matthewcline

I recently (OK Today) pulled out some old video my team shot of tandems from above (promo work). The drogue does do a lot of twisting while the canopy turns. So does so many of our solo pilot chutes and it doesn't matter if it is a standard or collapsable model. But you already knew that from our conversations during the Examinor course. Matt An Instructors first concern is student safety. So, start being safe, first!!!

I like Michigan Enterprises. I have never had an issue and now own 4 of his fine suits (1 FF and 3 COMP RW) I also have 3 for work so I have my choice of 7 and wouldn't have it any other way. The team I am on has another suit brand and I still go after the personally owned one that looks close to the work suit to use. (Oh I just got the new padded booty model [ not the blade booty] and am in love already with it. I may have to figure out what to do wit hthe other comp suits! I have a new favorite!) Matt An Instructors first concern is student safety. So, start being safe, first!!!

go with #3 for RW and 1 or 2 for head down has the lightening strike thing goin' on Matt An Instructors first concern is student safety. So, start being safe, first!!!

I have been jumping a Michigan Comp suit since late 1998. I have owned 3 personnal suits and 6 "work" suits. I have used suits from other makers as it was part of my "work" but always went back to the Michigan Suit. Another maker sent me a suit to use for free when I was in the market for another personnal suit, but after it started to have workmanship issues I chose to buy another Michigan suit. In my opinion; I would rather spend my money on a Michigan Suit than get a free suit I was not comfortable with. 20 Sept 05 I just got another Comp suit with the padde booties. I chose the blunt edge instead of the knife edge (Mike said it would complement my flying style better), I could not agree more! The suit is powerful and fast turning! I now have to think STOP well before I used too! It is very tough and fits very well. I will spend my money out of my pocket on Michigan Suits even if I can get free ones while on teams.

Bill, Are the current Sigmas"Up-dateable" to this newer level? Matt An Instructors first concern is student safety. So, start being safe, first!!!

Bill, Coming from you it is probably a pretty good theory most don't think about. And.. it is visible on video, that and the leg kick some do to generate enough force to "throw" the pilot chute clear. Matt An Instructors first concern is student safety. So, start being safe, first!!!

Typically No you will not hang from the strut the whole progression. It is helpful in the bigining to start a good arch from the strut as you are already presented to the relative wind. Buy soon enough you will; Step from the strut (the Poised exit you hear about) Dive from the Door Dive from the "V" and exit linked (once cleared for "self Supervision") and any other exit your Instructors have placed in the program to help make you a better skydiver. Relax and have fun! Matt An Instructors first concern is student safety. So, start being safe, first!!!

Can't-Pack. An Instructors first concern is student safety. So, start being safe, first!!!

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

All the clubs allow Officers to jump. The various teams each have their own policy. Most of them have officers as Team members and they do jump. I have been on 2 team for the Army and both allowed officers to jump on occasion, but only 1 allowed officers to be "assigned" to the team. Matt An Instructors first concern is student safety. So, start being safe, first!!!

You should see the video! Imagine climbing out of a 182 with that dude strap to ya! Matt An Instructors first concern is student safety. So, start being safe, first!!!

Yeah I beleive in her, she lives in Cali. She was supposed to be my high school sweet heart. Man was she sneaky. Now she has some other poor bastard in league with her! An Instructors first concern is student safety. So, start being safe, first!!!

I am sure that to make a skydive any true skydiver can make a 18 hour drive in 12 and get in the air An Instructors first concern is student safety. So, start being safe, first!!!

Zen, I think your right, to a point. You will never completly replace "boots on the ground", but we will reduce the amounts of boots that have to be placed in danger and hopefully have those boots work in stability and humanity efforts. Matt An Instructors first concern is student safety. So, start being safe, first!!!

I am probably not the best example to answer your question. For work I use a 265 to 290 foot canopy, but I am on a military Demo team. I do have 2 fairly large personnal canopies, 170 and 245, that I do still jump from time to time. Curently my solo rig has a Sabre 135. I do tend to fly very conservative down low (below 500 feet). Best advise I can give is take your time and be COMFORTABLE in the choices you make, never fall for the advice of you'll "grow" into it. If it doesn't feel right to you, don't do it. Plus if one or your instructors says slow down, before you ingore them think about it, it may save your life! Only my opinion from my experiences, and no they aren't high jump numbers either. Matt An Instructors first concern is student safety. So, start being safe, first!!!

Oh come on Dan! John Madden could have predicted that. Ok yeah I am just jealus. "My" team got bronze and so far 2 silvers. But they have medaled the whole meet. The S&A guys and gals did a fantastic job too! Matt Army wins 10 way Speed!!! (my prediction) An Instructors first concern is student safety. So, start being safe, first!!!

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

Look into the sytem you want to use first. That may be dependant on your DZ of course. Follow the the Makers rules over USPA, they are usually a little more strict (and in some cases legally binding) THe FAA rules are law so they will over rule any other rule you may find out there. Also ask your self why you want to do it? It is not the easy instructor rating some may think. A mistake on your part or your students is a minimum of 2 lives at risk. There is no getting away from a "bad" student in tandems. In IAF, SL and AFF (or all the various hybreds) you can "let go" and hope they are saved by a static line, AAD or them selves (before Iam flamed I KNOW this is not the way to work it but that ability is there) Do you want to teach or just make money? Teaching in a USPA supported program requires a USPA Instructor rating. Just making money does not. Of course this also depends on the DZ you want to work at. I was not a USPA Tandem I for the first 3 years I held a rating (certification, is probably a better term). I made money and had fun. Then I got my USPA rating and still make money and have fun, but now I can help to pass people on to a student program that helps make future skydivers. My 2 cents. Matt An Instructors first concern is student safety. So, start being safe, first!!!

How about all 3 teams tying around with a 9?!

He did! Seriously, it was for a MWR advertisement on Ft. Campbell. The costume head was so big we ( me and the vid kid) had to work out signals just in case the alti or Pro Track didn't work or were not visable. The landing was super a tip toe stand up! Other items I have jumped with; Smoke, flags, Soccer balls, foot balls, base balls, Batons, olympic torch, as the Memphis Red Bird (openning game for the season in the first game played in Auto Zone Park) and oh PEOPLE! Matt An Instructors first concern is student safety. So, start being safe, first!!!

Wich is why I thanked him. I meant it. So many people (and I know we are way off the original thread here) do not exercise their natrual born rights! Eaglenrider does. That is awesome in my opinion. I may not agree with his view or his sanity as you pointout, but I do agree with his right and toast him for exercising it! Maybe this is already covered in another thread and I would be more than happy to move this there. Sorry to the original poster for the side track and to the moderators too. Matt An Instructors first concern is student safety. So, start being safe, first!!!

I kill no one in your name. Good luck to you and your loan stand in your freedom. Matt An Instructors first concern is student safety. So, start being safe, first!!!

NO I am no drone. I am the soldier who stands up to terrorism night and day. I am the one who defends your right to speak your mind. I am the person who not only knows of the thing we call the Constitution, but defend it for you. I am the one who says your welcom, weather you are greatful or not or weather you care or not. I am the one who will still stand for you no matter what I feel or how you feel about it. I am also the one who will say "Thank You", for weather or not I agree with or even like your views I am glad you express them. it makes my life worth while when it allows some one else to enjoy their freedom. Matt 19 years in your service and counting. An Instructors first concern is student safety. So, start being safe, first!!!

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

Unfortunatly this abuse is all to common. We have 2 airports here in TN that either the mayor or the mayor and manager of the airport are abusing their power over. They do this eve nafter the FAA has warned them and found against them in seperate investigations. Matt An Instructors first concern is student safety. So, start being safe, first!!!