chuckakers

Nah, just f'ing stupid. Don't insult retarded people like that. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Speak for yourself, Skippy. "Most" of us have accepted no such thing. When you say "socially acceptable" what you actually mean is "politically correct", which is p*ssy for "don't say anything that could offend anyone". re·tard·ed, adjective 1. less advanced in mental, physical, or social development than is usual for one's age. What the hell is so "socially unacceptable" about that? Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

There are systems available that are much cheaper and smaller than the one you linked to. They can work with a smart phone app using a google map and use a prepaid phone card to make contact. It just hasn't been adapted for skydiving. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Never met Dennis but always heard great things about him. Condolences to Phil and family. Blue Skies... Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Good question...for John leBlanc. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Nuisances? Idiocy, more like it. Did you mean "nuances"? Never mind, "nuisances" works perfectly well too! Oops, yes I did. And yes, it does. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

That strategy has been suggested before. Creative legalize aside, we were talking about the nuisances of the FAR's, not how to dodge them. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

There's no requirement for any DZ in the US - temporary or otherwise - to be part of USPA. Years ago there were some guys that ran an operation they called "Tandems to You". They would arrange to run a tandem DZ from small airports in little towns for a weekend and then run ads in local newspapers and radio stations to fill up the slots. They flew a 206 from town to town and the crew drove a large RV that doubled as the manifest office, living area, and sleeping quarters. They found that airport access wasn't really an issue because airport managers liked the added fuel sales, attention it got the airport, and also that the DZ was a one-time novelty rather than a permanent hassle. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

We got both of our kids started at 16 and they did just fine. It was Mom & Dad that had the maturity issues. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Crusty ol' Texas guy here. Skydance is a good choice. Feel comfortable there. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Truman Sparks would jump a rig like that!

I take it you've never jumped at burning man?

I have trouble believing someone would jump a rig so dirty that dust flies off of it when a pin cover is opened. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

I wasn't really interested until I got to the part about this thing being a "fast and maneuverable rig". I just love a fast and maneuverable rig. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

And what *fits*, right? yep. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

The fact that you're thinking about gear is good, but don't over-think it. There is an abundance of good, used gear on the market and your height/weight put you smack in the middle of the bell curve of body types so finding the right stuff shouldn't be hard. The opinions you get here are valuable, but for specifics I suggest you start at your DZ when you get into your training. You didn't mention where you plan to train, but most DZ's offer gear sales of some type and the DZO, manager, or DZ gear dealer can point you in the right direction. No two jumpers need the same gear. The right equipment for you after graduating will depend on factors like your abilities in canopy control, what disciplines you plan to participate in, and how much you can spend. Your local DZ leadership will know best how to help you make good decisions. Good luck buddy, and welcome to the obsession. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Break-off. If you screw that one up you've started the chain and that's what audibles are intended to avoid. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

I set mine for the break off altitude, and second and third at 1,000 foot increments from there. Some people set a 3-alarm audible for break off and then the second and third at the same altitudes for all jumps - like 2,500 and 1,800 feet - as checkpoints for hard decks canopy-related issues. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Obviously not much, but noobs jump at drop zones and drop zones have instructors & DZO's for them to lean on for guidance. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

What I didn't ask well is why don't we place more emphasis on fit? I see it here over and over again when someone asks about buying used gear. Almost everyone recommends using an escrow to check over the gear and make sure it's in the advertised condition... I rarely (if ever) see anyone talking seriously about making sure it actually fits properly in the process. I'm not saying that I think that recommending new gear to beginners is the best option, but I did hope to see some conversation. Maybe the best answer for beginners is buy local used gear under the supervision of a rigger. Or start making sure that proper fit gets more attention when beginners ask here about buying stuff online. Fit can be modified after purchase for not that much money. Most sellers state the type of rig, model, size, and their body size and weight which can give the ballpark estimate for the purchaser. Most container manufacturers have size ranges for their containers, not completely custom, so you need to be in the range of the fit, not a perfect fit. And honestly, after student gear, almost any rig fits better! top Top makes a good point. The vast majority of the time a simple height, weight, body style comparison to the current user can let you know if a rig is even close in fit. If it is but still needs modified, it isn't too pricy to have most mods performed. I have known several jumpers that really liked a rig or the deal they could get and decided it was worth a few hundred bucks to have it re-sized. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Not sure where you jump, but everywhere I've jumped over the years fit is the first thing we check. Ever watch someone look at a used rig for the first time? What's the first thing they do? Yep, try it on. Too big or long, too short or small and it usually ends the sale right then and there. Maybe the reason you don't hear much conversation about proper fit is because that's a given. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

New or used, a good fit should be an obvious prerequisite in buying gear. I personally know a talented and competent jumper who almost burned in when she couldn't find her reserve ripcord after a chop on a rig that fit sloppy loose. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

I questioned that as well. I have several of my chops on video (no RSL) and averaged about 1 second to roll over and punch my reserve after whacking spinning mals. As for the time between the decision to chop and actually doing it, I'm not sure how they arrived at any particular number beyond what jumpers might have told the author. Other than a noob, if a jumper without an RSL takes 6 to 8 seconds to regain stability after cutting away he/she should rethink their hobby of choice. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Incorrect. The reason the RSL is detachable is so a post-landing cutaway can be performed if necessary without deploying the reserve, or for when an RSL-equipped rig is used for disciplines like camera work or CReW when an RSL is not recommended. Where do you people get this stuff???? Our two statements are not incompatible. My bad. I thought you were agreeing with and providing further explanation for disconnecting the RSL during a mal. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Correct. Because if the RSL was perfect for every emergency scenario, then there wouldn't be the need to even have the shackle in the first place, and located where we can reach it. They could just design rigs with the RSL permanently affixed in an out of the way location where it wasn't exposed. But the very fact that we do have an accessible and disconnectable RSL, is recognition of the fact by gear manufacturers that sometimes you might NOT want to use it. And thuse we have have the design that we do, and the option to choose whether or not to leave it engaged. Incorrect. The reason the RSL is detachable is so a post-landing cutaway can be performed if necessary without deploying the reserve, or for when an RSL-equipped rig is used for disciplines like camera work or CReW when an RSL is not recommended. Where do you people get this stuff???? It sure would be tough to pack a reserve if you couldn’t disconnect the main from the harness. Sparky You can disconnect the main & RSL without using the shackle. Just pull the reserve ripcord first. Remember the Stevens Lanyard? Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX