crutch

Why are you jumping in winds so high that you need shaggers to keep from being "thumped" on the ground? No excuses here, if you are going to take students in conditions that are above your ability to "care" for them, maybe you should rethink why you are a tandem master! blue skies, art

Never so get over it! You got it right here, so don't worry about how the "dicks" treat you! blue skies, art

I am not sure what to say about this one other than geez whiz! If you are that unsure of jumping that you think the man upstairs is going to claim you at some point, you need to quit! My first marriage ended because after my son was born, my wife thought I should give it up(she has about 500 jumps). My second marrige is going very strong after 10 years, because we sat down and talked about this. Having confidence in each others abilities and little faith goes a long way! Our daughter has grown up around the DZ (nine now). She grew up thinking everyone skydived, she started realising about 5, that her parents do something that others only envy about. I know I am rambling, but have a little faith in life! Not allowing ones wife to ride in the same plane as you........wow.....find another sport, you have very little confidence in this one! blue skies, art

Jump numbers after a couple hundred or so have very little to do with the skill/experience level of a given skydiver. I listen to everyone, you can always learn something. Never think you are so good that very few people are better than you, it will bite you on the ass! blue skies, art

This is one of those questions that shows how changing attitudes have improved the safety in the sport today. Years ago it was not uncommon to see someone cut-away just to do one, or to see how their reserve flew. Hell, I just jumped out and pulled the silver handle when I wanted to test how my square reserve flew. And yes, the DZO was flying the plane and knew my intentions when I jumped out. blue skies, art

Damn, never thought I would ever be called a whore, well I take that back there once was this girl.......oh that is a nother story. Anyhow, tips are part of the industry, I have received a few, I don't ask and I do tend to be embarassed when I get them. I also share any tips I get with with the others involved in the jump, such as the camera person and pilot. But, you also have to understand that sometimes when a jumpmaster goes above and beyond the call of duty, and a tip is offered, the student/passenger is recognizing the fact that it was done. Let's get this straight ....Accepting tips is not a bad thing, expecting tips though is! blue skies, art

I was just there in St. Croix about a month ago, beautiful island, had a great time. Anyhow, the only place I have any knowledge of jumping is in Puerto Rico, which I guess isn't that far on one of the otters taking off on floats there in Christensted. blue skies, art

We do jump in Palatka(Skydive Palatka), but not as Jacksonville Extreme Sports. Two seperate drop zones/owners. We are open all week, but call first on the weekdays to make sure someone is there. SkydivePalatka.com blue skies, art

Where at, we are slow this weekend, maybe I will get away to play. blue skies, art

That's a good one! blue skies, art

Simply, why? I cannot think of any instance a student wearing head protection is going to help. I would venture to say that almost all head injuries are more likely neck related and had nothing to do with wearing a helmet. I don't wear a helmet, personal choice. I have yet to see or hear of an instance that would justify me changing my position. If you are going to bang your head on the airplane getting out or for that matter exiting with a student, you need to rethink being a TM. If you are scared, just say you are scared and don't hide behind anything! blue skies, art

Depends entirely on two things. First, the rules with which the drop zone uses as far as these types of jumps go. Second, how the tandem master feels about a low-time jumper being in the same airspace as him. To be honest with you, the chances are very slim. There have been many accidents and even a death which started with this type of scenario. blue skies, art

Yes, he was doing a "live" broadcast for a radio station. Screamed the whole time in freefall, talk real fast for about 30 seconds after the chute openned (saying stuff like "hey dominos, do you deliver"). Then guess what, finally hyperventilated and passed out. He forgot to breathe in amongst all the yelling and screaming! blue skies, art

I just tell them I will bite their ear off if they grab my hands in freefall. As far as jokes, one of our videographers always ask me what time I need to back at the prison, since I am on the work release program. Oh and that my hair use to be jet black, but the wind from the high speed of freefall has taken all of the color out of it. His baldness of course is because his didn't have quite as strong of roots. blue skies, art

First on my 6th jump, total, dumped the reserve, main container openned during openning shock, wrapped up with the reserve. Man upstairs didn't want me, so I survived an entanglement. Next one was almost 2300 jumps later. blue skies, art

Dave, the guy I took who was 318, was a very good friend of mine. He actually went on a diet for several months (he was 350). I had told him "if you get down to 290, I will take you. Well, the first time he came out, I honestly believe he was 290, but the Queen Aire had an engine fire that day and we didn't get to go. About three weeks later he came back out and jumped. After breaking the sound barrier in freefall (I was slightly pissed), I put him on a scale......318. So, we have a scale at the drop zone now. Anyone who seems to be lying about their weight gets on it! blue skies, art

Thanks! blue skies, art

3000+ tandems and I have more than a few tales to tell. Here are a couple... Young lady came out to do a tandem one afternoon, college student. For some reason she had decided to eat a bowl of strawberries for lunch. Skydive went great, openned up, released the laterals and let her fly the canopy. She decided she wanted to do a hard spiral like her friend had done on the previous jump. Two 360's we came out of it and I knew right away we were in trouble. Serious projectile vomit straight out in front of us before I could do anything. The next thing I know we fly right into the whole mess and it hits her square in the chest. Half-digested strawberries everywhere! Me, I am trying to choke down the sympathy puke that is building up from the smell. Somehow I choke it down, land long so the camera guy gets the back shot not the front. What a mess! High school senior comes out with a dozen of his friends and mom and dad. Eighteenth birthday present from his parents. All his friends are there in amazement that his parents are cool enough to get him this. Jump goes great, we fly around, nothing unusual happening, typical skydive. I have him pull both toggles down so I can get the flare toggles. Next thing I know he is out cold, one hand stuck in a toggle, the other one drooping at his side. Landing goes great, stand-up, the sit back and let him fall on me.(landed a little long so the video doesn't quite show him passed out) His dad comes running up laughing, mom is going crazy, his friends are about split. He comes to, doesn't remember anything after "are you ready to have some fun". Went from the campus hero to the goat in 50 seconds! Got lots more, but I don't type so well! blue skies, art

This question always is kinda funny to me. Are you over the limit on your personal reserve? I would venture to guess most of us are, by a much greater percentage than we will ever be with a tandem rig, at or slightly above the max. So in the whole scheme of things, why are we scared about the tandem be near the max and not our own gear? blue skies, art

Nope, my mom is not very proud of me! blue skies, art

At one time I may have believed this, but none of the side spins I have been in had loose laterals. In fact, I have been leaving them looser than I was taught 15 years ago. I think it has to do with body position of the student versus the TM. The ones have have been in also "broke" into the sidespin, similar to an airplane falling off on a wing when stalling. Who knows, maybe there is some strange similarity, hell I don't know? I do know that having a "stable" exit doesn't prevent it, spending loads of time with a student practicing doesn't help and definitely the size of the person isn't a factor. blue skies, art

Not sure I should talk about this as it may come back to haunt me. But the truth be known, I would rather take a 6'8" guy weighing 270 who is in shape versus a 5'2" woman weighing 190 who is soft. And it seems there are a lot more of the second than the first. P.S. 318 lbs blue skies, art

As with a lot of people here, it depends on the type of tandem we are doing. blue skies, art

So we "lie" to our students? Doesn't the video expose you? blue skies, art

I have to say othewr because I use all of the above depending on the conditions. I prefer the stall surge method, but sometimes tight landing areas and no wind make this difficult. The 90 deg. turn to landing works real well in the stadium on no wind days. Straight-in approaches also work well, but to have consitant stand-ups, you do need a little wind in your face. blue skies, art