Para5-0

Like a jackass I just wasted the better part of the evening reading this backwards, trying to figure out who was copying and pasting what. I now have a headache and really forgot what the hell you guys are talking about so thanks.

I would start by changing this thought process. Inheritantly we are all negative people, but if you start to work on it now you will enjoy concentrating on what went well or what you enjoyed more than what did not go so well. If you set small goals for each jump and accomplish them you will most likely have a smile on your face most of your career. Remember be realistic. Examples have all been given above. How about a nice neutral body position, smooth coordinated movements, altitude awareness, and a solo deployment. Further: good canopy, nice holding area, nice pattern, and a safe landing. That should be more than enough to worry about. Good luck and be positive. " I am going to kick the shit out of my first jump" repeat x 3 in the mirror.

Season: Disease that only affects the Northern Skydiving community. Vaccine: Ski your ass off for 4 months and it slowly goes away. Gloves, hoods, sweatshirts, face masks, ease the pain for some. Symptoms: shivering, shaking, fingers and toes you cant feel, frostbite, frozen eyelashes, balls the size of a hampster, or nipples that can cut glass. or some people are tough and will skydive with the disease all winter long. Not Me, I am a wimp.

I agree, camera dude entering what appeared to be a predominately left handed load could have easily stayed more to the right instead of heading for the peas. Fly deffensively why put yourself in the middle of a lot of canopies? Because if you do then someone will not see you and that is exactly what happened. Imagine if both pilots saw each other, then the camera guy sould have stayed right leaving room for the other guy and visa versa.

Its funny with this Health Care stuff. I am in a holding pattern for a MRI. My health insurance must okay it first. Hilarious stuff, if it is this much of a pain now then I cant wait to see what we get. My Doctor's decision that he needs a MRI to tell the extent of the tear is not good enough, I need some pencil neck saying he does or does not think it is necessary. I guess if they say no I am stuck for the bill. What the heck it is only 1200 or so. Cant wait to see Government Health Care, should be just as funny until it is you or your family and their life depends on it. Is this getting political? sorry.

When a landing becomes routine or you become complacent is when our good friend Murphy will join us on the two way of "Life". Landing on Saturday, I was finishing up a swoop just sliding on my feet a bit at the end, like I have done all summer when my left foot hit a clump of grass. It decided to exit stage left screwing up my MCL on my left knee. This is for those who right now are healthy and jumping. Remember until you are completely safe on the ground the jump is still going on and you can go from being a happy person to a miserable person fairly quickly. Looking back and saying what the hell happend? Needless to say, I am pissed but a leasson to be learned, no matter how many times you have done something it is just as dangerous each and every time and should be treated with care. Sit there and pretend you have crutches and hurt yourself for a second then say thank god I am healthy and concentrate the whole way through the jump to stay that way. Even the walk back could provide some hazards. My two cents.

Looks like beer night is the only USPA BSR followed, good job.

I was lucky enough to have a good relationship with my local FSDO Office and got one in 24 hours for DARE once, but you shouldnt make a habit of it. The pro rated guys should know what to do for this. I will give some advice if you have the local P.D. on board and EMS and include letters from them it may help. Make sure you maps are the proper size. Further: I beleive that the passenger must be rated for the demo as well on a tandem. Or the TI must get a waiver which is another headache. I did a mascot on a tandem once and it was not a pro rated demo but the mascot had to be rated with a D license. You did say stadium which leads me to beleive pro rating required. Your local S&TA should jump in and help out so to speak.

N/A

The question isnt if it can be done, the question is does someone have gear available. I have another thread for the student under Big Boy Rig... I am looking for one, and apparently the student posted as well. sorry.

It was new hardware, and I did disconnect the lowers to get to the left leg strap....the canopy held a steady right turn, due to all of my weight on the right side, countered by the student, as per my polite request....I held the rear right to keep weight on the right side.

I just wanted to pass on an incident that happened the other day that gave me a bit of a scare. Hopefully it will help other Tandem Instructors. With a Sigma Tandem Rig although that shouldn't matter, on opening I had my left leg strap slide all of the way out to include the safety stop at the end of the strap. It stayed in the buckle though. I had my student steer and held the rear right riser while I tried to tighten it up. As I tried to tighten it it popped out. I landed with one leg strap tight and one disconnected. I sat and tried to recreate how the hell this could ever happen. and yes I tighten my straps thoroughly. To my surprize I did recreate it after sitting and playing with the rig. If the buckle is lifted up all of the way we all know the strap will slide. Well, I am making an assumption that it was lifted up somehow by either the backstrap or more likely the students belt. Part two how did the safety end come through the buckle as well? This took a bit longer but if you do one of two things this can happen. First place the elastic over the very end of the strap, lift the buckle and pull out the strap slowly. The elastic will allow the end to slip out. Second if you bring the strap back under the elastic, the same result will happen. I had a meeting with all TI's and demonstrated this. I had always heard of slipping in fact on the new plated hardware have experienced some slippage, but this is the first I have ever heard of a leg strap coming completely out. If I can figure out how to post pics I will. I also figured out if the elastic is slid all of the way up to the buckle it should prevent it from happening. Note. I am just relaying some information to TI's. Yes it could be in Safety or Incidents but I am speaking to TI's

Amen, I feel the pain. I have addressed many issues most went well with a postive outcome. There are always the ones that think you are just an asshole or accuse you of administering justice unfairly or prejudical. One thing that has helped if I can pass some advice onto other Asshole &Training Advisors...Censor in private and praise in public. No need to embarass anyone. That has helped me trmendously.

Did George buy beer? Now that is the real question here.

check out the thread big boy rig posted the other day.

We had a student come in who is in outstanding shape but huge. 6-5, 285 solid. He wants to buy his own rig so he can go through AFF and join the sport. I am looking for any ideas on big boy rigs for the North East area. Does anyone have a Rig that will acomodate this? If I understand it corrected it would be a Cat D harness, 280 plus main, similar reserve plus ammenities. I told him I would get back to him. We do not have a tandem rig available to modify but would go that route if someone has a Vector 2 .

OMG! I hope you know what you are getting into. you might have to stuff a small safe in your jumpsuit to keep up with these guys. They are great guys though and you will have fun, did I say they take it serious. Three Ted E Bears and Goldie Lox. Holy Crap, I have seen it all..LMFAO!!!

Is this the Vertical Obsession team? I hear you guys were started by an infamous east coast skydiver. He also used to run a forumn on the VO wesite that was invalueable, until it was dismantled...We really miss the corner and want it back, I learned so much from it. Anyhow, I am interested in seeing if you guys can drink and party like a four way team should before filling out an application. It seems to be too serious for me..by the way I am about 150lbs, will I need to wear a weight belt to jump with you guys? Just wondering.

Sorry to hear you ended up in Hackettstown,..lol I live here. Your choices are as follows: 1. Skys the Limit Stroudsburg, PA 30 Min Away 2. Ranch Gardiner, NY 1.5 hours away 3. Cross Keys Williamstown, NJ 2 hours away 4. Skydive Sussex 45 away 5. Skydive Long Island 2 Hours away 6. Jersey Shore 2 Hours away The closet DZ is Skys The Limit, they have an otter and are open 7 days a week. Probably will be your best bet. PM me for more insight....

I like that time in sport requirement, though. If a jumper racks up 500 jumps in year one, and 6 hours of freefall. In theory, he can get his AFFI in 12 months from entering the sport.. What would be so bad about a 3 year in sport requirement, 1000 jump, D License, Coach Rating + 100 documented coach jumps with students.... I guess I will get crushed but the worst case is some good people will have to work a bit harder or wait a bit longer...

All I am going to say is it depends on the CD, and if he has the guts to take someones coin and then tell them they are not ready.

It appears you have gotten a wealth of information that I agree with whole heartily. I do not allow students at our DZ to use Audibles and our pro-shop knows it. (For all of the reasons above). As a key note, I do have an audible that I intentionally remove every so often for a period of time. Remember it is an aid not a concrete solution. The reason I remove it is due to the fact I become used to it so it is not alarming. I like ground references backed up by wrist and/or chest mounted altimeters to be my primary deterrent from the surface. If a beep helps out to confirm the aforementioned, great.

Ok, First tell your wife this is a second career. A midlife crisis. You have to train to become a coach/instructor. Once she hears you may bring home a few dollars a weekend and she can buy that coach puse she wants, all of a sudden moods change regarding the safety of your life. Approach it from, You are doing this for them not you. Trust me, it worked on my 3rd and 4th wife just fine.

I was under the impression the jumps that were unsuccessful can just be redone until you either learn it or get lucky, or go to another CD to retake the jumps that were unsat? What ever happen to the if you are unsuccessful then you must wait 12 months, thought process? From my observations. I agree 100% with a time in sport requirement as stated above, (3 years, min.) also I would love to see a number of coach jump requirement, or a time period after earning a coach rating, even better. remember as a AFFI you will be responsible and in some cases in charge of coaches, how the hell can you be thrown into that setting with minimal coaching? Boggles my mind. I am also a fan of the old AFFJM rating, as a JM you would start at reserve side or at lower levels under the tutalidge of a senior instructor. At which time he or she feels you are ready you can slowly start taking on more responsibilities. Similar to a pilot and 1st officer. You just do not get handed the keys to a 737 because you are a pilot. You learn from senior pilots and gradually take on more responsibility. FYI: I did go through the old point system with Don Yarling in 93, I do realize times have changed but I do know that the responsibility of someone elses life has not. and yes I want a RED Skittle.