darkwing

I believe that afterburners are highly overrated. Just get plain booties. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

absolutely, do it. This is one reason that you should have this understood BEFORE takeoff, to prevent idiots from screaming at you. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

but it isn't tso'e is it? I seriously doubt that a gear mfr would let you put your own treated hardware on a rig. They would assume the liability... -- Jeff My Skydiving History

I had a Z1, and got tired of glasses hassles with it. I did buy a special pair of wraparound glasses that fit under it, but it was still a hassles taking the helmet and glasses off (and putting on). I sold the Z1 and bought a Bonehead Havok. All is well now. I prefer the Havok to the Z1 for other reasons too. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

I love it too. By the way, who is the guy, and where is he from. You know who I mean. The one who does the world's most awesome pond swoop at the beginning. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

It is easiest to tell by looking at more than one canopy. Some lines are very skinny, and some are fatter.... -- Jeff My Skydiving History

Yes. .... wait, I thought you meant thermonuclear fusion. Never mind. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

I have seen them a couple of times, and the owners were pleased with them. I don't remember any details though. You might also consider a permanent retro-fit as opposed to detachables. If I don't want my booties on I just fold them inside the leg and rubber-band them. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

7-cells tend to be "zoomier" than equivalent square footage 9-cells. Mostly that is related to the aspect ratio, which is the ratio of the width to the chord (front to back measurement). I think that a Spectre 210 (7-cell) would be perfect for you. I believe them to be significantly superior to Triathlons of equivalent size. Also worth more in resale. I am sure that you will have many recommendations, but of course mine is the best. Also, note that I don't know you, your skill level, or anything else.... -- Jeff My Skydiving History

I have a friend who recently got his ticket, and the practical did not include packing a square reserve, only a round. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

We need to be responsible for ourselves. While the FAA probably makes it the pilot's responsibility, realistically it is our job. Make sure you count heads and pay attention to load distribution limits. For your group and any group ahead of yours. I have been on a stalled Beech D-18 on jumprun. It was not fun at all. I recall that I was the only person not bleeding afterwards. I've paid more attention since then. I also lost some friends in Seattle when a Lockheed Lodestar stalled. It never recovered and you are seriously mistaken if you think you are tough enough to get out if you have to. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

Is it on risers already? If so, make sure they are compatible with the attachments on your rig. If not on risers you will need to put it on risers. Given your apparent lack of gear sophistication I strongly recommend you have someone help. Reason - there are things you can do very wrong which are hard to catch. Of course simple things like routing the lines correctly are fairly easy to catch, but you could mess up the rapide links or slinks if you do them wrong. You may discover your mistake at 50 feet, which is a very bad place to discover such an error. You don't have to have a rigger, but an experienced, and gear savvy jumping pal should be able to help. Make sure they are actually gear savvy, not just "lots of jumps" as the two are not well correlated. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

I'm a rigger. I remember when the cycle was 60 days. I wouldn't change the rigor of my inspection at 60,120 or 180. A complete inspection is just that. I also wouldn't raise my rates if the cycle increased. But then I don't like packing reserves anyway, so I don't do much of it. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

I agree with what the others said. You'll probably find happiness on pretty much any modern rig. fwiw, I'm shorter, and a little lighter, and I love my Infinity. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

The fit depends on your body type. Fat boys (like me) get a looser fit, tall skinny boys get a snug fit. It sounds to me though like yours is too tight. It shouldn't restrict your movements, especially de-arching, and shoulder movement. Maybe you could get some spandex inserts that will keep it snug (if you need it snug) but still allow range of motion. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

A ParaCommander (Clown pattern) in a custom Guardian Rig (Silver/Blue). It was hot gear. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

I'm maintaining my goal of being the only skydiver in the world who is NOT a Rodriguez Brother. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

Nice idea, but I don't like it. Too many unknowns. Issues with reserve deployment. I'm a minimalist, and it isn't minimal. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

relax. To drop your knees I think you have to work at it. Relaxing will result in them blowing back. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

If you landed 1/2 mile away the uppers (or the spot) were much worse than you state. My limits depend on the direction, which strongly influences turbulence at our DZ. 10 mph is too high for me when the wind is perpendicular to our runway. 15-20 is fine if the wind is with the runway. Although if it is turbulent in that direction (less likely) I'll ground myself. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

Thanks. Glad that you came by and that we made some fun skydives. Hope to see you again. I'll look you up in Deland when i get there. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

$10. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

last year one of my students (I teach at a College) took this photo and edited a photo of my head onto one of the guys and posted it in the department. Very funny. I killed him slowly. (not really). Everyone, including me, got a laugh out of it. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

or a Japanese tandem master with two americans strapped on. Listen to them yammer.... -- Jeff My Skydiving History

What thread do you use for suspension line work? Heavy and light spectra lines, vectran..... I know some people routinely use E thread for everything, but the manufacturers don't. -- Jeff My Skydiving History