GLIDEANGLE

Use this skill checklist to help determine if your skills are ready for a smaller canopy: [url]http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/safety/detail_page.cgi?ID=47[/URL] Highly suggest that you read all 22 pages of the following before you decide. Many of these drills can be helpful to you. [url]http://www.bigairsportz.com/pdf/bas-sizingchart.pdf[/URL] The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

How about a skydiver restraint system designed and installled with the sincere intent to provide meaningful protection in a crash? See Appendix 3 in US FAA document AC 105-2D. http://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/AC%20105-2D.pdf The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

The only USPA instructor rating which requires a D license is Tandem: USPA SIM 3-1.E.3. Persons holding a USPA C license are able to exercise all privileges of a B-license holder, are eligible for the USPA Instructor rating (except USPA Tandem Instructor), participate in certain demonstration jumps, may ride as passenger on USPA Tandem Instructor training and rating renewal jumps, and must have-- The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

The "D license" requirement for Tandem Instructors in the USA comes from the FAA, not the USPA: FAR Sec. 105.45 — Use of tandem parachute systems. (a) No person may conduct a parachute operation using a tandem parachute system, and no pilot in command of an aircraft may allow any person to conduct a parachute operation from that aircraft using a tandem parachute system, unless— (1) One of the parachutists using the tandem parachute system is the parachutist in command, and meets the following requirements: (i) Has a minimum of 3 years of experience in parachuting, and must provide documentation that the parachutist— (ii) Has completed a minimum of 500 freefall parachute jumps using a ram-air parachute, and (iii) Holds a master parachute license issued by an organization recognized by the FAA, and (iv) Has successfully completed a tandem instructor course given by the manufacturer of the tandem parachute system used in the parachute operation or a course acceptable to the Administrator. (v) Has been certified by the appropriate parachute manufacturer or tandem course provider as being properly trained on the use of the specific tandem parachute system to be used. The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

I agree with Ron's approach about demonstration of some degree of competence in a couple of disciplines. I suppose that some swoopy stuff could be added to Ron's list. Regarding the poll... I don't consider SCR to be relevant to a D-license. Most new jumpers at my DZ earn that on their first weekend off student status. The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

The primary cause would be trying to learn to skydive from the internet. The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

We teach the same scripts for both kinds of rigs. What does your colleague propose to teach differently and why? The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

It appears that there may be a bit of terminology confusion. From the videos that are on the SDU page linked above, it appears that their: TAFF L1 is a two instructor version of the Cat D (L4) dive [90 degree turns]. Given that this may be both the student's first time in freefall AND a release dive, two instructors seems reasonable. TAFF L2 is a gripped exit Cat D (L5) [single instructor, 360 degree turns]. The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

Skydive University is a reputable firm. If you complete the program there, I am confident that you will be well trained. The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

Here is an integrated "tunnel AFF" program in a WARM place, so you wouldn't have to wait for the seasons to change. http://www.skydiveu.com/tunnel.php The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

Varies by aircraft. The B-25 Mitchell bomber I jumped out of this summer was hauling ass when we exited. The exits from the tail gunner spot were "sporting". I can't remember if it is the Skyvan or the CASA (both tailgate aircraft) which is famous for having a "brisk" airspeed during exit. The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

Keep the Storm. Do a bunch of CReW jumps with it. That will accelerate your canopy control understanding. In addition, you may find that CReW is so much fun that you won't feel the need to swoop! The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

Simple problem, simple solution. As you come out of an aggressive turn the lines will often become slightly unloaded (you feel light in the harness).... If you start another turn at that moment the canopy turns... But you don't. This is because the lines are not loaded enough to keep you moving with the canopy. (Note that the unloaded lines cause the line twist.... Not the other way around.) The second turn can be made by simply maintaining line tension during the transition between the turns. Here is the move you made: Right toggle down, right toggle up, left toggle down. Try this move: Right toggle down, left toggle down, right toggle up. The latter Sequence will make you feel quite heavy during the transition... Which will keep the lines tight and will keep you and the canopy moving together. The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

I would either call the manufacturer for guidance or simply unplug the cutter before posting it ( I would send both the cutter and control unit.) The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

I learned to jump at age 50. I would say that the issue isn't your age, but rather how old you are. The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

Earlier this week I posted a question asking if facial piercings were necessary to learn to freefly. Many of your answers were helpful. One answer implied that I might be too old. This insightful comment caused me to engage in some self-examination. I fear that I may be DIS-qualified from ever learning to freefly because.... -- I like CReW. -- I like flying CReW in the sky and I like hanging out with CReW dawgs on the ground. -- I feel at home with the dawgs. -- I like boarding the aircraft with a rig that looks like it was packed by a blind, one-armed rigger; and thus scaring the students. -- I am fond of hook knives. Knowing that, could I learn to freefly? The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

In addition to the videos of the CReW and most of the freefall stuff (except Style), you can watch classic accuracy right before your eyes! Unfortunately for you, the swoopy stuff (canopy piloting) has already completed for this year... It is very spectator friendly. The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

I carry a phone on: Cross Country High Pulls CReW Night Jumps I sure wish a teammate had a phone when he landed unhurt in a rice field during the 2009 Nationals @ Spaceland. We did not know his fate for 45 very nervous minutes. If he had carried a phone and called we (and manifest) would have stopped worrying. I sure was glad a wingsuiter had a phone when he got lost on a night jump and landed quite a ways from the DZ. He called promptly and we didn't have to worry, and were able to send a car to get him. The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

Do I have to have facial piercings BEFORE I learn to freefly? Can I wait on getting the piercings until after I can sitfly well? The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

Once again, we find RECCOMENDATIONS... not requirements: AC 105-2D §5.f f. Parachute Landing Areas. The FAA recommends that areas used as parachute landing areas remain unobstructed, with sufficient minimum radial distances to the nearest hazard. The USPA has defined such distances and hazards in their BSRs. The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

More interesting is what affect would that have on AFF instruction? The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

Smile, breathe, relax. The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

Here in Texas, USA, we have great weather for jumping in summer and fall. It isn't uncommon for a jumper to make seven to ten jumps in a day. However, with no significant rain here for a long time the cracks in the soil are so big that they have become a genuine landing hazard. The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

That might have been true in the past, but the recent revisions to the Post 9/11GI Bill open the opportunity for: Effective October 1, 2011 Allows students to use the Post-9/11 GI Bill for - Non-college degree (NCD) programs: Non-college degree (NCD) programs offered at non-degree granting schools: Pays the actual net costs for in-state tuition and fees or $17,500, whichever is less. Also pays up to $83 per month for books and supplies. On-the-job and apprenticeship training: Pays a monthly benefit amount prorated based on time in program and up to $83 per month for books and supplies. http://www.gibill.va.gov/benefits/post_911_gibill/Post911_changes.html Of course, there are probably a zillion hoops that both the school and the vet have to jump through to make that happen. The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

Suggest you contact Rob Laidlaw at Skydive University. You can reach him at robsdu@mac.com He MAY be able to help you. The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!