Throttlebender

Jumping last would have been odd I think. I was first out on mine and I think that helped me get going because everyone was waiting for me to get out of their way Life expands or contracts in proportion to one's courage. ~Anais Nin

thanks guys Life expands or contracts in proportion to one's courage. ~Anais Nin

Not certain. Anything "quick" yet economical. I am interested in have a rig shipped to me for sizing and rigger inspection. Just don't know about cost. Life expands or contracts in proportion to one's courage. ~Anais Nin

What's an average cost to ship rig for inspection and possible purchase? Let's say within a 1000 miles. Life expands or contracts in proportion to one's courage. ~Anais Nin

Excellent

Thanks Melissa. How's your progression coming? Life expands or contracts in proportion to one's courage. ~Anais Nin

Well, I did my first solo yesterday. Sat at the door, opened it, spotted for the load, etc. All of that went smoothly.....then I exited King Air was trucking along pretty well and I was carrying some tension, so I did 2 1/2 backflips followed by 1/2 barrel roll to get belly down. I didn't mind it at all....fun actually but not what I meant to do so that's no good. Then I started potato chipping for the first time. THAT annoyed me, but I relaxed and was smooth by 11,000. Then I just practiced some turns and did a 6-8 sec track on heading which felt great! All in all it was fine but i definitely did some odd things on that jump. Better luck today Life expands or contracts in proportion to one's courage. ~Anais Nin

Good discussion guys. Thanks for your views. Life expands or contracts in proportion to one's courage. ~Anais Nin

I absolutely agree with relying on one's training and EPs, but when you say line twists are just an inconvenience of spinning at reserve deployment, I can't agree. I've been watching lots of video on malfunctions and the single biggest on I see is severe line twist at deployment followed by a downplaning spin and a cutaway. Far more than an inconvenience I'd say, and you still have one more chance at that point. Now deploy your reserve and have a repeat of this......dead. I know I'm too new to know my ass from a whole in the ground, but if a skyhook can level that playing field and assure me of a twist-free reserve deployment, then that's an EASY choice to make. In how many instances have reserves severely twisted because of unstable body position at deployment with or without a standard RSL? I've never seen any stats on this one. Is my logic off here? Life expands or contracts in proportion to one's courage. ~Anais Nin

I didn't already know that for sure....that's why I went to the source. Now I DO know. And yes, he did mention the older vs newer containers and the retrofit. You make good points and it's food for thought. I just really like the extra safety of the skyhook especially since I'm still so green. Thanks for the opinion though. Life expands or contracts in proportion to one's courage. ~Anais Nin

It's just a safety option that I want on my equipment. And I did get a reply to my email: Vectors, Javelins, and Icons will take a skyhook. Now I know Life expands or contracts in proportion to one's courage. ~Anais Nin

Well, I've just sent off an email to Bill Booth. I'm hoping to get a definitive answer from the source. I'll let you know what he says, if he replies. Life expands or contracts in proportion to one's courage. ~Anais Nin

Ok guys, I'm actually just as uncertain as when I posted Life expands or contracts in proportion to one's courage. ~Anais Nin

So I'm starting the preliminary research for a first rig, and I only have two real "must haves." I want freefly friendly so I'm not limited on possibilities, and I want a skyhook. my understanding is that Vectors and Javelins are the only containers that will tkae a skyhook. Is this true? Life expands or contracts in proportion to one's courage. ~Anais Nin

Exactly how I felt with my students. Most of what we do in life is a confidence game....built on a solid foundation. Life expands or contracts in proportion to one's courage. ~Anais Nin

Thanks Jess and Eric. I'll probably take you up on it. I think I'll just do a simple joy jump for my first solo with a few turns thrown in for fun. I think it will definitely be nice just to relax and take it all in with out any objectives. I mean it's funny how pre-occupied we get training and for good reason. But it didn't even occur to me I was actually alone for the first time during my H&Ps. They were over so quickly though, but solo free fall......Nice Life expands or contracts in proportion to one's courage. ~Anais Nin

Thanks everyone

I got in 3 jumps today, and have been cleared for solo and coach jumps. It feels good

You're right, it's possible the OP was talking about another DZ. SWC is the closest to Start though so I don't think it was much of a stretch. Just stating my opinion and the reasons for the choice I made. And so far, it's been a good one for me YMMV Life expands or contracts in proportion to one's courage. ~Anais Nin

When doing my research on which one I wanted to go to, I think I remember finding out that $1800 was Lebanon's tandem progression price and that their strictly AFF price was $2200, and Startskydiving has the $2500 package. I finally decided I was ok paying a few hundred more based on nice equipment and aircraft that would get me up faster, higher, and more often. This was just my thinking though. I hope it helps:) Life expands or contracts in proportion to one's courage. ~Anais Nin

Managing, My fiance and I both just started our AFF program at Middletown. And if you put @500 up for the A License package, you don't have tpo do those first 8 jumps in 4 days if you don't want to. It';s just an option they provide. The only thing we were told is that we have to make at least one of those 8 progressive jumps every 30 days. You WILL want to jump more than that so it's not really an issue. On another note, I have'nt been over to Lebanon, but I can tell you a few differences that might influence you. Every piece of jump gear at Start is top of the line and on the newer side. All student rigs have Skyhooks and AADs. They operate a King Air, 2 Caravans, and a Cessna 206 for Hop & Pops(low jumps). They have gotten us up often and 12,500+. Any DZ operating a Cessna 182 probably won't be doing much above 10,500. The facilities are great, the community is fun, and I trust ALL of the instructors. I'm a pilot myself and am pretty safety oriented, and I can honestly say that I've been impressed. I'm not trying to take away from Lebanon, but I am saying that Startskydiving in Middletown is pretty damn sweet. Life expands or contracts in proportion to one's courage. ~Anais Nin

Why would there be a need to? Life expands or contracts in proportion to one's courage. ~Anais Nin

Good point Mike Life expands or contracts in proportion to one's courage. ~Anais Nin

Good point about the books Tia. I can go either way with that personally. If I like it enough after an initial read, I'll go buy my own copy for a reference. The honor system would be very important yes. However, anyone receiving anything being circulated would be adding their name to a list for that particular item for all to see. When it is shipped out to the next person on the list, the previous person simply posts that shipping date and the person's name receiving it on the list. And so on and so forth. That way there is a running list of received and shipped dates associated with everyone on the list. It would be VERY simple. AND if someone gets a bit forgetful or lazy or as you say, really likes the item, then the person waiting their turn will certainly post a reminder:) If a person actually keeps it, well then they are very bold because everyone will know who broke the chain. Life expands or contracts in proportion to one's courage. ~Anais Nin

It's interesting to me that as a pilot, I can log all of my own time myself on the honor system, yet skydivers have to be signed off. Strange. Life expands or contracts in proportion to one's courage. ~Anais Nin