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Wendy - Amazing how things change and progress. I wish I would have started this sooner in life and honestly I don't know how in the world I've missed getting into this. It's right up my alley... Thanks for the encouragement. Tim - LOL Yep! Nowhere indeed!! I like it rural for most things, not all though!! I'm driving four hours one way for 15 minutes in the wind tunnel... How crazy is that?? As mentioned previously, I need professional help! I'm taking my granddaughter for some fun flying so that'll be cool and worth the trip alone! I'm looking at Grove City (1hr 24 min) or Cleveland Skydiving Center (2hr 14min). I would prefer the latter but because of unpredictable spring weather I'm leaning towards Grove City. Planes are similar and Grove has a hard runway... I did two tandems at Grove late last fall. Tim

LOL Yeah, admittedly an active over thinker as well! Especially since I've been waiting since last fall to get this going... I've had to save money, lose weight and get in better shape. I've purchased the SIM and read it cover to cover. I even stressed over which shoes to buy for my skydiving adventure! I need professional help! Tim

Thanks for the additional items to consider!!! Tim

I'm torn between two DZs to get my AFF training at! So I would like to make a pro and con list and attempt to rank them accordingly. However, I don't think I know enough to come up with a comprehensive enough list and I'm hoping the collective wisdom and experience in here can help! Here's what I have so far; Open seven days a week Students given priority Driving Distance Home DZ “Raport” Reputation/Comfort level Price I'm not even sure how much emphasis to place on each "metric"! What do you think??? Tim

Many thanks!! Tim

IOW ?? I'm not familiar with this acronym...

This is just awesome!!! I've learned a ton, thanks everybody! Tim

Are the number of repacks detrimental? Tim

Well... Again, thank you everyone! And a double thank you pchapman for taking the time to explain in such detail!!! Another education!! So one always has to have a reserve chute, the main would be unusable (unless you could cutaway the reserve) so yeah a third... I hadn't thought about losing my main, that would be a bummer. We need tracking devices put on them... I will definitely attempt to borrow a like reserve to use as a main a few times to at least get a feel for the flight characteristics of it... We practiced religiously with our backup weapons in the service, it seems logical to me that we should do the same with our backup canopy, no? I might have one helluva line twist every now and again though (like every six months... j/k!)... ;-) Tim

First, I am new/untrained and I am not waiting very well for the local DZs to open up again so I can start training. Sooo Here’s a crazy idea… Perhaps because I’m ex military but I want to perform actual cutaways and reserve rides at least annually if not right before the reserve is due a re-pack. I want to know what it feels like, what to expect and how the reserve canopy flies differently then the main. Stupid idea?? What am I missing?? Tim

Wow! Talk about bringing back the dead... This thread was 11 years old. Of course, I know nothing and it's all still relevant! Tim

Storm - Thank you for that, sounds perfect for what I intend it for!! I'm planning on a KISS helmet to mount it in, I've read one negative experience with that combo. You have a G4 with no issues right?? Tim

LB states in the manual for the Altitrack that it displays the present altitude at +/- 10ft. I couldn't find any specs on the VOG, so I'm curious what it's accuracy is. That's all... Tim

How accurate is the VOG? I have an Altitrack for gross altitude and logging but I would love an audible that is accurate for canopy landings at lower altitudes 1,000', 600', 300' etc... Edit - Not for swooping... Tim

That does make sense, thank you. Your DZ seems to use a logical blend of the two main disciplines for training. Economics are a part but not THE main factor, I have enough for either one but I don't want to waste money that I could use for gear later on... And to be honest, I still think a blend of the two training methods, IAD and AFF makes the most sense to me. A long drive home after an equally long day of jumping is something I have to seriously consider as well. I was hoping to get more jumps in to be honest, at least four... So two or three is a tough day huh? To muddy the waters even more, we're considering taking some of my training money and making a long trip to an iFLY facility. My 12 y/o granddaughter will be coming along and is super excited about it. Do you think that would be money well spent??? Maybe I should make a separate thread about that question... Tim

Everything is shut down till at least April here... Good idea about each DZ's FB page, I'll check that out, I only joined FB to buy used skydiving gear. I read that somewhere on the internet... lol I'm not unfamiliar with internet research and forums and I do not take everything I read as gospel on here. But I certainly don't mind standing on the shoulders of giants!! Ultimately it's up to me how to get trained... Ultimately, when I'm in the sky it's up to me if I live or die... That's poetic huh? lol Tim

Damn... I need to find that deal! Here's where I'm at. I have X amount of money for training. Gear is at least a year, probably two years out, depending on how many jumps I can get in to where I'll be content with a certain wing load for (hopefully) a good long while... I will be saving up for gear during that time period. I mean, I certainly do not want to waste money but I don't mind spending more for a better outcome in the end. I don't know how much rental gear costs actually... I like IAD's baby steps/building blocks approach, especially concentrating on canopy skills right away... I also like AFF's jump right in and let's get this party started style... I think I'm right back where I started! LOL Tim

Equally important! That is a consideration... I would finish up with my "home DZ", if I even do the hybrid route. The IAD DZ works out to be about $1k cheaper with no re-dos. That's a lot of money towards gear! decisions... decisions... Tim

I'm afraid that I won't be flying anywhere for training or fun jumping, money's too tight for that. I need all I can get for training and gear... I'm hoping the Republicans in the senate bend and OK the 1.4k uptick in the relief bill! I wonder how many leaf blowers strapped together it would take to get my fat ass in the air? Off to youtube! Tim

I plead guilty to over thinking!! I know me... Hence the question in here to listen and learn from you guys. Well, minus the canopy wind tunnel guy... I do appreciate it... Tim

It does seem the optimal approach.... A couple of tandems A couple of IADs A couple of AFFs Tunnel time at night A couple more AFFs I think I'll approach both DZOs and ask them about combining the different training methods. I'll update this as I progress. Timski - If I could, I'd go to Phoenix. My daughter is there, Matter of fact I bought her a Tandem for her birthday last month. The video and pictures are truly priceless!!!! Off subject, nice name and I was an avid snow skier! Now I just cruise when I can get to a mountain.. Tim

Yes Grove City is the closest DZ to me, about an hour away and where I did my two tandems at. From my limited experience there I do have to agree with you that they are super!! No question!! Skydive Rick's is the IAD DZ I was considering to start with... OK... So I'm over thinking this!I'll just jump into AFF with Grove City! Tim

Found this in the Category C Intro in the SIM, which is in-line with what I'm hoping to do; Crossover students to AFF who have completed Category B in the IAD and static-line program will need additional training on the AFF climbout, set-up, and count; AFF freefall communications; use of the altimeter in freefall; and the main parachute deployment device, including deployment device malfunctions. IAD and static-line students may make the first jump in this category with one AFF Instructor on the recommendation of the USPA IAD or Static-Line Instructor and with the concurrence of the USPA AFF Instructor. Is it spring yet???? Tim

Thanks for this! I'll be practicing PLFs before FJC now!! Tim

That was my thoughts exactly! The IAD DZ is a two hour drive making it fours of driving and getting in as many jumps as I can... being 60 now, that isn't easy anymore! I suppose like everyone else I want to get certified quickly, being realistic I just hope I can get my A before summer work picks up and kills any jumping until fall again... PLF off the top rail of a fence... Friday Freakout material??? Ouch... I'm off to read your article next, thank you for that!!! Funny thing is that I was slated for jump school when I was assigned to the 82nd as a FACP, I would practice PLFs with the grunts off of tables (after a few too many beers)... Of course that was 40 years ago. Using Goggle earth satellite image and the scale on it, DZ1's landing zone is 500' X 460'. Is that small for a first timer to try and stick? If it's not I'll consider going AFF all the way... I do like the idea of free fall right away and starting to get the feel of it. I know that I DO over think things, but once I get my plan decided on I'll just be a sponge and listen to everything the instructors say. I'm in their domain and I humbly understand that... Thanks for the welcome and I can't wait for spring!!! Tim