heftee

not sure; I'd have to see it to know for sure. ------------------------- "If you've never jumped out of a plane, the best way I can describe it is it feels as if you've just jumped out of a freakin' plane." David Whitley (Orlando Sentinel)

I did a quick search on rolling gear bags but didn't quite find what I was looking for. I'm looking for a very specific gear bag "box" that I've seen mentioned here before and just recently saw at San Marcos. It's a black heavy duty plastic (I think) rolling box. It's known for it's durability and the website claims it can only be damaged by "elephants and children". It's supposed to be able to float in the water. I can't for the life of me remember the name of it though. If I'm making any sense at all and you know to which I am referring, please send me a link to these. I think they're around $135 ish. Thanks so much. ------------------------- "If you've never jumped out of a plane, the best way I can describe it is it feels as if you've just jumped out of a freakin' plane." David Whitley (Orlando Sentinel)

Thanks for posting. You know, you made a really good point in regards to WL that some may not think about. Some who are really good about considering WL at the time of purchasing gear don't go back and evaluate that WL as it changes. I'm not referring to when we change canopies. I'm referring to when we gain weight. Just because we make a good decision on WL to begin with doesn't mean we're good to go all the way until we decide to change canopies. I had this happen to me as well. I started on a 145 sqft canopy at jump # 31 out of student status. I jumped that for around 300 jumps before going to a 135. During the next 100+ jumps (and some before that), I gained weight - a LOT of weight. So, my WL went higher and higher. I had not realized it or given it much thought. I wasn't landing so well and would justify my 135 by saying "I've been jumping a 145 since # 31, this isn't much smaller". It wasn't until our DZ put a scale out in the loading area and MADE each and every person weigh themselves before getting on the plane. I shouldn't have gotten on the plane after I saw that number on the scale! Again, WL a huge consideration when getting a new or different canopy - but ALSO when your body weight changes - it's time to re-evaluate that once good decision. Thanks for your post and your candid honesty about your landing problems. PS - When you come back, start large and work on your confidence. It will come back. Best of luck to you! ------------------------- "If you've never jumped out of a plane, the best way I can describe it is it feels as if you've just jumped out of a freakin' plane." David Whitley (Orlando Sentinel)

Bill, great reply - thank you. This thread has made me think - which is what I wanted. I'm going to present this to my DZO and let him make a decision. At the very least, we can have a specific seminar on bailouts. Thank you everyone for your input. Please continue the discussion - I'm liking it. ------------------------- "If you've never jumped out of a plane, the best way I can describe it is it feels as if you've just jumped out of a freakin' plane." David Whitley (Orlando Sentinel)

Yeah, I wouldn't want it to cost everyone a reserve repack, so it would have to be at main alt. Is it just not as likely to have a problem higher up? Thanks for the good point. ------------------------- "If you've never jumped out of a plane, the best way I can describe it is it feels as if you've just jumped out of a freakin' plane." David Whitley (Orlando Sentinel)

I had made a suggestion at my DZ during our Customer Appreciate Weekend about bail out drills during Safety Day - which is coming up. I wanted to run by some of my (very inexperienced) thoughts and get your input. I know that with constructive criticism, I can provide these suggestions to the DZ and see if they’ll agree to do it. Perhaps other DZs will want to do something similar as well. If it proves to be a very bad idea, I’m willing to accept that and discontinue entertaining the thought. Having only been jumping < 3 years and mostly at turbine DZs, I have not had the experience of an aircraft emergency bailout. (Knock on wood). However, I hear many “what-if” situations. Let me say that I know we can’t cover all the possible scenarios, but there are a few that are worth touching on. What I wanted to propose is staging a couple emergencies requiring a bail out. Here are some thoughts on how I picture it; please add/change/critique. Now, I would first have all the instructors briefed again on DZ policies of such events. I would have at least one instructor on the load that is going to have the bail out. I would even suggest that the instructors know which loads it will occur on (along with pilot and manifest of course). I would ensure all people jumping at the DZ that day know of the possibility of this occurrence. By using the email distribution, flyers around the DZ, announcements at DZ, during the seminars/classes that are setup…there are many ways to ensure the jumpers know that these drills are going to happen. They won’t know which load it would be on, just that the potential is there. I’d like to keep it simple and have “the emergency” occur while the pilot is over the DZ – I don’t see the point in adding to the scenario with an off DZ landing. That brings other factors into this equation, and I’d like to concentrate on the bailout process itself. The pilot would simply (I say “simply” without knowing what it involves) do what he would do in a real emergency – fill in the blanks on this as I don’t know – but I assume he’d tell us to get out with some sort of basic instruction and then an instructor would then take over commands. I’m sure there is more to it than this; I’m listening for feedback… I wouldn’t do anything crazy like a 3K bailout over water. I’d stick to something along the lines of 7K-10K where the instructor can dictate separation and instruct the jumpers on pulling right out the door or going to x,000 feet and pulling. However it “should” be done. The reason why a lot of these details aren’t specific are because, quite honestly, I don’t know them. I don’t know the proper procedures. I know some very general theories, but some of the decisions based on altitude and many other factors – I just don’t know. This is part of why I want to do this. I think going through it will help answer some questions. What I propose is that, after the emergency, get the group together to discuss what happened, how it was handled and changes that need to be made should it happen again. This information can then be more widely broadcast during the Safety Day seminars. I know so many newer jumpers (and myself) that don’t know what to do other than the broad blanket of “get out” and “follow either the pilot or most senior jumper’s instructions”. This is great, but I know there is more to it. The pros that I can think of: What a great learning experience – not only for those on the plane, but for others who participate in the post-emergency session, the instructors, the pilot, manifest, the DZ staff, etc… (staff – What procedures do you have in place to make sure everyone made it back? How do you handle any possible issues from those that just bailed out – shock, trama? are some examples – it’s not just those on the plane). The cons that I can think of off the top of my head: If not done properly – possibility of injury and the risk/liability associated Some jumpers may feel ripped out of a “good skydive” I’m sure there are more; let’s hear ‘em… I know, there are going to be some that say “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” meaning I’m just inviting disaster. I see that point, but think of the education it could bring – if done properly. That’s what I’m trying to figure out – how to do it properly. If it can be done, I think it’d be great. If it can’t, I’ll go back to playing “what-if” games with instructors and other jumpers. Thanks for listening to me, and I look forward to constructive criticism. ------------------------- "If you've never jumped out of a plane, the best way I can describe it is it feels as if you've just jumped out of a freakin' plane." David Whitley (Orlando Sentinel)

thanks - those are great and so fast !

does anyone have a good website they use for weather reports that includes cloud ceilings? accuweather.com used to tell you the cloud altitudes but now you have to pay for that information. if anyone knows of one, please let me know. appreciate your time, e ------------------------- "If you've never jumped out of a plane, the best way I can describe it is it feels as if you've just jumped out of a freakin' plane." David Whitley (Orlando Sentinel)

While that is true, his profile "claims" (can't prove) that he has been packing for a while and around the sport for 14 years. If true, he'd understand to a degree. be worth a minute of your time ... "I've been around the sport for almost 14years and have made only 2skydives. I'm 14 and made my first jump when I was nine." ------------------------- "If you've never jumped out of a plane, the best way I can describe it is it feels as if you've just jumped out of a freakin' plane." David Whitley (Orlando Sentinel)

Does anyone still use bungee PCs? Just wondering ... ------------------------- "If you've never jumped out of a plane, the best way I can describe it is it feels as if you've just jumped out of a freakin' plane." David Whitley (Orlando Sentinel)

I keep coming back to this thread thinking I should post something but then shy away from it. Well, I'm just going to do it and hope it might help in the least. Something to consider when jumping with an ankle brace = don't let it give you a false sense of security. Or, better yet, don't let it cause you to baby one leg over the other. I was wearing an ankle brace (Swedo Ankle Lok - awesome) from a sprain in June. It's Sept. and still just not quite right. (yes, I went to a doc.) Mostly, I'm wearing the brace as a precaution. Because I had the brace on, my mind went into "I need to baby that ankle and not hurt it again" mode. On a perfectly normal landing, I started to land on the sprained ankle, thought to myself "no, I need to be careful of that one" and promptly hopped over to the other one - landing on the side of my foot and causing a tib/fib break resulting in a plate and 7 screws. I think if I had just stayed the course, this likely wouldn't have happened (who knows). But, the brace made me act differently. If wearing a brace while jumping, first, make sure you really should be jumping or giving it more time to heal. Two, be careful of over compensation. In my case, I had given it time to heal but just overcompenstated for it. Now, it's been 3 months since the break and I'm looking at not jumping again until February. Just something extra to think about. I haven't seen anyone post anything yet about this and thought I'd throw in my two dirty, just found in a gutter, cents. ------------------------- "If you've never jumped out of a plane, the best way I can describe it is it feels as if you've just jumped out of a freakin' plane." David Whitley (Orlando Sentinel)

My boyfriend just got his new computer and is dying to play some joystick PC games. He once had a flight simulator and wants something along the same lines but with guns and shooting and killing (I think I should worry about him). We looked at the Flight Simulator 2004 but it didn't seem to be enough shooting. I don't exactly understand what he's looking for, but I've been asked to get him a game for x-mas. Does anyone have any suggestions for me? HELP! thanks ------------------------- "If you've never jumped out of a plane, the best way I can describe it is it feels as if you've just jumped out of a freakin' plane." David Whitley (Orlando Sentinel)

N/A

where do you suggest I look for buying a bullet cam of sorts - want to play with video but don't want that much gear on my helmet as a regular camera person. thanks!

I lost my fullface helmet on an RW jump at 7K feet. It didn't seem to bother me except under canopy. That's when I really noticed the air rush. My long hair was all knotted up though - another story. Like someone else posted, I'd be more concerned that you transitioned out of a FF position early. ------------------------- "If you've never jumped out of a plane, the best way I can describe it is it feels as if you've just jumped out of a freakin' plane." David Whitley (Orlando Sentinel)

Allowing only one rig (no multiple rigs), how many jumps can you do in one day. Let's assume full altitude jumps versus HnPs. Let's assume the weather is good and planes are continuously flying. Let's also assume fastest packing method - whether it's you packing or someone else. Let's also assume money is not an issue. If you could jump as much as you wanted in one day with one rig, how many times do you think you could - reasonably? ------------------------- "If you've never jumped out of a plane, the best way I can describe it is it feels as if you've just jumped out of a freakin' plane." David Whitley (Orlando Sentinel)

Good point. They are pretty standard colors; nothing too crazy, but I see your point. ------------------------- "If you've never jumped out of a plane, the best way I can describe it is it feels as if you've just jumped out of a freakin' plane." David Whitley (Orlando Sentinel)

So, someone offering $1200 for mine (DOM 2004 / 30 jumps) is unreasonable? I felt bad for thinking so and thought I should check. ------------------------- "If you've never jumped out of a plane, the best way I can describe it is it feels as if you've just jumped out of a freakin' plane." David Whitley (Orlando Sentinel)

I bought (custom colors) a brand new PD Sabre2 135. I put 30 jumps on it and only 30 jumps. I am needing to sell it now. What is reasonable? PD's website says retail $1950. I didn't pay that. I won't say what I paid for it. Is there a formula or standard for what to sell it. Technically, it's used, but by ONLY 30 darn jumps. I got a seriously low balled offer on it and was insulted but not sure what is reasonable. What do you think? ------------------------- "If you've never jumped out of a plane, the best way I can describe it is it feels as if you've just jumped out of a freakin' plane." David Whitley (Orlando Sentinel)

The party has begun and most of us aren't there yet - there is something seriously wrong with this picture! Be there tomorrow! ------------------------- "If you've never jumped out of a plane, the best way I can describe it is it feels as if you've just jumped out of a freakin' plane." David Whitley (Orlando Sentinel)

It's getting closer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ------------------------- "If you've never jumped out of a plane, the best way I can describe it is it feels as if you've just jumped out of a freakin' plane." David Whitley (Orlando Sentinel)

NOOOOOOOOOO wind tunnel. It was at SD Dallas this past weekend, and it was WAY TOO loud. Whuffos thought it was neat, but skydivers said it sucked. Says it's loud doesn't even begin to express it. Hearing that damn noise ALL DAY long made me want to pull my hair out!!! It was really horrible. Especially when I landed miles off and was walking back - that's all I could hear the whole walk back and it pissed me off! Don't do it! ------------------------- "If you've never jumped out of a plane, the best way I can describe it is it feels as if you've just jumped out of a freakin' plane." David Whitley (Orlando Sentinel)

SWA is running some great specials - go check them out! ------------------------- "If you've never jumped out of a plane, the best way I can describe it is it feels as if you've just jumped out of a freakin' plane." David Whitley (Orlando Sentinel)

No official word on the dress code, no one should have to do it - but boy was it fun seeing the surprised look on people's faces!! So worth it. For those wondering what the heck? - females participating in the SCR ceremony - white T-shirts. Added a little extra fun if ya know what I mean! ------------------------- "If you've never jumped out of a plane, the best way I can describe it is it feels as if you've just jumped out of a freakin' plane." David Whitley (Orlando Sentinel)

It was such a blast last year! All the organized fun jumps that Brett and Shayne put together - awesome! The SCR ceremony - I get to pour this year!! Jim - you better watch it! This is THE boogie to go to. So much going on, such great prizes, and the crowd just can't be beat! Hope to see you all there! ------------------------- "If you've never jumped out of a plane, the best way I can describe it is it feels as if you've just jumped out of a freakin' plane." David Whitley (Orlando Sentinel)