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skymom2, Well then, SkydiveChicago is your place. Just checkout our website (www.skydivechicago.com) and see if you like our facilities and the other stuff we have to offer. At SDC you'll be jumping current gear (like what you'll buy for yourself). All our student canopies are PD Sabre2 models. All of our rigs are Javelin fixed harness, Mirage RTS, or Vector student models (we have no adjustable harnesses, we have about 30 student rigs with varying harness sizes/canopies, which means you get the right rig for your size and experience level, not one-size-fits-all like most DZs). After your two tandems, You go with one JM, not two. If you come for a week during late spring, summer, or fall, you can complete your license requirements (unless you have serious difficulty in the air). I have seen only two people in the last 3 years that couldn't have finished in a week (if money/time was not a factor). Anyway, good luck whatever you choose. Troy I am now free to exercise my downward mobility.

skymom2, At SDC you can do many jumps/day. We do not offer AFF, we offer AFP, which is a 20 jump program. It still costs only slightly more than AFF, and you get free video on every jump! You must do 2 tandems prior to starting AFP, and if you are heads-up and performing, we have had students do as many as 10 jumps in a day. That is rare though. We do often have students doing 3-5 jumps/day. 5 is the unspoken limit unless you are kicking ass and relaxed. Good luck wherever you go. Do research and pick the best place even if it is a little drive. Troy I am now free to exercise my downward mobility.

I feel if the SB is mandatory, the Mfr. should pay for it. If it is recommended, then the owner should pay for it. Troy I am now free to exercise my downward mobility.

We have some really bright jumpsuits in the smaller sizes, and when that comes up, we say it is easier to find them out in the field if something goes wrong. This kinda relates to when they ask me what the handles are up on my chest. I say one is to cutaway the main and deploy the reserve, and the other is to cutaway a student who is freaking out or not arching. I don't tell them which is which, but I tell them that during opening, it is not a good place to grab, because they may just get themselves another skydive. We have also used the grippers are handles line many times Troy I am now free to exercise my downward mobility.

I usually tell them that we're in this together, and I have got plans tonight that I'm not breaking. If I have a nervous guy that seems stiff, I reinforce the arch prior to boarding by telling him (with all the others around) that he may want to arch because I took some viagra for tonight and it is kicking in earlier than expected. There are a million of them. If your friend is a veteran, he/she knows what works, keep using it. It's kinda like groundhog day, they just keep coming and it is always fresh to them. Troy I am now free to exercise my downward mobility.

I don't think an LLC or S-corp is necessary, but the best place to incorporate is Nevada. Do some online searches, it is cheap, they will setup virtual offices for you, and Nevada historically protects its corporations very well. Troy I am now free to exercise my downward mobility.

Combined Insurance has accident and disability insurance for reasonable rates. I pay $150 each 6 months, and it will more than cover anything my regular health insurance doesn't. I actually profit from getting hurt. My BC/BS cost is $144/mo. for the best plan here in IL. The best part about Combined is that THEY PAY! I have a couple friends and myself that are proof. Troy I am now free to exercise my downward mobility.

Merlin RW suits are great. I am on my third Pro-Comp, and even though they cost about $350, they are worth it. I have had fit problems, but Christine rectifies that. The service has always been slow for me (like if they promise 4-6 weeks, it is more like 8-9 weeks. I do get my suits though, and just take that in account when I order (I afford extra time). I bought a Merlin FF suit once though, I wasn't too impressed. I still have it, and it is in good shape with probably 500 jumps on it. My next FF suit was a ZuteSute, and since I got that (a 2-piece model), the Merlin doesn't seem so bad. I have hours in the tunnel and hundreds of jumps on the merlin RW suit(s) and never had a failure other than the bootie toe wearing a hole in it, which happens to everyone's suits. I have sold two old suits for $150 apiece, which testifies to their quality, (plus I keep good care of them). I will continue to buy Merlin RW suits, and am considering a camera suit as well. Troy I am now free to exercise my downward mobility.

I am a little upset regarding handling of this SB. It has been issued without notice to dealers, owners, or riggers. I just packed a Mirage, and now I have to open it up for the mod. I am not a Master Rigger, so that means I will have to re-inspect and repack it after someone else handles it. Thanks for the extra work Mirage! I feel the mod is entirely unnecessary. If the rig is packed concientiously and properly, I don't see the issue. I will probably send my two personal G4s (both new 4/04) back to Mirage for the mod. Luckily I plan to go to FL in the next couple weeks and I'll just drop them off when I'm finished jumping. My CL length for my MX rigs with 113R reserves is 3.75". It is tight and at pull force of 20lbs. Can't get the rig much tighter. Troy I am now free to exercise my downward mobility.

You are right, Dave Brown is a great coach and even better person. He doesn't subscribe to "clicks," he treats everyone with respect and dignity. He is easy to understand and relates the instruction to something easily understood. I don't even need to jump with him to get something out of talking with him, just ask him a question and he'll really help! Quite an asset to our sport! Troy I am now free to exercise my downward mobility.

I think his name is Shawn. He had a little mentoring for the first few jumps, then went on his own. He has never made a skydive though. He is learning, but the hard way. I have seen some pretty rough landings, and some gainers gone bad from him...scary... He is a very nice kid, and I took the time about a year ago to teach him some rigging so he can hook up his own canopies and stuff. He is at Perrine fairly often. Troy I am now free to exercise my downward mobility.

I only talk under canopy to tell them to turn around or head toward the airport (if we're far out). It is difficult for them to hear anyway because of the wind under canopy. I rarely use the radio under canopy. Troy I am now free to exercise my downward mobility.

Removing the cover for the lanc/AV ports is not mandatory, but makes it alot easier. You need to loosen all the screws for the one side (there are alot), and then you can pull the port cover off the pin. It is a pin extending downward that holds the cover in, I loosened the screws up, then pulled apart carefully, and also took a small scribe and bent the pin in a bit to get the cover off. Doing it on a pc105 is much easier than the pc330. I also taped up the tape door where I removed the strap, but suffered humidity errors. Since I have removed the tape, there has been no problems. I have taped up the mic and audio ports to prevent damage, but the av and lanc ports remain open. Troy I am now free to exercise my downward mobility.

I stayed away from Bonehead's bulky d-boxes and went with a 2K composites FF2 helmet with the integrated d-box. I had to remove my strap, but did so with a high-quality small screwdriver instead of snips. My strap is still intact and I can put it back on in about 15 minutes. I removed the swivel joint at the bottom as well. I also removed the cover over the lanc & A/V ports. All this can be done without damage to the components or camera, but you should have some experience with this. So far the camera has performed pretty well, but I did run into some humidity failures when I had the tape door gaffed closed. It must need to breath. We were also jumping in about 95% RH conditions, a difficult time for any camera. Good luck, Troy I am now free to exercise my downward mobility.

I saw something recently that bonehead came out with, looked like a mindwarp with a wrap-around chin that released in the center. I didn't look too closely as it was really ugly. I'll stay with the Optik until my 2K FF2 comes in. Troy I am now free to exercise my downward mobility.

Most of the great deals are grey market. Some NY sellers also elude to a USA warranty, but when you call and ask, it is actually a USA "in-store" warranty. I have been looking for a 10D kit, and found the great prices were "body only", no battery, USB cables, charger, software, etc... It is unlikely they would give you a PAL model without specifying, but a grey market model may require you shipping it to HongKong for warranty service. Best of luck though, if it works out for $775, let me know and I'll buy another PC330. Troy I am now free to exercise my downward mobility.

I hope you get that 330, but at $775 it sounds like you may have a different model. I paid $1225 for mine three months ago, and I felt I got a great deal. Anyway, I went for the 2K comp. FF2 helmet. It should be here anytime. Can't wait to retire my other cam/helmet. As for the other advice... A UV lens/filter is not required, but is cheap protection for your real lens. I am jumping mostly diamonds though, so I can't even put a filter on them. Troy I am now free to exercise my downward mobility.

I will have my 2K FF2 helmet soon. The purpose is mostly freefly, but with some 4-way and some Tandem videos. I want a sight for 4-way and Tandem, but not for freefly. What's the best system out there that is as safe as possible, easy to remove or get well out of the way, and of course, cheap. I have been jumping without a sight on my current setup, but have missed some shots because of it. I will have a PC-330 in the new helmet. Links to appropriate websites would be helpful too. Troy I am now free to exercise my downward mobility.

A cameye is an incredible tool for anyone using Sony video equipment equipped with a lanc port. I wouldn't jump without it. Get one. Troy I am now free to exercise my downward mobility.

What program are you thinking of grabbing stills with? I have a 330, and when you shoot stills during video, you only get 640x480, maybe 690k quality. When you shoot stills in memory mode, they are fantastic, at 3mp quality. It won't replace the still on your head...yet. It is a great camera though, and the video is fabulous. Troy I am now free to exercise my downward mobility.

I talked to Max and Richie (responsible for the diamond lenses) while at Perris last week and they said they are going to be selling 25mm threadsize lenses soon. A plus if you decide to go with a 109. Troy I am now free to exercise my downward mobility.

I am getting an FF2, and they estimated 4-6 weeks, but closer to 6. Troy I am now free to exercise my downward mobility.

I bought a PC-330 and am quite pleased. I am waiting for my new 2k camera helmet, but the camera is tops! Troy I am now free to exercise my downward mobility.

Just stayed in the IHOP (International House of Parachutists). for 9 days. It was easily tolerable, and much more convenient than hotels. I had a good room in the main house, only 4 beds. All were early risers like me. The main house bathroom drain (and kitchen sink drain) were not so good, but the other shower drains were fine. I would guess about 20 beds in the place. There are 4 showers in three bathrooms. There are 3 toilets. No tv reception, only poorly received channel 4 & 5. No cables for DVD player. VHS works fine. Kitchen is available. All linens supplied. I would stay there again (maybe for nationals, but it's probably already full). Troy I am now free to exercise my downward mobility.

Brad V. and I (from SkydiveChicago) met Perry and Julie that week while we were there. A very happy pair (of friends). Perry was a perpetually happy figure with a loud, contagious laugh. His laugh was a trademark that can never be infringed upon. I will always remember his laugh. He was so very friendly and outgoing. He didn't seem to have anything to prove, he just enjoyed skydiving as much as he enjoyed life. I am very saddened that I will never see or jump with him again, I was quite looking forward to it. Luckily, we have some video of him having his usual great time. We'll put something together and send it off to Canada for his family and friends. We miss you Perry, and will keep you with us! Troy I am now free to exercise my downward mobility.