diablopilot

BTW to answer your last questions, I believe that had you rig been packed by an FAA rigger the out come would have been similar, unless the rigger had a history of misconduct. Also I think the reserve would have inflated, but would have controllability issues. As an side note, if you really have only 100 jumps then your wing loadings are too high. ---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

I'm sorry if my replies seem to be conflicting. I agree that the supervising rigger should be held accountable, and it sounds like he/she has. As a separate issue, I'm a bit annoyed by the "young punk" attitude I've seen from a few here that hold threats of physical violence towards the offending rigger. If they really feel that way then they are idiots for trusting anyone else to take their life in their hands. If you're gonna be so bold, learn to do it yourself. These days, I witness the majority of jumpers hand gear over to anyone who is labeled "rigger", pay them some money and have no concern other than it not be wrinkly or late when they get it back, but not one of them could identify a safety stow, or verify that toggles are properly stowed on their reserve. They simply have faith in the "Black Magic" that their 40 to 80 dollars buys. The OP has made a great point and lesson avaliable to be learned, but I fear that it's getting lost on many of the masses here. ---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

Really? Would you? I guess personal responsibility is out the window these days. Try looking at your own gear once and a while. I have had to breakaway, more than once, and I knew EXACTLY what was on my back. I have since my 38th jump when I watched my rigger at the time assemble and pack my reserve. Do you know what your rigger is doing for you? How careful is your rigger? Do you know what your "Plan B" looks like? These are questions that every new jumper should be seeking the answers to. ---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

It shouldn't matter but it does bring up a couple thoughts..... 1) At a 100 jumps a jumper SHOULD have a regular rigger. They should be working closely with a local rigger on their first gear purchase, new or used, using the rigger as a dealer, or not. When new jumpers buy gear without help, the chances of mistakes, over charging, buying crap, or gear unsuitiable fo them are much higher. 2) From my experience in the gear business, many new jumpers (especially those from overseas) order complete packages from dealers and manufacturers. Then they ask them to assemble and pack them. Now while the manufacturers do good work building gear, I think there needs to be an independent set of eyeballs looking at the gear before it goes on someone's back. Some of the biggest mistakes I've seen in both manufacturing and rigging were caught by in the field riggers. In some cases the mistakes were found after the item had been used, and was in for it's first post delivery repack, and in at least 2 cases the mistake cause a malfunction. Jumpers should have an interest in their own gear, and work closely with a rigger to learn more about what's on their back. ---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

Why did you not use your regular rigger for the initial assembly, and pack job? ---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

Nothing absurd about the claim to being an extension of the groundwork laid down by JPF. JP posted this himself in the WS forum, Feb 22 2005 the tread is gone now though. With such a talent for distorting the truth, you ought to work for fox news. ---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

Did you make sure the "SteadyCam" feature was switched off? ---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

What's making you think there is something wrong with them? ---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

Essentially the manufacturers developed the regulations for the FAA. You want the manufacturers to make heavier gear? Create a market. It costs tens of thousands of dollars to have a new design certified. ---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

Maybe the Static Lines are all shorter than the tail boom. Or maybe they just fly backwards for jump run. ---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

Hi, my name is JP, how can I help? Oh and if you need other assistants, based on her previous post in this thread, I think Chelle might be able to fill a.....er....... role. ---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

Eh.....I want something to drive, not something that will end up in an art museum. Now THIS makes my blood flow! Long live the legend of MOPAR! ---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

First off, there is no whining allowed in skydiving. Ever. Ok, your challenges are going to be mostly gear based. Most skydiving equipment is not legaly certified to handle your weight. You have assumed correctly that Tandem equipment is, but it's mot configured for student operations. This leaves a few options. 1) Buy used tandem gear and pay a master rigger, or the manufacturer to reconfigure it for student operations. Estimated cost for this is between $4000 and $10000 depending on the cost of the gear, and the cost to convert it. 2) Find and travel to a DZ willing to convert some gear for you. Expect a significant extra cost. 3) Find some used military gear certified to a higher standard. 4) Contact manufacturers and see if they have any heavy load options for you. Expect to pay quite a lot for this. Now assuming you've solved your gear issue, you have the issue of training programs. You've probably heard of AFF, or accelerated freefall. You'll have the challenge of finding instructors that can jump with you safely, and this might be a difficult thing. Your fall rate is going to be very high, and if you go unstable it will be difficult for instructors to catch up and roll you over. I would be unwilling to. I might recommend static line or IAD, but most aircraft used for S/L are small. You may be asked pay for multiple slots. The only operation I've personally seen get someone close to your specs into a student program is SkyDance SkyDiving. find them at www.skydance.net This is not to say they are the only ones, just the only ones I've seen. Good luck. ---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

Can anyone say "Hamburger"? ---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

The first one to cum wins, and the goal is to remain undefeated? ---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

Thats the one I was referring to. I love bonehead products so dont get me wrong. I would never mount that on my harness anywhere. But hey thats just me. DoughH FYI the fatality I am referring to was a reserve landing, while not the best flare, it certainly was survivable but when he fell forward the SOFT PILLOW alti mount on his chest flipped up and broke his neck. I am more concerned about crushing or breaking than a puncture. Again that just me..... Be well IIRC it crushed his windpipe, and he asphyxiated. ---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

Mencia hasn't stolen anything either. Rogan is just a whiney bitch who is pissed his career is in the crapper. ---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

Agreed, although I would recommend to any low time TI to keep the jumpsuit for the first 100 to 200 jumps. Might as well stack the deck in their favor. During the winter I wear my old freefly suit (going on 10 years old) and if it's real cold, my tunnel warm suit top and bottom, and during the summer Motocross shorts, and t-shirt, which lets me switch to shooting video easily by simply adding a camera top. ---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

"Go fuck your self."

Based on my last trip there (more than a year ago) they have some very talented tunnel instructors who should be able to help you. And of course, if they do prove to be very helpful, don't forget to tip! ---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

He said flag parachute, not flag. ---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

There's something drastically wrong with that picture. The AFF instructor rarely needs to own two rigs or more, and doesn't have to pay for the initial cost, maintinence, and replacement of a $2000+ camera helmet. That said, the most fair schedule of payment I've ever seen at DZ's is where all jumps pay the same and those with the most qualifications end up doing the most jumps. ---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

Was suggesting the "no cut" for hop and pops is a poor idea, especially out of a KA. ---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

What an incredibly bad idea. ---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

I think the FAA doesn't teach anyone how to skydive. ---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.