KNewman

Hello all I am looking for some opinions, I will have a chance to buy new gear this fall (no more renting). I have talked with the rigger (Instructor) at my club about mains. He said you can't go wrong with a Sabre2 or a Fusion. So I have been looking at the reviews. 40 for the Sabre2 and only 2 for the Fusion. Is the Fusion a good canopy for a novice? I am looking at the 230 which will be a wing loading of .95. I am trying to get more comparisons against the Sabre2. Also, how do you go about doing the demo thing if you rent?? Thanks for the help. Kevin Blue Skies and Stand-up Landings!!!!!!

The same thing happened to me my when I did my tandem. You were amped to the gills and experiencing sensory overload. I thought for sure I was not going to make it as a skydiver. My instructor told me that it happens to a lot of people and as you RELAX in the environment things will get better. He was right, as I became more comfortable and learned to relax and trust my training things have worked out. I now look forward to exiting and experiencing the joys of freefall. Don't give up, relax and enjoy yourself!!! Kevin Blue Skies and Stand-up Landings!!!!!!

Hey Rachel Sounds like you got the bug too. I have been the same way since I started.I too have had a bout with sit flying (unintentional, over rotated on a back loop) Anyway, keep at it and have a lot of fun, I sure do. Don't worry too much about the heebie jeebies, I still get them just before every jump. They are there just to make sure you have covered your bases and are ready to throw yourself out of an airplane Kevin Blue Skies and Stand-up Landings!!!!!!

Great Job there SSG. I have been following your progress via your posts. Have a lot of fun and stay safe, we need you!!!! SGM Newman Blue Skies and Stand-up Landings!!!!!!

Good job Ryan!!! Skydiving is so much fun!!!! Good Luck to you and stay safe!! Kevin Blue Skies and Stand-up Landings!!!!!!

Spent a wondefull day at Reaford today (After the winds died down). Got to jump the new Pac. Talk about fun. This thing takes off like a rocket. We were on jump run in 11 minutes!! The ride is very nice, you can see out the windows due to the bench seats (they make for a COMFORTABLE ride). Sorry to ramble, but this plane is cool. Come out to Raeford when you get the chance and have a blast!!!!! Kevin Blue Skies and Stand-up Landings!!!!!!

I guess this means I have to mow my couch now!! Blue Skies and Stand-up Landings!!!!!!

Drew Love watching your videos, always good stuff. I just want to know when "we" are going skydiving again??? Being able to jump with you once was not enough. (HA-HA) Keep up the video effort!!! Good Luck with the team!!!! Kevin (SGM Newman) Blue Skies and Stand-up Landings!!!!!!

I just received a copy of your book today, and will enjoy reading it over and over again. Thanks for passing on your knowledge to all of us who enjoy this wonderful sport!! Blue Skies and Stand-up Landings!!!!!!

I am not sur I want a full face just yet, I have tried them on and get a little claustrophobic. A full face keeps me from being able to see my handles well enough for me to be comfortable. Maybe a little bit later when I have more experience. I currently use the rentals which resemble an Ion. Blue Skies and Stand-up Landings!!!!!!

Help!!!! I am looking to get a "Real" helmet now that I am off student status. I have searched the forums for info on the Gunner and the Rat-Hat, however most of the stuff is old. Anyone have any thoughts on which would be a better helmet? Or for that matter any other brands that would work well? I have tried both on and really like the way they fit. Do they let you demo helmets?? I have seen concerns with the Gunners chin strap, (read a post about two of them falling off in freefall) has Bonehead fixed these issues? Like I said I did the search but want to work with more up to date information. Any guidance and assistance is appreciated. Blue Skies and Stand-up Landings!!!!!!

MYKEL My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Stay strong and believe in yourself that you will make it through this and will be able to skydive again. I wish you all the best and hope and pray for a complete recovery. Blue Skies and Stand-up Landings!!!!!!

Hey LD Not that I have the experience to say anything on this issue. I feel that (and have been taught that) do not add anything to your jump routine until you are totally comfortable with it. In this case, the jumper should of familiarized themselves with the gear first, then moved on to the RW stuff. My instructors always kept me in line by introducing new things in small doses, and I feel that this is a SAFE way to add anything to your jump routine. Blue Skies and Stand-up Landings!!!!!!

FF Check out this website for Paralog. They have a PALM program called Paralog Companion that should work for you. Paralog Companion Hope this helps. Kevin Blue Skies and Stand-up Landings!!!!!!

Rob I recently watched a guy jump a pack job that he rolled up and stuffed into a plastic garbage bag. When he went out the door he let loose the garbage bag which blew apart in the wind stream. His canopy opened fine. I was on the ground thinking WTF, if that pack job will open so will mine. I was taught how to pack in my FJC. My pack jobs still look like Poo-Poo, but I have not had any problems. We were taught the side pack. I haven't tried the Pro-Pack yet and don't have any plans to change what has been working for me. My instructor always supervised my pack jobs to ensure that I was not making any "fatal" errors, so far out of the 27 jumps I have, I have packed all but one of them!!!!! Have fun/Be safe!! Blue Skies and Stand-up Landings!!!!!!

Way to go!!!

Hello and welcome to our wonderfull sport. I see that you like beer and it is a good thing as you will be buying plenty. (Beer Rules) I think I have bought at least 10 cases or so. Anyway, have fun and be safe!!!! Blue Skies and Stand-up Landings!!!!!!

Not all of us newbies stop listening. I will always listen to those who instructed me. I will not attempt anything new or try out new equipment without consulting my mentors first. My mentors made it very clear to me that my first priority is to gain experience first. I am perfectly happy with the equipment I am jumping now and have no desire to become a Speed Demon or a Hook Turner. I am content to fly my canopy out of the way and let everyone else land first. I will always be a "Student" as there is so much to learn in this sport. My first priority will always be my safety and the safety of those around me. Blue Skies and Stand-up Landings!!!!!!

Hey Ed Enjoyed the day as you did. Southern Comfort is my favorite dropzone. The new building for packing will make it much better!! I have not had as much fun jumping as I did on the 1st. I can't wait to get back out there and get my "Jump" on!!! Blue Skies and Stand-up Landings!!!!!!

Mike Airborne school was one of the most interesting and enjoyable military schools I attended. I went in February of 1984 so this may be a little out of date. First, start a rigorous PT program, you must be able to run 4 miles at a 9 minute per mile pace. You will also need to add pull-ups to your routine, when I went through we needed to do 7 correct (emphasis on correct) pull-ups. Other than the PT requirements, the school is easy. Be prepared for break area procedures (mind games during the first week). If you are not wearing ACU's make sure your boots are highly polished and you keep your uniforms pressed. The mind set you need to take to this course is attention to detail. The blackhats will attempt to weed out those who lack attention to detail and cannot perform under pressure. If you have any questions please feel free to PM me and I will assist you in any way possible. Good luck to you. Kevin Blue Skies and Stand-up Landings!!!!!!

TB SLMAO and will be for days. Thanks for that post, it made my day Blue Skies and Stand-up Landings!!!!!!

Hey Tom Welcome to our wonderful sport

[( i think of the cost as a bill i'll have every month like the rent, car payment) Ever had a bill keep growing and growing and growing???? Better set aside a lot of moola for jumpin', it is addictive. Blue Skies and Stand-up Landings!!!!!!

I do Don't just look at my civilian jump numbers, I have been a military jumper for 22 years and that is the term we always use. Sort of stuck in my old fart ways Blue Skies and Stand-up Landings!!!!!!