darkwing

thread a wire through it, and pull a cleaning pad through. Like cleaning a gun barrel, but you must use a flexible, semi-rigid thing to pull the pad through. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

Yup, fun, but watch your handles. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

I have about 500 jumps on mine and if it got stolen I'd buy another. I'm very happy with it. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

Doesn't apply to the AADs you are likely to use. I bet it applies to some special AAD. So the Cypres is in the "not applicable" category. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

How many inches of toggle did it require to fly straight? What size of reserve and what loading? Have a good line trim check done, and check your harness also. I saw a case last year where the problem was one reserve riser shorter than the other (significantly). Generally for reserves and at low wing loadings being uneven in the harness has a pretty minor effect compared to highly loaded mains, but did you make a concerted effort to be level in the harness? Definitely contact the manufacturer. Keep us posted. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

I think there will be a Harvest Moon Boogie at Blue Sky Adventures, in St. George,SC in Early October. Things are a bit vague right now though with the new ownership still not a done deal. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

In 500 jumps on my Spectre 190 -- I never stuff the nose at all. When it is ready to come out from between your legs, just release it, and wrap the tail.... Great openings. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

Sometimes they are inexperienced, sometimes there is a problem, sometimes yellow is on too early, sometimes yellow never turns to green. Sometimes they just aren't as perfect a skydiver as the person in the back screaming at them like a baby. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

Most of the issues here have been raised for decades in other contexts. 1. The Golden Knights have an unfair advantage because they jump for free all the time 2. Team XXXX has an unfair advantage because they have the "right" airplane at their DZ 3. Team YYYY has an unfair advantage because they are sponsored 4. Jumper ZZ has an unfair advantage because his dad owns a DZ 5. Swimmer BB has an unfair advantage because his parents could afford lessons 6. Gymnast CC has an unfair advantage because his parents sent him away when he was 4 years old for training. It all kind of reminds me of a very good short story titled "Harrison Bergeron." Go read it. I just figured I'd shut up and skydive. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

Somebody needs some counseling. Definitely a bad attitude. In fact inexcusable. I hope someone had serious words with the offender. I have been on loads where people in the back have been way too "encouraging" about the early people exiting. I have no trouble ignoring it. It can cause some people to hurry when they shouldn't. Usually it happens at boogies, virtually never at my home DZ. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

I'd ask the manufacturer first. I don't know why they wouldn't tell you. It wouldn't be hard to measure, but be careful if you do. To measure resistance, an ohmeter must put a little current through. Since I don't know what current will cause it to fire, I'd measure it very carefully, probably by rigging up an external current supply and voltmeter. (or I'd check my ohmeter to make sure what current it uses to make the measurement) I'm fairly confident that a few microamps would be fine. I suspect that the load is resistive, rather than reactive, so there shouldn't be any real funny business to it. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

My wife is very supportive. She claims she likes the solo time she has on weekends when I'm not around. Some may say she is having an affair, but I'm a modern guy, and as long as she stays friendly, and apparently loving, it is good enough for me She likes my jumping pals, although she doesn't like to go to the DZ. Socializing with the jumping crowd is fine with her away from the DZ--she enjoys the semi-regular mid-week restaurant trips. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

many other sports suffer from the gap between the haves and the have nots. Even swimming--if you can afford a custom, super-duper high tech swimsuit for a couple of thousand dollars you will be faster. The pro teams in skydiving, with access to jumps, gear, tunnels, etc., will overwhelm non-pros. Personally, I think that the field should be leveled when possible, for example in the above swimming example. I think the super-suits should be banned. Not everyone will agree. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

A slight timing error on a "simultaneous" pull can kill you. Definitely pull cutaway first and reserve second, in sequence, not together. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

You'll hear mixed views here too. It probably won't do much other than confuse you. There are many very strong positives and negatives to be gleaned from those with feelings pro/con Racer. I guess I'd say that you can find rigs with just as strong pros and far fewer con feelings. ps-I have many racer jumps. These days I jump an Infinity. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

As I recall a famous photographer, maybe Carl Boenish, lost an eye in a fireworks accident (due to someone else). I think he adapted to it. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

Don't consider yourself to have quit, rather take a break. It is better mentally. I had several years of zero skydiving a while back, but always still considered myself a skydiver. It was healthier than thinking I quit. As others have said, beware of your motivation. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

I think the generic answer is "as many as time and money allow" which is pretty much the answer to any "how many skydives...." question. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

One important thing to remember is that there is no way to be "sure" other than to not take it with you. TSA pretty much can (and has) made things up on the spot. Still, you should just do your best and go for it. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

I can easily envision a scenario where most of the problem with that stow occurred during the pack job, after it is hidden from the rigger. Let us not be so quick to assume that it was packed in that condition. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

This reeks of scam. Maybe your local law enforcement will want to follow up on it? Did he ever give you a full name, phone, address...? -- Jeff My Skydiving History

Then I don't think it was a Paracommander, which was made in the US I think. It must have been a precursor to the Paracommander. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

I can answer one of your questions -- No it is not common practice. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

This is not something I am proud of, but a long time ago I was in a 10-way star at 1,800 feet. I opened at about 600-800 feet. My main was a Paracommander. Even though low pulls were more common then, it stands out in my mind. Do not attempt this! -- Jeff My Skydiving History

You don't pull it through after it is attached to the toggle, but before. Look at the pictures posted by hooknswoop. The entire process has been completed on them. -- Jeff My Skydiving History