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Gear

  • Main Canopy Size
    103
  • Reserve Canopy Size
    113
  • AAD
    Cypres

Jump Profile

  • Home DZ
    Atlanta
  • License
    D
  • License Number
    24876
  • Licensing Organization
    USPA
  • Number of Jumps
    725
  • First Choice Discipline
    Formation Skydiving
  • Second Choice Discipline
    Swooping

Ratings and Rigging

  • AFF
    Instructor
  • Pro Rating
    Yes
  1. Remember also that on a PDR, Most people (I cannot say for all, cause I don't know everyone!!) are not overloading their reserves. They might be falling into the expert range, and are loading it very high, But I have a pdr 113 and under the maximum weight by 35 lbs cause its rated to 220. Just a thought. For me a smaller reserve is lighter. Its 3 less pounds of weight than If I had a 1:1 reserve. If I am making 10+ jumps in a day the heavier gear starts to take its toll (why I have respect Tandem Masters and those ass heavy rigs). I do have a mini cricket (130) in my other Javelin RS (sized 106-113) but that has no cypres in it, and it was tough to close, But by golly I closed it. -- Jonathan Bartlett D-24876 AFF-I
  2. OK Well i apolagize for that then, I did loose a bit of perspective and my face it a bit red. But I was basing it on what I saw also from other jumpers that frequent the dropzones near atlanta. Many are doing 10-15 jumps in a weekend and are none employed by the dz, nor are they sponsored. Just a bunch of fun jumpers. So it seemed to me that an average of 10 jumps a weekend was not that significant, but I do see your point. It probably is a lot more difficult in colder areas to make that many jumps. And I might have a blured perspective because of the area and peoples apparent disposable incomes. -- Jonathan Bartlett D-24876 AFF-I
  3. Yuck, Get weights, 10 lbs wont be too bad and will allow you to be more flat and comfortable. It gives you range also to go down faster or to go up on verticals (of course once you are up you have to be able to go back down). You have more power when you are not as arched, and can move faster. And after a hard day of work, your back will not be as sore. Oh and make sure you get the belt and not the vest. Either a Deja Blue weight belt (my recommendation) or a lead belly. -- Jonathan Bartlett D-24876 AFF-I
  4. 48 jumps no packers ~$3000-3600 per team. Everyone Team deals will vary. 2 weekends a month (24 and 24). 2 Rigs also. Add in packers ~$1200 Our Video is part of the team so they do not charge us. DV tapes are cheap (relatively) So thats roughly $1200 per person per month. to have packers and 48 team jumps -- Jonathan Bartlett D-24876 AFF-I
  5. But did you really see that much difference in the 210 than the 230? We train our students on 230 ZP canopies, some larger if the exit weight is larger. But just under 1:1 for students. I personally moved from a 288 to 189 in 4 jumps (while still on AFF), My body weight at the time was 170 so you can figure out the loading. I do not see a really big difference moving down one size on the exact same canopy. So I have 250 jumps on my Velocity 103, And am looking to put another 300 jumps on it before looking at anything else, but if I stick with a Velocity and I propably will it will not take me 100 jumps to be at the same point on the smaller velocity, it'll take 10-15 to take in the changes, different descent rate, dive rate etx. On less radical canopies its even easier. Example: I put 3 jumps on a Nitron 150, then did a Nitron 135 (did not notice much of a difference) then did 15 on the 135 then moved to and bought the 120. Nothing really changed from canopy to canopy except a couple jumps to dial in the responsiveness in the flare, and the added sensitivity to harness input. I don't really think its a rush, for some people I am sure it is, but in general I would say its not. Some people are willing to ride that edge to push themselves to become better faster. Yeah I am 20 and have many many years to go in the sport, but why not push myself while I am young, agile, more resilient to injury, more energy? I have been in 2 Oh shit situations, One was a front riser turn too low, and another from also a front riser turn not necessarily too low just did not bump myself out of the dive in time. But I got up on the one that I impacted on and shook it off, packed it up and went up on the next load learning my lesson, and on the second one, ran out my landing. Also please take into the account that some people start pushing themselves at an earlier point, I and others I know, Started Agressive front riser manuevers at jump 30. All but 45 of my landings have been front riser approaches. Now the Big one thats the most important (other than education) is currency. If you are making 10 jumps a month then its going to be hard to progress in any aspect of this sport. Canopy is just the same. 40 jumps a month is going to keep you current, and be able to take those larger leaps because the muscles know exactly what to do, the mental awareness is greater, you are pushing the skills more often and more quickly. And that is ultimately the most important aspect of this sport is currency. Sorry that got a little long. -- Jonathan Bartlett D-24876 AFF-I
  6. Would recommend Cordura grippers. They hold up significantly better, and are a lot easier to grip. The hot bod std comes with small grips, roughly 1/2 inch thick. If possible I would recommend the large grips, and of course the square grippers are really nice. The large grippers are 1 1/2 inch thick, with the square grippers about 1 1/2 by 2 with a spandex insert that makes for easy gripping. Of course Bev makes a great female suit period, and I recommend the Comp suit to everyone. Cordura booties, with the FX bootie mod gives a lot more power in the legs than the std booties. The Booties (fx) has 2 folds of fabric that run from the toe to the knee creating channels for the wind, and making the booties more stiff (more powerful). Bev will typically have it delivered in under 4 weeks, if she is not busy, 2 weeks I have seen without the rush. for $20 you are garunteed 2 weeks, for $40 you get it in a week. Swoop cords are a method to pull out the material near the arm pits to give you some more surface area to create lift (like small like camera wings). My guess based on your size you will not need them. I'm not Dave, but I do know a lot about the suits Hope that helps. -- Jonathan Bartlett D-24876 AFF-I
  7. I agree with all but the very first one (skying), Basic turns can be taught on the bunny slope and the beginner, but after a day or 2 you cannot really progress any farther. You pretty much have to hit the black diamond with its powder or moguls and steep descents to learn how to ski those, there simply is not other way except to go full out. Atleast thats what I found while learning. I was also 8 years old and fearless, but when I started Snowboarding around age 15 it was the same, the style learned on the greens, could not prepare you to handle the gates and other extreme areas, you simply had to go do it and learn fast, or fall down. Wow, now that I think about it, that totally explains why I have similar views on canopies, that really makes sense. Jonathan If your going to do stupid things, you better be tough. -- Jonathan Bartlett D-24876 AFF-I
  8. Every other weekend we are scheduled to make 24 jumps over 2 days. On the off weekends I hope to make 8-15 depending on weather. On the off weekends I am working as an instructor, so that explains that. On the on weekends I have FS 4 way team training. It helps to get good so you can get a good teamrate, so you jumps cost a lot less. I also have a job during the week to solely pay for skydiving. 2 rigs and a KA that has a 11 minute to altitude time. I think I drop about 8 grand into the sport yearly. Might be a bit less as I do not have to spend much more money of new gear anymore, and this year both national comps are within driving distance instead of flying. End conclusion: Rigs, Turbine Aircraft, Money, (and for some packers, so far I have not had to use them but I'll prob start). -- Jonathan Bartlett D-24876 AFF-I
  9. Hah, maybe for some people, but I have non fatty legs, and the leg straps without padding leave bruises on my legs and hurt like hell. Its on my backup rig and I hate it. That last 3-4 inches is crucial. -- Jonathan Bartlett D-24876 AFF-I
  10. Charlie Mullins started jumping at age 7, his brothers I believe had to wait until 10. I was in Coolidge this last christmas, and the 4th son was starting to jump (10), damn and I cannot remember his name right now. He was using a Javelin NJ sized to him, and a Precision Nitron 120. If you Parents are willing to buy you your own rig to go through AFF and skydiving with, then the sizing of the equipment is really not an issue. As for jumping, well if your dad is a DZO and wants to assume the risk than he can do that too. It would be pretty fun to say that at age 15 you have 3000 jumps, and jumping a VX 65. I mean you are basically getting to downsize alittle every day as you continue to grow. You cannot ask for a better downsizeing method. -- Jonathan Bartlett D-24876 AFF-I
  11. There are pictures of him at SDC in a balloon with roger , it looks like he was about 4, custom tandem harness, hooked with caribeeners (sp?) and webbing. Normal Sport rig. -- Jonathan Bartlett D-24876 AFF-I
  12. Now I might be wrong, But I believe that Velocity Sports, makers of the infinity will make whatever combination you have. For some reason and I cannot back this up completely right now, that a guy on rec dot, I think it was winsor, but I'm probably wrong, Has a rig to hold around a 220-240 reserve, and a Crossbraced 90 something. At the time I thought wow, cause they were the only manufacturer that I knew that did that. -- Jonathan Bartlett D-24876 AFF-I
  13. ~750 Jumps, Graduated AFF 2 years ago. Now between AFF Instructing and Team Training I should be able to pick up the pace a little. -- Jonathan Bartlett D-24876 AFF-I
  14. I have been thinking about this for awhile. I believe in education over regulation, but think for the most part the numbers are what I disagree with because they are very restrictive. Something like:
  15. I personally would be happy. I replaced my softie with a very low profile metal handle, its the same size as a pillow, but much easier to use, and it stays in place and cannot get tucked in beside my side like a pillow reserve unless the harness is horribly twisted. -- Jonathan Bartlett D-24876 AFF-I