Para5-0

Hurricane Elliptical Canopy The Purest Elliptical in it's field. Know for it's consistently soft, on heading openings. Not Prone to spins like other ellipticals. Very solid airfoil - stable and predictable. Flatter glide than most other elliptical parachutes in it's range, giving it further reach. Known for it's long dives on front risers, snappy turns and quick response, with long fllat swoops. Powerful flare without the need for radical turns to generate lift.. After doing some research it appears to be manufactured in South Africa, and no I do not know every canopy out there, hence the research. I have found out it is an aggressive diving canopy that does in fact fall into the expert category defined by USPA. Requirring a D License and 500 jumps to purchase and/or fly.

I agree and although it took me a long time to read the thread, I am old school and appreciated the AFFJM rating. Once you made it through you would be a reseve instructor under the tuddalidge of a more experienced AFFI. Once you aquirred some experience being in the air with the student you could graduate to main side and then eventually Level 4's or Cat D's and up...Similar to a Captain and Co captain of a commercial plane. Do your time in the Passenger seat and gradually earn the main seat through watching how different Captains fly.

Well, I was your CD, so where does that leave me? I knew I screwed up...

You might direct that question towards Bill. Although I do not know him personally, I do not beleive that is a USPA Group Member DZ. There are some advantages and disadvantages to doing tandems prior to AFF/AFP.

I am a Coach CD and have voiced my opinion on the low jump requirement. I do not see the harm of making it a C License requirement, 200 Jumps. Remember 100 jumps minus 25 (AFF, Coach jumps, working on proficiency card) = 75 Jumps Is 75 jumps enough to be flying well enough to evaluate someone else, while not worrying about themself? Yes there are few exceptions but imagine how good those exceptions will do at 200 jumps. What is the arguement against this? and further who does it hurt? I imagine the small cesna DZ might be chiming in here.

I ordered mine on vector Tru Lock risers they came together. I like them although, getting the front slink on is a bit tricky. THey come sewn on as part of the riser. You do not want to send your old risers in to have them added, I do not even think they will do that.

I thought I had a shot but guess not, first cutaway was jump 4802.

If I can add two worthless cents: I often, in conversation, will give my opinnion on Down Sizing, RSL'S, Emergency Procedures, (Yes they vary sometimes), and other topics that we have all seen beat to death here online. I am also guilty of referring a student to his local Instructor as well. The reason for the later is that the Local Instructor Hopefully has more intimate knowledge of the student, IE maturity, demeanor, responsility, ability, athleticism......It is easier to make a sound recommendation to a student with as many facts pertinent to the individual....and remember it may need to hold up in court or the Instructor may need to have it hold up for himself mentally if something bad occurs due to his/her advise. The other side: I have had student do things, and when I discussed it with them the old, I got the advise on the internet or an instructor from DZ X told me. The problem I run into is explaining, WELL that instructor may not be wrong but he did not have all the facts at hand when he told you that a 1.3 WL is okay for you. I will be happy to help you out the best I can and point out as many of the pros and cons of decisions you will be making in the early stages. I will tell you if I knew you and you jumped at my DZ, and we had a drink together it might come from a better point of view. I will always err on the side of conservative if I do not have all or most of the facts. The old antage "Facts before Acts" PM any specific questions because I usually enjoy the learning process, I say usually because some speak but dont listen. Those are the tough ones. Don't ask if you already think you know the answer or are looking for only one answer. Good luck

To elaborate a bit. It was Friday the 13th, first off, and I was doing 40 jumps in a row for Make A Wish, so I had a person taking rig off and one putting rig on. Prior to that a safety Officer was checking gear and after I put it on checked it again. There is no way to tell if a pullout is cocked or not visually. The point being is that the colapsed pilot chute on a pull out system is not a good malfunction. Not that any are good but it is a pilot chute in tow with an open container. chop/reserve, reserve? Luckily the Dbag came out of the container allowing a chop.

There is a Casa Boogie at Skydive Long Island Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. www.skydivelongisland.com

3rd. jump of the day and received free of charge a uncocked pilot chute with pull out system. Yes bag stayed in open container due to not enough drag to get it out. Lucky enough to get it out manually and watch it slowly go up into mess. oh yeah it was on a hop and pop with a 2500' deployment. Can anybody say Beer!

your first born and half your house.

Last Chance! Dicky's All You can eat Crab Fest this Friday. Following the 40 jumps for Make A Wish. Please visit www.skydivelongisland.com and give what you can. The following weekend is the Casa Boogie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[http://www.skydivelongisland.com/makeawish.shtml] Hope that works. Who knows how to make a clicky.

Hello All, Any skkydiver in the area on June 13th, we will be hosting a all you can eat crab fest at Skydive Long Island (Calverton), benefits to go to Make A Wish. We are sending a little firl to Disney World. Also many prizes.

I hope this helps, when you deploy the drogue the safety pin is automatically released for drogue fall. Allowing you to be able to pull your closing pin. If you do not throw the drogue the safety pin stays in and you can not pull your main closing pin. If the closing loop should break or the closing pin gets knocked out after drogue inflation you will have a normal deployment. Am I answering this correctly for you? or go to the UPT web site and take a gander at the sigma manual.

One stands out for me. Last year a large group came out to the DZ in memory of a young soldier (Mid 20's) that died in Iraq. The entire group had pictures of the soldier on their T-Shirts. I spoke to a woman onthe side who coincidently, turned out to be the soldiers mother. She was not going to make a jump because she was scared to death of it. Turns out I took her son on a tandem the year prior and he went on to get cerified. His mother said he loved skydiving so much the memorial just made sense. Needless to say I finally convinced her to make the jump with the 30 or so other supporters. Well the jump went well and I opened a bit higher than normal. Once open she was crying, and started yelling to her son how she loved him and that Mommy did it. She said, he would be so proud of her. She cried the whole way down as did I. After landing she hugged me and couldnt say thank you enough. She actually said she has never felt so close to her son, since his death. What a emotional trip. Unforgetable.

Not only do I agree but I see it too often. I am working hard on increasing the following stats: 1. Tandem Students that return for another Tandem 2. Tandem Students that enter a FJC. 3. Tandem Students that finish AFF/AFP 4. Students that earn their A License. This is as easy as the Tandem Instructor introducing the student to the sport in a friendly, fun, energetic way, and encouraging the student to come back. Take a moment and explain the process to get certified and how it is acheivable. Sometimes it seems the only way to get some TI's (Not All) attention, is money, so how about offering a incentive for every tandem that they take that comes back or signs up for FJC. The National averages could come up if we put forth a collective effort.

Now we are helping him out those are all great little tips I think he is looking for, keepem coming. How about breath mints for students with Buffalo breath or body odor. Last summer some guys were playing touch football waiting to jump. When one of these guys came to me he was dripping with sweat and his shirt was soaked. Talk about disgusting.

I understand some DZ's let the manifestor check credentials, I see a potential problem here. The manifestor should refer any credential checking to qualified personnel, IE: Instructors. In most cases the manifestor is not qualified to make this call, where an Instructor might recognize inconsistencies. Do not get me wrong this is a problem industry wide to include my DZ. I am not referring to USPA licenses, reserve cards, that is all within their capabilities. I am talking about making a log book call, as to wether or not a jumper should get a coach jump, Instructor jump,....Etc.

Where are you making the jump?

I am not the type to beg, but please help us distribute these sponsorship forms at your DZ's, we have committed and Make A Wish is a unbeleivable organization. At last check we have not received one sponsor from another DZ. This event is specifically going to a local girl 15 years old with a terrible disease. We will be sending her to Disney World, with your help. I know skydivers spend every penny they have jumping but just one jump for her could help out. We will take anything, and if your home DZ is listed we will get it some recognition during the event. Thanks,

I know many jumpers from NYC jump at Skydive Long Island, Calverton and The Ranch. Try myspace groups also to post, you can easily find someone coming this way.

Okay back to the original question. My suggestion to you is to speak to as many Tandem Instructors as you can and ask them how they prefer to do specific tasks that occur during a tandem. You are going to get a sleuth of different answers. Try the ones that appeal to you and disregard the ones that do not. As you get more tandem jumps under your belt you will develop a system that you feel comfortable with. Some examples that come to mind are: 1. How TI's stow the excess webbing on lower connectors. 2. Preferred Exits out of specific airplanes. 3. and Yes wether or not to let the student assist with landing. (Note: some DZ require you to involve the student with the landing, and some do not.) Your DZ leaves it up to you. Lastly, Try your hardest not to let complacency become part of your system. I have been known to say every Tandem has three passengers on it. You the Tandem Instructor, your passenger, and my friend and yours Mr. Murphy. He is there at all times waiting for an opportunity to interject his thoughts, always be ready. As a new TI: -Start with passengers approximately your weight. -Wear big baggy jumpsuit. -take enough time to prepare for each jump thoroughly. -Have Fun -encourgage students to come back for another jump and/or First Jump Class. -Give each passenger the same experience and education that you would expect on your first tandem.

Just found out that this fund raiser is going exclusivley to a girl named Hannah, who has been diagnosed with Sickle Cell Anemia. Please distribute the form and help us send her to Disney World. Thanks