johntheking

Hello to you all! It has been some time since last I was here, but I am headed back. Relocated to Michigan, and the season has yet to kick off; but I am preparing for the green flag so that no blue sky goes unjumped!! It was hard to move away from my prior DZ, Z-Hills, but it had to be done (call of duty, and all). I have long awaited returning to the DZ's. I must say, I have never encountered any sort of activity that draws people together quite so well. By far the skydiving community is populated by the greatest people I have ever known. Glad to be home! Blue skies...

Being that this sport is Sony saturated, what are peoples' impressions of the Canon Optura 300? I do not jump a camera, yet, but want to buy one that can be carried over when/if that time comes for me to do so. I need a nice little mini DV and had given the Canon considerable thought. Any other ideas? John

My B-Day is the 24th, and I was already planning on being there; if you all want strangers to come crash the party or funnel the boogie, I'm down! I'll be the guy who jumps in his PJ's. John

Well, and I've known quite a few jumpers to go with the Javelin [/Odessy]; what would most peoples' reservations be with this rig? Is it simply pin protection or riser coverage? I've jumped the Jav (only to some extent while performing high speed jumps) and had no adverse effects or negative opinions. Granted, I've been out of the blue for far too long, but I don't imagine too much has changed. I would have to agree, though, too, that Infinity is a nice name to carry on your back. I would only be so lucky as to own either one! John

I think that the metal D rings are more user friendly; it seems inhearent in their very design. They provide a more positive handle, in the traditional sense, and the ring seperates the velcro that holds it in by its own action. The pillow variety are, of course, less likely to become hung-up on objects/flailing limbs; which is why they tend to be favored by freeflyers. I, personally, would rather the pillow than the ring for my own rig. I think that the practice pulls for repacks are a very good idea, also. They would really help put into perspective the demand that is on you if the situation were to call for it. John

Thanks for those articles, they really are great! They answered a whole lot of my questions, and even gave me ideas I didn't have before. I am really interested in getting better at my sit/standing fly positions. I dabbled in sitting and standing to the point where I could get into it and remain stable fairly quickly, but turning and maneuvering were the things I was blank on. Now all I need to do is get back in the air! I may see some of you this weekend, at Z-Hills (If that was your plan to be there). My birthday present to myself is getting back in the sport. John

I guess it was really kind of a nice thing- I started my AFF in a Porter, then finished in an Otter. My first couple of solos were from a Super Otter, and a DC-9. I did my latest jumps out of a Skyvan. The mix has been interesting, and there are things about each that I really enjoyed, and value having learned. I surely advocate jumping all the planes you can go up in; it may broaden your confidence and skills, and certainly seasons you as a jumper. I wouldn't hesitate, at this point, to climb into any aircraft that was sky worthy. John

You must have read my profile... Actually, I was thinking about just stopping in at SkyDive City, on Sat. I always did like just watching what was going on, and I have not gotten a chance to check out the new "Pro Shop" there. Maybe I'll grab a dog at the Hard Dock Cafe, and see if I can't have a word with someone during a free moment (If there ever are any!). John

Hey all, I am new to your forums, but not to skydiving. I took a full AFF course to become an A licensed individual back in late 1997. I have not jumped since about Jan. '98, but would like to jump again. I have 43 jumps to my name, but I accrued those jumps within about a month, and for some reason I never received my license or number (All of my jumps were signed off by an instructor, because I hadn't gotten my own number yet). Is there some way to contact the USPA about getting my number, and then doing a few coaching jumps? Or am I just better off going through AFF again? I am all about safety, and would never advocate trying to jump again without being brought back up to speed with training and confidence (Both the confidence of everyone on the DZ, and my own); but I have not been out of the loop, just out of the plane. A week's worth of ground school/coaching jumps would more than likely have me back in the saddle, and be a little bit cheaper. Tell me some opinions, and let me know if there are any other concerns I may not have addressed. I love the skydiving community, and I want to belong like I once did. Thank you all, John