dlcobbett

Pepperrell is a great DZ in Mass. My wife and I try to make at least 1 trip there every year. Wonderful people and always a great time. Not sure when you plan on traveling by that neck of the woods but they have an annual boogie near the end of Aug. Well worth stopping in for. When making the decision to downsize: It's your life, don't spend it all on one canopy

Perhaps I'm just getting old, but I don't think anyone needs ANOTHER social media website, regardless of how specialized it is. As others have stated, just show up. If it's on the weekend and the weather is good, there will be people there to jump with. When you are new to the sport and start traveling to visit different DZs, there may be a little apprehension "going in blind", but you'll soon learn that the people in this sport are welcoming, and I have yet to visit a DZ where I wasn't openly welcomed and made to feel at home. Don't try to limit yourself to jumping with people in your experience range. You will often find very experienced jumpers who enjoy jumping with beginners. It's part of how we give back to the sport. Everyone has to learn, and much of your learning will be outside of paid coach jumps. Just show up, check in at manifest, tell 'em what you're looking for or interested in doing, and they'll help point you in the right direction. Have fun When making the decision to downsize: It's your life, don't spend it all on one canopy

One thing you should realize is that canopy deployment (popping the chute) is not instantaneous. In very broad terms because of different gear characteristics, it can take 500 to 1000 ft of altitude for a skydiving parachute to fully deploy. There are ways to shorten that up significantly, and the world of BASE jumping would be the best source of accurate figures. But suffice it to say that even the shortest deployment possible likely to take in excess of a hundred feet if the jumper intends on surviving without injury. (I'm not a BASE jumper). In the end, it's your story, and as mentioned in earlier posts it's more about the enjoyment of the story than complete accuracy of the tale. Cheers, When making the decision to downsize: It's your life, don't spend it all on one canopy

Direct copy from the Sigma Tandem manual: For any relative worker to accompany a Tandem pair, the following criteria must be met: 1) Relative worker must have a minimum of 500 relative work skydives; or 2) Relative worker must be either a current Tandem Instructor or a current AFF jumpmaster. 3) Relative worker must have made at least 100 relative work jumps in the last year. 4) Cameramen must meet all the above guidelines, and in addition, must have at least 100 camera jumps. When making the decision to downsize: It's your life, don't spend it all on one canopy

As already mentioned, most manufacturers offer discounts to military members. They don't always advertise this but a simple e-mail to them will confirm it. I contacted Sunpath awhile back and they offer an excellent discount before options. Every container on the market has pros and cons. I highly recommend you don't make a puchase decision based solely on the best discount. I personnaly chose the container that I felt was the best for me regardless of cost, and enquired about the discount after the fact. If you don't see rapid downsizing in your future, a container is a long term purchase, so cost differences are negligible in the grand scheme of things. For what it's worth, I chose a Javelin and have nearly a decade jumping it. Absolutely no regrets and I'm looking at a second one so I can do "back to backs" when I'm coaching. For canopy choice - demo, demo, demo. I prefer PD canopies, and they offer a canopy for all flying styles or needs with a proven track record. But they aren't the only manufacturer. Hit a few boogies where manufacturers have demos available. PD is usually at Z-hills over X-mass. DZs will advertise manufacturers offering demos during boogies. The key here is that everyone has an opinion, and it is usually based on their personal experience which may or may not be limited. Don't rush your purchases. Decide what YOU like, and what meets YOUR needs. When making the decision to downsize: It's your life, don't spend it all on one canopy

If buying new isn't out of the question, most manufacturers offer significant discounts for serving military members. I'm in the Canadian Army. I contacted Sunpath recently (Javelin containers) and if my memory serves me correctly they offer a 30% discount on the base price of a new container. I believe Wings offers 50% for the same, but I haven't spoken to them personally in several years. The discounts aren't generally advertised, but if you contact them directly they are usually very happy to help. The only thing to consider if deciding to buy new, is how long you intend to be jumping the canopy size you're jumping now before you downsize to something that will be too small for the rig. Most containers can go up or down a size, so this may not be a show stopper if you plan it right. Cheers, Darren When making the decision to downsize: It's your life, don't spend it all on one canopy

The comments about symetry are all valid, but I would be hesitant to adopt any suggested techniques in regards to packing the canopy without the individual having knowledge of the specific gear configuration and canopy type. There are many types and sizes of tandem canopies out there with varying opening characteristics, and each will have "optimal" packing. If the other packers are not experiencing the same issues with their pack jobs, take the time to have an experienced one watch your pack job from flash to bang outside of normal operation hours (to prevent any interuption) and note anything that is inconsistant. Note the rig, and let the respective TI know in advance so they can pay particular attention to the opening. They should appreciate your efforts to improve your skills and be willing to provide the necessary feedback. You'll probably find that it is something very simple and easy to modify in terms of your technique. I've had sililar issues with some of the newer packers at my DZ, and was always willing to help them improve. Ultimately it's in the best interest for everyone involved. When making the decision to downsize: It's your life, don't spend it all on one canopy

I only have good things to say about Pepperell. My wife and I make the trip south (we're from Canada) to their annual boogie every year in August. A great bunch of folks and warm welcoming environment. All the other positive remarks listed previously are valid, but like any DZ, the people make it what it is. We're belly flyers, and there are no shortage of people to jump with at all experience levels. We'll be back again this August When making the decision to downsize: It's your life, don't spend it all on one canopy

There is no "one suit does all" option. Ironically, fall rate is entirely "relative". If you are jumping on a lot of walk up loads, the fall rate can change for every jump. The right tool for the job is the way to go. A couple of different jump suits (one fast, and one slow), coupled with a weight belt should meet all your needs. But remember, your ability to physically alter your fall rate also plays a significant part. These tools will simply reduce the ammount of work you have to put into it. I personnaly have 3 different RW jumpsuits, and it's not uncommon to use all three on any given day. When making the decision to downsize: It's your life, don't spend it all on one canopy

A lot of talk about statistics in this thread and I would ignore all of them. It was mentioned that numbers can say anything if you tease them enough, and that is the truth. An example to simply prove the point (using made up numbers to simply illustrate) If it was said "20% of all motor vehicle accidents are caused by drunk drivers", in the same breath you could also say that "80% of all motor vehicle fatalities are caused by people who were completely sober". Let's not dance around the truth. In skydiving, the risk is always the same - you can be seriously injured, disabled, or even killed on every single jump. The odds of any of those outcomes occuring are completely fluid and variable. You have a great deal of influence and control in reducing the odds. Some examples of things within your power to control are: 1. Never ever stop learning. If you think you know everything there is to know, it's time to quit. 2. Take progression slowly and intelligently. Don't go on a jump beyond your level of ability or proficiency 3. Don't invite others on a jump with you beyond their level of ability 4. Don't jump gear you are unfamiliar with. grabbing a friends rig andjust hopping on a plane without a briefing and familiarization training is dangerous. 5. Familiarize yourself with the surroundings, particularly when traveling to new DZ's (landing area, outs, etc) 6. Never be afraid to ask for advice. The list is really endless, but if you respect the sport and the risks,you can have an incredibly long and safe life in this sport. You can havea significant influence on the odds. Industry, technology, equipment, and the sport in general have evolved to make things safer for all of us, but you have control over many of the variables, and in turn, the odds. Jump smart, and stay safe. The risk isQuote worth the reward. When making the decision to downsize: It's your life, don't spend it all on one canopy

I've jumped many different types of aircraft, from C-172, C-182, Caravan, Otter, Skyvan, Casa, Beech 18, hot air baloon, and helicopters. All memorable in their own right, but perhaps the most obscure aircraft I've jumped from was an Antonov AN2 several years ago. A large Biplane of soviet/russian design. Took 13 jumpers to an altitude of 10500' in approximately 40 minutes. But jump run was at an airspeed of between 30 - 35 mph. I remember standing in the door staring at the spot forever. We had a headwind at altitude of 25-30 mph. Lots of fun for 10 way speed stars. When making the decision to downsize: It's your life, don't spend it all on one canopy

A lot of great advice in this thread. I'd also add the following: 1. Check out the DZ website before you go. It may have a lot of info that can answer your questions in advance (policies, rules, etc) 2. As a newer jumper, write down your list of questions before you go and have it with you when you ask for a briefing. This way you can ensure that nothing you want to know gets left out 3. Reardless, it never hurts to confirm the landing pattern and direction in the boarding area, particularly when there are mulitple groups on the load, and when the winds are light & variable. Many DZs will allow left or right patterns as long as the load is in agreeance. 4. Remember your capabilities and limitations. Don't get roped into a jump beyond your experience. But most importantly, have fun and play safe When making the decision to downsize: It's your life, don't spend it all on one canopy

First off, I want to say that you hit the nail on the head when you referred to the emergency procedures as "drills". Although I'm very new to the sport (60 plus jumps) and have yet to experience a mal, I've spent the last 17 years in the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps. In the millitary we teach drills. Drills will "enforce an automatic reaction to a familliar order under stress". This basically means that, provided you continue to practice, when the time comes, you will react appropriately, without having to stop and think about it. Practice will also help develope "muscle memory", which will aid in the ability to carry out the drills effectively. I'm not an instructor, or coach (however it is a personal goal of mine) but I have the utmost faith in everyones ability to save thier own life when the time comes. That is, as long as they don't take thier luck for granted, and they continue to practice the drills. Blue skies, Darren When making the decision to downsize: It's your life, don't spend it all on one canopy