wrightskyguy

I watched a guy bounce several years ago because he apparently couldn't locate his recently relocated to BOC handle. He panicked and pulled his cutaway handle and rather than deploying his reserve he continued to flounder for his main. He finally found it and threw it out at about 500 ft but of course he had already pulled his cutaway. Make certain of the location of all of your handles and practice, especially on new or borrowed gear.

Two 182s, secluded airport right next to Smith mt lake. It's beautiful and it's home to DZO Billy Cockrell, the 2nd most handsome Instructor in the galaxy, oh, and great skydives too

Skydive Smokey Mt is 20 miles N of Knoxville off I-75 in Lafollette. Nice place, beautiful scenery, and a freindly DZO. I believe his name is Kip. Have fun!

Deland and Sebastion are both fine DZ's but, they aren't the only ones in Fl. We have a great DZ in Palatka with an excess of freindly folks and staff eager to jump with you. Free camping, free lunch, come on over, we'll treat you right.

You couldn't have picked a better and more beautiful place. Billy Cockrell is the owner and chief instructor and a pretty good skydiver if you ask me, an outstanding skydiver if you ask him. Get there early and be ready to learn. Tell Billy that I put in a good word for him. ( I get a free skydive for every kind word) John Wright

Why don't you try dating a grown-up?

Definitely the direction that Tandem jumping needs to be taking. Obviously the first thing on the highlight reel is the drogue release system, amazing! You just can't deploy out of sequence if it's packed correctly, which is very simple. It is very easy to check for a cocked drogue and a quick look at the disc is all that's nescessary to ensure proper droge attachment. The drogue suspension point is much improved over the old system, it keeps you head high and allows for much more control with your legs. I find it hard to find fault with the old 386 ZP canopy but the new Sigma canopy is lighter on the controls and really zips around and flares nicely. Finally the student harness is much more comfortable and it puts them in a good position for landing, eliminating the need for the "sit back drill". If I had to find fault with the system, it would be that the container is a little stiff and the way the student is suspended puts a little extra pressure on the JM's chest after opening, these are minor problems when compared to the huge step forward that this system represents. John Wright

Sounds like a seperation problem and not an altitude problem. It is impossible to accurately judge someone elses opening altitude unless you open at the same altitude. How did you know how high they opened? Did they tell you? Or did you draw on your 90 jumps worth of experience and wisdom to calculate it. If you had a near miss then you should have discussed seperation problems before jumping again, obviously it didn't bother you then since you let it happen to you again, TWICE! Think man, Think! No, I don't jump there.