thetreehugger

This is the kind of thing that makes nerd girls like me happy.

They look like sky jelly fish! Really neat.

Such a wonderful thing you have done and it sucks that iFly did not support your venture. I don't understand why though. Didn't they get their money regardless? Why do they care if you are the one raising the funds? I'm so saddened by you having to turn people away. It must break your heart. Just know you did a lot of good and I'm sure with a heart as big as yours you are finding other ways to help.

I just watched a video of a guy who offered a suggested "fix" of hard openings on sabre 1s by stuffing the 4 outer cells on each side of the canopy into the centre cell. It looks like it could create all kinds of trouble...? Is this some kind of "trick" that actually works? I'm never going to do this...just curious if anyone actually does this. This is the video: https://youtu.be/-KpUJK_YtL8

Yeah, but some people jump at very small dropzones where there is no place to camp.

I have experienced 2, 4, and 5... luckily I had enough wits about me to know this wasn't the best advice, but what if I heard it and hadn't done any research on my own/talked to others/etc? I know there is a lot of self responsibility the instant you decide to take the first jump course, but there is a lot of trust students put in their instructors. It was kind of scary to see how many of my fellow student jumpers didn't even know what the PIMs were. If they relied solely on advice from others they could potentially get in trouble. Don't get me wrong. My DZ I learned at is amazing and full of wonderful people with everyone's best interest in mind... but it only takes one instructor/coach one day spouting one not very wise thing...

Thanks for the replies. I think I will just need to be a bit more of an advocate for myself. Its just so frustrating when I really feel like my progress is stalled. Yes, I still love the jumps I do by myself, but like I said, it is hard to know if I'm doing things correctly (tracking, levels, etc) when I don't have a good point of reference. I am considering also, perhaps, going to a DZ that is a few hours away that may be easier to get coach jumps in. That would have to wait until closer to summer though. Hopefully going for some jumps this weekend. Even if I just get one coach jump this weekend i'll be happy. I just want some feedback/tips/help.

I'm just quoting this because it is really good advice. OP, I hope you can find what helps you.

My favourite quote in the item description on Costco website: "Packaged discreetly for privacy in shipping." Yeah because nothing says "discreet" like 4 giant pallets of cardboard boxes arriving on your doorstep.

So... a little background. I'm a fairly new skydiver. I worked hard to get my Solo license (one that comes before the A license here in Canada... you can skydive by yourself/without a JM but still need to work on some things to get the A) Anyway. Ever since getting my Solo I've felt a bit lost. I don't really know what to work on or how to go about it. Sure, I've checked out the requirements for my A and I know I need to do some coach jumps. But other than that I've felt like a lot the people who helped me get my solo aren't available or really that interested in helping me get my A. It is quite a bit more difficult to arrange a coach jump rather than a JM like I had when I was still on student status. (probably because a JM just has to watch me go out the door and then can do their own dive with their buddies after, whereas a coach has to jump with me and "waste" a skydive on teaching) The past 5-10 jumps I've pretty much just did my own thing. Trying to work on some canopy stuff but have no feedback or know if I'm doing what I'm supposed to. I had a couple jumps with a semi-mentor that is really the only person I feel helps me at my DZ. He isn't a coach 2 though (which is what I require for my A) and isn't available too often as he usually is packing or doing radio for students. I really want to get my A but feel like since I've gotten off of student status I've just been left to my own devices. Like I can jump myself so I'm just supposed to figure it out...? It's been pretty disheartening. I don't know what I'm supposed to work on (other than following the CSPA guidelines for the requirements, but without much help or feedback it is hard to know if I'm doing it right and don't have anyone to sign off the work if they don't/can't jump with me) Just feeling a bit lost... wonder if any others have felt like this.

Exactly what I was thinking when I saw this video. I wonder who or why on earth anyone would ever let a student tandem wear their own camera.

This whole video, from the description, to the look on the guy's face, is hilarious to me. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSB9yZp7mUM But it makes me wonder, where are you allowed to have a wrist mount camera as a tandem? I didn't think that was allowed. (at least not here in Canada.. maybe elsewhere it is?)

OMG. That must've been quite the surprise!

I know this is an old thread, but I was searching for 2 canopy out scenarios as we were discussing it at the DZ today. Anyway, I was wondering, if you have a relatively stable bi-plane I have been told you aren't supposed to monkey with it too much. My question is though should you be concerned about flying level and finding an open/safe area to land with as little toggle input as necessary? Or are you okay to do some minor turns (non-aggressive, no spirals, etc.) to ensure you land at your field? I guess I'm just wondering if doing turns would be detrimental to the stability of the bi-plane...?

That's awesome you started with the manuals! There is so much good information in them and gives you so much knowledge that you can later apply with your coaches.

When you land a modern square parachute, you need to pull down on both steering toggles to flare the parachute for a soft landing. Although not too difficult, I've seen people (almost always women) who seemed to lack the upper body strength to do it quickly and efficiently. A bit of weight training helps dramatically. THIS. When you start out you will be on fairly large student canopies. My DZ uses 230s-270s. I started on the 270s and yeah, with an exit weight of 140 and a wingload of 0.5 I had a hell of a time flaring those beasts. I landed fine (except for one no winder and I didn't flare in time... but that wasn't about flare power) and safely even when I couldn't fully flare. Yes, there were buttslides and face plants, but on canopies that large, even without a full flare you will still land safely. Maybe not pretty/on your feet, but you'll be in one piece. And if in doubt, PLF. With that said, shortly after I realized how frustrating it was to flare those damn giant canopies, I bought some resistance bands and used those to practice flaring at home and develop my arm strength at the same time. (the resistance bands with the handles work great at simulating a canopy flare) It didn't take long to build up the strength needed to fully flare. I was/am still floaty on those big canopies, but at least I can flare completely and land on my feet. (mostly... ) Good luck!

3:28 Jeeeeezus!!!

I'm on Vancouver island. It took me 15 jumps to get my solo because I had to repeat a few jumps to get all the requirements in. (freefall time, etc.) http://www.cspa.ca/en/learn-skydive/get-certified/solo-certificate I'm still relatively new myself but what REALLY helped me was reading the PIMs. You'll need it for your emergency procedures review, plus there is SO much valuable information you will use as you progress. I've done jumps where my coaches want me to try something new and I'm like, "I read about it in the PIM!" so it gives you the technical knowledge to be able to work with your coaches to apply it to your jumps. It really surprised me how many of my fellow newbie jumpers were going for their SOLO checkouts and hadn't even read, or even heard of, the PIMs. I don't know about you, but if i'm going terminal velocity towards the ground with a parachute on my back I'd like to know how EVERYTHING works. ;) Plus, it gives you info on how to develop your skills in freefall and under canopy. http://www.cspa.ca/en/PIMs PIM 1 and 2A are the ones I started with. Yes, they are big, but seriously. Take the time to read it through. You'll be glad you did later. Cheers! Have fun!

When do you start your training?

Did a search for flare turns and this popped up. Great post! Thanks.

No neef to feel bad. You had twists you felt weren't correctable so you didn't fart around losing altitude fighting a losing battle. You did what YOU needed to do based on YOUR situation. We are alone up there when we pitch -- you reacted and i am glad you are here to tell the story.

Did you submit the stolen info the USPA? http://www.uspa.org/News-Events/Stolen-Gear/Submit

Why are people assuming i'm a male poster? Anyway. There isnt a chance a 175 would be overloaded with me. At my exit weight, it'd still only be loaded at .7 (like i said, i'm slim and 5'8, which is why i nearly blow away on the damn 240/270s at my DZ!) This is all good info. The canopy is owned by someone at my DZ who got it in a container they bought. We have riggers that could check it out. I'll weigh options carefully. Thanks everyone. Will most likely pass.

Yeah. I'll probably pass on it. Just facing a conundrum. The rental/student gear leaves me with bruises on my thighs because it does NOT fit me at all. (Slim build, but 5'9) And any wind and i get nervous i wont make the DZ, even with a great spot because i fly almost backwards with the giant canopies. Eager to get my own well fitting gear, but dont want to spend a ton on something i may want to switcb out later. Not in a rush to downsize at all, but may want a different canopy or container if i'm not keen on what i first get.

On the hunt for my first canopy, I found one that may work for me. It is a Falcon 175. Thing is, it is 25 yrs old. It's been well cared for, spent most of it's life packed/not used. It probably has *maybe* 200 jumps on it? Does age matter, even if it wasn't used all that much? Like does fabric degrade even if it's been well cared for, simply because of time?