Kami-kaze

I checked the site and my french is shitty, but what I guess is they are following the swiss directive...do they specifically require you to have a paragliding licence? or you demonstrate in front of speedriding instructors with skis and do oral theory? I have the impression appropriate amounts of 3rd party insurance is a must in Europa so whether your flying is legal or not might become a sticky isssue if you do have a mishap...insurance co. always try and find a way out not to pay up. Please. anyone with French is appreciated to get some info.... cheers

I did voice my objections about it on Paragliding Forum at that time that : 1) Why are PG instructors with a couple of hundred speedfly wing launches becoming automaticaly a speedfly instructor...Why not from skydiving, or ski instructor background. 2) If you jump outa heli and swoop down the mountain, is that speed flying or what? 3) It is just a different launch method and canopy piloting is not a exclusive domain of PGers 4) In Germany, speedflying is considered ski kiting provided one flys under 30m to the terrain. I understand PG and skiers do have more knowledge of local meteology than skydivers and that is a major issue. The reply I got from an forum modulator whom is Swiss was : Do you want to fly in Swiss or not? A very hasty decision made by die Swiss, probably for monetary interests. cheers

When landing....1) Target fixation 2) Forgetting to flare

I tried the tunnel and got 50 min. I love it and helped me heaps with my backflying. BUT..I just can't sitfly in it. I spent a lot of money on coach jmps and I can take docks and stuff in the air...and I can't sit fly in the tunnel. so...you do have a point there Squeak

I sometimes think that people say freeflying too soon is not good is just the right thing to say. I think before sit flying learn to fly on your back. Most people have a image of freeflying as sitfly and head down. They skip backflying. When I started exit on my back and flying back, belly, back till about 5000...this excersise set me up for three things in the future.. 1) Before I wave off and throw, I roll on my back to check ...I think that is safer than assuming if someone is above you he is going to see you wave off.. 2) From the back position you can practise gointo sit. It a good recovery position, too.. 3) You have the basics to track on your back... I was in NZ at that time and one instructor was setting me up this way, and then I got introduced to Pine from Deland and he showed me how to do Mantis on belly when nobody was doing it that way there. That was great because after that I can fall faster and fly with heavier people. Gave me range. If you are lucky to get good open minded coaches that is someting to thank for. I know one old bellyflier from oz saying to me, "I have 5000 jmps and I tried head down for the first time and I spun out and only because I had so many jmps before I was able to recover on my belly. " He was just giving me a whole hearted warning but...Lot's of bellyflying is not going to make freeflying any easier. Lot's of flying made this guy think he can go head down straight away, his ego didn't allow asking for advise or coaching... so there are no fixed numbers to start freeflying. Just good instruction is what you got to look for. There are lots of things you can do. aint that coool. It took me 250 jmps and a couple of thousand dollars in coaching to get my sitflying and I am just beginning to fly just with my legs. Still have a lot to do. I am backflying again cause I can do a lot more with it. So, I spent a lot of time sit, stand, back, freestyle layups and my head down has just began and it sucks. I started freeflying early but still taking my time in progression. It's going to take a longer time than bellyflying so why not start earlier than later. I don't have lot's of money! Not everyone likes BigWays and turning points. I applaud you with your initiatives, and questioning and reasonings with people and listening. Not like follow the flock mentality. Good luck.

When I was doing my AFF in NZ, my instructor told me to exit on my back and fly a bit then flip back to belly and check heading, repeat that...said he wanted me not to get too fixated to dive exits and get too comfortable to belly position. I think it was my 10th solo. Yes, he was a freeflyer. I think AWARENESS is Major important in skydiving and this was one of those exersise in awareness. By the way, if you are going to sitfly, communicate to people on your load that what you are doing, give yourself separation, and do it 90 degrees to the jump run. at least you have lower probability youwill be in someone else's air space, but don't count on it....You are going to backslide...There are so many people who gets stoked that they are sitflying and in denial that they are backsliding...who? me? it must be you attitude... good luck

I shall remember his story for the rest of my days...

I have 400 jumps on my 139 sq and no problems. I picked it up at the factory in Auckland and the guy showed me how to pack, it is Pro-pack. the last 250 jumps I don't even count the nose cells. don't roll them. just have to be clean on the C and D

Dudezz...you crazy buggers! may the forces be with with u..I am so glad u r survivers...hey, my alkle is healing well and I pray the best recovery for u guys, too...looking forward to hearing your colourful, happy language soon.

um...are any problems to getting peoples attention while under canopy? I get this feeling that people are not communicating enough on the load. we all get a bit vague once in a while...why not holler more especially when we are making that final approach and even to people that are already on the ground when coming in