wrong is YOUR opinion. No need to mock people's opinions....they're opinions. Chris "When once you have tasted flight..."

I know there's a huge debate on the costs involved with AFF, but honestly, by the time you reach the same point you've spent close to the same anyways. I really doubt it's a $600 difference. I would personally say that AFF is more current as far as training goes, and you're bound to get more out of it. Someone also mentioned this, but 4 hours of travel to save $600.... Unless you plan on doing the whole SL course in one or 2 weekends, gas is gonna make up any difference there would normally be. The travel time will take away from jump/training time. My vote is for AFF if you have the cash. AFF is quick and it gets you into freefall right away, period. Later Chris "When once you have tasted flight..."

Hey guys and gals, I love looking at canopies when they are in full flight. Let's see some pictures either from the ground as you are on final approach, or while under canopy. I love the ones where you catch your shadow during a hard turn; and cross braced canopies with wicked designs. White canopies with bright cross braces are sweet looking, and so are Cobalts with bright designs. Let's see 'em, show off your sexy main or if you prefer to show us your nice blue reserve, feel free! Please include some details: A: Type of Canopy B: Size of canopy C: Custom or factory D: Any thing else you care to share Thanks! Chris I've included an example. This is unfortunately more a picture of myself, but it's the best one that I have of my canopy. It's a factory Spectre 135. "When once you have tasted flight..."