weezil1

Yes, my first jump ever was 2 years ago at GZ. It's going to be fun to go back and give it another go. Other jumpers with much more experience than I have told me the view - compared with what we have in Alaska - isn't that great, but I remember the people there more than made up for it. I did call the tunnel people down there, they made it sound like they really don't want to take reservations for groups of less than 5 at a go. Weekends are pretty much booked, but walk-ins on a weekday look pretty favorable. Didn't ask about the tunnel itself - I wouldn't know what/how to ask anyway. Figured I would just drop into the place for a quick visit when the wife isn't looking. To err is human (Total chaos requires a ferret)

Agreed. Very much so. I know that I will allways be a newbie. Complacency kills. To err is human (Total chaos requires a ferret)

Another point to consider - maybe he SHOULDN'T be trying to stick the landing yet. On my 6th jump I tried to flare and land on the feets on a student canopy - feet down, working so hard to stand I forgot all about PLF. Broke my wrist and didn't know it for 2 days until the pain finally drove me to see a Dr. Worry about landing pretty later. Just landing safe is a helluva lot more important! To err is human (Total chaos requires a ferret)

Hey, all. Going to be in Vegas November 8-16 and wondering if there is anyone in the area or might be visiting who might want to meet up for either some tunnel work or a dive at one of the local DZ's? Fair warning - I am still a lowly student! No rating yet! (but working on it!) To err is human (Total chaos requires a ferret)

Skydiving has affected my life a great deal. One thing I think of is " Will my grandkids remember me as an old fart that pushed papers to put food on the table"? or " That crazy old SOB jumped out of planes ON PURPOSE!!" What are YOUR thoughts? To err is human (Total chaos requires a ferret)

Gress is correct. That is an old Bell 47G (looks like a G-5, but I am not sure) One of 6000 made. /dale To err is human (Total chaos requires a ferret)

Thanks Bill - and everyone else who responded. I guess at this stage I will stick to S/L progression. While the ferret-clan may not starve if I moved to a more expensive type of training, It would be nice to save enough for my first rig before I am old enough to have grand-kids to buy one for me! /dale To err is human (Total chaos requires a ferret)

I hear you. It's probably a good thing AK doesn't have a state lottery.....otherwise I would be blowing jump money on a chance to make enough to get that sweet, sweet "A" on my licence in a more temperate climate. /dale To err is human (Total chaos requires a ferret)

Ok, newbie poster. 8 jumps, 1/2 way through the S/L progression. (Doing my PRCP's now) The question: Here in Alaska we have some serious downtime that allows one enough time to get nervous about jumping out of "perfectly good aircraft." I know I am getting butterflies thinking about it, even though it has only been 6 months. Should I "test the waters" with a tandem again before resuming my S/L training or just get in there from where I left off? Also, is S/L training in your experience worth it, or should I start over on AFF? Thanks To err is human (Total chaos requires a ferret)

Wouldn't that be boiled cabbage and habanero's? To err is human (Total chaos requires a ferret)

N/A

Anyway, my question was: Was that a troll or a request for help? /t To err is human (Total chaos requires a ferret)

Has anyone figured out what that "Suicide" post was all about? I will admit there are times life has had me beat down and its tough to go on, but when I am standing with one foot on the jump-step of a Cessna 206 has NEVER been one of those times. Thats a time to LIVE! To err is human (Total chaos requires a ferret)

Wow. I feel like I am living in the tropics now! http://www.weather.com/weather/local/99515?lswe=99515&lwsa=WeatherLocalUndeclared (and if anyone can tell me how to make that a "clicky" link - I would appreciate it!) /t To err is human (Total chaos requires a ferret)

As a side note, my wife was reading my shoulder and wanted you all to know: "He can shop for a rig when he lands on his feet, not his A$$" Her words, not mine. Weezil1 To err is human (Total chaos requires a ferret)

Thank you all for your input. By far and away the most offered advice is "Wait." With a little introspection I have to agree. I am way too new at this sport to even know what I want yet. I will stick with the 'chutes my DZO hands me until she feels I am qualified to even ASK her for rig setups. And with 6 long months to go until safety day, I hope I can remember how to check them! (wait - thats one of the reasons for safety day, isn't it?) Weezil1 To err is human (Total chaos requires a ferret)

Whoa, whoa, whoa. Wait a second. Stupid wuffo/newbie.dumb-a$$ question here. Is this a tradition? When I get off static and progress through AFF is this something I should expect? If I was going out with Carol - no problem. But if its one of the guys - I might THROW that case of beer at him! (or my wife might) Weezil1 To err is human (Total chaos requires a ferret)

Yes, but I...well.....I.... Sh*t - I have no comeback for that. I know who wears the pants in this family, and I seem to be stuck with a kilt. To err is human (Total chaos requires a ferret)

I am in a enviable position where my wife is allowing me to shop for my first rig. Looking for suggestions. As I am an extreme newbie (8 jumps) I am needing something VERY forgiving and docile. (No swoops here, folks!) I was looking into the Vector, but are there any other suggestions? To err is human (Total chaos requires a ferret)

DO'H! That makes perfect sense. Still, it would be rough watching someone auger in without doing something. But at my stage of training, I am having enough trouble trying to figure out what to do with these d@mn yellow handles dangling in my face! To err is human (Total chaos requires a ferret)

Question - With 8 jumps, I do not consider myself a "wuffo", but am very definitelly a "Newbie". So, if any of you more experienced jumpers saw someone heading towards Earth without rigging, would you attempt to get to him? Or is that just asking to be removed from the gene pool? To err is human (Total chaos requires a ferret)

As a newbie, I can only parrot my instructor. "Show me a perfectly good airplane and I won't jump out of it" :-) To err is human (Total chaos requires a ferret)

Someone who lives in Alaska. Check your globe, we should be on there...... To err is human (Total chaos requires a ferret)

I have to ask - What would an Alaskan be? I mean, we really are more Canuck than you (being farther north) but we are also a state? So what gives? Weezil-1 To err is human (Total chaos requires a ferret)

Well, doesn't look like this newbie is going to make it to his class A licence after all. After learning what a "WHUFFO" is I went to www.ak.state.us and pulled the DMV personalized plate information. According to them, "This Plate is Available." As soon as I can sneak the VIN off of her car I think I will register my wifes car in the morning. If anyone asks, I figure my remains will be buried under the lettuce planter next to the green-house. Nice knowing you all. Weezil-1 To err is human. (total chaos requires a ferret) To err is human (Total chaos requires a ferret)