JohnMitchell

You'll need at least half a dozen coach jumps to go from AFF graduate to A license, in my estimation, to match the training in the STP. So figure the extra cost on that. (My home DZ only charges $20 more to add a coach onto your jump.) Requiring 2 tandems first also costs $$. Have you done those yet or have you figured those into your cost estimates? $2400 for 25 jumps, including gear, including an instructor for 16 jumps, is not bad. Running the numbers for my DZ I came up with $2625 to get that A license

What is STP?

make my body as small and compact as possible to reduce drag. Is this line of thinking incorrect? You are correct. Anytime any flying object reduces its drag in any way, you will flatten your glide path some. It's the basic math that your glide ratio is actually your Lift/Drag ratio.

T.K., mind if I copy this? JM

A lot of good advice here. One thing I tell novices is what others have suggested above. If you have good canopy control and know how to do gentle and/or flat turns, move your turn to final lower. The 300' is for students as early as their first jump. With experience, you should be able to make your turn to final lower, safely

Those are great.

Yeah, I had to check it out too. Miles from nowhere, but an hour out of Grand Junction. Pretty country, in its own way. I wish I could hear the rebuttal, if the DZO has one. I've never been ripped off by a DZO, but I've heard many stories as some went slowly spiraling out of business.

You should always include a link to the DZ in these kinds of posts. Sorry you got ripped off like that. Some Cessna DZs spend a lot of time on the edge of insolvency.

I've been neglectful in the training of my students. I'll add this to the briefing immediately.

Yes, it's like planking in midair. You're definitely using a lot of muscles. And most poor trackers are resistant to any input on how to improve. One person I know, thousands of jumps, basically dives straight at the ground. When I mentioned it to him, he curtly said "That's how I track."

Excellent point. TI's need to think about the impression their making to their passengers.. Wouldn't that be nice, a little teamwork?

Almost exactly my thoughts. As a 17 yo kid, I had no idea what the world of skydiving was all about. All I really thought about was my next jump and how to not screw it up. I was lucky to have some great mentors and friends that helped me along the way. Now, with my instructional ratings, I try to pay it back. I never knew, when I started, that skydiving would take me all over the world, find me such a beautiful wife, and give me so many amazing, exciting friends. I've seen sights and had experiences that ground-bound people can barely imagine. I'd hate to have missed it all. The sport has expanded and morphed far beyond what, I think, any of us could have imagined. Although I spend most of my time on my belly, I do enjoy freeflying in small groups and the occasional WS flight. I hope I can continue for many more years.

You bad!

I sent mine.

So who's on the front with you?

From Sandy Grillet, in the article, which aligns with my thinking the most: "I truly believe that if more people understood the physics behind what happens during normal cutaways without RSLs - cutaways with normal RSLs and then cutaways with Skyhooks - everyone would use them. As you said, it’s personal preference. I would be happy to have another conversation with you to give my perspective of the physics.”

Damn, that raised the pulse rate a bit just watching it.

I got one years ago. Just pulled it out of storage last week and threw in a new battery. I'll tell ya what I think after this weekend. I know you're excited, and can't wait to learn more. Sure, read what you can, but trust your instructors to tell you what you need when you need it. I hope you have as many years ahead of you in the sport as I've had.

Pacific Skydiving on North Shore, Oahu, where I get to jump from time to time, shares the airport with a very active glider operation. Those long white wings really stand out against the dark green ridgeline they frequent. Really easy for me to spot, even in freefall.

Wish Australia did that. We had to get the one month membership when we made a few jumps there. Had a ton of fun, but noticed the Aussies' association has a pretty tight lock on the game.

Good point about his possible P.O.V. I've been in his shoes enough times. Look down, pull high, or ask for a go around. I will admit to chuckling a bit when I watch total confusion in the door on jumprun. Safety issue? Maybe, but no one says I HAVE to jump out when it's my turn. Easier to find it amusing.

True, and even if there are NO winds aloft, free flyers get more "forward throw" due to their higher ballistic coefficient.

I'm thinking he should have been out first, ahead of the freefly group. That's a pretty stupid TI who hasn't seen this before and doesn't understand the need for time separation.

not a tourist but Still a dickhead though Howdy, Squeak.

Absolutely. It's the head down equivalent of the belly flyer's 180 degree turn from the center.