DOA

but man does the bonehead Havok look good Thx for the info. Appreciated Phil. ------------------------------------- When I learn new stuff, it pushes the old stuff out of my brain!

I REALLY want to get my FS1 done while in FL. Mainly due to cost then weather (I live in the UK). The DZ say it's not impossible to get the aff/consol and the fs1, but they did throw the "weather" excuse in Oh, and thx for reccomending birdman in CA for aff etc. But the flights were too expensive and there were connecting flights involved etc etc. But thx mr2mk1g ! Phil. And may I say what a top forum this is. I've been part of many forums (not skydive related) but this forum is very friendly and you dont seem to get know it alls TELLING you stuff, instead advising. No smug chumps barking @ you. If anyone is @ the Sebastian DZ between 8th July and 21st feel free to tap me on the shoulder and I'll buy u a beer in return for inside knowledge ------------------------------------- When I learn new stuff, it pushes the old stuff out of my brain!

Hi, I'm going to FL in July doing my AFF/cosol and weather permitting my FS1 (all in 2 weeks, the DZ say it's not impossible). I'm looking at gear prices etc but not buying anything yet. But my question is can a novice wear a full face helmet such as a bonehead HAVOK? Or is there a "helmet" qualification I also need to complete Thx Phil. ------------------------------------- When I learn new stuff, it pushes the old stuff out of my brain!

Oh, should I have mentioned I'm also booked in a tunnel for a session. Maybe this will help me progress my FS1 a little easier? Phil. ------------------------------------- When I learn new stuff, it pushes the old stuff out of my brain!

Nooooooooo, u cant all big it up ! I'm now even more excited ! I'm gonna pop ! What I didnt want to hear was the thunderstorm issue. Is this a big problem and will it seriously impact my training? Do u all think it's possible to fit an AFF and FS1 in a 2 week window? Thx for the quick replies guys and gals. And it;s nice u all dig the Sebastian DZ. Phil. ------------------------------------- When I learn new stuff, it pushes the old stuff out of my brain!

Hi, I finally booked it ! Flying in from the UK on 8th July to start my AFF/consols and weather permitting FS1, a session in the tunnel on a wednesday. So, has anyone any tips tricks or insider knowledge of skydive sebastian and the surrounding area? My plan is to camp on the sebastian DZ for 2 weeks. Looking forward to seeing anyone else who will be there for those 2 weeks. Man I cant contain myself. Phil. ------------------------------------- When I learn new stuff, it pushes the old stuff out of my brain!

I'd love to do as many jumps as possible whenever I can. But realistically there are only a max of 8 days in a month (weekends) that I'll have the oppertunity to jump ..... ALL weather dependant after all this is the UK. Add that with time with the children ..... My ideal was to do the AFF/consol and go on freefall holidays once or 2wice a year along with whenever I can fit a jump in on my local DZ. England sucks. I'm buying up all the outboard motors I can get my hands on and sailing this Island further to the equator ! Phil. ------------------------------------- When I learn new stuff, it pushes the old stuff out of my brain!

wow, thanks everyone. I presumed you wouldnt pack you own canopy for quite some time. Seeing as if u get it wrong it'll cause a slight problem Again I'm stunned at the resposibility of this sport. Which attracts me even more, but th e 30 day current A jump rule doesnt ! I live in the north UK, where its nearly always cloudy or raining ! Phil. ------------------------------------- When I learn new stuff, it pushes the old stuff out of my brain!

Hi, After building myself up I found out yesterday one must jump every thirty days to keep current ! Bearing in mind UK weather, work and life commitments (children) this 30 day window (unless i take days off work, which i dont mind) is seriously making me asses the validity of me doing an AFF. I live in the North of england where the weather isnt the best. So I dont see the 30 day window as time enough to do at least one jump in that time. Opinions PLEASE people, spesh people from the UK. If I miss the 30 window what are the implications? I dont want to be paying for refresh instruction as well as having to pay an instructor to "confidence" jump with me. I do plan to progress to b, c and in time progress further. But that takes time, I dont fancy having to do refresh instructor jumps every 50 days or so as well as having to fit jumps in to progress. Many Thanks Phil. ------------------------------------- When I learn new stuff, it pushes the old stuff out of my brain!

Hi, Excuse me for asking, but at what point do we pack our own canopys? Yep, I'm a newbie. Planning to do the AFF in Florida, end of June. But I see nothing on the licence "map" a,b,c,d, etc that mentions canopy packing? Phil. ------------------------------------- When I learn new stuff, it pushes the old stuff out of my brain!

next time I think I'll just keep my mouth shut ! I'll speak to the instructor when I'm there. Please dont think I dont appreciate your feedback, I DO ! although I have my head round wingloading (jump weight/canopy sq area = wingload) based on that how would I know what canpy I'd need ..... oh dear ! ok, I'm 187lb add on the avearge kit of 22lbs =209. But I dont have a canopy to work out wing size. So I'm assuming canopys are made to a maximum wingload? So this in mind I am assuming the danger here is buying a canopy that has a really low wingloading for your calculation? wingloading is a calculation to see if there is enough square area in the canopy to support your bodyweight in the air?? The lower the wingload the faster u come down or more speed u have for tricks without stalling? Where a higher wingload of say 2.0 is a slower ride with a softer landing?? I think I'm getting it ? Phil. ------------------------------------- When I learn new stuff, it pushes the old stuff out of my brain!

FFADDICT>> Thanks for the feedback on ffadventures. thats good to know. Am reading a mag at the moment that warns of schools abroad dishing out training that isnt valid when u get back to the uk. Although to FFadv credit they have already verbally told me I'll be valid when I get back to the UK, although some DZ's will ask me to done an accompanied jump just to put thier minds at rest I also plan to camp, I just thought not having air con and being in a nylon dome will be somewhat sweaty ..... and lets face it, if I meet any ladies it's not the most sound proof of accmo ;-) Phil. ------------------------------------- When I learn new stuff, it pushes the old stuff out of my brain!

Hi, ffadventures have told me 7 days is enough for the AFF and consolidation jumps. Weather permitting I suppose. I'm aiming for 7 days off peak to try and save on the flight. ------------------------------------- When I learn new stuff, it pushes the old stuff out of my brain!

Blimey ! I've started a flaming thread ;-) In a nut shell fellas, I just want as much advice as I can get. I want to READ the theory before I hit the DZ. I'll only be hitting the USA for 7 days (and thats at least 2 months away), in that time I want to fit as much in as possible as the Brit weather is going to seriously impact my learning curve when I return. To that end I dont have an instructor to hand to talk over the in's and out's of my requirements. Plus, Also, gear is a hell of a lot cheaper in the USA than in europe. I'm selling every gadget, half hearted hobby gear, and my plasma screen may even get sold off to make the required cash to make this my only commited intrest in life. BUT, the reason I wanted gear opinions is so I can aim to a target cost ,,, so my plasma may not have to go !!! I still have lots of reading up to do. But found forums the best way to get the theory before any practical. Just getting to grips with wingload (wing area/body wieght = wingload!) But my math aint good ;-) Thanks for the help everyone. Phil. ------------------------------------- When I learn new stuff, it pushes the old stuff out of my brain!

Fair point people and all taken on board. I'll read up. Thanks Phil. ------------------------------------- When I learn new stuff, it pushes the old stuff out of my brain!

Doh ! I need to go away and do some reading me thinks. So u cant just walk in a shop and buy a chute off the peg? Is there a glossary of terms on the site anywhere? Phil. ------------------------------------- When I learn new stuff, it pushes the old stuff out of my brain!

Sorry, I should have explained a bit more. I just wanted some idea of what cost I have to consider for a chute that wont restrict what I can do. I wont set eyes on an instructor until I hit the USA. I'd like to hit the USA with an opinion of what I want, and have the cash to hand. I dont know if weight and size make a differance. I'm 5".11, 13.5st, medium build. I'll check the links thanks. I'll also check out some new and used prices on the modles suggested. Again thanks you. ------------------------------------- When I learn new stuff, it pushes the old stuff out of my brain!

Hi, No doubt this question has been asked mant times, so forgive me. I'm going to Florida to do my AFF and consolidation jumps. Seeing as I'll be in the USA I figure a canopy (I'm assuming it's a complete unit, ready to jump so to speak) will be cheaper, so I plan to buy when I'm in the USA (NO VAT !!) But my question is what "CHUTE" should I be looking for? I dont want to end up having to upgrade 6 months down the line as I get more experianced. As u can probably guess I know nothing about chutes! Be gentle !! Thanks Phil. any info would be great. ------------------------------------- When I learn new stuff, it pushes the old stuff out of my brain!

Thanks for the feedback guys and gals. On mailing ffadventuers they seem very friendly and are prompt on replying to mail. They're close to the internatinal airport (but not too close ;-) ) Costs so far are excluding flights or accomodation. I do plan to camp though, unless I end up with spare cash. FULL AFF COURSE $1,240.00 USPA MEMBERSHIP $15.00 SKYDIVING LOG BOOK $7.00 10 x CONSOLIDATION JUMPS $440.00 Wind Tunnel $120.00 So, opinions people ! MUCHLY APPRECIADOOOO Phil. ------------------------------------- When I learn new stuff, it pushes the old stuff out of my brain!

Hi, Hope you are all well. Having wanted to jump for many many years, I have decided to consolidate all my past hobbies and sell anything I no longer require to fund jump training. However here in the UK the prices seem very high compared to the USA. This has set me down the road of considering doing my AFF and anything else I can afford in the USA. What with the UK's SHAT weather no doubt it'll take 6 months to get my AFF complete. So, my question is. Anyone have any money saving tips for flights to the USA etc etc etc. I'm sure some more Brits must have considered or done what I plan to do so your experiances would be appreciated. I am currently in contact with www.ffadventures.com and they seem really nice people and very helpful. Ex Brits I belive? Kind Regards Phil. ------------------------------------- When I learn new stuff, it pushes the old stuff out of my brain!