TravisR

I've got about 10 jumps on my Pilot 168 at 1.3 and the sweet spot seems a little deeper than what I'm used to. Also, that spot doesn't seem as pronounced as other canopies that I've flown, such as a Sabre2 or Spectre. Not that it's a bad thing, just a little different.

Have a look at Handbrake... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3t7zq_ir5nY https://handbrake.fr -Travis

BIGUN: It's done. Fixed... had to be, it's how I get to work. It just cost a lot to fix, which bummed me out. Off my ass now, going to work! Merry Xmas!

Don't you hate it when your main form of transportation blows up and costs so much money that you can't skydive? Or in my case start AFF like I had hoped... I have to be among people who have been in these predicaments, right? It sure is depressing. Come on, let's hear how you got through it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=E-O6eO__25A#t=82 (vid should start @ 1:20) Saw this today while watching Perris' AFF student jump videos. Looks like de-arching at pull time can be hazardous!

Greetings everyone! Hi, my name is Travis. I am a 40 year old guy living in Southern California with my wife and son, and have a new found interest in skydiving. I've done a couple tandems over at Elsinore and decided after my second one that I want to pursue my A license in the upcoming year. On our last trip to the DZ we (wife and I jumped on the same run) landed to find our 12 year old son having a fun wingsuit chat with dropzone.com forum moderator (and totally awesome guy) Douglas Spotted Eagle! Imagine our surprise when he got Brandon suited up in a wingsuit for a few pictures- we felt so welcomed to the skydiving community that day... I really can't thank Douglas (and everyone else over there) enough for one of the most memorable days ever. So, more about my skydiving first impressions and experiences. On June 8, 2013, a day I will never forget, I participated in my first tandem jump. A 40th birthday present from my wife, something I have always wanted to try but never got around to. The only time I got nervous was when people started jumping out the door, about 30 seconds before it was my turn. Once out the door, I was overcome with almost a blackout rush of adrenaline; the purest high ever. I was buzzing from that for over a week, and I can honestly say it has changed me forever. Got to the ground and one of the first things I said to Bryan, the TI, and Suzi (who shot the video), is "Ohhhh wow! You could get hooked on this!" Two and a half months later, I bought a tandem jump for my wife and another for myself. This time, I wanted more than a thrill ride, I wanted to see if I could overcome that freak-out adrenaline rush and actually perform some maneuvers. Kenn Walker was my TI, and said we would be doing AFF 1 moves. Well, anxiety really got the better of me on the ride up. It had set in the night before, and peaked a few seconds before we jumped. My mind was completely scrambled, how can I remember the dive flow? Hand signals? My mind was spinning, hands and knees shaking. We scooted over to the door, and Kenn waited for my signal to jump. That was it, the anxiety vanished and I gave the signal without hesitation. OUT IN OUT! The dive went perfectly, and I remembered everything crystal clear. Arching, counting, COA, 3 practice touches, short COA, extend legs and fly forward, retract legs,lock on and pull. Piloting the canopy was fun, but I really need more instruction and experience before feeling confident flying it. Kenn had me do a couple hard turns, a flare, and had me fly over the holding area until he took over the toggles just before the downwind approach. So, after discussing it at length with my wife and son, I got the OK to become an AFF student. First week of January is my tentative AFF Cat A start date. Going to bring beer, being that it's my first real jump. I've been reading the SIM quite a bit, trying not to get too far ahead of myself. Focus is mainly on BSRs, emergency procedures, and Cat A & B in Sec. 4. Occasionally I practice PLFs around the house, haha. I've read the Skydiver's Handbook, which was interesting, but seems a bit dated. Ultimately, I will rely on my instructor for my instruction. Oh, and I have been watching lots and lots of AFF student jumps at skydiveperrisvideo.com. I wish there was more video covering the piloting of the canopy. Well, that's all for now. At this stage I am pretty much your typical frothing-at-the-mouth overly excited noob! Whoopie!! ~Travis