L.O.

Actually, a 182 DZ with three S/L's on the plane is the most profitable method of instruction. The plane makes some money on the first jump, but not the instructors. The second jump student doesn't pay much more then the fun jumper. So, after the first jump the plane isn't making much either. I'm just looking at the big picture. HPDBs, I hate those guys. AFB, charter member.

I wish I could help more, but all my ideas are on here already. I just want to tell what I did. I got rid of everything I could, got a big light-weight tac and a bicycle speedo. Worked great for the track and lost a bunch of very high center of grav lbs. Probably not legal, but 99% of the police have no clue. I have been pulled over while running race slicks,no lights, and full race exhaust and not gotten anymore then "slow down a little". HPDBs, I hate those guys. AFB, charter member.

I did three last week. I get to work on my mantiss and overpower the TI, its fun. Our TIs don't do CReW and I have a lot so I always take over under canopy and attack the other tandem. I love doing frontside stuff. Shows the TIs what the front guy can do. Scares them. HPDBs, I hate those guys. AFB, charter member.

Unfortunately, we have grown out of our infancy. The hippie attitude of the early years has gone by the wayside. I think John has it right in saying,"I think yuppies are predominant today". If you look hard enough, you can still see the shadow of a hippie being cast from those old jumpers. We have grown up. we have to take the good with the bad. Thats the way it goes. You could be "the one" who brings it all back, never know. Good luck. HPDBs, I hate those guys. AFB, charter member.

I can't say I've been in the same situation, but I have seen it happen. My DZ is a mostly S/L DZ and we have taken several people from other DZs AFF programs and made then in to S/L jumpers. It depends on the DZ you chose and how they apply the USPAs ISP. I would guess you will progress through S/L at an accelerated pace. I am very happy to see several threads as of late, that are speaking out about how much cheaper S/L is over AFF. S/L is cheaper, but no less safe and in most cases much more cost effective per jump. I know this will most likely turn into a "Aff is better" "no staticline is" argument thread but it is obvious that both programs get you to the same place in about the same condition. S/l just gets you there for much much less $$. No question. It is sad that S/L has not proliferated in the same manner as AFF but there is no money to be made with S/L so the reason is obvious. Instructors can't live on the money they make of the S/L crowd. I know I can't HPDBs, I hate those guys. AFB, charter member.

2 / 12 / 0 HPDBs, I hate those guys. AFB, charter member.

My dogs name is "Jedei". He is male, but there are both male and famale jedei. HPDBs, I hate those guys. AFB, charter member.

It depends. If I am jumping one of my hot rods I will jump from 2ish but I will be scared. If I am on the Fury or the Maverick I will do 2 or 3 seconds of head down before I deploy. As long as I am above 1800 when I get out. HPDBs, I hate those guys. AFB, charter member.

Me and wildfan are having ribs and garlic potatos. She is to good to me. mmmmm. She brought the beer. I don't drink. HPDBs, I hate those guys. AFB, charter member.

FURYs RULE. HPDBs, I hate those guys. AFB, charter member.

Very Good idea. As long as you don't charge $100 for the class to teach them how to be safe in the air with others. Teaching people how to be safe in the air is our responsabilaty to the student and to save ourselves. But, if you what to charge people to be safe, go ahead. Then if they want to be safe they have to pay or get out of the sport. Another good idea HPDBs, I hate those guys. AFB, charter member.

why does anybody still do static line?) jumps. No reason the same things can't be learned using either method. Dave So many people seem to forget, that money doesn't grow on trees. Not to Hijack this thread, but why do you think our numbers keep going down. come to my DZ and you get your A for about 700 bucks. That used to be the norm and still could be. But, today its 1500 just to get through your AFF at most DZs. At My DZ, most of your jumps are done with a member of the word team or a four-way gold medelist. If your landing isn't that great you get a talking to and an explanation of why it sucked and how to improve it. You continue to get canopy debriefing for ever. I still give our world teamers advice on landings (they even listen from time to time). I guess I have evolved beyond some of you. I don't care if I am getting paid. I don't have a lot of money, but I care about the people out there jumping, and I care about the sport. Those of us who "can" better step up to the plate and "do" or this will continue. Our down hill slide needs to stop. F$%k the money and show some heart people. Before you flame me, take a sec and think, am I talking to or about you or are you one of the people who is taking care of biz. If you are up at the plate giving it your all I'm not talking to you. If you sitting back pulling down the $$ and giving nothing back then F you flame away. HPDBs, I hate those guys. AFB, charter member.

I just got back from Colorado. This was my first time in the tunnel. Spent two hours+ in two days. I am extremely extremely fit. I did feel it in the lower back. The inner and back of the thigh. A little in the pecs also. If I could go back a month or two I would do more work on these areas. I don't do much with weights but I run 7 miles on Mon and Fri, and 15 on the bike Tue Wed Thurs. By Tuesday, I had to try and remember what hurt on Sun. I am a 4-way guy and I got so much out of the tunnel, it was awesome "wow". Have fun HPDBs, I hate those guys. AFB, charter member.

Some times the DZ treats me like that. They keep making me go jump my ass off. some day I'm going to just tell them to go to h*&l...., maybe..., no-way. Skydiving rules. You did sign up to be the US Govs play thing. Sucks to be you. I hope things get better for ya. Just think how good that next jump is going to feel, that should help the time go bye. HPDBs, I hate those guys. AFB, charter member.

Who are these six wonderful, boundless individuals. Just so the world might know the names of such great people.

Sad but true, people fade from the sport. There is always an excuse though. Very rarely do they say, "I just don't want to do this anymore". It makes me sad, for those people who can't find what I have found in the sport. Even though it has been 16 years in May, I still find utter bliss in skydiving. I pity those who don't have such passion in their life, be it skydiving or not. HPDBs, I hate those guys. AFB, charter member.

It's not the people who say they will be in it forever and aren't. It's the people who get out after a few years but still talk and act as if they are full timers. That makes me mad. If your done be done don't try to act the part if your not going to play it as well. HPDBs, I hate those guys. AFB, charter member.

200 jumps in your first year is better then almost anyone on here. Better then almost anyone anywhere. Be proud of your young status. you have so many good things on the horizon, all yet to come. So much learning and excitement. I sometimes wish I could be in the place you are now. I wish I had boobies to, but then I would never leave the house. HPDBs, I hate those guys. AFB, charter member.

I had non-skydiver friends for many years. Mostly pilots. Now I am down to pilots who fly skydivers and skydivers. I find talking to normal people irritating. I am sure they feel the same about me. Hell many pilots and skydivers feel that way about me. I have been without a real non-skydiver friend for about ten years now. I miss having normal friends about as much as I miss a hole in the head. I am happy, I am satisfied, I love my skydiving life. Pity me. HPDBs, I hate those guys. AFB, charter member.

I run 7 miles on Monday and Friday. 15miles on the bike T,W,TH. The weekends are for skydiving. Last I posted, it was 5 for the run and 12 on the bike. Getting better. HPDBs, I hate those guys. AFB, charter member.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- That is not a bike, THIS is a bike! Al kidding aside. Be careful! You started it. Steve Thats not a bike this is. My last bike was exactly carbon copy. stickers and all. 140HP 380lbs. made your eyes bleed just looking at it. HPDBs, I hate those guys. AFB, charter member.

Bikes are kinda like airplanes. Some are harder to get in (Otter VS King-Air), some are faster (DC-9 VS DC-3), some are bigger (C-130 VS Piper Cub). It all comes down to you and the quality of the instruction you get. If you attend the DMVs Motorcycle safety coarse, and have a good rider handy to help you with all the tricks of the trade you will do well. I wouldn't be a good S&TA if I didn't mention good safe gear. In the Millions of road miles I have done over the years, I have never even gone to the other end of the street without a helmet. I have never ridden in anything other then shoes or boots and always with gloves. To do anything else, is asking for it. My family is prominent in local racing and I am very very keen on safety. I will descend from the soap box now, and say, "nice bike". This type of bike is A little bit heavy for a starter, but you have to start somewhere. Because of the low seat height you should have an easy time of things. It sure sounds like you have earned the new toy. Now get out there and go ride to the DZ. HPDBs, I hate those guys. AFB, charter member.

Black. HPDBs, I hate those guys. AFB, charter member.

7-cells have less forward speed. higher decent rate and generally more on heading opennings. the 7-cell would be easier for you to transition to since you know how they respond. 9-cells are awesome but they do require a little more precision from the pilot. They fly faster and recover slower then the same size 7-cell (in most cases). I don't know Europe, so I don't know canopies over there. over here I would say Sabre 2, Safire, Silohette, Tri-athlon, Sabre 1, spectre. Many more I wouldn't mess with a non ZP canopy. F-111 simply can't compare in the long run to a ZP. As long as you can cover the shipping, I would say your options are not limited at all. Just look here, just about every canopy you could want (and some you don't). HPDBs, I hate those guys. AFB, charter member.

The question should be asked of someone who has seen you jump. We here on the net, can give general ideas on the norm, the average, but each individual is so very different. The average person should demo the h%^l out of anything he can get his paws on. It's the only way to know for "you" The fact that you have flown a accuracy canopy so much, gives you an advantage in my opinion. flying accuracy has, most likely given you a great deal of skill to grow with. I started out doing a lot of CReW and the landing from each was accuracy. 220 7-cell F-111. when I moved to my first fast canopy I found it was much easier for me then most, because I understood how a conopy flys. (Thats what I think anyway). That said, I would bet you will end up someplace between135 and 190. You gave few details on what you intend to do with the canopy. Do you want to swoop, are you just wanting an all-around? 190 is a great size for an all around canopy. Stable, forgiving and fun. A 170 is still all these but less forgiving and a little more fun. A 150 is super fun but much less forgiving. Then the 135, probably to fast to much to far. These ideas could possibly be all wrong for you. We don't know you and you should take anything you get here and ask someone you trust to make an accurate assessment. Good luck. HPDBs, I hate those guys. AFB, charter member.