FlyingRhenquest

Tisket

Even with my tiny bit of experience, I've found the best response to "why jump out of a perfectly good airplane"

The door was open

I like "Oh... well you haven't seen our planes..."

They pretty predictably seem to think one can land a wingsuit without the assistance of a parachute. I don't get bent out of shape at setting 'em right though -- unless you're actually doing this, you don't think much on the equipment or physics involved.

Yeah, more expensive but I reckon you're going to like some of the new equipment. I had to borrow a F111 canopy made in 1990 for a while. It steered like a cow and had no flare whatsoever. I never did manage to stand up a landing on it. Any of today's canopies are much more fun to fly. The first time you get on a reasonably loaded ZP elliptical, it'll blow your mind.

It's been a long time since I've been there, but from what I can recall you will at some point encounter something that claims to be a toilet which will make you go "What... the... hell?" Should you find yourself in this situation, it is best to simply back away slowly and do not under any circumstances make eye contact.

JohnMitchell

I allow it but I go by Bill Booth's requirement of 500 jumps or an AFF rating, and being current. It can be done safely by experienced skydivers.

My wife did video and I docked on a tandem pair one time with an instructor that had never done that before. He was amazed at how much fun it was for him.

Cool. I've had friends and family go on tandems and ask me if I could come along, but I'm not even going to ask at this point in my skydiving career. I just tell them they'll be busy enough without me tagging along. It's not like it's really any less of an experience if I'm not there, after all.

I have kept several of them company on the plane, which is kind of fun. My niece's TI asked her who her emergency contact was and she said "My mom!" and pointed to my sister a few seats ahead of her. My sister said "My brother!" and pointed to me. And I said "Well, I'd rather die in a fiery plane crash than have to explain to mom how I lost her daughter and grand daughter when I took them both skydiving!" They both had a blast on their jumps, and I made sure they got video.

Funnily I'd been posting about my skydives and wind tunnel time for about a year at that point, on Google+. Had a couple videos from AFF up, and a bunch of video from the tunnel. Thought the parents were following me. My sister posts her tandem video on facebook and 10 minutes later I get a call from mom, "WHAT DID YOU DO?!" That's pretty much why I maintain no presence on Facebook, right there.

I think a lot of DZs would worry about the liability issues. You might have more of a chance at it if you hired on with the DZ as a video person. Getting to the point where you could actually do that would be a lot of work and a lot of money for video equipment, though. All the professional video people I know have D licenses and are very strong flyers both in freefall and under canopy. At least a couple of them are also AFFIs.

I feel sad for the people he left behind and his dog.

We all know the risks we're taking, and his path was riskier than most. We all find the rewards to be worth it. I remember on my first night jump, I was going to be the first one in the first group to exit the plane. It was July and hot on the plane, so we opened the door at 2000 feet to cool it off inside. I sat there looking out over the lights of Longmont from the door of the plane, thinking this was the most amazing experience of my life. The wonder I felt at it was almost indescribable.

I think Dean's life must have been like that constantly, just one indescribably amazing moment after another. It's something I almost can't even comprehend. I'm sad he's gone, but I'm also glad he tried to share with us in some small way what it was like, while he was here.

TB in Texas WTF?!

Damn, I feel like I should be reading this forum more often.

Ugh that sucks. Are you going to sue the storage company?

RiggerLee

It was odd. After my first trip to canada and spending two months in a yellow tent in 24 hour sunlight, when I flew home we stopped for about an hour layover in... it started with a K. The sun went down. And I have to tell you I was freaked out. It was a very surreal and frightening feeling. I was afraid of the dark. I couldn't help but think that this is how my ancestors must have felt. hiding in a cave behind a fire from all the unseen things out their in the dark.

Lee

It's generally OK in places that start with K as long as you don't hear a banjo playing.

I was afraid of the dark when I was a kid. That lasted right up until I realized that I was the most frightening thing in it.

Stumpy

Genius

http://www.buzzfeed.com/alanwhite/going-to-westfield-with-the-archbishop-of-banterbury?utm_term=.jbeGxXyE#.yjZpAPlNy

Edited to add more smileys.

I came for the the CHeeky Nandos. I stayed for the Tiny Gay Space Lesbian

stayhigh

That's also a 1000 jumps rule.

Once you hit 1000 jumps, wearing glove is just not worth 25 bucks.

I only jump in between 70-80 degree, ground temperature. You have be able to stay in your jumpsuit without sweating inside the airplane or other wise, just not worth it.

That's a pretty narrow window. 60 ground here is usually reasonably comfortable as long as you're not doing a high pull. 50's about as low as I'll go anymore. I hate getting under canopy and not being able to feel my fingers. First year I'd jump if the plane was flying. I think it was -22 at altitude one time. I'm so not doing THAT again!

Andy9o8

I take it you're no big fan of Ouzo.

For some reason I can tolerate licorice flavored liquor a little better than the candy, but it's not something I ever go seeking out.

Awesome! It's great to see you're sticking with it! This winter was pretty miserable. This year I'm going to have to plan another trip to Eloy in December/January.

There's not really an option on here that truly captures the depth of my hatred for black licorice. I'd say that it's the most disgusting flavor on the planet, but I've had natto. It's probably the second most disgusting flavor on the planet.

*edit* And I've also had durian.

I wonder if the crappy water down there has something to do with all that crazy. I pretty much wrote them off as a lost cause after they elected Voldemort to be their governor. I guess his anti-Harry-Potter campaign stance resonated with the people down there.

Heavy Metal Quote, Anyone?

Every once in a while I can find the video clip of this, but they get DMCA'd off the internets pretty quickly.

Gay marriage is legal, you can grow your own pot, we have an awesome drop zone and the fastest internet service in the country! Suck it, Kansas!

They do a pretty good job of feeding you the information you need as you need it. Don't try to look beyond the current jump. I tried that a couple times, though there was no way I'd be ready to accomplish the later jump's objectives in just a couple of jumps, and then found I was able to when I got there.

The one thing I REALLY wish I'd done was get video of my first jump. Would have added another $100 to the jump, but I think it would have been worth it.

lyosha

http://iloveskydiving.org/view/videos/throwback-thursday-tandem-skydive-student-surfing-looks-painful/

See, that's why I'd say no if someone who's working on his TI license ever asks me if I want a free tandem. I can drag my OWN face through the peas, thank you very much!

Robots will not be able to exceed 110 degrees Farenheit, for safety reasons. If you robot is hotter than that, please bring it in for cooling systems service immediately.

4-6 seems like a pretty good pace to me. I actually kind of start to feel like I'm being greedy once I get past 3 heh heh.

Depends on what you're doing, too. I get more tired from wingsuit jumps and high pulls, and much less tired if I'm doing hop and pops all day.

Thanks!