Scrumpot

At one of the DZ's I regularly instruct - all the student/rental gear has either "standard" PD's or Silhouttes. Whenever I am afforded a choice between comparable sizes, and can select either-or, I will almost always by preference - (for the students I actually like that is - - - - J/K) opt for the Silhouette. Just another anecdotal voice of feedback for you is all. As others have already stated, just in of itself - The Silhouette is a fine 1st canopy selection, keeping in mind of course as always, appropriately matched wingloading considerations to your experience level (which it seems like you have). Blue Skies, -Grant coitus non circum - Moab Stone

I am shocked herein to learn that there is (apparently) no established drop-testing STANDARD. Am I alone now in being dismayed, if not maybe even maddened somewhat, that mfr's can CIRCUMVENT the 300' "rule" with such "trickery"? I personally find that actually, the more I am now typing and thinking of it, actually - REPREHENSIBLE. I mean really, ...using the "throw" (and doing this seemingly INTENTIONALLY) of the airplane to SKEW (or at the very least obfuscate) the results so as only to say "they complied" - when "they" know very clearly and well, how it is otherwise considered by the jumpers who may RELY upon that equipment (and the "300 ft covenant") - on at least some level here now, just doesn't seem to set right with me. Am I alone in my thinking/now reaction to this? If you are going to have testing, and performance covenants, and then testing so as to certify pieces of equipment to those specific certain performance covenants - one would have already assumed that at the very least, also TESTING STANDARDS would have been (and quite clearly) established too! Wow Bill... you have now floored me, if this is so - and that mfr's are actually able to 'get away with this' ...and skew/obfuscate their "testing results", with this little tidbit. coitus non circum - Moab Stone

coitus non circum - Moab Stone

And don't forget to ask everyone participating too... what they've all SELF-DETERMINED, set each of their individual AAD's to fire at AGL now too! coitus non circum - Moab Stone

It is reported this jumper was jumping a Javelin J6. According to SunPath's (the mfr of the Javelin H/C system): Reserve sizing for a J6 shoud be 235sq ft, with microline. *(I do not know, whether the PD Optimum ships new with either microline or dacron, which is the only reason for my highlight. So maybe someone who better knows, can actually further answer that). It is also reported that his reserve was a PD Optimum - 253sq ft. appearing +18 sq ft, on the surface of it, above the recommended size (limit?). However, according to PD's website: What does "far smaller" actually equate to? Personally (again) I do not know. Is this/was this a factor? Once more - (obviously) I do not know. I thought that some pretty good guidance was provided actually on this, recently by USPA wherein a specially-released Skydiver Advisory, that can be found here, instructs (in part): Is this not happening? ...Is not anyone paying attention? You'll have to answer that one, strictly for yourself. As for the masses, one last time - I personally just don't know. Hope though that at least some of the above, is for some - providing even if not any "answers", then at least maybe a little guidance. Blue Skies, -Grant coitus non circum - Moab Stone

If you are saying his actions were criminal, then how does filing for bankruptcy, suddenly in of itself absolve that? It does not. Civil debt collection laws, vis-a-vis "automatic stays" imposed upon those looking to collect, are an entirely SEPARATE matter from anything criminal, and a civil bankruptcy filing will do nothing to dismiss or absolve a (legitimate - just taking your statement on face value, if it is) criminal charge. I am not taking any position at all, or opining as to whether (or not) his actions have risen to the level of criminal liability. Only replying to your statement that "it's criminal unless he's filed for bankruptcy, and then it's civil." The one has absolutely nothing to do at all with the other, and clearly - has absolutely no either bearing, or affect on the other either. Filing for Civil Bankruptcy will not absolve one, of one's criminal liability ...if indeed a criminal liability does exist. FWIW. coitus non circum - Moab Stone

I had personally, been long in the camp of: "If I know I've extracted/pulled/thrown anything (i.e. not a "total") - then I am cutting first." However, I am now seriously re-considering this, after having recently viewed a 1st-person, POV video by Mike McGowan - of what actually happened to him, when he himself indeed did do this (pitched into a PC-in-tow; cut-away & deployed reserve). Video can be seen, here: http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1312283403059 coitus non circum - Moab Stone

Check with VPJR - His (or the Cal City) 206 had a roll-up canvas door, IIRC. coitus non circum - Moab Stone

Solves the verbalizing consideration, for sure, while it is up - pre-exit. But doesn't look like it does anything at all for the student(s) to see my smiling (or not) face, while in FF. coitus non circum - Moab Stone

Can someone possibly post a picture (or pictures) with a Phantom-X actually ON? Faceshield up, and faceshield closed? One of the advantages that has had me considering the G2, is the ability to have your mouth unobstructed when flipped up (communications to the pilot when spotting, to students setting up in door, etc.) - and still visible when closed (let the students see your smile!

No tabs. The toggle has a snap on it, that snaps down to the riser. You can fab your own keepers to these, simple enough though. If no one else provides a pic/answer - sometime between tonight and tomorrow I plan on breaking out my rigs for their spring awakening from hibernation, and I have identical risers on one of them I will get a picture and instructions posted-up on for you then. coitus non circum - Moab Stone

I've got uglier toes than that, while in their (supposedly) "healthy" condition! coitus non circum - Moab Stone

As you become experienced (and licensed) to decide for yourself - yes. coitus non circum - Moab Stone

Bad idea AS A STUDENT, and while you are under an instructors supervision - also not your decision to make. Your instructor will INSTRUCT you, as to what is acceptable - given your DZ's lay-out, location and several (whatever) factors are applicable to the (and your) appropriate applicable instruction and safety considerations, as at this juncture in your skydiving "career" you are yourself, not yet capable of fully discerning - and therefore, for yourself - deciding. If you do not have appropriate footwear (which I as an instructor at least at the DZ's I instruct at, would NOT allow you to wear these on your AFF jumps) - when you arrive at the DZ - we actually have and "stock" suitable "loaner" footwear we will fit you in. If the above is not the case at a DZ where I am instructing, and you show up in these, and we cannot find suitable alternate footwear for you at all - I'm sorry, but your then just not jumping that day. Again - it is at your juncture YOUR INSTRUCTORS DISCRETION and HIS/HER call entirely. On student status (at least anywhere I have ever instructed before) - WE will decide for you, what is suitable footwear, versus what is not. Once you are off student status ...have at it. Jump whatever you want. However, until then... Blue Skies, -Grant coitus non circum - Moab Stone

Also because if the RSL is on the same side of many camera set ups (or even if the camera is top-of-head), the RSL itself can (and has in the past proven to) be itself, a potential snag hazard. - FWIW. coitus non circum - Moab Stone

See, here's the thing... your agent should not even worry about how to "classify" things! ...All he/she needs to do is take a look at the policy (policies) he/she is writing for, and be able to tell you either YES, they do have a specific skydiving (or action-sports, or what-have-you) exclusion within them, or NO they do not. Period. ...All the rest in between is just plain BS, and P's me off that there are agents out there who don't or won't even want to do even just the most minimal of legwork for what they earn - to find out! LOL - yeah, well - with at least that one, it sounds like you got to the risk underwriter's level (although again - entirely not necessary ...see my 1st para above) - and what they really were trying to discern was, are you just a "casual participant" (like plan on doing just a few tandems for fun) - or a repetitive active participant (where they then feel your risk profile needs to be further "rated"). I used to know a few underwriters who actually were skydivers, and they knew the difference - which was a beautiful thing ...until only then, the "big brother" establishment imposes back down on them, their ignorance of the actual (versus their otherwise just completely whuffo - and sometimes even "funny" perceived) risks. Good luck in your search! ..Please share with us what you find. The Mutual of Omaha thing is good information (I wasn't previously aware of) as well. coitus non circum - Moab Stone

My vote would have been neither - and that instead, more often than not, they back-slide! I think turns to the left are probably more prevalent only because that is their altimeter hand side, and on those 1st release jumps, more than not will tend to cheat/look left as a result. As a rule - you go where you look, especially if you are in any way tense & not already fully acclimated/relaxed in your body position (and how many on just possibly even their only 4th jump truly are?) yet - and thus the most likely/prevalent turn therefore... to the left. If you get a student who wants instead to focus on you, and where you are, and what you're doing - then most likely you will rather see them turning towards the right (towards you). I see what seems to be just as many that stay nice, stable right in place too, and those that then, well... That is my experience anyway. It's truly a mixed-bag, and that's what makes it FUN FOR US, no? Now, if you are saying you are seeing this, like very nearly EVERY time... are you concerned it may be something somehow involving your release procedure? I would think more likely, simply reinforcing to them, that they should: 1. RELAX and 2. Pick their heading out on the horizon, in front of them. So long as you are not forgetting #2 (the more likely reason for them to start their turn in either direction, if you observed and 'trimmed them up" pre-release their body position was reasonably good) - I don't think you should experience anything otherwise so overly-weighted necessarily one way or the other. As always though - just always be ready/prepared for ANYTHING, and always ...expect..... the UN-expected! coitus non circum - Moab Stone

Check with the Principal Financial Group (www.principal.com) - Principal Mutual Life. I used to work for them, and they had "open group" policies available in both the term life, and AD&D categories, that did not have skydiving-specific exclusionary clauses within them. What do you do for work? The trick is, to get yourself categorized and rated within a group (I was in a bankers group) - so the risk rating #'s are diminished/abated amongst the entire group population. If you are in a low-risk avocation group, and you can find an agent willing to DO HIS JOB to work for you, and find such available open policy (group) applicable to you, then the most typical "high-risk exclusionary" paragraphs that are so typically broiler-plated now adays, are less likely to appear. Of course you can also advance-specify an "adventurers"/adventure/active-sports policy from the get-go, and have the exclusions written out/removed. But as I'm sure you can imagine, the insurance companies will also clearly have you "pony-up" handily, for one of those - if they even write them at all, that is. P.S. - It also helps immensely, if you are fit, a non-smoker, can verify/validate a HEALTHY lifestyle (which participating in activity sports does NOT just necessarily negate) too. FWIW. Hope this helps! Good luck, -Grant coitus non circum - Moab Stone

No belittling, nor "roasting" either meant, directed at you, or intended in any way. If my post came across in any way as such, I do so - sincerely apologize. Was merely trying to provide just another relevant, comparison perspective, which seemed germane (and easy enough to simply pick out of your post is all) - where you presented it, just to help make you think/consider, is all. I hope your ankle feels good enough to actually get back out there and in the air for you by this weekend - but even if it is not all the way back up to 100%, maybe you can go out, hang out - take part in the DZ activity/atmosphere etc. - or, do the tunnel, where it seems also you have that available to you as well anyway? No better camaraderie than in-person/the real thing in that regard too!

What? ...A 30-to-1 (or even 3-to-1 with LESS than 300 jumps - or SOONER) dropzone.com posting-to-actual jumps experience ratio, and those types posting authoritatively? No way! You've got to be kidding!! coitus non circum - Moab Stone

Why would you need to actually go to the doctor to get it looked at? Just go to some medical discussion forums and post what happened. I'm sure you'll get a ton of GREAT diagnosis'! You'll be fixed right up that way, in no time!! Obviously, I am J/K!!! Also, really really trying not to sound mean or condescending about that - just to provide another "illustration", to maybe help you think about this just a bit is all. Think about it this way... You can probably get some great tips even, from sites like webMD just for example. Alternative methods of rehab, paths to healing, what to-do, what not to-do etc. ...ONCE YOU HAVE A DIAGNOSIS. However, prescribing treatment without a diagnosis (i.e. without at least SEEING YOU), is the very definition of MALPRACTICE! Think about that. coitus non circum - Moab Stone

It sounds like you've got very attentive, thorough and (extremely) accommodating instructors, from everything I have read "piggie" (sorry, could not resist ) so far in your posting history here. Yes? - No? Not to sound disparaging about it, but I'm a bit concerned and confused therefore, that already knowing (and I think you would too anyway - correct me if I am wrong) acknowledging this - you keep coming onto here, and seeking "advice" from peeps who: 1. Clearly don't know you. 2. Have not seen you, all the accommodations you might need. and... probably most importantly... 3. Have not seen you in the air, any of your actual performance, or this actual landing to (be able to responsibly anyway) comment on. Maybe you flared so friggen high, that the PLF you did was actually excellent, and as a result - it truly saved your bacon! ...I/we dunno!! A (relatively) minor injury to your ankle may even be in of itself a true miracle!! Here is my point - - seeking (and then worse - taking) advice over the internet on such is really not (in general) a very good idea. I could (as others, even very well meaning) give you all kinds of detailed advice and "instruction" on how to react to a high flare - and be fully applicable to correcting your flight (and landing) path for that high-flare - applicable to what I THINK you may have done (and how high) - and... ...I could be TOTALLY WRONG! And because I simply just "misinterpreted" just a bit (easy enough to do over the internet, wouldn't you concede/agree?) - I could even give you advice, or put thoughts in your head as a result, that could even be downright DANGEROUS! Please do not take advice to this from strangers over the internet. No matter how well meaning (by/from either side of the equation). Advising you any differently I'm afraid too - would be doing you (even if unintentional) a DISSERVICE! General discussion items, and insights into things are all well & good, and seeking community support etc. (which we all also are happy to give!) - fine ...but when it comes to specific performance advice during/through your student progression - Please REFER TO YOUR INSTRUCTORS. Hope this helps, and best wishes on your continued progression! I've been inspired personally, so far in following/reading about it, and admire your tenacity. Sounds like you've got some great instructors too there, actively and attentively working with you. I'm sure they will be able to work you through the transient bumps & bruises & steer you (literally & figuratively ) in the right direction - just so long as you don't also get yourself too confused by VARYING (and maybe even completely inapplicable - no matter how well meaning) "advice" you might receive by those who have not seen you, don't know you, and well... may even just plain DON'T KNOW (yet are willing to "spout") over the internet. coitus non circum - Moab Stone

I have used a VOX set-up as you example, in the past. Not for AFF though. I can say it was just plain WEIRD (even though it did function great), and indeed for some reason, just processing the "extra" sense of hearing during those jumps actually did seem distracting, and took a good nearly dozen jumps to get used to, to the point that it was not a "distraction". Just my own anecdotal experience / input. But based upon it, I would think anyway - for students, would probably rather be counter-productive. I dunno though, that may just be because I had already become so accustomed to jumping without auditory/verbal input/exchange taking place - that in of itself influenced my perception/experience? Maybe for a student who otherwise would not have all the pre-conceived expectations it might work? I dunno, but then again - "experimenting" with students to find out, i don't think would be at least up my alley, personally - either. You-all do it, then let me know how it all works out. coitus non circum - Moab Stone

I'm currently jumping a Crossfire (original, not XF-2) that had less than 50 jumps on it when I bought it, but is/was almost 8 yrs old when I got it. Was stored sealed in one of those Tupperware-like tubs/bins, literally in the back of the original owners closet (retired from jumping) all that time. I've since now (2 seasons) put just over 500 jumps on it, and it still does not even need its 1st replacement lineset yet. For all intents and purposes, it was just like getting a BRAND NEW canopy! Just like vintage car "barn finds", this closet find was indeed rare - but as someone else already pointed out, if it was stored correctly - should be just fine. coitus non circum - Moab Stone

Yeah Douglas - but you gotta admit that those peeps looked REALLY COOL, and without the camera there, there's absolutely no way they would have been anywhere even near as COOL. Period. It needs to therefore be argued FOR in absolutely every instance, and every opportunity possible - and for any sport / high-risk activity. I mean... why even bother doing the activity at all in the 1st place, if you can't capture it on your really cool (and totally safe - stop saying it's not! ) small-format camera. You just don't get it, and are trying to hold the newest, most totally cool generation back is all. Cut it out. [/sarcasm mode] Carry on. coitus non circum - Moab Stone