matthewcline

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Posts posted by matthewcline


  1. Well your expericne may be different but for 1400 Tandems I have used this approach to comfort the Student.

    I explain to them that "although now as we stand here the harness fells snug, your body geometry will change when we sit down and you may think the harness is loose, it will tighten right back up as we go through the hook up process which will be right after I give your harness a final inspection in the aircraft. If you still want it tighter I can do that but it may be a little uncomfortable later". Myadjustments are not major, just minor "mental comfort" ones.

    It is our job as Instructors to make our Students feel safe and comfortable, but never sacrifice safety for comfort.

    Just like Mains should be used as a safe tool to get Us back on the ground to do it all again, but that is another topic.

    Matt
    An Instructors first concern is student safety.
    So, start being safe, first!!!

  2. I show them how it works too, but this is part of my pre-hook up routine and I explain it to them, they are more comfortable that way. It is thier questions I am answering any way.

    They are the Student and IMO they will perform better if they are relaxed. IMO one way to make them relaxed is to try and rid them of fear, if this helps good deal.

    I also train them like every jump is a Cat "A", some beg to not have to deploy. I agree with them on the ground but in the pre-exit final brief I tell them again and about 60% of the "no way you do it" group change thier mind and give it a go at deployment.

    Matt
    An Instructors first concern is student safety.
    So, start being safe, first!!!

  3. I follow the guide and in the plane because so many Students state they fell the harnes is loose, I do tighten a little to make them more comfortable in how it feels to them for the jump, it is thier mental comfort as well as the physical comfort I address.

    Matt
    An Instructors first concern is student safety.
    So, start being safe, first!!!

  4. I entered the same grades as well and got the same results. I even tried asecond time fro ma google link at it was still the same.

    Oh well it is not like we didn't know the Press posts and reports what it wants, truthful or not.

    Matt
    An Instructors first concern is student safety.
    So, start being safe, first!!!

  5. Why not just put a picture on the Social Security Card?
    Not every one has a Drivers License but every one who is a citizen gets a SS Card.
    When they turn 18, get a new one with a current Picture on it, then maybe every 10 years a new one.

    We use the SSN for every thing Gov related now any way.
    An Instructors first concern is student safety.
    So, start being safe, first!!!

  6. Well I think as an S&TA who has had interaction with the individual before he should speak up again. I would rather have a pissed but safe jumper than a happy dead jumper at the DZ. They would eventually meet a "Cool guy" to tell them I was right.

    I am an "At Large" and eve nspeak up out of my region, but it is only after the DZ knows I am there.

    Matt
    An Instructors first concern is student safety.
    So, start being safe, first!!!

  7. I would be cool with the top data and maybe the "Cat A/B etc" goals being pre-printed.

    I think it is a bit impersonnal if the whole entry is just checking blocks.

    Maybe it can be condensed and space left for hand writte ncommenst to aide in the next jump the Studenst will make.

    Matt
    An Instructors first concern is student safety.
    So, start being safe, first!!!

  8. I think it is more of a bridle issue than flap issue.

    If the bridle is routed to the 6 o'clock it will still open fine.

    But I agree that packing as the manual says would be a good start.

    Matt
    An Instructors first concern is student safety.
    So, start being safe, first!!!

  9. I figured I would take a little liberty as I haven't seen this any where else yet.

    1st Congrats to "Doc" for graduating the US Army Airborne School. Now he is a "five jump chump", with 1500~ skydives of course:S.

    And Congrats to Jess for making her 500th jump, finishing her "D" License and Her PRO Card.

    Two hard working SGT's and Good people all around!

    Matt
    An Instructors first concern is student safety.
    So, start being safe, first!!!

  10. You can do the whole dive minus exit in a tunnel. Kip Lohmiller (wintering in Sabastian I believe) has used the Tunnel as a prep for some courses.

    It helps.
    My issue was slow fall rate, the XP tunnel helped me a bunch.
    After earning a rating tunnels are good to use it as a tool to help in situations you may not have practiced with a live student, this keeps you current on all aspects.

    Matt
    An Instructors first concern is student safety.
    So, start being safe, first!!!

  11. In the past from my experience, they have had teams made up on the spot and some arrive already made up.

    E-mail them and let them know your solo and they will help you out. For 8 way speed it is usually made up teams.

    So far this is the only draw back to retiring.[:/]:P

    Matt

    An Instructors first concern is student safety.
    So, start being safe, first!!!

  12. I have two Tetris Suits. One is a prototype that is over 4 years old and other than some grass stains from a few lower then planned swoop plane outs it is holding up fantastic.

    One has a spandex forearm with supplex body and is quick (120+ mantis style), the other has a supplex forearm and is in the average fallers range (115~ mantis style).

    You can even have a polly cotten body to slow you down if needed, but that doesn't seem to be the case for you..

    I think my supplex body and spandex forearmed suits is the range for comp and probably the design your looking for, IMO. Your fast guy can slow down a little with drag and the slower ones with nylon and some weight, this should put you in or near the middle of the ranges.

    As for zippers, I never get them as I do not want to risk the failure happening when I am finalizing my gear prep and near altitude.

    I put my suit on in the morning at the 10 minute call befoe load one and usually do not take it off till the last certtificate is signed and handed out afte rthe Sunset load. My young suit is three years old and it looks as good as a new suit.

    I did have a cordura butt put on both suits as I usually wear these suits doing AFF/Tandem/Coach/RW/ and Course Evaluator jumps.

    I have owned suits from 4 co's and I keep finding the Michigan Suits work best for me, YMMV.

    Matt
    An Instructors first concern is student safety.
    So, start being safe, first!!!

  13. I do not have one but I have seen a couple of different versions.

    Basically the Slider has a quick release set up and usually just leaves behind the rings once removed. Attached to the slider via a line of some sort is the d-bag and of course the pilot chute to the bag.

    One of the PRO Swoopers of CPC Pilots can probably post a pic of the set up they have, maybe try the swoopers forum.

    Matt
    An Instructors first concern is student safety.
    So, start being safe, first!!!