tikl68

Same here. I have been the one to get off when I was not on a solo and was not the one who screwed up, but understand the importance of a 4 way jump not being turned into a 3 way. Sometimes in my experience it is manifests fault and they just put me on the next plane I want to get on. And yes it was a request not an order, and I have also been the one requesting a solo jumper catch the next flight as an LO due to manifests bungle, and yes, beer is bought.

Yep kick off solo jumper but put him on the next load, no extra charge. The plane was full so the DZ did not lose anything so no need to charge him twice. Just re-manifest him on next load, and the 4 way team owes him a beer or two at the end of the day.

I am fortunate that my home DZ, Elsinore had awesome people,awesome LO's, and an awesome program when I got off AFF. The awesome program is called EXCEL camp which lawndart spoke of. It is a belly camp much like the one mentioned in a previous post on this thread. The camp is taught by an experienced RW/4 way person and we teach the basics building blocks for FS. We put the groups together based on size(fall rate),jump numbers/skill and keep it simple. We teach how to plan a jump,how to dirt dive it,loading procedures,how to debrief, and then we usually try to get some of our locals to fly video and I also wear my camera to at least video the exits and have inside video for the jump im on. Most of the students have never been debriefed or seen video of themselves. It is very powerful. I went from being a student to being a coach in the camp and enjoy seeing the students accomplish what we talk about on the ground, on the jump. Our slots as the coaches are covered by the DZ. it has been going for 15 years and is very successful. One of my students has gone on to medal in his first year as a competitor on a 4 way team and is now an EXCEL coach. As far as LO's, I have been an LO for 12 years and will jump with any one as long as you are safe. Most of the experienced jumpers at my home DZ, and at some of the other DZ's I frequent near by, know who the noobs are and have no problem helping the noobs in the loading area in a positive way. As an LO if I dont think some one has the skill level to be on the jump with us, I will take one or two people and engineer a jump more on their skill level, with fun an safety in mind. For me and most of the LO's we dont feel like anyone "ruins" our jump, short of injuring me in some way, we just see it as a chance to learn, and our jumps as LO's, the DZ covers our jumps. I dont see a lot of the stuff the OP talked about, so I count my blessing I jump at a DZ that that is not like that. They do exist.

WOW! I disagree with all of your post. For your edification CRW dawgs will take someone with 50 jumps up on a two way with an experienced CRW dawg, now you know and yes I am an experienced CRW dawg.

Hi. So just a couple things. Most of what has been posted is all good advice. No it is not common for instructors to "let go" of a student. I dont have my AFFI but do have my coach rating and work for a big dropzone in So Cal and dont remember instructors being taught to let go when you get out of control(except extreme situations), they are there to help maintain control, remind of your tasks, and deploy for you IF necessary. Most experienced instructors can stay with you or get back to you if you get out of control and they loose or drop the grip in order to rite themselves if you and the instructor are flipping/tumbling. Have confidence that even in the worse scenario of loosing both instructors,relax,arch,wave off and deploy. Have a little confidence that if you dont deploy and the instructors are not there your student gear should have an AAD. Trust your training, trust the instructors, trust yourself, and knowing there are safety devices that are in place, might help you relax. Try not to keep focusing on your first jump. Learn from it and try to imagine your next jump going positive. Hope you get back up there. BS

THE LO's AT PERRIS WILL JUMP WITH ANY BODY. YOU SHOULD FIND OUT WHO IS ORGANIZING NEXT TIME YOU ARE UP THERE AND SIMPLY APPROACH THEM AND ASK TO JUMP. THEY WILL HAPPILY OBLIGE YOU.

That is true. If you make it too narrow it is too thick when you fold it. But like i said it is best to show someone in person, video in my opinion is difficult to show the subtle things we can do with our hands, and knees with regards to where and how much pressure to apply in order to control a slickery canopy while trying to get it in the bag.

There are some subtle techniques to use when packing a new slikery canopy. I taught the aff packing course, and was a packer for years at Elsinore. One of my students had to take her packing class right after the school replaced the old canopies with brand new ones.She was a petite girl but I showed her some slightly different tricks and she was able to get it with out much extra struggle, which is the goal, to struggle as little as possible. The good news is when she got her new canopy at about 150 jumps she had no problems. A lot of it is easier to show you than to type for you on the internet.It has to do with getting as much air out, consolidating it to a size not wider then the opening of the bag, making the fold at the top first and make sure it is an actual fold and not just bunched up. Before you get up from smushing the air out of it stick you hand under it and find where you rolled the tail and squeeze that closed, then get up and make the fold. Like an earlier post said make the top fold first, then while carefully kneeling on the folds put it in the bag, then stand the bag up between your thighs and put the fold at the lable down between the other two folds. Practice. You can do it!!!!

Hi Raven. Just want to respond to your comment about cameras being banned on big ways or CRW jumps. I have shot video for CRW since 2006, and also wear my camera for big-ish ways on the inside. But it can be a distraction for some, but I have made it part of routine.

Welcome to our sport and SO Cal. binkyro21. I would like to echo Lawndarters advice. Elsinore has organizers and Perris LO's are awesome, but for some one with your low jump numbers EXCEL camp is right up your alley. Not only did I participate right off my A license but 2 years later after several(only missed 2 camps) I became a coach for Excel.San Diego has some awesome belly peeps, but with the low jump numbers you will get more out of each jump in an Excel camp. It is not just Load Organizing. Its free coaching. You will learn great basic foundation/techniques for RW in a safe and structured environment. The coach will engineer a dive for you and the others on the jump with you whether it is a 2 way with a coach or a 3 way with 2 other people, and explain the best techniques for flying your slot and reiterate the core basics. After each jump you will get the benefit of a video debrief 97 percent of the time even if it is inside video. I allways wore my camera when coaching Excel camp. All we ask is that you stay in the group for the day and not jump in and out of the group. After 2 excel camp weekends you will be able to hold your own in a 2way RW jump and up to at least an 8 way. You might not be ready for nationals but will be able to fly your slot with skill and confidence when the local LO at a dz puts you on a jump with out some of the common bad habits. One of my Excel camp students went to nationals this past year (2nd year in the sport) with a four way team and won a medal, and is now an Excel camp coach. It is money well spent, and a lot of fun. Check the calendar on Elsinores web site, there is usually one per month. Blue skies

Hey grunt There is stuff out there. You just have to keep searching and be patient. Its like trying to find that really rare classic car part for your 68 AMC Javelin. Keep looking and talking to people.

Jump suit fit? It should not be baggy for you due to your slower fall rate based on being tall and thin, as excess material flapping causes drag which can slow you down. But to have it skin tight has two drawbacks. 1) IF you happen to add a couple of pounds during the holidays(sounds unlikely for you) it will be uncomfortable. 2) depending on where you live/skydive, when it is cold it should allow at least some minimal room for an extra layer underneath to stay little warmer in the winter months. Just some things to consider. Buying used for your first jumpsuit is not a bad idea. Be patient and make sure it fits.

It does help the fall rate to an extent, but like Wendy said it can quickly become a safety issue and I have seen video of this exact thing. Another reason is if you do any kind of group skydiving it is easier to dock on someone with grippers than to try to grab a hand full of t-shirt flapping in the 120 mile an hour breeze. If you are not very efficient at landing your canopy yet and you slide in or take a no wind or slightly down wind landing faster than you can run the jumpsuit might minimize the skin donation

All good questions. Yes you can talk to a DZ/rigger to act as a go between and have the sale depend on rigger inspection. Have it shipped to the DZ. Harness size you can figure out by either the size of the seller if its posted or the main lift web dimensions will be listed. If you are looking at a Javelin it will have a letter and number which can be looked up at their web site to tell you the main lift web length and yoke size. Canopy size is always case by case. That is a question for your instructors. There are a couple of manufacturers that make canopies in the 180 sq ft range which is not a big jump from a 200. Altering a harness can be done but it is not always cost effective, as it takes a fair amount of work by the rigger. Good luck

Depends on the dz. @ oceanside Tsunami/go jump you have to wait for the bus to bring the TI's back so on the shorter winter days usually about 40 to 50 split between 2 packers @ Elsinore on long summer days They usually have more than 1 packer so they are split up so usually about 35. In Sweden was no problem to do 40 to 50. Most of the time I was packing sigmas/Icarus. Drogues were attached but no setting the brakes. In Sweden the TI's own the equipment and usually only have 1 rig. They have to walk about 500 yards out to meet the plane so the TI's need the rigs sooner,so we usually only had 15 min calls not 20. Myself and one of the other packers timed ourselves as we packed at the same time and both did 7 min 20 seconds

yes 2 in 15 min. with out cutting corners all day.I use a hook for tandems as I am only 5'8" and when it is over my shoulder the tail is resting on the ground which prevents the weight of the canopy from keeping the lines taunt. I also use the rubber mats to take the air out of the canopy while I flake another for both tandems and sport rigs.

Stupid sensitive key board. The leg strap and chest strap check should be done after the rig is put on not after the three ring check. Cursor jumped with out me noticing. Doh!

Hi tigerfly, welcome back. I can make the video you suggested but my technical skills suck so im not sure how to upload it as I dont have a you tube account. But I will work on it and see if a friend can get it up. But for now here is a list. When I get to the DZ I check my altimeter is on zero and moves,then turn on aad, and check to make sure my reserve cable actually moves freely and pin is seated not damaged and seal is in tact,then check 3 handles(in order),then check main pin and confirm color in the bridal window, then check three rings. Once that is done also confirm that there are no twist in your leg straps and that your chest strap is fed through the friction bar properly. Then before each jump I always check main pin is seated(even though I always pack for myself), closing loop not frayed, pilot chute is cocked(color in bridal widow), correct bridal path, and pilot chute not hanging out of BOC, then put the rig on and check cutaway and reserve handle, and simulate deployment,cutaway,and reserve pull.

This is also in response to billvon. Yes you need a prescription to get the drug and needle but once you get home, which is where I think this story took place, the doctor who prescribed the drugs is no longer a factor if you are an ABSENT minded DOLT and leave the needle and or drugs where a child can get their hands on it. I am all for back ground checks, and my local swap meet that I frequent does not sell guns, more like pinatas, boots , back packs and used tools. Even if it is a legal gun and you obtained it legally, again, if left UNATTENDED this can happen. And Prof. Kallend your post IMPLIED, that it was the evil guns fault, and not the idiot human.

To answer the question of every jumpers responsibility to spot. If you are first out, after the "door open" light til "the green" light you should be looking for air traffic along with your position in relation to the DZ. If you are not first out, as you count for what ever separation time you think is required based on group size and upper winds that exited before you, and angle of group before you on the hill you should do a quick scan to try and catch any traffic. It is difficult with todays turbine aircraft covering ground so fast and multiple groups, and a lot of times the one that will get you will most likely not be below you when you exit but will be off to one side or the other or ahead/behind you and during your free fall will close the distance. If exiting an otter or a caravan it can be difficult to see under the plane to the starboard side, but you should look behind the plane, in front, and follow the trailing edge of the wing out to the tip and that is where most traffic can be. If your in the door and you see traffic dont exit and communicate with experienced jumpers on the plane. The green light means the pilot is ok with you exiting, if you so choose to do so. Not a guarantee air space is clear.

Yeah thats one of my questions. But it was not a plane it was a glider but still dangerous to have flying around under jump run.

Yes I do believe that some people should not own or have access to firearms, but thats not the fire arms fault. And if some one who has no business owning or being in possession of that firearm causes the injury or death of someone through their negligence then that person should be held responsible.

Yep its a good thing the swap meet doesnt do that. But it could have been a legitimate needle with... I dont know, insulin, in a house where some one has diabetes, or any other legitimate medicines that are taken with a needle, and have an absent minded adult leave it where a child can get a hold of it.

Survey says.......aaaiiinnnntttt! Missed that one Prof. What I admitted to was that there is an over abundance of people who have no business reproducing, whether they display that by leaving drugs, or paraphernalia in reach of children,or leaving children completely unsupervised and alone to get into various situations that can harm or kill them selves or others. If it had been a needle with drugs and caused an overdose, guess that means all needles are bad, not the idiot that left it there. I got it dont take responsibility for ones actions, place the blame some where else, what a concept. I will try it next time I screw up.

Too many guns? No. Apparently this story only needed one and a stupid adult. How about does america have too many stupid people that should be kicked out of the gene pool? Yes. Just because you CAN impregnate another person of the opposite gender does not mean you posses the skills to raise that offspring in a responsible manner. This is a terrible story and the parents should be charged with gross negligence.