GPSJane

Thank goodness PASA doesn't let you coach at 100 jumps. If I tried to coach I'd mess up the jump for the student. On the other hand, another jumper at the same level as me is much more current and would do well. I guess it's a good thing you have to pass the coach's rating. Only skydivers know why the birds sing; they don't have to pack a parachute!

You can buy a bag for it - a parabag. I made the mistake of buying a bag too big for my rig so try find one that fits snugly. Then you can take it as carry-on. If you're a girl you're allowed a handbag too so I always take a small backpack as my other carry-on instead of a handbag :) Only skydivers know why the birds sing; they don't have to pack a parachute!

I know the feeling! It's just so much fun to go through the whole of Paragear.com and find all the things I'd love to have. Then when it comes to paying I have to take it all out my basket again and only buy the one important thing I need. One thing, surely you can't jump with sunglasses as a student with 11 jumps? I am sure I was only allowed to use my tinted lenses and gloves after I got my license. Not sure what USPA says though, this is PASA. Only skydivers know why the birds sing; they don't have to pack a parachute!

I envy those who have new rigs which have never fallen over. I wish I had been able to do that! I just know I would not be able to afford that. I can barely keep current at the moment. So I guess the solution is not to puke on someone's gear? Only skydivers know why the birds sing; they don't have to pack a parachute!

Haha, it depends on the turbulence really and apparently if it's bad I will get sick wherever! I was sitting next to the pilot in the 'box' (where the other pilot's seat would normally be) which is why I could not reach the door. All I know is that I am used to facing back so I can't turn around and face forwards. Oh another thing, I was 6-weeks uncurrent (my skydiving has gone to crap!) and I think maybe that affected it - you know how the more you go up the less sick you get? Only skydivers know why the birds sing; they don't have to pack a parachute!

Ok, so its a habit thing. I'll just have to work on it. I was told to go back onto my back but it's just an ingrained thing. lol Only skydivers know why the birds sing; they don't have to pack a parachute!

Oh man that must suck! I've often thought about it but somehow, no matter how sick I feel, I don't feel a thing after I exit until I land. At least you're not likely to puke on someone else! Although... imagine if someone's canopy was under you? Only skydivers know why the birds sing; they don't have to pack a parachute!

Its a Cessna 206T. Turbines are really fine cos its so much faster and you dont feel the turbulence so much. I dont think I've ever even felt sick in a PAC or Kingair. I dont even bother with the pills. Only skydivers know why the birds sing; they don't have to pack a parachute!

Hey hey! I was not trying to attack you! So I am sorry if it came out bitchy and sorry for pissing you off. I was just answering you. It's just my opinion that you're asking too much. All I was saying is that you don't know what it's like for those of us who get sick. As for that I was just saying that I would hate to be the one who could not get to the door and got even a little bit on you. It does happen! But hey, to each his own just as long as everyone knows what it is you're going to be demanding. And this is the first time I threw up in the plane, in 2 years. If I threw up every time I went up I would have stopped skydiving long ago. I do take the pills. Believe me I don't actually want to mess up someone's gear! Only skydivers know why the birds sing; they don't have to pack a parachute!

I just started with some freeflying jumps. I was told not to go on to my belly as it could be dangerous. Basically my speed will lower drastically and if there are freeflyers above me they will go into me. But since I am just learning there's no one above me, just a camera/coach to the side and I just can't help it; when I start spinning I automatically go onto my belly to get stable before I think about it. I just read some other post in another forum where the guy was saying he does that all the time and no one seemed to think anything of it. So is it really bad or can I relax about it? Only skydivers know why the birds sing; they don't have to pack a parachute!

I've done that a few times. I have a weak right arm and sometimes I flare unevenly. Then I make it worse by reaching. Did it on a down wind landing and ended up really rolling. I've perfected the PLF though! Even stupider: Jumping in calm hot conditions, I was looking straight down at the ground and idn't realise I was rather close to the ground and didn't flare in time. I bounced 3 times according to witnesses even though I don't remember this I beleive them cos my bruises are at least as big as yours ! Only skydivers know why the birds sing; they don't have to pack a parachute!

Hahaha, bigway, you clearly have a really strong stomach. When you get motion sickness there really is nothing you can do about it and you have no idea how kak that person actually feels. I get sick for anything - boats, planes, cars, even floating jetties. I actually almost gave up skydiving because I always felt so bad. I used to dread going to the dz. Luckily I found some pills that work well and don't make me drowsy. I did take some that day btw but they just didn't work. I'm not saying that you can't do a thing about where you thrown up but you can't hold it in, trust me! That said I would feel really bad if I messed up someone's rig and it's courtesy to try your best not to. Of course, sometimes you can't help it cos there are holes in your helmet, people all around etc etc. Then I hope that those people will be understanding and nice to me like all the people on the load were on Saturday. You're a bit anal bigway? I can't see what difference it makes if there's one jump on a reserve? It's still packed the same afterwards... At least you know it works! I know it's nice to keep your things all clean and stuff - believe me I was so upset when I got some dirt on my brand new rig but really it's there to be used, you've got to expect it to wear a bit eventually. Hey, it's your rig. I would just make sure never to use your rig or sit near you in a plane. Just in case, you know? Only skydivers know why the birds sing; they don't have to pack a parachute!

I agree completley. Before I jumped I wanted someone in the same field as me cos it requires lots of work in lonely places. Now I just want to meet a skydiver or someone willing to start because how can I go out with someone who lives in town and doesn't like going to the dz if I work in lonely places all week and skydive all weekend!? Only skydivers know why the birds sing; they don't have to pack a parachute!

Haha pilatus - well if it helps, I was dating a guy at exactly the same experience level and jump numbers. Was better cos then I felt less intimidated. For once I could boss him around too. Only skydivers know why the birds sing; they don't have to pack a parachute!

There were no bags cos I did tell the pilot and he couldn't find one. I was sitting in the 'box' next to the pilot and defintley could not get to the door - 6 people in a Cessna! I did, however, turn away from my friend's rig and puke next to me so only I was sitting in it. A question: if you puke in your helmet then how do you jump? Better to have a bag I think. I went the next day and found bags to put inside my jumpsuit pocket and in the planes. bigway: I would really not be able to afford that but I did offer to pay for a wash and repack for anyone's rigs which got messed on. Lucky I managed to avoid everyone :) And I washed the plane. You should realise (and you will only know what I mean here if you actually get motion-sickness) that people who feel that sick are only thinking about how bad they feel. Sounds selfish but believe me, you can't help it. But, yeah, you should be able to turn away or use the door or something. Only skydivers know why the birds sing; they don't have to pack a parachute!

It doeans't matter what the unit is. You will still end up with the same rations... Only skydivers know why the birds sing; they don't have to pack a parachute!

Today I hrew up in the plane. Really gross I know! My only excuse: some seriously bumpy air up there! And maybe also because it was very hot. But I am wondering how many people have actually thrown up in the plane? It's embarassing to admit but really you can't help it if it happens. Only skydivers know why the birds sing; they don't have to pack a parachute!

After I posted this I thought I read something about there going to be one in the new theme park they are planning. It's kind of like a Disney World but bigger (of course) but now I can't find the reference again. The Wind Tech tunnel was sold to a company in Holland 6 months ago - hence the reason I am looking for cheap tunnel options :) Only skydivers know why the birds sing; they don't have to pack a parachute!

Cool thanks :) Only skydivers know why the birds sing; they don't have to pack a parachute!

Does anyone know if there is a tunnel or plans for a tunnel in Dubai? It may be a weird question but I figure that since they have everything bigger and better there that surely they must build a big-ass tunnel. It would be cool for South Africans because you almost always fly through Dubai on the way to other places for tunnel trips so it would be easier and cheaper to just got there Only skydivers know why the birds sing; they don't have to pack a parachute!

Hi I am considering putting a camera on my helmet. Just wondering about everyone's views on whether to use a mount or a box? My helmet is a Velocity from Skydance and I bought it because I knew I'd want to put a camera on it but now I realise that I should have bought a Bonehead or something that has boxes. Ok, they do make camera condoms but I am not sure this is as good as a box. Also, what do you think about a sight? I am really scared about hook-up points and since I'm not that experienced and it will be my first time jumping with camera I want to make sure I cover all bases. Only skydivers know why the birds sing; they don't have to pack a parachute!

Addiction to energy drinks is mostly psychological though caffeine and guarana are physically addictive. Too much taurine may also be not so good for you but the literature is not really clear on whether this has been proved. Personally I think they are really gross. Someone gave me a jager-bomb the other day and I had to pour the Red Bull part into someone else's drink! lol Only skydivers know why the birds sing; they don't have to pack a parachute!

Another funny story. I was sitting facing backwards while the instructor despatched a student behind me. In this airplane the student hangs on the wing strut. It seemed to be taking long so I looked around and all I see out the window is the student with her feet still on the step shaking her head vigorously and her arms wrapped really tightly around the wingstrut while the instructor was kicking her feet and yelling "Go! Go!". Eventually she couldn't hold on any more. She had a very long run in - thank goodness we have a large dropzone. Only skydivers know why the birds sing; they don't have to pack a parachute!

Funny thing; I forgot to be scared on my first jump. The second was a different story all together. I have a friend who did AFF. Afterwards all he could say was "No one told me it would be so noisy!". Apparently he didn't want to continue because he got such a fright when he jumped out and the wind made such a noise. I think he thought it would be all calm and peaceful. haha Only skydivers know why the birds sing; they don't have to pack a parachute!

1 kg = 2.2 lb This guy is not fat. He's a BIG guy. I don't think he can lose enough, that's the whole problem. I think we discussed that option already. I did a search now and ended up wading through piles of unrelated stuff - probably using the wrong search terms. Will carry on looking. Only skydivers know why the birds sing; they don't have to pack a parachute!