webracer
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Everything posted by webracer
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SkydiveChicago is # 1! No specialty aircraft, just two full time twin otters taking 23 to 14K in 12 minutes or less. Great vibes, great people, unequaled facilities. Oh, did I mention all the hot ladies? I have now. Troy I am now free to exercise my downward mobility.
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Newbie, I understand DZ.com is useful for many types of info, but the question you posed, sortof like a troll, since you are posting it for the perceived benefit of others and not your own benefit (benevolent aren't you?), is covered (or should be) in every first jump course. What you propose is that we train to get out of a situation rather than to not get into it in the first place. What can result is folks who think, "well, I can do this low turn because I read how to get out of it on DZ.com." I think you should spend more time posting threads that benefit you (since you know what questions you need answers to), and less time dreaming up questions for the perceived needs of others. If you really need help with this, as one of your instructors. Situations do occur where a conservative jumper finds himself in a low turn. The recovery advice is published EVERY MONTH in the incident reports of Parachutist. Troy I am now free to exercise my downward mobility.
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The used gear market is pretty soft. I'd say if you could get $3000 for the whole setup you'd be lucky. That is if it is in top condition. I'd be happy with $2500 if it was mine. It is newbie sized, so that'll help. Good luck Troy I am now free to exercise my downward mobility.
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Nothing against you for asking, but this is too much to explain here. The best answer is avoid the situation. The second best answer was already given. If you know someone who needs this advice, do your best to steer them to a canopy course like Scott Miller gives. They need more than we can give here. Troy I am now free to exercise my downward mobility.
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Now, for those of you that haven't had Don's cooking... It is quite yummy. I wish I could be there. Troy I am now free to exercise my downward mobility.
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I'm with Terry, besides. too much force, and BANG! you risk a bloody nose. You learn what feels right and what feels wrong. Troy I am now free to exercise my downward mobility.
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Here is my opinion, backed up by those I trust with significantly more experience than me. Yes, a twisted line is weaker. When you load a twisted line, you are loading 50% of the threads more than the other 50%. If you twist one up, you can see how some fibres take more load. Untwist your brake lines often. I never let go of my toggles until I put them back on the risers. My lines stay pretty much twist free. The other side of twisted lines is that they are shorter. This may or not be significant enough to cause a problem, but it can't do any good. Twisted lines also get uneven wear from the slider, and some fibres may shrink more than others due to heat. Troy I am now free to exercise my downward mobility.
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Just keep trying. The less you worry, the less it'll happen. Pretty soon you'll be trying out for Airspeed. Put the problems behind you and concentrate on your successes. Troy I am now free to exercise my downward mobility.
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If the TM and video guy go out of their way (your opinion) to give you great service, a tip is appropriate. The tip doesn't have to be big, it is the thought. If it's near the end of the day, wait around and buy them a beer or two, its as good as any monetary tip for a quality instructor. If you do choose money, then $20 would be about tops, and the TM/video should share it. Troy I am now free to exercise my downward mobility.
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Both companies offer great customer service. The protrack has bugs as well. I have had software problems, and had to exchange it twice in the last 800 jumps (protrack). It also seems to go through cycles where it will not keep the date/time properly. I use the pc software, and those that don't have less problems. L&B are so great though, any problem and they just exchange it for a new one. I have jumped with a neptune on my wrist, but it didn't do much good, since I don't normally wear an altimeter there, I didn't even look at it. Lots of the features will not be used if it is on the side of your helmet, and likewise, lots of features will not be used if you put it on your hand. They need to offer two models depending on how you want to use it. That may lower the price too (one without audible features, one with). Troy I am now free to exercise my downward mobility.
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I have my cameye switch located just above the audible bump on my Optik. It is drilled to run the wires inside. The indicator comes out just to the side of my left eye, and is gaffer-taped inside. It sticks straight out, and even though I don't use a sight, I can see it at all times through the corner of my eye. It doesn't move around and works very well. Troy I am now free to exercise my downward mobility.
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I was interested in getting a demo so I can at least see it before I think about buying. No demos available. Hopefully soon. BTW: what's radial reinforcement of the tail? Troy I am now free to exercise my downward mobility.
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Congratulations Nightingale! Make no mistake about it, what you have accomplished is no small feat. It gets better every jump from here. Keep working on your freefall and canopy skills, you will need them. Do some coach jumps, and as soon as allowed (after "A" license at most places), jump with others. Now that you have passed our induction, you have to join us in the sky and on the ground. Great job! Troy I am now free to exercise my downward mobility.
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Reason to get a Coach Rating?
webracer replied to desertsky's topic in General Skydiving Discussions
Do it for yourself. Just like graduating from college, it says something about your ability and committment. I did my AFF rating just to prove to myself I had the stuff. Now I'm trying to figure out where that stuff went. Troy I am now free to exercise my downward mobility. -
who has actually made serious $$$ from skydiving?
webracer replied to Newbie's topic in General Skydiving Discussions
If you want to make a small fortune in skydiving... You have to start with a big one. A familiar quote for fun (hobby-type) sports. Most of the people making a living in skydiving are doing so with twice the hours of a normal job. Most of them enjoy the job because of the freedom, and enjoy the skydives, and introducing folks to the sport. Even though the pay is poor, something has to be said for enjoying your work. Only a few have started with nothing and ended up with something. Most will leave the sport early, and get a regular job so they can retire (someday). Troy I am now free to exercise my downward mobility. -
You are going to make a good democrat someday. How about lobbying for a law as such. Yes I am being a bit cocky, but we need to be responsible for ourselves first. It is up to the DZ whether they want an HP area or not. Remember, those who are not comfortable or aware enough to know what is going on can land farther out. We need awareness, not more rules. People don't follow the rules we have, so the answer is not to establish more. People need to stop coming out of the sky like they're the only @*&3ers on earth! I'm really glad I've got eyes. Troy I am now free to exercise my downward mobility.
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I have been to 258/259 according to two protracks. It was FAST! Going to my belly you could really tell how fast it really was. Troy I am now free to exercise my downward mobility.
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Small or aggressive canopy, no experience, grounded.
webracer replied to Jimbo's topic in General Skydiving Discussions
This is accurate. On every dz I have been involved with, there are standards, although they are not explicitly stated. As people choose gear, they seek advice from reputable skydivers. When they stop seeking advice, if they start making poor decisions, there is no shortage of people to make comments on that. (wait, is there such a thing as a reputable skydiver?) If someone goes way off the deepend, they are stopped. It is, however, case by case. As a general rule, the canopy selection process is guided by the jumping public through peer pressure. Some slip through the cracks, but not many. Even if someone does slip through, it isn't for long, as when you see their skills (or lack thereof), you intervene with at least some advice. Troy I am now free to exercise my downward mobility. -
I saw that listing, Someone please go look at it. Get the serial numbers, it may be stolen gear. Take his money, then call the cops once you are clear. This guy seems like quite an idiot. Troy I am now free to exercise my downward mobility.
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Small or aggressive canopy, no experience, grounded.
webracer replied to Jimbo's topic in General Skydiving Discussions
Well, according to that link... While this situation is almost impossible, it still is an ridiculous statement. It's his DZ, and all in all the chart is not that out of whack, even though it is based soley upon jump numbers. At least after 1000 he lets you decide. I still think I would avoid it on principle. I wouldn't want to be a danger to his "safe" dropzone. Troy I am now free to exercise my downward mobility. -
Small or aggressive canopy, no experience, grounded.
webracer replied to Jimbo's topic in General Skydiving Discussions
Billvon, I know you are not stating that because they limit wingloading, they will be safer. This must be a typo. Pretty hard to back that up. I jump at a very progressive DZ, where none of these limits are imposed. The people most getting hurt are low-time jumpers on big canopies. I will give you that when one on a highly loaded canopy biffs, the consequences are almost always more severe then the average broken ankle. Troy I am now free to exercise my downward mobility. -
If I ended up with two out (in a sidebyside), I would check stability (If altitude permits), If there is any question, I'll probably chop the main. In a biplane, I would not chop the main. Troy I am now free to exercise my downward mobility.
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Small or aggressive canopy, no experience, grounded.
webracer replied to Jimbo's topic in General Skydiving Discussions
There has to be more to base this type of limit on than jump numbers. It should be based on skill level under canopy. If they did it to me (I'm sure I don't fit into their chart), I'd be happy to jump elsewhere. Part of this sport is the freedom we have to choose. If a DZ wants to put limits on wingloading, then those limits should be based upon objective criteria, like accuracy, slowflight, off-field landings, logbook entrys, etc... Scott Miller is compiling a list of what he thinks you should have demonstrated to fly at certain skill levels (int., adv., exp). Otherwise, use USPA's recommendations, which are far behind reasonable (if you have a "D", you are a master skydiver). I just took Scott's course at SDC this weekend, to help me better teach the essentials of canopy control. His points in the course and after in the presentation on Friday night were right on. Hopefully he will get some of that up on the web soon. Troy I am now free to exercise my downward mobility. -
1911, you are missing the point. I don't need the skyhook to do my work for me. I am really a pennypincher, multiple rigs, a new one every season, Cypres in every rig, la la, la. An aad does nothing until you need it. an rsl type device can cause problems if you use it at the wrong time. The skyhook is designed to (hopefully) eliminate the chance of the rsl causing these problems. I would like to set a good example for the newer jumpers that can benefit from this technology, but I am not willing to pay that much to set the example. I think it is too overpriced as well, but people are buying it. I heard RWS is selling it on almost 75% of their rigs. Troy I am now free to exercise my downward mobility.
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They've got one in Orlando next to the skycoater as well. I rode it 5 times in a row (without getting off). Just keep paying the dude and he sends you back up (wasn't busy at the time). I bet it is 200', although I didn't really ask or look into it. Troy I am now free to exercise my downward mobility.