Shark

Yes.. Yes you do. Expecting that a student can know how to join a landing pattern and judge their flare point on there first jump is a ridiculous expectation. Even if they have completed several tandems those are distinctly different canopies, loaded very differently, of which they do not have direct control over. It could even be dangerous if the student flare's to high, stalling the canopy and droping straight down....... If you feel that it is ridiculous to recognize the landing are, fly a landing pattern, and make a reasonable attempt to flare especially after several tandems, skydiving/parachuting may not be for you. Again, the question is somewhat vague, but if your radio is in-op, what do you do as a student? You have to rely on the training you did in the FJC; recognize the landing area, read the wind, fly your pattern, and flare. You have a point, but if your depth perception is so bad that you cannot tell 100' from 10' I would not recommend another skydive on your own. At 65 jumps, do you know your landing priorities? In my FJC, I write and leave at the top of the board: "Your #1 objective is to land safely under an open parachute." (Thanks to Billvon for that quote.) At the end of class I ask the students if they are able to accomplish that. If they cannot I spend additional time with them and if I believe they can't I recommend a training tandem. Many of my former and current AFF students post on here and they can attest to my instructions. I also get the impression that you feel me and many instructors leave without even witnessing the canopy control, landing pattern and flare. That's far from the truth.

That's not really a fair question. If the student can hear the radio, chances are they will listen to the instructions whether they are correct or not. Agreed, it is a somewhat vague question, but in my reply I mentioned that the reality is that we do "radio" control the students, but often times they cannot hear, nor do they clear their ears (valsalva) or feel that they are flying fine and do not heed our instructions.

Then I would recommend a training tandem. Those who have attended my FJC find out they even have a radio at the end of class. If you cannot safely land your parachute you should either spend more time with your instructor on the canopy control/landing patterns or make a training tandem. The reality is that we will give you in air instruction during that first jump, but that is subject to the student being able to hear clearly as well as not having communications equipment issues.

I guess this begs the question: As a student, do you rely on radio instructions from your instructor?

Kris, Congrats on staying close to the DZs, too!!!! Shark

Oh, and the Water Training wasn't cool???!

Yeah, get yer butt over to SoCal, and Skydive Elsinore!

That was a smart gesture and I also feel the DZ should make occaisional reminders over the PA. Since we have many "visiting" jumpers it wouldn't be a bad idea to do this. I've also seen several jumpers doing 180s on to final, which is illegal in the main landing area.

Congratulations to both of you!

Happy Birthday Lisa!!!! Hey, I still remember that FUN(nel) four way that you, me, rjf98, & skybytch did at Perris last June. Me and Rich enjoyed our "Lisa-Way."

We shouldn't worry about what people put in their profiles, jump numbers, or experience, but what we should be concerned about is that person putting misleading information. Do I care about who knows my "D" number? If I was I wouldn't sign any log books with it included.

Only when you by us beer....

Kris! Nice suit!!!! Shark

Chris, Thank you for clearing that up. Although AirTec puts out a good safety device, many skydivers believe that it is infallible and not prone to error. Shark

I was on that skydive. Anyone remember when AirTec required an anti-static sleeve to be installed?

Cool! Tunnel 8 way.

Yep, that's why they have not given me an update on my Cypres. They've had it since January. On a related note, I was on a 4 way skydive and witnessed a Cypres misfire at 4,000'. The unit was sent back and replaced with a new one. No mention of what may have caused it. Chris (Albatross) was also on that skydive. This is reality.

Exactly

Don't look at me.... Anyway, you won't need it since you are out of SoCal. BTW, still working on that BCPA t-shirt for you.

Hey Scott, Out here a month earlier this time, eh? Yep, I'll be out there, but then again I'm probably working, too. I may be able to sneak out for a fun jump, but haven't done one since 10 way in January. Shark

Ah, to be 25 again... Of course you have survived this long; you are a Survival Instructor! Happy Birthday Jeanne!

Barely. 5-3 against a team, that has never played, futbol. Do you think the emergency room doctor believed the story from a bunch of skydivers?

I sprayed my Infinity and it's fine.

Sounds like it's not really a problem unless you like to drag your rig accross the carpet enough to create static electricity. If I was so worried about misfires I wouldn't use an AAD... And I do not for crew jumps.

Congrats!