hub1100

Agrees; Look up (watch the plane), breathe and pull. You might 'time' how quickly you can count to 10, since you will instinctively count fast tomorrow. Skydiving is muscle memory; including the count, reach and throw. Believe in yourself and your training. You've got this. Anyone can swim, only a few swim well. Anyone can skydive, everyone can skydive well. Practice!

Agrees with Snowcrash75 and Gearless Chris: " B F A T Word " Belly Fly Free Fly AFF Tandem Wing Suits Anyone can swim, only a few swim well. Anyone can skydive, everyone can skydive well. Practice!

Thin and windproof gloves, excellent for Chicago cold: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0018BJRW2/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 and face protection: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0018BL2HA/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Anyone can swim, only a few swim well. Anyone can skydive, everyone can skydive well. Practice!

agrees completely, with echen; the gear is included in your training and you will downsize at least once during that training. yes, look over existing ads but don't feel pressed to buy too soon. unless you are extraordinarily large there is plenty of gear, and if large over 230 pounds, gear still exists. then, prepare to get your first gear dirty, sliding in and getting caught in unusual winds. first gear is never 'be all end all gear'. Anyone can swim, only a few swim well. Anyone can skydive, everyone can skydive well. Practice!

Congrats Felix and Red Bull Stratos Team! Thx NASA and FAA for support. Mach 1.24, wow. Wing suits from 52k/ 16km next?

Yes, welcome to the forums and the best sport above earth! The one invaluable source is our Skydivers Information Manual: http://www.uspa.org/SIM.aspx Everything you are learning is taught from this source, and experience. Amazing, that, the more I read it the more I find in it. My only piece of advice about all your gear; as you get, more, into the sport you will collect, more, gear. Do not buy, with any idea that this is the only one (what ever that piece is). We fall often, early, its going to get lots of wear and tear. Anyone can swim, only a few swim well. Anyone can skydive, everyone can skydive well. Practice!

I'm 52, stopped 20 years to have a family and restarted this year. Now 179 jumps, 57 this year and 5 this weekend ( wind issues). NO age is too old I'm not even close to my elder skydivers! Anyone can swim, only a few swim well. Anyone can skydive, everyone can skydive well. Practice!

my mom wasn't too happy about it either, so I've told her; please understand if I'm going camping, I'm jumping out of planes. then you, mom, don't have to hear that one word that scares you and thrills me, 'skydiving'! after a few camping trips she is good with skydiving now. it's the truth made palatable for moms! loves mom and wants her to live long and happy too! Anyone can swim, only a few swim well. Anyone can skydive, everyone can skydive well. Practice!

I appreciate all the info too, Thx SS. Anyone can swim, only a few swim well. Anyone can skydive, everyone can skydive well. Practice!

smiles and waves from across the pond, welcome to both skydiving and the forums.. Anyone can swim, only a few swim well. Anyone can skydive, everyone can skydive well. Practice!

similar question, since you brought it up; Since USPA licenses are NAA/ FAI recognized, Does a foreign NAA or FAI licensee have to get a USPA license? I believe that should be the only license required, but have been wrong and thus asked here. Thanks. About gear, bring your license and log book, the rest is rentable/ loan-able. About Moab, I thought they were seasonal and everyone is wintering in AZ, CA, FLA. Doesn't Salt Lake area turn to snow skiing soon? But first, the FAI question.. Anyone can swim, only a few swim well. Anyone can skydive, everyone can skydive well. Practice!

Welcome to the club. Our next meeting is at 14,000 feet !! Anyone can swim, only a few swim well. Anyone can skydive, everyone can skydive well. Practice!

Everyone, basically, recommends you talk with your trainer about this one because they will see your control of their rental equipment, and have an idea what you could really handle. Then, newer jumpers, self included, are supposed to keep a 1:1 wingload, or less. (SIM) Your exit weight completely geared up to jump : the square foot size of the main canopy. 245:245 +/- This becomes difficult as there isnt as much big gear, out there, in the used market, but it does exist. Remember your first gear can be a little bigger and thus forgiving. After all it is used and after 50-100 jumps you will know what you really want in new gear. Hope it helps. Anyone can swim, only a few swim well. Anyone can skydive, everyone can skydive well. Practice!

hi bird, welcome to the forums and skydiving, i haven't jumped cross keys but have only heard good reviews of them, nice choice. at the same time im also inside their facebook group. cj, know that skydiving isnt as expensive as rebuilding stangs and now you can do 120mph- 200mph, legally! we're not old, were experienced. peace friend. Anyone can swim, only a few swim well. Anyone can skydive, everyone can skydive well. Practice!

Its quite obvious that a real, indoor, year round, skydiver quality tunnel is needed in the midwest. Suburban Chicago with its massive population and two DZ's with pac's, otters, caravans and regular fests have the experienced skydiver base with a need. St Louis is too small as is Indianapolis, and too far from a large enough population with disposable cash to keep a large and profitable tunnel busy. The project needs to be broken into parts to be viable; the land, the tunnel/ franchise and the labor force. With one corporation managing those parts it would have an extremely good chance of quick success. Fortunately, land is still in a depressed price state, the franchise is not negotiated and the personnel have an excellent training program, already. So, now is the time. A full dual tunnel plan, building a 4meter/ 12' immediately and plans to build its big brother 5.5meter/ 16' pro big way/ event tunnel would be the franchise needed. This plan would leave the 3meter/ 10' tunnel franchise for the downtown Chicago area, similar to Hollywood for tourists and intro to the sport. This is what the Midwest needs ! I hope these concepts are taken positively as it points toward a practical business plan, not to disrespect any city. Anyone can swim, only a few swim well. Anyone can skydive, everyone can skydive well. Practice!