UpstateBonehead

It’s a Commercial Claim in State Supreme Court. Any appeal would be in the NY State Courts (not the SCOTUS) as there is no federal question at issue. And the decision was pretty straightforward and clear cut. As of this date (and indeed since the date the judge declined to issue an initial TRO in early June) they don’t have access to or use of the Ovid Airport for their operations. But they continued to take deposits for jumps even though they knew they couldn’t honor the bookings.

Sounds like people with gift certificates should be looking to get their $$ back especially because the Skydive Finger Lakes operation (if it can be called an operation) has no right or ability to use the Ovid Airport either now or in the future. As evidence of that, there are actually jump loads flying today from the Ovid Airport that have nothing to do with the Skydive Finger Lakes operation. Saying that “it’s too late in the season to start jumping” must be code for “we no longer have a place to operate.”

PD Spectre... If you pack it right it'll snivel for 1,000 ft and open like falling into a feather bed. The snivel will, on occasion, freak the everloving $%^& out of people watching you... But, iof you plan for the snivel its a great canopy for fragile folks.

Some what related (I hope) but how old is too old to become a TI? It seems that there are still active TIs well over 60 (hell, my TI during my student progression was in his 60s) but they all seem to have gotten their Rating in their 20-30s... Is there an age that you guys and gals think is just too f’ing old to take the Rating Course? "I shall not die of a cold. I shall die of having lived." Willa Cather

I jump a big canopy and after struggling with getting it into the bag for too many pack jobs to count, my DZO took pity on me and introduced me to this method. Works like a charm and I've never (knock, knock) had any issues with openings. Blues! "I shall not die of a cold. I shall die of having lived." Willa Cather

Hey Andy: Happy to say that things have worked out pretty well (knock on wood). I made my first post-surgery jump in April of 2016 (about 4 1/2 months after the fusion surgery) which didn't "feel" quite right. Before that jump, I did have a follow-up visit with my surgeon (with an x-ray of my neck which confirmed that the fusion was healing up well) and his exact words were "I'd never recommend that any patient of mine jump out of an airplane but your fusion should be the least of your worries." On that first jump my neck felt sore for a couple of days and I attributed it to the fact that I'd been in a neck brace for 3 months and had probably lost some muscle strength. I decided to not push it too hard and only made about 10 more jumps over the next five months before the winter lay-off at my home DZ. Last year I made up for lost time. Starting in April, I made 189 jumps over the next 7 months with zero issues with my neck. Even got my Coach Rating in December!

Yup. First two last week. I know: "Beer!!" "I shall not die of a cold. I shall die of having lived." Willa Cather

I did my first tandem 4 years ago at age 48 but really got serious about it over the last 2 years. 91 jumps in the last 3 months (Holy Crap; had to look that up to make sure it was right!). I don't try to keep up with the "kids' and their rush to downsize. I jump a 230 Spectre loaded a little more than 1:1, and with careful pack jobs, it has a nice snivelly opening that hasn't wacked me yet. Yeah, the learning curve is a little longer (Tunnel-time really helps for learning to arch) and PLFs can leave marks that takes a little longer to recover from but all-in-all, age is just a number (ask my 27 year old bride!) If you're in good shape and have the right mind set: Go for it! Hope to see you in the sky!

I'm not sure "fear" was ever the right word for me. But, even after 70+ jumps and an A license, when the door opens, I still take a deep breath, check my handles one last time, look around at everyone else's equipment I can see (without being overly obvious/creepy about it) to see if anything looks funky, remember the plan, remember that I've had good instructors and that I did a thorough gear check before I got on the plane. What motivates the breath and thoughts isn't "fear" but rather a healthy understanding/respect that what I'm about to do is, in addition to being something I can't imagine not doing, something that has the very real potential to kill me (or worse). I'm not entirely certain I ever want to lose the feeling generated by that understanding. Having that feeling and climbing out the door anyway is, for me, part of what I believe sets us apart from Whuffos. We know the risks but, after doing everything we can to minimize them, embrace them as a fair trade for the joy and peace that only jumping provides. If jumping ever becomes something I do without at least a couple butterfly flutters I think the experience would become somehow "less." My $0.02. Welcome to the Asylum; but at least the patients run the place! "I shall not die of a cold. I shall die of having lived." Willa Cather

Thanks Wendy. I'm thinking of ripping the seams along the legs and arms then inserting a 2-3 inch strip. I think it'll work as long as I take my time. I found some heavy(ier) 75/20/5 cotton/poly/spandex material I think will work. Time will tell... :) "I shall not die of a cold. I shall die of having lived." Willa Cather

Thanks for the info; much appreciated! I got them less than $20 each so I figure it'd see if I could make them fit. If not, I haven't lost much. Thanks again. "I shall not die of a cold. I shall die of having lived." Willa Cather

So, I picked up a couple of used Bev and Tony jumpsuits. They're good quality, no holes, rips or stains but unfortunately they are all a bit tight through the thighs and shoulders. Since I've got more time than $$ on my hands and I'm a pretty good seamstress, I figured i just rip some seams and add a couple "expansion" panels. I'm wondering if anyone has any experience doing this and what type of thread/material I should use. I was thinking just good quality spandex or heavy weight denim-like material would work but I have no idea regarding the type of thread I should use... Any thoughts would be appreciated. "I shall not die of a cold. I shall die of having lived." Willa Cather

Negligence doesn't require intent (well, at least in the way you're thinking about that term) or malice. It doesnt matter if you intend to cause injury, if your carelessness (breach of a legally enforceable duty) cause injury you're legally liable for damages. "I shall not die of a cold. I shall die of having lived." Willa Cather

Like you, I'm fresh off my A License as well but, unlike you, I'm much older then you are. I'll leave the technical advice to those with far more experience then me but will provide you with some thoughts based on my experience: 1. I absolutely love jumping (and I presume you do too). As a student, I had a hard opening (hey, shit happens) that whacked me pretty good. After an ER trip, an ambulance ride to another hospital, and a super fun spinal fusion surgery, I found myself unable to jump for almost a year. Worst year of my life. Just sitting around waiting to jump again. Absolutely blew... If nothing else, why are you rushing to downsize and risking, at best, an unwanted hiatus from jumping or, worse case, a long dirt nap with no chance of ever jumping again. As my DI used to say: "Hey, Numbnuts: I don't see any Rulers laying around so this can't be a c*@% measuring contest." The risk analysis just wouldn't work for me. 2. I'm also smart enough to know when to trust the experience and judgment of the old timers with far more experience then me. If my Instructor even raised an eyebrow at me regarding a skydiving related decision I was making or had made, I'd seriously reconsider it. There was a thread on here that involved a hot-shot newbie who was jumping a canopy waaaay out of his league with the inevitable end result (complete with video) and post-dirt dart hospital-bed contrite posts. Cant find it but I'm sure someone remembers it... It was a great lesson for me and I'd recommend it you... In any event, best of luck. "I shall not die of a cold. I shall die of having lived." Willa Cather

100% Correct. Forming a Corporation or an LLC will not insulate you from personal liability for your own negligence or alledged negligence. And even if the DZ's waiver mentions releasing its "principals, employees and agents" (Lawyerese for "everyone"), it won't cover an Instructor who isn't an an actual "on the books" employee or Independent Contractor. Not casting any aspersions... I can also think of a few other arguments that could affect the enforceability of a DZ's waiver in a claim against anyone other than the DZ/DZO... "I shall not die of a cold. I shall die of having lived." Willa Cather

Thanks for the pointer! Much appreciated. "Fly the canopy until you're done moving and not just til your feet hit the ground." One of my Instructors They truly did; everyone from the DZO down the CoC to the other jumpers on the load! Next year after getting a bit more (hell, a lot more!) experience! I'm nuts, but not homocidal or suicidal!!

That seems to be the consensus here.... But it honestly was one of the easier "required" jumps I've done. My Hop 'n Pops (5,500 and 3,500) were far more intense then this one; possibly because my HnPs were the first and second times I jumped a Rig that I packed. It probably helped that it was a small load (we jump from a C-182) with people I've known for years; 2 very experienced jumpers who helped the other 2 of us (both 1st timers) with helpful advice on the ground and in the plane. They also made absolutely sure we could see the DZ before we started the jump run and pointed out the places/objects that were particularly well lighted on the ground (in case we got disoriented during free fall). I also found that not having any perception of ground rush was surprising calming. I just counted to 5 after the penultimate jumper left, climbed out on the step, relaxed, hopped and arched. Looked around for a bit, paid attention to altitude and pulled. Never really had the sensation of not knowing where I was in relation to the DZ or the ground. After that it was just paying attention to the other canopies and setting up a good pattern. And now that I think about it, no one at the DZ really made a huge deal out of it. They said in so many words "Do what you've been doing, find the DZ, pull where you're supposed to, don't do anything stupid under canopy, pay attention and you'll be fine. The ground comes up fast and your depth perception may be a little different. Oh, and don't forget to have fun!!!" It was really a great experience that I can't wait to repeat.

1st Night Jump complete! What a blast! A little more intense then daylight jumps but didn't have any real issues. Checked the Heading and Spot when I got to the door (last one out after a 5 sec delay to give the other first timer in front of me some additional clearance), did a nice poised exit at 10,000, confirmed the general direction to the DZ during free fall ("down the elevator shaft" with no tracking) pulled at 5,000 ft, didn't rush to get down, turned in on final almost directly above the target (winds 10-12), landed in the lighted area (but a x-wind gust blew up and drifted my canopy a bit sideways about a 1/2 a second before my feet hit the ground so I had a slight right stumble to my knees). I pack slow so the veterans did another load and I watched them come down, realized the winds were picking up again and made the right decision to leave well enough alone and call it a night. It was a blast and can't wait to do it again!!! "I shall not die of a cold. I shall die of having lived." Willa Cather

After 2 years (actually only 6 months each year) of jumping maybe once a week or so and reaching solo status last year, I finally decided to focus on getting my license. Showed up at my local DZ in April and, after a Coach jump, the DZO pulled me aside and very politely and professionally said "Skydiving isn't a sport you can dabble in. If you're serious about learning how to do this without killing yourself or others, you need to start jumping regularly and more than once a week. If you can't or don't want to, maybe you should just stick with occasional tandem rides." He was right so I buckled down and started jumping every weekend, sometimes 8-10 times/weekend. Seemed to do the trick! So, after 42 jumps over 3 years, I finally got everything checked off the list!! Couldn't be happier!! 2 things I'll always remember about my fist jump as the holder of a Class A License: 1. The reaction I got when, while checking my Rig and turning on the ADD, I said with a straight face "Hey! Anyone know how I set this thing to "Swoop"?" 2. After I got geared up and asked the DZO for a gear check he grinned and responded "You've got a License; do your own f'ing gear check!" (Said while walking over to actually check my gear). Good times with good people.

Everyone: Thanks for the comments, suggestions and article links. All of which were very helpful and informative. For those wondering, its been 4 weeks since surgery and everything seems to be progressing nicely. Left the hospital first thing the morning following surgery and was back at work the next day (not exactly recommended but it worked for me). Still a little muscle soreness at times but the Doc says that's to be expected. The fusion actually resulted in me gaining about 2 millimeters in height and, while that doesn't seem like much, my muscles/tendons/ligaments have to stretch ever so slightly to accommodate my new-found stature. He also said that assuming everything continues to go well, I should be cleared to jump by early to mid-summer. Fingers crossed!

Fair comment. I'll keep that in mind as well. "I shall not die of a cold. I shall die of having lived." Willa Cather

Don't know... Before my incident, probably. Now...? I suppose I'll have to get my surgeon's opinion and factor it into the analysis (just like everything else). Right now and for the foreseeable future I'm obviously not envisioning jumping with others in formations or, for that matter, even in close proximity to other Skydivers (other than my instructors). While I know that anything is possible in the sky (Shit Happens), I'll re-evaluate if/when I consider doing so. I note that given my Student Status, I would probably be dangerous to non-Instructor rated skydivers in close proximity even if I had the neck of an 18 year old. Just saying. Trust me: I'm thinking it through. I'm crazy but I'm not suicidal. "I shall not die of a cold. I shall die of having lived." Willa Cather