UKKid35

Please please tell me: Why should I pack my own rig when I'm less experienced and therefore less able to deal with a malfunction that I'm more likely to create than if I let an expert pack?

Thanks everyone for your advice both here and a few PMs too, and after considering it carefully I've decided to go to... Space Centre First reason is that as I'm not current it would probably be easier to go somewhere that I'd jumped before. Secondly, I really needed to stay on the DZ, and they have a free bunkhouse (which I didn't realise). Thirdly they have offered to pick me up from MCO for a very reasonable sum, meaning I don't have to hire a car. Lastly, the altitude and the view. I'll be there in a weeks time if anyone wants to say Hi.

None, but only 40 jumps, and I try to avaoid packing myself. Which begs the question: Since most malfuctions are due to poor packing, why should newbies pack? Surely that just compounds the chance of an incident. Why not wait a while, then when you find you have a mal you're more able to deal with it?

I remember Pete as being one of the most colourful characters at Headcorn, and he was always very friendly and helpful to me. It's very sad to see another Headcorn fatality, not least because the safety regime seems very strong compared with other DZs I've jumped at (although I admit my experience is very limited). He will be missed.

So Zhills it is then, except there's no bunkhouse there so that adds about $500 to my costs, the reason I'm not current is that I haven't been able to afford to jump, so that is a real issue. I'll call them to see of they have camping avaible (not that warm in January at night even in FL though). I like the sound of USPA membership, their site says $60 - is that right? Am I missing something? I am going to call around for a used Cypres, thanks for suggesting that PhreeZone. Impressed at the speed these moderators work - thread moved within an hour!

I don't think I'd be doing myself any favours trying to pack myself, now I have my own rig I'll be more likely to learn to pack, but not when my time at the DZ is limited. I think I've packed student gear about four or five times, each time they were horrible when they deployed. I really don't need a mal as a newbie, perhaps when I'm a little more experienced I'll be more able to cope with something I've managed to pack poorly, but why compound the chance of an incident so early on?

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I'm planning a trip to Florida in the next month and I'm expecting to be able to spend about 7 to 10 days in FL. I'm not current and haven't jumped for 18 months, I have 40 jumps. I need to purchase a used Cypres and have it fitted to the rig I've just bought which I've never jumped, and I also need some other minor rigging work (new lower control lines plus canopy check). I've jumped at Space City before but I would like to be able to stay in a bunkhouse this time. What is the best DZ for me? Also my UK BPA membership has expired and will cost me about $250 to renew and it will only be valid until March 05. Can I avoid this cost as I certainly won't be jumping here in the UK again until the summer? Thanks in advance

Thanks to all for your help and suggestions. Although my original email to "tech" at Parachute Systems was unanswered, I sent another to Mari at PS and also to a couple of UK dealers listed on their website. All three responded within 24 hours. The UK dealers both confirmed the permitted canopy sizes. Mari has offered to send a manual FOC, and guided me to their website for specs. I'm still a little unsure whether the Vortex II specs are the same since my rig is simply badged Vortex. It seems PS service can be variable, but I wouldn't want to complain just yet.

Can anyone tell me whether Parachute Systems will respond to emails regarding a Vortex container made by Chute Shop? I tried emailing about a week ago but no reply as yet. I have recently purchased a used container but I don't have a manual or even the specifications. I've asked whether a manual is available, and what the specs are, in particular what size canopies are permitted. Model CS-VOR-170-40 DoM 25/11/97 Thanks

Bear in mind that I'm a complete novice, but I don't rely on a Cypres, any more than I rely on a seatbelt, but I always wear a seatbelt even though there is a theoretical posibility that I could be trapped in a burning/sinking car. I'm sure the car analogy has it's limitations, and I certainly don't have the experiance to fully understand them, but I won't be relying on an AAD, nor will I jump without one.

My AFF hop and pop, at 4000, my previous jumps had all gone fairly smoothly, but this should have been the simplest of all: exit, get stable, pull. Of course as I went to pull I went unstable and found myself on my back, I kept thinking that that this was the wrong jump for this to happen as I arched and flipped myself over. Somehow I was signed off on that level because I was under a canopy within a generous ten seconds - just. About ten jumps later I converted from leg ripcord to BOC throwaway. I must have practiced it a hundred times, what was all the fuss about? But in the air although I found the PC first time nothing happened after I deployed. My instructor, who had been at my side until then quickly came round in front and pointed at my right hand. I looked round and there it was in my hand. I let go of it like a hot potato and all was well. I always wave off by 4500, I like having an extra few seconds, I'm sure I'll need them one day.

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Luke Oliver has some info and advice http://www.lukeoliver.com/writing/skydivenaked.html

Shortly after gaining my A licence I found myself on a load where I was last to exit. This was my first time not having someone tell me when to exit. I don't ever hesitate to exit, I'm always very eager to get out, but I was also keen to ensure that I maintained separation and started counting the ten seconds after the last group exited. After about three seconds the pilot started shouting at me to jump, I stubbornly continued until about seven seconds after which I gave in to the shouting from the pilot. I checked with the JM both before and after the jump that I was correct to leave ten seconds separation. I wish I'd asked the pilot why he was so keen to get me out, but at the time I thought that asking the JM should have been enough. What should I have done in the air, and what should I have done afterwards?

I had the same concerns, I was given the opportunity to pull the reserve on a rig needing a repack. It wasn't as bad as you might think, but it took some effort. I can imagine it would be more difficult if it was cold and I'd forgotten to wear gloves.

Yes I have (although not to the CCI yet) but everyone seems to have vested interests in whatever gear their mate has for sale. I really want to be armed with as much information from as many sources as possible when I do make a choice because my funds are very limited. In fact I'm sure you'd advise that I didn't try to get back in to the sport if you realised my budgetary constraints.

I've just purchased my first rig and I need to swap the main (Heatwave 150 with 191 jumps) for something more suitable. I've been offered an Icarus Jyro 170 with 380 jumps relined 80 ago. I can't find anything online about it, and I'm not sure whether since it's F111 it might be too tired to consider. I'm 140 pounds and not current, any thoughts? TIA

The pilot's treat for us all was a steep climb and then steep dive, which meant about 5 to 10 seconds of zero G. I didn't have a choice because I didn't know it was going to happen until just before, nor did anyone else as far as I know. We were told to make sure we were attached loosely using the seatbelt, but there was pleanty of slack to float around.

This happened to me around my 20th jump, last lift of the day, someones birthday. I'm glad it was only one drop, my stomach was still rather queasy as I jumped a few minutes later. Even so I'm glad I had the chance to do it - well actually I didn't have a choice!

Shortly after my AFF my log book was stolen from my car, the DZ where I trained helped me recreate a log book from their records. Sadly the instructor notes are missing but the record is there, has been signed off, and has been acepted by other drop zones.

I feel like this thread was started for me! I bought mine because it was part of a rig that I believe was a very good deal, I didn't research it beforehand, but I knew I'd be able to swap it for something less extreme (but probably the same size) if neccessay.

Thanks to everyone for your considered replies. As some of you may have guessed I bought the rig without having a chance to research the main properly, and no I haven't spoken to Pete Sizer at Headcorn about jumping using it. It was purchased after seeing it on eBay and I negotiated what I think is a very good price - £900 (approx $1600). I was aware that there was a chance the main might be unsuitable but as the whole rig is in mint condition with less than 200 jumps I was confident that I could swap the Heatwave for something more forgiving if neccessary. I guess now I need to decide whether to swap it, or whether to keep it and buy something more suitable for the time being. This will to a large extent depend on how long it will be before i can use it. I have previously used a Silhouette 160 and found it very well mannered, I assumed I was not being too extreme chosing a 150 for my first rig, especially as I am very cautious: I pull at 4000 and I'm not very adventurous under the canopy. Of course I'm going to be using student gear to get current, I've found on the last few occassions I've jumped (which have been at Quantum Leap Sullivan, MO) that the retraining regime is very strictly adhered to, and I've been forced to jump with an instructor before being signed off to jump solo. So really my question now is: Is the Heatwave worth keeping for later or should I sell it and forget about it? Thanks again - Blue Skies!

Only just discovered this forum, very pleased I found it! Now for the daft questions: I have 40 jumps, not been current for over a year, and I've just bought my first rig, a Vortex with Heatwave 150 and Temp 150 reserve (I'm 140 pounds), was that a sensible choice? It has no AAD, and obviously I want one before I jump, I can't afford a new Cypres so where's the best place to get a used one? TIA & Blue Skies! Paul