skydivecat

I have about 300 jumps, load at about 1.1, and my home DZ has a HUGE landing area. At home, if it is out of any direction but the East and steady, I am comfy up to about 20-22mph. If it is gusting at all I don't like to jump. If the tandems are struggling/coming STRAIGHT down, I don't jump. If the TI's/Vidiots look at me and shake their head, I don't jump. If people I look up to and have a lot more experience than me aren't jumping, I wander over and ask why, and then don't jump. I am a self proclaimed wind wuss though and I am 100% ok with that. I'm comfortable with higher uppers, but the ground winds are what I am really a stickler for. I'd rather miss out on an iffy day of jumping where I would 'most likely be fine' then have it cost me in the long run. But that is just me...

as Vader pointed out, the latest boobies submissions did not receive much appreciation around here...

This opens up a whole can of worms for unseen complications. For example, a jumper who lives in one state, but travels to and jumps at a DZ in another state as their home DZ. Now its a numbers game as to who is from where therefore they should be on the record as opposed to it being about putting together a team of people who can safely work together to achieve something.

The $1000 debt would probably be the cost of covering everyone's slot who was on the jump. Just a guess, wasn't there, don't know anything about the incident personally, but seems fair to me.

Landing, hands down. Took a Brian Germain Canopy course and close to 100 jumps to fix that. The entire DZ used to stop what they were doing and turn to watch as I came in on final. Earned the nickname Pigpen (from peanuts comic strip) due to the atomic cloud of dust and dirt I used to kick up every time I crashed in. I def would have been picked first had we ever put together a football team, I could take a hit! I should have had someone video all my landings last year and put it to the song "I Get Knocked Down", would have won the EOY video contest hands down...

I don't know if I ever met a happier person. I don't have a single memory of Ken NOT smiling. He loved this sport and was a joy to be around, on and off the DZ. I didn't know Ken nearly as well as many, but still considered myself lucky to call him a friend. I cannot imagine the next time I am at MWFF that he won't be there, jumping on every load. My heart goes out to all his family and friends for this loss. The world is a darker place without his light in it. I cannot imagine the grief you all must be feeling at this devastating loss.

who doesn't love jameson???

No Vader... you disappeared wearing a Canadian towel and ended up in some one else's tent since you had used yours as your toga. Ah, fun times. Note to all, NEVER drink Tequila with Vader. He says he is buying a shot and next thing you know you are helping to finish the bottle

better? I re-attached it. it is working on my end...

It is your lucky day boys! Another one of the beautiful ladies out there has provided you with a submission!

Bump! Happy Cleavage. Been awhile since the glory thread had any entries boys...

Number 4 by far my Fav. I don't care if it is real or not, that is funny!

W-withdrawn they had to pull before the end of the competition.

A shit storm

Come say HI at inside Manifest

I had this EXACT thing happen this weekend (250 jumps) and I almost chopped it. I wasn't 100% sure what was happening as my toggles both popped, but my left side had a lot of tension (hence why they prolly call it a tension knot...) on it and I couldn't get that side to feel released. I only load at 1.1 so that put me in a bit of a slow spin, but nothing crazy. I managed to clear it accidently by pulling down as hard as possible on my left toggle. I was nearing my decision altitude (it was my left side so I could see my altimeter the entire time I was messing with it which was nice) so I yanked down as hard as I could, nothing was changing, so I released my toggles and went for my handles when all of a sudden she was flying nice and pretty over my head. I did a controllability check and landed her. In talking to some of the more experienced guys we all agreed it was a tension knot and my left steering line appeared to be a bit twisted up compared to my right. We untwisted them both as I packed, and up I went. They advised me that a tension knot can sometimes be cleared doing exactly what I did: putting as much stress on it as possible, then completely releasing. I cleared it by complete accident, but it opened up a good discussion for me, and was a great learning experience. I was going to chop it too, it was pure luck that I cleared it. If you can't land what you have, never hesitate to get rid of it!

Be nice to the manifest girls. Make friends with the packers. Bring beer. Shut up and listen. Don't start thinking you are special or above average. Have fun, be nice, don't cause drama, be smart, stay safe!

Kudos to you for having the insight to ask that question. As far as to the answer, I, and the most of the online personalities here aren't probably the best people to ask. I have had one chop and one straight silver, in both instances I remember my thought process very concisely and I did not hesitate at all to go to my back up in either case. I think it is very common however to have some doubt and reservation to go there. Sit down with a trusted mentor or instructor at your home dz who knows you and your jumping. Ask them about bad situations they have been in, how they reacted, ect. Take them through what you went through, your thought process, and doubts now. They would be the best person to help you make that judgment call. The fact that you are sitting here able to ask that question, and hopefully learn from the situation you were in, gives me enough for my opinion...

I started at a DZ that did not specify right or left hand pattern, both were allowed (small turbine dz). A designated landing direction was always called in the gate, and that is what was followed. Even from first student jump, we were taught that when you fly your pattern, be aware of all other canopies flying/landing near you, and if two of you are on base from opposite directions, split the difference and give the other person half the space. It was never a problem there, but I have since moved to a dz that only flies a left hand pattern (large turbine dz). Both of these dzs have had fairly large landing areas, but I've seen it work where a right/left hand pattern didn't matter. The larger problem in this case is that they didn't see each other/awareness of others under canopy. I have a fairly light wingloading so no matter if I am first out, I am usually one of the last down. I make a habit of counting canopies/groups as they open/fly. This gives me a general idea of how many canopies are still up with me as I enter my pattern, and I try to know where each is at all times, especially anyone who I have noticed is on level with me. Too often, as people enter their patterns they hone in on LANDING and forget that they are still flying. I can't tell you how many times I give a kick and never get a response. I land far away often, not because I am a subpar canopy pilot, but because I am not going to risk someone taking me out because they were so focused on the peas that they don't see anything around them.

Needs bumped apparently. They seem to be everywhere lately! Remember people, STOP FEEDING THEM!

do you have any idea how many whuffo guys tell me that I "have bigger balls than they do" once they find out I jump? Last time I checked, no balls...

I agree with labrys here. Skydiving isn't exactly the type of sport or activity where you want to take the cheapest place or the best deal. If every other place has similar pricing, and one is MUCH lower, you need to ask yourself WHY that might be. I know it can be pricey, but you do get what you pay for. Use the link Pops suggested to find a reputable USPA DZ near you and read the reviews. Call them and ask questions. $600 for two tandem jumps with video is the standard price I have seen for anywhere I have jumped in the MW over the last two years.

Why are you criticizing her for simply spreading the word that someone is hurt and a fundraiser has been set up? Its not like she is collecting money for herself and it isn't even her fundraiser. What is so wrong with saying 'xxx is hurt, they are doing a fundraiser, here is how you can contribute IF YOU WISH TO'? she was upset because people couldn't leave the fundraiser thread to the fundraising, and leave this discusion here. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion on this matter. she simply asked that you keep those comments where they belonged (here) and out of the other thread. there is a world of difference between asking for help and expecting help. if people want to help someone out, why bash them for it? flame away.

my average fall rate is 120mph

top of the world by imagine dragons. happy lil beat, i love it!