vcarter

I only jump a few times with this but now I feel like my skydiving career has been short changed without having had a Kiss. I used to ride motorcycles and the helmets were very comfortable so to avoid any constant banging when riding. This helmet's comfort level is so amazing. The quick release allows for you to quickly get in and out of the helmet in case of an emergency and the visor is also easy to lift open under canopy too! I tried on a few other helmets while shopping and this one was far above the rest. Other helmets didn't fit my head as perfect as this one did either. Another main think I was looking for in the helmet was the ability to actually move my mouth and talk while on way to altitude or walking around. How this one fits is that is allows your mouth to sit right above the bottom edge and you can freely talk. It's so light that you do even notice that it's on most the time either. After demoing this I can't wait until I save up the money and purchase one myself!

So I came to Montreal for a weekend and did some searching of local DZs! This was the closest one and I made it my point to visit! Upon my arrival I went through the normal "if you die this..." Stuff lol! But seriously, even though I'm licensed they asked me all the correct questions. Now if you don't know, Montreal is an all English speaking city/area. They made it their point to make sure I was safe by finding one that spoke English and everyone (before, during, & after my jump) thru made sure I was 'on point' and aware as to what was going on. Long story short, I love this DZ and me coming back would not be a question! I love this DZ, the folks and everything! Oh yea, Congrats to (forgot his name lol) on his 1000th jump! BTW that was also my first international jump so I owe beer be t time I visit or the next DZ I jump at!

During most my Coach jumps I was tracking away at altitude and I don't remember the coaches following me. Which bring up an interesting question, should coaches follow you away on track away and pull just in case something like this were to happen after the coach and student separate? He is probably like me and was only used to the hackie sack instead of the plastic. But of course I did practice touches on the ground, in the plane and once out. I mean you always practice muscle memory when you are trying something new. Let me put this disclaimer out there early, I am not a coach, instructor, and don't have over 50 jumps - YET! Life finds its purpose and fulfillment in the expansion of happiness --- Maharishi Mahesh Yogi

Thanks Southern_Man! I will have to ask my home DZO if he would not mind doing something like this. Also would have to see if the seller would agree to something like this too. Which is safe on both sides of the fence too. Life finds its purpose and fulfillment in the expansion of happiness --- Maharishi Mahesh Yogi

So for water training, do we really have to do a hop & pop with a round canopy?! Life finds its purpose and fulfillment in the expansion of happiness --- Maharishi Mahesh Yogi

Being a newbie myself (I would like to weigh in) I feel as though instructors are sometimes are too quick to say, 'oh well, you understand me right'. My very first jump was in 2008 (tandem, yuk!) but I think would be best if it was included in the AFF course -not sticking to naming conventions - for safety reasons. The posts that some of you mentioned 'the student got scared/panicked' should not be happening. If there was a pre-jump to AFF (meaning tandem) I think that could solve at least one of these issues. Since there are so many, I do not think these are issues that should be swept under the rug, but addressed, FAST! I mean, the question 'How can we as instructors get/be better?' should be the ending question of every DZ meeting (if these are actually happening b4 and after airport operations can begin for the day. Some of the examples about the un-necessary cutaway I think In my mind is something that is shared 50/50 between the student and instructor. The safety information in the AFF ground course should be a topic that each student should be able to explain back to the instructor. If not then instructors need to go over it again. Now I am not here to badger but I feel like we (skydivers) cannot pick all the smart folk to jump out of a plane, nor can instructors pick their children (AFF students) so then it should be in your best interest to get better at teaching at all cost. I also wanted to go on the record and say that I have never had any of these situations, I was the student that read every section of the book, got minimal answers wrong on the quizzes, and studied for the 'final' verbal exam, that I killed which was in front of the entire DZ. My instructors were lucky, yet I feel lucky because I learned at a place where Safety is almost too high, lol.. Life finds its purpose and fulfillment in the expansion of happiness --- Maharishi Mahesh Yogi

So I was wondering if there is a way to check on an actual license number of a person selling gear on dropzone? I found a system that I want but I do not want to get jammed up and lose money (They are expensive as all heck). I was wondering if there is a way that I can like check up on this guy that some of you experienced folk may know of? I have thought if asking what dropzone he jumps at and asking the DZO if he actually exist. I think what really is scaring me is that he has a profile that is not all the way filled out (actually quite empty) yet has a C license. Yet the pictures have his full face multiple piece of gear listed. UGH! I need gear before I lose anymore money with rentals! Life finds its purpose and fulfillment in the expansion of happiness --- Maharishi Mahesh Yogi

Hey, I am actually in the same general area. I live in Baltimore. My home DZ is Chambersburg, PA. It is a drive but the knowledge there is amazing. I have been trying to get finished since July. I can say half me and half that cold weather towards the end of October. I am on solo status ans can officially do fun jumps but I am still working on finishing. I drive up there most weekends with skydiving buddies or solo. Personally I like the DZ because I have noticed that the way they train you, you learn everything! I mean I know how to effectively spot, Not just relying on the pilot (of course I am a newbiw and more experience is needed), I know how to pack (even had a quick session with Brian Germain - look him up), and I know how to read a winds aloft report, cloud clearances. Now dont get me wrong you can easily read this stuff in the manual and the person that I am I did but there is nothing like someone pulling you aside and teaching you this from a foundation (bottom to top) level, which they do very well. Speaking to other students like me and you I have shown that I know more then most from other DZs just because they teach me so much there. I personally like them, and if you would like to roll up there once let me know, we can meet up and meet the Chambersburg gang! Blue Skies! Life finds its purpose and fulfillment in the expansion of happiness --- Maharishi Mahesh Yogi

I have never brought anything from dropzone persons but I have been looking on here for a while shopping. I found a user (WinkRigging) that has several items for sale. These items number 1 seem wayy too low and number 2 not enough details for the products. Has anyone heard of this person or know anything about them. I checked their profile and they are a NEW user to dropzone and has many items for sale. Their profile looks very blank. Is anyone from Utah that might know this guy? Life finds its purpose and fulfillment in the expansion of happiness --- Maharishi Mahesh Yogi

yea man i have jumped with just about everyone there besides the lady owner instructor (cant rememebr her name to save my life). I jump mostly with Van nowadays, i think jumping with Henry is the best because he records all his students so i get to see myself for free. and if i want to i just video record on my phone from the go-pro and i get a free vid sometimes! or i just toss them something to keep the vid. Its so cool seeing yourself on camera and cool pics i love it. I want to get into video recording eventually and then teaching for real. of course that a LONG TIME from now though. Life finds its purpose and fulfillment in the expansion of happiness --- Maharishi Mahesh Yogi

What up bird, hey man I did my first jump at Cross Keys back in 2008 and I am originally from NJ. I had that same issue that I believw e we allhave with money. It is REALLY expensive to start but the rewards are amazing. Just wait until you do your first solo jump with two instructors its going to be wayy better then tandem. You will never look back i can promise that. I live in Baltimore now and I am also a AFF student (SOLO Status now, sorry had to toot my own horn becuase so happy i made it this far) at Chambersburg, PA. I am on my Cat F jumps now and soon to be done. I have been sized for my jumpsuit but have not brought it yet things keep getting in the way. I am hoping that I can finish before the weather get too too bad because to be a student you can not go 30 days without jumping (all about muscle memory). But once you get your A license I believe you can jump anytime (ask the Instructors about that one). Hope to see you in the sky one of these days bruh! BlueSkies and ARCH! Life finds its purpose and fulfillment in the expansion of happiness --- Maharishi Mahesh Yogi

I have also been in search for a solid helmet but I love the fresh air. I haven't tried a closed helmet yet but I think I will jump with one borrowed first before I actually jump with it. But as for open faced I've been looking at some Benny helmets. They are reasonable on price (unlike everything else in this sport). Are there any other brands people recommend as for open faced helmets go?? I guess I'm not that interested in paying a lot for a helmet and would rather save up for rig and jumpsuit... Life finds its purpose and fulfillment in the expansion of happiness --- Maharishi Mahesh Yogi

@popsjumper & @skymamaThank you for the link... I have done some research and I think I will design my own container Quotebut I will buy used main and reserve for now. I think that's my best bet as far as budget. Yea well I weigh 2180 and they have been slowly downsizing me from 260 where I first started I now fly a 230. By the time I am finish I think I will be able to fly a 180-200 ... 1:1 wing load. Life finds its purpose and fulfillment in the expansion of happiness --- Maharishi Mahesh Yogi

Hi everyone, Im Vernon and I am a AFF student out of Chambersburg, PA DZ. Did my first tandem in 2008 and could never stop looking up to blueskies and now I am actually training to get my license. I am on Category F meaning I just got released from Student status and now I am on solo status! YAY! They announced it on the loud speaker while I was watching my jump on the Go-Pro! Too amped! I love this sport so much my friends just dont understand but they are all excited to join me one day in the air too! I llive in Baltimore and would be tight if anyone in the area also dived we could possible link up one day at a local DZ after I get licensed. My goal is to one day jump in most if not all countries that I can! So i just got done designing my jumpsuit from BEV and I will be paying for it soon...Such an expensive sport but I wouldnt give it up for the world. So since I am in my welcoming post I was wondering if I could vent out a question before I go wondering the DZ.com forums... Do you experienced divers reccommend building my rig from scratch? I was thinking of buying a container, main, reserve, etc until I had a full system and possible save money. Of course making sure its all checked out by my local DZ and people I trust first before jumping it... Any suggestions ...? Ending I just want to say HEY TO EVERYONE AND BLUE SKIES! Life finds its purpose and fulfillment in the expansion of happiness --- Maharishi Mahesh Yogi