EXTremeWade

This is what I was afraid of. The IBA has not been around for too long. At least not long enough in comparison to educational institutions nation wide. The process you speak of is very true; a year at least for the Veteran Affairs (VA) to sanction the audit valid for the future fiscal year, hence the reason why once the new G.I. Bill was approved, it will only be able to be tapped into next year of August, 2009.

I have a few friends in the military, who would love to venture out and become a certified tunnel instructor at some of the available locations, particularly, Paraclete XP in Raeford, NC. Normally, from what I have gathered though pass-time conversation, is that you go through the program, get certified as a tunnel flyer, but then you have to commit to some sort of 2 year contract or so. These times of contract and titles to the job are not what need to be critiqued in this post, but what I am asking is, can a military guy/gal somehow use his/her G.I. Bill for the certification as well? Thus, getting extra money form the government for free? Is there a loop-hole to get extra money from Uncle Sam going straight to your wallet? I have read and reviewed a lot of the new G.I. Bill that will be enacted next August for 2009, but there are a lot of new stringent rules as to them matching in-state tuition, and getting the Basic Allowance for Housing. Usually with the G.I. Bill, as I am using it to this day, you must prove that you are enrolled in a recognized educational institution, and prove that you are attending class on a monthly basis to elect monetary payments to your bank account. The next question that arises, is that can the IBA make some sort of document, or program that if already exists, is regionally accredited, and available through the College Board that makes them an official educational institution for certifications nation wide? Some people debate that they can, because like a Private Pilots License, it is a certification, and it can be funded throughout the VA. However, I have spoken with many flight schools, and some don’t honor with the above said. Any ideas as of how to get double the money from the Gov't for free? Wade

You all are great. Thanks so much for the help! I am off to try the things that were reccomended. Hopefully, pre-burning a few DVD's with this intro on it, and then if the chapters can burn seamless without the finalized Intro, I hope to have a nice product. Maybe : (

C'mon man. Post something worth reading, not an english class remark. You know what forum you are in. I need help. You can go to the Bonfire for grammatical arguments. Lame.

Hey man...I know about that too. People get creative, and use the best one. what I was really meaning to ask, on my fault that is, was how exactly that is done. Do you pre-burn your DVD's, and if so, how do you pre-burn them without having the DVD burner re-write over the footage you want after the intro on the pre-bunred DVD that you worked so hard for? Are there video boards that can hold a certain amount of space where some intro can be laded into them, so when you burn your DVD, it includes the pre-loaded intro with the skydive you last editied? I am lost as how to describe what I am imagining here, for an intro to be on the DVD.

I was curious if there is a video board out there, that will allow you to pre-record a little trailer, or intro for your dropzone, before your tandem is up for their video and interview, thus making the final product looking a bit more finished than what I am using now. I would love ot be able to show little clips of some freeflying, RW, and other tandems in a cool little clip and then that would fade into the the student you are working with. I feel that would make the DVD look better, and more valuable for the money they spend for their first experience. Any help...? Wade

Hot damn, Thats Extreme! Just from the get go on the hill, they are nearing 10 points!

Well, Try this, and bounce it off with others, for I am no master at the Freefly game as well. For now, you will not really see a HUGE difference in clothing assisting or bettering your flying abilities..not just yet at least. You are still learning to be stable in the sit, and like the lady said above, it takes ANYONE a little bit to get that down..just use this for an ideal method as to what you need.. Look at the proficient Freeflyers at the DZ. We all come in many different shapes and sizes, and then you will see that more and more, the taller and skinnier Freeflyers tend to use tighter suits, that have less drag. At a proficient level, a skinny suit has a wide range of control so as long as you can always get wide and be comfortable getting really flexible. At the same time, you may see some heavier Freeflyers using slightly baggier suits so they don't have to ALWAYS fly so big and open to slow down, and that little bit of more drag will help them out.. So, just pay attention to your body type, and match it as best as you can with a proficient flyer, and ask him or her if that works. But for now, and with a few more hundred jumps or so when you really are comfortable around more people in the air, and within your own abilities, then the suit will play more of a role once people start to complain saying that you fall to slow, or fast..lol.. Hope that helps.. Wade

Dude thank you..this is what I NEEDED!!!!

Yeah..great points made Simmon and Spazz.. Overall, its the nature of things we have to deal with, like as you said Whit, that lives take precedence, and we all at one time will have to face that reality, or already have. I have in many ways too.. This past Jive Jam was awesome at Raeford, so definitely try and make it out to RPC for # 3 June 30th, 2008...plus it the Film Fest boogie is going on at the same time, so the freeflying will be very very abundant for all levels, ALL weekend!! Wade

Hey..great points made here, and you are at a DZ where you do get to see a lot of interest with freeflying esp. from the peeps coming of the student status seeing all the fun going on when the freefly guys hit the ground. However, the main thing that HP was getting at was at the intermediate level to the advanced, there has been a decline in interest. Interest I feel is the big thing, and if I am completely wrong, then I am using that statement with the concept that perception is realty. Harry has tried to get a lot going on. Late call outs, and "no-shows" is what's happening, and it totally disrespectful, and rude to the community and the JJ goals. People with a lot of skills to help Jive Jam be all that it can be, and to spread a better understanding of where the skills are at for today, are being advertised to the intermediate to advanced level here. This is absolutely in no way downing beginners, or saying that "you are not good enough" to fly with Jive Jam people…it was about the Freeflyers having an objective. A mission for once. At least that was the way I felt about it. Where could a guy like me, who is proficient at freeflying, but wants to build bigger dives, with more complex moves, be able to do that with proper mentorship and guidance with safety and how to do it all while learning something even if the dive didn’t go as planned. That’s what Jive Jam is about. Bringing it all back, and frankly, I hold a lot of people who have the skills necessary to do that to blame, who just don’t show; especially when they say they will. A lot of freeflyers at the advanced level like to have it known that they are good freeflyers, and should be proud. But you all don’t show. Wouldn’t you like to be proud of a solid attempt at a state record? Harry is right in many ways. People have become lazy, lost faith in their own community, or just have gone else where, since they feel, "the grass is greener" wherever that may be, and it usually never is. And to those who don’t show, and its not about the grass is greener, then make it out this weekend, and help out!! See you all at Raeford, NC for an awesome Memorial Day weekend for Jive Jam 2008.

I know there have been posts from this before, but they are old, and I am really about to buy soon, so I need the advice. I want to get the GoldMember for my Rebel XTi on the Rawa. Is this a safe bet? Just a yes or no is good enough from everyone..Thanks!! Wade

Maybe I can keep up with her after last flock dive, shit!!!

Mirage...Talk With Ward Hessing. Mirage Straight up has out down themselves with comfort last time I saw their rigs when they came down for Film Fest at Raeford last June. Nobody tops a Mirage...thats really all there is to be said.. Wade

nice hommie...

Hey Simmon, Great shots..I look like an ass with my tongue all out!! Anyways..I wouldn't mind being the camera whore for you since I have experience shooting your Rawa/XT. Take care, and let me know how things are and what you think. And Harry..thanks for getting it all together. Hope to see you all soon at Raeford!! Its going to be a blast! Wade

Yes sir..just 4 more..I cannot wait!!

I PM'd Ya ; )

Triathalon, it actually opens and flies really well. Yeah, OK. On what WL? My Tri was given to me for back pain issues...the damn thing jacked my back up more than I would have ever expected. Yes, I did pack it well. Its just a nasty canopy at times.. Wade

Simmon can Ball Master, just fine. We did two or three jumps at west point last year, head down, and many, many sit jumps at Suffolk. He has many different ball speeds too. Talk to em' for sure.

Thank you all for the help..and sorry that I didn't get this post in the "events" forum. Wade

To anyone out there.. Besides Cross Keys, NJ, Anyone know of some Canopy Coaching going on around the VA, NC area early this season? Just thought I would get this going. If anyone is interested in putting some money aside to get someone out to a local NC/VA/SC DZ , that would be awesome. Hope this post gets some ideas brewing... Wade

Wow..I have always wanted one from these guys, but the price seemed high at the time. I need to do more research then. This sounds like an awesome deal you got..and great Service. Mirage by the way rocks. Ward takes care of his own. Hands down. Wade

This season is going to rock, no doubt!! JJ was so fun a few years back when I did it at Raeford and CSS. Its a smart, organized, and professional way to get the free-flyers skills more up to par, and beyond!! Be there people. Wade

So, last night I was talking with my good friend, Jason (a.k.a. Spinach) where ha and I have been jumping at Raeford for the past 3-5 years consistently. Well, he had to move to Tennessee for various reasons, and I took a great job offer in the Outer Banks, NC. Well, I found out to my surprise, that he has been driving 10 hours nearly every weekend, to jump at Raeford. I am shocked by this commitment. I have to Drive 4 hours to Raeford, 3 hours to CSS, and the nearest DZ to me is just under 2 hours away, which is Skydive Suffolk? Anyone here able to lend some sympathetic responses, cause damn I hate driving so DAMN far to skydive!!! Argghh!! EW