Raintown

Hi Chronie, I'm just across the river in Holland (by Newtown). I'm starting my AFF next weekend up in Perkasie. I really like it there. I'll be more than happy to pick your ass up and bring you along any weekend. I work in the Carolinas, but come home on weekends. Screw pitching in for gas - I'm 5 min from ya, and besides, I have a company truck and fuel card! Lol. Seriously, I'm home most every weekend and could use a friend to help with some stumbling questions and such. While I will do my AFF up there, I also want to hit STL in Stroudsburg (ppl I know there) and also Keys in Jersey. If you need a ride up there let me know. For SURE I'll head up to Perkasie on the 20th, but I have to be there FOR 8 am for ground school.

The Homo Depot buckets will only run ya about $5.00, so there's an option. I personally do not know of any that large, BUT - I know that a soft helmet (for kiteboarding/windsurfing) will. I've got a big head too, and I've tried some on that were big for me. The one I have is really plyable, so it may conform to you better. It's made by a company called Protec (http://protechelmet.com/). Head (sorry - no pun intended) over to a local watersports store or kayak shop. Try them on. I love both of mine. While they're not "hard" helmets, they do offer a reasonable amount of proection. Let me know if it works for you. Best wishes.

I did my Tandem at 248# and I'm 6'5"... Not too sure how my Instructor felt, but we both made it. I'm starting my AFF on the 20th, and I'll hafta drop about 8 lbs to be at 250#'s, but I agree with the others: Lose the extra weight. For 3 reasons: 1 - You will feel better, 2 - You'll enjoy the jumps more, 3 - Less beer to catch a buzz. Hell - Chicks will dig ya more anyway, right?

Therein lies yet another question/debate: Skyhooks. Where can I find pros/cons on this topic? I'm just stating AFF, and would love to educate myself further. Reading these posts - to me - is about the best education one can ever get. Thank you guys for helping us Rookies... I know I certainly appreciate using your knowledge for my gain (and safety!).

Thank to ALL of you. I honestly felt that this endeavor would be just as I suspected: I'd find a lot of good people willing to help. Much as I did learning to fly and with SCUBA. Opinionated, sure, but in a good way! What works for some, may not for others, but opinions are a treasure for sure. I'll have to get to Hazleton and STL once this weather breaks. Am SO looking toward the spring! Thanks again - all of you - and stay warm until spring.

Thanks rsb! Glad to hear you're fairly new too. I work out of Tunkhannock, so I drive right up 313 alot... Grew up in the Pocono's - college at NCACC. Familiar with the area. There's a pretty decent DZ I heard at Sky Haven in Tunkhannock. I have a friend who's brother jumps there. I pretty much was figuring a 280 also. I'm assuming they're not too uncommon, so I think I'll be alright. Did you do your AFF at Perkasie also? How active are you with the sport? I think I should hit a couple DZ's and see where I'd fit in. I'm 20 miles from Perkasie, and I can be in Quakertown in 33 miles. Any other sites to recommend? Thanks again, Rob

Thanks, Skytribe. I'll look them up. I appreciate the help & the reply... Take care and have a great 2014.

Hi Everyone, New guy here - wanted to say "Hi" and introduce myself. I live just outside of Philly, to the North and East, nearer to Trenton, NJ. Would like to make some friends in the sport (both local and far). Also have a couple of questions I hope some of you may answer. I'm a 48 year old male. I weigh about 255, but I'm pretty well proportioned. Not Ronnie Coleman big, but I'm athletically built. 6'5" tall. I'm fairly active, jetskiing, kiteboarding, windsurfing and SCUBA. I like all outdoor, single person sports. I like motorcycles, and hiking also. Extensive pilot time in various single engine planes. Made my first Tandem a couple of months ago in Perkasie, Pa. Of course, I'm now addicted, and want to meet some people to help me get certified. I'll surely need good advice hopefully you can help me out. I have searched exhaustively for a primary answer, to a question that (it seems) doesn't have an answer. I really need help with this. Spring 2014 I hope to begin training for my AFF certification and attain my A License. What is the weight restrictions to do so??? It seems that every DZ has their own, and won't "really" say what it is, but if they do, then that's the FIRM answer. Now, I'm not too stupid - I get the fact that a lot depends on what canopy sizes are available at different DZ's, etc. So I guess my question is more of a LOCAL question: Where can a guy my build jump locally, and get his AFF Certification? Do any of you know of anyone who has done this being of my size? Also, I currently travel the US extensively (but will soon remain local). How does one go about finding the safety/performance ratings of a school or a DZ? For some strange reason, safety is kinda important to me... :-) Would anyone feel free enough to guide me to or away from a school in my area? This is kind of a loaded question, I understand. Anyway, just wanted to introduce myself, and see if any of you may be in the market for a new friend, or may want to help out. Additionally, are there any local or nationwide clubs that I should join? I'm planning on USPA, but would anyone recommend anything else? Hoping to meet some of you, and looking forward to spring! Rob