djmarvin

Everything is way too big. Degeneration already mentioned the time it takes to scroll down the list of forums (mobile or desktop). The forum topic list and the topic thread are also too large. I would love to see a more visually condensed version or have the option for such.

I love my Ares II. The screen is significantly larger than the Viso or Ares I. The metal body and glass screen put up with extreme abuse. Otherwise it functions very similar to the Viso II. DJ Marvin AFF I/E, Coach/E, USPA/UPT Tandem I/E http://www.theratingscenter.com

I had the same injury, SLAP tear and bank art lesion. I diligently followed my doctors and physical therapists orders and have had no issues since returning to jumping. As many will say, don’t push it, make sure you are 100% before jumping again. Shoulders can be very delicate and temperamental. My injury occurred just over 4 years ago, my recovery took 5 months post surgery. Everyone’s recovery will be different, I’ve seen a few take longer. DJ Marvin AFF I/E, Coach/E, USPA/UPT Tandem I/E http://www.theratingscenter.com

Two Texas DZs, Spaceland Houston and Spaceland Dallas, offer STP or Skydiver Training Program. STP can technically be broken down into two sections, AFF jumps and coach jumps. The program uses instructors for both AFF and coach jumps. This privdes a higher level of training through all phases of your a license. To earn your USPA license you will need to complete both AFF and coach jumps. If you are in a 7-8 jump AFF program, you will need to complete a handful of coach jumps afterwards. Coach jumps are commonly conducted by coaches at most DZs. Many coaches will do a good job. DZs that offer a 16-18 jumps student program, like STP, commonly use instructors in place of coaches. In most cases you will receive a higher level of training since instructors tend to be more experienced and seasoned jumpers. Any jumps you do with a USPA DZ should help with your progression at other USPA DZs. Let your instructor know where you are from and that you are just visiting. They should make appropriate notes in your logbook and on your license card to make sure you fit in wherever you are next. DJ Marvin AFF I/E, Coach/E, USPA/UPT Tandem I/E http://www.theratingscenter.com

Yes, your expired info is kept. You will be able to renew under the same member number and license numbers. DJ Marvin AFF I/E, Coach/E, USPA/UPT Tandem I/E http://www.theratingscenter.com

I use the most to demonstrate how the cutter works. You can short the wires across batteries like you suggested. I've used old cypress batteries since I had those with expired units. A buddy used a cordless drill battery. DJ Marvin AFF I/E, Coach/E, USPA/UPT Tandem I/E http://www.theratingscenter.com

I've had a candidate who could not get his medical due to a misdemeanor marijuana charge. His went "up the chain" and got kicked back down as a wait "x" amount of time and try again. I forget the exact amount of time, but want to say they made him wait 2 more years. He is hoping to get his medical this year when he reapplies. DJ Marvin AFF I/E, Coach/E, USPA/UPT Tandem I/E http://www.theratingscenter.com

This one is covered there. And it's complete rubbish. Why do you think it's rubbish? What do you believe the proper response to a jumper entangled with your drogue should be? DJ Marvin AFF I/E, Coach/E, USPA/UPT Tandem I/E http://www.theratingscenter.com

I believe there is no change in EPs from the old manual to new manual, hence no revision list for EPS. How could no revision list to an unchanged set of procedures lead to a fatal mistake? DJ Marvin AFF I/E, Coach/E, USPA/UPT Tandem I/E http://www.theratingscenter.com

Candidates who show up with focused 4 way skills commonly do well in AFF I courses. DJ Marvin AFF I/E, Coach/E, USPA/UPT Tandem I/E http://www.theratingscenter.com

It is 3 years. FAR 105.45 "(i) Has a minimum of 3 years of experience in parachuting" DJ Marvin AFF I/E, Coach/E, USPA/UPT Tandem I/E http://www.theratingscenter.com

Not every canopy flares the same. I have found that when flared appropriately the Pulse has a strong flare. I have 70ish jumps total on various size Pulses and have coached a large number of jumpers who fly a Pulse. Those who have found the Pulse flare weak typically are flaring the canopy like their current canopy rather than learning to find the sweet spot of the Pulse. DJ Marvin AFF I/E, Coach/E, USPA/UPT Tandem I/E http://www.theratingscenter.com

Gilaad Elstein jumps at Skydive Spaceland, Houston and is an excellent coach. DJ Marvin AFF I/E, Coach/E, USPA/UPT Tandem I/E http://www.theratingscenter.com

I highly recommend a lot of 4 way to help you prepare for your AFF-I. 4 way where you are commonly the weak link, this will constantly push your skills. AFF-I's who have trained well at 4 way have almost always done well during their course. As an AFF-I you need to have strong slot flying skills and be able to anticipate what your student is doing by reading their body position. During 4 way you are constantly flying slot and reading your partner, both extremely productive for AFF-I. Wind tunnels are another valuable tool in preparing. I have seen several candidates who have done some prep work in a tunnel and it usually helps. IFly recently opened their first Houston tunnel (with the second opening this month) and I have worked with a couple of their instructors to create better training program for AFF-I candidates in the tunnel. We use drills that work on your ability to fly slot, present signals (while flying slot and static), various hook and block drills that lead into stopping spins and eventually roll overs. DJ Marvin AFF I/E, Coach/E, USPA/UPT Tandem I/E http://www.theratingscenter.com

Come on down to The Ratings Center (www.theratingscenter.com) at Skydive Spaceland in Houston. We can setup a course to fit your needs. I bet Bram at Skydive Ratings also has some coach courses during that time frame. DJ Marvin AFF I/E, Coach/E, USPA/UPT Tandem I/E http://www.theratingscenter.com

Adam Buckner and Option Studios/Pullupcords.com Adam does a great job and provides windblades for several manufacturers and DZ's. https://www.facebook.com/OptionStudios?ref=br_tf DJ Marvin AFF I/E, Coach/E, USPA/UPT Tandem I/E http://www.theratingscenter.com

It really depends on what examiner you are working with. There are a good number of IEs who will push your skills and prepare you for real life students. Which to get first rally depends on each persons situation. Like mentioned before video is a great place to start. You get to fly your own body and further your skills while seeing real life examples of what you are preparing for. I highly recommend a lot of 4 way to help you prepare for your AFF-I. 4 way where you are commonly the weak link, this will constantlypuh your skills. AFF-I's who have trained well at 4 way have almost always done well during their course. As an AFF-I you need to have strong slot flying skills and be able to anticipate what your student is doing by reading their body position. During 4 way you are constantly flying slot and evading your partner, both extremely productive for AFF-I. Good luck with whatever decision you reach. DJ Marvin AFF I/E, Coach/E, USPA/UPT Tandem I/E http://www.theratingscenter.com

I agree with this post. I frequently check the membership database for candidates ratings being processed. When I email the ratings to USPA I get the standard 2-4 weeks to process email. Commonly it's in the database within a week and the new card is to the candidate in two weeks. DJ Marvin AFF I/E, Coach/E, USPA/UPT Tandem I/E http://www.theratingscenter.com

That's not true: "Participation is voluntary. If a skydiver chooses not to participate by buying, neither shall the skydiver enjoy the fruits of the accomplishments of others. Non-drinkers may buy sodas and buyers may make up any part or whole of their purchase in soda for the enjoyment of those non-drinkers." http://www.skydiveky.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=page.display&page_id=163 That being said. Dat Cheap Bastid better buy a case for his Thousandth . I would, & I don't even drink. First of all you are quoting a DZ specific set of beer rules. Second, when I say beer rules I don't drink and ask for root beer when others owe beer. I use the word beer rules as a generic term. Lastly in my time in the sport I have found the general consensus is no one is exempt from beer rules. I am going to go with a majority ruling on this and still stand by my statement. DJ Marvin AFF I/E, Coach/E, USPA/UPT Tandem I/E http://www.theratingscenter.com

Chances are he will have a lot less beer to buy after 1,000 jumps but no one is exempt from beer rules DJ Marvin AFF I/E, Coach/E, USPA/UPT Tandem I/E http://www.theratingscenter.com

I tore my left should out of socket requiring surgery. Been down since september and will not jump again until cleared by my surgeon. I think I could get back sooner, but a chance to increase my recovery by one week is not worth it. Gravity is going no where, I can patiently wait. DJ Marvin AFF I/E, Coach/E, USPA/UPT Tandem I/E http://www.theratingscenter.com

The tandem manufacturers would have justification in the way that all jumps in the United States must comply with manufacturers regulations. So as long as you use properly rated Instructors who follow the regs there should be no issue there. I may be wrong on the next part, but group membership covers a group not necessarily a location. For example several DZ's have done events off site. For example northern DZ headed south for a little beach boogie. I believe their USPA Group Membership still applied, including they still needed to comply with the Group Member Pledge. The best thing to do with this question is call USPA and ask them over the phone. The folks at headquarters are usually very helpful and friendly. Most anyone who answers the phone can help you, but if they can't they can get you to the right person. Good luck with your endeavors. DJ Marvin AFF I/E, Coach/E, USPA/UPT Tandem I/E http://www.theratingscenter.com

Some differences are due to goverment forced regulation vs. self regulation. I also believe you are missing some information, for example a USPA A does require 5 landings within 20 meters. Not a tight accuracy requirement, but there is a requirement. A lot of the younger federations have also learned from the history of established ones and in some cases put together a "tighter package". DJ Marvin AFF I/E, Coach/E, USPA/UPT Tandem I/E http://www.theratingscenter.com

I have jumped in extremely cold areas and this is the way to go!Like Ron mentioned wait to put them on till the last minute. Doing tandems I usually hang my gloves on the back of the harness and hook them up, once they are hooked up gloves go on. I have landed had my wife grab my hands after I took my gloves off and mine were warmer than hers and she was on the ground the entire time. Latex gloves for the win! DJ Marvin AFF I/E, Coach/E, USPA/UPT Tandem I/E http://www.theratingscenter.com

USPA Group Member Dropzones agree to use USPA Rated Instructors on student jumps. To work at any USPA DZ you should be rated by the manufacturer AND USPA. Most countries have a resonable crossover for Tandem Instructors rated by USPA and a manufacturer. DJ Marvin AFF I/E, Coach/E, USPA/UPT Tandem I/E http://www.theratingscenter.com