Auryn

Amen. I never pull below 3000 either. except for that time I lost altitude awareness and pulled at 1300. I swear I didn't mean to do it ! Blue Ones ! Bryan

My experience with this: the normal skydive, normal opening routine.. until the canopy started a mild turn to the right immediately after opening, havent done anything with the brakes yet. my first impression was that a leg strap had slipped (Jonathon 150 @1.3:1) so I leaned left, which did nothing to stop the turn. I popped the toggles and both lines were intact, but the turn was still there. WTF ? I needed about 1/2 brakes on the left to get it to fly straight. canopy looked good. I am really confused. then I saw it. a line (I have no idea which one, even after reviewing video lots of times) was caught on one of my slider stops. I practiced flaring, and it flared. after many altitude checks, 1800 came. time to decide. I kept it. I flew a very conservative pattern (duh) flared and PLFed. In hindsight, there was one potential problem I overlooked at the time. It could have gotten worse low to the ground. If that line popped off, going back to normal, my countering with the opposite toggle would've caused a low turn.. and who knows if I could've caught it in time ?? hindsight is 20/20. this is a grey area question in my opinion like the PC in tow debate and here's why. You've allready had the first thing go wrong, now you're vulnerable to the second thing going wrong, which kills most skydivers. It's a dangerous sport. I did the right thing b/c I lived. if the situation happened again though, I would chop it. picture of it is attached. the quality isn't that great b/c it's a capture and compressed. but you can see the indentation on the side of the canopy caused by the line over the end. Bryan, - 2 line-overs now, no cutaways. D-27808

DZ attitude: First impression.. A handshake, sincere welcome, and a waiver

I see the validity of both sides. AFF backloops are a good idea to demonstrate recovery from an unstable position w/ an AFFI there. However, they are not necessarily vital to survial. I went through a TIAF (Tandem Instructor Assisted Freefall) progression that did not include any backloops or intentional loss of stability manuevers. I learned how to get stable from instability on my first solo. I exited, saw the plane between my feet, knew that wasn't right, freaked, and got stable just like a cat landing on all fours. done. A lot of skydivers went through the same progression I did and I never heard of a problem w/ any of them. Blue Ones Bryan D27808

Had to add to this thread: High: Giving ground school to a student, packing her rig, and talking her down on radio (BEER TIME) and SEEING HER PERFORM FLAWLESSLY ! I was uber nervous, Im still new to this coach thing. I love it. Low: Tonight. Sending someone (a coworker at my restaurant) to jail for throwing a large rock through one of the windows of our restaurant. I still don't know if I did the right thing. Blue Ones Bryan D27808

Amen to that. It sucks, big time. My psychologist says so

I dont think this is the same Rage.. the regular Rage, (which I have jumped, 120) doesn't look like that on the nose.. and they are saying it is the R.A.G.E. and have a description for the acronym.. the Rage that is currently out has the softest openings of any canopy I have jumped, including the spectre. simply amazing. However, I have experienced a pretty noticeable trapdoor w/ it that I really don't like... Blue Ones Bryan D27808

Criteria: Must be intelligent Must have a life. I have one, a very busy one. I have time to date, but I can't spend every waking second with you. If you want a successful partner, you have to deal with this. No Skydivers (This is going to be a break from the trend here) I've dated 2, and both have failed miserably. However, she needs to be able to deal with my jumping. I don't need TWO people in my relationship that have enough issues to cause them to repeeatedly jump out of a plane

That sounds a lot like a dog... ~R+R Now THAT was funny. Really funny. Bryan D 27808

Good Job ! the learning has just begun ! Blue Skies, Be SAFE ! Bryan D 27808

Exactly.. that's why I'm in the class

the class uses a lot of excel, so we take it in a computer lab... which means that when the instructor is droning on about roots and we arent really using the computer for anything, I can post to DZ.com :) I cannot wait for the weekend. finally some good weather in the carolinas ! D 27808

My spring break days are a little off from the normal and I was wondering if there are any boogies during these dates that are going to need an extra packer. I am looking to work an event for the duration of my break.. Blue Ones ! D 27808

I was there at the time and we have taken some pics w/ my camera. I havent been able to hook it up to a pc, but will be able to later tonight and will send pics of the configuration. the rig was an infinity, and when it happened it amazed me. blue ones ! D 27808

yeah.. you'll have to find one used. I was pretty sure they were discontinued. you may have to do some legwork, but Im pretty sure you'll be able to find one used. Blue Ones ! D27808

interesting. My reserve is a Phantom Square 180 DOM 1990 no deployments, stored for 10 years from 1991-2001 when I got it. Never have had any problems with it. I've seen it several times and it is a gorgeous canopy in incredible shape. (not above my head of course.. yet.. knock on wood.) I've heard the rule for the shelf life of a reserve is 20 years. so I am good until 2010, going by that rule. anyone heard anything different ? blue ones ! D27808

you don't need to make one. just look for the "Time out Flashing Edition" used. there are a good amount out there for sale (or last I checked a couple of months ago) and they aren't too expensive either. I had a regular time out, and they are a little bulky, but very reliable. I dont know about the flashing one, but if it was to the same standards it should've been a good product. blue ones D 27808

no.. I wasn't being sarcastic at all.. I think that is an incredible story. I always look at landing off as a chance to do a demo and would love to do one that cool. blue ones ! D 27808

that is awesome.. if only I could find a way to do that !

I compare this to another sport that injury is a normal accepted part of participation.. Pro Football. My mom knew a guy that played for the Miami Dolphins and he told her about how before and during the games guys would be puking, praying struggling to deal with the fear of not performing and the fear of getting hurt. it's very normal. it's part of being human. I think fear and lust are the two emotions that have the strongest physiological responses. Blue Ones ! D27808

this is normal. the sport scares the shit out of me. literally.. every time I get to the DZ i have the "fear shit" then I'm good to go. no lie :) Blue Ones ! D 27808

Favorite shoes ?? none at all. freeflying barefoot is great. during the winter when I have to wear them skateboard shoes.. for the reasons listed before.. decent grip on the grip tape supplied on most A/C doors so I dont slip, and flexible enough for manuevers in freefall and great for sliding out landings. be warned.. jumping barefoot is dangerous... I have torn up my feet twice.. but worth it. maybe Im just too freedom oriented for my own good. Blue Ones D27808

I have two.. One for 6 years, the other for 3ish years. I love them both, and will have another done.. I've allready designed it, just need to save 10 jumps worth of cash for it (yeah right !!) The celtic one is special, the tears in the middle are for everyone I had lost at the time (it was a rough time) I need to add 6 more tear drops as of now and will, to remember everyone I've lost in my life. Blue ones ! PS 10 points to anyone who can guess where the one with the snakes came from. I borrowed it from a movie (with changes of course) D 27808

I ASKED THAT QUESTION !! LOL and now I have 349 jumps ! Blue Ones ! D 27808

the way they design their yoke, I think it will be very comfy.. and from what I understand the chest rings reduce the harness inputs to the canopy. I think I am going to get them, I just dont want to have to wait the extra time for them.. blue ones ! D 27808