cu-skydive

hi there ed, that's wonderful!!! it's such a familiar feeling. i don't know anything about your main but you have to be able to land 'em. i've heard folks say that toggle pressure can go up with larger canopies because you're moving more material (with more resistance) but i don't really know. i was surprised by the toggle pressure on my main (210 Silhouette, very similar to a Navigator)....not bad at all but more than i expected. the best (enough for feedback, but i could hold it in deep brakes all day long) was my cruisair....loved that canopy. i don't think anything is as easy to turn as a Paracommander though. i'm amazed at the choices of equipment today.......if you have it available try some different canopies......i'm sure you can find something that works. i'll put a vote in for the Silhouette if you can try one....mines pretty tame by today's standards. i like the hand deploy stories......it used to be kind of a known step that people often prepared for (i also practiced at home about a hundred times i bet before the big day) and i still remember that jump......new (to me) gear.....first piggy-back rig (Wonderhog II, with belly band and 3 ring release) and first square jump. i threw that pilot chute with everything i had and i was surprised by the noise under canopy (and the amazing performance of a Strato-Star). hope your son heals well!!! mark

hey ed, i figured you'd like it.......looking forward to hearing about your "1st" freefall......i'm jumping a lightly loaded 210 and it's a good time. had a few comments about "nylon overcast" but its all in good fun.....i like the canopy ride and it glides better than anything i've ever flown. take care and have fun!!!! mark

hi ed, i think i was more nervous anticipating the jump than when it came time to go. i went to safety day and did some review there (and to meet people) and then some additional emergency procedure practice with the folks at the DZ (it's a small friendly place). after that i felt pretty comfortable with AC procedures (they'd changed some) and with what i needed to do. i'd also done some searches here on dz.com about returning to the sport after a long layoff and it helped to read others experiences. then i made arrangements with a friend (who's an instructor) and climbed into the plane. after we got in the plane i was suprised by how familiar it all felt and when it was time and the door opened i knew what to do....... i'd be lying if i said i wasn't nervous at all but it really was kinda like riding a bike (something i'd read here a few times). i expected sensory overload that wasn't there. i was stable, aware of my surroundings, stayed on heading (i just did a simple free fall with my buddy watching) and did a couple of practice pulls and that was it. when i was an active jumper most of my jumps were at small cesna dz's and that's what i was fortunate enough to return to so i think that helped with the familiarity thing....i mighta had a harder time at a big dropzone, i don't know......but this was kinda like going home again...... i gotta feeling your jump is gonna end with the something like......"WOW....i remember why i love this......." mine did...... mark

heck .... i thought a 15 yr. layoff was long......returned last fall and glad i did.....hope you have as much fun!!! you'll probably notice that the canopies make alot more noise now...... blue skies!!!! mark