darkwing

I don't remember a canopy with a stock round-hole slider. From the photo I'd say circa 1980. Viking? I think it isn't a Unit. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

PhreeZone said it. I will add that there is nothing like having to land in a small space to focus your attention and hone your skills. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

Dang, they would only let me jump a Double-L when I started. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

Interesting you should pick him out. He had a troubled life, and has been dead for a few years now. Yes, he was a degenerate, but a lovable one. Now that I look closely, four of those guys are dead, only one of them by skydiving, and he was arguably the best skydiver of the entire group. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

probably OK, but realize that two canopies, same model, same manufacturer, same size, can vary by several percent in pack volume. One reason it is hard to find canopy pack volume data is because of this intrinsic variation. ps - ask the manufacturer. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

They haven't done it yet. In some sense, Col Joe never had it, in the official FAI sense, due to his drogue. Roger Eugene Andreyev, a Russian, holds the world's free fall record of 80,325 feet (24,483 meters), set on November 1, 1962. I'm still hoping that Cheryl Stearns does it. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

Originally you had to get a Ram Air Riggers Certificate, http://www.cofc.edu/~wraggj/images/RamAir.jpg. I was trained by Elek Puskas in Richmond, IN just after the '79 Nationals. I'm not sure when that requirement was eliminated. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

there is an increased risk of bad things happening. The data set is too small to be useful for giving concrete odds though. The "... for sure clear the tail" part is especially risky, given how much the presence of your body screws up the airflow. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

the parachute come with connector links. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

I am going to politely disagree with your ultimate recommendation here. The event is designed for jumpers such as the original poster. They have mechanisms in place to make it safe and fun. As I said in an earlier post, I have done these events, and when properly designed, as this one seems to be, they are a good thing, especially for the relatively inexperienced. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

I'd call this normal anxiety, not a panic attack. You have joined a big club. Focus on being safe, having fun, and jumping. It will pass. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

I've sure noticed a shortage of packers there several times. Welcome aboard. Nice DZ, nice people. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

About 1975, and I had about 500 jumps. Have done some scrambles since. In all cases there were people with your experience involved. It is all good. Don't agonize about it. If they set the rules such that you are qualified to enter, nobody expects you to be Airspeed material. Often, but not always, there will be a mechanism in place to make sure there is a balance of experience levels on a team. For example, in a 4-way the organizers will try to insure that there is one pro, two intermediates, and one rookie on each team. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

I have an M5 and my Pilot 170 is not loose and not tight. I predict trouble for an M3. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

I expect it will go in easily, but not dangerously so. Note though that even different canopies of the SAME model and size can have several percent variation in pack volume. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

G3 is the model. The size will be something like M5... -- Jeff My Skydiving History

Yes, it matters. DO NOT WAX. I'm not aware that anybody does, in spite of the feel of some lines. As said above, it creates problems, and solves none (that I am aware of). -- Jeff My Skydiving History

It looks kind of like a Travelaire I jumped out of once. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

Well it certainly isn't designed that way. These issues seem to me to always be related to packing techniques (main and/or reserve) and canopy sizes. Get some experienced, hands-on help and I'm sure things will get straightened out. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

You might contact Skydive Coastal Carolinas, http://www.skydivecoastalcarolinas.com, just up the road a bit... -- Jeff My Skydiving History

I have flown them both, with about 600 on a spectre, and about a dozen on a Sabre2. About 200 on another canopy almost always put in the same category as a Sabre2, the Pilot. The Sabre2-class canopies are a lot different than the Spectre. The quick one-word distinction is "zoominess." Spectres are very nice canopies, but they are in a lower performance category. Both canopies have strong followings, and should be considered on their individual merits, rather than what is "better"-- which is only defined by what you need/want. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

The best tip is if you become a skydiver. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

As far as I am concerned it is all about "caveat emptor" and when/if the manufacturers allow transfer of the certificates, which is certainly their call. Stupidity is allowed in the marketplace. Heck, most of the population of the world would say that anyone who skydives is exactly that. I'd hate to be prevented from making that "stupid" decision on my own. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

Where does it say that in the FAR's? I'd say the part that says "In accordance with the mfr" -- Jeff My Skydiving History

Chasing Amy rocks my world. I love your attitude. You will be great. Heck, you are great. Disclaimer: I have never met them, or jumped at their DZ, or done any business with them... -- Jeff My Skydiving History