mwthomsen

There is no doubt the best teams in the world are working to improve their skills, that is why they are the best, and I would bet most of them fly mantis. I don't understand why the best in the world fly one way and the general population flys another. It makes no sense if a fun jumper has fun turning 5 points wouldn't their enjoyment increase if they turned 10 points how about 15.

Donna, The tunnel is where I got my first exposure also. My experience when I got back was different though. There are five or six people who also fly in the mantis position at our dz and they were excited about what I had learned. We talked about what was explained to me and they were very eager to help me become comfortable with the new positions. I am very thankful they took an interest; sometimes we would just to 2 way drill dives and they never even charged me for their time. Too bad you aren't in this area they really enjoy helping those with a desire to learn. Mike

Homer, I know the feeling. My first four way was with a skydive U instructor and the two owners of our dz. It was a 7 point 4 way with block moves and I was amazed at how well they controlled their movements in the air. I know they were doing me a favor by taking me on the jump, I had less than 20 jumps, and I really didn't have to do much in the skydive, but I was hooked. Congratulations Mike

Anne, Being that I am also from St. Louis I am curious what DZ you jump at. There are other choices in the St. Louis area and I hope you weren't jumping at the one I jump at. I think you made the right decision for you and I don't know anyone I jump with that would give you a hard time about it. Remeber you are ulimately the one responsible for keeping yourself alive. Mike

Chuck, I appreciate your comments. I spent three years at Ft. Bragg and got out in 1990. You won't believe this, but sometimes I sort of miss that place. I guess absence make the heart grow fonder. Mike

I hope I can explain it in a manner that will give you an idea without totally confusing you. From the box position bring your hands and arms more in front of your body. Your hands should be under your chin in a position similar to if you were trying to catch a football. The elbows are wider than your hands. If you can picture the arms of a praying mantis I assume that is where they came up with the name. This position allows me to turn and make small adjustments much easier, forward, backward or up and down. The basic way to turn using just your arms, if you rotate your right elbow upwards, the key is making your right and left forearms parallel to one another. They should be parallel, but still angled in this manner ( / / ). When you do this you have both surfaces deflecting the wind and you will turn left. I hope this give you some idea of the basic position. Hopefully some one at your dropzone can demonstrate so you can get a visual picture. Mike

I believe my comments were misunderstood. I am not saying that freefliers are better fliers than RW. In fact I am primarily a belly flier usually 4 way, because I personally enjoy turning many points in a skydive, I have trained in the wind tunnel, on my belly, and have jumped with those we have competed nationally in four way, so I love RW. My question more specifically should have been why don't more people try to fly in a mantis type position. It has dramatically improved the speed and control range of my movements. As I transition between points and looked around to see where people are at it seems that those still flying in the box as taught during the first jump course are moving around alot more than those in a mantis type of position. This is even more noticeable during larger dives, probably because there are more people and it takes longer to build a point. My only reference to freeflying is that they are continual trying different techniques and the majority of those flying facing the earth aren't. Hope that helps and eleviates any need for defense. Mike

My question is based on my observation of Belly Fliers and Free Fliers. Why is it that Free Fliers continue to push the envelope of their flying skills yet so many Belly Fliers are satisfied with flying in the box? Is it a fundamental difference between the two or groups? Or the fear of failure, not being in your slot and ruining the skydive, that has restricted so many belly fliers from trying something different that might improve their skills and abilities. Curious about your thaughts Mike

Jessi, I wish I would have spent the extra money on the Pro Track. I bought a pro dytter and it does what I wanted it to, but when I jump with someone who has a pro track I always check the information it gathered. MIke

Karina, I have been jumping a spectre 170 since getting my A license and loved the way it opened. I wanted to downsize, but didn't want the openings the original sabre is prone to and didn't feel I was ready to try a stilleto. I am glad I waited until the Sabre2 came out and had the opportunity to jump one. It had all the performance characteristics I was hoping for. I ordered a 150 and am anxiously waiting its arrival. One of our riggers told me, "don't demo the Sabre2 unless you are prepared to buy one, because you will like it that much." Good Luck, Mike

What about depressurizing the cabin than the high jackers are restricted to their seat.

We should remember there is no perfect way to handle this situation. If we slip in and kill Bin insane we just made a martyr out of the man. There is almost no way we can come out of this with out being viewed as the bullies by the muslims in that region. Don't get me wrong if they as a group decide a holy war is in their future I have no problem saying kill em all and let God decide their ultimate resting place. My only point is this is not black and white and we as a public should be prepared to support our Government and Military 100%, because we are the ones also voicing our desire to end terrorism.

Skydive Quantum Leap Just west of St. Louis Missouri

Here is an idea if you enjoy improving your flying skills try to get to a tunnel. I spent some time at the one in Orlando, not only did I learn alot I got to watch some teams train and see how they fly. Talk about increasing your learning curve. I think it was probably the best money I have spent.

Nathan, I personally feel you should start by honing your rw skills. For a couple of reason, one, to you will need to demonstrate those skills in order to gain other licenses, having a d or c license may have an advantage down the road. Also, now that freeflyers and bellyflyers are building different formations together it will probably come in handy down the road and give you more options. Why limit yourself, become very proficient at being safe, learn to flat track, getting good separation is very important, then get people with knowledge and skill to help you with trying other disciplines. Good luck and enjoy Mike

I enjoyed the jumps I made on a silhouette and it is definetely a breeze to pack. I am 200 pounds out the door and was jumping a spectre 170 when I tried the silhoutte 150 it was easy to fly and at that wing loading alot of fun. If it is a canopy you feel comfortable with you should buy one. If you are looking for resale value don't invest in skydiving equipment.

I had the opportunity to fly a sabre2 this weekend and I was thrilled with the way it flew, landed and opened. They had a demo day at the dropzone and one of our tandem masters said "if you jump it you will want to buy it." That is exactly what I did; order one today.

Quantum Leap in Sullivan MO offers water training every labor day and memorial day weekend. I believe they offer it on saturday evening at a hotel pool. They didn't charge a fee, and had pizza and beer. Side note they have an Otter and on every load during Labor and Memorial weekend an experienced jumper wins a free jump. 1-800-stl-jump Good Luck