wildfan75

I hit 145 this weekend. I thought I could go faster. The next time I do that I'll have to put my arms behind my back and try to get my legs more in (as well as maybe jump with shorts instead of sweat pants).

When calling around, ask if any of the places do static line. Static line is much cheaper than AFF (and you end up in the same place anyway). If you can find a club DZ with a 182, better yet. I got my A license (25 jumps) for $740 (including gear, coaching, instruction, video debriefs etc) via static line at a 182 club dz in Wisconsin (but then again I was also taking out the trash, packing student rigs and scrubbing toilets--well I still am but...)

And more jumpers for Pieces of 8...Do I hear a new record coming on? Editted fer speling.

Where is he going to be doing the jumps?

One of the riggers at my dz is MBG (Money Back Guarentee). Knock on wood, we've never had to see if he will keep his word.

Can someone post who got set home tonight? Our local channel had a stupid Colt vs Cowboys football game on (completely idiotic considering the fact that I'm in MN). I hate football (American football to clarify--real futbol on the other hand...).

Welcome! I, too, did s/l. I showed up on a Friday thinking I was going to get another night to do my last PRCP and 1st freefall. But when I showed up they grabbed two student rigs and said, "We'll get you two in tonight!". The thing to remember when doing your 1st FF is that its absolutely nothing different than your last three skydives. You're exiting the same, you're pulling the same...everything is the same (except for that little fact that you HAVE to pull this time). All the feelings that you're having is normal. It took me awhile before I stopped thinking for about half the plane ride "What the f*^% am I doing?" (the other half I was thinking emergency procedures). It comes back every once in awhile but its totally worth it. Have fun and let us know how your first ff goes!!! Dont' forget to bring beer!

I think you go to a different Skydive Wissota than I do. Underagers aren't required to bring beer. They are required to give cash to someone to go buy the beer for them.

Even with my new baggy suit, putting my legs out and trying to "dearch" I struggle with the 115-120 range. I'm sure if I jumped in regular clothes and actually arched for once I could get going pretty darn fast. I'm definitely going to have to borrow someones protrack this weekend and give 'er a go. I'll report back but I'm thinking I could get up to at least 150-160.

Jeremy_o's girlfriend saw it happen. She was on her way to his house (he lives about 3 blocks from the bridge) and for some reason she decided to take the 10th ave bridge. She was on the 10th ave bridge when it collapsed. She has no idea why she took that way as she always takes 35W, but I am really glad that she did. I have been over that bridge at least a couple of thousand times. Its hard to believe its gone. Very surreal. Once the recovery operations and all the hub-bub calms, I'm going to need to go see it. But God damn, I am proud to be a Minnesotan after seeing and hearing about everyone's selfless acts of courage.

Construction was not structural. DQ posted something about underneath. I haven't heard anything about underneath but that they were working on the pavement on the top. The bridge was built in 1967 and they built it to have no support beams underneath from the ground up (one sheet of something so it was unnecessary; not a very wide part of the Mississippi, bridge was 67 feet high). The one confirmed fatality was due to drowning. 6 critical. 22 non-life threating. Just from HCMC. No reports from other medical centers/hospitals.

Brad has posted pictures of the bridge on his facebook account. He must be okay. They were talking at least 30 contruction workers were on the bridge when it collipsed plus it was bumper to bumper traffic as it was rush hour. It is being reported that all the kids on the school bus (ages 8-12) are alive, not sure on the condition. DQ--I'm sure Joel is kickin' ass down there! Just reported one confirmed fatality. 29 casualities at HCMC (Hennepin County Medical Center--the closest level 1 trama center)

Brad Kult...let us know you're okay! I left a message on your cell but I know that cell phones are sketchy right now. Jeremy and Lamo are okay! Post something or email!

Or a high estimate depending on where you jump and what method you go with. I did static line at a club dz that doesn't charge for coaching. 5 s/l jumps and 20 freefalls were total $740 (included gear, coaching, etc). My first rig was $1700 (old Vector, Silhouette 170, PD 160 and Cypres) With a new jump suit ($250), a new altimeter ($140), and helmet ($65), (and $51 for USPA membership) I was fully geared and licensed for $2946. If AFF is a little too pricey, check to see if any dz in your area do S/L or IAD. You end up in the same place in the end after all. If you have the money for AFF, go for it! But welcome to the forums and welcome to skydiving!!

Congrats!!

Check to see if a newly sharpened knife is really sharp by running my thumb up the blade. Spilling an entire 24oz glass of red kool aid on my dad's new carpet that the installers were still putting in (FYI...Scotch Guard really works).

Yeah...makes you wonder what other secrets she has up her sleeves. I missed that part of last week's episode. What's her history?????

I'm editting this to add, Let me be the first to say, I am!!!! NPSL meet on Friday but everything else is all play!

Some people have a harder time with rear risers than others. Upper body strength differs among everyone. Experience differes. I don't disagree with you except to say that everyone should, in a perfect world, be able to flare/steer with rears, but not everyone can. I would like to add in regards to the comments about reserves failing, I think it's also important to have faith in your rigger and faith in your reserve.

I have to laugh at this thread...it happened to me about 30-40 jumps ago. You've got some good advice here. On jump #42 I jumped my own rig for the first time (a 170 were as I had been jumping a 190). I stowed the brakes wrong and both fired on opening. One toggle flipped up into my lines and I could not get it. No matter how hard I pulled on that riser with my opposite hand I could not get it. I had plenty of time to think because since it was my first jump on this canopy, I pulled high. I decided not to cutaway because I had a fully inflated canopy above my head. I practice a couple of rear riser flares up top, the started conserving my energy for the real thing. I did not get a very good flare but knew all along I would have to do the PLF of a life time. I walked away but limping. Plain and simple, on this jump I should have cutaway, and you can believe that everyone let me know that. Your contrablility check includes being able to flare. It did not pass the test. I was lucky that I only sprained my knee a little. On jump #213 (I think), six jumps after my rigger lengthened my brake lines, I did a hnp from 3k. I took about a 5-7 second delay to build up a little speed to prevent a super slow opening. Opened just fine and when I released the brakes, my left brake line broke at my toggle. Knowing that I left the plane at 3k and took a delay, I knew I had to make a decision. All that came across my head was the toggle incident jump, so I kicked my feet back, arched, put my hands on my handles, cutaway, pulled the reserve, and landed without any other incidents. I got on the ground and everyone asked if I thought about landing in rear risers. I explained my thought process above and they said, "You have over 200 jumps now and over 150 on that canopy. Your experience level is different". I hadn't really worked rear risers much in between the two so I didn't know that I can really get a good rear riser flare now. If I knew then what I know now, I would not have cutaway. You can be sure that I work with rear risers at least one jump every weekend. After my experiences, my advice would be know if you can land on rear risers or get a good rear riser flare before you are faced with the decision to cutaway or not to cutaway.

Just make an Excel spreadsheet.

The real questions is: Does it still have the label on it?

[sarcasm] Easy for you to say. You're deaf. You don't have to worry about the little buggers that are screaming their heads off on planes. You just get to shut your eyes and settle in for a peaceful flight.[/sarcasm]

Here's a link to a website that has "Freefalling Together 2" for $19.95. http://www.actionair.com/actionair/books.htm Edited to add: Looks like it for 21 to 64 way formations only though .

I swear to drunk I'm God. I have to print out that poem and memorize it. It could get me a few hours off of work someday!