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A) Doesn't matter if some Dems think it's better because it helps them. If it's fairer it's fairer. Republicans bring this out all the time, like with Puerto Rico for instance. 'Dems only want Puerto Rico to have the vote because it helps them, not because it's the right thing to do'. But it is the right thing to do, and Reps only oppose it because it will hurt them. When right and wrong become a partisan issue, right is still right and wrong is still wrong. The side that is wrong doesn't get to win by pointing out that the side who are right are also in line for a partisan advantage. B ) We've been talking about it here long before the 2016 election, so you are simply wrong to doubt. So you disagree with every Republican argument against the popular vote. You think the popular vote will encourage better turnout, better campaigning and fairer representation... but you are against it because it will be easier for Democrats to win?

I was going to say the exact same thing.

Yoga, martial arts and swimming all help with general physical fitness. As for mental preparation, your instructors will rehearse the dive with you several times on the ground. Then they will encourage you mentally review the dive plan two or three times during the airplane ride. All of these mental rehearsals should visualize the perfect skydive. A few slow, deep breaths - just before the door opens - will help get your head in the game. After landing, walk back, drink some water and mentally-review the dive that you just did before de-briefing with your instructor.

1st jump at 52. Nationals medal at 57 Wingsuit world record at 70 3300 jumps now, at 75. I found that general cardio/vascular fitness was all I ever needed, no special exercises. Good eyesight helps too, not that there's much you can do about it.

Two books should be considered, both by Pat Works. The Art of Freefall Relative Work (I think that is the title), and United We Fall. The books are old, but the knowledge is timeless, and there is a good bit of old-time skydiving culture to get you into the history of stuff you could have been a part of had you started way back then.

Personally, I like yoga for flexibility and some of the strength needs. With practice, most of the strength comes anyway. As a female, who's never had good arm strength (always had good leg strength), I find consistent flaring to be the hardest; dips help with that. I'm 65; flaring hasn't been my strong point since I started jumping squared in the early 1980's, but it hasn't really gotten worse, either. Some of the articles here on dropzone.com might be considered a good introduction, but hanging around and finding someone to talk to on the DZ in their spare time is another really good way; watching them do what they do, and asking them why. Wendy P.

have fun have a great time cycling, swimming and rye whiskey have kept me young. most any stretching regimen may be helpful.

Hey there, Hopefully, he’ll stay put until the beginning of Dec., BUT he is soooo active already I don’t know if he will. Benjamin Alan Joseph after some amazing people. I should get tandem certified for this!!

From my experience flying both NZ Crossfire 2 and Raptor in similar sizes at about 1.6 wl (10ish jumps on both, as neither of them were mine), the only thing that the two canopies have in common is the number of cells. Crossfire has good stable soft openings and very short recovery, while Raptor openings are very random, (both in term of force, heading, and number of line twists that you get), and it is very ground hungry with long recovery arc (similar to a KA).

Doesn't matter either way, I'd still think the popular vote is better. Fine, but if Clinton didn't win the popular vote I doubt we'd even be talking about this right now. If the dems think it's better, it's only because they think it'll be easier to win - it's "fairness" is only a selling point. Given that we're so sharply divided, an initial concern would be the possibility of one side being in bitter submission to the other for decades, maybe even longer. At least now it goes back n' forth. On the other hand, I can see how a popular vote would not only encourage a better turnout, but also encourage candidates to appeal to a broader base. A popular vote would make it worth while to grind out votes in every state if needed, rather than just a few select regions.

Sorry - wasn’t pointing the finger or intimating that you might be a smartass for having an enquiring mind. It was really just meant as my take on advice. Nothing more than that. There are far more experienced people on this forum who can offer you better advice I’m sure. E.g. RiggerRob seems to have covered it perfectly in his reply. Whatever, I wish you well and many years of happy and safe skydiving - all the best

I think the most important thing is to always be consistant within each domain. The system that you learn at school is only important for short distances. Everyone can appreciate 3m or 10 feet, but most people cannot really appreciate what is 300m or 1000 feet. For beginners the distances that we use in parachuting are just numbers so as long as you always use the same units when parachuting it is okay regardless of what you learnt at school. In the UK they have been teaching in meters for 50 years but still jump in feet. So in France you jump at the number 4000, break off and track at the number 1500, stop tracking at about 1200 to 1100 and pull at 1000, if nothing has happened by 600 - panic. The problem only occurs if like me you go and mix the two within the domain of parachuting.

1 - Wendy's suggestion of yoga is a good one. It builds both strength and flexibility. Both are needed. I know guys who claim they get more benefit from yoga than from moderate weight lifting. Also, I would suggest working on your shoulders. Jumping takes its toll on them. From setting up in the door, to exits that go 'kaflooey' to 'combat RW', to rough landings to even packing. All of that can be tough on the shoulders. In the summer, when guys wear tank tops and girls wear sports bras, the number of folks with their shoulders taped up is rather sobering. I've had rotator cuff issues for a long time, and I do basic PT for that. It's made a big difference. 2 - Basic visualization, breathing exercises, that sort of stuff. Although I have to admit that the best 'mental prep' for me is looking out the open door during the climb. I look out and realize that I'll be playing out there in a few minutes. 3 - Brian Germain has a couple books that are well regarded. Transcending Fear is one, but it addresses your 2nd question more than any actual mechanics of jumping. The Parachute and its Pilot is another. One can learn freefall stuff safely and fairly easily (not cheaply) in the tunnel. But there's no substitute for actual canopy flight. A better understanding of that is a good idea. Good luck.

I cycle regularly and do pull ups on a homegym type of thing that fits in the door lintel. Seems to keep me all round fit-ish and don't have a flaring issue. Never did like mixing tunnel with same day jumping as I found tunnel to be uniquely tiring. Did AFF at 59, A licence at 60, am now 69 with +770 jumps. When I did AFF and I was nervous when the door opened, I told myself that I would be on the ground in roughly 5 minutes. Helped to keep me calm - that along with a few Hail Mary's of course.

Hi Jim, A few issues back, the ParaGear catalog had a very nice photo, taken from underneath the jumper. IMO it was very definitive. The jumper in the photo had chest & hip rings. It was very easy to see that a portion of the MLW, from the chest ring(s) to the hip ring(s), was back under his armpits. And, that was where his reserve ripcord was also. I seriously doubt that the jumper in the photo could actually see his reserve ripcord or his cutaway handle. Think about it; at the hip ring the MLW can easily move/rotate, but just above it, the chest strap keeps that portion of the MLW much closer together than a rig without chest rings. Then at the hip ring, once again the MLW easily moves/rotates. This results in a MLW that looks like a Z rather than a straight line. For all of you novice harness designers, let's hear your thoughts. As to why, UPT does not; ask Bill Booth. Jerry Baumchen PS) I also would never put hip rings on a PEP rig.

I had a Lotus Max 136. I was quite happy with the way it flew. For some time I had shitty openings, but I tracked that down to a fully magnetic bag that was a tad too small or whose magnets were not strong enough for that canopy. Once I replaced the bag with a normal bag the openings were fine. It is comparable to a Sabre 2. But honestly I am not sure the airlocks make a big difference. A bit for sure, but if the airlocks are deciding factor between jumping or staying on the ground, then you should stay on the ground regardless of the airlocks.