hsaddler

I'm looking at a used zp canopy with a couple of patches. The seller doesn't know why it was patched or by whom. Assuming that a rigger of my choice gives it a thumbs-up, is there any reason I shouldn't buy such a canopy? (Hi Mike!)

I'm checking out a used rig with a Prestige container... I don't know anything about them, never seen one, and can't find much info about them. Anybody know any pros and cons of this container?

I'm not having much luck finding a used rig (looking for a complete system with around a 190-210 main)... any suggestions where to look besides dropzone.com classifieds?

I'm looking to buy a used rig (my first, @ 30 jumps) and notice that sellers cite the number of sub-terminal reserve deployments. How big a deal is it to have a reserve that's had a non-sub-terminal (super-terminal?) ride? I suppose it'd be useful to know how non-sub-terminal it was, i.e. was it deployed at 120mph? 200? Assuming I won't always be able to find that out, is a visual inspection sufficient to ensure that the reserve is in acceptable condition?

Here's a pdf version. jump_run_math.pdf

Good info, thanks. Once while on a jump run, the jumper in front of me said to wait until she was at 45 degrees beyond vertical, then go. Seems like a nice rule of thumb, no? Though perhaps giving larger groups a bit more space would be advisable.

Ah ha... never heard it called that.

That's a nice little certification sequence... I've never seen all those written down before. And it would disqualify me from downsizing, since I've not even tried most of those maneuvers. And I don't even know what a "double front" is (yikes, better go back to the 260...)

Sorry, I calculated it wrong. You're right, it's about 1.1. Plenty fun on 900 jumps... I'll take it. I believe so.

Whoops, right, wingloading would be 1.1. Thanks.

Yet another downsizing question... any opinions on the advisability of downsizing from a 260 (AFF student canopy;9 jumps) to a PD220 (a couple of jumps) to a PD200 (15 jumps) and thence to a 170 (say a Spectre)? I'm 170lbs "dry", so my wingloading would be about .87. I had been planning on getting a 190 and jumping it for a while before going to a 170, but was talking to someone (also 170lbs) at the dz this weekend who bought a new 170 right off student status. I'm not crazed to downsize, just trying to buy gear sensibly, and infrequently (and safely).

Sep 11th was a truly horrible event, and we should always remember those who died then. However, please bear in mind that Iraq didn't fly those planes into the WTC. Not even the Bush administration, which is pretty casual about factual accuracy, has ever said that it did. You may have your reasons for supporting the invasion of Iraq, but please -- think about what you're saying when you say "this is why we're there". It's not why we're there -- we're there because this adminstration wants to control the mideast. The intent and the plans were already in place -- publicly -- well before Sep 11. The crime of Sep 11 has been expertly and cynically manipulated to create support for the invasion. So please, please... regardless of what you think about Sep11 and the Iraq situation, please don't just repeat what's put in your mouth. That's how dictatorships come about. Sincerely, Harry Saddler

Well, thanks everyone for all the great observations and reflections... they make me realize a few things: 1. We get deep satisfaction in doing something well that has serious consequences if done badly. 2. If there's a way to fly, we can't not do it. 3. As always, Edmund Hillary said it best: because it's there. Or in our case, it's not there. 4. It's a hundred and six miles to Chicago, we got a half a tank of gas, it's dark, and we're wearing sunglasses. Hit it!

ha HAAAaaa .... that's where you are incorrect sir...that's measured in Livermore. Over the hill where the weather is different. Closer but not as accurate as stockton. That's good to know. Now if we just had a webcam pointed straight up at the DZ...

Hey, this is a terrific idea -- thanks for doing it! Re Bay Area Skydiving, I usually use "Byron, CA" in Accuweather to get the weather report there -- it's closer than Stockton.