fencebuster

Members
  • Content

    530
  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Feedback

    0%

Everything posted by fencebuster

  1. Just unlucky I guess. #2-- Mr. Bill gone wrong, tension knots, spinning canopy slider stuck 2/3 of the way up. #3-- steering line/toggle knotted around guide ring; probably could have landed on rear risers, but felt more comfortable with the cut-away, which worked out real well with my skyhook. #4 -- new, smaller rig, shifted during free fall and I could not reach the hackey in 3 tries-- pulled sliver passing 2500. #5 Slammer after using a different packer at a boogie damaged my canopy (blown cell and broken steering lines; spinning canopy, cut away at 3,000 -- lost the main canopy and freebag in a river. Charlie Gittins, 540-327-2208 AFF-I, Sigma TI, IAD-I MEI, CFI-I, Senior Rigger Former DZO, Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures
  2. I did mine. We'll see if I do any more. They were fun in free fall; not so fun under canopy for the many reasons including can't see other jumpers and the depth perception issue is a problem. Even though my 4 way funneled, we managed to get together (because I had so many light sticks attached to me as base) and I did hit the DZ and didn't land off so I considered mine a major success. If asked, I'll jump with newbies but I feel like I have one my night jumps and have no need to do more except to mentor newer jumpers. Charlie Gittins, 540-327-2208 AFF-I, Sigma TI, IAD-I MEI, CFI-I, Senior Rigger Former DZO, Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures
  3. I had my first cut-away on C-1, jump #4. After I did it once I trusted the gear to save me. I have 4 cutaways and one non-cut-away reserve ride in 740 jumps. TRUST THE GEAR! I feel like I have won the jackpot 5 times. All my riggers get their choice of beverages! Charlie Gittins, 540-327-2208 AFF-I, Sigma TI, IAD-I MEI, CFI-I, Senior Rigger Former DZO, Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures
  4. I beg to differ . . . . The manufacturer controls ratings on their gear. If you can't comply with the manufacturer's rules, hopefully the manufacturer will pull the TI rating so that we are all protected. I say again . . . whether in the US or foreign . . . we are a tandem lawsuit or maybe 2 from manufacturers taking a powder and giving up on the system. You cannot kill or injure tandem students by violating manufacturers rules and have a viable tandem skydiving program. Regardless of the tandem manufacturer's actual liability, the fact that they have to defend even frivolous lawsuits will drive them out of the business. Legal fees without insurance are anathema to a corporate bottom line. Charlie Gittins, 540-327-2208 AFF-I, Sigma TI, IAD-I MEI, CFI-I, Senior Rigger Former DZO, Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures
  5. Assuming you do not wear contacts, get a pair of Gatorz. They are great and look cool. I have gone through about 10 pairs of goggles plus I wear the Gatorz regularly. I like the Gatorz the best in really sunny conditions. Otherwise I just wear clear goggles. I prefer goggles with some foam to keep the plastic from cutting into my face , but hey, that's just me. Most goggles are about $18 - $25 per pair so it not like it is a big expense. Charlie Gittins, 540-327-2208 AFF-I, Sigma TI, IAD-I MEI, CFI-I, Senior Rigger Former DZO, Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures
  6. So, not sure what tandem system was being used but I think it is a violation of the Strong and surely the UPT rules for tandems to fly head down and without the drogue intentionally. Has the manufacturer taken action to revoke? Rules are rules and if you can't follow them or choose not to then you should not be taking pax as tandems. We are a tandem accident or two away from real FAA and lawsuit trouble. Why pick that scab and dare the plaintiff's attorney's to sue? Charlie Gittins, 540-327-2208 AFF-I, Sigma TI, IAD-I MEI, CFI-I, Senior Rigger Former DZO, Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures
  7. Oh yeah -- I frequently have end cell closure, but hey, that just means I am having nice slow openings. Yank the toggles, end cells open. No worries. Charlie Gittins, 540-327-2208 AFF-I, Sigma TI, IAD-I MEI, CFI-I, Senior Rigger Former DZO, Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures
  8. Don't complain about a long snivel. A couple of hard openings will make you appreciate the Sabre2. Mine opens on heading 90+ percent of the time after about 800 feet of snivel and it has a great flare. I am working on my pro rating and it will be my demo canopy. It is a fun canopy that will not kill you if you treat it right and have any semblance of packing competence. Charlie Gittins, 540-327-2208 AFF-I, Sigma TI, IAD-I MEI, CFI-I, Senior Rigger Former DZO, Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures
  9. It happens sometimes . . . sensory overload plus stress and your mind can't process all that stuff at one time. Practice, practice, practice the dive flow. Now that you have been out the door once, you know what it is like and your next effort will be much better. Charlie Gittins, 540-327-2208 AFF-I, Sigma TI, IAD-I MEI, CFI-I, Senior Rigger Former DZO, Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures
  10. In many, if not all of the states in the US, a parent cannot "waive" a minor's rights. What that mens is that a smart DZO will not let a person who has not reached the age of majority (18 yrs old) jump, regardless of the mechanism -- tandem, AFF, static line, etc.. Why? Because the liability for the jump gone bad cannot be waived by the parent and the DZO could be liable for a bad outcome, however rare such an outcome may be. Good luck with your goal. I made my first jump 2.5 years ago and I am having the time of my life every weekend! Charlie Gittins, 540-327-2208 AFF-I, Sigma TI, IAD-I MEI, CFI-I, Senior Rigger Former DZO, Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures
  11. No need to be on "leave" -- you can skydive on authorized liberty, like after working hours or on weekends when you are not in a duty status. I agree -- follow the proper rules and regulations so that the military will cover you for medical in the event of injury where a "line of duty/misconduct" investigation would be required for an injury that causes you to miss more than 1 day of work. I am a retired MArine Corps Judge Advocate. You are good to go so long as you are on authorized leave or liberty. No need for special command permission in the absence of a specific regulation issued by your commander. Different outcome if you are in an unauthorized absence status. Charlie Gittins, 540-327-2208 AFF-I, Sigma TI, IAD-I MEI, CFI-I, Senior Rigger Former DZO, Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures
  12. There is a Coach course coming up at Skydive Orange VA at the end of March. You can contact the course director at Shetrick1@aol.com. Charlie Gittins, 540-327-2208 AFF-I, Sigma TI, IAD-I MEI, CFI-I, Senior Rigger Former DZO, Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures
  13. I have had 4 cut-aways and none of them were in a situation that was overwhelming. Main out . . . is it there, square , controllable and landable? If not . . . cut away. I have subscribed to changing the decision and act altitude to 3000 if I have time because of my early 1st cutaway experience (second AFF jump) where I knew I had a major problem at about 4500 feet worked it for a little bit and then decided I would make my decision and act at 3000. All but one of my cut-aways involved a spinning main, so that is definitely a stressor not present in an intentional cut-away with three canopies. IMO, don't be in a hurry to experience a cutaway, but practice your emergency procedures, and, if faced with the situation that calls for the cut-away, do it. Trust the gear. It works. Charlie Gittins, 540-327-2208 AFF-I, Sigma TI, IAD-I MEI, CFI-I, Senior Rigger Former DZO, Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures
  14. I work at a very busy East Coast DZ as an AfFI, Coach and TI. We use two very nice leaning harnesses (thanks Steve Hetrick and Kevin Gibson) -- two students drilled on EPs with a Coach and AFFI supervising the process. No student jumps at our DZ without going through the harness THAT DAY. Not . . . once per month, once per week, or otherwise. No harness EPs on jump day, no jump. We have not had alot of mals, but as one of the guys who had one on CAT C1 as a student, I can verify that the training came in handy. Charlie Gittins, 540-327-2208 AFF-I, Sigma TI, IAD-I MEI, CFI-I, Senior Rigger Former DZO, Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures
  15. I just had my 4th cutaway this week. Taking a canopy course, so I opened a little higher than normal for traffic separation. VERY hard opening that resulted in significant damage to the two outboard cells of the canopy. I was able to stop the spin with full left toggle and fly it generally toward the landing area. The canopy was flapping and folded over itself on the right side. Clearly not landable; barely controllable and definitely not "square." Since it was clear that I would have to cut away, I cut away at 3000 to give myself maximum time to handle any issues that might arise under the reserve. In my view, decision altitude is the altitude you know you must cut-away after deciding that the main is not controllable or landable. Making that assessment higher rather than lower affords you more time to deal with any reserve issues you might encounter. The SIM says 1800 minimum for a D license holder. I'd prefer not to wait until 1800 if I know I am going to have to cut away, but with a skyhook, I would not hesitate to cut away at 1500 if I opened low and realized I had a problem with the main at that altitude. But that is getting down to the bottom end, I think, and I have a skyhook, which is a plus in such a situation. Charlie Gittins, 540-327-2208 AFF-I, Sigma TI, IAD-I MEI, CFI-I, Senior Rigger Former DZO, Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures
  16. IMO we can help SE and UPT and whoever else manufactures Tandem gear by following the manufacturers' requirements that we all agreed to, to start with, when we received the rating. If back-to-backs do not allow you to do the job correctly, ask not to be manifested back-to-back and raise the issue with the dzo as a SAFETY issue. Rare will be the DZO who will not agree to act more safely when squarely presented with the issue by an I. Spend a minute with your student and actually talk to them about their rexpectations; while you are speaking to them, properly gear them up, and brief them (hopefully, again) about the dive flow and what they can expect on THEIR skydive. Many people may come to the DZ looking for the carni ride, but we are instructors responsible for safety and professionalism as well as making at least an effort to "sell" skydiving to a prospective candidate. I did my first tandem as a student as a 51 year old guy looking for the "bucket list" entry, but my experience made me come back and try AFF. I progressed, receieved my D license and my Coach, AFFi and TI rating following USPA's directions and the recommendations of my DZO and senior staff. As instructors, we are paid to teach and promote the sport as a reasonably safe extreme sport when you follow the rules. And the first thing we need to do as Instructors is FOLLOW THE RULES with our niaive and inexperienced tandem and AFFI students relying on us for a safe and professional experience. Once you start cutting one corner, the next corner is as good as cut and you are on a slippery slope to an incident or worse, an accident. That is my $.02. Charlie Gittins, 540-327-2208 AFF-I, Sigma TI, IAD-I MEI, CFI-I, Senior Rigger Former DZO, Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures
  17. I am an East Coast jumper and, accordingly, have no dog in this fight, but I have jumped in Hawaii while I was on vacation and I offer my perspectives as a visiting skydiver getting ready for my AFFI rating. My impression of the Hawaii DZs is that they are tandem factories. They do AFF, but it is not what they are designed to do. I saw one AFF jump in the week I was there and it was for a packer that had been packing tandems and rental rigs all week. I was there for a week and they shut down each day by 3 PM -- when the tandem traffic had been completed for the day. That is a short day if you are trying to max out the jumps. When I was a student I arranged a pretty aggressive program to finish my A license at Eloy, Arizona in December when I had 13 jumps. They would have gotten me 12 jumps in less than a week, plus tunnel time, except I injured myself before the trip and could not go to skydive. I personally recommend you go to one of the big west coast DZs after first talking to their chief instructor and letting them know your plan. I am sure they will accommodate you if you give them some advance planning time. Plus they have many instructors not solely focused on tandems. Just my thoughts. Take them or leave them . . . . Charlie Gittins, 540-327-2208 AFF-I, Sigma TI, IAD-I MEI, CFI-I, Senior Rigger Former DZO, Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures
  18. Yes, a first class will work just fine. If you let your 1st Class expire, it becomes a 2nd Class until the period a second class expires has passed and then becomes a 3d class expiring either 2 or 3 years after you received the 1st Class, depending on your age. Charlie Gittins, 540-327-2208 AFF-I, Sigma TI, IAD-I MEI, CFI-I, Senior Rigger Former DZO, Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures
  19. If the wx is good this weekend, you can get it done! 5 jumps in a weekend is doable. Charlie Gittins, 540-327-2208 AFF-I, Sigma TI, IAD-I MEI, CFI-I, Senior Rigger Former DZO, Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures
  20. No . . . my DZ does not allow Coaches to do AFF harness hold jumps. I was suggesting that Coaches could do that with additional training and experience if the Instructor program was revised to allow it. The walk before you run progression works well at our DZ. Charlie Gittins, 540-327-2208 AFF-I, Sigma TI, IAD-I MEI, CFI-I, Senior Rigger Former DZO, Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures
  21. I personally feel like it would be a good thing to allow an experienced coach to do reserve side JM with some additional training and evaluation. My DZ adheres to the walk before you run progression . . . a bunch of CAT A and CAT B before you go on a reserve side CAT C. A bunch of CAT C2 before you move to CAT D or E. I believe it works well; the experienced AFFIs report to the floor manager after every jump so that progress is followed. Charlie Gittins, 540-327-2208 AFF-I, Sigma TI, IAD-I MEI, CFI-I, Senior Rigger Former DZO, Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures
  22. As was reflected in my prior post, I believe Coaches are an integral part of the skydiver training program. I am extremely fortunate to work at a DZ where coaches are appreciated and compensated for their skills. The result is a motivated crew of trainers who are invested in the student program and success for the students. I believe it to be a truism that you get what you pay for. Our DZ this year exceeded the A licenses from the year before and we still have some time to qualify some additional students for their A licenses and the compensated coaches play a major role in that success. My DZ is focused on and rewards A licenses, not self-supervision, although we recognize that step in the student progression. Training should focus on A licenses not just getting the student self-supervised and left to their own devices to get their A license. Coaches are a key cog in that wheel and payment for coaches ensures a ready supply of competent staff. Charlie Gittins, 540-327-2208 AFF-I, Sigma TI, IAD-I MEI, CFI-I, Senior Rigger Former DZO, Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures
  23. I took the Coach course at about 150 jumps. I found the course very challenging and I was totally stressed out working on the ground preps and worrying about my fall rate (I am a big guy). If the student is motivated and serious about teaching skydiving and has spent some time prepping for the Coach rating, 100 jumps is enough to be a decent coach. I now have my AFFI rating (at about 550 jumps) and I have successfully trained dozens of skydivers in preparation for their A licenses. A good coach can rally impact the quality of training that a noobie receives and can provide a positive influence in that skydiver's decision making matrix. Charlie Gittins, 540-327-2208 AFF-I, Sigma TI, IAD-I MEI, CFI-I, Senior Rigger Former DZO, Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures
  24. I think you did the right thing. At about 100 jumps I had a broken steering line on my Spectre 210. I was just above decision height and released the other brake and practiced rear riser flares. I decided to land it on rear risers with a slide in/PLF landing and it worked out OK. I probably could have stood it up. At about 600 jumps on my Sabre2 with Skyhook, I had a knotted toggle that I could not clear. I determined that I could fly it on rear risers but was unsure of how it was going to land on rears -- it seemed to easy to stall, so I cut away trusting that my Skyhook and reserve would get me home. I had already had 2 cutawys, so I felt pretty confident about my gear. Again, it worked out fine. I walked away from both but in both cases, I made what I felt was an informed decision based on how the canopy was flying and my evaluation of my skills on that particular canopy in that particular configuration under those particular conditions. Good work. every landing you walk away from is a good one whether it be on the Reserve or main canopy. Charlie Gittins, 540-327-2208 AFF-I, Sigma TI, IAD-I MEI, CFI-I, Senior Rigger Former DZO, Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures
  25. My DZ provides a frap hat and altimeter to each tandem student. I wear a Bonehead Guner. Most, but not all, of the TIs at my all Sigma Tandem DZ wear helmets. Charlie Gittins, 540-327-2208 AFF-I, Sigma TI, IAD-I MEI, CFI-I, Senior Rigger Former DZO, Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures