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You'd think they would've done thsi during shark week. David

I keep hearing about flat and psycho packing but I hadn't been able to find out how either is done and what the benefits/drawbacks would be. All I wes ever taught was to propack. I just want to learn for myself. Thanks, David

For informational purposes only, as I only know how pro-pack, does anyone know of any documents that explain the ins and outs and whys of different types of packing? I only know of flat, pro and psycho right now also. I am sure there are also other methods and variations. I jsut want to know the differences without starting a debate here. Yes I have performed a very exhausting search of the archives finding mostly debate, not information. Thanks, David

There were some interesting points to this shark cage jump, don't get me wrong. I just haven't been too interested in the fine art of swooping. Jumping out of the helicopter, now that interestes me to know end. Not sure why though. And no, I would not try my 210 canopy for this type of thing. I haven't learned it that well yet anyway to even think of doing more than landing it safely. David

Did it feel kinda strange to do a tandem being licensed? David

I saw it a couple weeks ago. I am still not sure whether or not to be impressed. David

You make a really good point. I only use the packers right now becuase my brand new zero-p Pilot 210 kicks my butt and I could only get in abotu a jump per day. Once it gets mroe worn in, I will pack all the time if I got the time. David

Yea, I know. Try forced out for being beyond physical standards. It sucks. Not my chocie. But, once I gfet my hands on a Federal Job, I get the time back plus even mroe benefits and still retire 14 years from now at age 49. David

US Navy Dec. 1989 to July 2006

I don't have one available to laon you, but they are on Ebay constantly for jsut a little money if you could buy one. David

The little voice tried to tell me to quit while I was ahead after getting my A license. But did I listen, Noooooo. I wish I had. The pain is still with me. David

I use a D handle right now because it is what I trained with and feel comfortable with. My new rig has the D handle snug up against my chest. I am careful of it but I don't believe it will snag on something with my body snagging also. Use what you are comfortable with. I may change mine to a pillow some day, but I have no reason to. A lot of people I know jump the D handle. Again, personal preference. David

Thanks for the advice. I know I am not the only person this type of thign has happened to. I usually noice the wind shift at Perris also and when it picks up. But last week and thsi week have both been quite different for what I have gotten used to. Anyway, it won't be a problem for me at Perris any more since Friday I am moving otu of state. I will be moving to Ohio and will have to learn the weather patterns at a new dropzone again. I do hope to return sometime soon though. I really like Perris and everyone there. Great DZ. I am going to go spend a few months with my family since my Dad isn't doing so well. Blue Skies! David

THanks for the wish for a good recovery. To excplain my jumps, I already had 3 tandems and 11 S/L jumps from about 3 years ago prior to starting AFF in early June. I did all my AFF in 5 days and did a bunch of solo's. After that, things went down hill somewhat trying to get my A. Had a lot of work in specific areas I needed done so I hired a coach for a day 5 separate times. That is how I got so many jumps before getting my A. My coach was a perfectionist but he built me a really good foundation to work from. Some people are able to do the A in 25 jumps, it takes others some time to do it. You are lucky to me that you could do it that quickly, but after all the hard work I put in, I was sooooo happy when I got signed off. I only need a little more work on the diving exits, and my coach said everything else is good for now. On to RW. David

Congratulations! Sounds like you did pretty well. Don't sweat the mistakes too much. AFF-1 is pretty task loaded since it is the first freefall. Pulling is a little bit more importnat than missing the waveoff. Everything else will come to you in time. David

I just got my new rig with new canopies. Both Aerodyne and Infinity sent me t-shirts and some other stuff. I also got a fanny pack with the Cypress. All was much to my surprise. Square 1 also called Velocity Sports after my accident this week because I was wearing their t-shirt that had to be cutoff by the trauma team. Velocity said they woulkd send me a new t-shirt no charge. It isn't necessary, but so far seems to be great customer service. David

Thanks Jeff. I figured you would want to see it if you had the chance to. Now get back up in the air darn it! I hope you can finish up your AFF soon. David

lol Yea, I noticed it as soon as I picked it up off the chair and I fixsed that. I was like, oh shit! No big deal however. It only happened when I moved the rig around a bit. FOrogt to "protect the reserve" handle. David

Doh! So, I knocked out my dive to dock requirements Wednesday morning and checkout jump. Did the test and my coach signed off my card. I had him the entire day so he thought it might be good to do one more instructional jump by doing a two way exit as a hop'n'pop. The pilot only went to 4500' instead of the requested 600' So, we just did a regular hop 'n' pop. No big deal. On downwind I was getting knocked around a bit. On base, got knocked around a bit more. Turned final about 350 feet and into the wind. Got knocked a bit at 250'. I had to start crabbing into the wind a little. At about fifty feet, I saw the pennant in front of me turn 90 degrees right to the east. Instant crosswind. I got knocked around a bit more and then my feet slammed into the ground, my back felt like it compressed, I went down onto my butt. The next thing I knew I could only breathe in a little bit and wheeze out with every breath. I had the wind knocked out of me. The pickup truck guy came over to check on me as I didnt' get up. He asked me if I wanted an ambulance. I told him I did. I was rushed to the level 3 trauma center locally. Long story short, it turns out that the witnesses that saw me land saw the right side of my canopy collapse and drop me to the ground. This was about 2:30pm when this happened at Perris Valley. There were storms all around the area and the hear was building. Everyone thinks that I hit the beginnings of a dust devil but no dust was in it. My coach said I was in a full flare and did all the right things by continuing to fly the parachute. Any way, I have a fractured T5 vertabrae and a bruised rump. I think I did everything right and got lucky as this could have been much worse. I am unfortunately down for 6 weeks. How ironic is it to get one's license and then get hurt the same day. It sucks. Thanks to the Perris Valley staff for getting the ambulance so quickly and taking care of my gear for me. I am also the guy that posted in early June that I could do my AFF level I cause I was too scared. Here I am at the 60 jump mark and it doesn' t bother me to jump out of airplaens any more. Muchn tunnel time and much coaching has gotten me to this point. Having my A license is so sweet now! I haev worked so hard. Much more learnign and work to do ahead. David

Here is my new Infinity I just got a week ago. It fits great! I love it. I have 8 jumps on it already. Thanks Velocity Sports! David

Beer for all! After 56 jumps with student or rental gear, I finally got my new Infinity and Pilot 210 and Smart Reserve 190. It is so nice to have my own gear. It fits so nice and snug and comfy. Woohoo! I have 4 jumps on it already and packed the main for myself the first time yesterday. What a stubborn piece of nylon, but after three tries, got it in the bag. Beer all around! David

I am thinking the case would pay for itself between the security and protecting the rig from the environment.

Beer, beer, hmm, what is beer? hmmmm Oh yea, I know what that is! lol Seems I will have to get some of that stuff when I actually get my hands on the rig. A little too early yet. Its 150 miles away and still in the rigger's loft. David

Very nice and professional looking! I have seen pelican cases before when scuba diving but forgot about them. Ah, it has been so long since I have been wet. This desert crap sucks and keep me away from one of my favorite hobbies. Thanks for the info guys! I will have to get one of those. David

I am picking up my (possibly first, does this avoid paying beer? )new rig this weekend. I have seen people using hard cases and I would like to get one. Is this a special case or jsut an ordinary plastic box with closing latches?