skydog

And maybe you should have the facts before posting......(no misinterpretation there....) I am not going to defend her, as she needs no defence....However, I will comment on the reason she posted and that was to inform and educate. With a profile like yours, it does not qualify you to make sweeping generalisations like that.... or do I have the full facts??? Statements like yours put people off posting information useful to the wider community, come back to the table when you have something positive to contribute. Bryn Journey not destination.....

To be honest I have fitted about 3 stroboframes to Cookie helmets and have never had any issues (not to say shit doesn't happen). If you are concerned then replace it or, as suggested before, put the screw through the bottom. Or buy something else . I have done all of the above and really it is personal preference. Bryn Journey not destination.....

There are other smaller options to using a stroboframe mount. Velbon, Manfrotto etc have smaller plates which wont overhang the edges of the flatspot on the helmet. Bryn Journey not destination.....

They have been flying in the UK for a fair few years now. Nice plane when not too full....... Journey not destination.....

I have jumped both of them and would say, marginally, the Safire2 was slightly better on the flare. Bryn Journey not destination.....

Ok, I am now officially confused....... Before reading this http://www.bpa.org.uk/insuranceupdate.htm I assumed the decision had been made PRIOR to the AGM not AFTER as stated in the update. Was I reading it wrong? Can someone clarify when the decision, and meeting with insurers to discuss this matter, actually took place. Thank you Bryn Journey not destination.....

My philosophy is simple - no good footage = no sale. That is for any reason at all. If there is nothing decent then I bite the bullet, pay for my own slot and the customer gets a full and frank explanantion of what happened. It is usually true that if a customer leaves the DZ with shit footage they will not say anything. When they get home they will tell everyone they know. I also think that having to be "professional" sharpens the mind and skills. If you produce a sub standard product you are not only doing yourself a disservice but the DZ and the industry as a whole. The integrity is there from plenty of camera people, but unfortunately not everywhere. Bryn Journey not destination.....

Here is the latest from Paul Moore. Having spent about 10 hours in various meetings at the BPA Office yesterday where the hot topic was of course the whole insurance issue, I am now able to give you an update. Those who want a full update should attend the FSC PB AGM at the DZ on sat 18 March where I will give the full picture. In short the detail is this: 1. There is not enough time to change the BPA insurance to accommodate the Germans / eurpeans on all UK DZ's for this coming insurance year. The premiums were already voted in before the crucial vote to allow all experienced germans etc. 2. BPA members face a substancial increase in their own insurance if this were to go through now without changes in the policy to accommodate european skydivers in UK. This could be as much as £20 per head for every full BPA member. This would probably be unacceptable to the membership therefore they would either (a) reject the premium therefore the BPA would not have insurance or, (b) vote to stay as they are and all europeans would have to join the BPA etc. 3. The BPA Council have decided to have a 'consultation period' of about a year in which time we will look at ways of accommodating european skydivers on the current insurance structure or possibly getting an amended policy ready for the 2007 season. I am on the Insurance sub committee of the BPA and I will continue to promote the cause for european skydivers at that table. I am not alone in this. There are others who recognise the same. 4. In the meanwhile.....all experienced european skydivers at Bad Lippspringe will take BPA insurance (but not membership)by one of two methods: a. Pay the BPA temporary insurance premium lasting one month including multiples thereof. (about 40 euros each) b. Pay the BPA full insurance premium (about 75 euros) which will last one year by which time we will hopefully have the definative answer to the problem. 4. I ask that those that this affects be patient and rest assurred that many people are working hard to find a solution that accommodates not only German skydivers in the UK but also all europeans too. I will answer your questions as best I can at the FSC PB AGM on 18 March. Journey not destination.....

Yeah, me too........ But it is not everyday you get to fly with Vincent Vega.. (when you see him you'll know why!!!!) See ya soon Si. Bryn Journey not destination.....

It has 2 buttons on the edge, opposite each other, that you depress, put it on the camera, let go and hey presto it grips the outer edge of the lens. It needs fixing in place, probably with gaffer tape..... Bryn Journey not destination.....

Raynox do a .03 clip in lens. It works, but looks shit and is huge if you have to put it in any D Box etc. Jessops used to stock them and I think around £35. Bryn Journey not destination.....

I read this and, unfortunately, find myself agreeing on most of the things. I ask if I can change things and also ask if its my responsibility. I can give people information and advice, but what they choose do do with it is up to them. I read in horror of a wingsuit flyer not knowing how to "cock" a pilot chute. I pick up on things happening at my DZ and elsewhere on my travels and make my point. I think of myself more as a shepherd rather than "my brother's keeper". The stupid will always find new and interesting ways of killing themselves, I just make sure they are not killing me in the process. Bryn Journey not destination.....

This is going to be sad, but the record is 7.62 seconds. I only know cos when we were training for the nationals the team leader was one of the record holders, and he only mentioned the record a.......few times. Bryn Journey not destination.....

If your not after any ratings, Tandem, Aff etc. the your after the NZPF (Tim Fastnedge) You have to be a member of the NZPF in any case if you want to jump in NZ. Bryn Journey not destination.....

I just got a craft knife and cut off the excess I didnt want. This left the base in the bottom plastic and then I had the button free to play with. Only thing og note is that the button is conical, smaller at the tip than at the base. Therefore the hole has to be slightly larger than you imagine or it impedes the movement of the button up and dow. Other than that get a knife and go for it......... Bryn Journey not destination.....

PAL Journey not destination.....

I broke my Tib and Fib just under 2 years ago. This last summer I have been doing tandems full time with no problems. I make sure I slide in the majority of landings, protecting my ankle. I used to wear a support, but now dont jump with it. It took longer than I thought to be fully healed but it is getting stronger all the time. It is possible, but just dependant on you, physio and where your "head" is at. Bryn Journey not destination.....

Here is the one I use: http://conceptusinc.com/tongueswitch.htm If you look on the site you will see the comparison with the bite switch. I also like them because I can ratchet down my FTP and not worry about opening my jaw to bite down on the switch. Bryn Journey not destination.....

Personally I prefer the tongue switch. Have tried both, but the tongue just "feels" more comfortable to me. I think it is a matter of opinion as both work as well as each other. Bryn Journey not destination.....

My preference being (having jumped at all those places) would be: 1: Bay of Islands (only cos with the Nationals on there will be loads of other people to fill the air with you) 2: Taupo 3: Auckland (Its not that picturesque) If were a choice of any other DZ in NZ, I would go for Picton www.skydivethesounds.com(awesome scenery & awesome staff) or Glenorchy (Queenstown). They are a smaller operation but that means more friendly IMHO and the scenery is amazing. As for the other questions I dont really know, but knowing Kiwi service it will be doable. Bryn Journey not destination.....

And as with all student loans they have to be repaid, which should'nt be forgotten. So the course is not free or subsidised, you do eventually pay the market price for the course. The jumps per $ is good, but if you are an overseas jumper you have to factor in all the "small" things, which add up to a lot. Having worked at both centres I am in an ideal position to tell you what is what. If I was a kiwi or from OZ then either "course" is good value, but for the overseas jumper then something locally sourced could be more beneficial. And for any DZO's who want to institute a program like this then feel free to mail me and i will tell you the pro's and cons of developing, and more importantly, delivering a course such as this. Dont mail me with an anonymous, non checkable, profile. I have already been threatened with legal action for saying what I think. Cheers Bryn Journey not destination.....

You are joking about already having bought kit?? As of January 2006 all persons below B licence will be required to have an AAD in NZ. Does your kit have an AAD? Also factor in: accommodation, food, travel, camera equipment, car (Mercer is in the middle of nowhere as is Pudding Hill. I know because I have been working at both), etc. Yes at Mercer you will get any unused jump money back, which is one ahead of CHCH. My advice, FWIW, do your AFF, (Empuriabrava have a winter special on at the moment). If it is for you then devote your time an dmoney to it. If your a golfing candidate you haven't lost that much... Bryn Journey not destination.....

Dont kid yourself about the amount of jobs available in NZ. Now that a decent living can be earnt and the amount of "graduates" floating around, it is quite difficult to find decent paid work. There are a handful of extremely busy DZ's in NZ, but the guys there know they have it good and a re usually reluctant to move on and free up a slot. NZ also works very much on who you know not what you know. Many people are taken on through personal recommendation, which can be difficult if you are a 200 jump wonder. Relying on skydivng to repay loans is a false hope. As for which course, well they are both capable of taking your money, as for the results, who can say.. Bryn Journey not destination.....

Just been driving a 1982 Mitsubishi Sigma. Being a TI it was kinda apt. Bryn Journey not destination.....

Ha, good save........ Pity you hadn't done it before posting. And I guess part time does count... sort of... Just a side note, I wonder what potential students think about this "in fighting" between the two AFF Schools. I think I would have serious reservations about a company that brought them to a public forum, no matter the intention behind it......mmmm Bryn Journey not destination.....