nigel99

You can choose not to buy beer, but if you do that you'd better not be drinking other peoples fines... That's just being a twat. If you honestly believe that then you don't understand the point of a beer fine. Alternatively he's saying he likes beer and ignores the rule, buying more cases even if he could get away with less? Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived.

I don't think it is conflict of interest. I believe it is the transition from club to business. Dz is no longer a club where everyone pitches in as members, but we are staff or clients. The problem is that the system still assumes the club mentality is prevalent, when it is not. While not popular the answer is to develop short courses to cover ALL the skills. For example a friend has started a packing course, and it is working well. I'm looking at spotting from the 182 without gps as another skill. Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived.

I think there is a big difference between talent and sportsmanship. I disagree with all the ass whooping statements and general malice shown. I don't know the guy and know nothing about the circumstances that led to this. He is clearly a talented jumper and I really hope that he continues to jump. As an observer the problem is that he showed a lack of sportsmanship and I don't know how and if you earn that trust once it is lost. Maybe it is the end of his record attempts, I don't know and if the facts are as presented I would not blame people for being hesitant to include him. Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived.

I hope he does continue jumping, im visiting San Marcos soon and wanted to jump eith him

I hope he does continue jumping, im visiting San Marcos soon and wanted to jump eith him

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

I would suggest a more leisurely pace if at all possible. I don't think you lose out by doing a course in a week, but you are subject to weather, feeling tired or whatever else gets in the way. Another consideration - South Africa is southern hemisphere - jumping for the next 5-7 months is better down south

I believe it starts early on. Firstly build your skills on 4 ways, keep current and ensure decent skill levels on the jumps you go on. Too many jumps have people without the skill level or currency to do them safely. Don't be afraid to cap yourself off a load where people don't have the skills As you progress towards eight ways and larger ensure that you are surrounded by experienced and safe people, don't throw together a jump with more than 1 or 2 'learners'. Things happen fast and a friend of mine was injured recently on a big way (40+ way), as a result of someone not following the tracking plan ending up with a canopy collision on opening. However if something happens and you do go low, the generally accepted plan for all jumps I've been on is go off to the side and spend all the time till break-off trying to get back up. Then at break-off track as hard as you can for as long as you can. Don't do funky stuff like barrel rolls, back tracking or anything clever. I would add remain altitude aware, a two out situation will ruin your day as well. Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived.

A Bit self-contradictory there plan to pull at your predetermined height. Fixed Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived.

Get video Will do, jumping with JB

Just coming up to 200 jumps since I got back into the sport after a huge (15 year break). Loving it and looking to take our 4 way team to Nationals next year after winning 2 state medals (bronze last year, silver this year). Favourite part is being an RW coach. Booked in for some freefly coaching weekend after next (will be the first time I have tried) Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived.

How does the Raptor compare on price? Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived.

ChrisD, I disagree with your post. I'm not an AFF instructor, but I am a coach and it makes a big difference, being able to see if someone is alert and all 'there'. I strongly discourage the novices that jump with me, from wearing tinted goggles for this reason. Despite this, for someone with a medical condition I think it could and should be accommodated. Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived.

Honestly I'm the same weight as you, and downsized to a 150 at about twice your jump numbers and feel it was a bit too soon. I had almost exactly the same logic as you, and frankly what you gain is simply not worth it. Rather stick to the 168 and put another 100-200 jumps on it. If you can play with other 170's as much as possible as well, I regret not doing that. Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived.

Just received October issue of Parachutist. Interesting that 3 of the fullface helmets have cameras. Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived.

There are now 2 of us on the planet that think full face helmets and camera's don't mix. I don't think you'll have any luck convince anyone else it is stupid. Have you ever seen me running my G3 with a camera? I know you havent. My openface has my camera bracket and even with that I only put the camera on when required or asked. I dont fly with it on my helmet all the time. It's a tool, I use it when the case for it arises. Didn't name you squeak Watch the sundowner videos for a sample on just how common it is at home - in fact save you some time here is a random screen grab. I despise the entire GoPro mounting system. The cameras are great but they do not in any way work well in skydiving from either a safety POV or an aesthetic. Complete agreement. I still disagree with the principle of a camera on a full face, but have you seen Nette's setup? It's a tiny camera on the side. Btw I reckon the market is about ready for a G3 type helmet with an action cam built in - like the audible pockets. Truly snagless. Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived.

There are now 2 of us on the planet that think full face helmets and camera's don't mix. I don't think you'll have any luck convince anyone else it is stupid. Have you ever seen me running my G3 with a camera? I know you havent. My openface has my camera bracket and even with that I only put the camera on when required or asked. I dont fly with it on my helmet all the time. It's a tool, I use it when the case for it arises. Didn't name you squeak Watch the sundowner videos for a sample on just how common it is at home - in fact save you some time here is a random screen grab. Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived.

There are now 2 of us on the planet that think full face helmets and camera's don't mix. I don't think you'll have any luck convince anyone else it is stupid. 3. All those FS flyers these days with go-pro's, we've already seen issues with just the go-pro mount (yes that little flat sticky thingy). Often skydivers seem to feel that fullface + camera is safe... At least the FF crowd usually have open face helmets which makes for an easy cutaway installation. Locally most freefliers are moving across to Cookie G3 with go-pro's on. In fact I would say that our dz, 'safe' camera helmets in the traditional sense are in the minority. I know I am super conservative and have an open face helmet with cutaway for my gopro. Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived.

You know 2 weeks ago we had a talk from a guy with 30 000 jumps about safety and learning. He estimates that with 30 000 jumps he has about 1000 hours under canopy, which as he pointed out the average kid does on a skateboard in a year

Remember when I tried to tell him?! http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=3745669;search_string=side%20strings;#3745669 To be fair to the whiney git, it really wasn't him being a pratt that caused his medical bills. 90% of this thread now believe it is Andy who had the 'graphic base accident' It is really funny how people get judged on their online persona here. Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived.

There are now 2 of us on the planet that think full face helmets and camera's don't mix. I don't think you'll have any luck convince anyone else it is stupid. Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived.

Reading your posts it is clear you would be happier with the 193 reserve. I'd suggest you pursue that, nothing but safe landings from being conservative. Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived.

Interesting problem. BOC is a bitch once the main has left, the instructors must have tricks they can pass on. I learn't static line with a ripcord so it didn't matter if the canopy had deployed. Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived.

Cloud manuals are great. Last week we had cloud at 10k, I was the least experienced person on a 16 way and was going to be quite a late diver. I chose to ride the plane down, even though it changed to 2 separate 8 ways. It was just too much for me and I knew I would prefer the plane ride, to the jump at that point. Dz didn't charge a ticket either, which was unexpected and nice. Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived.

WTF idiot plays with their reserve handle in the door of the aircraft in the second video. Funny part of the second video is guy taping pilot on the shoulder during the spin. What do you reckon he wants to know - 'hey mate can we get out?' or 'hey are you going to take us back up to jump altitude?' Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived.