Rio Santonil

If you are talking "popularity", it is pretty much what ever is popular at the drop zone, as well as regional based depending on how close the dz location is to the manufacturer. Personally, I based my preference based on what the dz used for the AFF students. At my DZ they used Javelins. My dz is one of the largest in the country so I figured due to the high usage of the container they are very durable. I purchased a (Sun Path) Javelin. I am very happy with it.

Hello Belly flyers, I just bought RW Suit and I'm looking for recommendations on minimizing the wear and tear on the sole of the booties. I already have some recommendations speaking to others at my dz but I would like to expand to other feedback online. What do you put on the bottom sole of your booties to minimize the wear and tear? Thank you in advance for your feedback.

Wow, 10 year hiatus. Welcome back. When giving feedback, I always start my comments by saying check with your instructor or coach before taking into consideration any comments from these website and anyone on the internet. Taking into consideration your 10 year hiatus, I would suggest renting first and determine what your comfort level on the various canopy characteristics. In addition, I would highly suggest to do some due diligence and conduct some personal research on the canopies. Each of the canopies mentioned or suggested have varying glide characteristics, opening characteristics, flare power and so on. I have tried (rented) several of the canopies mentioned above but I will only comment on 3 features due to my preferences: opening, glide ratio and flare power. I pilot a Sabre3 170 but I also liked the Spectre. Both canopies have soft openings. Sabre3 has a steep glide so it is very fast. Spectre is more docile or more of flat glide if you compare the two. Sabre3 definitely has more of a flare power. Lastly, with 65 jumps, if you haven't already done so, since you didn't mention it, I would highly highly highly suggest taking a canopy course such as Flight1 or any canopy course. It is night and day in comparison to your AFF course. Hope this helps on your journey. Blue Skies and Fly Happy! Add me on IG: _planetrio_

During the recent USPA Safety day, I attended the seminar on mid-air collision and entanglements. The presenter suggested "Bench Made - Hook Knife". I'm leaning towards Bench Made but I'm open to other brand recommendations that you may be aware of or use with your rig for comparison purposes. Also, where do you place your hook knife on your rig or do you place it in jump suit or pants? https://www.benchmade.com/7-hook.html https://www.benchmade.com/7-hook.html

Again, thank you for all the feedbacks, advices and helpful recommendations. It has been enlightening and educational reading all the responses because only 2 persons really responded to my question about the recommended clothing. I had to reread my post because I was wondering whether or not I fully articulated the advise I was seeking about the recommended clothing. Anyway, I did not intend this post to be an exchange of differing schools of thought about landing techniques. After reviewing all the post, reviewing how many jumps each person that posted and their position on how to land was very informative. As a trivial and side note about myself, after taking a canopy course at jump 27, I began to stand up my landings 99% of the time but I have to admit that I'm not perfect like the others who posted here and so depending on the winds I have to resort to a PLF or a slide landing on 1% of my landings. Please note that I do appreciate everyone's post and take them into consideration, and added them to my skydiving toolkit because I am definitely still learning at 70 jumps young. As far as my approach to canopy downsizing, I've very conservative, prefer to pilot canopies that have a flat glide and powerful flare. Again, thank you to the persons that responded to my question and I appreciate all the feedback. Blue Skies and Fly Happy!

Thank you everyone for your input, feedback and suggestions.

Hello everyone, I'm a fairly new in the sport and slowly compiling my gear. One of the items that seem to be my immediate need are some very durable pants/ shorts that can withstand a slide. Currently, I'm a B license holder which means my designated landing area is located in an area where it is not well maintained. On rare occasions, I need to slide which means I need a durable pants/shorts that have cordura on the butt and knees. I've already purchase (caos) jumpsuits and (vertex) pants but they are taking longer that I expected and I need protection asap. I'm looking for an inexpensive and alternative clothing (pants or shorts) that has a durable protection for the knees and butt. Your input and feedback is greatly appreciated. Blue Skies and Fly Happy!

Aon X2 altimeter has a similar feature that may be applicable to what you are looking for. https://www.aon2.co.uk Here's a screenshot of my canopy flight. The altimeter can downloads the info (XML file) into Google Earth and may be viewed in 2D / 3D / Graph.

Hi everyone, I'm a fairly new licensed jumper. I'm trying to see what are your best practices in logging in your jumps on your log book. What information do you record? Below are some of things I record. 1) Type of jump (ex: solo, 2way, 3way, etc.): 2) Type of exit (ex: linked, unlink, dive, float, etc.): 3) Maneuvers (ex: docking, tracking, angle, etc.): 4) Deployment altitude: 5) Canopy pilotting: 6) Landing (ex:slide, stand up, face plant, etc.) 7) Winds: Any feedback is appreciated as always. Fly Happy and Blue Skies!

I am seriously looking at the Aon: Brilliant Pebbles altimeter. For those of you that have it, please provide some pros and cons, if any. Thank you for your input. Fly Happy and Blue Skies!

Ladies and gentlemen, I have read every single one of your recommendations, noted them, memorize it and most importantly incorporated it in my remaining jumps. You guys are the best! You know that old saying that "it takes a community to raise a child", well, this community has raised and eventually raise a new and proud A licensed skydiver soon. Again, thank you thank you for your guidance, feedback, and recommendations. Blue Skies and Fly Happy!

Today, I just completed my 19th jump. I have passed and completed all 8 levels and 5 coach jumps. In reading some of the AFF course experiences by many on this forum, it seems that I have been very fortunate that all 5 coaches and 3 Post AFF coaches that I have jumped with were very well trained, informative and articulate in passing on knowledge to improve and hone my skills through the AFF course. Based on the number of jumps I have left (5 solos and a hop n pop), I would like to maximize my experience from the remaining jumps I have left. In your opinion, what should I focus and work (maneuvers) on with the remaining 5 solo jumps? To be more specific, after obtaining your A license, and looking back, what skill set do you feel is the most important to learn and hone to ensure a safe skydiving experience in the air? As a side note, my dropzone offers a Post AFF coach, (available on the weekends only) to jump with the students (free) to accompany and coach the students to fine tune their skills. Any feedback, advise, and perspectives are always appreciated. Thank you as always. Fly Happy!

Thank you everyone for your feedback, input and perspective. It is very helpful and much appreciated by me. I did my first jump of 2021 yesterday with my new Ares II. It was awesome being able to fly again because my DZ closed for 2 weeks during the holidays. One comment about my new Ares II, it was so much easier to read and more accurate to plan out my approach and landing (big big plus when you wear glasses like me). Thank you again. Fly Happy! Rio

Please note that I am almost complete with my AFF course (14 jumps). I am about to purchase my Christmas gift and need some input and feedback on the placement of the altimeter. I am choosing between analog and digital altimeter. I am a little old school and like the analog look. Observation #1: During my progression of the AFF course, I've been accustomed to having a hand mounted analog altimeter when I check the altitude. However, I've noticed that most of my instructors place their digital altimeters on their forearm versus a hand mounted. Question #1: Why do they place the altimeter on their forearm versus the hand? Question #2: Should I purchase an audible altimeter for my helmet as well? (Reason#1: I am considering buying one to assure that I pull at the right altitude especially when I'm tracking away. Reason #2: During one of my jumps, I tracked away and didn't realize I was already below the recommended altitude to pull.) As always, any input, feedback, perspective is greatly appreciated. Thank you. Fly Happy! Rio

Thank you everyone for providing your input and feedback. It is definitely very helpful. Thank you again! Fly Happy! Rio

Greetings everyone, Being new to the sport and I wanted to hear what APP everyone uses to track wind and weather in your DZ. Please indicate which state or country your DZ is located too. The main reason why I posted this question is to determine when I can plan to jump later in the week. Thank you in advance. FLY HAPPY! Rio

As usual, everyone thank you for your feedback and input. It really helps hearing the perspectives why people use it and the recommendations are definitely appreciated. The links were very helpful too, Until next time... Fly Happy! Rio

Greetings everyone, I would like to happily report that I recently passed my Level 6 this past weekend. My awesome DZ is at Lake Elsinore. Well, during this time of the year until February, I learned that it is advisable to wear gloves because it gets really cold. As a student, my DZ provides all of the gear except the gloves. Anyway, I want to start buying the smaller equipments and plan / budget for the upcoming gear. I started window shopping from the various online stores but it seems to be limited plus I am not familiar which brand are low end versus high end gear. I did not get a chance to visit the gear store at my DZ but I will certainly check with them this coming weekend. Would you be so kind to make a recommendation (summer/winter) and indicate whether it is a low/high end brand? Thank you for your advise. Fly Happy! Rio

OMG, thank you, thank you, everyone who made an effort to respond to my questions. "Mbohu", you are correct. I did not ask the question but my main purpose was to make sure that I don't get hurt. I did not ask the question because I understand and respect, as in all things, that I have to pay my dues in learning the step by step process of becoming proficient at this sport. Also, I did not want to influence the responses so that I may receive information/guidance/assistance that I may not have thought about as a student of the craft. All of you have inspired me to continue while having fun. 2 days ago, I just passed my level 5 and going on my level 6 next week. I'm more confident now and I have taken on a different mind set after reading all of your responses in addition to enjoying my last 2 jumps even more. This is NOOB statement here, "I made my first landing on my feet on my level 4 jump". That was so exciting! Thank you for all the book recommendations. I'm sure they will be a fun read and of great value. Once I become a license skydiver, I hope that some day I meet all of you and fly together. =) Again, thank you everyone who posted because you made a difference in my journey to learning and participating in this sport / life style.

I'm 52 years old and started on this new journey. Currently, I'm taking AFF course out of Skydive Elsinore in Lake Elsinore, CA USA. I'm scheduled to take AFF Level 5 next week. In my younger days, I have always been respectful, physical and mental in regards to my approach to any sports. I would like to apply the same principles to skydiving which will hopefully help avoid to jeopardize my progress. In short, I have a 3 part question. 1) What physical exercises or regimen do you do to develop strength, be limber and so on (arms, legs, stomach)? Any advice is appreciated. 2) What mental preparation do you do? (Before, during and after) 3) What books do you recommend for beginners? Is there a Skydiving for Dummies? Right now, I am exercising every other day to develop my strength. Working in the corporate field for over 16 years did not help in maintaining my physical stamina. Through my first 4 levels, I'm finding that I'm not as limber as I should. In my assessment of myself, I need to work on body awareness. For my last 3 jumps, I made it a point to do 15 minutes of tunnel time the day before prior to my actual jump in order to be ready. This is a snapshot of my capabilities and preparation I do for skydiving at the moment. Any advice are welcomed and appreciated. Thanks everyone!