SkyPainter

Well, just a newb student in AFF, but I have already noticed a HUGE difference between some gear, and have had two slamming openings so far - on a PD 260 student rig. One opening was not only jarring, but went into a turn (which I had a hard time controlling all the way down). It didn't flare for crap, and I basically planted myself with it. Changed DZs, and jumped newer gear, and things have been okay so far! Below is a pic of me fighting the second hard opening and auto-turn, trying to get it straight and flare! I will CERTAINLY be asking different questions about canopies after reading this thread! Live deliberately; Dare greatly; Land gently SkyPainter SOS 1304, POPS 10695, DS 118

I've never understood why it's OK to use your back as a shock-absorber if you haven't calculated well enough to use your legs. Wendy W. ====> I never said to use your back .... just a PLF rather than a "sit-slide". Done halfway correctly, I think a PLF would disperse the shock of meeting Terra Firma pretty well! Live deliberately; Dare greatly; Land gently SkyPainter SOS 1304, POPS 10695, DS 118

====> AGREED!!! I actually cracked my Coccyx bone on a jump landing on my ass. The Dr. told me immediately to get a spinal MRI. I would rather do a "Superman" face plant now than land on my ass again! (and have). Live deliberately; Dare greatly; Land gently SkyPainter SOS 1304, POPS 10695, DS 118

...and I hope... 3) Don't land on your ass. ====> YUP! Lesson learned there! That is what PLFs are for! Ass-saving! Live deliberately; Dare greatly; Land gently SkyPainter SOS 1304, POPS 10695, DS 118

QuoteDunno how to tell ya this...but that canopy is PINK! Ummmmm....yeah....student gear. Changed DZs right after that, tho! Now, I can Biff a landing (and have!) like a MAN! LOL! Live deliberately; Dare greatly; Land gently SkyPainter SOS 1304, POPS 10695, DS 118

You could be describing my first jump. It sure wasn't pretty. I definitely learned that you have to flare BEFORE you hit the ground. ===> YEP! I got a late call on my first AFF jump, and went in hard on my ass ...cracked my coccyx bone! Learned 1) pay attention to altitude near the ground, and 2) Flare in time to make it count for something! I didn't stop, just adjusted the flare - as you can clearly see in the attached photo, I kinda over-corrected that! :) Don't quit ... learn! Live deliberately; Dare greatly; Land gently SkyPainter SOS 1304, POPS 10695, DS 118

Yep.....early in my AFF progression we were on a wind hold for a couple of hours. Then, there seemed to be change, and some of the jumpers were quickly gearing-up for a load. Manifest knew I had been sitting around waiting (eager newb), and aksed if I wanted a slot on that load. I noticed the S&TA that I just had a FJC with two weeks earlier taking HIS rig off! That was it for me! If he is not going up, neither am I! Was a good call, based on the landings I watched! Live deliberately; Dare greatly; Land gently SkyPainter SOS 1304, POPS 10695, DS 118

===> Now THAT is a very cool perspective! :) Live deliberately; Dare greatly; Land gently SkyPainter SOS 1304, POPS 10695, DS 118

Hoo-Aah, Rod! Welcome! Nice to see a new military jumper posting here! It's not a job, it's a commitment! LOL! Nice to have ya on the team. ('Nam 66-67, Recon, 1st Div, DiAn) Live deliberately; Dare greatly; Land gently SkyPainter SOS 1304, POPS 10695, DS 118

WELCOME! There is no rush like the one after you fly that sheet down from the sky all by yourself the pre-second time! Hang out here, and you will meet a lot of good folx, have a few laughs, and learn a TON! Welcome to the skies! Live deliberately; Dare greatly; Land gently SkyPainter SOS 1304, POPS 10695, DS 118

Yep! Basic cause is Skydiving A.I.D.S. --- Airport Induced Divorce Syndrome. Live deliberately; Dare greatly; Land gently SkyPainter SOS 1304, POPS 10695, DS 118

Dude! They gotta know you ROCKED the tunnel for the first time! :) You were able to maintain hover control okay - up/down, and left/right, and even tossed in a few turns! We will hit the Pleasure Tube a few more times, and I will make sure I am on a coupla AFF loads with you this spring! This guy is gonna be a SKYDIVER!! Blue Skies, and Safe Landings Always, SkyPainter Live deliberately; Dare greatly; Land gently SkyPainter SOS 1304, POPS 10695, DS 118

YEEP!! I think that waving off with the pilot chute would certainly get ME tangled-up! I can just see the bridle wrapped around my arm, with the Main D-Bag still in the container! SkyPainter - what do I know ...I am a naked rookie. Blue Skies and Safe Landings Always Live deliberately; Dare greatly; Land gently SkyPainter SOS 1304, POPS 10695, DS 118

QuoteAhh, Boston - my old hometown, stomping grounds, and yes - place where I learned how to drive. ***> Yep! It's Boston alright! I used to drive visitors through the old central artery, way before the big dig, . . . ==> It's WAY worse now! . . . on 93 - where all the multiple merges were just after crossing the Tobin (heading from the northsore to the south) down through Haymarket, and just before the South Station tunnel etc. The absolute RULE (enforced by contact) most definitely was "cut- or BE-cut. ===> All the "rotaries", as well as the "Cloverleafs" REQUIRE that you cut someone off to either enter or exit either design! GENIUS! (Makes for some pretty determined drivers, tho!) It was "etiquette". It was EXPECTED. And except for the occasional tourists (easy enough to spot) - the system worked just fine. ===> Still is expected - and again, required by the insane road designs! You must be absolutely gumming up the works there now, if yer actually putting your signal on at any time, other than sitting at a stop sign. And I don't know if I'd do that up there, even then! ===> Well, I only do it on a highway. On side roads it is still cut or be cut. You are braver than I young man. ===> Wish I were young again! LOL I will be getting my "A" license and qualify for Social Security the same month! Hehehehe .... Blue Skies and Safe Landings Always, SkyPainter Live deliberately; Dare greatly; Land gently SkyPainter SOS 1304, POPS 10695, DS 118

I know that almost ALL jumpers I have met will "wave at pull time" to signal other jumpers in the air (especially who might be above them!) that they are about to deploy. It becomes second nature - even if one is alone in the sky, theoretically. SO: here is a question .... since you are now so focused on SAFETY in the air, alerting others to your intentions, DO YOU NOW USE YOUR AUTOMOBILE DIRECTIONAL SIGNALS MORE OFTEN? I find that I do! What makes good safety sense in the air, also makes good safety sense on the crowded roads, too! And I live in a state where using your directional is akin to giving information to the enemy! Just a random thought, while waiting for spring to arrive. Blue Skies, and Safe Landing Always - SkyPainter Live deliberately; Dare greatly; Land gently SkyPainter SOS 1304, POPS 10695, DS 118

My wife is afraid of 1) heights (will not even go near the railing on the second level of the mall), and 2) airplanes, so my new sport is not well received here, to say the least! However, she does see how much I love doing it, and knows I will go jump anyway. Although she sometimes tries subtle subterfuge to stop me from going, all she requires is a phone call AFTER EACH jump! Once I am down safely, she needs a call. She will NEVER come to the DZ to watch me jump - ever - and I could envision her calling the local constabulary to see if I was okay if I did NOT call each time! Still,,,it is what works here for now, at least. Blue Skies, and Safe Landings Always, SkyPainter Live deliberately; Dare greatly; Land gently SkyPainter SOS 1304, POPS 10695, DS 118

CONGRATS on the "A"! Now learning can really begin! I am also in New England, and grousing about the weather .... some of us are still jumping at CPI in CT. I got halfway through AFF before getting weathered-out! We are lucky to have a good wind tunnel here in Nashua, NH. You can still practice flying skills in the winter, at least! I plan to make some jumps at Eloy once I get my license, as I have friends in AZ ..... and the weather is warmer! LOL! Hang out here, jump in when you feel like it, and welcome! Maybe we can get on a load someday together! I jump (so far) at Orange and Pepperell. Come spring, I will be back painting the NE skies! Blue Skies, and Safe Landings Always - SkyPainter Live deliberately; Dare greatly; Land gently SkyPainter SOS 1304, POPS 10695, DS 118

NE in this case, is New England. I have jumped at both Pepperell and Orange, and hope to get in SNE and CPI this coming summer. Currently finishing up AFF at Orange - once the 40 inches of snow on the runway and the -9 degree temps change! Blue Skies and Safe Landings Always - SkyPainter Live deliberately; Dare greatly; Land gently SkyPainter SOS 1304, POPS 10695, DS 118

Dude! Sounds like you are a PERFECT candidate for this sport! YOu will be accepted, beer or not, and you will make lifelong friendships in a short while. Just do it! The cost become an irrelevant issue after a bit. It will intensify your life, your focus, and your pleasure faster than any other activity or drug you can imagine! I hope you do it - And breath ,,,,, always breath! Blue Skies, and Safe landings Always - SkyPainter BTW - i am a 61YO (62 in April) Student going through AFF (currently at D1). Been around the block with everything, and THIS is where to land! Live deliberately; Dare greatly; Land gently SkyPainter SOS 1304, POPS 10695, DS 118

Thanks, Pat! Once I hit the "A" license, maybe I can trek out and we can make an "Oldies" jump together! :) Best - Blues Sklies and Safe Landings Always! SkyPainter Live deliberately; Dare greatly; Land gently SkyPainter SOS 1304, POPS 10695, DS 118

Hi! Actually, if it is cold enough to wear gloves, wear gloves that are a bit loose, and ALSO wear Latex Gloves (like at the doctors office - you can get them in a pharmacy or any paint store) *UNDER* your real gloves! That 'vapor barrier' will keep your digits warm - maybe even sweating - while you wear them! This small tip comes from someone who skydives in New England, AND teaches wilderness Outdoor Survival. :) Breath, and ENJOY! (PS: Get the video!) Blue SKies, and Safe Landings Always - SkyPainter Live deliberately; Dare greatly; Land gently SkyPainter SOS 1304, POPS 10695, DS 118

Hey Russ! I am jumping at Jumptown, and am currently stuck (weather, ya know) at D1, but hope to finish AFF this spring. I have seen you about the DZ there, and will definitely look you up once I reach "A". BTW - Howard White jumps there, and he has been nothing but helpful to a clueless newb like me each time I said hello. I have even been on a few loads a few loads with him, and he is a funny, but very helpful guy. Jumptown rocks. The place brought me back into the sport. Seeya there in the spring, Russ, and myabe we can jump a load or three together, although I will still be in AFF for a few more jumps! Blue New England Skies, and Safe Landings Always! SkyPainter Live deliberately; Dare greatly; Land gently SkyPainter SOS 1304, POPS 10695, DS 118

Thanks, folx! I am recovering well, and waiting for the temps to get above 32 here in chilly New England! I may have a shot at going to Florida for a fishing trip (I teach fly fishing for LL Bean, and the State of Mass) and if that happens, I will definitely get a few more AFF leaps in there!!! I am stuck at D1, but should blow through the next few okay, as I am lucky enough to have a tunnel near enough to me - and some great flyers who are friends to practice with! Thanks for the good wishes! Blue Skies and Safe Landings Always - SkyPainter Live deliberately; Dare greatly; Land gently SkyPainter SOS 1304, POPS 10695, DS 118

Hey, Nick! Wassup? Either place would be good. Just get the training necessary to get your license. Then jump a lot , everywhere! I only have eight jumps, but it is still eight jumps. Will finish AFF in the spring here (NE), then will jump all over the place: Z-hills, Perris, Elsinore, Arizona, Chicago .... This is the most amazing sport you can do .... Hope to run across you some day on a load, and jump together ..... Blue Skies, ans And Safe Landings Always - SkyPainter Live deliberately; Dare greatly; Land gently SkyPainter SOS 1304, POPS 10695, DS 118

Hi, all! Spent the past three weeks recovering from what was a mystifying, and very weird medical issue. Had severe intestinal bleeding (cause unknown) which stuck me in the hospital for a week, and two weeks at home, most likely causes were severe Gastroenteritis, or Ischemic Colitis. Either way, I lost about ten pounds (lowered my wing loading!) and am now recovering strength. Was touch-n-go in the ER for a few hours. Now, I can't WAIT until we can jump again here in New England ,,,, I am going to jump my Cat D1 in AFF , and hope to finish AFF early this spring, then trek to several new DZs ...... This medical siderail caused me to rethink things....and skydiving is one of those things that came out on top on the priority list! If this isn't a vindication of the sport, nothing is. Of all the things that I want to do again, after being so close to other death, skydiving is it. That says a lot to me. So, I sit, recover, and get stronger, awaiting the day that I can once again experience the sheer joy of flying my body towards earth, and the absolute thrill of another canopy ride to the ground. This sport transcends a lot ....... Blue skies, and Safe Landings Always - SkyPainter Live deliberately; Dare greatly; Land gently SkyPainter SOS 1304, POPS 10695, DS 118