livendive

Unfortunately there is no such thing. If there was, I'd be one. The Democrat and Republican parties are equally liberal (i.e. they both want lots of government involvement), they just focus in different directions. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

I don't think much of any kids need to be at a DZ after dark, but the older they are the less it bothers me. I don't have a problem with older kids being at the DZ during the day, and the only time I have a problem with younger kids at the DZ during the day is when their parents expect everyone else to watch them. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

Yes it does...and you hang out with a bunch of liberals in this forum. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

I've seen mention of a (USPA-produced?) video to help prepare a candidate for the AFFCC. As I'm looking to take the AFFCC without ever having had any real exposure to AFF, I'm thinking it might be a good thing for me to watch, but I can't find such an item in USPA's list of rating materials or their online store. Does anyone here know what I'm talking about, and if so, where I might obtain a copy? Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

I'm more curious about the 14 people who said they won't jump without a jumpsuit. Although it can prevent some minor scratches, I just don't get it. I've seen people who put a jumpsuit on just to do a hop & pop, and these were people who weren't worried about grass stains from a downwind swoop or anything. Anyone who clicked that one want to clue us in? Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

Emoticon noted, but my answer is still "probably", contingent on how they decided that was best for them. Still, I do have a hard time imagining how a person could rationalize the vest in a 3-piece, or worse, a tie. And is there anything dumber in the world than a bolo-tie? The opposite of free-thinker? Those sheep these days who are getting ethnic tattoos without really even knowing what they mean. "Ooh, the guy at the parlor said this symbol is Japanese for 'dragon', and that's cooler than your's that's supposedly celtic for 'warrior'." Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

I'd like to see that 'definition' or even the data that correlates. "free thinkers" is such a subjective self-congratulatory term anyway. Another label/stereotype from the stereotype of that self defined group who claim to be against labels. From www.dictionary.com Thus why I used the word "almost." As applies to appearance, it's unlikely that a person who meets this definition will wear clothing style "x" or hairstyle "y" solely because that's what everyone else is doing or what the fashion police tell them too. A person who meets this definition is likely to wear clothing that makes sense to them regardless of current trends. Agreed. Freeflying is not an indication of free-thought, nor is body art. That's not to say a freeflyer or tattoo-freak can't be a free-thinker as well, but such a classification hinges on why they do/wear what they do. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

No. Just because a person is "eligible" for a particular rating doesn't mean they've met all the requirements for it. As relates to the PRO, in addition to their D-license, a person must also have 500 jumps, the requisite accuracy jumps, the smoke/flag jumps, etc. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

Well duh! That's because the Branch Davidians had scarier weapons than Saddam Hussein. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

When someone says things like "in my experience" and "people I've met", you're unlikely to be in a position to call it a crock with any sort of authority on the matter. People who are really 'free-thinkers' are unlikely to follow fashion trends or be in the 'in-crowd' almost by definition. That said, you're correct that people are people across the board and I don't think there's any real correlation between being tattooed & pierced and being a 'free-thinker', nor do I think either is required to be nice to others. Agreed. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

I really liked Speaker for the Dead and Xenocide was pretty good too. I was a little disappointed with Children of the Mind, but it was certainly worth reading. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

Judging by the responses, I'll count myself lucky I've never heard this milkshake song. Worst song ever? That's easy. "There's a tear in my beer 'cuz I'm crying for you dear, you were always on my mind..." That song blows the worst chunks of all-time! Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

Liars People who chew with their mouth open (I once fired a guy for this) Adults who come to my door or call my house to try and sell me something. If I wanted whatever it is you think I should have, I'd be looking for it. (Kids selling candybars etc are exempt from this one.) Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

Because I wear contacts, I usually have either a pair of goggles on my head or a pair of sunglasses in my hand during 10 second and shorter delays. I've taken plenty of short delays and made a couple jumps from altitude with neither, but I'd say they rank as my favorite piece of "unnecessary" equipment. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

Hmm...I always thought the "Total votes" referred to individual people, not total # of choices in a "multiple answers allowed" poll. I guess these results become a little less meaningful under those circumstances (unless 16 people really have voted, and each chose only 1 option). Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

Personally, I've made a fair number of jumps with no helmet, goggles, altimeter (visual or audible), jumpsuit, RSL, or AAD. If I've got two parachutes, handles to deploy them (and cut one away), and a harness to keep everything within my reach, I'm good to go. Which of the above pieces of equipment will you not jump without? (alternately phrased, "Which of the above pieces of equipment do you consider necessary on every jump?") Note - I'm not referring to emergency bail-outs or anything like that, I'm talking about normal everyday jumps. If your CYPRES is in for its 4-year, will you jump without it? If you forget your altimeter, do you jump without it or ride the plane down? That kind of stuff. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

The problem with this math is the "theoretical replacement schedule." Why in the world would a person replace their pilot chute every 100 jumps? Collapsible PCs help eke some performance out of just about any canopy. Given identical canopies & wingloadings and a bad spot over a forest, who do you think has a better chance of clearing the treeline, a jumper with a collapsible PC or one with a non-collapsible PC? Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

I'm quite certain you either misunderstood Omar, or haven't paraphrased him very well. From reading above, it sounds like you're saying people shouldn't ever make toggle turns, and that all turns require a combination of toggle and riser input. I'll assume that's not what you meant to say. FYI to whoever said that it takes a heavy-loaded high-performance canopy to get induced line twists, big parachutes can be spun up pretty easily too, it just takes rapid opposite toggle action and poor harness steering. I've seen a guy induce line twists on like a PD-260 (or so) at about 400 feet by trying to sashay out a little altitude to the right before turning left onto final. He finished kicking out at about 50 feet. FYI - I've jumped a few smaller canopies that actually seemed tougher to induce line twists on, presumably because of their shorter lines. Of course I might be wrong and have just subconsciously avoided such input when loading upwards of 2.0:1, but they sure felt more "solid". Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

I'd certainly get one, as the difference is significant. Also, when you've wrung out the 210 and get something smaller, the PC stays with the rig (as opposed to the canopy). Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

I feel OK with this one. This is my weak point. I can fastfall with just about anyone (150 on my belly) but need more slowfall range. In real life, I would likely pass a 5'6" 95 lb girl off to an instructor with more float, but I don't think that's an option in the course.

Sweet! I'd love to see that. It sounds eerily similar to a Polish firing squad. :-) Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

Well judging by your other posts, yes, going through AFF would be a good first step. Also, tandem manufacturers will likely want to wait till you're 18 before they give you a rating. But that works out perfect if you start now because the couple years you've got till you reach that milestone will a) give you time to get the required 500 jumps in and b) count towards the minimum years-in-sport the mfg's want to see. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

Presumably it wasn't the right half, the left half, the front half, or the back half. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

I always have one in my right mudflap, I put an extra on my chest strap during CRW, and I have one on my chest strap during tandems. I've yet to need one, but I prefer to be prepared. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

I thought there was an instructor's forum here, which would be more appropriate for this, but I don't see it, so here goes. I'm currently S/L, IAD, and TDM rated and am considering attending an AFF course in about two months. My concern is that I have almost no exposure to AFF, as it's not been a method we offer at my home DZ (we'd like to, thus this consideration). My question is for those of you who have taken the course, and especially for those who came from a strictly tandem/static line/IAD dropzone. Did you feel the other candidates had a substantial advantage by virtue of hanging out at AFF DZ's for years? How much better do you think folks were prepared when they had watched countless student videos, listened to NSTIW stories, etc.. Basically, do you think there is some level of osmosis that will be lacking in a person who hasn't been surrounded by AFF? Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)