QSilver2005

please share the group, I am also interested

Yup, they use their judgment, it’s not a zero tolerance thing however going low all the time will land your ass on the sideline next to the spectators.

I jump in South Africa and the rule is simple you HAVE to be under a fully inflated canopy by 2200ft, what is the rule in other countries then? most of my jumps are 4-way from 11k, we work to 4k, break and track as if you life depends on it (simply stated it does) and dump in the region of 3k. On average I am normally in the saddle by about 2.4 and 2.5 The 2200ft is something that is monitored by ground staff (at my home DZ) all the time, a quick check on the Pro-Track can be the difference between the next load or sitting your ass down for the rest of the day, and this counts for anybody regardless of license of jump numbers The only exception on the rule that I am aware of is the last jump for Pro-Rating, they have to clear and pull from 2k.

Drop Karl Meyer a message his nick is kaerodyne, he should be able to help you out!

I am not to familiar with the progress in other countries, but in South Africa you need to complete your AFF once that is done you need to do your ISP (Intermediate Skills Program). The ISP consist of 7 jumps with a coach teaching/practicing some basic belly flying skills. After that you need to choose a discipline, in my case I kept with WR and complete your CAT II. This also consist of 7 jumps with a coach teaching you more advanced belly flying skills, after that is CAT 3 which entails a 4-Way dive with specific task to complete illustrating your ability to skydive safely with others. At some point threw this it also got to me, it is expensive and I maybe the RW stuff does not look so great, I decided to wait and complete my CAT II and do a couple of 2 ways, 4 ways or whatever else I could get onto. This was the deciding factor for me, Skydiving really only started once I was done with my progression. The challenge offered by RW skydiving is enormous and really is not as easy as it looks on some of the footage + it is a shit load of fun. If I stopped halfway threw my progression I would probably not have know what I will be missing. Glad I carried on and are really enjoying every aspect of it + getting better at it each time. I am sure this is the same as the other disciplines and would still at some stage try the free fly thing. My opinion it gets so much better! I have my B now and can do night jumps, helicopter jumps, beach jumps why would I want to stop now? Hang in for a little while before making that assumption.

Check this site out: http://www.teamfastrax.org/divepool.aspx

Chuck wins, he counted to infinity twice

Out of my experience I found that parent will normally try to convince you otherwise, once they realize that you are going to go ahead with it they sort off relax with the idea and ask more questions about “How does it work”. I did my first and second jump before my mom came along to the DZ, I got one of our instructors to show her the gear and also discuss all with her from Main, Reserve, RSL and ADD that seemed to relax her a bit and look at it from a different perspective. I have completed a whole bunch of jumps with great support from her. As someone mentioned already take them to the DZ and ask your instructor to show them how it works from gear to what the AFF instructors do on the jump, also make sure they see how a new student gets assisted in landing the canopy for the first time, seeing it will really calm them down and experience the sport for what it is.

http://www.kontraband.com/show/show.asp?ID=3633&NEXTID=0&PREVID=2303&DISPLAYORDER=20060425144954&CAT=movies&NSFW=0&page=1&genre=0&rating=nsfw_sfw

Thanks for pointing that out, I will blame it to “New age skydiving equipment” I have been exposed to…… that’s my excuse and I am sticking to it.

Also note some irregularities in the scene, and yes I actually watch the whole thing….. Solo jump as first jump Camera and camera suit Deployed with right hand and ended with metal in hand PC attached to canopy, Metal = Reserve = Freebag Canopy ride revealed both handles secure in the webbing + main deployed Would love to know what the reasoning behind all the anomalies are or is it as simple as bad research…

Awesome post! Thanks B for sharing this! Another bit of information to add to the basket that can save some bones….

We jumped a turbine DC3 over the holidays at the AFFC boogie in SA.

Just a reminder the discussion is about “Students that quit, or just push harder.” Let’s get back to it…….

When Girlfriend says you need to choose between Skydive and Me…….. My response……. Hell I am going to miss you……..

I’ve heard (not seen) about a skydiver who had the chest strap routed threw his reserve handle (metal D-Type) and properly routed on the buckle side, this made me think a lot about it and a guess also a bit anal about gear check. I appreciate the fact that everyone at my home DC check themselves and also others. Luckily this mistake was pointed out and corrected before boarding the aircraft. I can only imagine the outcome of this if one needs to go silver…… Anyone ever heard of this?

This is exactly what I was worried about, we are all quick to jump on the wagon and complaint about the wrongs, yes you have some to be upset bout but what about the good that came out of it. For me the biggest disappointment was the weather not playing along….. IMHO this was one of the biggest contributors to the overall frustration. As a complete novice at the sport the AFFC provided a great opportunity to meet lots of great people, people that I can and have learnt a shit load of in only a couple of days. At least we had a Boogie to go to over the festive season, let’s rather learn from the experience and support the organizers in the next attempt to insure the same mistakes not being made again. I will be at the next one!

AFF is awesome…… have fun and enjoy. I did my 1st AFF in August and did not do the video thing, looking back I should have even if it was just to remember the first time I did it. If you have the cash I would say do it. I was so busy with the task of the jump and looking at the signals from my instructors that I can’t imagine that I would have noticed the camera man. Let us know how your jump was!