heavision

I'll be in Europe August and September 2019 and I'm looking for a cheap DZ to spend some time at. I'll be in France mid August so it's a good central location to rock a train from. I hear Poland is less expensive than other countries, also Hungary and some eastern countries. Suggestions? Bring it.

Yeah I plan on covering it during the day as I'll be leaving it up for days at a time. And to keep cool I plan on having access to electricity and rocking a little fan--I worry about being too hot. I'm ok with spartan living, I just want to keep cool, dry and as bug-free as possible!

Gonna be spending a lot of time at a midwest DZ. Anyone have suggestions for a solid tent? I've been looking at 2 person, 3 season backpacking tents--there are some good ones. Anyone have suggestions? Bring it...

Oh man, I could go nutz on this--lots of ideas! I have this dilemma often: there are several DZs within a few hours of my home and I'm always wondering where to go. To me there are two critical things. 1) weather. 2) how many loads will there be? Importance of weather is obvious. But trying to find out if there will be enough loads to justify the drive--2, 3, 4 hrs each way--is a PITA, big time. You can call or message; but DZs usually just say 'yeah come out!' or 'you can't jump if you're not here.' So you go, only to find out its totally slow; few tandems, not enough fun jumpers. You just drove 3 and a half hours to make 2 jumps and now you gotta drive 3 and a half hours back home. Sucks. (Idk if other people have this problem, but its happened to me a number of times and it drives me frikkin bonkerz!!) If there's a way to find out, and post on your app, how many jumps your likely to get at a given DZ on a given day, just a ballpark figure, that would friggin rule. Shit, I gotta go to work

So I've got an open faced helmet and I'm having a heck of a time trying to find decent, clear goggles. I've gone through quite a few $10 ones and one $40 pair and they've all crapped out or just don't fit/seal my face. Anyone have suggestions? Let `em rip!!!

What type(s) of footware do you jump in, and why? Different stuff for different seasons, weather, locations, types of jump/landing? Please elaborate! Thanks y'all! Now, let 'em rip.

Any suggestions for hi-top jump shoes? Nike 6" SFB looks like a posibility. I'm thinking something between Chucks and light hiking boots. Not too chunky, some ankle support, comfy, solid, yada yada yada. Bring it!

I deployed NW (I think) of the field/landing area. Looked down and was above a highway--plenty of time/altitude though. I lined up to head back and land. I looked down and the highway was still beneath me, in the same spot. Tried .5, .25 brakes, rears etc. Highway was actually in front of me a bit now. I was being pushed away from the airport! Super high winds at my altitude--and all the way to the ground as it turned out. It was obvious I wasn't gonna make it back. So I started looking for a safe alternate landing spot. I elected to aim for a big spot as I am a new jumper and I was at the mercy of some serious winds. So there's the highway beneath me, a field next to it, then a river. So I aimed for the center of the field, trying to avoid the highway and river. I haven't done water training yet. I could see huge ripples sweeping across the grassy field; like a giant, invisible broom was sweeping across it--hard and fast. I was being tossed around a good bit. I focused on a good, open, obstacle-free spot in the center and began maneuvering for landing. I got closer and realized it was actually a corn field. But I was already committed (and low) so I landed there. No choice. Also; like I said, I'm a new, sub 100 jumper, AND this was my 2nd or 3rd jump on my new rig (Pilot 188.) And it was my first ever jump at that DZ. In retrospect, it wouldn't have been a bad idea to skip the jump altogether. The thought had crossed my mind: novice jumper, new rig, new DZ, high wind. Sounds pretty bad now as I'm typing this!! I would categorize myself as a safe, prudent skydiver; not one to make poor decisions. Now I'm re-assessing my judgement. I landed safely though, and I learned from the experience. And, given the scenario, I'm pleased with my decisions and actions. I would only second guess the decision to jump in the first place. Man, I guess I could've answered simply; "I didn't realize it was a cornfield until I was already committed." Sorry for the long-winded response--I had some coffee today!

Most of what I've read about canopy progression talks about which canopy is appropriate for your experience level, what WL is safe etc. and when and how you should progress to a smaller one and in what increments etc. I'm wondering: do people ever just switch to a higher performance canopy, but stay at the same WL, as means of progression? Because wouldn't it A) allow you to keep your current rig and not have to buy a new one to fit smaller canopy? B) let you demo different canopies with your own rig that you're comfortable with? C) I just realized A and B are kinda the same so.... I have no clue, this may be a terrible idea; so I'm asking. Hit me up with your wisdom!!

Amen, brother, amen.