adamh

What's the big deal? If you get the rig you want, at the price you're prepared to pay then thats OK, isn't it? I got my Vortex 2 from a South African in London (UK), at a price that'd be impossible to match anywhere else outside South Africa. It's a peach. I'd buy another but I'm pleased & happy with the one that I have...! Adam H

Thanks for the warning - I never new this could happen till I read this. I'll have to use those front riser loops more when I turn!!! Adam H

Mate! As a UK jumper as well I understand - I bought an AAD (an ASTRA) after reading the CYPRES saves statistics - whether you FF or RW they've got to be a good idea, just ask anyone who've they have saved. I used to jump without an AAD until reading that statistics page - hopefully I'll never need it but, like any insurance, you can't rely on it but it's a little gadget that could save the day, and your neck - literally. £660.00 well spent! Adam H

Well I tried the S/L route as well - SLOW and very unreliable here in the UK because of the weather. In the end I did some saving and did the AFF - I'd recommend it to anyone. I know it's expensive but when you start S/L you don't get the in-freefall hints & tips like you do in AFF, also your instructors are there for any probs for the first 7 jumps. (regard the instructors as an insurance - it's your skydive) Also I did the first 7 levels of WARP straight afterwards (some were my consolidation jumps) - having been recommended to do so as my 'learning curve' was 'on the boil'. AFF - go for it! Adam H

It's alright for some - here in the UK we pay around £17.00 to 13k - some DZs charge £18.50 to 10k and others £16.00 to 14k, but then no body loves us, our government taxes us to death and unleaded petrol (gas) is £4.00 a gallon!