Baksteen

"No, I haven't" [shrug]. "I heard about it though". [indifferent shrug] "I jump out of airplanes... that's Cool enough for me". Works well enough - it usually gets huge eyes and a few nods from the people questioning me - and more importantly, silence. "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

What I was trying to say is: Antonija, you raise excellent point wich certainly merit discussion but you're doing it in the wrong thread Now let's shake hands or have a beer. "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

I would have thought it was obvious, but if you insist.. Bull Shit! What 'many people here' think is a dangerous idea (and which you just cannot seem to get into your head) is that it's a dangerous idea to encourage a newbie with only a handful of jumps to - - instead of listening to his instructors. Because that is exactly what you are doing, even if you don't intend to. All it takes is one of those 'That Guy's I referred to earlier. People who are new to the sport cannot be expected to have the experience and knowledge necessary to make informed choices and decisions, whatever, they, me and you want to believe. There's just too much that we don't even know not knowing about. "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

If you read correctly I tried very hard to avoid giving OP yes/no answer, but I did try very hard to get the point of "think with your own head" through. Clearly many people here this is dangerous idea and I will try to refrain myself from suggesting it again. "I know that you believe you understand what you think I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant" Richard Milhous Nixon "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

Second time this week; perhaps I better report this after all. "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

Daylight Saving Time... Yet another acronym i didn't know.

Already did that last weekend. You guys seem to be lagging behind. "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

Yes we do. However, the best canopy pilots didn't buy that Velo 99 when they had 100 jumps, but after a veeeeeeeery slow progression, a step by step increase, learning to fly every canopy to the limits. I don't swoop and have only 300 jumps, but I do know this: There is no fast path to swooping - only a fast path to the morgue. *** I'm not saying OP should go and buy 1.4WL canopy, but I also don't feel like all those "no"s are as justified as their posters think they are. Perhaps. But the "yesses" are even less justified. Going student gear to a 150 at less than ten jumps? We might be talking about a size difference of 100 sq. ft or more here! Now, OP, I am not attacking you. It's perfectly reasonable to ask questions, especially of the staff of the DZ where you jump. Noone is born well versed in skydiving knowledge and noone will (should) think any less of you if you keep asking questions. Quite the contrary! As long as you DO something with the answers you get.. don't be 'that guy' who merely asks questions in order to find a justification for actions he is going to take anyway.

In the incidents forum, Skypuppy wrote: I was curious why people would mislike AADs for CReW specifically. I understand the cost issue, but that is an argument which is always used against AAD use - and not a very good one either, in my humble opinion. I did a quick search of this forum and found an old thread started by Bubbles in which someone mentioned low downplanes, but that cannot be the only reason, can it?

He's an Arabian millionaire, I think you'll find. "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

Why would you even *want* to? "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

We have a saying over here that you get the kids you deserve "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

42 on the frst try. It's the ultimate score

A weekend of hard skydiving. Shocked, I realise the red light is already on! I pull down my visor shouting DOOR!. Green light - mutter 'ready, set go - ARCH' and assume boxman. My motorbike slams on the asphalt. Did I just femur? "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

Why Norway? --- I don't hide the fact that I skydive, I'm just selective in who I tell about it. My cubicle (if I'd had one) wouldn't be covered in photos and I don;t tell people how 'extreme' I am - but I do try to answer peoples questions to the best of my knowledge. Perhaps that will help in a small, small way with how people see the sport. 1) Why not? 2) Yes I have 3) It's like I found a piece of the puzzle I didn't even realise I was missing. 4) You got a backup, a so called 'reserve parachute' whihc you cannot pack yourself. These parachutes are packed by so called 'Riggers' who are specially trained to pack, inspect and maintain reserve parachutes. The chance of both parachutes not opening is very small - bu still there. This is something every skydiver is aware of, but the risk is deemed acceptable. 5)Of course; especially the first (few) time(s). Remember, you are going to do something that goes against all your instincts, you really have to overcome yourself. Perhaps the second time is even scarier, as you now know what will happen once you exit the plane. But with experience this fear will gradually be replaced by a feeling you have necer experienced before. When you are on a skydive, you truly live in the moment. Nothing exists but you, the skydive and if applicable the people you are jumping with. Sometimes some of the fear comes back though - if you do Something Big for the first time (first freefall, first formation skydive) or haven't jumped in a while. In response to the original question as posed in the thread title: There are only a few whuffo questions that annoy me; chief among those are and "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

I can dance: The easy ones go: 1,2,3 1,2,3 1,2,3 and the tough ones go: 1,2,3,4 1,2,3,4 1,2,3,4 "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

"I'll GIT the dem barstids...even had to start me own b-day thread..." "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

I had that same experience when downsizing from a sabre 210 to a sabre 190. I'd put only a few jumps on the 210 - I thought it was an awful canopy, no fun at all. It just wouldn't turn and riser pressure was something fierce. I actually felt the navigator 240 I'd been jumping prior to the sabre 210 was more responsive and fun, though I did recognise that the Sabre 210 lost altitude more quickly; both in full flight and once I'd finally get it to respond to toggle input. So I downsized to a sabre 190. When I did a 360 I looked at the ground and was surprised to experience ground rush under canopy for the first time. The canopy was very 'touchy' - it'd react quite fast to any input I cared to give. I realised I'd be making quite a few hop and pops dedicated to canopy control on this thing.. "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

Certainly, and thanks for clearing that up

I can agree with that.. mostly. But define 'waste my time'? For me a date is a success if we both had fun. That doesn't necessarily mean long-term relationship potential, or even romantic potential at all. At what point does it stop being a date and becomes simply 'hanging out with a friend'? "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

Re: Sugar. Sugar keeps indefinitely at room temperature, if stored in a closed container or tin. While bacteria and fungi need sugar to thrive, *pure* sugar, like the kind that culinary-barbarians always put in their coffee, is too concentrated and actually toxic for micro organisms. Re: Batteries. I've heard these must be stored at room temperature as well, as the moisture in the fridge will actually make the batteries lose their charge more quickly. But batteries don't make for a great sandwich anyway. "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

Fixed it for you "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

spray butter? Seriously? that stuff exists? I refrigerate spuds (keeps em good and improves the taste as they get sweeter). "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

I congratulate you and your ever growing group of cunning linguists. "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

I left home in 2001 to study abroad (NB. note spelling; abroad not "a broad") for a year. Now, I live a mere 200 km away from my parents; practically next door for a US citizen, I know, but for Dutch people it's the equivalent of Australia: Far, far away. I return to my parent's place only a few times a year and while I thoroughly enjoy the quality time I spend with my family, I do not consider the house 'home' anymore. I recognise the 'out of place' feeling you described - Life in the village goes on and I don't even recognise half the people I meet in the streets, while some of the 'old guard' gives me suspicious looks: Isn't that the [..] kid? I hear he lives in Amsterdam now; he must be involved in shady dealings... On the other hand, I have a rental house in a suburb of Amsterdam - way too expensive for my salary, so I have to share the rent with two others. I've never considered that place 'home' either; it's just somewhere I go to eat and sleep. What is home? It depends not on the place but on the people.