iamspoild

He's been doing business on ebay since Feb. 03, but recently (within 30 days) changed his id to SKYDIVEMILKY. He obviously knows the "rig" is worth something. Based on his recent change, I'd bet that he currently has every intention to list it. pj

Ya know, you're right on. I'm somewhat of a perfectionist. So it goes against the grain a little for me not to plan to pour everything I can into it. But like some others out here w/kids and relationships, etc. I just don't have time. It took me 38 years and a recently hung-up passion (that eventually burned out me and everyone around me) to realize that I can't approach everything in my life at full steam. Sorry, rambling again...... Bottom line, I just wanted to actually hear it from someone else. thanks everyone. Michele, you're very wise.

hm, your reply sounds cool to me. Thanks. Realistic?.... Well, I guess I was actually questioning my assumption that some people that live in places like the North West (or where even more unfriendly wheather esists), take the winter off. But then, begin skydiving on a regular basis again in the Spring.

What is a fun jumper? I'm wondering if how I want to approach skydiving would be considered a "fun jumper". Do any of you approach your involvement in skydiving "casually"? I'm am not implying that safety or education be taken casually - I'm referring to hours spent and jump intensity. I'm obviously new, and am in fact planning to spend some intense time in AZ this Feb to get my "A" (I apologize to those that have already heard this). But after that..... I'm looking at it as a seasonal fun thing - 1 or 2 trips to the local DZ every 1 or 2 weeks in the spring and summer. Sometimes jump with a buddy, sometimes alone.... Is this approach realistic? Granted, this isn't going to win any swoop competitions and will probably take forever to get any "good" at anything. But ripping through the sky on a postage stamp just or getting on the prestigious loads just isn't an ambition of mine (not now anyway.....) . Thanks in advance for your input / comments. pete

I wasn't intending to be mean. although, I can see how it could be taken that way. A person responded with that after I fat fingered an email here at work last week - I LMAO! It was all in fun my friend.... Thanks for posting.

Okay, this is completely off the subject, but since it came up... Did you konw taht you can arnarge the leterts in any wrod, any way you wnat, and as lnog as the frsit and lsat lteetrs are crorcet, yuor barin wlil nutarlaly oevr look it? Petrty cool huh?

That's whack man. Either some "experienced jumper" is doing their arithmatic backwards, or he doesn't like you! you haven't been eyeballing his girlfriend have ya?

Thanks. When I go to the DZ, safety is way ahead of fun on my priority list. Like I mentioned, I'm not heading out to buy a canopy right now - and when I do, I'll likely stay on the docile side of the fence. hell, I can't even tell you what a .9 feels like yet. I mentioned 1.1 as "relatively conservative" because there are other experienced jumpers who feel that 1.1 is a reasonable wing loading (on the higher end) for a first canopy. That is a very blanket statement considering all the possible variables. I felt it might facilitate a reasonable spectrum for this poll. Perhaps I should have said used the phrase "for lower wing loadings" rather than the term "novice"...

Hey, I'm just tickled to get back on the ground and walk away

There are a TON of posts out here that contain some great and educating debates on the topic of 7 CELL vs. 9 CELL canopies. Though opinions will vary based on wing loading, experience of the pilot, and piloting styles, for this poll lets look at it from a perspective of a NOVICE's first (ZP) canopy at a rather conservative wing loading (1.1 or less). Assume a reasonable wing shape for a novice - square or slightly tapered. I have only a hand full of jumps and I'm not rushing out to buy a canopy. But I am one of those gear freaky people by nature.. as well as just being curious.... pj

This one's a goody. Another USPA but with more detail (causes, jumper history, equipment, etc) than the other clicky. Clicky

Ha! I think waaay too much as well - and can be my own worst enemy! You might wanna check out the "Riding the plane down...... " thread in this same forum (Intro & Greets).

Cool! Tomorrow evening, you'll be amped like never before! Don't worry about the accelleration sensation. It aint gonna be there. Believe it or not, you wont actually accellerate very much at all - like skymama said (who has a nice new pic today BTW). The first few seconds or so, you kinda level off from the direction of flight to straight down. Almost all of us newbies get nervous - especially on the plane ride. In the plane, take a few slow deep breaths, and enjoy the view. Out the door, it will get very windy and loud. But no worries, there's no pain and you'll be able to breath just fine. Smile for the camera guy, and enjoy! Let us know how it went!

uh.. I'm there! so I pulled a little brain fart on that quote. It's close, but not quite a cigar. s/b "There's a risk in life. The biggest risk in life is that you'll waste the opportunity to live it". Let mom and dad chew on that one! ;)

Man.... thats heavy. If it came down to it, would you rather go without the chute than hang it up? I like look at it more as simply accepting the risk. To quote Adrian Nicholas "the biggest risk in life - is not taking any risks at all, and letting the opportunity pass you by..."

CanuckInUSA is skilled. That, or his camera flyer caught him tubling in some really cool positions If he ever says to you "but what do I know?", it could very well mean "quite a bit". Thanks man.

I hear ya. I've only done 3. But I've said to myself "okay, this is good, I'm outta here" as well. After a few hours, they play through my head (a million times)..and I think... maybe if I just keep going over it, over and over, next time I'm in the plane, I'll know exactly "why" I'm there - and that will be enough. Well, no avail..(yet).... This could turn into a huge discussion about why people skydive. Cause it's fun? Well, it is. But for SOME of us newbies, "fun" doesn't quite cut it when it comes to reasoning and that door is about to fling open. There's more to why we're there..... much more..... am I right? At the moment, I'm doing it because of what its done for me on the ground - oppose to what I get out of it in the air (not to say I don't love the freefall! that's my favorite part!) Weather and operating hours will soon put a huge damper on my personal progression. I'm thinking of taking a break until Feb or March - then head someplace warm like Arizona or Florida and do nothing but skydive for a week or two. Dagny is in Florida - she's a cutie pie (is that allowed here?) That's sounding like a nice option

Damn, these are awesome too. I didn't intended to start a competition!

Oh man, these are sweet. Looks like Vertifly has some pics with the same freefly team. I'm intrigued with Freefly. I like the freedom discipline combination. Gotta admit, I looked at the 300 way photos and was totally blown away. I had no idea you guys were doing things that big! Thanks for sharing, everyone - your personals - monkey claw was good too... My computer looks much classier now

Gawd this is good to see! E V E R Y T I M E I get in the plane my palms sweat like a mo-fo and wonder if I can really do it. I try to make sense of what I'm about to do and rationalize it.... I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST ME!!! It all seems to make sense when you're back on the ground though doesn't it...

N/A

Well I be.... Nice to meet you again!

Hi. Anyone have any decent freefly pics they're willing to share? I'm just lookin for something new/cool for my desktop. Spanks!

Good info Steve. I got in here cause I'm wanting to lean more and get some ideas. I'm obviously developing some opinions.... although, I guess we could consider them somewhat tainted with inexperience. So watch out!

I didn't say they were dangerous. I implied it!