GLIDEANGLE

My DZ has two full-time camera jumpers, and lots of part-timers (who have other jobs). Not only don't these folks get benefits... They are independent contractors, who I suspect are not covered by the workers compensation program for work related injuries. The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

The only risk that I can think of is related to premature container opening. The design of some older rigs is more vulnerable to premature activation. If that were to occur in the plane, everyone aboard the plane is at risk. If it happens in freefall, those in your group are at risk. The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

I agree w/ all of the above about batteries and durability. However, I find that with myopia, presbyopia, and progressive (no line) trifocal spectacles... I need a really big display. I am going to give the Alti-2 N3 a try. We shall see how I like it. P.S. If you want the less expensive Neptune... Get one NOW, my impression from chatting w/ Alti-2 is that they will soon stop making them. I may have misunderstood... The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

Wish I had gotten the auto-pack option. The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

Yes, we turn off student AADs if the student rides the plane down. First time this happened to me with an unlicensed coaching client, I struggled w/ the AAD switch and never got it off. I told the pilot and while he wasn't delighted, he altered his descent and all was well. After that I practiced turning the student AADs off a few times on the ground. Not a problem for me any longer. The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

I don't know of other recent ramp checks. While the DZO/pilots have lots of aircraft/flight related regulations to comply with, it seems to me that the typical sport jumper at an established DZ has rather little that falls under FAA purview. Is there anything other than this short list? --Reserve in date. --AAD w/in manufacturer's directions IF AN AAD USED. --Wear seatbelt during taxi, takeoff, landing. --Cloud and visibility clearance. --Not jumping under the influence of alcohol/drugs. Seems to me that sport jumpers have little to fear PERSONALLY, while DZO/pilots have plenty to worry about. Of course, individual jumpers would be affected if DZO/pilots got spanked enough to keep the planes on the ground. The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

try this http://sunpath.com/web%5Fen/index.php?menu_level1=3&menu_level2=5 The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

I echo comments above re: Skydive Dallas. http://www.skydivedallas.com/ Skydive Dallas also has Skydive University coaching, free load organizing every weekend for flat flyers and free flyers, and a well deserved reputation for Texas hospitality. The next fun event in the SDD calendar is the "Just for us" boogie next week (no students… staff can play w/ experienced jumpers). American Revolution boogie Will be on 4th of July weekend. Come on down and say Howdy! The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

A man after my own heart!!! My wife has almost given up protesting the arrival of more odd/old skydiving gear at our house. The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

There are several good DZ choices in Southern California. Suggest you visit and see which one "feels" most comfortable. This will help you identify nearby DZs: http://www.uspa.org/FindaDZ.aspx The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

1. Twelve ounce curls. The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

1. When I got to "Now long version/landing history;" in your post I thought "WTF... didn't I just read the long version?" I see I was quite wrong!!! 2. As you turn on final, be damned sure to assume your pre-PLF posture: ankles and knees together and knees and hips slightly bent. Doing this early on final ensures that it is done and allows you to concentrate on flying your canopy as you approach the ground... While maintaining a proper body (injury preventing) body position. This makes PLF natural and easy, as you are already in position. If you have a great stand up landing, this position won't cause you any trouble. 3. Finish your flare!!!!! 4. While healing go to DZ and watch tandems land. 5. Smile, breathe, relax. The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

1. Smile, breathe, relax, (trite, but SO true). 2. You may have heard the term "arch hard". I find this term unhelpful, as "hard" leads to "rigid". I prefer to think of "arch deeply". Think of being a chocolate bar melting on a hot day… ooze into position. 3. An exercise that helps with both stretching and relaxing into an arch is this: Lie on belly on floor, put hands on floor in front of shoulders (as if preparing to do a push-up), push upperbody off floor (like a push-up) WHILE LEAVING YOUR PELVIS ON THE FLOOR! To do this requires RELAXATION. The only muscles in your torso that should be tight might be those in your butt. 4. Smile, breathe relax!!! The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

Just when you thought that the Spring Break turmoil at Mustang Beach was dying down… (For those of you who missed it, the turmoil included… NO helicopter, no beach landings for most of the event, a sub-optimal alternate landing area, and a fatal skydiving incident.) There are now two different (competing) operators of temporary DZs planning to work out of the same tiny airport @ Mustang Beach Texas. Best I can tell, these are previous business partners who are now competing: http://www.skydivesouthtexas.com/ or on facebook: Skydive South Texas http://www.skydiveatlas.com/events.php or on facebook: Skydive Mustang Beach by Skydive Atlas Even if these two operators work differing dates at this location… my prediction is that this will be confusing and probably ugly before all is done. The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

For whom? Tough to answer when rules vary by role. The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

1. I would be more concerned w/ disruption of catheter from port than damage to port. 2. This is like retail real estate… location, lcation, location! It will depend on EXACTLY where your port is and exactly where harness sits on you. 3. I am a nurse and have worked w/ a fair # of implanted ports. My best guess is that a major factor will be how much fat you have. Super thin folks have no natural padding for port and it pokes skin outward. Chubby folks can have so much padding that the port can be hard to find. I suspect that the port will less at risk w/ the chubby. 4. Go to DZ, explain your situation and see exactly where the harness will sit on you. The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

Suggest you get rigger rating early. IN US: --no minimum jumps for this rating --you can pack mains without supervision --rigger can make money in bad weather instructional ratings (except tandem) make money only if students are jumping. Thus if wind is too strong for students... No $. However the camera jumpers can make money from experienced jumpers too. Really good camera guys can get paid to jump camera for teams. DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE IMPORTANCE OF IMMIGRATION LAWS IF YOU WANT TO WORK IN THE US!!! Recent political events in the US have made this a HOT topic. We may see greatly increased enforcement of immigration laws in the near future. Arizona is the center of this political storm right now. The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

There is … a vertical wind tunnel. The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

Dear USA CreW community: I got an interesting letter from USPA today. I HOLD NO ANIMOSITY TOWARD USPA OVER THIS LETTER. I am concerned, however, by what this letter implies about the perception of the lack of vigor of the CReW community. The letter follows: “Dear James, Thank you for placing an order for the 4-stack patch. Unfortunately, the 4 stack patches are no longer available. I have enclosed the 2 decals and certificate and 2 additional decals your ordered. If you choose to continue on and do an 8-stack, or even a night 4-stack, we do have patches available for purchase in those catergories. Please feel free to contact me with any further questions or concerns. Thank you and safe blue skies, Susan Sullivan Member Service Center Coordinator” This is sad for me as I enjoy collecting what my wife calls “skydiving merit badges”. I was looking forward to putting that patch on my gear bag along with my SCR, SCS, & NSCR. I infer from this letter that USPA has made a business decision to make no more 4-stack patches because they have sold so poorly that making more is a poor business decision. • What does this say about the CReW community in the US? • Is this a true reflection of the vigor of the CReW community? • Is this simply a reflection of folks no longer wanting “merit badges”? • Have I lost what little mind I used to have and am I making a tempest out of a teapot? The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

I misread chart. The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

The manufacturer indicates that wing loading as "not suggested". See this link for more: http://www.performancedesigns.com/products.asp?product=ka The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

Too bad you didn't have a discussion about placement location with your doc BEFORE the device was placed! The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

Lots of variables: ==Who knows your skills? ==Whose opinion do you respect? (based on what you have seen/heard) ==Who is likely to be willing to listen to your question and spend the time to answer it effectively? ==Who is easy to talk with? Not all instructors have the same experience, skills, and communication style. Carefully gathering a number of views, sorting through them and making what seems to be the safe choice is a good idea. The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

My biggest coaching challenge followed my rating course. I have found that dealing with differing fall rates has been challenging. A season of jumping on a 4 way flatflying team before becoming a coach had really spoiled me with regard to fall rate matching. I am learning better how to dress myself and the student for success. This topic was not covered in any of the written or oral material during the coach course. The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

smooth: If you want to be the best coach you can.... attend a Skydive University Coach course. SDU teaches WAY more than the standard USPA curriculum. I believe that you can get the SDU course from either: www.skydiveu.com www.certificationunlimited.com Jim The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!