womball

Thanks phoenixlpr, Unfortunately one of the problems I have is that my home DZ doesn't have any other rigs (other than the student rigs) to try for size etc. I'm more concerned with getting the main size and wing loading right at the moment, once I get that it will tell me if the TalonFS is a possible candidate for my container. As I will get the container custom built, the fit sould be OK. I'd like to go to the factory and check things out for myself, but it's about 1000kms away :-(

Hi All, I've just passed my AFF a few weeks ago and am researching what I need before I order my first rig. I've got the cash to buy new gear (got a timely redundancy from work!!), but am looking for some advice on the best choice of container, main, reserve AAD for my size and weight. I'm looking to keep the gear I buy for a quite a while and want something that is relatively fun to fly and don't get "boring" quickly, but without comprising on safety at my expericance level (15 jumps on student gear - PA270 main). I'm interested in free fly/CRW a bit later down the track as well as getting started with camera work once I get my jump numbers up. I'm around 92Kgs (202 Pounds) and about 6'1" tall (183cms). I've been looking at the TalonFS container, looks like a need piece of kit and is manufactured locally here in Australia by Parachutes Australia. I've heard that with my weight that maybe the Talon3 would be the container I'd need due to the pack volume of the main/reserve. I've also been looking at the Safire2 main, the 169 would give me a wing loading of about 1.3 (based on an exit weight of 220 pounds) which I think maybe a bit advanced for me at the moment, the 189 a loading of 1.1 which might be better??? Im just looking for a bit of guidance/advance, any help is welcome, pls!! Thanks!

Hey, I just started my AFF, did stages 1-7 over three days and I'd certainly recommend at least one tandem just to get a feel for skydiving first. I completed one tandem sometime before I started the AFF and it helped me, I had total sensory overload on that jump, but because i'd expericanced this with my tandem, I knew what to expect when starting the AFF. Once you experiance free fall you'll love it! Good Luck and keep us posted.

Well, what a fun four days I had!! Where do I start? Thursday - arrived that the DZ, found my instructor and got into the ground work, the theory stuff was really interesting for a complete novice. Checked out the equipment and went though a parachute pack. I was impressed how relatively simple it is to pack your rig. Went through the the AFF stage1 stuff and practiced the ARCH/Ripcord Pulls on the training bench. (Note to any novices taking on the AFF course, start stretching/exercising your legs, specially the back leg muscules!! they will hurt!). The DZ didn't have a pilot available, so I had to wait until the morning for my jump. Friday - JUMP1 - though the drills again for AAF1 and got off the ground on the second load of the day in a C-182. Got really nervous around 8000ft as we started to get ready. Climbed to 10000ft and the pilot opened the door. The rush of cold air and the noise really got me on edge, but I was jumping no matter what!! JM1 got out ready on the wing strut/undercarriage. Then it's my turn to climb out, I took more effort than I thought to get out there but got out ok. Did the checks and exit procedure and we were away! The Free fall was great and completed the practive ripcord pulls. Waved off at 5000 and pulled at 4000, no problems there, BUT!! on opening, my main chute had a big line twist. I remembered my training and tried to pull the risers apart to free the twist but nothing happened! I saw what direction the twist was and started kicking my legs around to move my body in that direction....slowly I got the twist out and all was good again! Forgot where my holding area was and ended up a long way downwind of the target landing area. Managed to get back to the edge of the DZ, but had to do my approach and landing without help from my instructors, but flared nicely and landed nice and softly :-) Got a pass and cleared for stage2 JUMP2 - No problems there, but ended up in cloud for a long time in freefall and forgot the alti check, ended up about 1000ft lower than planned before I waved-off and JM1 pulled my ripcord just before I went to pull. I was still looking for it as I got the opening shock and then realised what just happened. Landed OK, Passed and cleared for stage3. To much cloud cover so we called it a day, stage3 would need to wait. Saturday - JUMP3 - Normal exit, got stable and JM2 released me and came around the front, what a buzz it was to see somebody else in free fall with you. The jump and landing where great, passed and cleared for stage4. JUMP4 - Only one JM this time and my first real freefall unassisted, Cool!!!! No major problems and got to land back in the normal DZ landing area. How good was it to land with spectators, pick up your rig and only walk a short way to the packing area. Passed and cleared for Stage5 Saturday Night - Stayed out at the DZ and joined the other skydivers for bonfire, beers, pizza and a few antics, skydivers are really some crazy people, lol. Sunday - JUMP5 - Completed my 360's and touches, no problem, really started to feel in control and confident in freefall. Landed pretty hard due to an early flare, but passed and cleared for Stage6. JUMP 6 - Good jump but on opening found we where too far away from the DZ to get back, found my instuctor and followed him in for an off-DZ landing, no major problems there but a little freaky not landing in the DZ for the first time. Passed and cleared for Stage7 JUMP 7 - What a jump! Backflips and Tracking! Completed 2 backflips perfectly and the track, got a bit low during the track so I pulled out early, waved off and pulled. Really enjoyed that one!! Run out of time for any more jumps that day, so AFF stage8-9 will have to wait until next Saturday (followed by the Saturday night party again, lol). I had the best weekend, meet some really great people and had heaps of fun. Can't wait for the weekend!

Well, Todays the day I start my skydiving adventure! I can tell you that im pretty nervous about the whole thing, didn't sleep much last night, so I got up and played poker online for a few hours instead (and lost all my money, lol) I went out to the DZ last week to check things out, meet the Chief Instructor and watched a few jumps. Im surprised by the wide range of ages that where jumping that day. One group of early 20 somethings and a couple of older guys around 60 or so. Anyway, I'm staying out at the DZ tonight, and I've packed a few beers to celabrate my (hopefully successful) first AAF jump tonight.

Well Guys, it's been a while in the making, but in two weeks i'm starting on my little skydiving journey!! I've only done one tandem, but absolutely loved it (and scared the pants off me at the same time) lol. I think I lived more in 50 secounds than I have in years. I'll keep you posted on my progress, I'm doing the whole course over 4 days, I'm excited as hell! My wife and friends think I'm crazy, but I think it's the best fun you can have with your clothes on (an maybe sometimes with then off as well).