metalslug

Somehow the math seems very unusual here. That ass doesn't look a day over 25 years old and yet Lisa's profile lists over 6700+ jumps. So much experience for a person that still looks thatgood ? I'm really going to have to visit this fox in the Pacific Islands to confirm this one.

Hmm.. looking for other skydivers in your state or even your own DZ ? Very easy to do, really.. just consult the Skydiver database right here on DZ.com for a shortlist of folks from, for example, Eugene Skydivers. This is my main criticism of expanding the forums.. a great many members do not yet realize how to fully utilise everything that HH has already made available to us. It has also happened more than a few times where members post in an unsuitable forum and then end up cross-posting or having their threads moved elsewhere. Now it's perhaps set to become an even more analytical process of pin-pointing exactly which forum to post in, especialy if the thread touches on a wider spectrum of related issues. If, for example, the S&T forum is being expanded for Instructors and such.. then will the 'Search Posts' functionality be enhanced to be able to group forums together again to assist the topic search ? If not, then finding useful info on S&T may become something of a hit & miss exercise.

I'm not sure if this answer helps you, my newbie mind may be misunderstanding the exact case scenario you have in mind, but... The paragraph below is quoted from the Relative Workshop website: The attached diagram seems to theoreticaly support the idea of a 'race'. Whichever component has more drag, main or reserve PC, will extract the freebag. This is also probably why the components stay together after most cutaways; the cutaway main on most rigs has more drag than the reserve PC so the bridle remains 'hooked' by the angle of the Skyhook. Once again; I am no rigger and a newbie to the sport.. but I do read a lot. Forgive (and correct) me if I'm misleading anyone with an incorrect perception here.

I am not at all qualified to be evaluating rig quality.. but I'm fairly sure that the comparatively cheaper pricing of Parachute Systems gear has more to do with economics than quality. The ZAR/$US/£UK exchange rates are usualy quite favourable for foreign buyers purchasing most South African products, not just skydiving gear. To buy a brand new Parachute Systems rig of the same specifications mentioned by Zoter will cost closer to £3000 (depending on customised options etc.) so I would assume that the rig being discussed already has a few jumps on it to have decreased its value. My 0.02

I confirmed on the website for Vermont Skydiving Adventures that they clearly state that all skydivers need to be minimum 18 years old for any kind of jump at that DZ. To send you researching in a direction, take a look at the dropzone listings for states that are close to you in the USA (or perhaps even Canada if you dont mind heading north). These pages provide links to dropzones and websites with contact details and such.. so you can make enquiries with them as to minimum age and whatever other questions you may have for them. I hope you get sorted.. and then return here to tell us how your jump experience was.

Beech 18. Correct.

Yeah, we are waay off topic here.. but I would like to add that very few South Africans are even familiar with the word caucasian. Using the word will get you responses like.. "Huh? you dont look asian at all!" or "Erm.. uh.. yeah.. whatever!" as though you had just described some funky ethnic half-breed. 'White' and 'Black', when it needs to be specified, are common and acceptable terms in South Africa.

This is probably an easy one.. although it is a slightly less common jump plane. Can you identify it ? Some of you may have even jumped it. Perhaps more amusing; can you think of a good speech caption for this pic ? "Hey Bob, hand me down the torque wrench.. I think I see the fault.."

As you may already know, the Vortex II is manufactured by Parachute Systems, formerly Chute Shop. Their website is http://www.parachutesystems.co.za or http://www.vortexii.com. Both link to the same page.

If you haven't read something similar yet, this link will describe a AFF syllabus similar to what you can expect. Many AFF students feel a sense of "sensory overload" on their first jumps. Having already done a tandem, you may find the sensory intake more managable. Different students may have weaknesses in different areas; for me it was my legs.. I had to really make a concious effort to keep them aligned and in position to stop unwanted turns. Many students consider their 'release dive' (usualy level 4) to be the hardest, psychologicaly. I coped well because I had huge faith in my JM. I could see him nearby at all times and so, in a way, it was as though he had never let go of me.. merely being a few feet away gave me reassurance that things would be OK. Some students have said that the levels seemed to get easier as they got 'more difficult'... because even though more skills need to be demonstrated at each level, the mind is increasingly more aware of the surroundings and better conditioned for dealing with the intense sensory input.. so you can focus better on the tasks at hand. I also found at my DZ that the AFF training was rather more 'personalised' than what the static line students experience. The AFF instructors are usualy among the most qualified instructors at the DZ.. and all their skill and attention is devoted to one person.. you, for the duration of your jump. It's very reassuring. Also, AFF students often get preferential treatment at manifest because they are usualy more profitable to the DZ than qualified members and static line students. ...And was I scared on the flight to altitude ? Every time ! But as soon as I'm out the door, fear gets left in the plane, the 'game face' is on and the fun starts. So will it be with you.

I'm a little puzzled by this question. I guess AFF programs are a little different in other countries but I had 2 AFF jumpmasters holding on to me on exit at levels 1-3. I did go slightly head-down on these 3 exits for a few seconds but my JM's leveled me out easily without me having to correct body position. I was given the "leg's out" signal on my first COA but I was already 'stable' by then.. their excellent stability seemed to compensate well for my lack of stability on those early jumps. With those two holding on to me, I dont think I could have ended up on my back no matter what I did. Are your instructor(s) not holding on to you on exit at Levels 2 or 3 ? As for cold weather.. I waited for spring before starting. Many instructors and jumpers may tell you that your adrenaline will help you ignore the cold air. I dont agree though, I felt like an icecube on at least one jump, my fingers hurt a bit too. At DZs in my country, students may not wear gloves. Check with your instructors about gloves and student gear restrictions before starting in the cold. ...and be safe, have fun!

I somehow doubt this student did this out of pure stupidity. It just seems.. well.. too stupid. I am seeing hints of sarcasm in the student's actions (which then resulted in a stupid/unsafe action). The student perhaps felt angered that his JM was pessimistic or impatient enough to cut short his fall at 7000 and then reckoned he'd get back with a little "f**k you, I'll deploy my own canopy..", inconveniencing (and perhaps scaring) a few DZ staff by chopping at 2000 and having them recover and repack it all. If so, it would certainly not be intelligent, safe or justifiable behaviour.. but it does seem an almost more plausible explanation than taking the student's explanation at face value.

Yet another sign.. another photoshop job ?

There's a fairly recent thread related to this here

I've had dreams of freefall long before I started jumping. There was almost no wind in those dreams and my body position was not great for stable freefall. It was a somewhat whuffo perspective of freefall having no experience to relate to then. The dream would always end on canopy opening and there was never a mal. I have had one or two other dreams though of falling chuteless from lower heights like cliffs and buildings till impact. I guess that's my clue to never do BASE. I have heard rumor somewhere that dreams of falling can happen during cardio arythmia(sp?) where the heart skips a momentary beat during dreams of freefall impact. I'm not sure which one causes the other or if there is any truth to this corelation at all. Since actualy skydiving for real I have never had dreams of either of the above. The (good) dream has become real.

Wow.. if you're not refering to your daughters then the above situation would sound really good.

Hmm.. very cryptic.. wish I knew more. The only thing wrong with those legs is that they're not close to me.

Practise safe sex ? ...practise it ?! Hell no, I execute it with expert precision.

The Perfect Man.. The perfect man is gentle Never cruel or mean He has a beautiful smile And keeps his face so clean. The perfect man likes children And will raise them by your side He will be a good father As well as a good husband to his bride. The perfect man loves cooking Cleaning and vacuuming too He'll do anything in his power To convey his feelings of love on you. The perfect man is sweet Writing poetry from your name He's a best friend to your mother And kisses away your pain. He never has made you cry Or hurt you In any way Oh, fuck this stupid poem The perfect man seems gay.

LOL, are you looking at the number plate on the Subaru ? Truth be told, I dont know where it was taken, I got it in an email from a ladyfriend.

Aha, and here is a close-up photo of pussy...

Hmm, quite close to perfect.. asking if she's hot is like asking: Are the Kennedys gun-shy ? As with most people, some photos and camera angles look more flattering than others, but the talent is there. I reckon she could make a bishop kick a hole through a stained glass window.

Ever asked an intoxicated person what time it is while he/she was holding a drink in their left hand ? While still holding the drink, they tend to roll their wrist slightly to get a good look... Works best with large mugs of beer.

A person does sometimes need to be a li'l careful about what threads you contribute to while feeling a little pissed off during the day. I know I have made the mistake before of overreacting and placing some harsh posts here while being miffed at things that were not necessarily related to the DZ.com forums. I read back over some of them on occasion and wonder what the flock I was thinking...

I dont really know the area but perhaps Skydive New England is your best bet. You may try contacting some of the Maine members here on DZ.com, via private message or email, for some info. I'm sure many will be keen to help you.