darkwing

I've had one for about 1 1/2 years. I bought it due to frustrations of dealing with glasses with my Z1. Love the Havok. Buy a couple of extra lenses. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

You'll have to give (me at least) some more information here. What the heck are you talking about? Grades of what? -- Jeff My Skydiving History

many years ago, when undergoing lifeguard training I saw film of actual drownings, in progress, and it made a BIG impression on me. I think I would tentatively consider the educational value of skydives gone bad as worthwhile. I would restrict them to bone fide instructional and research situations, and probably not for beginners. I wouldn't say that a person who destroyed such videos was wrong though. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

about 20 jumps. No check box for that one. I did it because I knew I was going to be a long-time jumper, and there wasn't any reason to delay purchasing. It was a used guardian rig with a Paracommander main -- Jeff My Skydiving History

here is a short answer -- It is all about timing and placement. Everybody goes at the same time, and places themselves in the airstream in the proper position for the formation being launched. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

I bet it works like a wristwatch that doesn't require winding, with one or more of the following mechanisms... 1) A pendulum mechanism connected to a generator 2) an RTG (radio-isotope thermoelectric generator) 3) solar cells 4) extracting electric energy from motion through the earth's magnetic field 5) Thermoelectric generation from the temperature changes at altitude and ground level 6) a flea running in a cage connected to a generator 7) Extracting energy from a vacuum using the Casimir effect 8) fuel cells, oxygen from the air and methane from...(well, you know) (don't believe any of the above) -- Jeff My Skydiving History

Buddha, I think the original complaint is quite reasonable. After all, it was a response to something like a week of unresponsiveness. Don't forget that a business needs to be responsive to a customer. The customer shouldn't have to grovel. I'm not saying that a business should be nice to a customer that is being an ass, but not responding seems like they haven't even given him a chance to be an ass. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

Good stuff, except you forgot to add..."let darkwing go wherever he wants in the exit." -- Jeff My Skydiving History

Interesting question. I started jumping in 1973 and I'm fairly sure that the term was in use then, but I'm not 100% certain. Maybe look through old parachutists and other pubs to see when it crept into use. I don't think it has any obscure etymology, and pretty much just comes from an application of the phrase "let's boogie" which has been widely used in colloquial english. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

my teammate descended from a recent competition 4-way jump with fresh bird poop on his jumpsuit. Sort of the birds way of letting him know how close it was. I tracked through a flock (10-15 birds) at about 3500 feet last year. That didn't bother me as much as having to flare out of a track to prevent hitting an airplane (which I had to do on a jump at about the same time). -- Jeff My Skydiving History

I second the notion that you should not be jumping solo any more. If possible, jump with someone above your skill level, if not, then someone at your skill level. Make sure you make a comprehensive dive plan for every jump, but don't make it too complex. Keep it simple, but push yourself. Put plenty of variety in it, from exits through the rest of the dive. Diving exits, piece launches, individual turns and redocks, piece turns, tracking perpendicular to the line of flight.... -- Jeff My Skydiving History

awesome video, really..... -- Jeff My Skydiving History

I starting in 1973 also, and had a 6-year gap between 1990-1996 where I didn't jump at all. Not quite in the league of your gap, but given your experience I think that with some refresher training you would be very comfortable on a jump. Gear has changed a lot (for the better) since 1980. Subject to what the DZ says, I'd recommend a "buddy jump." At the DZ I got back into it they wanted to just go up and do a medium sized RW jump, but I opted for a clear/pull. It was a piece of cake. You might go the clear/pull route. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

bummer. I feel your pain. See this recent thread clicky -- Jeff My Skydiving History

are you camping? So much of the finances depends on how rough you are willing to make it. If you have a car, and a tent, and a cooler, you can live pretty cheaply, although it is a long drive to a store (say 30 minutes to Kalispell as I recall). The showers are fine, the on-site food is good (thanks to Juan!), but limited choices. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

I'd be comfortable doing it, as a temporary fix, but I'd put some machine stitches in it as soon as I could. It would be good to have a rigger look at it before you jump it.... -- Jeff My Skydiving History

There are many good rigs and canopies out there. I think it would do you little good to get advice here, as there are many jumpers satisfied with every rig and canopy in existence. You need to get a general idea of your main and reserve canopy needs, consistent with your experience level, skill level, type of jumping, and budget. Your instructors are the best source of information. There is lots of used gear in the US, from reputable new/used gear dealers. Just have knowledgeable, qualified (and not financially involved) people give you advice when you start narrowing it down. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

I'd never chop a landable main for another toss of the dice with my reserve (which unlike some, is NOT perfect). -- Jeff My Skydiving History

The quick answer is "because the FAA says so." A longer answer is because it is consistent (I think) with practices for aircraft (a real pilot may correct me) and probably for ships too. Another is that it is reasonable. Yet another is that it is good business.... -- Jeff My Skydiving History

here are a couple of relevant threads... clicky1 clicky2 clicky3 clicky4 -- Jeff My Skydiving History

I don't think that being under the velcro would have helped. I think the entire flap bent up. Reserves which have a tuck tab at the bottom to prevent bending up of the flap would probably not have experienced this problem. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

perhaps get a letter or two from people who are familiar with your experience--DZO, Instructors, etc. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

1 1/2 inches is way too little. Who is responsible for it? They should have been knotted at least. This is a serious rigging error. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

show me more.... Team Gravity Bomb -- Jeff My Skydiving History

I had a knot in my steering line which prevented me from releasing the brakes on one side. Due to my light loading and its generic docility (Spectre 190, about 1.1) I was able to comfortably control it and land it just fine. I doubt that many people jumping highly loaded small canopies would have landed theirs under the same situation. -- Jeff My Skydiving History