Jeth

I've often thought that this sort of instance is due to a subconcious reaction to copy what experienced people due. I don't think I've ever seen a swooper flare infront of their body, they're usually out and back using the rear riser deflection from the brake line and guide ring to their advantage. Then before you know it, students are doing it as well, since they watch the swoopers come in hot and flare like that. I could be 100% wrong on that, its just a theory I have. I think thats definitely it, Dave. I know people who even came out and said they were immitating the swoopers. But my FJC instructor told me to pull them down in front, so thats what I do.

Ok Sunny, I believe you.

Yep, thats true. My JM checks all of that. (Except she calls it a "gear check". ) But when I am jumping solo, I can check my 3's (buckles, rings, handles), my alitimeter, my helmet strap, feel that my p/c is tucked in, and feel that my flaps are closed. The only thing I really can't do is see whether my pin is still seated adequately. But I was thinking like others have said -- that if I checked it before loading and it looked good, and I didn't get banged around in the plane, its almost certainly still good. I think I would most likely ask for a gear check when we are waiting for the plane in the loading area. I will make an effort to do that.

I am wondering about this for when I get off student status. Right now my JM does it for me. But I have been watching other jumpers and most of them on my loads do not check each other's pin's. I have seen a few that reach back and check themselves. Or if its a group, they may check each other. But what if you are on the plane as a solo? Especially if you don't know anyone on the load. Do you ask a stranger to check? If you don't know them, do you trust them to check it right and tuck the flap all the way back in? Just wondering. Thanks.

I was required to do 2 tandems before AFP. I wasn't expecting to go into AFP when I went, it was just gonna be a 1-time thing. But by doing the tandem, I had such a blast that I was totally hooked as soon as I landed. That was also great because it gave me something to look forward to. AFP is very stressful with so many objectives, but I know as soon as I graduate I'm gonna have a kick-ass no-pressure jump just like my tandem! I know if I'd had to take the long class, and have all that stress, info overload as well as the normal sensorly overload, that would've been too much for me. I would not be here today without tandem. But everybody's different! So I think its great if DZ's offer different options. "At 13,000 feet nothing else matters." PFRX!!!!! Team Funnel #174, Sunshine kisspass #109 My Jump Site

This is not true. The air speed is going to be the same; the ground speed is going to be different. A canopy that flies at 20kts will fly at the same air speed downwind, upwind, and crosswind regardless of the speed of th.e wind. The only thing that changes is ground speed. I saw the debate on this point about air speed vs. ground speed. As an FYI -- I was just at a Scott Miller seminar on Saturday and he said EXACTLY the statement above. That air speed stays the same, and only ground speed changes with the wind. "At 13,000 feet nothing else matters." PFRX!!!!! Team Funnel #174, Sunshine kisspass #109 My Jump Site

From my meager experience -- I had a friend that was trying to flare out to each side, and it was very hard for her. I pull mine like described above, right down the center with my elbows to the sides (and my hands a bit forward). I have no trouble at all. I do work out, though, so I suppose it would be harder for someone who doesn't work those muscles. (But I still think its definitely easier down the middle than to the sides.) "At 13,000 feet nothing else matters." PFRX!!!!! Team Funnel #174, Sunshine kisspass #109 My Jump Site

Oooo, doggie pix thread!!

OMFG! How does that happen? Did she find a "large, open area" to land in? Yep, she landed okay in a corn field. It was just a bad spot by the pilot, the whole load landed off. It was the first load of the day so they were human wind-drift indicators. "At 13,000 feet nothing else matters." PFRX!!!!! Team Funnel #174, Sunshine kisspass #109 My Jump Site

Woo-hoo! Count me in!

Dude, that may happen! It happened to soarfree last year - her mom was at the dz for the first time, and she ended up landing 6 miles out!! Try to get a good spot, no need to give the family extra worries. I hope its a blast! My family will be watching me in July!

Well she only jumps like twice a year, so odds are it'll never happen anyway! "At 13,000 feet nothing else matters." PFRX!!!!! Team Funnel #174, Sunshine kisspass #109 My Jump Site

Fuck you Mr. Smart Ass!! (J/K, in case you didn't know. ) Congrats on graduating!

Ok, Sunny, now I'm hearing it from you, too! Geez, like I don't already have enuf pressure, people! I'm workin on it, keep your shorts on! p.s. In the meantime U can always teach me how to pack! "At 13,000 feet nothing else matters." PFRX!!!!! Team Funnel #174, Sunshine kisspass #109 My Jump Site

Congrats on your AFF jumps!! Sounds like you are well on your way!

Thanks everybody!

I agree, and I also have too many to share.

After my 1st tandem, last June (my 30th bday). I couldn't believe how bad I was hooked! Here it is. "At 13,000 feet nothing else matters." PFRX!!!!! Team Funnel #174, Sunshine kisspass #109 My Jump Site

Yay! I finally have weekend jump numbers!!

Yay!! I finally got back in the air!!!

Me, Me, I'll be there!!!

Nope. "At 13,000 feet nothing else matters." PFRX!!!!! Team Funnel #174, Sunshine kisspass #109 My Jump Site

Congrats!

You know it!! People all the way in CA will hear me yelling WOOOOOOOO-HOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

I have absolutely no idea. "At 13,000 feet nothing else matters." PFRX!!!!! Team Funnel #174, Sunshine kisspass #109 My Jump Site