tfelber

I've been having a hard time finding modern skydiving equipment that will hold a 300sqft canopy (the size canopy I would need) for a reasonable price, any suggestions?

Why PCA? And, what difference does the plane make? If I'm jumping from a plane I wouldn't be trying to simulate a fixed-object exit therefore I would use an appropriate slider. Is there some other characteristic about a BASE canopy that I am missing? With a standard slider wouldn't a BASE canopy tend to have similar opening characteristics?

Is there any issues/downside of buying a BASE canopy and jumping it as a main? It seems like this would be the best way to get experience flying, landing, and packing your BASE canopy without the other risks associated with BASE jumping. What about testing the different slider configurations? The openings are going to be quite different doing Hop & Pops vs. sub-terminal fixed-object exits, but you should still be able to learn a lot, correct? And, the practice landing would have to prove invaluable especially if you simulate tight area landings by resricting yourself to a chosen area of the LZ. How about normal altitude, 4000', baloon jumps to learn more about the characteristics of fixed-object exits???

That is definitely one of the inquiries I am in, and the #1 question I am asked by my family and friends when I tell them I am considering BASE jumping...several can't even understand why I skydive. If you can't answer this question for yourself it's probably best to not step too close to the edge.

How are they "getting involved"? There is not much that can be done (regulation or otherwise) if a jumper decides to throw his skydiving gear on and jump off a fixed object thinking his reserve will open fast enough to save his life. However, if someone is interested in BASE jumping enough to perform the prequisites listed in several different BASE forums, and search out and find someone to mentor them, and said mentor evaluates their ability, motivation, and attitude prior to their first jump, how can this be deemed a detriment to the sport? Even if these types of people are coming in ever increasing numbers? I realize the more jumpers there are the more visable the sport becomes, but I only perceive this as a problem for the illegal side of the sport. The extreme nature of BASE jumping already draws a lot of attention and I think with the increase in media coverage and organized legal events the demand to participate will surely increase. It is up to the mentors to spend the time necessary to ensure the people entering the sport are trained, educated, and qualified. Otherwise having a set of regulated BSR's for BASE is inevitable. I'm sure there is already an understood set of BSR's out there and I saw several fatalities listed where these practices were not adhered to so it's not such a bad idea. On the other hand, BASE is as close to the edge as I can imagine and many human's seem to be drawn to pushing that envelope. Individuals pushing the edge without the knowledge and experience to realize it are the greatest danger. Again I go back to education...

Man dude you got some real issues...

INCREDIBLE!!! My palms are still sweating...

Thanks for the thoughts... I am in the inquiry stage of BASE jumping. I haven't made a jump and have only been around BASE jumping twice, but I knew the morning I drove some friends from the WFFC this year to an "A" that BASE was something I wanted to know more about. When I decided to go to the MOAB Boogie I had pretty much made up my mind BASE was something I wanted to experience. Although I spoke with a few of the BASE jumpers there I had no idea what it was all about. I've been studying it now for about two weeks and there's a lot involved in the decision to start jumping. The costs definately take some consideration. But just driving my friends out to that "A", with no thought of jumping myself, I was very excited and the adrenaline was flowing!!! I've been getting excited chills several times a day thinking about jumping even though I probably won't do my first jump for several months. I'm looking at the whole picture right now trying to determine why I want to do it and assessing the inherent risks. I roadraced motorcycles for 8 years all over the US and I've done quite a bit of cliff jumping into water, my highest was about 110' and I've done that one 8-10 times. I've fallen from 40 feet climbing a cliff to jump off and broke my wrist, 17 stitches in my forehead, and barely missed landing on my boat. So I'm OK with taking risks, but I'm learning BASE jumping is not something to be taken lightly or done on a whim. I'm in the Perris/Elsinore area and would really like to spend some time talking with some of the BASE jumpers around here to learn more aspects of the sport that I'm sure I haven't considered. Anyway, I'm rambling...Heal fast!!!

It's job security baby...just kidding We're ISO9001 "So it's written, so we do"

Not to mention he probably wouldn't have made it all the way to the top with all that alcohol in him. I'm glad everything so far has worked out for the best...considering the situation.

F@#$ comments...

But can you get kicked out of the Orfuns for talking about the Orfuns??? What is this Orfuns chit anyways???

Every time I fly with Mullins... I've seen Jeff turn a somersault from the back to the almost the front...

Congrats, does that mean you can quit pounding the rounds into the ground... Hey I made a rhyme

Hey Lee how's married life? Can you get kicked off the RoamingDZ??? I need to know before I plan another trip to one of the events you're creating. MOAB was incredible you shpuld plan on it for your anniversary next year. You could stay at Red Cliffs Lodge and jump in together on the sunset load...

I've taken more than 80 people out to the DZ to do their first Tandems. I've taken two people out to the DZ who stuck with jumping for some amount of time. I have had several people tell me they'd like to go and several people say they're going to go, but that's there issue to deal with. I let them know I'm going jumping often, but it really doesn't affect me if they go or not. That is the way I deal with it...

Hey Slap-happie, are you not taking your Prozac???

TOUCHE' !!!

That would be me...I was the one with the camera...

Did Garrett take that??? That looks like a pretty good canopy to me, why did you cut it away???

They will be under Special Events, but are still not up yet...

I'd buy out Bill Gates...

I realize we got in at 3:00am, but you still haven't bought that case of beer M.O.A.B was incredible!!! The jump in to Red Cliffs Lodge was amazing. Good work Clint, Redeye, and Brian it's going to be hard to top this one, but I'll bet you can do it. Photos? You want to see photos? MoabActionShots.com shot over 2500 studio quality prints. They are working on catagorizing them by date and time so they can be searched a little easier. As far as video, Clint has a company working on compiling a video from everyones clips that should be outstanding. If you're going to make only one boogie next year this would be it!!! If you're going to make more than one then this should be one of them. The jumps are great, the swoops are FAST, the scenery is breathtaking, and the people were incredible.

From Elsinore or Perris to Claremont on a daily basis during rush hour would be more than I would care to live with. That's probably 3-4 hours a day round trip, which is 15-20 hours per week, which adds up to a lot of money/time. As you mentioned... "I live out in Redondo and it only takes me an hour to get to Elsinore." I'm sure you are talking about a Saturday morning drive not 4:00-7:00pm on Friday, correct? What I read was jumper03 was looking to live at the DZ, Perris or Elsinore, and work in Claremont...

I'll be at MOAB this weekend toasting your new attachment...What time is the ceremony? Maybe I'll toast you in freefall. You and Brandy have a great time and I'll see you ASAP...