Kat1221

Its sad to see how many posts are being answered by people with well under 100 jumps, when there are so many people on this forum with thousands of jumps, years of experience and instructor ratings. Just because your instructor told you the answer, doesn't mean you need to share it! Its hard to remember, but to people with really low jumps number or whuffos, 30 jumps is a lot. When I had 30 jumps I was asked by a tandem student if, with all my wisdom and experience, I was taking people stapped to me too, just like her TM with 5000 jumps. Another time I was talking to a guy, who I didn't recognise as a regular and he said that he was going to get a little more experience skydiving, and then switch to BASE, because that was really what he was interested in. I assumed he was from another DZ then, so I asked how many jumps he had and his reply was 'Well, I haven't jumped yet, but....' He was a tandem student - never came back, so I guess he got all the experience he needed! My point is that when you are so new to the sport it seems as if 20, 50 or 150 jumps are a lot. With the exception of people on DZ.com everyday, a lot of newbies don't know that 50 jumps doesn't mean you know everything, and we have to be careful in what we tell them. Same for whuffo friends who are thinking about jumping. Share experiences, but keep in mind that these people don't know to take what you say with a grain of salt.... to a lot of people 50 or 5000 jumps are both 'a lot', and the person with 50 jumps may seem a bit more approachable... Sorry for the length - its an excellent thread that I agree with vonSanta 100%. Its funny - I think I knew most about skydiving around jump #30 - since then I keep seeing how little I know, and how much I have to learn. Thats the best thing about this sport.

We were jumping last weekend - bad spot, and a couple of us landed off... I was in waist deep snow! (Which really isn't as impressive, when you consider how short I am ) Weather is good, and we are jumping any weekend its above -10 celcius... I think its around 7-10 F, but not sure... Been in touch w/ Kyla too... I'm so jealous! She's coming home later this month, can't wait to see her.

So far I've done mostly RW jumps - I'd like to be competent at one before attempting the other. I can stay in a stable sit, but I'd much rather jump with lots of cool people than do solo or two-way sit flying. I'm sure someday I'll get more into freeflying, but right now I'm focused mostly on RW. CanuckInUSA - there is always tracking dives, so we can jump with our FF or RW friends! And yes, good freeflying does look amazing....

I'm not complaining about wearing lead - at my weight under a 150 I need all the help in the wingloading I can get! And without it, I do pop up every time I move, which makes any RW really frustrating. I'm not cupping, and haven't had any problems with my body positioning at all, I was just wondering how much of a difference it makes. My knees aren't very wide as it is, but I'll go out and play around with having them closer on the next couple of jumps to see if it makes a difference. Thanks for all the replies!

Loved the sub-100 crw on the Cessna load! Very cool video I will come back for a visit, for sure. We are finally jumping here again, so it may have to wait until next winter

I'm definitely not flying de-arched, and my knees aren't low. I have video of several jumps, and my knees aren't really wide or low, but definitely a bit wider than shoulder width. I have jumped with less weight, and I can keep up, but I loose a lot of mobility in that position. My question is, will bringing my knees together a bit more make enough difference to loose a few pounds of lead, and if the ideal width is less than shoulder width apart, why are they further apart on creepers?

I am a small girl, and do mostly RW, so I wear 14 lbs of lead usually. This puts me at a pretty average fall rate. Last weekend I was talking to a very experienced RW guy and he said that 14 lbs is way too much, and that my fall rate was probably slow because my knees are too far apart. He said that they should be no more than shoulder width apart. This makes a lot of sense, but I've never heard it before. I'm just wondering how common this is and if your legs are supposed to be shoulder width apart, why are they wider on creepers?

Hi Kat! And we love having cute redheads from Canada come visit. Do it again soon! Thanks for the nice comments. Thanks! I will definitely come back some time, but I won't be able to afford it for a while. Sucks, because right now there is a lot of snow on the ground and low clouds here. I'm definitely missing Houston right now

I spent a couple of weekends at Skydive Houston (Waller) recently, and the place rocked. Awesome dropzone with a very good atmosphere. I never made it to Spaceland, Aggieland or Beaumont (would have loved too, but didn't have time... so I'll just have to come back!), so I can't comment, except to say I've heard good things about them. You'll love Texas

To pay for my jumps I used up all my savings, and learned to pack and worked manifest some weekends. I also woke up earlier, because my DZ offers cheap hop-n-pops if you're wheels up before 9am. To pay for my gear... borrowed from my education fund I also work full time when I'm not in school, and part time during the school year.

I agree with you on this - I also have an AAD, but sometimes forget to turn it on. I really couldn't care less if the people I just with have one - I'd rather that they are heads up and aware etc. I think students should have to have one, because of their lack of experience, but any licences jumper should be allowed to make that choice for themselves. I've jumped at DZ's with a policy stating all rigs must have an AAD - not sure the point, because like I said - I have one but I still forget to turn it on sometimes...

QuoteDont be scared. As long as you hit the landing area dead on every time with your student rig there is no reason why not to go to a 210.*** Just because someone can land accurately doesn't mean they should downsize! When on radio, its pretty easy to land close. There are a lot of very experienced jumpers opinions here - listen to them, be safe, and have fun. If you do buy it, remember you owe beer!

I would add a need to refine the ability be to very accurate in your break away turn rotation prior to tracking. Some folks have trouble knowing when they have completed a 180 with any real precision, and then can track away on a collision course if the timing is right (or wrong, one might say)*** I'm not sure if an incredibly accurate 180 turn will do you any good if the person next to you is innaccurate or sloppy. Everyone should have a good enough track, and be heads up and aware enough to adjust for others and know where everyone in the group is at all times. Some people just turn and burn without watching others, and its important to be aware and be able to adjust your direction enough so that you as far away from everyone else as possible. A perfect 180 degree turn is not going to guarantee that you will be tracking in the direction that will give you most separation. Just my opinion though - there are definitely a lot of people out there with much more experience who can better answer this question.

Be aware of who you're jumping with, and who is out after you. Don't assume they know how much separation to give - a lot of people just count to six or so, without thinking about what the uppers are doing. Learn how to track! Even if you don't do much RW - a three second delta is not going to give you any separation!

Thats one of the best stories of the boogie! Anyways, happy birthday!!

I'm planning on getting my mom an observer ride, because she won't jump. DZO said same cost as a regular jump ticket - she just has to wear a student rig and learn emergency procedures. Didn't mention anything about insurance.

The only one that guessed said "some kind of torture device?". Don't know how he came up with that.... lol... most don't bother to guess.

With dust/dirt it is best to just brush it off. Any washing/wetting etc will only do more damage than good. Try to brush it off with a dry sponge or something. I'm just paraphrasing what a rigger told me - basically washing is just extra wear on the canopy or rig and should be avioded if possible.

gulaz - video of me drunk? Nope, never going to happen!! lol....remember, I have an evil twin sister! SkydiverRick - two or three non-drinkers? Wow, road trip! Three vans, three sober drivers, lots of not-so-sober skydivers crammed in....probably heading to another DZ...possibilities are endless!

Thats nothing! I'm way further north than you, and we have about 12 inches of it here. Makes landing fun, although we weren't jumping this weekend. It was minus 26 celsius. Not sure what that is in fahrenheit, but I know its below zero....winter sucks, except for the warm days when you get to land in nice, soft snow and warm up in the hot tub afterwards!

On your first tandem you were probably too excited etc. to even notice where you were! Don't worry about it - the DZ should have aerial photos for you to look at, and will probably go over it well in the FJ course. Plus, for your first few solo/AFF jumps you will be on radio. You shouldn't rely on the radio, but it will help you out the first few times. Make sure you check out the view from the plane, and look for landmarks like posted earlier, and you will be fine!

With the CSPA licensing system, you have to demonstrate flat turns about 2000 feet, and have it signed by an intructor as part of your A licence requirements....its a good idea.

Had probably half a dozen friends come out - probably about 100 said yes, for sure they where coming....but not this weekend...or next weekend...no money etc. Don't believe anyone until they show up and get in the plane! One girl I didn't know so well did a tandem, now is learning to pack and almost as addicted as I am - that was the best - seeing her come down from her tandem, jumping around with the adrenalin rush! My little sister also did a tandem, and will be back for more (I'm a bad influence on her!) Other than those two, not much success...its definitely not for everyone. Lots are saying they'll come out in the spring when its warm....we'll see!

Nope - we have a non drinker at the dropzone, and he's great. Can you say designated driver? Plus, you can get the video of all your drunk friends making asses of themselves!

Very cool story! This year we had a 82 year old woman come out and do a tandem (her 4th jump, all were tandem) for her birthday. Some people are amazing - hope I'm like that later in life!