Inspired

This is why I like video on training jumps. The instructor is usually wrong... until I watch the video.

I wanted to be on it, but traveling for 365 days last year to 25 countries and 135 cities, seeing the 7 wonders of the modern world, visiting friends around the globe, having a white Christmas, Rock climbing in Chamonix, Overlanding through Africa, walking on the Great Wall of China and a couple of other things, kinda put the brakes on my disposable income for 2010 Geez, get a life!

Good point. I hadn't thought of that.

As a student, I have to question the wisdom of banishing unsafe jumpers to the student area. We have enough to worry about with each other.

I've often noticed tandem instructors making a braked approach, then at about 50 ft off the ground, returning to full flight and using the speed of the resulting surge to get a better flare. Could that be the cause of Shah's soft landings after a flat turn to final? Or is that only effective when done close to the ground, like at 50 ft like the TIs do? I guess my question is: when the canopy surges after returning to full flight, how long till that extra speed bleeds off?

Congratulations, but did you change nationality? there is an minimum percentage required for Nationals to be called a record, the rest of the slots can be filled by SCABS looking for glory. So, I'm curious now... How many men are allowed on women's records? How many young bucks allowed on POPS records? How many straights were allowed on mdrejhon's rainbow record? Nothing against the Aussies, but is this a common practice?

Comparing SDC to CSC is like comparing big city life to life in a small town. It seems odd calling CSC the 'small town' since they are a two turbine dropzone, but compared to SDC, they are the little guy. Just as an example, consider this weekend. If you were on a weather hold today at CSC, you may have found yourself playing volleyball with your instructors and other experienced skydivers and students, or just sitting around chatting with them and learning a lot as a result. At SDC you would have found yourself in the company of Arizona Airspeed (I think the best formation skydiving team in the world), the Golden Knights, Perris Fury, and other great teams. But all that talent is a little intimidating, and unless you're a very outgoing person, you're not likely to learn much even though you're rubbing elbows with some of the very best in the world. Personally, I'll be jumping at CSC on Wednesdays because of their $15 to 15k deal, and because I absolutely love how friendly and helpful the people there are. But I'll also be jumping at SDC for the more exciting pace they offer. If you never come to SDC any other time, at least come for some of the Summerfest events in July or Nationals in September. You might just get to meet some of the best skydivers in the world. Good luck with your AFF. I've met at least two of your instructors (Nathan and Eric), and seriously, you won't find any better than those two. I think you made a good choice. Have fun! And Blue Skies!!!!

I think both CSC and SDC are good choices. I made 2 tandems at CSC, my daughter has made 3 tandems there, and I have a few other friends and family who have jumped there also. But I chose the AFP program at SDC for my training. I've spent many hours at each dropzone, and even though they each have very different vibes, I find them both pretty awesome. I see myself jumping at both of them pretty regularly once I have my A license. Maybe we'll be jumping together some day. Good luck with your training, and remember to just relax and have FUN!

Did you administer the old site? And if so, are you still willing to administer it again if a hosting solution can be found? The bandwidth usage is still the BIG missing piece of the puzzle though. Any estimates you can come up with would really be helpful. I work with people who operate websites with millions of dollars per year in revenue. They don't seem to think skydivingmovies.com could ever be a money maker, but they're interested in hearing details anyway, and might be willing to help with something I have a passion for. I understand that you don't have web stats to give us, but please give us as much info as you can. I really miss the site!

Finally, after a few seconds of the 80 second long free fall they acclimated and were ready for the remaining time before the parachute was pulled Must have been a CYPRES fire!

They're not claiming any special needs or considerations, or demanding special rights here. They're just trying to get together with other people with similar interests or lifestyles. What's wrong with that?

At Skydive Chicago they teach to only cut away first if the risers are off your shoulders. In other words, if nothing is out, don't cut away. I know it's over simplistic, but keeping EPs simple for high speed mals is kind of important for students. I guess they calculated that this approach would result in the highest percentage of 'good decisions' being made. I have no doubt there's lots of room for debate though.

Ahhh... when I was young, I was a non-conformist too. Just like all my friends. When, 50 years ago? Almost. My advice to you is this: Stop listening to the big scary rabbit. He's not good for you.

Ahhh... when I was young, I was a non-conformist too. Just like all my friends.

Why not have your parents buy you one now and just not use it. That way, if you change your mind in the future, you'll already have one.

Interesting viewpoint, considering this sport's emphasis on self-reliance/self-responsibility. Just what responsibility does the student have in this learning process?

Not even close. http://www.unc.edu/depts/nccsi/AllSport.htm

I have an old bowling injury. Should I be skydiving?!?

And what if the problem is that he has a really terrible instructor, not that I'm suggesting at all that it's the case here. You know... somewhere in the world is an instructor deserving the title 'Worst instructor in the world!'. In fact, roughly half of all instructors are below average. I would be very suspicious of any instructor who forbid me from talking to other instructors or experienced skydivers about my experience. I've been around long enough to know better. Of course, I would ALSO talk to my instructor about any and all concerns I have, and I would be honest with my instructor about who I talk to and what I've heard from them. But tell me not to talk to others... and you're fired.

I love this thread!!! I'm 52 and just getting started. Congratulations Granny!! You're an inspiration! Don

Are there any estimates of storage/bandwidth/software requirements for the site? One thing I noticed awhile ago is that there are LOTS of IT guys jumping from planes. Maybe we could collectively find a solution.

Deep breaths on the way up, deep breaths once the door opens, deep breaths just before exit, and deep breaths in freefall. Ask your instructor to remind you at each point. In freefall, my instructor uses a signal like he's smoking a cigarette. It works. Deep breathing made a world of difference to me. That freakin' door fear is what holds me back the most. I actually skipped jumping on a perfect weekend because I couldn't get that fear out of my head. It wasn't even that I feared moving toward the door, or even exiting. I was actually afraid of the fear I felt when the door opened. Now I understand the expression: "we have nothing to fear, but fear itself". What's been helping me is to remind myself over and over that I'm wearing a parachute. If I fall out, I'll be ok! If you learn any other tricks, please share them!

I'm sorry. It was 2 AM and I was watching a 3 hour backup job run. Not too exciting. So I thought... maybe I'll go mix it up with that Virgin guy. I was only planning to make one post. But then came another, and another. I wanted to stop, but I couldn't. I was out of control!!! I know I need help, but I'm afraid of failing. This is why I stay away from the speakers corner. I'd be like an alcoholic in a liquor store, and I'm just too weak. So now I've fallen off the wagon, but with everyone's support, I think I can recover. In our defense, I thought we kept it pretty civil. I did call Labrys a bigot, for which I now apologize, but in the end, I think more egg ended up on my face than his. And Virgin, I mean Mr. Burner, did call me a couple names, but I pretty much gave him permission to when I said I had a thick skin. So... no harm, no foul? Oh, and Feuernom really seemed to enjoy it. That's got to count for something, right? And on a more serious note... Mark, I apologize for the post whoring and thread hijacking. I meant no disrespect. Ok, no more posts for awhile, unless I feel a really really strong need to.

I think we agree on more than you realize. I'm just not as patronizing. I'm outta here for now, so you can have the last word.

Sorry, I have no clue what you're talking about here. Women are physically different from men, in case you haven't noticed. And for the record, I have four beautiful daughters and two beautiful granddaughters. My oldest daughter and I made our first two tandems together. You are WAY off base. Canadians have one tenth the population to recruit from as the USA. That would be about the same size pool as the US gay population. Now you have me curious about the Canadian bigway record. And what's with your obsession with this Shah guy? Call me what you want... I've got a thick skin.