DZJ

Hi all, I'm a London skydiver, recently qualified at Langar but likely to be jumping with the UCL Skydive Club at Sibson in future. Still, would be nice to meet to you all at some point, and I'm soon to be living nr. Waterloo. I've joined the Yahoo group and hope to be socialising with you all soon. -Ian

I did a tandem first so I can't say what it's like to have your first freefall be with your own chute, but it will probably be very intense! It gets better with each jump, you get more relaxed and feel more in control. I still have a ton of nerves before getting up there, but once I'm out the door its awesome. :) My first jump was a tandem, but it was a year before I did AFF after that. The feeling of going from passenger to pilotwas still enormous and to be sat in my harness alone in miles of empty sky for the first time was simply mindblowing. Agree about the progressive relaxation as well. My exits up until levels V were nervous affairs, but after getting V out the way VI and VII were simply great fun and I started to really feel like I was flying rather than just plummeting.

I hope to be back at Langar for the spring boogie, and again in the summer. Until then I'm probably going to be doing most of my jumping with the UCL Skydive Club who jump at Sibson. Is Langar your home DZ? (and did I meet you at the boogie this summer? I don't recall a Will).

My record so far is only 6 jumps in one day, spread over about 10 hours. Still, they were all AFF consol jumps and it was great to get so many out the way in one go. Finished the day knackered but it felt like my head was still in the clouds for hours after de-kitting.

I've read that article, was very informative. There are a lot of canopy skills I'm still to acquire so I'm in no hurry to shrink my canopy.

Thanks for the responses. I'd like to try something around 200 sq ft, but for the time being I'm content to jump a docile old sail at 240/260 until my repertoire of canopy manouevres is a little better furnished.

Hi all, I see a fair amount of discussion about wing loading and was wondering what a ‘normal’ load was at different experience levels. I for instance have just got off student status, having been trained on a Balance 260 and weighing (without gear) about 160lbs. I was wondering what sort of wing loading might be considered ‘normal’ for skydivers of say 50/100/250/500/1000/1000+ jumps experience. Also, what’s the usual maximum for tandem wing loading? And do skydivers in different canopy disciplines (CReW/swooping/accuracy etc) prefer particular loadings, or is the deciding factor simply handling characteristics? Cheers for any input, -Ian PS – I realise that people don't all downsize their canopies at the same rate and there will be a degree of variation. I'm just curious as to the appproximate wing loadings.

Male 19 yrs old 0.2032 seconds average. 0.178 fastest 0.219 slowest.

I was taught on BOC throwaway equipment and told not to release the pilot until my arm is at full extension. Haven't had any problems with it so far, but suppose its only a matter of time.

Nothing much to add as to whether atmonauti is freeflying or a tracking dive, but just wanted to say that I got to meet Marco and Gigliola about two weeks ago at Langar in the UK. Sadly I'm only a recently qualified A-licence holder, so couldn't fly with them, but they were both very friendly and I hope to fly with them at some point in the not-too-distant future.

In my 21 jumps I've managed: Cessna 182 Cessna Grand Caravan Turbolet 410 Skyvan Bell Jet Ranger

I did AFF, 10 consols and a helicopter jump between August 23rd and September 4th at Langar, during their summer boogie. I don't have anywhere to compare it to, having only ever jumped there, but I found the instructors friendly and professional. Jump-related facilities on site were good, the landing area is gigantic and easily sighted from the air. The atmosphere was extremely friendly both during the day and in the bar during the evening.

What altitude can a balloon get up to? I did a helicopter jump at Langar during the Boogie. It was only a 6,000' hop and pop but the feeling of clean air was amazing - would love to try a balloon jump. -Ian

Hi, if you don't mind a fairly long drive, then I'd definitely recommend the British Parachute Schools at Langar in Nottinghamshire. I just graduated with them and they have excellent instructors, a massive dropzone fast aircraft and a friendly atmosphere. Check out www.bpslangar.co.uk for more info. -Ian

Here in the UK there's no requirement to do any tandem descents before AFF Lvl I. Anyhow, I know exactly how you feel, I was exactly the same after every one of the 19 jumps it took for me to get Cat 8 and my A licence.

Hi everybody, I'm Ian. I recently got my A-licence after doing AFF at British Parachute Schools Langar in Nottinghamshire, England. I was fortunate enough to be at Langar during their Boogie and met hoards of awesome people from all over the world, and feel infinitely lucky to have found my perfect sport. A little about myself - I'm 19, about to start a degree at the University of London and am into films, music, rifle shooting, martial arts and, of course, jumping out of planes. Look forward to participating on the boards here and hopefully jumping with some of you fine people in the future.

Hi, cheers for the link. I was at Langar Boogie doing AFF at the time and the Brit Chicks were an amazing spectacle (both on the ground and in the air!). -Ian