MotherGoose

Yah yah . . . there are plenty of outs in northern Ontario where I jump. I guess that's why we can take the chance with such long jump runs. I'll tell you though, there's a new element of adrenaline added to skydiving when you hop and pop, turn towards the DZ and its a tiny little field in the distance. My first response was " OH SHIT, I'm not gonna make it". But after flying downwind with brakes stowed for about 5 minutes, I quickly realized that things were cool, and I could unstow and fool around a bit. We actually crossed over a busy highway to get back, that must have been a cool sight for drivers, with 10 canopies soaring by overhead. You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

I've never heard that and I've done cross-countries at several large boogies where the jumps are well-organized with safety briefings from folks that are much more experienced than I am ... did you ask them why it was going to "mess everyone else up"? We watched the folks at LP gear up for the sunset cross contry. from what we saw a lot of people unhooked their RSl and attached it to the cutaway cable housing. to keep it ot of the way. The other thing we noticed that a lot of folks undid their riser covers while waiting to board the acft. We could guess why but you should ask them. Live and dive? tall man? amazon? etc. R.I.P. On my first cross country, we had 10 people go out with a full briefing by experienced jumpers. We were also advised to unhook our RSL's. We were told that not only do you not need one at that altitude, but in case an aircraft is heading at you, you want to be able to cut away and fall well out of its path. If your RSL is attached, you deploy reserve immediately on cut-away and are still in harms way. As for the riser covers, we all undid them in the plane just before exit. We were told that sub-terminal openings were a bit more pleasant with the riser covers open. We went out at 12,500 ft. and our climbout was well over 7 miles from the DZ. Dress warm and bring a digital camera !!! The shots are amazing !!!! Turn to find the DZ, don't unstow the brakes until you are sure you're making it back and prepare for a 15 to 20 minute canopy ride. Its really fun. (everyone had cellphones and some had 2-way radio's) You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

My apologies to you fair sky vixen . . . I have yet to jump anything else, I hear its a blast, and there's something to be said about getting up to altitude without having your legs fall asleep under someone elses ass !! C182's are good times though . . . it sure is intimate !!! You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

Are you sure it was actually your 100th? You seem to have a little trouble with math. Unless one of the two chasers was the camera guy. Dur. No my math is just fine . . . all you big plane skydivers are spoiled for linked exits. Our little C182 has a step about the size of cinder block. Its kinda hard to exit 4 way linked, ( not impossible, but hard) so we go three out then the stinger chases and docks after with outside camera last. I called it a 4 way hybrid, I may be mistaken with the terminology. The jump consisted of a 2 way base, 1 hanger, 1 stinger and 1 outside camera ( 5 people total)

So the 100th jump has come and gone . . . I finally decided to go with a nice 4 way hybrid with outside video. Exited the Cessna in a linked 3 way with 2 chasers. Quickly stabilized and tucked my knees, dropping me below the two way. Flapped around a bit but gained stability, then the stinger dropped in and stood on the two way above me, holding for a solid 6-8 seconds. It was some cool shit. I have 3 separate camera angles, outside, stinger and base. The footage is all great but the stinger view is the best. It may not be on the top of the list, but I highly recommend a hybrid for the centennial jump. Its actually a lot easier than I thought it would be to hang. When my DZO found out it was my 100th and he gave me the jump for free, charged the others for 10,500 then actually flew the load himself and gave us almost 13000 for no extra charge. I was very impressed, and flattered. All in all, it was a memorable jump and capped an excellent weekend. I FUCKING LOVE THIS SPORT !!! You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

I went for a tandem jump 2 years ago and when I was a the DZ, a local news reporter was there doing a 6pm story on skydiving. She chose to interview me and show my jump on the news. It was really great and I called everyone I knew to watch. What I didn't know, is what the report was about . . . "SKYDIVING . . . A SPORT WROUGHT WITH DANGER!!" were the exact word that the reporter used, I couldn't believe my ears!!! That was the day that I realized what a Whuffo was and how much I was not one of them. I decided to come back and try it myself, without a meat-slinger attached to my back and that was amazingly even more incredible !! Sorry for the long response, but in a nutshell . . . I skydive for all the reasons that everyone has listed here so far, but mostly because so many people refuse to do it and because it scares the SHIT out of me. Every jump requires my utmost attention and ability. Every jump, I put myself in harms way, and every jump I rely on MYSELF to get me out of harms way. I don't believe that there a many other ways out there to empower yourself better and to make yourself a better all around person who can face any obstacle in life and overcome it. . . . oh . . . plus skydiver chicks are hot !! BLUE SKIES !! You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

I'm glad you made that point . . . risk your own life all you want . . . don't put mine in jeopardy. I'm sure that's all bigway is getting at throughout all of this. You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

And where might one be able to get their hands on this book by Brian Germain ?? You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

Yah . . . a ton of people at S.T.I. are bugging me to jump the Otter at Burnaby . . . I'm a bit apprehensive though. I want to make sure my canopy skills and landing patterns are down to a fine art. I heard that with 15 or more canopies in the air, if you cut someone off or don't do a proper circuit, they bite your head off, I don't want to piss people off. But yeah Eric Chappel and Kyle Wilkes have been busting my balls to get up there for a while now. I think I'd rather be with my DZ homies for my 100th though. I'll get to Burnaby soon enough. You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

Stop posting thread titles in capitals? It's really annoying. Here's an excellent suggestion . . . LEAVE THE THREAD. What's really annoying is people responding to a thread without anything useful to say. Thanks for the feedback BOB, but I'll continue to post in CAPS as long as I damn well please. I don't recall reading any rules about not posting in caps, so in the future, if something annoys you, how about you AVOID the thread and mind your own BUSINESS. THANKS (edited to change "thanks" to CAPS) You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

Did the cross country already from 12,500 with 10 others it was definitely memorable and I highly recommend it. Took the digi up also and have some great sunset photos under canopy. Don't know if I'm looking forward to the pie though. Last person at my DZ to get 100 got everything in the fridge, not just the pie. You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

Know of any DZ'z in Ontario that go past 16000 ??? You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

Good luck with the Mr. Potato Head jump, it sounds like a hoot. If I wasn't at a Cessna DZ, I'd love to look into a nice pontoon boat jump . . . You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

. . . oh do fill me in . . . is it what it sounds like ?? Are you actually putting together a Mr.Potato Head in freefall?? You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

Actually I saw a pic of a hula hoop dive in an old parachutist magazine. It looks like tons of fun but probably requires a good prep and dirt dive and definitely some outside camera. I'll keep that one in mind for sure. The naked jumps are popular too . . . but what if its not a really hot day and you get some shrinkage ??? You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

Ok . . . so my 100th jump is rapidly approaching and I'm curious what everyone did for their centennial dive ??? Any good suggestions out there?? I think it should be a memorable experience. Please help. You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

Thanks for the help guys, I figured that I should have a detailed Glossary of parachute parts handy with complete definitions, this is probably not readily available, so I'll have to create one. I will conduct the training on the DZ on a weeknight so that the focus is on packing and not jumping. Keeping each class at no more than 4 sutdents, I'd like to give each one a rig and go through all the steps with them. Individual attention is important I think. How intense should the theory be ??? Do I tell them about parachute flight (lift,drag,weight,thrust) ?? Or just stick to the components and how they function on deployment ?? Also, do I get into different kinds of mals ?? You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

I have a question for all who give packing courses. What is the standard curriculum for the in-class part of the course?? How much time should be spent in class and what should the students need to know before heading out to the mats to actually get the hands-on training?? I am preparing to take over the packing courses at my DZ soon and I wonder if I could get a little outside advice regarding the various techniques around the industry. Obviously I will get plenty of guidance internally, but it never hurts to ask around. Thanks in advance. You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

[replyor pay them what they ask for doing a job they advertise. not pay them what they ask plus the extra. If the money you get ofr packing or being an Instructor is insuffcient, charge more or work elsewhere . . . Who pissed in your Corn Flakes ??? I was fooling around, and I believe the whole mood in this thread is one of sarcasm and humour, thanks for ruining that . . . I'm quite happy with my pay, and I'm quite happy staying out of the limelight. You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

I would imagine its none of my concern how much an employer pays their wait staff . . . I'm there for the food, the price is listed, yet I pay above and beyond the listed price to the waiter/waitress. Don't get me wrong here, I am advocating for the tipping of people here. I am simply trying to draw a parallel with other service industries. You pay list price for a skydive, and it is brought to you and packaged neatly in a 20 minute briefing and a person then takes responsibility for themselves and you . . . all in the name of a cheap thrill that you are looking for. I think JM's and TM's deserve anything a waitress gets and more . . . remember, they're not exactly paid well either. You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

So why do we tip waitresses ?? Isn't it their job to bring me food?? You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

thanks Brad . . . in the meantime, how about a discount package for some of your neighbors to the north who are craving the tunnels ??? I'd fly to Vegas for that . . . You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

Dammit !!! no one ever tips the packers !!! Aren't we an integral part of the skydive ??? The behind-the-scenes hero's even ?? You had fun . . . tip your instructor . . . you lived !!!! . . . tip your packer !!! You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

Well nothing has been finalized. I looked at the lines on the main myself after the fact, but I found nothing wrong with the lines. Juan said he had a tension knot between a D line and a break line. I guess when he cut-away, the knot loosened. You should have seen the tandem student, it was priceless. What are the odds of having a reserve rise on your first skydive ?? Does anyone know what the stats are on Sigma's for cutaway's due to mal's ?? It can't be that high, I was told that most DZ'z can easily go over 5000 jumps without a mal. You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

Thanks Pete . . . there's a bit more reading on the USPA site than the Canadian site . . . I guess you heard by now that we had a tandem cut-away this weekend. Juan had a fun reserve ride in with student in tow. Very uneventful in the end and the main and free-bag were both recovered un-scathed. You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.