LloydDobbler

+1. Additionally, there's an element of usability consideration that needs to go into online surveys. Most academic types don't understand that. Page 2 includes 54 questions with 7 possible answers each (a scale of 7). I'm not inclined to sit and think my way through 378 different answers. So I barely made it through page 1 (in which the questions were poorly worded and inapplicable - the same person could answer one question differently, depending on their understanding of it). Those are whopping variables that will undermine any attempt at analysis. (And that's assuming the questions weren't biased to begin with). Perhaps a course in basic statistical analysis would be helpful for this person? Signatures are the new black.

You can do a search on this topic - it's been discussed a number of times. Someone upthread mentioned their Neptune resetting itself due to low batteries. Which can and does happen, esp. when the batteries are low. I personally see this as an advantage. If my Neptune fails, I know it's failed. OTOH, if my analog altimeter gets stuck (which can and does happen - it's happened to me twice), I likely won't notice in freefall until at least 1000 feet have gone by. And even then, it sometimes takes a moment to complete the thought process: 'Wait a second - it said 6000 feet the LAST time I checked.' Food for thought. (Of course, if you've been using one for years, you're likely aware of this). In your case, as far as visibility goes, I haven't had any issues seeing my Neptune in freefall. But that doesn't mean it can't happen. Your best bet might be to find a friend who has a digital altimeter and trade with them for a jump. You'll see pretty quickly whether or not it's for you. Signatures are the new black.

Mike, I know you've got a LOT more time in the sport than I do, and I respect your experience. All I'm going on here is my own personal experience, and my knowledge of what's written. So we may have to agree to disagree about 'getting technical' - the way I see it, the SIM exists to lay out the technical rules for situations like this one in black-and-white. Here's where I'm coming from: As far as things go, here's what I've seen typically happening: 1) Person with A-B-C license gets uncurrent. 2) Person with A-B-C license decides they want to get back to jumping. 3) Person with A-B-C license thinks about paying $100+ for an instructor jump, and decides 'nah, I'll just go up on my own.' 4) Person with A-B-C license forges a logbook entry, has it signed, then goes up and makes a 3-way sitfly jump with the same friend who signed it. They're now current. I'm unaware of any recent incidents involving someone in the above situation. However, I'd rather that jumper know what their options are, instead of them assuming that they're going to have to pay a good bit of cash (and spend a day waiting around like a student) to go make a jump with an instructor. And as far as what's "intended" versus what's not, I'm certain that when writing the SIM, a good bit of care went into writing out Section 5-2 so as not to be vague. And the phrase "under the supervision of a currently rated USPA instructional rating holder" is anything but vague. Of course, it all depends on how long the jumper's been out (& DZ policy) as to what level of recurrency training they need...and I'd definitely advise any uncurrent jumper to consult an Instructor on that. In an ideal world, they'd all sit through another FJC as a refresher, then make a jump with an AFF-I. But I've seen enough to know that skydivers often cut that corner. So as long as they have a license and feel comfortable with it, I don't have any problem offering up the rules as written and letting them make their own call. I'd rather them make a recurrency jump with some supervision (& in-line with the rules, which helps protect the DZ and its instructional rating holders against liability) rather than blowing it off altogether (as many do). --- **As an aside, I've been one of the harshest critics of the Coach rating and its 100-jump requirement. I'd like to see that doubled, at least. But I also know that there are enough variables in play that you can't paint all Coaches with one brush, just like you can't judge all AFF-I's by their title. But that's neither here nor there. When it comes to the rules, it IS technical - we should follow what's written. And if anyone has an issue with requirements specified in the SIM (for anything), they should by all means take it up with a Board member. **edited for my crappy grammar. Signatures are the new black.

I think you're the exception rather than the rule. I've never had an issue, but my sister at one point found herself liable for a slew of fraudulent charges (I believe it was around the year 2000). After a bit of googling, it appears that Visa and Mastercard have now adopted zero liability policies for check card purchases using their networks. But if you actually pay with a debit card (i.e., entering a PIN - I *think* you can do this via Paypal), your legal liability is $50 - if you notify the bank within 2 business days of the fraudulent charge $500 - if you report it within 60 days 100% - if you report it after 60 days have passed. See here for more info. I doubt most people will be using a debit card in debit card form to buy gear...but still, best to be aware. Especially as often as we hear about situations of fraud from gear transactions. **(Apologies for the thread hijack - just thought it might be a good thing for people to think about when making big purchases). Signatures are the new black.

And just to point out a particular that I didn't know until recently, note that it says "the supervision of a currently rated USPA instructional rating holder" - *not* an 'Instructor', in the way we think of the word. So if you have a license, you can technically do a recurrency jump with a USPA Coach, which should be a lot less expensive than paying an AFF-I (and if you've got a friend who's got their Coach rating, they'll likely be cool with going up with you). Heck, if I was at your DZ, I wouldn't even charge you for my slot (but I don't think most people operate on my 'pay-it-forward' system). Of course, all this depends on whether or not it's against DZ and/or S&TA policy. But I find that a Coach's time is easier to come by than an AFFI's - and if being able to jump with a Coach makes it easier/more cost-effective to do a recurrency jump (rather than just blowing it off, as so many do), I'm all for it. Signatures are the new black.

This brings up another point - I won't pay for any gear with a debit card. Although I think rules have changed, it used to be that with credit card fraud, you were only liable for up to $50...but with a DEBIT card, you were just out the cash. I believe that's changed now...but as the OP has found, it sucks trying to chase around different companies to see where the buck stops. Kinda like when your printer isn't working, and HP tells you to talk to Microsoft, who tells you to talk to Dell...etc. I prefer to just make the chain shorter by using a credit card, knowing that Visa or Amex has an incentive to make things right (because otherwise, they'll be the ones eating the cost of the fraud, minus $50). Signatures are the new black.

Worked for me & a friend at Chicks Rock '06 when all the rental rigs were checked out. My cardboard sign reading 'Got food, need a rig' ensured that I got to jump the DC-3 on borrowed gear (thanks, Rosa!).

Might be worth trying it to see how big the skew is. If you play around with it, let us know. (But do a high hop & pop, if you're going to be snapping shots with a point & shoot, FYI). (My vote's still on the Google Van.) Signatures are the new black.

They made the liner out of cornstarch and water?? Bad ass! Yeah - R&D was pretty simple. They just dipped the shell into this pool and called it done. Helmet's a little goopy when you first put it on, though. Signatures are the new black.

Unfortunately, that won't quite work for this purpose. Since the photographer will presumably be in motion (under canopy, out the door of the aircraft), the perspective will shift between each shot. So the stitching won't sync up (esp. given how long it would take to snap that many overlapping shots). For this sort of in-motion panorama, you need a mega-specialized panoramic camera. Or you could conceivably just drop the Google StreetView car out of the back of a Skyvan. Signatures are the new black.

And good on you for bringing a potential problem to light. However, up to this point I don't think you've made a good case to support your hypothesis. Your factual evidence doesn't account for a few variables. You've seen people's custom rigs lift off their backs (so have I - both Mirage and non-Mirage). But you still need to account for JP's question about how you know these people were measured correctly. If they were measured by the manufacturer, then it may be an issue. If not, that seems to be the first weak link in the chain. Esp. since several others have volunteered that their custom-made Mirage G4's have no such problem. I just got a Liquid Sky suit, custom-made for me, and had Julio measure me. It fits like a glove. A friend just got a Deepseed suit, custom-made for her, and had a seamstress measure her for it. The arms came back too short. Based on this factual evidence, should we assume that Deepseed has an issue with making arms too short on their suits? **BTW, never owned a Mirage rig, don't work for Liquid Sky , and not trying to flame you - just trying to point out that while opening up dialogue is good, we need to address all the possible links in the chain to see what's failing. Signatures are the new black.

Yeah - did some googling, and it turns out to be a classic bait-and-switch deal. cameragiants digitalsfuture You order it, then they call to tell you that you need a particular part (which is supposed to be included). If you don't buy it, they try to charge you a cancellation fee. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. I'd say $540 sounds like a decent deal. Signatures are the new black.

Nice. Does anyone have the measurements of the Tonfly & Cookie box dimensions, for the sake of comparison? Signatures are the new black.

Liner feels very similar to a Pro-tec, IIRC - Skyventure AZ is now using them as their stock/student helmets. I tried one on at the start of February before going in to fly some 4-way. Signatures are the new black.

Looks like Bryce already replied to your question re: the Storm/Pulse comparison here. As for the Optimum fabric, nope - it's only currently available on the Pulse and the Optimum Reserve, and to my knowledge, PD hasn't announced plans to integrate it with any other canopies at this time. Signatures are the new black.

Hey, Sam - First off, I'd recommend you hire someone as a consultant to verify some points of authenticity for the show. It's just a pet peeve, as we've all seen way too many broadcast spots that just plain get things wrong. Case in point - I've never heard a skydiver call it 'diving' - most of us call it 'jumping'. (Similar to someone in a bar who's talking up the girls with a story about how 'My chute didn't open' - you can tell they're full of sh*t, because skydivers don't call them 'chutes. We refer to them as 'canopies'). It's the little things that make a show authentic. That being said, here's my recs: BEST VIEWS Skydive Hawaii/Pacific Skydiving Center - Oahu, Hawaii, USA Skydive Sebastian - Florida, USA and (I hear) Skydive Everest - Nepal ULTIMATE PLACE TO SWOOP Mile-Hi Skydiving - Longmont, Colorado, USA OVERALL ULTIMATE DZ (in terms of amenities, aircraft) Skydive Arizona - Eloy, Arizona, USA Skydive Perris Valley - Perris, California, USA ULTIMATE 'GOOD VIBES'/FRIENDLIEST DZ Skydive Elsinore - Lake Elsinore, California, USA Good luck! Signatures are the new black.

Hey, folks - So I've followed the threads that referenced the 2K Composites Fuzion since it was released, and know that originally people had some issues with the Zkulls system (that supposedly have been fixed now...?). Anyone using the Fuzion (with/without Zkulls)? Got a review? Love it/hate it? Anything you'd change? Signatures are the new black.

+1. Perhaps an A- or B+. But overll, a good read - esp. from a historical context (not too much as far as recent history goes). Signatures are the new black.

I didn't vote. We've decided to postpone ours until April 4th. Will get back to ya then. Signatures are the new black.

I agree. Cinematography-wise, there is no competitor to Crosswind. Skydiver eyecandy at its finest. (& a little bit for everybody - more than just 1 discipline covered). Signatures are the new black.

Looks like a clothing company. T-shirts, maybe? Go Fast, anyone? Signatures are the new black.

That's kind of like taking your ball and going home, isn't it? No. Plenty of industries relocate plants away from venues that are burdensome, to venues that are more friendly. Ours should be no exception. This is not unlike the perennial angst with Eloy. +1. Exactly. Choices have consequences - even when they're made by local government. Sometimes it's up to us as individuals to do what's best for ourselves in the face of others' decisions...and create those consequences as a by-product. Signatures are the new black.

Unnecessary. He'll absorb all the oxygen he needs through his skin. That just never gets old... Signatures are the new black.

Depends on what their contract with the Air Transport Association says. If they agreed in writing that they'd lose their membership if the FAA fined them for safety regulations, then yes. Seems pretty clear-cut, really. Signatures are the new black.

Sorry to hear that the trip ended in frustration. As I mentioned up-thread, I've been to AAC with a jumper who had as many jumps as you have in your profile (and ~10 mins tunnel time in SkyVenture tunnels), and we both had a tough time staying in the column (I had ~50 jumps at the time). As common as backsliding and/or other lateral movement is in newer jumpers, it makes sense that the L1 tunnel is a little tougher for jumpers with less experience. I imagine I'd have a blast flying it now (with 12 hours of tunnel time and 250 jumps), but with less experience, I found it hard. At SkyVenture (Paraclete, I assume?), it'll be a totally different beast. He likely won't have issues with things like 'balance' - in a SV tunnel, you don't have to fight to stay on top of the air. As long as he can relax and keep a good arch (remember: 'the wind is your friend'), he should be fine. As I mentioned earlier, I find the SV tunnels much more akin to skydiving than the L1 - mainly because the airflow seems cleaner, and you can't slide out of the column at any given moment. For someone having issues with Level 3 (which was my girlfriend's issue), it'll make a world of difference. She had to repeat the release dive 3 times before getting 10 mins of tunnel time and passing it with no problem. Just tell him to relax, have fun, and fly. He should do fine. Let us know how it goes. Signatures are the new black.