nigel99

Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived.

That's really awesome of you, and I'm sure your local dealer appreciates you being willing to do that for him. But I'm wondering why you even want to pay at all. I mean, you have 5000 jumps, you must be a really good skydiver. With a little effort, you could get a new canopy for 50% off or maybe even free. Worked for me for both a main and a container, and I'm far from a really good skydiver. Sorry, bytch. I'm way beyond any more futile conversations with anonymous, sarcastic wannabes. Butch up and back your words with identity or don't bother. I just hope you're single. I'd hate to think there's a guy or gal out there putting up with your sh*t on a daily basis. Lisa is anything but an anonymous wannabe. Surely, you've been around dz.com long enough to know that, right? I won't comment on putting up with her shit, tho! Old age does that to people I hadn't realised that she had deleted her details. But as she used to be a mod from memory, and her name and who she worked for are pretty well published and bounced around on the forum over the years. Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived.

Glad you and bike are ok. Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived.

Do the pack jobs from the guy with the waiting list open, while the other guys don't? Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived.

I agree with you. I believe the "D" in its current form is quite redundant. It gives permission to win a gold wings/badge award (big deal), and permission to go for a PRO rating. The PRO rating needs can be satisfied far better if incorporated directly into the PRO rating criteria and tests. The "D" isn't a leadership qualification or a teaching qualification. It really isn't a "license" at all, in the strict meaning of the word. I agree with the general sentiment here. Don't forget TI in your list though. I still think that the D should be reviewed and made more difficult. Something a few people have hinted at is canopy control. Perhaps you should only be allowed to jump an HP canopy with a D license? Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived.

I think you raise a very valid point. I honestly see the "D" as a badge of honour rather than a practical requirement. At the risk of going back over old ground, you shouldn't need a "D" to get awards etc. I don't believe there is much that a fun jumper can't do without a "B" license and the appropriate number of jumps. I don't know why some people with all the skills necessary for a "D" choose not to get it. An AFF-I with 1000+ jumps and holding a "C" certainly has the necessary skills. Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived.

Sux to be invalidated by someone close. I'm gonna guess they have no frame of reference with your chosen activities. You might give them a better perspective by taking them to the DZ or at least meeting a few of your skydiving friends. It took my folks many years to see that skydiving is a valid pursuit. jon My dad is religious. Last time I took them to the dz (18 years ago) there was a blond in a bikini reading penthouse at manifest. That didn't go down very well. Honestly they aren't bad. It is just misplaced concern. I knew they didn't like me jumping as a teenager, but thought they had got used to it. The motorcycle angle really took me back as he rode for many years. Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived.

I enjoy diversity and challenge. At my progression rate I am unlikely to achieve more than a C license. I also enjoy competing. It is useful to really know how good you are. I thought my accuracy was pretty good - till I came last in the competition. When I do get a license I want to know that I earned it, not that it came free in a cornflakes box. Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived.

The conversion is more involved than that. I was looking to get my E license converted to a USPA "D" and it's a bit of a drama. "A" & "B", less of an issue though. Squeak. I can't see how it would be difficult to convert A & B licenses at a DZ. Sure you will need to do the written tests (no bad thing). But if you have other FAI licenses a reasonable instructor should be happy to use the appropriate logged jumps to fill in the A licence progression card and B license requirements. As I had mentioned you may have to do a few jumps to fill in the gaps. However I know that only a couple of months ago you were going through this process. Did you manage to convert to a "D"? Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived.

My limited experience is that most countries want you to have local membership. They usually have temporary memberships available. USPA is much cheaper than the BPA, and your license is valid while you are a member. To get your licenses, you'll first need to sign up to the USPA. To get your licenses converted, there are probably 2 approaches. First ask the USPA to convert them and send evidence of your A and or B license. Secondly go to a USPA DZ with your log book and license. You should be able to quickly and easily satisfy an instructor that you have met the requirements. You may need to do the written tests on the SIM, and also do a couple of jumps to fill any gaps.

I think this approach would be the best. I would say a top license should involve doing and not simply learning though. So where you have water training (already covered by B license) an actual water jump would be more challenging. As far as the discussion on instructor ratings go. In many martial arts to achieve the highest ranks you must teach. I don't see the coach rating as being an unreasonable and useful requirement. Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived.

The night jump requirements have generated debate on 1 specific aspect of the D license. How about we widen the debate and try and lose the semantics of the other thread. What do you believe should be added to the D license to raise the bar? I think that requiring a specialisation, with an appropriate level of achievement would be good. I don't think it is necessary for everyone to have wingsuited, swooped, CRW, RW etc for the license. Also following Australia with an E and F license would be an option. In fact I would like to see the D kept at 500, but add an E at 1000 and an F at 2000+. Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived.

Kallend, What are your views on the D license requirements? It doesn't look like anybody believes in the current requirements. Some would like to see more requirements and others less. As an aside the sunset load is an interesting topic.It seems that training is half the story, having the necessary equipment is the other half. There was the canopy collision fatality (Crosskeys?) a few months ago. http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=4125381;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;;page=unread#unread. This thread covered some discussion on what sunset mean't. Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived.

Wine is fine for him. True story - I used to get really pissed at my parents when I was 18/19 and they accused me of drinking. I did not drink at ALL. Everytime they accused me of being drunk I was stoned. Looking back I can't believe the righteous indignation. Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived.

Yelling at kids is on the list. So is watching cricket. Playing golf might be allowed as well - so long as it is not crazy golf Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived.

It seems odd that a large formation would bust the FAR's. I know that I am excusing 'us' from doing it on 4 ways and the like. I was pretty scared on a 3 way that ended up in thick cloud, I can't imagine how much butt clenching would be involved on an 8way+. Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived.

Hey there are better things that I have grown out of - that they still need to (think Santa Claus for grown ups). Still I was quite surprised as they don't tend to interfere. Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived.

My simple geometry says to go into deep brakes & stay on heading to create the smallest target available. Anyone else??? JerryBaumchen I think there is a slight increased risk of collision if people are circling. However I still believe that may be the best course of action. I guess most jumps through cloud thick enough to cause a problem, had a GPS spot. By circling you should reduce the chance of an off landing. You could of course jump with a GPS on your wrist like the one TI I met. He got fed up with off field landings on work jumps, so got himself the GPS. Problem solved Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived.

Had my parents over this weekend. My dad pulled me aside and told me that as I am in my late thirties it is time to grow up. Things like skydiving and riding motorbikes are not things that grown up's should do Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived.

I have done water training, but not a live water jump. I can tell you that trying to get out of a harness with the chest strap fastened is very difficult. I am a very good swimmer, and I still felt my heart rate rise trying to escape the gear. Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived.

I have 2 or 3 hours in the tunnel. My time in the sport is complicated. I was on the dz every weekend for about 5 years but only jumping once a month. I took a 15 year break and have been back in the sport for a year. When I was saturated in dz life I helped out with students. Non instructional, but driving the arrow for landing, helping kit them up etc. I guess what frustrated me about yesterday was that I didn't realise why she was struggling. Perhaps it is all part of learning. It is something that I know to look for next time. Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived.

I am looking for a bit of guidance and feedback. Yesterday my wife and I did some time in the tunnel, with me showing her some docks and getting practise. We were under the loose supervision of a tunnel instructor, but I was essentially an informal coach. I was flying very relaxed and didn't notice that she was really struggling to stay down with me. She was maxed out. The tunnel instructor gave her some weight but she still struggled. It was only afterwards when we could talk that the tunnel operator pointed out how much she was struggling. As an instructor or coach, how do you ensure the other person is comfortable? They don't have the knowledge to speak out. Also what is the best way to tell that someone is in the middle of their control range? Simply by observing position? Final note. I am not a coach yet as I am waiting for my C license. But I do enjoy jumping with lower time jumpers. So building my awareness and skills is a priority for me. Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived.

First of all I have never had a malfunction requiring a cutaway. I completely understand the logic that you outlined, but I have a question. If you are high and have a low speed malfunction, as others have said there is a benefit to checking. I am pretty sure you agree with that. But in the instance where you are already low and have a partial malfunction. We shouldn't be cutting away below a 1000 foot, just dumping our reserve. If you don't have the experience to 'know' 1000 foot then surely that half a second is worth it? There have been a few fatalities over the years where people chopped too low. Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived.

There is no regulation or weight limit (it is in the article). I do think that it is a genuine safety issue though. The airlines should take a responsible approach, and dedicate a 'fat section'. These seats should be more expensive but not the cost of two seats. They should also provide those clients with appropriate seating. I'm surprised an overweight person hasn't suffered from a blood clot and sued an airline yet. Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived.

Jim, if that is true then for a D, people should have to do a water landing and CRW as well (possibly other stuff). I've been on a load where someone had bought a block of 100 hop and pops specifically to knock out jumps to get his D. He had done a 100 jumps the month before of the same. While I am sure he was gaining experience working towards his D, I don't see that he was experiencing much diversity or challenge. Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived.