chutingstar

Even though it is setup as a 28-stitch machine, wouldn't it be possible to have it converted to a 42-stitch pattern? For a small fee...

I'm in the market for a harness machine and ran across this one on Ebay. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=3844503852&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT Anyone familiar with this machine? Thanks, Mike ChutingStar.com

You did your IAF Tandem at Atlanta Skydiving Center, so the way we work it is... You can take the 1st Jump AFF Class and then you will be on AFF Level II. Or you can continue with the tandem progression (IAF II and IAF III), take the 1st Jump AFF Class, and then be on AFF/IAF IV. Anyway, you can switch at anytime. You can even do IAF (tandem) II, take the 1st Jump AFF Class, and they be on AFF III. Personally, if you do the IAF program, this is the time I prefer to see students switch over to AFF. Hope that helps, Mike ChutingStar.com

Yes, Skydivegear.com at Atlanta Skydiving Center is a Gatorz Distributor in Georgia and has about 25 pairs in stock. We can also special order with a 1-week delivery time. You can call us at 1-800-226-9907. Ask for Jim or Mike. Later... ChutingStar.com

Hey BlindBrick...on your next attempt try to keep as much material as possible away from the center of the freebag...get that material out to the sides. (Easier said than done...but work toward it.) Those grommets in the freebag should be able to be compressed pretty close together. Good luck! Mike ChutingStar.com

Do I have to take my rigger on every skydive that I may have a malfunction on? hahaha Oh...you mean on the ground when it is due for a inspection/repack? I really like the skydivers that deploy their reserve in the landing area after the last jump of the day and then drag everything in, tangled up, throw it in their gear bag, tangling it more and throw it in my loft with $45 expecting to not pay anymore...no joke, it's happened. I love rigging. ChutingStar.com

Do follow the Mirage manual closely as it has great tips for getting everything to fit and look right...as well as using the tips on the Chutingstar site. I'm assuming you have an M-8. We have PD-281 reserves in our M-8 Mirages. It fits fine...it's just a lot of material to handle. The closing loop recommendation from Mirage is about 1" too long. Stick with 4.75" (5" max). You can call me if you have problems along the way... Mike 1-800-877-7199 ChutingStar.com

Before relining our SET 400 mains for the 3rd time, we pull tested the fabric to 20 pounds to see if it was even worth it, per a recommendation from Strong. Most failed horribly (about 10-12 pounds). I don't pull test mains on a regular basis, but in certain instances (such as before dumping a bunch of money on a 2nd/3rd reline or other expensive/extensive repairs), I will test to 20 pounds. So take all that for whatever it's worth... Mike ChutingStar.com

Directions, accomodations and other info on Alabama Skydiving Center can be found at www.alskydiving.com. Rob and Lora manage the DZ. There are numerous "low-time" jumpers as well as a number of old hats. Good blend of belly/freeflyers. Carpeted packing area. Restaurant just across the large/flat landing area. The DZ currently flies a Turbine Porter. Packers, rigging, gear rentals, etc. See you there! ChutingStar.com

Very cool...I may have to make a trip over the Georgia/Alabama border for a little RW, Freeflying and swooping at our sister DZ... See you all there! Mike to the G ChutingStar.com

The 17 stands for the main lift web measurement, the 17.5 for the leg pad measurement and the +.5 for the stabilizer/lower lateral measurement. Get measured by your local Mirage dealer to see if this rig will even fit you first. As to the reserve, hopefully its a PD 160. A PD176 reserve will fit in a M3, but is one size too big for the container. Most riggers will have a hard time getting the 176 to fit properly without damaging the grommets/flaps and still making the container look good. As to the Sabre170 main, it will fit, it will just be very tight. With the canopies you want to jump, you would be happier with a M4 Mirage. Anyway, just double-check with the owner on the container size/canopies and find out if the rig will even fit you. Mike ChutingStar.com

The final Georgia Skydiving League meet of the season is this weekend, Sept. 11 and 12 at Atlanta Skydiving Center. The 4-way meet is open to all teams. Medals will be awarded to the top three teams in each division (intermediate and open). The first round will take off at 9 a.m. For more information, visit the GSL web site at www.gaskyleague.com. See all of you 4-way geeks Saturday... Mike ChutingStar.com

The weather in Georgia generally stays warm enough for the fair-weather jumpers through the end of November. So anytime till December is safe...we still jump when it's frickin' cold...just have to break out the thermals, gloves and stay warm inside ASC's heated building until its time to goto the plane...and then run back inside after swooping the frozen pond! Mike ChutingStar.com

If the customer wants a main inspection, they are informed that repairs will be done as needed. The customer is called if anything major is needed (major patches, relines, new risers, etc.). I call and convince them it should be done. Every so often a customer will complain about the added cost for the repairs...but I'd much rather deal with that then an eventual gear malfunction or the chance to say "I told you so." Mike ChutingStar.com

Cool! Looking forward to getting you back in the air... Mike ChutingStar.com

This is just a reminder that the last Georgia CASA boogie of the year is this Friday through Sunday at Atlanta Skydiving Center in Cedartown. For detailed info, see the recent ASC news/forums. http://www.ascskydiving.com/atlanta_skydiving_news.html See you all there, Mike ChutingStar.com

Make sure you check out Atlanta Skydiving Center in Cedartown. We fly a Super Twin Otter and Porter 7 days a week...lots of belly fliers, freefliers and swoopers...organizers/coaches as well everyday. Great vibe.

TJ Landgren is healing...and should be available for freefly organizing this weekend at ASC! Tyler Lawson will be helping out with freefly organizing as well...and yours truly, Mike to the G, will be organizing the RW superfliers. Later... ChutingStar.com

The ASC calendar shows its time for this year's second $12.50 lift ticket boogie...woohoo! Experienced jumper lift tickets are just $12.50 this boogie weekend at Atlanta Skydiving Center! The Super Twin Otter will be flying from 8 a.m. to sunset. RW and freefly organizers will be available all weekend. The Saturday night party will include the open bar...oh, yeah...come jump, then party baby! There is a $15 registration fee for the $12.50 boogie. Come jump all weekend long and stay in the bunk house! See you all there, Mike ChutingStar.com

http://www.ascskydiving.com/archive/nate_memorial_pics.html http://www.ascskydiving.com/atlanta_skydiving_news.html ChutingStar.com

No set time...just sunset where ever you are at...Nate will be there tracking with you! Tyler just reminded me about a recent tracking dive over ASC that Tyler was leading...during the middle of the dive, Nate turned around backwards and was backsliding...and staying right with Tyler...nice...good times. Mike ChutingStar.com

Tyler Lawson will be swooping in Zhills this weekend and helping out with the sunset tracking dive there. Thanks for all the support for this...it really means alot to his skydiving friends and fellow staff here at ASC. Lets hope for some beautiful sunsets with some awesome cloud formations this weekend around the country!!! Mike ChutingStar.com

Hey Katie and friends, I'm posting this for Tyler Lawson who is working late tonight, but wants to get momentum started on putting together a nationwide tracking dive this Saturday night to remember Nate Gilbert. Nate was a great and inspirational person who we all loved dearly. Skydiving with him was magical. He really made you feel you could do anything. As a tribute to Nate, I submit that Saturday, July 17th at Sunset, we have a nationwide tracking dive. Whatever DZ you are at, friend, acquaitenance, or fan, let's rock the sky with a special tracking dive for Nate. We would like to have photos and video of these dives sent to Atlanta Skydiving Center, which will be compiled and given to family and friends for the following weekend's memorial ash dive. We are also compiling "Remember When" stories of times with Nate. Send the photos, video clips and memory notes to: ASC, Attn: Tracking with Nate, 493 Airport Road, Cedartown, GA 30125-5049. Or e-mail [email protected]. More information on the nationwide tracking dive can be found at http://www.ascskydiving.com/atlanta_skydiving_news.html. Mike ChutingStar.com

I've posted a few pics of Nate and a short article on him on the Rant and Rave at http://www.chutingstar.com/rantandrave.html. We miss you Nate. Mike ChutingStar.com

The staff at Atlanta Skydiving Center wants to thank everyone for all the prayers, support and help we received this weekend as we experienced the loss of Nate Gilbert. The somber but extremely busy weekend wreaked havok on the emotions of our staff and experienced jumpers. But somehow we all made it through. Special thanks go out to the visiting jumpers and staff that helped us through the weekend. Thanks to USPA President Glen Banngs who helped suit up tandem students on Saturday. Thanks to Jeff Hicks who came out on short notice to keep our AFF students in the air. Thanks to our AFF Instructor Candidates Bruno Asmann, Chuck Owen, Mark Kalupa and Rob Morris who instructed and videoed first-time students inbetween their stressful evaluation jumps and ground preps (all four finished the AFF evaluation course Saturday night and earned their AFF ratings). And most of all thanks to the everyday staff and experienced jumper base at ASC who stepped it up a notch to have a safe and successful day of jumping at ASC in our first day without our brother Nate. The end-of-the-day gathering in the ASC landing area with all of Nate's friends will never be forgotten as it was the first step in the healing process. Thank you TJ and Katie for coming out and jumping with us. Mike ChutingStar.com