nigel99

How are you going to define "elite"? How do you police this? You don't just start "elite" at something, there has to be a progression. That's the whole point of this thread, after all. What's the progression? I don't know how civilian aircraft display teams filter their applicants. But if you look at the Red Arrows and similar US display teams. It is only the cream of the crop that are selected and then undergo intensive training. I just think that to many of us skydivers believe we are good enough when to be blunt we are not and never will be. It is not so much a matter of progression and I think the statistics back this up. It is just that to really swoop, you need to be talented. I don't have the knowledge to propose how the selection is done.

Bill, I don't think you are being entirely honest in your reply. If all our dz's adhered strictly to the rules we would have less jumpable days. That doesn't make it easy. In the what to do in a cloud thread, you mentioned that on a number of occasions on bigways there was a plan in place. If it was that easy to not break the FAR, why make alternative plans? So I think it goes one of two ways. We support the current FAR and then actively support not breaking it. Alternatively we try and get an exemption, and acknowledge that it makes life difficult.

I think the change in culture takes time. Starting at B level seems appropriate. I completely support the fact that the BOD have tried to minimise the chance of pencil whipping or treating the canopy progression as a simple tick box. It reflects the reality in our sport that we don't treat canopies with the respect they deserve. I would like to see swooping reserved as the sport of the elite. Much like aircraft display teams. Too many of us think we are elite sportsmen, the sad fact is we aren't. The USPA leadership are complicit in this. Look at the emphasis on canopy flight at nationals - it is all about swooping. They need to broaden the CP to include and show case sport accuracy, tradtional accuracy and CRW.

love is the best but an altitrack is cool too. Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived.

What is a roomba? Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived.

I don't agree with the mechanics coveralls. You may need to match fallrate and the suit can make a difference. Completely agree with helmets, gloves and goggles. I would leave the alti until you are certain you are going to continue on to your license.

Both of those can be fixed with a new set of risers. Yip I know that.

Wouldn't it be an idea to allow or require AFF-I's to undertake a canopy control course and for them to do the progression card. Once the USPA had proof that the AFF-I had done the appropriate training they could sign off the card for B applicants? What is pretty shocking is that this is an apparent admission/recognition by the USPA that instructors in our sport lack basic canopy control skills. Lets face it the B license is hardly an 'advanced' license (although I am proud of what I have had to do to achieve mine). I'm not saying the USPA are wrong in their assumption - but it does go along way to show why canopy related deaths and injuries are so high. Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived.

that is pretty cool. My wife and kids are 10 000 miles away so not that great. Staying with my folks and completely agree with my daughter that christmas with parents doesn't rate high on the list of fun things. My older brother has severe learning difficulties so santa a huge highlight for him. We got good laugh as he decided to post all the cards my mum had for church friends... No stamps and first names only.

Thanks for the detail. I hear what all of you are saying and to be honest the lack of the window will inspire me to be more paranoid/diligent than normal. However I am not comfortable with this aspect of my gear and in due course will replace it. 2 other aspects I don't like are velcro toggles and not having hard inserts in my risers. It won't stop me jumping my gear though. Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived.

New to me. It took me by surprise that the window was not standard. Popsjumper summed up my concerns pretty well. Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived.

I asked Father Christmas for two blondes, but all I got was an apple and box of chocolates Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived.

That is perhaps a better name for it. Do you guys use pistols to shoot down opposing traffic? In all seriousness though, if the landing areas are split by the runway, I can't see any other way of doing it, but then again, that's also not a normal configuration for a drop zone. The farm has a right hand pattern for the alternative landing area and left for the main. There is also a very clear demarcation between the two areas (road lined by trees). So I think it may be more common than you think. It probably only works where a dz has a 'proper' landing policy and not based on first man down... Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived.

do you actually only go "by the window" ? Throw your PC in the air, pull on the bridle. If the PC flies/pulls, then it should be OK. It it falls/doesn't pull then you need to take action. Of course I check for inflation But the window allows a visual check with the PC stowed completely and the rig completely packed. I am used to checking that as part of my final pin check on rental gear. Yes I am working on going to Empu for next weekend. I used to jump with Colin back in the day when he was in Zim. Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived.

you claim you make good money, no wife, no kids... And I'm pretty sure you don't burn your money on hookers n' blow... so go, travel, enjoy. An internet porn addiction is expensive. Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived.

I am slightly concerned that my new gear doesn't have the traditional 'window' near the closing pin. I have run my fingers all along the bridle in that region and there is definitely nothing there it is not just that the markings have worn off. If there another way that you can be certain the pilot chute is cocked? I can't think of how else you would know on a gear check? By the way it is definitely a kill line pilot chute and the container is a Teardrop SF. Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived.

Sorry I don't understand your post? Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived.

That is quite nice. What canopy were you jumping? Have you bothered to look at things like glide ratio etc? Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived.

My post #36 outlines my reasons for this statement, but I think you're actually implying that the Airbus design could have feedback and coupling (I brought up additional issues besides those two). The Airbus design doesn't lack feedback and coupling just by accident or oversight. My memory is that it lacks those features because there are design/engineering issues that prevent their implementation. I say this not just because Airbus did not do it, but also because Boeing did not to do it on the 777 and 787. During the design of the 777, the flight deck crew operations guys really wanted to have side sticks (for some reasons), and it wasn't the desire to "stick" with tradition that prevented it. I realise that most (all?) design decisions involve trade offs. It is pretty shocking that Airbus decided to not have feedback. Heck even relatively cheap MS Flight sim controllers have feedback. I also really don't like the control averaging that they have. It seems like a recipe for potential disaster.

You should know her and directions. I personally dropped her off in Oz so she didn't get lost. Hell she thought that Japan was in the USA!! Edited to add. Thanks for the reply. I'll see how she takes to the idea that skydiving is money better spent than a hotel bill. I have a superstition that trying to sneak things past my wife is a sure fire way of getting caught.

A couple of questions. What happens about accommodation during the boogie? Is anybody flying into Barcelona on the 28th and leaving on the 1st January and willing to car share or provide a lift? Depending on the answers I may go.

I didn't want to post this in the events section. Is there likely to be jumping over new years weekend at Skydive the Farm? Secondly is any partying planned? If so I am toying with the idea of escaping the UK for the weekend as flights are cheap. Any ideas on how to get out to Rockmart without renting a car? Lastly this is just exploratory. The wife doesn't know my thoughts yet. But hell she is 10 000 miles away for new years so another 3000 won't make any difference. Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived.

The USPA has rules on currency. I don't remember if it is 30 or 60 days with an A license. But you will want to try and jump at least once a month. I think as a nomad with low jump numbers dz's would treat you with caution. So you may find that the currency requirements are strictly encforced. Where are you going to the US from? You can BBQ at the farm. People tend to go out quite alot as a group on the weekends when more is happening. I used a disposable BBQ. Edit to add. Get a copy of the SIM from chutingstar as soon as you arrive. It will allow you to study and make notes each day. You can dowload it free but a printed copy if best. Work with Andy on planning out your A requirements as soon as you finish AFF. Learning to skydive without a SIM is like going to biblestudy without a bible Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived.

No way am I publishing a friends name on a website But since you have a hard time believing here is one of her modelling shots. Last night we went out to dinner again and she was joking about how at a software engineering forum for women everyone was in comfy shoes, black trousers and baggy tops. I do think you take it to far though - personal opinion of course. Edited to add. I think you will find that most young men chase women around like lost puppies. Have you ever heard the saying "young, dumb and full of cum"? Not restricted to engineers I am sure.

Shah, Honestly if you aren't doing this to troll and really think like this you need to get professional help. I feel really sorry for you and hope that you can find some peace in your life. I believe most cases of anger are a screwed up version of actually being quite scared and insecure, it makes a good cover. You come across as a lonely and desperate individual. The sad thing is that by and large the skydiving community is quite small. You are alienating a huge segment with this approach to life. I'd rather you had friends and not enemies Peace...