elightle

It is best to fly in smoothly then maintain fall rate and stay level before docking. That's probably the most important discipline required on big-ways. But what if it's a fast-falling formation?

Three things: 1. What one poster said about both feet hitting the floor this morning. 2. Realizing that bankruptcy and foreclosure are a chance to make a fresh start. 3. Having friends like kmills0705 to do 4-way with!

Yea, what's up with that?

Become confident in controlling yourself in freefall (the tunnel helps), learn to track "well" before you do group RW, and become good at flying your canopy. Then do what kkeenan says, jump with people who are better than you. Get video of your jumps, watch tons of good video (not zoo dives), and VISUALIZE, which means rehearse what you're going to do in the air then replay your good skydives over and over in your head. VISUALIZATION is a major part of training and learning.

Yup, that was pretty stupid. Or you could have been in the plane crash. So maybe not so stupid. That's true, Dom. I've thought about that too. My plane crash was at the '78 Nationals in a DC-3. No injuries to our 10-way team except for one broken ankle.

Hi, Marion. I don't believe I know you but I feel sad that you're leaving the sport . I quit for 15 years only because I couldn't afford to compete. Dumb move I realized later. Now I am a 4-way competitor wannabee with no medals. If I could do it all over, I would have jumped on that first 4-way team with my buddy, Dan BC. Yes, I said BC! But I digress. This is your farewell to the troops and we wish you all the best. I am sure you are doing what is best for you. Like I said, We'll be here if/when you return .

geez Ed, why don't you just cut off his arms and legs? Hey, rehmwa, my point was that his booties should be taught and streamlined, not floppy and baggy

People's natural fall rates are so different that it would be very difficult to apply a mathematical formula to calculate how much lead to wear. Your best bet is trial and error, but don't go strapping on a ton of weight on your first "trial". It can seriously affect your canopy's wing loading, and you don't know how it will affect your freefall maneuvering. Be safe and start with something like 6 lbs then work your way up. Add something like 3 or 4 lbs if 6 lbs isn't enough. Anything less than 3 lbs is not enough to make a difference. But don't go too heavy. 20 lbs is probably the upper limit. I wore 26 one time to do 4-way and it was way too much. Then there is the matter of your jumpsuit. Nylon front, spandex arms, no mega booties. Another thing that will help is body position. If you can get to a tunnel, do so. Hope this helps!

Good one! Did you have to remind me I was that old?

Wondered why Tony Suits and Bev Suits aren't listed.

I was taught to use rear risers when flying into the wind from a long spot, and to use half brakes when the wind is at my back.

The ability to track like a rocket is not a bad skill, especially on the outside of a big-way; however, if you're close to the base on a 100-plus way, you don't want to over track people in the outer waves. Tracking in groups is a skill too. oops - totally agree and just finished editing my comment prior to seeing yours. Really Big ways is about everyone doing what they said they would so to minimize surprises. ...and I totally agree that it's nice when somebody compliments you on your tracking. Got one of those comments from Karen Wood on the Virginia State Record in 2008. Got to admit my head swelled a bit .

The ability to track like a rocket is not a bad skill, especially on the outside of a big-way; however, if you're close to the base on a 100-plus way, you don't want to over track people in the outer waves. Tracking in groups is a skill too.

Sierra's Mother: Words cannott begin to describe the pain you are going through. I know because I lost my 13 year-old daughter 6 years ago. It looks like you stepped into a hornet's nest on this forum and I apologize for that. Skydivers tend to become very protective of their sport and their fellow skydivers. They become very close knit and think of the skydiving community as their family, sometimes forgetting that their are real lives and real families that are more important. Skymama1's reply was a good one and I would listen to her. I do agree with some of the posters that sharing the video of that terrible jump might help us all learn how to be safer. But I don't agree with the way some posters practically demanded that you do so. Losing a child is the worst pain on earth but it is manageable if you can focus on the wonderful memories and the joy that Sierra gave you during her 22 years with you. And, NO MATTER WHAT PEOPLE SAY, keep her memories alive. It's not like the old days where you put way all her photos and pretend like she never existed. My wife is writing a book about the 13 wonderful years we had with Shaina. She hopes it might help other mother's grieve; but, mostly, she wants the whole world to know what a wonderful person Shaina was. If some people think that's morbid, they don't have to read the book. But I am sure a lot of people will want to read how despite being harrassed and bullied in middle school, a gorgeous 13 year-old beauty was still able to march to the beat of her own drum and maintain a straight-A average. Shaina wanted more than anything to be a writer. Sorry about the long post but I wanted you to know that as far as I can tell, I can come closer than anybody in this thread to understanding the pain you are going through. God Bless, Ed Lightle

John, you are a lucky man. Sparky Took the words right out of my mouth

For Gods Sakes, man! You can't even find the formation or track away from it without putting other jumpers' lives in jeopardy... and now you want to do CRW!!!

I just bought a great book of skydiving formations from 2- to 20-ways from www.skydivingmagazine.com. Cost was less than $30 and well worth it!

Huh? You can't fly in Mantis when docked on a big-way or when somebody has a grip on you in a whacker. Great for 4-way randoms and movement, not so great on big-ways.

I think the other USMC guy in this thread explained it pretty well. I was trained as a Navy/Marine Corps Parachutist so there was no problem with me jumping at the local sport parachute club. But even if I hadn't been a military jumper, I don't think it would have mattered.

Started when I was in the Marine Corps. Had a chance to try out for the Golden Knights when I got out of the Corps but decided to go back to college instead. I have always regretted not giving the Knights a try then finishing school later. Oh well...

Nina, I don't know beans about home gyms but I agree with you about working out at home. I'm in my mid-fifties and just don't feel comfortable around the buff people at the gym, especially in the locker room. I'm not ugly or anything (my opinion

No, but my wife has one now but I've never run into him and he hasn't actually propositioned her. He just follows her some when she goes to the supermarket.

Your is probably the most honest reply in this thread. I feel the same way!

Awesome... but what the hell were you doing jumping in the middle of winter in PA?? Oh, I forgot, I'm old and won't jump when the temperature is below 50 degrees. Sounds like a great DZ though. I started jumping on the east coast and always loved the people. Is Maytown close to Philly? Blue Ones!

I'm not all that savvy about computers either but a PC repair shop recommended AVG, free anti-virus software. I've been using it for well over a year and haven't had a problem. Here's a link: http://download.cnet.com/AVG-Anti-Virus-Free-Edition/3000-2239_4-10320142.html Hope this helps!