Scrumpot

Go to a different DZ. +1 I actually ENCOURAGE at least a few solo's be done, by my "just off AFF" status students, and between their actual attainment of their A. No reason (in my mind) NOT to have/allow a student cleared for (supposedly) self-supervised, post-AFF (or Completed/Graduated Cat-E, cleared for Cat's F-H in the ISP) status not to. Yes, you will need to (and be required) to have at least some coach-present, coaching jumps between Cat-E matriculation and attainment of your A. That does not mean that absolutely ALL of your jumps between them, absolutely MUST be coached/coaching jumps! No Solos' (even) "allowed"? - - - - Not according to USPA ISP anyway. FWIW. coitus non circum - Moab Stone

Coincidentally enough, I had the pleasure of teaching a FJC Student just this past weekend, who is also a commercial-rated 10,000+ hour pilot, who has for the past 10 years been flying A300's for UPS. His biggest "challenge" (he reported to me) was thinking of how he was going to manage his landing "sight-picture". Between us, I think we concluded that his biggest challenge was going to be resisting wanting to flare too early/high. An A300 at a 6' nose-up pitch angle, coming in for touchdown ROUTINELY puts him at nearly 50 feet total off the ground at main-landing gear touch-down! As someone else has already said - you are already way too OVER-THINKING THIS, without already had at least the benefit of attaining the instructional training/knowledge. I am not going to try to give you that here, in an internet forum. Rather - what I am going to say is simple - - - If, after you have completed your ground-training FJC, you do not still feel fully confident that you can do it, with the instruction and information provided, and/or you have any doubts still then at that point - YOU DO NOT HAVE TO JUMP! ...I think however, once you have already at least gone through the class, and you've had the opportunity to more fully vet these questions you have out, in person, f/f with your instructor - I'll bet $$-to-donuts you will. Give your actual instructors the opportunity to appropriately instruct you FIRST. Then, decide for yourself from there. If in any doubt - it is not unreasonable for you to make your 1st jump a tandem either. There are several methods available by which one can make their 1st skydive/parachute descent from an airplane. One size (and/or instructional method) does not necessarily, fit ALL. Good luck! ...I look forward to seeing your follow-up post once you have done it - no matter which method you for yourself, actually decide. Blue Skies, -Grant coitus non circum - Moab Stone

You uploaded it, apparently, whilst I was composing. Can't see how your post might be changing while one is in the reply/composing screen, now can one? Glad you've now gotten your answer/reply from the MFR, and thanks for sharing! coitus non circum - Moab Stone

1. No photo attached. - ? 2. Did you think to just call the MFR themselves, and ask? coitus non circum - Moab Stone

N/A

Just so that we all don't think that this is endemic to ONLY just us, or that "the attitude" of "Mad Skillz" is exclusive/unique to just skydiving... "Flat-Out" AKA: "I want to swoop" Enjoy! coitus non circum - Moab Stone

Interesting how many threads this is right now being discussed in, and has actively manifested itself. More Audibles for Students Reference Material I'm not "taking sides" on either side - Just trying to objectively show/provide further "history", details and information - so we all can consider (and hopefully be open-minded ...and THINK) as well. I am willing to consider new techniques, programs and options as well. - Then, further discuss them, and yes even debate them (presuming I come to an absolute position - which I haven't, yet) if/where/when appropriate. So long as the debate and conversation remains (mutually) respectful. The moment it is not - then there really is no further point. We can all have differences of OPINION, without losing at least respect for one another, and CONSIDERATION of the others position(s), can't we? Isn't that also, the very point of at least this (particular - Instructors) forum too, in the 1st place? Bart - You may not like it, but credibility (at least amongst and within (all - not just here) public "anonymous" internet forums is earned. It is not automatic. "You post it, so it must be gospel" just does not apply to any of us. You at least started down that road, and I thought might becoming one to earn that, with this thread - initially. Don't let the "trap" of anonymous internet posting "keyboard bravado" get the best of you. You want credibility? Step back, take a breath - reconsider, and be considerATE of others opinions and positions too. If you state something you claim to have factual 1st-hand knowledge of, be prepared to back that up - and there is no need to get offended either, when that is asked for. And that's all I've seen in here so far, that HAS been asked for is all. Which I think is reasonable. I am willing to still listen and consider - IF you take a few steps back, and truly are in fact, "legitimate" yourself, and WILLING to take the steps (necessary) to validate that, and your statements/opinions. Not unreasonable requests. Can you bring it? Or... Can you not? coitus non circum - Moab Stone

+1 Dave! Perfect analogies. Well said. (hopefully the poster to whom you are replying also LISTENS, pauses, THINKS, and -at least tries to- understand/s). Your post just summed up precisely why I also asked the questions just previously that I did - which the OP to the thread answered thoroughly, clearly and succinctly. Indicating (at least to me) that he also does posses that (appropriate) level of understanding - which the poster to whom you are replying, conversely, also just as clearly does not. Kudos to the OP for posting up something that can provide such truly applicable, LEARNING dialogue! - Pictures (and even better/further) - Video, being worth 1,000 words, and all that. coitus non circum - Moab Stone

I'd suggest getting off your couch, and actually doing it! Sorry, I just couldn't resist. coitus non circum - Moab Stone

I'd actually take odds on that. - FWIW. coitus non circum - Moab Stone

How many jumpers were on the load (total load - not just your group) with you on this flight, Ryan? Was this the only plane flying and in the air too at the time? How many canopies in the air with you at the time? Did you account for them all? coitus non circum - Moab Stone

Y'all act and post on here like this is all "cutting edge" brand new stuff (Audibles, their proposed usages, pro's, con's, etc.) - and are in lemming-like awe of the "pearls of wisdom" being espoused and argued about them, and their applicable uses, again - as if it is all brand new, and therefore too by even just that very virtue - needs to be lended credence. NOT EVEN CLOSE! There's PLENTY of material to be read (and considered - if y'all REALLY care to) on the subject. Here's just a few examples: Multiple AAD Fires - Hard Landings - Couch Freaks Audibles During AFF Genuine Cypres save Czech Republic There are SEVERAL more links and further resources (both inside of dorkzone and out) I could provide as well. Actual attention spans (and real consideration focus capabilities) seem so short though, that I did not want to dilute the point by posting any more than 3 of what I thought at least, were some of the most directly pertinent examples. Just to provide you all at least a little further actual/practical reference material to be able to CONSIDER as well on the subject matter (de-railed into who advocates audibles - and for who, why & when, and then under what applications/purposes) is all. - Absolutely none of this conversation is all of a sudden really, magically new. coitus non circum - Moab Stone

When I first bought my Jav, our measurements were nearly identical. the harness size (which is what you are asking about, vis-a-vis body fit, not canopy-fit/container size) on my Jav is C-20. Edit to add: I also own an Infinity, I-34, with the floating laterals option that fits me like a custom glove. coitus non circum - Moab Stone

What scared me worse in (watching) that video, was the dude running to the AC in FRONT of the spar/strut as the plane was still actively in it's turning motion. Then, jumping up on the wheel, clearly to address the pilot through the co-pilot side window or something. Just one slight unexpected over-rotation, or slip (or combination of the 2) and ... To answer your question though - no... I saw no handles checks whatsoever at any time, portion or part of that video, at all. coitus non circum - Moab Stone

Please DON'T get a camo canopy. We already have way too many canopy collisions going on now, as it is. coitus non circum - Moab Stone

OMG - I just found my next signature tag-line here, with this! You sir, owe me a new monitor for the one I just ruined, spewing my Mountain Dew forcefully all over it! coitus non circum - Moab Stone

This is a "sticky", at the top of the Safety and Training Forum here. But I think it applies probably very well to this case here, as well. For reference: Replying with "PM Sent" coitus non circum - Moab Stone

I think this is a good (and valid) point. Although it is conceivable that any purchasers thought this was just a "friendly guy" (I do not personally know the defendant, so I am not stating either way, he is or he isn't) - and a knowledgeable skydiver, after all, with some "credibility" (founder of Flock-U in of itself could be "impressive" / carry some weight) - all those things notwithstanding, still... some rigger would need to actually also install these units and close them into the rig(s), no? Maybe this has already been covered in a subsequent post to the one I am replying to (I haven't gotten all the way through yet, its multiple pages) - but this too is an interesting point. - Doesn't Airtech, or SSK have an actual LIVE / dynamic on-line app to varify/validate any given Cypres unit? I've only just thought of this, because I myself personally, just recently gave a Cypres away - entirely free of charge, that I owned - with the full disclosure that it was a Cypres 1 (or just plain "original" model), it had only 3 years lifespan available on it, and had NOT had it's last 4yr service (so wasn't worth it - to ME to get it done ...but maybe for my friend, otherwise receiving it for free it would have) - and like a week later, I recall him showing me a complete print out of my Cypres' actual (I think) lifetime (including services performed/service due) history and its FMV. I would think then, ALL this information would be readily available quite easily enough, and I don't know how it could be possibly overlooked. Again, if this is already covered in some # of posts further down from the post I am replying to - my apologies, and if I see it, I will delete this one so as not to be redundant. Very good, and fair / legitimate point, and lesson in life for nearly ANY transaction in an open market, for sure. Putting the onus on the buyer (caveat emptor) is one thing, and I can see that - but also (like in my case) I would not always just automatically throw the buyer(s) under the bus either, as perhaps they had what they felt were (their own) legitimate reasons to trust, their seller too. Just goes to show that sadly, there are "shady peeps" out there in ALL walks of life. Just because someone is a "brother (or sister) skydiver" does not make them automatically an exception, or you immune. coitus non circum - Moab Stone

Bullshit. You are wrong. Ski & Dave are right. Absolutely EVERY jumper should be fully capable, able, AND WILLING to do this (remove & replace their cut-away handles/cables) on their own gear that is in their charge (they own) - as this is also precisely absolutely nothing more as well than doing a MONTHLY (or supposed to be) required 3-ring maintenance procedure! Your post is IMHO a sad testament, for "gear (knowledge) apathy" in our young jumpers and further perhaps even worse, a tacit statement of tolerance/acceptabce of/for it. EDIT TO ADD: Please note I am ONLY speaking of/to the cutaway handle/pillow/cable portion of the OP's question here ONLY. And responding the Deyan's post that jumpers should NOT be "allowed" to do this. Removing (pulling/releasing) your cut-away, and being fully capable, able and willing to release your 3 rings, maintain them, then re-assemble them - is actually nothing more than simple routine maintenance - maintenance in fact, that is (by most mfr's - RTFM people!) REQUIRED. EVERY (responsible) gear owner rather, should be capable of doing this, and advocating anything differently, (or just "caving in" to tacit acceptance of "gear apathy") IMHO, is irresponsible. coitus non circum - Moab Stone

Milked his way down real close to his hard-deck/decision altitude too ...and THEN went for a release of the toggles? ...??? - What'd he think he was gonna do then, just start then actually flying to LAND this? (sure looks like it) VERY lucky that did not spin him up even more/worse at that point and put him into some high-speed dirt! At least he looked at his alt while he was doing this, but as you already point out Douglas - a very real concern that he apparently had NO CLUE that he was not working with a simple line-twist, and that he continued to "work" that as he did, as if it was. He almost CAUSED himself more troubles for sure here, and hope he knows it is time to seriously work on filling his EXPERIENCE BUCKET, as there certainly cannot be much left for him to have to tap into the next time, out of his LUCK BUCKET I'm sure. coitus non circum - Moab Stone

I heard rumor that recently, one of the major networks, was actually calling around looking for candidates to pilot (no pun intended) a new reality show, its very self based around the day-to-day operations of a skydiving center, as well. Could you see that? A cross between OC Choppers and Pawnstars ...As the prop turns! coitus non circum - Moab Stone

Indeed. As I do not see highly likely either. However, a more likely scenario (that is not covered by what you post - and is actually of a much more valid concern) is: - The cutter fires on a PREVIOUS jump (by error or design notwithstanding), but it does not completely cut the loop - instead trapping it, and effectively locking the reserve container shut. - On a SUBSEQUENT jump, the jumper experiences a malfunction, and APPROPRIATELY cuts-away and pulls their reserve handle. - THEY ARE SCREWED We are told to "set & forget" our AAD's at the beginning of each jumping day. The above presumes that of course too, you are not necessarily checking your AAD prior to each and every jump. And in actual practice and reality - how many of us actually are? EDITED TO ADD: That is what makes this just a bit more crucial in some ways (and maybe a part of what is stirring all the excess "emotions"?) than just an otherwise "routine" (for lack of better word - one in any case that DOES completely cut the closing loop in comparison) erroneous misfire. FWIW. coitus non circum - Moab Stone

I own/routinely jump 2 rigs. Rig 1: Velocity Sports Infinity with an Icarus Crossfire Rig 2: Sunpath Javelin with a PISA Heatwave Both are GREAT, and each serves its own very distinct, yet intended for very different uses / roles for when selected. Right equip for the right jump and all that. What do I win? You said there is a comp? - Always in for a comp!! coitus non circum - Moab Stone

Exactly! FFI: See Chambersburg Skydiving Center's Facebook Page HERE coitus non circum - Moab Stone

What would the intended purpose be, of a coach taking, or wanting to (apparently) take harness grips for anyway, in the 1st place? Maybe I am missing here somewhere too - perhaps WHY this question (and purpose of this poll) is being asked? Where is it thought, or being supposed, that harness grips are to be used anywhere, in a (specifically) coaching jump? - Maybe if I/we understood more WHY a coach would think he/she actually WANTS this, or feels they are going to use it (harness grips anywhere) - to apply towards more effectively actually accomplishing a coaching-specific (and ISP progression/proficiency requirement function) skydive - I/we could better address/respond to at least now too, the discussion at hand? coitus non circum - Moab Stone