damion75

Don't sweat the pull ups - I have been in the Army for nearly eleven years, I reckon I am very fit, but I can't do pull ups to save my life (maybe one one handed and ten with both!). The gym is not the best place to lose weight - muscle weighs more than fat and pumping iron does not tend to burn fat anyway (I am currently working hard in the gym to gain weight - not lose it!) Get outside, jog, cycle, even walk! A weekend hiking is a winner because you work hard without really noticing and also eat less. Double bonus. The main thing is to do something fun, like squash or other sports (swimming?) rather than just running which can get a bit boring! *************** Not one shred of evidence supports the theory that life is serious - look at the platypus.

Winning plan! Go for it. Bear in mind that it does get a bit cheaper after AFF. So stick with it, and keep selling stuff on Ebay!! *************** Not one shred of evidence supports the theory that life is serious - look at the platypus.

Can't argue with that - people DO need to show more of an interest, but... And that is not going to go away. The thing is, I am not talking about every jumper being a rigger or an advanced packer, just knowing enough to maintain their gear, and enough to spot when something is about to go wrong. Perhaps we need to make jumpers take more of an interest in their gear. Or would that be over-regulation and facist mind control? It is the not knowing the real basics which concerns me - like Nacmacfeegle not being able to trust any and every licenced skydiver on the plane to do something as simple as a pin check safely. (not picking on NMF - because sadly neither do I - it is someone I know and trust, or a 'reach around'!) *************** Not one shred of evidence supports the theory that life is serious - look at the platypus.

When is it? Is there a web page? If it is Aug or later I might be up for it... Frank. *************** Not one shred of evidence supports the theory that life is serious - look at the platypus.

Don't sweat it - if you start training then your instructors will teach you everything you need to know about body position, canopy flight, everything. All you need to do is listen and be heads up!

The Army and skydiving - there's no going back! Bring it! *************** Not one shred of evidence supports the theory that life is serious - look at the platypus.

You will find it amazing where you manage to find cash once you start jumping! Got to feed that addiction! Bring it on! *************** Not one shred of evidence supports the theory that life is serious - look at the platypus.

Probably a Telesis then - UK Forces DZs tend to use Javelins and Telesis (latter for students with Skymasters and Mantas) My Bad! *************** Not one shred of evidence supports the theory that life is serious - look at the platypus.

I was briefly (too briefly! ) dating a Royal Air Force air traffic controller, and she told me a story about tracking the RAF Red Arrows (aerobatics team) straight over a DZ while a DZ plane was in the air... They are a bit arrogant apparently and completely ignored the Air Traffic Controllers comments to get out of that airspace. Makes you think... *************** Not one shred of evidence supports the theory that life is serious - look at the platypus.

Under the UK system, jumpers are required to be able to 'assemble a rig' for the IC1 qualification, which you need for your 'B' licence. In theory, to qualify as a solo skydiver (A lic) there is no mandatory knowledge of how the system works?!! Surely that is just wrong... *************** Not one shred of evidence supports the theory that life is serious - look at the platypus.

Thanks for the notes - I am totally an FS flyer at the moment so the load organizing sounds great! I am trying to convince some other guys to come but we shall see! *************** Not one shred of evidence supports the theory that life is serious - look at the platypus.

I was sparked off on this thread by the S&TA thread about the guy who was ready to jump with a pull up cord in his rig which then moved on to pin checks. One poster made the comment that he would not trust most people to 'know how to do a pin check' However, having trawled through the skydiving related forums on DZ.com for a few months now, I have noticed a serious trend of people not knowing a lot about their equipment - so I do not find that comment as surprising as I think I should! I know that there are a lot of things to think about when you are learning to skydive, but I really do think that that time while you are learning is a time when you should be learning about the equipment which is going to save your life, how it works and what to check on it. Doing something as simple asa pin check should not phase anyone - even with the different types of container on the market IMHO. Thoughts? *************** Not one shred of evidence supports the theory that life is serious - look at the platypus.

Far from being over the top, I found out last month from one of the Netheravon instructors that it is a mandatory requirement in the BPA ops manual! I havent checked that - but he is pretty experienced and I am inclined to believe him. I get it done every time. *************** Not one shred of evidence supports the theory that life is serious - look at the platypus.

Seconded - all the Chronicles rock. But the Eloy boogie DVD is a must! I must have watched that ten times now...

Ok, its time... 1. Whats your name? Frank 2. How old are you? 28 3. Why did you decide to start jumping out of airplanes? AFF course co-incided with some stuff I didn't want to do at work! 4. Are you single or taken? Married? Single 5. Do you have kids? No 6. What do you drive? Govt issue Landrover... 7. Have you ever done a kisspass? No 8. Where do you live? Wiltshire, UK 9. Do you have any pets? Not yet... :) 10. How many jumps do you have? 230+ 11. What color eyes do you have? Brown / Green 12. What is your nationality? British

I was going to suggest big arc lights across the landing area for night jumps, but having thought about it, that would really take the fun out of night jumps! "Ground's got to be down there somewhere... gotta be getting close... ok, what the hell, flare now... arrgghh! no ground! this is going to hurt... OOOOOFFF!!!... ok, get up, pretend it was perfect... shit- they're all laughing!!" *************** Not one shred of evidence supports the theory that life is serious - look at the platypus.

*puts on white coat and stethoscope* Then I recommend adopting the dead ant position, ensuring that turtle will see your feet first... or going head down! *************** Not one shred of evidence supports the theory that life is serious - look at the platypus.

Thanks Bill! I don't think anyone could ask for a much more definitive source of info than that! Its also good to know that my memory wasn't playing tricks on me... *************** Not one shred of evidence supports the theory that life is serious - look at the platypus.

How YOU doin?!! I mean Hello, I'm so terribly pleased to make your acquaintance! *************** Not one shred of evidence supports the theory that life is serious - look at the platypus.

I hear good things about the boogie (like they have a jet every year), the DZ looks very smart from the photos on the website... etc etc.

Sorry - I would have loved to read this thread but I was too busy wondering whether I needed that double tape strip going diagonally across the grippers on my new RW suit, or if I should get them two tone instead... *************** Not one shred of evidence supports the theory that life is serious - look at the platypus.

No idea at all, but I have made a mental note not to go to the cinema with him!! Guys have 'toe cleavage' too you know... On that note, I know where I am aiming my popcorn next time I go to the cinema on a date...! *************** Not one shred of evidence supports the theory that life is serious - look at the platypus.

Ahh - wet heat... moistness... that is such a great word! 0:0:0... just like the previous two weekends since I got back from R&R. I'm storing it ALL up for the summer! *************** Not one shred of evidence supports the theory that life is serious - look at the platypus.

Dunno, I'll let you know in 9 jump. I bet you won't, because then you'll know it all and you won't have any time for the rest of us! You'll be too busy on your new VX 78! *************** Not one shred of evidence supports the theory that life is serious - look at the platypus.

One of my favourites when dealing with irritating contractors providing 'services' to the military - so hired by a bunch of notorious cheapskates! "You pay peanuts, you get monkeys!" *************** Not one shred of evidence supports the theory that life is serious - look at the platypus.