NovaTTT

Is it SSS? The basic rule is that if you cannot land it safely, don't land it. Know your limits, decision altitudes and hard-deck. Your instructor may be crazy, but in this instance he's trying to teach you to save your life and/or limbs. Nova Edited to add: Your instructor asked you to think about it because your answer, in the first part, is correct but without articulated reason. You don't necessarily have to recognize specific malfunctions (That is a lineover!)(but it sure helps) but you do have to recognize an unlandable parachute and know how to respond. It's good to review emergencies and EPs frequently. Visualization works for many (most?) of us. The second part of your answer can be worked on. Ask your instructor, after giving him a good answer to his question, how to handle this situtation below normal cutaway altitude. "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

Right - I Googled the "Is there no help" line and quickly learned it is a Masonic thing and what are its origins. Secrets? In today's world? There are not many, and there are fewer that can be kept secret. Not that it matters. If Aphid needs help from the skydiving community, I think he should ask for it. If it's private, he can give a general description and ask for PMs. Hell, send me a PM, Aphid, and if I can help, I will. If he wants help from a Mason only, this is probably not the best website. .02 "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

I see you're back into the sLyride fracas, Brett, with, apparently, a lot to say. Again. And again. Why don't you or haven't you commented on the Verdict thread? "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

Wow. If I were gullible enough to fall for the Skyride line, I'd surely be put off by their Terms & Conditions. They have their asses covered nine ways to Sunday - do they even have to provide a GC or should one just send them money and thank them for the experience? "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

The summary of that is, we're screwed, but there are options. Option 1: Allow the FAA to regulate the sport. (We're completely screwed) Option 2: USPA operates BAU. (We're screwed on certain days of the week. Despite the good USPA does for us, there is a ration of shit we must endure. Think of it like this - put a pile of shit on a plate - will you eat it? Divide the shit in half and replace that part with your favorite food. Will you eat it now? Keep dividing by half and replacing with your favorite food - at what point are you happy to eat the shit? That's USPA. That plus a glossy magazine.) Option 3: Establish a new organization. (As it's so unlikely to succeed as to be utterly irrelevent, see Option 2). Shame is good. Refusing to support them through patronage and referrals is better. It has to be done by individuals, on the local level, because we have no Association support due to the massive cock-up by the EC. .02 "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

They seem to be all over the place in upstate NY. "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

See Here The first check is done while packing - pay attention and make sure you're routing the bridle correctly. If it doesn't look right or you think you've made a mistake, start over. The second is while stowing the PC, making sure you're properly securing the excess bridle. Third, is when you do your prejump inspection. Pull the bridle out from under the flaps and make sure it goes directly to the, (1) PC, and (2) bag by leading directly under the flap on the right side. When you're doing pin check, do the check of 3's (3 rings, 3 straps, 3 handles). When you're checking the PC handle, visually inspect the bridle. It's not necessary to pull it out. You will see if it goes from the pin to under the flaps and out at the corner. "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

Two PCITs in your first year, and very early jump numbers? Who packed those rigs? That seems to be a collapse of risk management, at the least. I hope you've since identified and dealt with that issue. You successfully dealt with two malfunctions. Props only for that. I don't question the success but I do question the pathway. Success doesn't equate to best action, but more qualified and experienced jumpers than me have found that they cannot decide the better of two courses of action so I have no criticism whatsoever of your choice of action. As you said, it is personal choice. I will choose (and rehearse for) a different action, if I ever face a PCIT. I consider a reserve pull to be a higher priority than the worry of a possible two-out situation. "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

I disagree - it's a matter of priorities. A two-out situation is a potentiality in this scenario. A closed container is a certainty in this scenario. My opinion and practice is to deal with the actual problem first - pull the reserve. If the main pin releases subsequent to that, I'll deal with it then. I don't want to waste my precious time dealing with an imaginary problem when I have a very real problem in hand. .02 Edited to add "pin" "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

Skydiving and parachuting have been around for a long time, but fixed-object parachuting predates skydiving and parachuting. I would recommend researching the ancient history of parachuting and skydiving, if you're interested. Start with Twardo! Nova Edited to add "parachuting" "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

Glad you're OK.

Online browsing + any "living" advertisement = no way in hell I will ever buy a product from that manufacturer. "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

Where are you? I've heard of problems with delivery and delivery times with the Atom - which happens to be an excellent system. "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

Congratulations on graduating AFF. Now you need coaching/mentoring. Ask your instructors who they recommend - they might be available. I don't know what it will cost, but expect to pay for the service. It will be money well spent. Edited for spelling "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

They do find males - or at least portions of males. Ardi is very incomplete - they have, I think, the spine and skull, one complete arm and leg, and small portions of the other arm and leg. Shah: Lay off the shit, man. It's messing you up! +1K on the footjob. "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

The oldest known human ancestor was found in Ethiopia, and is an ancestor of Australopithecus (Lucy), who was also found in Ethiopia. Ardi, as this fossil is known, is 4.4 million years old, and was found among a group of 36 of these creatures. Discovery is airing a program about the discovery on 10/11. It should make interesting viewing. She's an ancestor to us all, perhaps. Take a look. Edited to add TV info "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

Congratulations on your jump.

Condolences to George's friends and family. May God have mercy on his soul and comfort those who mourn him. BSBD "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

Sixteen skydivers boarded Cowboy's Caravan, Cowboy piloted. The first load, it was supposed to be a memorable one. It was. Moments after clearing the treeline, the plane went down. Sixteen of Georgia's best perished that day in Jenkinsburg. "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

I swear. I hope he was in receipt of my card and that it gave him a little smile. Condolences to his family and friends. "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

Unable to attend but I hope it's a great party. Join in, folks and give Bill a - HIM! "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

Wow - looking through that sure brings back memories. The sport has come a long way, in terms of gear and techniques since my FJC in 1985, but one thing seems consistent: great, fun-loving people. "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

A friend of Bill's is a friend of us all. Good luck and best wishes to George - which I'll wish him in October. "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

The magnetic properties aren't significantly affected. Magnetic fields become stronger in increasingly colder temperatures, but in terms of equipment use and the temperatures at which it is used, the effect is not significant. Conversely, magnetism diminishes and can even dissipate at high temperatures, but not the temperatures at which the equipment is used (or could even survive). In terms of the physical properties? The magnets themselves are physically unaffected by typical "sub-freezing" temperatures. Temperatures that one would consider to be significantly "sub-freezing", say

I said it, thinking it was over. These will probably be my last words: O shit! "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73