napaguy99

Well it's official! I just got off the phone with the gear dealer and my G3 is on order. I got the M5 with no Unisyn, but with stainless hardware. It's all red and silver, with a hint of black here and there. I wanted to pay a little homage to my alma mater, Ohio State (Go Bucks!). They say it'll be 8-10 weeks. I would put a picture up of the color scheme but I can't figure a way to get the file from Mirage's website colored. I tried opening it in paintbrush but the program only paints in shades of gray for some reason. Anyone know another way to do it? Oh, P.S. My old Infinity container will be up for sale once the Mirage comes in. Any takers?? "Let the misinterpretation and attacks begin."

Buy me jump tickets! J/K. As was mentioned, send donations to the Red Cross or even better the Navy/Marine Corps Relief Society. If you want to send a care package to a person in the military you know, we always appreciate them. If you see a sailor/soldier/airman, say a few kind words and let him/her know that you appreciate what we are doing. If you really want to make a difference, sign yourself up. And don't forget, vote REPUBLICAN!!! "Let the misinterpretation and attacks begin."

Thanks! I figured it had to have been discussed before, but I couldn't find the thread. Cheers "Let the misinterpretation and attacks begin."

So I'm in the process of getting all new gear, starting with my new container. I would like to see what kind of other canopies are out on the market and not many people at my DZ jump the size of canopy I'm looking for. How do I go about getting a demo canopy? Who do I contact? Do they just send it out to the DZ? Please help! I'm currently jumping a Sabre 190, and I'm considering a Sabre2 190 or maybe even 170. Also, someone recommended a Safire so I think I might want to try that too. "Let the misinterpretation and attacks begin."

Emerald Coast is a GREAT DZ. I've been to about 14 DZs or so and it ranks up there in the top 5. The beach jumps are true, and very awesome!! Here's some pix: Beach Jumps The people are extremely friendly and the landing area is absolutely huge. Be sure to ask about discounts because I think college student or military ID gets you like a $165 tandem but don't quote me on that. If you have any questions about it PM me because this is my home DZ now. Towerrat--sorry you had one bad experience there. With all due respect, you should have known there would be a waiver. However if the pilot truely did respond like that it was innappropriate and I apologize for him. The DZO coming out to scream at you doesn't sound like the DZO I know, and he's been there for a while. I think you may have been putting it out of proportion. I would encourage you to come back out because I have not seen anything of the like out there since I have been there. True, the rental gear is a little old, but it's absolutely current, safe, and in perfect shape. "Let the misinterpretation and attacks begin."

Boy, I sure am thirsty! "Let the misinterpretation and attacks begin."

I am personally insulted by this nig-noggery. There is NO justification for charging someone a lower price for their jump ticket just because they are a female. Would it be acceptable to say something like $10 jump ticket for someone of one race and $14 ticket for someone of another race? No way! Everyone would agree that is outright racist. In much the same way there is NO excuse for charging a different price for men and women. Women, how would you feel if it was a cheaper ticket for men? Men, how would you feel if it was a cheaper ticket for you? I'm not just upset because it would cost me more. I would still have a problem if it was a cheaper ticket for guys. This sort of double standard only leads to resentment and I am glad my dropzone is not trying something this ridiculous. "Let the misinterpretation and attacks begin."

The difference is that its NOT your home turf. It's not comparing apples with apples. The person who is visiting might already feel out of place and need some reassurance to make them feel at home. It's real easy for a person who already jumps there to introduce themself to the new guy, but its very intimidating for the converse. Imagine you are the visiting football team in a new stadium. Tell me its real easy for you to go introduce yourself to the fans there. I don't know if this is a 100% proper analogy, but I think it captures the idea. Cheers "Let the misinterpretation and attacks begin."

This post wasn't getting any attention in "Places to jump" so I thought I would move it here. I was just updating the ole logger here and came to quite a realization: I have been to 14 dropzones in 8 different states. I was thinking back on my visits to those DZs and what made each one good or bad (but usually great). The biggest thing that made me like or not like a DZ was the people. I don't care what airplane you jump, how big the landing area is, what your spot is like, or what kind of food you serve. The number one thing that will keep me singing the praises of a DZ is the jumpers. Of the DZs I have gone to, I went to 7 of them on my own. My favorite DZs were the ones where as soon as I stepped up, somebody came up to me and said "Hi, my name is Jumper Belt Buckle. Welcome to our DZ. What kind of jumping do you do? I want you to meet this guy over here." Nothing turns me off more than having to introduce myself to other jumpers and pull teeth to get people to talk to me. The one that sticks out in my mind is Skydive Chicago. I went there with about 100 or so jumps all by my lonesome. When I walked in the door, Roger Nelson came over and greeted me. I think that's great for the DZO of a place that big to notice a new jumper and make them feel welcome. If he could do it, why can't we all? Here is my point: if you see someone new walking around with a rig, take it upon yourself to talk to that jumper and make them feel welcome. You don't have to personally jump with the person, but I guarantee there is someone at the DZ who would be perfect to jump with him or her. Blue Skies "Let the misinterpretation and attacks begin."

The world needs more people like Beerlight. This is what I like to hear! "Let the misinterpretation and attacks begin."

There is a risk of losing your hearing. I used to not care or even think about it until I started talking with a videographer at my DZ who had been jumping since the dawn of time. Every time you talk to him he tilts his head and says "Huh? What's that? Speak up." He says he lost his hearing through riding in airplanes all his life without earplugs. If you think about it, you're inside a giant metal tube with vibrating engines sending sounds bouncing off the walls for 15-30 minutes at a time. You do a few hundred jumps and the cumulative damage is horrendous! We should ALL be wearing earplugs on EVERY jump if you value your hearing at least a little bit. You may not think it's much, but trust me it adds up. You should, however, take them out before exiting the aircraft. Your ears will have difficulty equalizing on the way down with foam blocking the air. Edited cuz I didn't know what Tinnitus is, but I found out "Let the misinterpretation and attacks begin."

I would caution against taking ANY medication before a jump. This goes for those with sinus problems and those without. However, if you are already having sinus problems, tainting your blood could be quite detrimental. You would like to be 100% pure when you go up to altitude and decrease your oxygen, pump a bunch of adrenaline in your body and then try to make a skydive. The valsalva method, or "equilising" is only for the ride down. It is not to be used on the ride up to altitude. Instead, try the aforementioned gum chewing, yawning or other methods. Just be sure to spit out or swallow your gum before jump run . I started jumping with a Pro-Tec - a helmet that has open ear slots. I never had an issue with my sinuses when I jumped that. I recently bought a Mindwarp. This helmet has closed ear slots and is quite a snug fit on my skull. Since I started jumping the Mindwarp I have had ear popping problems under canopy, but nothing that couldnt be easily resolved. If you are not currently jumping a helmet that allows your ears to "breath" I would suggest checking in to one. Best of Luck! "Let the misinterpretation and attacks begin."

I just graduated from THE Ohio State University in Columbus Ohio. Now I'm down here at Naval Flight School in Pensacola, FL...even worse than college as far as the classwork goes. You could say it's a form of grad school You can't beat the weather here and the fact that I'll be flying for a living, tho. "Let the misinterpretation and attacks begin."

Damn liberals! "Let the misinterpretation and attacks begin."

I would be more worried about the AP coming after you. You never know nowadays! (This is totally in jest, of course) "Let the misinterpretation and attacks begin."

You mean its possible to miss it?? I'll be there! "Let the misinterpretation and attacks begin."

For all those in Florida/Alabama: Emerald Coast Skydivers will be doing a jump on to Pensacola Beach tomorrow (Wednesday) around 4:00PM. Call the DZ at 251-986-5618 or 1-800-SKYDIVE if you are local for more info. Or you can PM me before 3:30PM and I'll try to hook you up. Lift ticket price is still not finalized, but it will be between $18 and $25 with a ride back to the DZ included. Blue Skies "Let the misinterpretation and attacks begin."

I have gotten 1 ticket on the way to the DZ. The funny story about it was that I and both of my roommates all got speeding tickets within a week of each other. Mine was the most over the limit-but the lowest fine...go figure! "Let the misinterpretation and attacks begin."

I used to work at a gas station. RIGHT next door to us, I mean literally--NEXT DOOR---was this restaurant called the Buckeye Hall of Fame and Cafe. You can't miss the freakin place. You don't know how many people used to come in and ask us where it was at. The best part was when someone came in and asked, "Where is Buckley Hall." Now, we're kinda close to OSU Hospitals and we would always get people coming in asking where buildings were on the Med Campus and usually I could direct them. I used to be a campus tour guide for 2 years and I did summer orientation, not to mention it was my 5th year at the school. So this guy comes in looking for Buckley Hall and I have absolutely no clue where it's at. Then he says to me, "It's like a Dave and Busters." If you don't know what Dave and Busters is, its a bar/restaurant with an arcade and pool tables, etc...somethin exactly like The Buckeye Hall of Fame and Cafe. I had the hardest time not laughing in this guy's face when I told him The Buckeye Hall of Fame--not Buckley Hall--was right next door. The job reminded me of the movie Clerks daily. "Let the misinterpretation and attacks begin."

Yo Sorry to hear that. I spent the day on the beach today staring up at the sun. I hope I don't get sunburnt! "Let the misinterpretation and attacks begin."

Only all the people in the OSU skydiving club. It's real easy to forget about that school tho. I mean it IS pretty small Check the siteweb in my signature. I can't believe sdgregory hasn't eaten this up already! "Let the misinterpretation and attacks begin."

I think you will REALLY appreciate this. "Let the misinterpretation and attacks begin."

What's the deal with everyone's obsession over colors? I bought my jumpsuit and rig used, and I was perfectly happy with the colors it came with. I think you have to have too much money and time on your hands to worry about your color coordination that much. Besides, it all looks the same at 120 mph, right? You should see the color scheme my buddy Wes has. It's all hot pink, purple and white. Pretty sweet for a heterosexual male. He bought his stuff used too, and we all rag on him for the colors but it makes not the slightest difference in his freefall skills. I say close your eyes, and point your finger at one of the designs. Whatever it lands on is what you take. "Let the misinterpretation and attacks begin."

The Neptune is an awesome product. It has lots of cool bells and whistles that rock. It gives you average speeds at a number of altitudes instead of just the top and bottom half. It tells you rate of climb on the way to altitude, temperature, has all kinds of audible warnings and keeps track of exit alititude, time in freefall and opening altitude. It can be used as a wristmount or an audible. It's currently cheaper than the Pro-Track as well. I'm pretty happy with mine.

Thanks for all the input, guys. I knew there are a lot of military skydivers out there, but I never expected this many responses in so short a time. I realize if I wanted I could go up the chain and see what the higher-ups say. However, as was mentioned before, this would probably piss off some folks below. I'm not really looking to fight it. If my ISIC tells me not to jump then I'm not going to. I was just curious to see what other commands have to say about it. I spent the first 18 years of my life not jumping and I think I can make it 4 more months. It's going to be REAL tough, but I think I can stick it out. In the meantime, if anyone wants to visit Florida let me know. I'm starting to get bored with not jumping. I think the advice I will be taking from this post is the old adage: "Tis better to beg forgiveness than ask permission." Next time I'll just go til they tell me explicitly not to. I'll be seeing you all in the skies over Texas this summer! "Let the misinterpretation and attacks begin."