Deimian

Very good point, I didn't think about that, but makes perfectly sense.

Wow, it looks like I've started an interesting debate. I'm glad I'm not the only one learning here.

So you have just open your canopy and realize that you are far away from your landing zone. Sometimes you can make it back with appropriate piloting. Those are skills that develop over time, with training, and specific things might be canopy dependent. I understand all that. My question now is: Which way is more likely to take you back to your LZ? Unstow your brakes and hang on your back risers, hang on your back risers with the brakes still stowed, or leave the brakes stowed and use the risers just for steering and correct your heading, without pulling both of them permanently? I guess that would be canopy dependent, but in general, what would be the way? Or maybe it is plainly a very stupid question?

Thank you all for your answers! Just to clarify, I've asked to start making up my mind, not for immediate shopping. I wanted to spend a few tens of jumps more on rental gear (190), then ask around if the local experts think I am ready to change to a 170, and when the moment arrives have a complete system either at home already, or on its way. And those few tens of jumps are months away, the season here is over, so I'll have to wait. Thank you again!

I think this is not the typical "rig for a newbie" question. Going to the point: I would like to buy my first rig. I have 3 possible options: -Buy an used complete system, with a 170 (I don't want to use a 170 already, but probably I'll change by the middle of next season) -Buy a new Pilot ZPX 168 and try to find an used container according to that. -Buy a new Pilot ZPX 168, and a new container according to that. I doubt because: -Usually people recommend that, if you buy something new, the first thing should be the rig. -The combination of a Pilot 168 ZPX fitting in an used container made for a 150 canopy would allow me to downsize twice with the same container (money saving and avoiding of looking for change in a long time). -Buying the canopy and the container new is quite expensive and I'm not sure it makes sense for a first rig. What are your personal opinions on that? Is it worthwhile to aim for the "everything new" in the long term for a first rig? Would that save me money or pay off somehow? Should I look for an used complete system and forget about reusing the container as much as possible? Buying the canopy new, and looking for an used rig is a bad idea for some specific reason (comfort for instance)? I guess the perfect thing would be to find a second hand Pilot 168 ZPX at a good price, and buy a new rig with that in mind. But it is quite difficult to find that canopy used. Moreover, the waiting time for some new rigs is just ridiculous (others are good, though). About the rig itself I think there are no major differences between the main brands, all of them make neat freefly friendly (that is what I like, but I am not there yet) rigs, and they have been making this for a long time already. I know somethings are out of my league yet. Downsizing to sub 150 canopies, when I am jumping a 190 currently, or freeflying for instance. But I am thinking in the long term, not for something immediate. I still have to learn many things before getting there, I've just don't want to make big changes in my gear (and waste money) every time I progress a little bit. Since I don't see myself as a future hardcore swooper I think a rig able to hold 140-150-168ZPX will last me a very very long time. Thank you for your opinions!

Thank you for your comments. I guess is a matter of personal taste. I'll try to try both and decide :-)

Hi everyone, The title pretty much says it all. I am thinking in getting this helmet and use it for freeflying in the future. Any comments about this from owners of the Phantom X? Thank you :-)

Thank you for the answer! I didn't thought about the tunnel, it might be a good idea to try it out too :-). I though that skydive moab was bigger, probably because they have a big boogie. I am glad to know that I was wrong and moving that far doesn't make sense :-D. I'll give you a call or just show up next month there. Thank you again!

Hi everyone, I'll have a business trip to the US next month. I would like to visit a DZ there and have some fun. However, I have many questions about that: -Would my belgian license with my 27 jumps (27 now, possible a few more before the trip, if the weather is kind enough) be enough to jump there? I know that many DZ in the US require to have an USPA membership or license. Can I get it there? How much would it be? -Which DZ would you recommend? I was thinking in Skydive Moab, but it is a couple of hundred miles away. Skydive Utah and Skydive Ogden are closer, but look smaller and less prepared to handle a visit of a couple of days (no showers, no accommodation, tandem-focused). However, I can stay in the city and move to the DZ just to jump, instead of spending a couple of days around the DZ with nothing else (Skydive moab looks rather isolated). -Should I bring with me my helmet, jumpsuit, altimeter, etc? (I don't have a rig yet). Putting all these in the luggage is a pain in the ass if you want to travel light, but it might pay off. -Would the weather be good enough? I have no idea of how the weather looks like there in mid November. Any reply will be appreciated. Except, maybe, "shut up you stupid newbie"-like answers ;-).

Hello everyone! As you can imagine, I just want to say hello and introduce myself. I am spanish-born, german-worker, belgian-jumper (and I go the cinema in Netherlands ;-)) that recently got his license, without much to teach, but with a lot to learn. I've been in "stealth mode" in the forum for a while, but now I want to be a little bit more active. If you are guessing that by "active" I mean I will ask something in some other subforum, you are right! I hope you don't mind ;-P