Phillbo

I consistantly land short . I think this is due to a fear of over shooting the landing area. I'm not talking about a big difference but maybe about 30 yards shy of the area I would like to be landing in ( the grass ) . Any advice to get me over this tendancy ? I assume it's just a matter of getting use to judging my altitude in comparison to my rate of decent and not waiting so long to turn towards the target.

I know it all depends on the container but why do some have reserves that are larger than their main and some smaller? Is this a product of downsizing ? Is a loading of 1.3 way too high for a reserve ? Or do they have different characteristics that make this kind of loading exceptable ?

Gotcha.. I try to do all my experimenting and playing as high as possible. nothing fancy below 1000' for this newbie. I'm usually too focus on where I am going to land to try front riser turns down low.. I'll save that for later on when I have no excuse for doing dumb stuff

Oh yea .. ZZ Top dude.

Newbie question here.. Who is Bill Booth and why is it significant that he jumps one ? Why do I feel like I'm going to owe beer for asking this

Can you elaborate a bit .. I assume any canopy can hurt you if you are doing something really wrong. Is there a specific fault in the Silhouette ?

The load will be right about 1.14:1 and I should be around 30 jumps before I start flying it.. I'm looking to get a used one and keep it for about 150 jumps before downsizing a bit. But plans can change

I've heard good things about them and my instructor recommended it as a good canopy for me to start with. Opinions please ...

I recieved a note back from them stating that it would be a tight pack but it would fit and can be used ...

That is my plan if the 210 works with this container...

It's all about $$$ The container is a DOM 9/01 and in perfect condition. I can get it so cheap that it's worth investigating. thats all I am doing now since I have not made the purchase yet. David. I did send a note to RW. I'm just one of those guys that will ask a million people the same question to see what the average is I'll put RW's reply at the top of the list tho.

How much leeway is there for putting a bigger main in a container than what the mfg recommends. I am looking at a used Vector 3 Micron size V352M and am wanting to insure I will be able to fit a Silhouette 210 in the container. The sizing chart gives the following mains as recommended : Falcon 215, Monarch 195, PD 210, Sabre 190, Silhouette 190, Spectre 190. I assume you can go one size smaller than listed but will a larger size cause problems other than a few more cuss words while packing it ?? Any help would be appreciated.

I'm doing my first solo tomorrow. I hope to be able to relax and do a few turns and backloops without the pressure of a specific dive flow. AFF jumps are busy and I have had very little time to just enjoy. Tomorrow I just enjoy !!!

Good job Brian !!!!! Sorry I had to split before the round of applause in the hanger

Congrats on the pass.... I did Level 5-7 over the weekend. All I can say is that #6 is the most fun if your following the same progression as we do .. Back loops are next and they are a blast. Think about doing a gainer off a diving board and have fun.!!!

I hear ya .. I was so relieved when I passed the release dive ( I had to repeat LVL3 and waited a day to do so ). LVL 5-7 coming up this weekend for me ! Your doing good. Keep it up.

It's not about age ........... 42 and I just started myself. Old fat and bald at terminal velocity is ok with me

I did level 1-3 last saturday and was wooped when I got home that night. I went back on Sunday and did level 3 (over again ) and 4 and felt great when done.. I think 3 jumps was too much for me the first day. I think it made me tierd and sloppy for my 3rd jump. I plan to focus on how much it is taking out of me until I get more tolerance. The rush will beat you up. I felt like I had put 200 miles on my dirtbike when I got home after just the first 3 jumps.. Space it out but not to far. Go every weekend for a while but only jump a few times. Make a weekend out of it. Drive up Sat and back on Sun. I have to skip this weekend so it will be 2 weeks bewtween level 4 and 5-7.. I wish I could go next weekend but my buddies wedding has to come first

Well.. I did level 3 again and nailed it .. It's all in the instructor as far as I'm concerned. I did 1 and 2 with an instructor I liked and then got switched for the first level 3. I went back on Sunday and asked for my original instructor and did a perfect 3 and 4 with him . Legs out and a nice stable arch! One COA and then he was out in front of me. We just relaxed and did hover control all the way to wave off. 4 was a nice exit and 360's that were right one the money. I got the legs out signal once and the rest was all good. I landed short and flaired a bit too early so now I have a battle wound on my right calf but thats cool. 2 weeks and I will head back down to finish up level 5-7 and my first solo... This is gonna be fun. I can't wait to just jump out and have nothing to do but relax and enjoy the view !!!!!

1 was intense with tons to do but I got it all done and the only negative comment was to slow down and not hurry it. Landing was spot on but I pulled my legs up (bad Tandem habit I guess) and used the ol' rump a bit .. 2 was much easier with just COA and 90 degreee turns. NAILED the landing within 5 feet and did not even have to take a step. Boom, standing up. 3 was fine until I started to do a right 360 after release. The left was spot on, good eye contact and head whip. Did not drift away . Altitude check and then the right 360 and bang, all kinds of out of control . I went feet down and back slided. the instructor stabalized me and I just relaxed and did slow right turns until wave off. It appear that I have a string attached from my right elbow to my right heal. Dip my shoulders to turn right and my right heal comes in . I have to do it again (cool with me , I want to fix little issue before they become big issues so I'm doing it tomorrow) . Advice on stopping this ? I don't even know I am doing it I'm proud of myself for getting this far . Not bad for a fat old guy

thanks everyone. Trust me I know to take E-Advice with a garin of salt . I just don't want to find myself having to buy another rig is 6 months if i can avoid it . I also don't like the idea of tossing away money on renting. Typical newbie delima I guess I will have to roll with the flow and see how it all works out. 220 will be my min weight. At 6'4" I would hate to weigh any less than that Right now I am only a few lbs over that. All the excitment of my AFF classes will knock me down fast.

I hope you guys / gals don't get too tierd of helping out.. I'm currently working on AFF and have started looking for used gear. 6'4" 220# ( slightly heavier right now but expecting to be down to 220 by the end of the month) 2 questions. Canopy size? I'm thinking around 240 to start with and then work my way slowly down to a 190.. Right now I'm just focused on getting the right size for me during the early learning curve. Container sizing ? As I work my way down in size of my main, at what point will I have to be worried about downsizing the container too. Will a 190 in a container large enough to hold a 240/260 be a problem? I know you can't fit 10lbs in a 5 lbs bag but will I cause a problem with 5lbs in a 10lbs bag ???? I was told there is no such thing as a dumb question and I'm holding you all to it Any advice would be appreciated. Phil.

What are my limitations once I get my “A” license in regards to where I can jump and who I can jump with etc.. ? Also, who is responsible for signing off on my logbook after that point? I guess I am looking for advice on protocol and procedures. I plan to ask my instructor these types of questions when I start my AFF next weekend but I figured I’d ask here as well in hopes that someone can guide me to a site full of this kind of info. I’m antsy to learn too I appreciate any help. Being a newbie I have the fear of messing up without even knowing it.

Thanks for all the well wishes folks. This is going to be fun...

I do my second Tandem tomorrow and then Start AFF next weekend. Any advice or suggestions are appreciated. I figure I'll start looking for a used rig soon. Any suggestions for a big guy? 6'4" 220# This is gonna be fun !!!!