UDSkyJunkie

Three peices of advice: First) LEARN TO PLF!!! Get with an instructor, and PLF off a chair a few DOZEN times... once you and he are comfortable, go home and do it some more. Then find something a little taller, maybe a picnic table. If possible, work up to 6-8 feet. A hard landing could easily be like jumping off the roof of a single-story house... if you can PLF off your roof, you can do it on a landing. Second) Really, really think about NOT looking down. Almost everyone has trouble in the beginning judging altitude, and some people simply don't have good depth perception. Find something else to use as a reference. I've used trees, buildings, wind blades, things like that. If you know a wind blade is about 15 feet high, and you know you're still above it, you're too high, no matter how fast the ground seems to be coming at you. Plan two or three things you can use before you jump so you don't have to make it up on the way. Third) You may or may not already be doing this, but remember if you flare a little high, it's ok. As soon as you realize it, pause the flare (don't put your hands back up, just leave them exactly where they were... probably in 1/2 to 3/4 brakes). Hold there until just before you hit the ground (5 feet or so), then finish, all the way to full arm extension. And be ready to PLF no matter how confident you are that you can stand it up. P.S. Ask someone to video your next several landings, then show them to the instructors and have them explain what is wrong, and even more importantly, what is right! "Some people follow their dreams, others hunt them down and beat them mercilessly into submission."

RoryJ - I agree with the above post recommending Kip Lohmiller. His website is www.airrageskydiving.com if you want to contact him. I took my AFF course with him in september, and I busted my ass! I won't claim to be some kind of genius or prodigy, but I think it's fair to say I'm one of the most skilled fliers at my DZ (lots of 4-way to thank for that). Kip will make you work hard, and is also an excellent teacher... if you're struggling he will help you work on your weaknesses, and will tailor the course to fit your needs (it helps if it's a smaller group). If you earn your rating from him, you will be as ready as you can be. Course fees are also very reasonable, especially if you can make it to Start Skydiving to take them. Good luck! "Some people follow their dreams, others hunt them down and beat them mercilessly into submission."

Canopy control is one of the more common fears among AFF students. I think this is because it is the only part of the skydive where the instructor is not right there to help. Yes, there is a radio, but the can and do fail. Hopefully your TI has introduced you to the basics of canopy control, flying a pattern, ect during your 4 tandem jumps. When you take the AFF course, you can apply that experience to what they teach. Canopy control is explained in a reasonable amount of depth (remember that we don't want to give you TOO much detail just yet). You should be taught everything you need to know. That said, don't be afraid to ask lots of questions during the course to make sure you understand and are comfortable with the concepts... the instructor will not think you are stupid for asking. Finally, you are definately right that you don't want your canopy fears to distract from the rest of the instruction. At all times, you need to focus on the current task. Good luck! "Some people follow their dreams, others hunt them down and beat them mercilessly into submission."

A good catch, it would appear the regulation is on your side. Interesting that the written test question and answer I provided (question 44 from http://www.certificationunlimited.com/faaqs.html) directly contradicts the reg you have quoted. Perhaps the website I have used as a reference is in error. Or perhaps the test is in error. Either way, Billvon's point that the risers are not part of the main parachute, but rather the harness, and therefore subject to TSO and FAR 65, ect is probably more relevant. Does attaching a main constitute maintenance of the main, or of the harness? hard to say since both are involved. I think I prefer your more liberal interperetation although were it to come up in court somehow it'd be hard to say the outcome. "Some people follow their dreams, others hunt them down and beat them mercilessly into submission."

hmm... from the written test questions... In relation to a dual parachute pack used for intentional jumping, which of the following may be accomplished by the person who intends to use the parachute? A) Packing the main parachute. B) Packing, maintaining, or altering the main parachute. C) Packing the main parachute or the auxiliary parachute. Which of the following repairs can be approved by a certificated senior parachute rigger? 1. Replacing a grommet. 2. Cleaning a stained harness. 3. Replacing suspension lines. 4. Arranging suspension lines in proper sequence on a separable link. 5. Repairing a lateral band. 6. Replacing an apex cap. A) 2, 3, 5. B) 1, 2, 4. C) 5, 4, 6. The first implies that a non-rigger jumper may pack, but not maintain, his own main. The 2nd states that a rigger is authorized to approve the proper order of lines on links. I interperet this to state that a rigger is required to maintain the main, and that removing from links/risers is considered maintenance of the main. Wording is vague enough that other interperetations are possible, and I'd really have to comb through the rest of the regs to nail it down further. "Some people follow their dreams, others hunt them down and beat them mercilessly into submission."

This is a question, not an attack: are you sure? If so, what source is that from? The reason I ask is because I remember when I was studying for the rigger test that I found it absurd that a non-rigger was legally allowed to build his own main, yet was not allowed to remove and hook up his own main from his risers. Maybe my memory is wrong, it's been several years. "Some people follow their dreams, others hunt them down and beat them mercilessly into submission."

Agreed with above that it depends on how good your exits are... I've been on teams where each option was better. If your exits are very good (very steep, and little/no tension) I'd say the first option. My most recent team was VERY good on exits and the hill, and breaking right out the door really helped us... we were 20 points behind the top intermediate team at nationals (still an 11.6 average), but we beat them to the 2nd and 3rd points on almost every jump. Watching the videos, we beat a lot of advanced class teams too. On the other hand, if your exits need work (still have some tension or rotation, or if you're a bit flat and breaking right out the door results in vertical separation) then I'd say you need to work on exits first and not start breaking right out the door just yet. Most of those teams that beat us would hold their weaker exit for 1-3 more seconds than us to let it settle, and take the first few points easy... then they'd kick our asses in the last 20 seconds of the dive. I noticed it in particular on the AF teams... horrid exits, but all that tunnel time had them slaughtering us once they got going. Good luck! "Some people follow their dreams, others hunt them down and beat them mercilessly into submission."

Just to clairify that requirement, yes you need to know how to reattach your main, but that's assuming that the main never came off the risers. Anything involving links coming off of risers or lines coming off of links technically requires a rigger. That said, I have no problem with experienced jumpers doing this on their own gear, and think they should at least know how. That just sounds like a guy on a powertrip. He was asked for help double-checking a non-rigger's work, and somehow that's dangerous? It only takes 5 minutes to do a continuity check. To the story about cutting someone's lines, I don't know the specifics of that incident, but sometimes it's the only thing that works. I know someone who got into a heated argument with one of his buddies who was drunk and high and wanted to get on the plane, and refused to take no for an answer. So instead of escalating the situation by running to the pilot, DZO, or S&TA, he finally just reached out and pulled his reserve handle. The guy was PISSED, but at least he didn't jump. If a person is stubborn/stupid/clueless enough, cutting the lines *might* be the best option. "Some people follow their dreams, others hunt them down and beat them mercilessly into submission."

I have every intention of doing the things you said, but the reminder never hurts! Thanks, it's good advice that a lot of people would be better off following. My AFF experience is low, but I've been around the sport since birth and I've seen a LOT of shit. I waited to get the rating until I felt I was truly ready, because I've seen a lot of people who weren't, and some of that video scares the shit out of me. I know if I do this long enough eventually I'll end up with some crazy stories. Again... good advice.

That first part really defined to me how certain AFF I/E's are doing a good job and others aren't. I also am a new AFF instructor, but have had a very different experience... in addition to the ground training, I did about 15 practice dives to work on the skills I would need for the eval dives. I worked my ASS off on every one of those practice dives, and I learned a shitload. My eval dives were equally brutal, and while I did well on 3 of them, I did fail the 2nd one. So far I've done about 2 dozen AFF jumps, several of which were release dives... I recognize that that's a very small number and there are lots of things I haven't seen yet, but so far real AFF has been VASTLY easier than the gauntlet I went through in the course. I've had a few that required some effort, but nothing compared to my training. So to those who say the rating is too easy... I say the rating is fine. It's the I/E that makes it easy or difficult. The guy I took the course from says he usually has a pass rate of 50-65%. "Some people follow their dreams, others hunt them down and beat them mercilessly into submission."

All that stuff is why whenever someone would bust out some ancient round canopy and ask if I wanted to jump it I would reply "tell ya what... find a way to put that thing in a piggyback rig with 3-rings, and I'll be happy to jump it". Eventually, a local rigger managed to find an olive drab Strong Hawk big enough to fit a PC Mark III. The emergency handles were in the modern locations, it had 3-rings, and he even added a BOC pocket for the pilot chute. It was a pretty cool experience... very quiet! And yes... I did a solo. "Some people follow their dreams, others hunt them down and beat them mercilessly into submission."

Agreed with most that you should use what you were taught or what you are most comfortable with. I use the 1-hand method. I have had only one malfunction so far (spinning, but risers not twisted) and I can say my adrenaline-laden strength was such that I literally felt zero resistance on either handle. Given that, I think for most men of average strength, a pull truly requiring both hands would be the exception rather than the rule. Regarding hanging harness training, I admit I've never done this since my ground training for AFF. I do, however, practice emergency procedures without the hanging harness multiples times every day that I jump. I would encourage anyone thinking about doing harness training to absolutely do so. You're right that today's handles are nothing compared to shot-and-a-half's *twitch* but there's no reason NOT to practice. "Some people follow their dreams, others hunt them down and beat them mercilessly into submission."

Personal opinion, don't buy new... it'll take some time to figure out exactly what you want in the long term, and quality used gear can be had for great prices... when you later figure out your ideal setup you can sell and get most of your money back before you really dish out the cash for new stuff. That said, if you're dead-set on new stuff, here's my opinions... others will differ. "Best" gear, money is no object: Container: VectorIII with skyhook Main: Spectre or Sabre2 (210 or larger) Reserve: PD-R Reserve (218 or larger) AAD: Cypress II Best value (still very high quality, will probably save $1000 or more) Container: Icon Main: Pilot Reserve: Smart AAD: Cypress II "Some people follow their dreams, others hunt them down and beat them mercilessly into submission."

Really? That's very interesting... just a couple of years ago I was talking to a PD rep who at the time stated the Spectre was their best-selling canopy, and by quite a margin. The Sabre2 had been out for awhile, but thinking on it, at the time a lot of people still thought it was strictly an intro-level canopy. Just goes to show how fast the buisiness changes. that's good to hear, I really do think it's the best "all-around". Lots of canopies will out-swoop the Sabre2, but it's versatility is unparalleled. "Some people follow their dreams, others hunt them down and beat them mercilessly into submission."

Step 1: spend a year packing your ass off. That's really all there is to it. Once you know what you're doing getting work isn't rocket science, although you'll want to get your rigger rating eventually. I learned to pack at 13 years old, and it was the best high school/college job EVER. "Some people follow their dreams, others hunt them down and beat them mercilessly into submission."

That looks like the "Yes System" release... A friend of my dad had that release, or one very similar to it in a rig called a Bullet that he was still jumping in '97. Got a LOT of weird looks, as it was his primary rig. Then again, so did his 2nd rig... a 2-pin wonderhog with a belly-band PC and an AR-11 150 main. "Some people follow their dreams, others hunt them down and beat them mercilessly into submission."

Dude, you've gotta treat it like you're a landlord, because you ARE a landlord. I'm renting in a friend's house right now, and he basically found a copy of a standard apartment contract, modified it slightly, and handed to me... I thought it was more than fair, but it defined clearly what responsibilities we each held and what would happen if I was late on payments, broke his crap, ect like any other contract. Also, if you are truly subletting (you are renting from a landlord, and in turn renting out to someone else) then you'd best clear it with the people above you... some places are cool with it and others aren't. "Some people follow their dreams, others hunt them down and beat them mercilessly into submission."

Sabre2. Betcha don't get that answer again. Seriously though... I can swoop like a maniac or float in brakes with a tandem. Can get back from insane spots. Excellent shut-down ability. Light riser and toggle pressure and long control range.

There's a lot of strong opinions about pro/psycho... personally I think it's a bunch of BS. The important parts of the packjob are identical, with the only difference being how one gets the parachute in the bag. Snivel is controlled much more by how you do/don't roll the nose and tail and how you clover the slider than by how you put it in the bag. However, it may also be influenced by how WELL you get it in the bag. I say go with whichever method 1) works for you and 2) you can perform with greater competence. Many will disagree with me, just remember that they are all posting only what works for them. For the record I always do a standard pro-pack on 100% of canopies, from Parafoils to Velocities to PD Tandem 500's. It works best for me. "Some people follow their dreams, others hunt them down and beat them mercilessly into submission."

A good start would be the 10-way speed rules that are in the skydiver's competition manual. I have heard of various versions of 8-way speed star rules... biggest possible discrepancy with official 10-way rules is that in 10-way you can't leave 100% linked, whereas in some versions of 8-way you can (allowing a time of 0.0 seconds if you can chunk a no-show 8-way star). "Some people follow their dreams, others hunt them down and beat them mercilessly into submission."

If I had the cash I'd be PMing you to see about buying for a 2nd rig... it's hard to find gear built in my size (5'7", 135). If I made an offer, it'd be for the Jav and PDR only, and at $1200ish... agreed that the PDR is worth about $750, but I don't see the Jav being worth over $450 given the work it needs. I see most Sabre1's going in the $500 range, you might be able to get a little more since yours is so new but I doubt it. I wouldn't buy it because it's a bit small and because I too have an old-school Sabre 135 sitting in my closet that needs a rig. But again I agree that'll be the hard part to sell... almost anyone interested in flying a 107 would be looking for a stiletto/katana/velocity type of canopy these days, and you'd have to find someone who's either nostalgic or on a budget or both. Good luck. "Some people follow their dreams, others hunt them down and beat them mercilessly into submission."

GW# 6953, just a few months ago. Took 7 1/2 years... got a slow start due to college and a semester down under that took all my money (it was worth it

I think it's very individual to the DZ... my previous home DZ had very few AFFI's, and they almost never had work because so few people actually went through the program and because AFF was not offered as a first jump option. My current DZ (less than 1 hour drive from previous) has half a dozen AFFI's on any given weekend and it is very common for us to be swamped. Why? We have a LOT of people choose AFF for their first jump, and have had incredible student retention. Since you need 2 AFFI's for the first few jumps and AFF generally is more time consuming to the instructors, I think I can go out on a limb and say that if there's a surplus then most likley the DZ needs to look into their marketing strategy... there may be a few places where there are too many AFFI's due to ratings being "handed out like cracker-jack prizes", but I think that's the exception. I, for one, had to work and fly my ass off to earn mine and I have very solid flying skills. "Some people follow their dreams, others hunt them down and beat them mercilessly into submission."

I don't see how most of that stuff could be caused by unstowed/fired brake lines... I also think it's pretty unlikley you could have both fire. If there is velcro over the reserve toggles like most rigs I've seen it'd be almost impossible. The most I would expect is a weird opening, and maybe it would get some twists or surge forward, but once the wing is inflated the toggles being set or not should be irrelevant. Did you have the canopy inspected? any damage found? I don't think I've ever seen or heard of so many things going wrong with a canopy at the same time! Sure as hell not a reserve. sounds like you had quite a ride. "Some people follow their dreams, others hunt them down and beat them mercilessly into submission."

Definately do this, and preferably lend it to someone who is as close to your weight as possible. If they can't land it either, something's wrong. Also, has your rigger checked the line trim and steering line length? Too long or too short steering lines can make landings suck. But really, if it passes inspection and keeps pounding you in, and if one or two experienced people find the same thing, it's just too old, and there are no tricks. I flew a PD170 as my first canopy (it had about 500 jumps at the time)... it had a great flare and I never had trouble with it, actually had 100% stand-up success rate. "Some people follow their dreams, others hunt them down and beat them mercilessly into submission."