Meux

The FXC was set to 1500 and functions plus or minus 750. I threw my pilot chute at about 2600 and sniveled down to 2100 or so. When I got full inflation, checked the main, released the brakes, that is when the reserve came out. When I got on the plane I knew the AAD was set for 1500, I didn't know it was plus or minus 750. Great comments, lots of lessons learned. Cheers, Mo

The AAD was an FXC. You're right, too low is too low. I felt that I was slightly lower than my experience or comfort level would dictate. I stayed in the formation too long (7 way). I should've turned and tracked at the briefed altitude, I didn't, that was my mistake. As I tracked away there was a guy just off to my right and slightly higher than me. I tracked just a little too long getting seperation from that jumper. It was a great learning experience for me. I'm very happy to have walked away from it. Paying for a reserve repack and other minor costs is way cheaper than other options. Cheers, Mo

In response to several folks, I got in the situation by screwing up. I had rented gear that I wasn't 100% familiar with, I pulled a little low and sniveled through the AAD activation altitude that was set for a student (no excuse). I checked the main, it looked good, I released the brakes and at that time the reserve came out, they very quickly settled into a SBS. I estimated my landing spot and realized I needed to change my heading. The main was a 190 and the reserve was a 218 (larger than the main). I made a very gentle toggle input trying to turn about 15 degrees to a clear area. The main dove and turned opposite to my toggle input and I chopped it. In hind sight I learned a ton of stuff from that jump. Most of the lessons are already apparent, stuff like knowing your gear (especially rented stuff), altitude awareness which means breaking out of the formation at the right alititude regardless of what everyone else does. Constant study and review of emergency procedures. I appreciate all the comments and sharing, it might keep someone else from screwing up and getting hurt. Cheers, Mo

I had a 2 out situation a few weeks ago. My plan was to let them settle out, and go from there. Initially they went side by side, nice and steady. We (me and both my canopies) were headed towards some hangers. I pulled a toggle on the main to steer about 15 degrees to the right. As I did this the main did a diving twist and started to bowtie, I chopped it at that point. At home I reviewed my SIM and found that I had highlighted the option to land two if they were side by side and playing nicely together. In the future, I'm chopping almost immediately. I think its important to sort of look at what ya got, but I was surprised at how quickly things went from shitty to horribly shitty. Cheers, Mo

Work in a trip to Titusville and the Space Center. If you want to see a beach, go to the finest in Florida, Playlinda. The DZ has a hustling King Air, a mellow fun atmosphere. Have fun Mo

MPH is Malay, Philippines. 3400' runway at 7' elevation. No mention of skydiving operations

Hey, I did my AFF less than 2 years ago. If I could tell you one thing, and it is the hardest thing. Relax. There is so much going on during those first jumps, but the sooner you can relax, the faster all the things you need to learn will come. Good Luck to you, I hope your instructors and DZ are as good as where I went. If I never jump again (heaven forbid) I have such happy memories from doing it. My only regret is for waiting so long. All the best, Mo

Something I've always desired is to be respected by my peers. Not necessarily to be the King of Hill, I just want the King of the Hill to know who I am, and respect me. Now that I think about it, WILD MONKEY SEX is pretty cool too.

Steely Dan-Aja CSNY-Deja Vu the first Josh Groban sound track to Out of Africa sound track to Chocolate

I used to hold attorneys and judges in very high regard. Then I went through divorce court. My first experience in court, other than a traffic ticket in 19seventy something. What I saw in court made me sick. Really sick, the reason that lawyers lie in court is because judges let them. Actually they don't just let them lie, they reward them generously. All the huff and puff of swearing in to tell the truth and all that garbage. A quick thinking attorney gets around the truth in a microsecond. I was shocked at the boldness of their lies and devastated at the judges complicity. I assume it is the same in every other court. I was robbed and raped, but at least I paid an arm and a leg for the privilege. Sorry, I know you guys are excited about your career and such, but I'm a little sour on the excitement of court room drama. Which brings me to the point where we might agree. Skydiving has helped me recover from the devastation of divorce and the court rape. I love standing in the door, green light on, waiting for the count. Ready, set, GO. Life is good. Mo

I made my first jump when I was about six. Climbed up the fence in the corner by the garage, got up on the garage and held a shopping bag over my head and jumped, certain that the bag would break my fall. Man, that hurt. Second time I tried a pillow case, that didn't work either. Took a few years off, made a static line jump with a T-10. Better, made 7 more static line jumps. Took 30 years off and finally found a combination that I liked. Now I jump because I can. Looking forward to learning more and living some of those things I've dreamed about. Should one of the choices be "self actualization"?

For me it seemed like the sidewalk ended at AFF7. After that I felt very alone. My thought is that the DZO should congratulate the newest jumper and give them some jumping assignments. Start working on the A card. Get those landings closer to the mark. I was lucky and had Scott Miller nearby, so I did his basic canopy course on jumps 13-18. Wow! What a great thing that was. Not everyone can do that. Why not have an instructor at each DZ do a similar 5 jump canopy course with each noob? Serves several purposes, primarily making that jumper better. Keeps them attached and plugged in. The sooner each person finishes their A license the more likely they are to stay and improve. Almost the same thoughts regarding tandems. How many people come out, do their one jump and leave with a cool video, never to be seen again? I make it a point to always say,"See you next weekend" to every person I see making a tandem jump. Why me? Why not the DZO or one of the instructors? I'm just a noob myself. Partly because I remember that weird feeling of wanting to belong,but being invisible. Walking around the DZ and no one talking to me. Just some stray voltage, as you were. Mo

For as long as I can remember I've had dreams of flying. Flapping my arms and flying like a bird, floating around like a balloon, all kinds of aviating. My most recent dreams of being off the ground are all skydiving related. Sometimes a cross between a free fall and flying. I love it all. Have had some difficulties with power lines and such. Many of my dreams involved either having to clear the lines on the way up or coming back down. I've never collided with them, but they've been a serious worry for me. Just got back from a nice out and back to LAX. Had 120kt headwinds on the way out, and sweet 120 kt tailwinds on the return leg. Mostly smooth both ways. Great vis in the LA Basin. Cheers, Mo

Well Done regarding your service in Iraq. I hope you complete your time safely and in good order. Good DZ, King Air with standard loads to 15K, not unusual to go to 18K, bunk house, affordable part of the state, fantastic beach, near lots of other cool stuff. Titusville, FL

All the questions about containers, main, etc. can set your brain on fire. I started small, with an altimeter. My next purchase will be a helmet. After that a jumpsuit. All the while I'm talking to people about rigs. There are so many friendly, helpful people in these gear stores that will gladly help you with all your questions. Right here on DZ.com there are tons of resources. Links to the factories and great articles on buying gear, etc. My last jump was number 67 and I'm still looking for that "right" rig. I hate renting, but I'd hate even more to buy the "wrong" rig. I feel like I'm closing in on that right rig, should have one soon. Best of luck to you,

The best money I've spent so far is a 5 jump canopy course. For me this was jumps 13-18, it has made a tremendous difference in my landings and general confidance. I plan on taking the advanced canopy course as well. Best of luck to you

Sorry, no pictures, but that is where I did my AFF not so long ago and I have many happy pictures in my mind. Enjoy your time there, make sure you spend some time on the most beautiful beach in Florida, Playlinda. Cheers, Mo

it says, "Michael needs a quick kick in the butt" Hey, that must be my Mothers website.

OK, Here is my favorite blond joke. Q. Why don't blonds in San Francisco wear mini skirts? A. Because their balls hang out. Pardon me if you've already heard it.

I've had skydiving dreams for the last three or four nights. I think it's related to flying day trips to FL and spending the night in MN. Yesterday I flew over Lake Wales and Z Hills. Saw a plane that I thought was a jump plane at Lake Wales. Anyway, my dreams seem to be happy ones, suited up, climbing out, spotting, seeing cool things from the air, jumping and flying, all good stuff. Waking up kinda sucks, would love to keep flying around. Cheers, Mo

It's been an honor to serve. Best of luck to all the men and women serving on Freedoms Frontier. Mo

I spent 14 years in the Guard and just transferred to the Reserves last October. Got called at Midnight back in 1990 when Saddam invaded Kuwait. Put my real life on hold for a couple months of living in the desert. Went to Sarajavo when that was cooking. Spent 18 months on active duty following 9/11. Been called out for various floods and fires and strikes. Would leave tomorrow morning if they called me right now. I've been lucky, had great jobs, worked with great people. Everyone is different. Cheers, Mo

Sounds like some of what I went through. I've left the military three times. Each time I came back for different reasons, but I came back. I quit skydiving once and came back as well. Made my first jump in Dec 1975. Loved it, made 8 jumps before I realized that I couldn't pay for flying lessons, college and jumping on E-2 pay. So I quit skydiving, cut way back on flying and focused mainly on college. I used every available means to get college credit while in the service. Applied for OTS and Pilot Training, was turned down because I didn't have enough time left on my enlistment. They wanted me to re-enlist before they would accept my application for OTS and Pilot Training. I opted to leave the Air Force. Went home to build my flying time, and started a Masters Degree. My application for OTS came back approved as a civilian and seven months later I was off to become a 90 day wonder. Spent the next 7 years flying my ass off in the Air Force. For several reasons I elected to leave Active Duty and get an airline job. At the same time I joined the Air National Guard and kept my military career going. From there it took about 15 years for me to decide that it was time to start jumping again. Went back to that same DZ and went through AFF, glad I did it, wished I hadn't waited so long. My advice to you. There is life outside the military. You've learned tons of cool stuff that poeple on the outside want. Some of it is simple like showing up for work at the appointed time. Some of it is knowing how to be part of a team and working for a goal that is more than your own little self interests. You've demonstrated courage in several ways. Skydiving is cool, but it doesn't pay the bills (at least for me) I needed something else. For me it was flying jets. I don't know what blows your skirt up, but pursue it, whatever it is. If you put skydiving on the side for a while, it will always be there when you're ready to come back. You can continue in the military as well. Consider either the Guard or Reserve. There are Air Force Special Ops teams that might pay you to jump out of planes. I'm very biased and would recommend the Air Force, but all our military brothers and sisters out there would tell how the Army or Navy has good stuff to offer. I respect the Marines above all. I understand the connection you have with your fellow Marines. Good Luck and enjoy the journey. God Bless, Mo Land of the Free Home of the Brave

One on jump 67. AAD activated, had a stable side by side for a little while, when the main started to turn and wrap, I let it go.

/2/2 Meant to get a couple more jumps, but on my second jump I did my first reserve ride, spent the rest of the day in the woods looking for the main. Found it, no joy with the free bag and pilot chute. Can't wait to get back out.