wicodefly

You could try this. Go to Google.com and past this in the search box (if this is the right link): cache:http://www.uspa.org/Portals/0/Downloads/Form_PROProfCardapp_2010_11.pdf Prefacing anything with "cache:" in Google will pull down the last cached version of that page, if there is one. They really need to restart their IIS web server... I'm doing the same thing for my B card. Chance favors the prepared mind.

Thanks for all the helpful advice. As you can tell, I'm new at this sport and didn't even realize that the Oxygn is an older design. I don't live too far away from Paragear (who are awesome by the way when you stop by), so I will go down there and try some newer designs like the Phantom on. The point about the G3 is well taken. I will give it another chance and make sure I try on a well-fitting one. Live and learn :) As an aside, when the visor came off was in a round with another jumper setting up for some RW). I thought my whole helmet was about to fly off (felt a lot of air coming at my face and thought maybe I hadn't tightened the velcro all the way). Then the visor just ripped off. Also, thanks for the tip on the plumber's grease! Chance favors the prepared mind.

I have one of these for the last 40 or 50 jumps: http://www.skysystemsusa.com/portfolio/oxygn From the very first day the little rubber strip that goes around the visor started to come off. Glued it back on a couple times and it was okay, but rubbing it up and down when opening and closing would break it again. Hated messing with it in an aircraft... The reason I bought it was because it gave me the greatest field of vision of the helmets I tried on. Anyway, today probably due to messing with it, the visor broke off during a bellow RW jump here in the winter. Fortunately it wasn't too cold! So, my questions, should I replace the visor? Is it even worth it with the known problems with this company's helmet? Or just get someone else? Any recommendations/opinions other than a Cooke G3? I tried one on and wasn't crazy about it but I could try one again if there are good reasons to do so. Thanks! Chance favors the prepared mind.

I prefer to keep things fun but as safe as possible as a new skydiver. I wouldn't welcome and would definitely bit do any in air pranks at this point and I am coming up on number 100. But I wouldn't be a prude about it if safety was maintained. Anyway, the only "prank" if you can call it that I have seen was by two very experienced skydivers that know each other well (1000's of jumps and life long skydivers). One of them regularly jumps naked. As he was leaving the aircraft the other guy gave him a good smack in the ass. It was pretty funny. Only bad part was I was junping with the ass-smacker and had to touch/dock the ass-tainted hand. Chance favors the prepared mind.

I am very new and have been looking to learn more too. The thing that has helped me the most is asking questions of knowledge jumpers and jumping with them. Taking video and debriefing. Taking to instructors, etc. On the theoretical side I purchased several DVDs from paragear.com. Just got them this week and I think they will definitely help me. Some of them were produced 10 or more years ago so the picture quality and animations are older, but the material is excellent. Specifically I bought: Surviving Skydiving (it's 5 videos in one) Canopy Control Core Essentials Basic Canopy Flight + Basic Body Flight Theory Learning to Sitfly They have others too. I haven't watched them all, but so far so good! One caution is that some if the advice/procedures may be different from DZ to DZ (specifically the landing patterns) so be extra careful with that. Again, I am a newb so please consult with qualified people before doing things in videos... Chance favors the prepared mind.

Awesome. Any word on when it will be open for business? Chance favors the prepared mind.

Fortunately he wasn't naked or it truly would have been a genital reminder. Chance favors the prepared mind.

I am inexperienced and jumped once in pretty gusty winds (they got worse coming down). Landing was concerning because final was pretty much straight down. I decided that day that at least for now I'll hang out on the ground and see what experienced people are doing. Obviously the concern is injury. But I am curious (sorry if this is a dumb question, I am a newb), have you guys seen more injuries and problems in windy or no wind conditions? I've only heard/seen two both of which were on beautiful days with light winds and both due to pilot mid judgements. Chance favors the prepared mind.

There have been so many great people that have helped me along. What stands out the most was when I was really struggling learning to pack and didn't have my own rig yet two people from the DZ took time one night to come out and sit with me in the packing shed all by ourselves and patiently helped me through it. They were awesome. I've also had long-time jumpers just come up to me and include me in a 3, 4, 5, whatever way and it's always appreciated. They know I'm a beginner but are willing to share their knowledge and air time with me. Skydivers are a special breed. Blue skies guys. Chance favors the prepared mind.

Any word on a download or VOD date? I'd love to by it, but I don't even use a DVD player any more... Thanks. Chance favors the prepared mind.

I don't look forward to but go over my EPs every jump and will be ready if needed. I almost hit my hard deck with a bunch of twisted lines and was ready to cut, but resolved just in time. Chance favors the prepared mind.

I need to read my policies that I bought long before I ever considered skydiving. I remember at least one asking "do you have any plans in the next two years" (or whatever) to skydive. At the time I did not. I did smoke (quit three years ago) so I'm still paying the higher rates. Hopefully there isn't some hidden language in there.... Chance favors the prepared mind.

Well, still high emotional attachment and valuable as "memorabilia", being a "proof" of your first jump ever. I wish I had a little something to show for my 1st Tandem now. And I also agree that I don't see how a chest-mounted camera on a tandem student can pose any significant risk, when the TI is still in charge of everything. Maybe if it was hand-mounted on the student, then yes, since having a student that waves around his camera trying to get the shot, could very well affect the flight. But chest mounted? Nah. No comment on safety, etc. But I do wish I had gotten the video package on my first tandem. My reasoning at the time was I didn't want to look silly if I was scared or whatever (which I was!). I did get video on my first AFF jump though which was awesome! Chance favors the prepared mind.

How do you that? I'm a newb and have drifted (maybe side sliding or something) off where I want to be (especially during tracking) and would love some some sort of way to examine what I am doing. Thanks. Chance favors the prepared mind.

My first visit to Skydive Milwaukee was with a group of seven co-workers to do a "team day" of tandem skydiving. We were welcomed by the reception staff and were shown a safety video and had to do some paperwork. We didn't have to wait very long at all. We were off to gear up with the tandem instructors. The tandem instructors were awesome. They were very, very professional, but still managed to help you stay relaxed throughout the process. Obviously we were all a little nervous (me more than some). They went over the details of the skydive with us (what we were and were not supposed to do) and suited us up. They explained what would happen and talked to us about safety (the rules that applied during our tandem skydive). They also answered our questions on the plane and helped keep us at ease by keeping things light-hearted. The plane ride up was quick but very enjoyable. It was a nice comfortable plane (a PAC) and a clear day so we could see for miles (see Milwaukee, Chicago, Kenosha, and lots more). The skydive itself was truly an amazing experience. Going to the door was surreal. The freefall is dramatic and exciting. Once the parachute opened it was such an enjoyable ride. Beforehand, I thought it would be really fast, but you basically float around for several minutes taking in the beautiful scenery. The area that Skydive Milwaukee is located in, western Waukesha County near Milwaukee, with so many lakes, trees, farms, was amazingly beautiful. The facility itself is very nice, clean, and family friendly. The bathroom was spotless (a must for my OCD). My wife and children came to watch and had a very nice time. There are picnic tables, vending machines, a covered area to sit in, food nearby, a roof observation area, beautiful views and more. Everyone there was very friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. I liked it so much that I brought my 18 year old son (who wasn’t there that day) to do a tandem with me. That was it for me; I got hooked on skydiving. Since then I’ve done about 50 more skydives and earned my A license. I’ve made new friends and found a sport that I really enjoy. I highly, highly, recommend Skydive Milwaukee. Skydive Milwaukee is a club, not a business so it’s much more of a family atmosphere.

I feel the exact same way. I didn't even notice the "Tips are appreciated but never expected" sign in the changing room until after I got my A license (maybe it wasn't even there). I can tell you the first tandem I did, it was a company outing and I had the credit card and paid for 7 people. Had I known to tip, I definitely would have. Now I jump with these folks frequently. Hmm, beer? Some good whiskey or scotch? Chance favors the prepared mind.

Is "parashuting" a word I don't know about? That's what it says in the pic you attached. Chance favors the prepared mind.

I have no idea; but nice!! Chance favors the prepared mind.

Don't listen to me. I'm a total noob! Anyway, what I did was I told my instructors to stop talking to me on the way up and to just chill. Then I started having fun. Before that I'd get people telling me all sorts of stuff and it would just make my brain start racing. Relaxing, and an eyes closed/deep breaths jump exercise (that a very skilled instructor did with me, where I exited the aircraft with my eyes closed and took three deep breaths before opening my eyes in free fall --- scary to say the least) helped me get it. I'm also on the opposite side. I fall like a rock in a slick jumpsuit and everyone has trouble catching up with me. I am still working on fall rate control and trying different suits. You'll get there!! Blue skies! Chance favors the prepared mind.

I never had a successful pack job when I was putting the S-fold in first. Someone showed me this method right before I got my license... no problems since! Makes packing SO much easier!! Looking at it closely, it's exactly what I learned last night and made it soo much easier. It was like knee turns for me, they just clicked. Chance favors the prepared mind.

OP here. Well, some great people at my DZ saw this post and helped. They spent time with me today helping me learn to pack better. I learned a lot and was even able to get the canopy in the bag properly. I feel a bit more confident. It's so much easier in a relaxed environment and with some one-on-one time. Thanks guys ;) I really, really appreciate it! Thanks for everyone's input. Chance favors the prepared mind.

The great news is I spoke with someone that was kind enough to contact me from the DZ and she's going to spend some time helping me. Awesome! Chance favors the prepared mind.

Yes I did get packing training. It definitely wasn't a formal class. The biggest problem I have right now are the S folds and getting a big ass canopu in that tiny ass bag. Everything gets all messes up when I am trying to stuff it in and I have to start over. Chance favors the prepared mind.

Love this answer!!! I will try of tomorrow. Chance favors the prepared mind.

Yea, when you put it that way it definitely makes financial sense. I will look into it. Looking at classified now :) Chance favors the prepared mind.