danielcroft

Arai helmets allow you to lock the visor down so that would be an option. I've been riding for a few years, I wouldn't bother with my helmet, too bulky IMO. I've been wanting to try jumping in my leathers though...

I guess I'm in the minority on this one. I'll take my opinion home with some chocolate & some tissues...

I'm not trying to convince anyone here, my opinion is that irrespective of intention, a tandem skydive is still a skydive. "Normal" people are getting the opportunity to experience something they'd never be willing/able to otherwise (because they don't want to do AFF or IAD/SL). It gives them an awesome experience to pass on to others that describes skydiving in a positive light. That's good. I'm clearly no DZO but those tandem skydives are certainly assisting the bottom line of my DZ and I'm glad they're there. The OP was messed around by a particular "Factory" but that doesn't have anything to do with tandem skydiving, it's a example of shoddy behavior of people. I'm a noob, I don't know what I'm talking about in terms of the financial aspects of running a DZ. I've certainly seen people saying it's more a love thing than a money thing regarding running a DZ. If tandem skydiving lets the DZO have both then I'm all for it.

I object to this description of tandem skydiving. It may be some people's choice to treat it as such but I really feel this belittles the risk to the TI and the effort they've put in. I started on tandems and I'm glad I did, I don't like the idea of a trial by fire when my life is on the line. It's the same reason I learned to ride my motorcycle in a parking lot first off. For me, mitigating the risks is an integral part of being involved in these risky sports we all enjoy so much. Each to their own of course but I really wish people would stop speaking about tandems in such dismissive terms.

How do we know who we're apparently better than if we don't know where he's from?

I have no knowledge about "tandem factories" but what I can say is that I doubt my wife or I would be skydiving if it wasn't for tandems. Maybe that wouldn't be a bad thing in my case (because I'm a know it all douchenozzle) but my wife is actually pretty good an people like her.

I don't think it's a good idea to tie a weight belt to the canopy. Keep it around your waist. Now I know what I was doing wrong, thanks!

Warning: noob question: How much would a weight belt affect your canopy?

We actually had one scheduled at my DZ over the past weekend. Unfortunately the weather had other ideas. I could find out the format for you if you'd like?

I'm not sure if you have one but my Vigil came with an xray card that shows what the security people what they're looking at. That's meant to help with security checks isn't it? I'm not sure though because I've never done it.

I changed the second one to "some" because I realized I may be over stating it. If you'll allow me to rephrase: Check with your instructor that your student gear is ok to FF before trying. I get a little over eager at times, my apologies. I've been told, referring to the student gear at my DZ that the main pin cover isn't necessarily set up for head down. That the hackey may have issues if the elastic is loose and potentially the BOC dual access (whatever they call the method for the AFFIs to pull for a student) might have issues as well. I've been told that it's not a good idea. Again, apologies if I over stated, I meant to change all "mosts" to "some" but I missed that first one.

From one noob to another, you're probably not even scratching the surface on the stuff you've done already and the experienced guys are trying to point this out (I think). One 6 way doesn't = RW. Going a bit head down doesn't = FF. I've done back & a little sit in the tunnel but haven't tried in the air yet. I'm not ready. You may be a lot better at these things than me but I know I have soooooo much to learn in any of these disciplines. I'd suggest focusing on getting your license and being as good at you can on your belly before you get into anything more advanced. As a side note, most (edit: should have said "some" rather than "most") student gear isn't FF safe, be aware that you may risk premature deployment or other issues if you're tying to sit/back/other FF with some student gear. Ask your instructor is really the default answer for any student. I followed that when I was a student. Now I ask my friends who are coaches and/or have 1000+ jumps. As much as my ego wants to do otherwise, I know their advice is way more important. Blue skies.

I'm just a noob but I always try to help new people (students & visitors alike) feel comfortable. I introduce them to people with similar interests (I know a lot of people around the DZ) in the hope that they'd be more comfortable and enjoy themselves. I'm not sure if Tom was referring to my DZ earlier when he was talking about the mega otter DZ and I know my DZ isn't perfect but I think there's quite a good community and people really do get to know each other. When students are hassled someone usually tells the hasslor to STFU. I think the change in DZs is really a reflection of the change in society generally and from that perspective I can certainly agree that the lack of community feel & awareness isn't a good thing. Having said that, I don't plan on going to a Cessna DZ any time soon, just don't like the idea of getting out of something that small but then again, I'm pretty lame.

Yeah it is, ouch!

Isn't there the advantage of better resistance to turbulence too? I'm not advocating getting a smaller canopy so you can jump in ugly weather, that's just stupid. I'm interested in the theory of it which is (could well be wrong here, I am a noob after all ) that a faster canopy has more pressure inside the cells which therefore resist turbulence better. In any case being that you have low jump numbers like me, we should both be avoiding that kind of weather if at all possible anyway.

In all seriousness, I don't say that to anyone at the DZ. I say "have fun" and I do consider the fact that I don't want to jinx people. This is the intarwebz though so I didn't realize the same rule applied. p.s. I was just goofing around with the strike-out thing, not trying to be rude.

Being crippled or in hospital is fine though. Enjoy! Seriously though, I hope I don't have to read new incidents too. There's a boogie going on though so... Be safe everyone. Have fun! Otherwise stay home.

LOL That's awesome and so not what I was picturing.

You turn to the right? I'm confused, I thought you turned left I'm good at diving exits out of an otter but I hesitate to offer any suggestions because I really don't know.

That would work for me. As long as the arrow was clear from a reasonable height so I could set up, I'd be happy and able to concentrate appropriately on traffic & my pattern.

Glad you're still around to tell your stories! Thanks!

That reminds me; Level 4, could have stood it up but did the tandem landing on my ass. Tail bone hurt for months! The radio guys was yelling at me to put my legs down but it just didn't really get through.

Looks like my cutaway at 12 puts me in good company. [12]

My experience (or lack thereof) is such that I'm very careful about my setup, holding area & pattern. I like to avoid last minute choices. I have no basis on which to disagree with your opinion on this except to say that, where I jump (the Ranch), I'd feel *very* unhappy about having to try to land out when I was at 1k (or whatever) starting my downwind. Even if it was possible. Not to mention that remembering the rules would seem to me to be an added burden on noobs like me. Honestly, I have no idea how different methodologies would effect traffic and safety but what I can say is that it seems much simpler to just say "we're landing towards ______" in the loading area and have everyone agree. Anyone that doesn't land in that direction is spoken to & then grounded on second instance. I think a lot more people would land in the right direction if there was actually enforcement from the DZ. I have NFI really, just don't like the idea of FMD for my home DZ which is the only place I've ever jumped.

This is the intarweb, there's bound to be gossip. Not to mention we're skydivers - there's even more gossip. Having said that, most people have suggested that you speak with your instructors. Your subsequent responses hadn't made it clear that they weren't in a position to make a call because you hadn't spoken to them. You did get some good advice, don't throw the baby out with the bath water. Speak to your instructors, explain the issue and I'm sure they'll be as concerned as the rest of us that your rig doesn't fit you right and resolve it. The lesson that's clear in most responses (to me at least) is that you should always make your instructors the first and final call. You can get advice and suggestions from whomever you'd like but your instructor should provide you with a sanity check so you don't put yourself in jeopardy by listening to the ill-conceived advice of some douchebag on the net with 38 jumps. Good luck, I'd love to hear from you when you get it sorted out.