justme12001

Weekend before last, I saw a canopy that had heat shrink on the line just above the slinks covering the finger traps. This was on a canopy with 300lb lines. When I asked the owner (a rigger) what it was for, he said it was to help against abrasion from the slider (esp with a full RDS). This is what I assumed it was for, or at least something along those lines. My question is, do many people do this, are there any downsides? And a another question is could this have prevented the recent incident in Cali?

Mine were weak too so I decided not to let anyone see them Think I may have gotten two decent swoops out of 12 jumps. In my defense, it was gusty the first weekend.

I went back and re read your OP. I missed the part about you meeting him at the DZ. I was under the impression you had only spoken to him Please disregard my other post!! ( I'm still not fat )

The only thing I see wrong with the letter, is guessing at his height. If you guessed right, then he is definitely overweight and shouldn't be jumping. However, if he is 6'4" or 6'5" and 270 lbs then he is just a big guy. I would like to meet him before telling him "NO" Hell I'm 5'11" and 235lbs, could I stand to loose a few pounds...yes, am I obese...NO I have attached a picture as a "size reference" I'm 37 years old, 5'11" 235lbs

actually FreeFallSnoopy, started the thread about starting a business as a coach to cover none skydiving expenses. I just responded with my opinion and experiences. I did not know about being paid in kind, thank you for the information Andy! I have been an industrial contractor for most of my working life and know pretty much what I can and can't deduct on my taxes. Everything I claim is at least somewhat/mostly legitimate. Would you agree that, that reserve repacks and USPA license and membership dues are necessary expenses for a skydiving business, even though they aren't exclusively used for the business? And FYI I do have an accountant. My skydiving "business" has made money every year except for the first one(7 years ago). So I was a little fuzzy on the 5 year thing. I knew it had something to do with loses over a 5 year period. I do remember my tax lady telling me that if it did get changed from a "business" to a "hobby" that nothing would really change. I would still have to claim the money made and I could still deduct my expenses. So I guess the real question is what is the point of the designation of business and hobby?

I know that if your "business" loses money for 5 years (I think) it goes from being a business to a hobby. My question is when/if my business gets turned into a hobby, can I no longer take deductions against it? I am assuming that the IRS is still going to make me claim the money that I make that I get the 1099 for. My thought process is this. My "business" really is a hobby, but the IRS forces me to claim the income that I make, so I am going to write off every thing I can to cover the taxes I now have to pay on the money I make doing my hobby.

I kinda understand why the sick and twisted thread was locked (I don't agree though) But can someone explain why word association was locked??

I have never understood that either! I can understand the FAA wanting medicals to somewhat make sure the TI's are in good (enough) health. I however don't understand what my legal background has to do with health. If they want to do background checks, then require background checks. If they want to know about my health, do a physical! I am a TI that can pass my physical, but I still think it shouldn't be required.

I'm a little OCD when it comes to handle checks, i usually do 4/5 in the last minute or so leading up to exit, one in the door, one right after the drogue, and if outside video is there and wasn't close enough to see the first one, i will do another just so it's on video.

I am definitely not a lawyer, so this is just my .02 As a coach I would so no, the reason being, is you usually don't get paid as a coach, you just get free jumps. Now if/when you start doing video/tandem/aff and actually start getting paid and receiving 1099 then yes. I don't write off all my fun jumps, but I do write off some, along with gear, licenses, physicals, and mileage. The flip side is you do have to claim income that you made. Again, just my opinion!!

I have only jumped triple risers a couple times, and that was years ago on a non cross braced canopy. I remember that they felt odd at the time, very "loose" feeling. My question is, what are the downsides to jumping triple risers? I know they aren't cool anymore, but with us wanting to get get the canopy flat and having everything as wide as possible, they seem to be a good idea. It doesn't seem like they would get in the way when getting on rears. Again it has been years since I have used them, so I am genuinely asking what the downsides to using trips are.

It does look very triple riser esq I was using top rings, but have thought about installing something similar to this. only not starting at the bottom, and letting the toggle go up to about the link location. IF that makes sense... :)

I typically drink espresso, so for store bought I like Illy If not I have started roasting and grinding my own, it's fun to experiment with it.

I'm a brewer as well, and if you go back in time, one of the main reasons of beer was to purify the water and make it drinkable. Hell every drop of water we drink today was most likely someone's piss 1000 years ago.

It is fabulous... but it could be much much better

Maybe they aren't "mini risers", maybe they are for a midget

I am just playing devil's advocate here...but, I know jumpers with hundreds/thousands of jumps that know little to nothing about the rig the jump. I mean to the point that they won't/don't know how to switch a canopy off risers. How can you expect them to even understand half of the things you just said.

^ what they said

I agree with this as well! Red on top and bald below, sounds just about perfect to me

I approve!

Just thought I would mention this, since you have brought up how uncomfortable the harness is a couple times. The harness can be made more comfortable if you slide the leg straps from between your legs, to your thighs, more like you are sitting in the harness. This might help some, if you haven't tried it already.

my vote is not a good deal for you! 150 reserve is 40 sqft smaller than the smallest thing you have jumped

you forgot tandem wingsuit!

I've seen the "bridle over" a couple of times. It has always been on tandems. They do tend to bow tie a little, but still seem to fly OK. All the ones I've seen have been landed. I thought I had one once(on a tandem), but turns out it was a blown center cell top skin! It was confusing to look at, I couldn't see anything wrapped around the nose, but the center was drawn in like a bridle over. It flew fine, turned fine and flared fine, so I landed it :)

I am an industrial construction contractor, and we use helium, argon, oxygen,nitrogen and acetylene on a regular basis. We pay $17 a cylinder for just about any gas, I think acetylene in cheaper, being as it comes in smaller bottles. But, if this guy does or knows somebody with an account at a welding supply store, the cost of gas would be considerably cheaper than just the average joe would pay. Still $850 isn't exactly a cheap jump, but much more doable than $2,500