kjarv

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Gear

  • Main Canopy Size
    167
  • Reserve Canopy Size
    175
  • AAD
    Cypres

Jump Profile

  • Home DZ
    Searching----
  • License
    C
  • Licensing Organization
    USPA
  • Number of Jumps
    1100
  • Years in Sport
    16
  • First Choice Discipline
    Freeflying
  • Second Choice Discipline
    Formation Skydiving

Ratings and Rigging

  • AFF
    Instructor
  • USPA Coach
    Yes
  • Pro Rating
    Yes
  1. Agreed, you probably don't need the foam inserts to keep the wind out. I like the inserts because it keeps the sweat off the lenses on a hot ride up. Without doing science I suspect the inserts help keep fog down.
  2. The straps hang on to the frame really well - I don't think they are absolutely necessary though and I have jumped without the strap. I don't think you need 'their' strap --- I've seen other people use other types. I wear them on the ride up - I expected them to fog, but they haven't so far. I used to use Wiley-X and they occasionally fogged but pulling them away from my face usually cleared that up.
  3. Jump with my Liquid Players - Open Face with insert. Have the straps but don't really need them for free fall---good to have for when you strip your helmet off to save an accidental drop. Love em --- I strongly suspect that inserts are not required. I do think inserts help with fog/condensation and certainly help to keep sweat from packing off the lenses. Love my Liquids!
  4. 3 Hour drive for SHAPE skydivers at Mons, Belgium. What are lift tickets going for? Altitude? Anything particularly awesome? have fun!
  5. WOW, had no idea he was a retired Dr... Bill is an awesome guy and I'm glad he let me jump with him! -kjarv
  6. If you've got a car, head on down to Skydive Maubeuge--- they've got an excellent DZ, DZO is awesome and very helpful; if you ring there, he'll answer. They didn't require anything special from me other than license, logbook, and reserve repack card... Only an hour's drive from Lille...(http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Lille,+France&daddr=Ferme+de+la+Salmagne&hl=en&geocode=%3BFSzG_wId_Xs9AA&mra=ls&sll=50.314969,4.022455&sspn=0.019759,0.031328&ie=UTF8&z=10) I have not jumped in Lille, so can't compare it, but I really like Maubeuge http://www.skydivemaubeuge.fr/. They've got plenty of lift capacity with a Porter and a Caravan and I find I don't wait very long for a lift. I'll be there Sat 20 Jun, say Hi if you're there! -kjarv
  7. $9 seats? Lets tell them to forget the airline industry and come be a jump platform!!!
  8. Sounds like you've got got a good head on your shoulders. You mentioned you are in the military so that further complicates your situation. IF you hurt yourself skydiving (or any other sort of 'high risk' activity) it's likely there will be a "line of duty" determination after your done with your hospital visit. The worst case scenario is if the line of duty determination does not come back in your favor, you will be responsible for all your medical bills, and if your injuries were serious enough to get you out of the military you'd lose all your benefits. Also, if you 'burned in', your SGLI would NOT pay your beneficiaries if the line of duty determination didn't come back in your favor. The line of duty determination is not usually a big deal, but they WILL ask things like "are you licensed" "were you current" "did you exercise due care" etc. Remember that it is unlikely that the officers who get stuck with the line of duty determination will be skydivers and will probably go to USPA for help. With regard to this particular jump given USPA's guidelines, you'd be hard pressed to prove that you exercised due care. Just something to consider in your risk analysis. Stay safe! -kjarv
  9. If you're travelling through Belgium (Ryanair) they had a fit when I tried to carry my rig on. I've done it before throughout europe, on ryanair, but the evil security trolls at Charleroi didn't like it. BUT they let me check my gear at the gate so all ended up well. Except for them taking my wife's makeup because she didn't have a plastic ziploc bag to put it in--grrrrrrr If you end up at skydive Maubege (nice DZ attracts a ton of Parisians) would love to jump with a native english speaker---not knowing french has made makin' good friends out there a challenge! -kjarv
  10. I'm doing my best to get there, gotta cross my fingers for Space A travel from Ramstein to USA...
  11. USPA license & membership has worked for me in Belgium, France, Italy and Spain...
  12. Sorry a bit off topic, but... SGLI could burn you in the "Line of Duty" determination. This may be USAF specific, but when the line of duty determination is done, they will determine whether or not the AF Member exercised due care. If you hadn't received your safety brief the line of duty determination could come back not in your favor and then SGLI isn't obliged to pay. Line of Duty determinations are nasty business and people do get burned by them....
  13. Hi, I'm in the USAF and have been through this. In all likelihood, you'll be able to skydive. However, you must go through a 'safety briefing for high risk sports (pretty easy to do) and you must let your commander know that you are jumping. Unfortunately, your commander CAN prevent you from jumping, but it's unlikely (I've never actually seen it done, but I know it's within the commanders' power) You MUST inform your commander---if you don't and you injur yourself, you can be held liable for all medical costs to fix you up; or, if you burn in, your family won't get all that good life insurance money. Finally, it is the military---you could get sent to any number of undesirable locations where you might not have space for your rig, what with all that body armor and helmets such.
  14. A few Dropzones in Italy--- My favorite is Skydive Tortuga in Arezzo; Great Vibe; good food, Rides to 15k, awesome pace, and in the Chianti region of italy...
  15. Good point, if can get that spring scrunched down so the whole rig will fit in luggage, travelling with it will be no problem until I get to a DZ. Thanks tons to all for all the help/advice!