Joolee

Hi... I can't believe that I have an exam on Saturday afternoon! I have been trying to drag myself away to revise but the bitterness I feel about losing one out of two jumping days this week is to much. I've been comforting myself by hanging around the forum. Can anyone tell me something to cheer me up a bit? Thanks, Joolee

...Hi everyone, Since the Scottish Nationals are fast approaching I wanted to ask again whether anyone will be coming up for the weekend to Strathallan and wants to do some fun jumps - rather than entering the competition. There will be camping, barbicues, drinking and a lot of hussle and bustle. Can't guarentee the weather obviously...but it would be nice to meet some of you. Interested???? The Scottish Nationals take place over the weekend of 26th-28th May by the way. Even if you're not interested, I'd like to know what exciting plans you may have for that weekend... Emma, Skreamer, Gus, ric (well you've got exams haven't you - I'll be all finished by then...hee hee ) etc. Speak to you later folks, Joolee p.s I don't know if you're interested but there's an Extravaganza week on at Strathallan at the beginning of August - it's a kind of small Boogie with more planes than I've ever seen at Strathallan before, and coaches like Jack Jefferies etc...maybe some of you may be interested in that? (e.g Huffermoose...since you can't make it to the scottish Nationals)

Hi chaz1234, I feel the same as you about doing everything there is to do in the sky. I have 76 jumps and am trying to get my FS1 while at the same time I have started freeflying. I think it is possible to freefly and do RW to whatever standard you want. Don't take advice from people who think RW is "serious skydiving" - you're jumping to have fun, and every jump you do will improve your skills of balance and control in the air, whether freefly or RW.

Hi mattb, In the UK there is always a jumpmaster who is responsible for the jumpers in the plane. Equipment checks happen before everyone gets into the plane, but if the jumpmaster notices something which could be a problem they are able to stop you jumping. The jumpmaster is usually the most experienced jumper on the lift and is responsible for load organising, spotting and co-ordinating people in the case of an aircraft emergency. Joolee

Hello freeflyguy, I had one of those moments on holiday in Empuriabrava at Christmas time. It was my first jump from a Turbolet - I dived out flipped over onto my back and watched a skysurfer glide down below me. I turned round, saw a 2-way and then looked across at the Pyranees and the beautiful bay...Ahhhhhh got such a feeling of excitement...and took a big breath of fresh air. Would love to jump at sunset in some beautiful warm country... Joolee p.s I don't know where the notion of a "perfectly good aeroplane" came from but it's certainly instilled in people who do not jump! When I had to exit a Dornier because one of the engines had stopped I was very grateful that I was in it only to Skydive not for a pleasure flight! (It turned out to be the fault of a jumper who had leaned on the engine shut off button but that's not the point...

Hi AirAnn, Thanks for you reply and advice. I received a safety brief before I started freeflying and had the rig I'm jumping checked over. My boyfriend's a freefly coach so I'll be doing my jumps with him...in the meantime though he told me to go off and practice keeping stable and maintaining a heading...I'll show him how i'm doing next weekend. Joolee

Hi Skreamer, You've got to get noticed! ...hee hee hee Joolee

I have often been told to be aware that chest altimeters can be effected when freeflying in the sit position because the burble creates a low pressure area. Does anyone know how much it is likely to effect it by? I have just started sit-flying and haven't really noticed any difference although I am still wary and have my TimeOut set for 5,000ft so I have time to slow off the speed for deployment. Joolee

Hi Pammi, It's probably better to get a lot of "firsts" out of the way during one weekend...you can only buy the beers once.... So you like the Sabre then? I'm just getting used to a Sabre 150 at the moment and the fast landings often end with me landing on my butt. I very much wish I owned my own rig but I'm just a poor student with no job lined up for when I finish in two weeks! Oh, and I didn't realise until after my first coaching jump that there was an unofficial tradition that on your first jump with a man they are allowed to kiss you...otherwise I would have been ready with a slap.

Hello folks I hope you all had a good weekend's jumping. The weather was gorgeous at Strathallan and we had the Dornier (G92) up which is always very welcome. I'm trying at the moment to get my WARP sorted out but with the coach I like jumping with being the CCI, it's a bit difficult to get jumps done. I've just started freeflying (4 jumps so far) and had such a great jump on Sunday. At about 13,000ft I ran to the door jumped out and slid down the slipstream on my bum and then straight into the sit position. What a great perspective you get of things from that position. It felt like I was sitting in a big arm chair... Under canopy I screamed at my friend (who didn't hear me...hee hee hee) and then landed in the accuracy pit...Whoooohhooooo!!!!! I've now made a vow never to jump with anyone who takes jumping too seriously. I'm not into all the Formations like "snowflakes" and "open acccordions". I'd rather do "unstable monkeys" and "lazy armchairs"...hee hee Look forward to speaking to you all, Joolee

Hello Skreamer, Did you have a good time at the Boogie then? I heard that at times there was a two hour wait to get on a lift - bit of a pain in the arse! We had some gorgeous weather up here in Scotland over the weekend - I had lots of opportunities to jump, but had to balance it up with lots of packing to cover the cost. In the end my jump bill was only £20 for three jumps...

I had a reserve ride on my 40th jump - not a cutaway, but rather "where's the bloody toggle". I don't like the long brake lines on student reserves...if you want to turn, pull down the toggle and make yourself a cup of tea while it decides whether to respond. Joolee

Hi Speedracer & Freaksister, In the UK it is necessary to obtain a packing certificate before you can pack any parachute without supervision. The certificate says that you are capable of joining a main to the container, packing the main and carrying out basic checks on the whole set up. You have to get signed off for each individual canopy and container you learn to pack before doing it without supervision, and they are especially stringent with student kit - there is a label with your name, the date, and your signature for each of the checks (ie. breaks lines are separate from main lines, FXC/Cypres is on etc etc). This does not clear you for packing reserves - there is a special course you have to go on to learn that. Does that answer your question?

I'm not Scottish, I just live up here. I'm from the Isle of Wight!!!!!!!! Can't make it this weekend - no money, and exams looming. Joolee

The dates of the Scottish Nationals are 26th-28th May. I'm from Lake on the IOW - small world isn't it?

Hi what42, I know what you mean about it being like a drug - i'm already getting so distracted from my work...at least it passes the time till the weekend though Joolee

Hi mccordia, I think its just wishful thinking for most people. They like to think that there is a place where people are always off their faces - sets Holland aside as a good holiday destination.

Hello adamh, Are you another skydiver who jumps at Langar? There are a lot of them about the forum that's for sure. I don't think you noticed but me and Skreamer bashed out the discussion about UK jump prices compared with abroad - don't they realise why so many Brits go to US dropzones for their holidays! Joolee

Hi, I was always really lazy where packing's concerned...didn't get my packing certificate till January, and i've been jumping for two years. Now i'm off on a bit of a spurt so that i can afford to jump - Got cleared for packing static line kit, and pro-packing at the weekend...took £50 off my jump bill I've only jumped at Empuriabrava and Strathallan so far...would quite like to jump down South though - should try out some dropzones nearer home (Isle of Wight). What time are you off to Langar? Have a good weekend if I don't speak to you before then, Joolee

Skreamer...I think you misunderstood my question about the Nationals, I've only got 73 jumps, and still need to successfully complete a 4-point 3-way and a 4-point 4-way to get my FS1! The Scottish Nationals are fun because there are loads of people about, and non-competitors are convenient spare parts to fill slots on lifts. I'm hoping that there will be some people there who just want to do some fun jumps! That's what i'll be doing anyway. Joolee p.s How many jumps do you have?

Hi Keys, I had to start laying off the drink to afford jumping, although everyone else at the club where I jump still has a healthy habit ...hee hee Joolee

Hello Dave...I'm also new to the forum. I jump in Scotland, have 73 jumps, and am about to get into freeflying... Joolee

I'm also new to the forum...thought I'd take a leaf out of DiverDave's book and introduce myself. Will be hanging about the forum quite a lot for the next couple of weeks especially...look forward to chatting with you all! Joolee

Hi again Skreamer, I jump at Strathallan - wish it was open everyday.... The weather last week was actually gorgeous and should be this weekend as well...can't wait for summer this year. Any plans to go to the Scottish Nationals? Joolee

Hi Skreamer, Thanks for the conversion.