kjarv

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.

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.

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!

3 Hour drive for SHAPE skydivers at Mons, Belgium. What are lift tickets going for? Altitude? Anything particularly awesome? have fun!

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

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

$9 seats? Lets tell them to forget the airline industry and come be a jump platform!!!

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

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

I'm doing my best to get there, gotta cross my fingers for Space A travel from Ramstein to USA...

USPA license & membership has worked for me in Belgium, France, Italy and Spain...

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....

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.

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...

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!

Uh-oh. I had that mod done--- what's your tip for putting the cutter head back? (I assume the cutter head does not go back for the 4yr check)

Thanks all! I hadn't really thought about going to Life Support, I'll give those guys a try!

Hello all! I need an assist--- My Cypres is due for it's 4-year check, but I don't have a rigger anywhere nearby (I'm stationed in South Korea). Skydives are pretty much defacto unavailable here, so it's a good opportunity to send off the Cypres. And, as you know, the only way to get the Cypres out is to pop the reserve... I'm not a rigger, and don't intend to jump my rig until my Cypres returns, AND I get to a rigger for a reserve repack (when I return to USA). When I do get access to a DZ again, I know a rigger can handle a speedy packjob

a good first shirt will pull out the UCMJ and show it to ya!

Check out your leave form, it clearly defines when leave starts and ends. If you're Air Force, if you have to complete more than 50% of the duty day, then that day is counted as duty. They CAN make you show up for formation, but they CAN'T charge you leave. Talk to your first sergeant, he'll know the rules.

Please, oh please if you find somewhere, SHARE! I've been here at osan for a month and am losing my mind... i gotta get in the air! -kjarv

Hi there! Skydive Salerno has been my home DZ for the past 2.5 years They are only open weekends (except for boogies/holidays a couple times a year) Sundays are the best day to jump out there--italians work saturdays so they don't get started on sat am until late morning. Jumps are 23 euro if you are a 'member' (escrizione is the italian word they'll use)---membership is expensive, over 100 euro/year and it's not pro rated (I think that's what you call it if they make you pay in Dec 05, and then have to renew in January 06) . non member jumps are 30 euro. They have gear available to rent, but you probably have to be a member to rent it.... I don't know what gear rental costs. They jump a Turbo Porter that looks like it's brand new :) The DZ has a lot of nice people, quite a few english speakers. They are a bit disorganized, in that special southern italian sort of way

Currently in Naples, Italy---going to Osan South Korea in a week for 1 year, then onto Germany. I sure wish there was somewhere to jump in Korea! -kjarv

Go with everyone's advice....sand it and paint it! You'll enjoy the experience. Remove the decals (be VERY careful with the heatgun if those parts are plastic) picking your own color is really satisfying, DO NOT try to use spray paint cans (don't laugh, I know people who have tried). enjoy and send pics when you're finished.

I worked in Autobody about 20 years ago, back then buffing out sunfading wasn't any fun but it could be done. Mostly though, your buffing out oxidation. You have to be careful about your finish as well, if you have a clearoat finish, buffing it out can make it MORE dull. I don't know how old your bike is, but if it's got some good fadin' going on, when you get those stickers off it's gonna look weird. There is a bright side though... if you know a small body shop owner, he may be willing to let you do the hard labor (sanding down your paint) and may be willing to spray it for you... there also may be new and fancy products from those smart chemist types that may work for you... good luck -kjarv