hchunter614

But the OP is in the United States so I answered accordingly.

Depending on where you are in Ohio you could also contact a DZ and let them know you have gear that you are looking to sell. I would suggest Wink at AerOhio (in Rittman). I'm also pretty sure that Start in Middletown has a gear store.

The minimum number of jumps required to get your A is 25 which includes all jumps (tandems, aff, sl, coach, solo, hop&pops). But there are also skill requirements that you must have signed off. Make sure you get a yellow profiency card and start having your instructors sign off the skills you complete. It's a pain to have to go back through your log book and play catch up on getting things signed off.

So is there anything special going on at Raeford over Memorial Day weekend? A friend and I will be doing some tunnel time Sat & Sun then looking to get some jumps in. I see their website says they are closed on Monday but I assume they'll be open that Monday since it's a holiday? Thanks Curtis

Cool. We are scheduled for 2:30 - 3 and 4:30 - 5 on Saturday and 10:30 - 11 on Sunday. Then we're planning on getting some jumps in at Raeford. Curtis

Thanks all. Ari is running a tunnel camp in May so we've booked an hour of time with him.

One thing to keep in mind is that most of the DZs there have winds that are different from what you'd be used to at your home DZ. Do a search on here or look through the Incidents. I know of at least 2 incidents where licensed jumpers were caught off guard by the winds (and turbulance caused by the mountains) and had problems. You might be better off doing a tandem and not risking an injury. That would not only ruin your vacation but put a serious dent in getting your license. If you do decide to do an AFF jump there make sure you talk to the instructors specifically about the winds and how they might be different from where you normally jump.

Wow, that would be some interesting canopy rides.

Usually unintended turns or turning, either in the tunnel or in freefall, is caused by some part of your body not being symetrical. Examples include one elbow lower than the other, dipping a shoulder, one knee being lower or pointed out, one foot being lower or even not pointed like the other. All it takes is a tiny difference and it will cause you to turn. You'll eventually learn how to counteract those imbalances and do it without even thinking about it. No one has perfect symetery, we just learn to compensate. Enjoy your jump and don't worry about it yet.

Talk to your instructors and local rigger. They will be able to better suggest what is right for you because none of us know you or your abilities, whereas they will. Welcome to the sky.

Contact Chuting Star, Gravity Gear, Sunshine Factory, Square 1 or any of the major gear dealers and I'm sure they will help you out. Google is your friend.

Just be sure to let the tunnel know that you're preping to do AFF so they can tailor the tunnel work to that.

Does ParacleteXP run any specials on block time (like weekdays/evenings) during the summer months? Also are there any coaches anyone would suggest for RW work in the tunnel? Thanks Curtis

lol, that made me spit soda all over my monitor. Miss all of my friends up @ AerOhio.

Another thing to think about is just because your cousin is a USPA coach not every dropzone will let you jump with him since he's not known to them or on their "staff". There are also many items on your profiencey card that require the signature of a AFFI (or pilot) that he can't sign off on so you're going to need to work with a DZ staff member anyway. Why not just take the first couple of weeks and finish up your license and then go visit other DZs after you have your A?

Although the tunnel in TN will give you a feel for what it will be like in freefall you probably will not get much out of the time because of the design of that tunnel. You'll spend much of your time just trying to stay on the "bubble" of air. As has already been mentioned think about the tunnel in Raeford NC or possibly the one in Orlando. Both can tailor your tunnel time to prep you for AFF.

SMILE and have FUN

+1000

But at 1000 feet you've basically already committed to your landing pattern. There's no way you're going to be able to change and land the other direction while doing a predictable pattern unless you do a straight in landing with no down wind and base leg.

Skydive Colorado is working with Sportations so they know about this "deal". I called Skydive Colorado and asked and they said they were working with Sportations.

I called Skydive Colorado (number listed on their website, not the one listed in the groupon) and asked about the groupon and they said that they ARE working with Sportations and honoring the groupon.

While a student your DZ should provide you with all of the gear that you need including an altimeter. After you graduate you'll need your own and most instructors will suggest that you buy an analog one like the one posted above because it is what you are used to using and you will still be developing your sight picture (knowing your altitude by what the ground looks like). The digital altimeters have batteries in them so they can fail at any time. Yes any altimeter can fail but the analogs are more dependable. Once you get 100 jumps or so under your belt then you can consider going to a digital altimeter. The main reason many people use them is because they usually also contain a logging function that allows you to record your jumps. This funcationality is also built into several of the audiables. Also don't introduce more than one new thing at a time.

Wow, great response.

Did you call and discuss your concern with him? It couldn't hurt. Just be sure to be civil about it and ask if there's anything he would be willing to do.

AerOhio (in Rittman) also uses a indoor pool but I'm not sure when the first water training class will be. You can call the DZ and ask.