DrDom

Safe to say collision avoidance is the single most important factor here. Landing on target is waaaaaay down the line... preventing getting killed is paramount. You are not the contents of your wallet.

Never mind. In this case it wouldnt be shopping, it would be second opinion or maybe even a MORE QUALIFIED opinion. FAA medical examiner would be a good resource. You are not the contents of your wallet.

You meet resistance trying to spend more time with students? This is the reason I have taken a leave... my instructors tried their best but on busy days I felt alone on the DZ. I think that students should have much more time with their instructors. You are not the contents of your wallet.

Metformin by its nature should not cause hypoglycemia. The "glitizone" drugs notoriously do this but metformin should be safe to jump. I'm not your doc, but if someone came to me to certify them I do not see a reason to say no. Even here is sue-happy US. You should get a second opinion, maybe from an endocrinologist who knows your condition and the meds a bit better than your doc. In the package insert (have it here) hypoglycemia is not even noted as a side effect! The drug only works by suppressing liver outflow of glycogen which decreases glucose spikes; it also has the benefit of increasing sensitivity to insulin at the cellular level. It does not actually increase insulin production like the glitazones. So... not sure why he/she is worried... You are not the contents of your wallet.

Look, you've already made your point to them, so think twice. Canopy deployment is still an excercise in controlled chaos, so maybe it was a packing issue, or maybe it was simply random. You're new there, and DeLand is a great DZ. At any DZ, think carefully about putting appropriate "balance" in how you put yourself across, especially when you're new there, especially when you're a student. In the meantime - learn how to pack. There is nothing more annoying than having a point made and then made again later. Your packers get it. Most packers I've met (small number mind you) take a lot of pride in the perfection of their work. As long as they arent rushed they tend to be VERY aware of the fact that the things they do are critical. I'm sure whoever packed your rig probably went home and asked him/herself if they did something wrong. Your point was made, take a few days to let it heal and get back up there. If it really bothers you, learn to pack and DIY the deal. But these can be random... a good friend of mine who packs his every jump for his last 500 or so jumps has had 2 hard openings HE packed. Hope you're ok, but go easy on those hard working packers. You are not the contents of your wallet.

I'm a little shocked that people are saying a NAV doesnt flare well. I've done all my jumps on a NAV 260 (with my exit weight being 210) and can say it turns well and flares fine for the novice jumper. I've high flared it (from over 20') and landed relatively softly with a PLF, and I only 1/2 flared on a no-wind day (was a stupid mistake) and still a gentle PLF. It turns slow, but at this stage I don't mind, and I'm looking at a NAV 230 for my next canopy since I am with the OP that sometimes its enjoyable to be safe, slow, and enjoy the view :) Mind you a 230 still gets me less than 1:1... and I'm OK with that. If you like how that NAV flies... then you just get out there and enjoy it. That is what really matters. You are not the contents of your wallet.

Lots of good advice from others. If you are serious about spending a lot of time at the DZ, learning to pack is a great way to know gear AND get some $$$. And you make a lot of friends... I made sure to get to know the people packing my parachute since I figured I was trusting my life to them. I spaced out my jumps as well, but not for financial reasons. In between I spent a lot of time reading SIM, "arching" on the floor, and learning about the physics of canopy flight. You are not the contents of your wallet.

+1 on CPI. I'm having a blast there. They have AFFIs (call, ask, but I'm sure they'll arrange something, they're super nice), and you get to jump out of Cessnas for the winter, which to me - a member of the newer spoiled generation with huge Twin Otters- is so like... badass old days! Hmmm it's a consideration Is it bad that I LIKE jumping a Cessna? My best 2 jumps (5&6) were from one. I worry about hitting that step but otherwise I feel like the Cessna jumps were more... Intimate. Was just the 3 of us crunched in that tin can... You are not the contents of your wallet.

Once you learn to slow things down a bit you may find 2 minutes seems like a VERY long time in the tunnel. When you're nervous, time perception is compressed. Nerves may just be in relation to you being tense, not afraid. One thing I liked about the tunnel was simply realizing that once you're relaxed you have a truly surprising amount of control... the first time I hovered dead center without moving was... amazing. I have to agree with everyone else... my first tunnel my face was tense and the first thing the guy did was point me at the camera guy and said "SMILE!" (couldn't hear him, but its an easy gesture). I smiled for the camera, he took a pic... and then I realized he was not holding on to me and I was arched well and hovering. He said I looked like I was overthinking it instead of letting my body naturally conform to the air. You'll get it, and once you're comfortable in the tunnel you'll be steady in the sky. Expensive? Good lord yes. My wallet cries a little every time I even think of going for tunnel time. You are not the contents of your wallet.

this.. I like this. tremendous congrats on your success! You are not the contents of your wallet.

Waiting on the info on the reserve. Thats a big part of the equation. I'm in NH, where are you, ChrisD? I may take you up on packing once I learn (practice makes perfect). I still need to get an AFFI to get me current and also pass Level 7, deal with door fear, etc etc etc. I was waiting until the spring and finishing my private pilot license in the meantime... I figure worst event I'll drive jumpers if I cant get my nerve back. I'm hoping just being constantly exposed to altitude will make it all easier. You are not the contents of your wallet.

Pssst, Doc: That would be hypocrites. Understandable slip considering your profession. hahaha never caught that, I love the autocorrect on my iPad... most of the time. Yes hypocrite is what I meant... Hippocrates should at LEAST be capitalized as a proper name. You are not the contents of your wallet.

Agreed; It is the old the-squeaky-wheel-gets-the-grease phenomenon. Not unlike the Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show controversy; 144,400,000 viewers got a glimpse of Janet Jacksons boob. 540,000 complained (only 0.37%), so the FCC thought they had to prosecute it. The fact that it didn't offend 143,860,000 people didn't enter into the decision. 1) General Aviation Fuel Jettission Systems? Uh.. how many GA aircraft use this? 2) We live in a country of hippocrates where on one hand we say "Do the most good for the most people" "democratic rule" but in reality we are a tyrrany of the minority and subject to the whims of "one complainer changes policy". Her rights to no noise... where does it stop? What about the fact she is encroaching on MY right to "Life, Liberty, and Pursuit of Happiness" I love living in NH... Live Free or Die. The neighbours around the GA airport I fly out of only ask to minimize noise "as able", and fly over the water early morning or evening if "reasonable". You are not the contents of your wallet.

From experience I was more responsible from 15-19 than I was from 20-26. I got old after 26 and again responsible... but if I had started jumping before i hit 20... good... after it could have been a mess because I really believe I was invincible (much like the Black Knight... the outcome probably similar) You are not the contents of your wallet.

Don't forget Bill Booth's daughter. A parent isn't going to sue themselves over a mishap, so that reduces the potential pool of lawsuit defendants. Although I know the gear mfgrs still aren't happy about it. My guess is, as you said, one of contract law. The gear probably has not been tested in those under 18, which is the same issue we have a lot in medicine. Parents could consent and sign, but they could say it was under false pretense or even that they did not actually understand the risks involved. When a child dies in a sport, its tragic... but when its not a recognized standard of participation (i.e. "a sensible dropzone makes you be over 18") it opens for a lot of liability. Stupid America.. we need to do away with all the lawyers. You are not the contents of your wallet.

Discrepancy in their description then, I'll have to ask trying to find out the reserve, thats a big part of it. I'm not too into high speed canopy work but I need something safe to jump without overly undersized... I guess much will ride on the reserve more than anything.... You are not the contents of your wallet.

Thanks guys, this is great food for thought. Money isnt much of an option (I know thats terrible to say, but I make plenty of money and am basically a minimalist so... I have money and very few "things" with no real substantial debt) so it was more a question of getting something much below retail from someone who doesnt want it. I know not much about the container itself... I'll have to ask. Much food for thought here, thank you! You are not the contents of your wallet.

I do not actually know the story of why a Nav was th owner's choice...he was off student status and may have been licensed. He apparrently was a bit "larger" than I so maybe his wingloading was 1:1 or so... My friend said he is too small for the leg straps to fully cinch tightly... yikes... anyhow, its complete with a Vigil as well, I do not know the reserve ("as long as it opens and lands I care naught"). So... I don't know... I'm not into the concept of swooping so am just wondering if this may be a reasonable purchase for a diver who is in it more for the joy of being in the sky than anything high performance... I just love that view... You are not the contents of your wallet.

Hey guys, So, a friend of mine has an extra rig at his house that is owned by a friend that he used to coach but no longer skydives due to no local DZ. It has well under 100 jumps on it. Currently I'm a student typically jumping a Nav260 (my weight is 180 so they exit me 210 +/-). The rig will NOT be for my student status but I was going to purchase it first to practice packing on the off season and later would consider using it for my first downsize... the problem is that its a Nav230. I do not know MUCH about canopies but I'm aware that the Navigator series is really more a student canopy. Loaded just under 1:1 would this be a good transition canopy since it will put me from

I used to be a ski resort MD... admittedly we take so lightly what people do on the mountain which is why so many injuries and deaths. skydiving is much more regulated. Congrats on your jumps! Keep at it! You are not the contents of your wallet.

The canopy is a dumb place for a spider. Inside the audible pocket in your helmet. That's the money spot. You guys are killing me. Admittedly I inspect the student helmets for many reasons right now... if i found a spider I would unleash noises not heard often from grown men. You are not the contents of your wallet.

If compatability is a worry, consider getting a Surface with Windows 8 (not the RT form!) as it will provide the most compatability. It doubles as a laptop though dont expect a ton of storage. I have a Surface and iPad, the iPad is for my calendar and reading, the surface is all business. You are not the contents of your wallet.

One of my friends said if I was having door fear he'll just bring a jar of spiders on the plane and threaten to unleash them on me if I dont egress. You want me out of a plane... thats the way. There will be no arch on exit, checking spot, or even any form of exit other than me screaming and running out the door. In my canopy.... oh god I'm going to have nightmares about this now.... You are not the contents of your wallet.

You can pay a premium on eBay for one (I just bought one and sold it for double on eBay) but if that is all you want... uh... get a PS3 used, there are going to be a LOT going CHEAP soon and you can watch bluray and NetFlix. Wait 1-2 years and get a ps4 at a discount when the first "upgrade" comes out. You are not the contents of your wallet.

Suck it up cupcake! If thats the general consensus of the sport I'm not sure I would continue in it. I'm sorry, pranks are for the ground, when its my life hanging from string and nylon I'd at least like to plan as much as possible instead of having fear someone will screw with me in the sky. I'd just go back to aviation because I worry enough on the dive... adding pranks to my worries will just not work for me. You are not the contents of your wallet.