MooU

Interesting you should say that - during the Rantoul HALO I tried turning 360 degrees, wanted to get a full view of the horizon and all that, and found myself turning about as fast as I usually do - no difference between 27000 and 9000. I always wanted to ask someone about that. Thanks.

I have done 2 HALO jumps - The first was a tandem (a birthday gift) at 29500 ft. and the second I did solo at 31500ft. I loved them both and would recommend the experience.

They were both done with Mike Mullens and his plane - the tandem was out at his DZ and the solo was at Rantoul.

Full HALO gear was used and I pre-breathed oxygen for 45 min. prior to take off and then all the way to altitude. I jumped on a bail out bottle. The 2min. 10 sec. free fall was amazing. The topography and curvature of the earth and the morning sunrise are memories I will treasure forever.

The jump was explained to me like this - the first part of the jump is high altitude and really about all you can do (very few oxygen molecules to push against) is hold a box man position and enjoy the view but after about 15000 feet it's just like a regular skydive and you set up your landing pattern accordingly.

Good luck to you - I hope you find your HALO.

Great list -
Maybe this could be filed under #3 - But
never be ashamed/embarrassed to ride the plane down.
I've done it twice and, for me, it was probably the safest course of action in both situations.
Situation 1) Upper winds too high for my experience level.
Situation 2) Storm front rolled in on way to altitude.

My money - my call - my ass safe to jump another day.

TAKE THE COURSE! TAKE THE COURSE! TAKE THE COURSE!
(caps intentional I took his course a year ago and I'm still learning from the topics that were discussed.
I'm still a newbe here, too, so don't let low jump numbers
keep you from taking the course. The very cool thing about Brian is that he can teach you at your skill level whatever that level might be.

People who own horses or ride or train horses often sport a horse shoe pendant/ring/ bracelet/ ear ring, etc. but everyone knows what a horse shoe is so I guess that doesn't qualify.
Interesting that I asked you about diving because of your closing pin necklace. Not too many people come into my pharmacy wearing a closing pin around their neck. So, yeah, I guess it is like a secret handshake.
Hope everyone in your family is feeling better.

Mike Mullins Rocks!!

Had the pleasure of 2 HALOs and a few 'regular'
altitude jumps out of that amazing plane of his...

Fantastic pilot and an amazing plane

Stuck at home ...can't breath...pneumonia...ick.

Was at the DZ on Saturday getting geared up...looked over my shoulder to see Lew Sanborn striding my way with his canopy slung over his shoulder, "How are you today young lady?" he asked. "I'm fine Lew how are the uppers?" I replied. "Great!" He grinned back at me. Now, that is who I want to be as I get older...a person who continues to do what they love to do for the shear joy of it! Lew Sanborn is my roll model.

Almost all my gear is used. I've bought used jumpsuits, free fly suit, helmet and a helmet bag and gear bags on dropzone.com and never had a problem. Maybe it helps that these are small ticket items or that these are women's sizes...I don't know.

Maybe we could have regional people or regional DZ's act as clearing houses for big ticket items. That way at least we could identify who is selling to whom if the deal goes bad. Also, it would be a barrier for internet scammers because the 'goods' would have to show up at the clearing house before any money was exchanged. I wouldn't mind paying an extra $100 bucks to get a clean deal on a $1300.00 rig. And the $100 could be split between buyer and seller. JMHO

If you make a mess, clean it up.
So important on so many levels...

0:4:3

I loooooooooovvvveeeeeee my sport.

Prayers sent .....

Veeerrrrrryyyyyy Helpful - Thanks
Also, nice to know how freaking cold it is at altitude.

Helps to narrow the decision between which pair of gloves to wear - cold weather gloves, colder weather gloves, coldest weather pair of gloves or OMG-my-lungs-are-frozen pair of gloves.

I just returned from SVO and had a wonderful time - it was my first tunnel experience.

To avoid the stiffness/soreness in the morning, each night after 'camp' I ran 3 miles (OK, it was just 2.8 but who's counting) did 100 sit ups and about 25 push ups. I run regularly anyway, usually 3 miles at 12min/mile pace. The sit ups and push ups helped move lactic acid out of my muscles (it's one of the reasons muscles hurt in the morning). Stretching out in the morning before camp helped a lot, too.

I learned a lot and I feel safer in the air. Have a great time!

...you doodle stick men in free fall with wind vectors and wind T's with down wind, base and upwind arrows on prescription pad blanks and your technician says she can't read the Dr.'s orders for the medication. Ooops.....

I think you just hit the nail on the head. Students and those just off student status who may need the advice of an experienced skydiver seem to be, sadly, the last ones who ask for it or try to find someone who can help. I like the BASE idea of having a mentor from the beginning but making that a natural part of every students progression would be very time consuming for the instructors. Also, there is always the difficult situation of people who simply don't listen no matter how good the advice.

Thanks for the insight NWFlyer. Some of the theories I agree with, and like you, some I don't. There are never easy answers....

1) You're responsible for yourself - Absolutely. Without question - I am the only one hauling my ass out of the door on every jump. I am always responsible for my behavior/safety. Period. Unfortunately some people think they already know everything and have no need to ask anyone anything, so they, as newbies will not ask for advice and do not learn.

2) People are already looking out for you - Well, maybe, but I sure wouldn't want to bet my life on it.

3) Keep the USPA off our Backs - Gotta agree with this one. I don't like regulation anymore than anyone else. An apprenticeship program would extend USPA
paperwork, etc.

4) The sport is becoming to soft already - This is the 21st century people! We now have anitbiotics and indoor plumbing. Maybe the proponents of this theory like outhouses and dying of simple wound infections but I'll take a pass.

5) No one's bothered yet - Well I bothered to ask because I'm bothered by a lack of safety that might be remedied with a little guidance and continued education.

Yes, you are right, I have seen others get hammered pretty hard on this forum.
I guess I didn't explain myself very well, I ask
about the idea of an apprentice status not just
for myself but for everyone as a way to improve safety. I have been very lucky as a student to have really great instructors. I have always asked a lot of questions of all of them and I've always gotten good answers. I will continue to ask my instructors questions - and listen to their advice.

With all due respect (look at my jump numbers I humbly admit I know nothing about this sport) why isn't there an apprenticeship status after the student status?
A level of training that accompanies the next 25 jumps or the B license, whichever comes first, where you're on your own but have an assigned 'trainer', 'mentor' , 'teacher', someone with experience to call, e-mail or whatever when the apprentice makes a change to their rig, canopy, dive plan, etc. Manifest could monitor it as they do when they check for currency. Manufactures or sellers could ask buyers who they are apprenticing with when the buyer makes a purchase.
After reading several posts about safety concerns with newbees, I'm suggesting this option because I see it working every day (went through it myself as a pharmacy resident) with medical/surgical residents. It's a level of skill where you're on your own but not if you get really stuck or try to do something stupid.
I will now put on my flame retardant jump suit - flame away people. What do you think?

I love my Under Armour. I have worn the winter weight
under my jump suit and have jumped every month since October in Illinois. MMMMMM Toasty!!

Sizes aren't a problem. I wear a small and I'm 5'2" and 125 lbs. I'm sorta curvey 36-25-35, and the small fits OK.

Stick with colors though, the white seems to get a little dull after a wash or two. I run in Under Armour cool weight in the summer. Basically I've just taken the clothes I run in and used them to jump in -
so far so good.

1. Stay safe
2. Maintain safety around others
3. Finish my A and get my B
4. HALO - yep, it'll be a tandem
5. Balloon jump
I have lots and lots to learn. Gonna be a busy year - YEAH!!!!

First Career - sport psychologist

Second Career - clinical pharmacist

When I retire I hope to become a piano player in a bordello.

LMAO!! Funniest pic I've seen in a long time.

A diamond wings award represents 2000
freefall skydives and a diamond freefall
badge represents 24 hours of freefall time.
Reference page 175, section 8.2, SIM 2006.

Congratulations! adventures since you posted about hitting the plane step because I did that too. Best wishes and blue skies to you.
You go Girl!!!

I did not know that - that's great!!!! Thank you so much, now I know when to schedule my vacation time. Have you been through the museum? I thought it was great, especially the mock up of enlisted quarters. The old pictures were wonderful, too.