JeffSkydiver

Where did you do the practice jump? DeLand? Are you still practicing? I want to be in it in March. jt * Let's all do this safe enough that we can still do this in our 90's.

Hey In filling out the profile it asks, "Your weight with gear." I know in choosing canopy size, the jumper's weight with the gear on must be known in order to compute wing loading. Without actually weighing oneself with the gear on, assuming for a moment there is no scale immediately available or the gear is not immediately availble, is there a rule of thumb to use for the weight of the gear? How much to add to one's actual weight? 25, 30, 40 pounds? I know rigs differ in weight as they differ in size and brand, but what's the ball park figure? I'm presently jumping student gear with a 260 sq. ft. canopy. How much should I add? I KNOW, before I actually buy gear or even rent it, I will weigh myself and the gear at the DZ. They have a scale right there. I'm just looking for a ball park figure to use now. Thanks, jt * Let's all do this safe enough that we can still do this in our 90's.

"I was not aware that I had been put on the NHS waiting list" "the operation will cost me nothing." (what's the tax rate in the UK again?) "I cannot talk to the surgeon directly (NHS politics or he is too busy?)" "I can only talk to his secretary or send a letter." "The surgeon is difficult to understand anyway because he is foreign and is vague with his answers!" "I was told by his secretary that I will be off work for 2 weeks." So much for government run healthcare. No thanks. Almost always, cheap is expensive. If you can, go PAY a doctor who is competent and that you can understand who, after examination, will take the time to explain things to you. If he or she can't make themselves understood, don't pay them and get another doctor. If you become satisfied that the benefits of the operation outweigh the drawbacks, then let your "free" doctor do the operation. In a nutshell, PAY for a second opinion. jt * Let's all do this safe enough that we can still do this in our 90's.

I know... my jump numbers are low, so feel free to disregard or slam me... but.. From watching lots and lots at the busy DZ that DeLand is, I see lots of swoopers at various levels doing one of two things... swooping/carving across the lawn in the close landing area by the peas, not particular about landing IN the peas, just going for the long horizontal ride AND The other swoopers who swoop INTO the peas and stop there. If the "lane" is set up, then it's still a mixed bag between those who use the lane, those who swoop anywhere in the surrounding grass and those who swoop into the peas. AND Mixed in all that you have the non-swoopers doing the old fashioned, floating straight in approach. I very seldom see them going for the peas due to all the high speed landings randomly landing in and around the peas. The exception are the tandems, who float into the peas. So, with all that going on, a busy DZ like Deland still has only one "peas." I know, everyone wants to land close to the packing area etc. BUT Can we not TRY, given there is enough room, to designate a swoopers' landing area, with peas and a lane and surrounding grass AND a second "peas" with enough lawn around for the straight in landings? As far as landings go, the skydiving world has become divided between swoopers and floaters. Instead of trying to ignore this difference in the landing area and trying to make rules fit that may no longer be enough for everyone's safety, why don't we just recognize the two different disciplines and give each its own space. Swoopers "line up" on final much different than non-swoopers. The swoopers' line up, as you know, begins several hundred feet nearly OVER the target and at some point they spiral in (45, 90, 180, 270 degrees or more). Their "final" is for all intents and purposes VERTICAL. In contrast, the floaters line up and try to fly a "J" or "U" pattern from 1,000 feet and are taught to at about 300 feet of altitude fly straight in HORIZONTALLY on final. This puts them in the path of the swoopers' vertical "final" We're mixing apples and oranges and trying to use one rule for both - the low guy has priority. Let's hear it... Why not 2 landing areas? jt * Let's all do this safe enough that we can still do this in our 90's.

Me too, Tonto: I started on round parachutes. Before the Fax machine. Before CD's Before Tandems - when the only way to learn was Static line. When we stayed away from people with AAD's Flew in Cessna's without doors - even in Winter. The only turbines we jumped were C-130's Spotted ourselves - as there was no GPS. When 7 cells were "radical" and reserves had 5 cells - or were round. When we needed to do water jumps for the licence - not just a briefing. I didn't even know AAD's existed. Did they in 1981? I never heard of them until 4 months ago. To add to your list: Altimeters were on your chest strap Pilot chutes were on your belly band or leg strap Jumping PC's was required between rounds and squares Wore no goggles Wore cheap plastic hockey helmet Constantly played hacky sack while waiting for the load in the 182 with no door If you dropped the hacky or pointed with your finger, you got kicked in the butt Everyone packed their own chutes Leg straps were much easier to put on Dogs were not allowed on the DZ Packed on the grass and used tent stake to hold the rig Smoking was not allowed near packing Beer had to wait until the plane was tied down "D" licensees were few and far between This was 1981. I'm 46 now. jt * Let's all do this safe enough that we can still do this in our 90's.

Hey everyone, Thanks for all your helpful replies. I tend to agree that it seems that what one used in training is what one remains most comfortable with. Once I find mine I think I'll use both for awhile. Right now I'm using a large one strapped on the wrist with velcro. Maybe I can borrow one of those that look smaller and are more down on the hand, which seem to face more naturally toward the eyes. I've also noticed that some altis have the yellow zone beginning at 4000 or 4500 I think rather than the standard alt. I think that's a good idea. As far as altitude in general goes, in the old days, nearly all my jumps were from a 182 with occasional jumps from a Cherokee 6 and few Beech 18's. As a result, most jumps were under 10,000 feet. I remember standard opening alt for me was 3000. Now with my jumps consistently at 13,500 out of a Porter or Otter, the ride is much longer. As a result, I've moved my opening to 4000. I like having the extra time under canopy or to deal with a mal. From my perspective, my free fall times are still one heck of a lot longer than what I had been used to. Thanks again for all your posts. I'm so darn happy to be back in the sky. If anyone ever comes to Deland, please let me know and we can meet up - up there, that is. Blue skies, jt * Let's all do this safe enough that we can still do this in our 90's.

Hi All, Having just returned to the sport after 23 years off, one of the many changes I see is the change from chest mounted to wrist mounted altimeters. Soon, I'm pretty sure I'm going to find the right box of old junk in my garage or closet and find my old chest mount. I want to know, was the change due to some safety reason I'm not aware of? Or was the change just for style? I have to say, it's hard getting used to the wrist mount. I keep pulling my arm in like I'm looking at my watch. I'm trying hard to just glance at it in my peripheral vision. I can honestly say however, I'd be much more comfortable with my chest mount. It's always right there regardless of arm position - even in tracking. If/when I find my alti, is there a problem using it as a chest mount (assuming it still works!)? Wassup? jt * Let's all do this safe enough that we can still do this in our 90's.

Hey John, I just got back last month after 23 years off too! Best decision I ever made. It's like a have a new life. I wish you all the best. jt * Let's all do this safe enough that we can still do this in our 90's.

Thank you very much Jeff. jt * Let's all do this safe enough that we can still do this in our 90's.

Hello All, I have been reading quite a bit about skydiving and camera etc etc. Here is the preface to my question. I KNOW I have a small number of jumps. BELIEVE me I do not wish to do ANYTHING until my skill level, experience etc etc are what they need to be before I take ANY next step in skydiving. Having said that, please do not interpret this post to mean I'm running out tomorrow and strapping on a camera. OK, now that I covered the things that should not need covered any further. A few months ago, I met a skydiver from England. He was not a DZ video guy or anything. He did, however, have a small digital camera mounted on the side of his helmut - it looked real small. He told me he just likes to record his own freeflying etc. It was not the big bulky and potentionally dangerous for newbies top mounted video and still shot camera set up that I see our Tandem video guys wearing. His set up, I would think, would be a little less "dangerous" than the big rigs in that it was obviously lighter, from what I could see had no or very little protusions etc to snag lines or canopies on. Far less bells and whistles to be messing with. I think he just turned it on in the plane and turned it off when he landed. It had no eyepiece. So.... the questions: What do you think that setup was? How much would something like that cost new and used, if available used? What kind of experience level do you recommend if I use it the same way he did - turn it on before exiting, turn it off on landing and not messing with it during free fall or canopy control? What say you? Thanks, jt * Let's all do this safe enough that we can still do this in our 90's.

Wonderful day. I made two skydives today. No screaming either time! Well, I was the last one out both times. lol In both loads members of Deland Majik were in four ways with other jumpers. Great guys. Funny thing, when the green light went on and they checked out the spot and then began climbing out and then got set then finally did the count, nobody screamed at them!! There were 2 or 3 four ways with Majik members in them both loads I was on. Took some time to empty the plane. Still, no one screamed. As for me, the wind was a little brisk today. I was happy to be the last one out and didn't mind the extra time. I had a great spot both dives - plenty a ways upwind. So, all in all, a great day for me, even in the plane! jt * Let's all do this safe enough that we can still do this in our 90's.

Absolutely wonderful post! I wish I could print it out and tape it up at the DZ and inside the planes, along with a few of the other posts. After talking to the screamers once you were on the ground, did you notice a change in anyone's behavior on subsequent loads? jt * Let's all do this safe enough that we can still do this in our 90's.

I may be down there on Friday! ------------------------------- I might wait until tomorrow or Friday... we're expecting a little bump in the temperature. I want to come to Palatka sometime... It's probably only an hour from my house - Daytona Beach. Blues to you, jt * Let's all do this safe enough that we can still do this in our 90's.

Thanks Crutch. Great advice. Let's get together and scream at each other in a plane sometime. lol Best to you, jt * Let's all do this safe enough that we can still do this in our 90's.

Thanks for your post, but just to be clear... I was NOT spotting. I already knew where we were; watching on the way up and the two people before me were both solos. I knew where we where. The "delay" in the door wasn't due to spotting - I was counting for separation - as instructed. But, on the topic of spotting, back in the old days, at least at the DZ where I jumped, the last jumper in the plane was the "spotter," not the pilot. The pilot would most of the time have the direction of the jump run correct and fly over the DZ. The spotter would yell course corrections and yell to cut the engine. I had to learn that skill very early on back in the day - certainly at less than 15 jumps I was spotting loads. That also coincided with learning RW. Then, the lowest number of jumps person would fly base and everyone else would fly in. So it made sense that the base would be the spotter. I bring this up just to show that, I guess from my previous experience, I usually know where we are as we approach jump run. Of course I take a look down and around once at the door - but even if the spot is perfect, if another person or group just launched, then a delay for separation is required. To sum up, the delay in my situation was not for spotting - it was for separation - as I was instructed to do 23 years ago, again instructed to do last month in AFF and instructed to do IN THE PLANE ON THAT LOAD BY AN INSTRUCTOR. I hope I get some work done this morning so I can make a jump or 2 this afternoon. Hey!!! Maybe I just finally realized why some jumpers wear earplugs!!!! jt * Let's all do this safe enough that we can still do this in our 90's.

That's right!! Just ignore them. They're much nicer on the ground. :) jt * Let's all do this safe enough that we can still do this in our 90's.

Stop by Deland while in Florida Heidi. Always a nice crowd. Wednesdays and Saturdays are my favorite days there. jt * Let's all do this safe enough that we can still do this in our 90's.

Thanks for all your replies. Some of you may have missed the point that I was following instructions when told to wait 5 seconds - I didn't arbitrarily choose that time on my own. Secondly, I was clear that I commenced the count and was myself ready to dive as soon as the last jumper exited. In my case, a 5 second count would really have been a 5 second separation. This was not the case of moving to the door, then commencing the count, then spotting, then climbing out etc etc etc. It was very clear that I was standing in the door ready to dive solo and began the count just when the last jumper exited. I think in this case, there is no giving allowance to the screamers who were afraid that my counting would result in a 20 or 30 second separation. As far as yelling F U or giving the finger etc., not my style. I think I'll just be "deaf" and assume there is no aircraft or premature deployment emergency - a potentially dangerous assumption, I fear. Maybe it should start from the top down. Those of you who read this thread and somewhat agree and are Tandem Masters or Instructors, make a change yourself if need be and begin gently correcting others. If at your DZ you see this problem of unreasonable delay, then hold a class on the topic or post a bulletin at the DZ. Do something about it other than screaming at people who also paid money to be there. On the topic of having paid money to be there: Granted, my $19.00 ride to altitude is not as much as the Tandem passenger paid, but wait - I paid for instruction - twice - static line 23 years ago and AFF last month, bought gear twice and bought over 100 rides to altitude. Not much compared with the sky gods, but compared with the $300 Tandem passenger, I have paid my dues to be in that plane and have a safe skydive - especially when all I was doing was following instructions. Thanks again for your replies, jt * Let's all do this safe enough that we can still do this in our 90's.

Hi all, I recently returned to skydiving after a 23 year hiatus. Much has changed. I ask the DZ instructors lots and lots of questions. I'm happy to be back. Here's what happened in the plane the other day and what that would have meant 23 years ago. I was doing a solo dive. There were about 20 or so in the Otter. Several of the DZ instructors and Tandem Masters were there. I confirmed with the one closest to me my thought that I should wait 5 seconds before exiting after the jumper before me. My practice is to be at the door, looking out, ready to go and I watch the previous jumper or group fall while counting out the seconds. I also use my hand like a boxing referee sort of just to be sure I'm counting correctly and so the others in the plane know I'm counting. At about "a thousand 2," unknown persons in the plane start screaming, "GO GO GO GO." 23 years ago, as I recall it, that would never have happened except in the case of an aircraft emergency of some sort or for instance a main or reserve just popped out of someone's container - or mine. No one would ever scream "GO" except out of urgent necessity - it would be like crying "fire" in a crowded theatre. Without hesitation, I bailed. I asked one of the instructors about this - he wasn't on the load. He smiled and said, "yeah - people do that all the time - they're just impatient." He said it's mostly the Tandem Masters! Wow - at our DZ, the Tandem Masters are also the instructors. The same people teaching about exit separation and who were in the plane confirming in that case that I should wait 5 seconds are the same ones screaming "Go?" Before you answer: no I did not unduly delay. I began the count at the moment the last jumper exited, I was not counting slow. I did not lose track of time. I could see the previous jumper the whole time. I was also told not to worry about aircraft or in aircraft emergencies and people screaming, "Go." If it were truly an emergency, I would know it without people screaming. I would feel the plane buffetting etc. While that may be true, I wouldn't have known about a premature deployment, or a fire etc. Should we stop the practice of screaming "go" to a person or people in the door? What are your thoughts? jt * Let's all do this safe enough that we can still do this in our 90's.

Thanks John, I've seen yours - nice suit and great price. See ya up there, jt * Let's all do this safe enough that we can still do this in our 90's.

That was real helpful. How about a range smarty pants. jt * Let's all do this safe enough that we can still do this in our 90's.

Hi I'd like to revive this discussion in light of the discussion on Sabre 1 going on in the Incident forum - fatality at Titusville. What say you? jt * Let's all do this safe enough that we can still do this in our 90's.

How much does a new suit cost? jt * Let's all do this safe enough that we can still do this in our 90's.

Hey Mark, It really has all changed, but much has stayed the same. Some good changes: zero porousity canopies DZs with instructors and coaches AFF Tandems Soft landings - I like this one the best. Some sadder changes: Busy DZ = less camaraderie than I was used to Helping jumpers is a "business" (charging for coaching) - in the old days experienced jumpers like yourself just helped the rest of us along Way more shit going on in the sky to watch out for: bigger planes mean more groups in the plane, some on bellies, freeflying, tracking, different opening altitudes, the "funnel" at the peas is a mess: tons of canopies, swoopers, not swoopers. I'll land in the "student" area forever. Remember our old 185? Everyone in it exited together and did the same thing (well we tried) !!! Amazing idea. Skydivers dying and getting hurt under perfectly good canopies, on perfectly clear days, perfect winds, in the landing area - last week a guy went in 20 yards from me hook turning a landing. Died in the hospital the next day or so. I'll never forget the sound of that thump. Mark if you ever visit a DZ, you may do what I did in August - my first visit to a DZ in 23 years. I looked up and saw some jumpers about to land. The next thing I know, the guy starts a radical hook turn and is screaming toward earth! I about shit myself and actually let out a scream! Holy shit, that was against every frickin rule in 1981. If we had seen anything like that in 1981, we were looking at death. Hmmmm I guess we still are sometimes - like last week for me. I may still get hurt or die in this sport - never say never, but I choose not to do hook turn landings, jump a small canopy or land in a tight or busy area. Everyone else is free to make their own choices. Let's meet up at ZHills sometime Mark. Let me know. jt * Let's all do this safe enough that we can still do this in our 90's.

Most attorneys are NOT litigators. Many are transactions lawyers, in some type of transaction or another. Many are strictly business and business entity lawyers. Lawyers specialize. There are some who still do a little bit of a lot of things. I'm not talking about those. I'm talking about hiring a lawyer that specializes in business formation, counseling business owners, buying and selling businesses and the legal work collateral to those transactions. That type of lawyer, if he or she is good at what they do, is any business owner's best bet. They do not see things through the tunnel vision of taxes. They see the panoply of issues such as control, alienability, liability, majority v. minority ownership interests etc., etc., my $0.02 * Let's all do this safe enough that we can still do this in our 90's.