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Hey you dont need all of them you only really need PIM 1, Pim 2A and PIM 2B. There are also study guides on the CSPA website. Sean

Hey, if your cypress is properly maintained it is fine, your better off having it for the scenario (although very unlikely) you described. Other s have said it but you will want to work on not having your rig facing the prop, try to get it so that it's facing up and/or up and back, it's not hard to learn. Sean CSPA Instructor A

Brakes does not affect the angle of attack, risers do. But since the question was simple who will land first, then B.

In Canada (CSPA), there no longer is a medical form. It was decided to be out dated to the sport. Although, it may come back for instructors. And there are the normal restrictions to drugs. Sean

Ahhh PC12, I've known about this a/c for some time as a drop ship I still have my Flying magazine from years back when they did a cover story on it. I think there have been a few used for jumping some where in Europe, I'm thinking France. I'm sure in the next 10 - 15 years they will be more common as jump ships once the used price comes down. Until then I will have to wait for my dream ship and drool when they fly into and out of the airport. Sean PC-12 Performance (Standard) Takeoff Distance Over 50 ft Obstacle = 2,300 ft / 700 m. Landing Distance Over 50 ft Obstacle = 1,830 ft / 560 m. Rate of Climb = 1,680 ft/min. Stall Speed (landing configuration) = 65 KCAS. Cargo Door Opening = 53 in x 52 in / 1.35 m x 1.32 m.

What type 140 and 150? How many jumps on the 140? Sean

Yes, tracking can 'fool' an alti, but if you read loastinspace's posts it states "I tracked for a few seconds and stopped, looked at my altimeter and I remember it being above 5." therefore it sounds to me that the alti was checked while not tracking (at least once). Also, this problem is usually associated with chest mount altimeters. Loastinspace, what type of alti do you have (chest, wrist, other) and were you actively tracking when you checked it? Sean edit fore speling

Yah, I'm thinking it’s an alti problem. Opening shock sometimes gets them to the correct altitude. It's been mentioned above but get a good audible (a modern one). Counting after starting the track is good when practicing tracking (unless the whole jump is dedicated to tracking). Since, on a normal FS jump you might track away at 4000', track for 5 secs, wave look pull, opening around 2500'. So there is not much point when you are learning to track after a fs skydive to do anything else as this helps to build the tracking time sense. If you do everything correctly you are open high on the training jump since you started at 5K, but if your track was closer to a delta this might mean the difference between a low opening and a normal opening (altitude). What's this 3 second track thing? Why would anyone want to do a 3 second track? ON a 2-way fs belly coach / learning dive the time of the track should be decided on the ground. The only signals should be a wave off (reminder to track), the coach tracking (then you should just pull), or the coach pulling (you're real f-n low, so pull!). I just don’t get a 3 second signal to track. Sean

Yah, tack down silicone slider bumpers. Whether or not it is a regulation (wherever you live) is irrelevant. As to my preferred method of tacking them down, yah, I don't like to puncture the silicone if I don't have too. Sean

Yes I know I was just using the term from the original poster, and everyone calls it f-111, it's like Velcro. Re: [jerm] Reserve Canopy Question I really don't care about the material, but I think that the momentum of having primarily f-111 (0-3 cfm) square reserves for over 20 years will take a long time for the industry to go primarily zp reserves for many reasons. I'm thinking it is something like when square reserves came out "why would you want a reserve that is the same as the one that just malfunctioned". Personally, I like f-111 material it’s a little easier to handle not that I have much problem even with new zp, and if its in near new condition safer. Sean

The majority of reserves are f-111, as (1) that's the only material out there for a while and momentum is hard to change, (2) f-111 is very close to being zp when it's new and for the most part reserves stay in near new condition, (3) zp is a 'relatively' new fabric for parachutes and it takes awhile for people to accept change (they know f-111 works), etc. The majority of reserves are 7 cells, as they have a lower aspect ratio therefore they are more stable; something that is kind of important in a parachute that you shouldn't be flying all the time. Unless you're hard into CReW. Sean CSPA ratings C1, C2, IA, IB, QE, RA, and EJR

Well, that's not entirely true, unless the program changed since 2000. We had to learn a fair deal of round theory and some of the projects were how to modify military surplus gear. I remember the military gear stuff as; I thought it was a waste of time to learn such stuff in a 2000 course. Sean CSPA Rigger A Since 2000 for both round and square parachutes

Well, an FAA rigger is not allowed to repack (or work) on non-TSO'd gear, as far as I know, so doing so may get them in trouble. Also, if the FAA rigger is 'working' in Canada and there is an issue of them needing CSPA insurance or Defense Fund they would not be covered as you need to have the CSPA rating to be covered for such stuff (assuming they were a CSPA member). Yes, CDN gear comes with manuals if not there would be a lot of riggers scratching their heads when it comes time to close the reserve. And no, the gear is manufactures (hopefully) by the same nylon, etc. that you buy in Paragear. HTH Sean

Changing a logo is a huge deal and expensive and time consuming. In order to change it you have to introduce it nice and slow that people don't even really notice the change. But changing a logo like USPA's is not a bad idea, I would like CSPA's logo change. Both logos are somewhat the same. Look at them what does it tell you? CSPA did a little brain storming session one day and those that were there were asked what is CSPA not. We're not: military, not using rounds (as much), not blah blah blah. And guess what that’s what our logo says; basically everything that we said CSPA is not was represented in the logo. And that’s what the non-skydiving public associates with skydiving. And if you look at USPA and USPA's logo I'm sure you might come to the same conclusion. But, anywho like I said before it's still a big pain to make the change. Sean

Contact the good folks at Sunpath they are helpful and will be able to help you out. Order some hard housings from them last week, very easy to deal with. Their website is http://www.sunpath.com/ and telephone is 813 782 9242. Sean CSPA ratings C1, C2, IA, IB, QE, RA, and EJR

Well, define close (to other jumper)? How much experience did this other jumper have that gave you that advise? How many other jumpers were out behind you and what was the aircraft? At what altitude was this all going down (ha,ha)? But, readjusting a track to avoid or gain separation is fine in my book as long as you do not have to go low to do it. Such situations are hard to determine might what be the best course of action as what will be the best in one case might not be the best in another. There are a lot of factors to consider with stuff like this (your tracking ability, altitude, other jumpers around you and those that may be above you, etc.). In most cases even with jumpers out behind you they should not be above you if they have given you separation. From what you have sad (assuming that I have understood it correctly) I would have done a quick change of direction away from the wayward tracker and the other jumper, kept my eye on them and when I felt that it was safe to whip it out I would have. Sean CSPA ratings C1, C2, IA, IB, QE, RA, and EJR

OK, I'm not a tandem instructor but… That rig is a Strong, yes/no? The handle that was floating was the 'student' handle? Would there have not been an 'instructor' release? And, if so why would an instructor not just activate using the instructor handle? Just curious. Sean CSPA ratings C1, C2, IA, IB, QE, RA, and EJR

Just did a little ground test on my rig (Sidewinder, with closing loop attached to bottom flap). It took some work to get the bag out of the container; the pin popped easily enough, but now there is a 2 foot pull up cord that has to go through 3 other flaps until the bag is free. Couldn't use my scale (arms aren't long enough) but I had the whole rig off the floor and was shacking it good until it worked it's way loose. I would imagine that a Vector or Javelin with the closing loop going through 4 flaps would be even harder. Maybe latter today when I have a vector or javelin out I'll give it a try. BTW. Had to re-close my rig twice to get the pull up cord in there, the first go I pulled it out automatically D'oh. BTW2. The pull up cord was a typically 1" pull up that has closed a few rigs. Sean CSPA ratings C1, C2, IA, IB, QE, RA, and EJR

That sounds to me like a Safety Officer (SO) / S&TA or DZO that has tried in the past to 'educate' and discipline those that skydive dangerously but have come to realize that it is a job that drives one to get an ulcer. It is a philosophy that I have used in the 'past' when no matter how much I try to correct a problem there is no way I can (especially without others supporting me on my decisions); like I said before it drives one to an ulcer. Although, I have used this philosophy in the past I try to avoid it now as I've come to realize that most times that one might think that an individual "may" only hurt himself or herself it "could" be possible to hurt someone else (hook turns, not pulling at pull time, etc.). Safety Officer's and S&TA's have one of the crappiest jobs at a drop zone. For every person that looks to you for advise there is one that looks at you as the spoiler of fun. I try to concentrate on the first rather than the latter, or I would go nuts. Just my 2 cents. Sean CSPA ratings C1, C2, IA, IB, QE, RA, and EJR

Know do you mean the horizontal stab was stolen or is broken? I voted rental 182, as most of the other options involved some sort of crime and would bring bad mojo to those on board, although, I was eyeballing the catapult idea. Sean CSPA ratings C1, C2, IA, IB, QE, RA, and EJR

It's got nothing to do with parachutes malfunctioning, etc. It has to do with the pilot auguring into the ground with it and the possible back lash of crap that can come from family, etc. letting whoever jump my gear. Plus CSPA BSR number one states: No parachutist shall engage in parachuting activities or use parachuting equipment unless trained and endorsed, if required, for the same. There are endorsements and training in the CSPA program but I do not have a program for my gear. It's not worth the chance that the borrower or their family could sue me if they get hurt. It's a long shot but why would I want the possibility to have to go to court to defend myself; win or lose it costs me money. Sean CSPA ratings C1, C2, IA, IB, QE, RA, and EJR

No way, I look at if what if something goes wrong. I don't want that liability. Sean CSPA ratings C1, C2, IA, IB, QE, RA, and EJR

Oh yeah, you gotta relax. Let the air move around you not move you. great point! I forgot to mention that, I knew I missed somthing. S CSPA ratings C1, C2, IA, IB, QE, RA, and EJR

All right, there are many reasons why you might be spinning, but I'm going to try and cover the usual causes and solutions (that I can write up in 5 minutes). Practice on the ground with a creeper, have a coach look at your body position and assist you on the creeper. Remember what you do on the ground is what you do in the air. Practice practice practice. If you end up spinning to the left try to turn to the right until you have stopped turning. If your upper body is looking OK, try tapping your feet together. If you have one knee down you will turn, by tapping your feet you should get your knees level, therefore, not turn. Umm, video is one of the best training aids; I'm not sure why they DZ would be against it. Maybe the instructor is not very experienced. Try to get a video by an experienced skydiver that can move out of your way, spins can float across the sky. BTW. You might get advice that you can Delta Dive out of a spin. That is correct but it can be very dangerous as you loss altitude in the dive. Had the same problem over 10 years ago and was told to D. Dive; well flat spin occurs at 5K, Delta at 4K = ground getting big fast, Good Times. Do not Delta out of a Spin. Just thought I should clarify. Sean CSPA ratings C1, C2, IA, IB, QE, RA, and EJR

To make my students relax you have to be like Gumby you have to be flexible. If they're not really showing any signs of being nervous I just shut up and keep things to the need to know stuff while in the aircraft. If they are showing signs of being nervous or I sense that they are nervous I make small chit chat. "So what do you do?" "What are you taking in school?"; I point out some scenic sites, like the lakes, mountains, islands, the Garbage dump, and if possible Butchart Gardens (apparently they’re world famous). But if they are really nervous, I remind them to breath and I might mention some sites, I "call the ball" on what to say and do. Then again, you get some that are way to freaked out to jump, it doesn't matter what you say or do they don't want to get out. I have noticed that these ones usually don't really show to many signs until the door comes open but once it is they are making their way to the back of the plane. I usually give them one more try, it works about 50-50; it's just that initial door opening that gets them, but you have to be careful that they wont black out once outside the door, there is no formula to decide how they will reach it comes with experience. Then there was the guy that puked after jumper one went. Now that was fun. He landed with me in the aircraft; apparently he had been up all night drinking, etc. and his stomach couldn't handle it. Note, I didn't know he was in that shape until after, now I check if a student may have been paring hard the night before. Sean CSPA ratings C1, C2, IA, IB, QE, RA, and EJR