mattyblast

But what would you say if your name wasn't "Arch"? *ducks flying student ripcords* "DOOR!!!"

Looks great! Earlier today I was thinking of making a spontaneous weekend trip down there this weekend, but it wasn't until I got their pre-recorded message on the phone that I realized they weren't open for business yet. I just might have to splurge on this one, if I can find a cheap way to get out there, and a cheap motel to stay at...and a cheap credit-counselor to help me with my debt afterward. ;) "DOOR!!!"

Thanks Skybytch! According to Weather.com, sunset tomorrow at my DZ is 4:39pm. I'll see if I can get there by 3:30pm. If there are too many folks before me, I'll just hang out & try and get some phone numbers. (Oop. Did I type that out loud?) "DOOR!!!"

My instructors don't do this with me anymore--just for the first 3 or 4 AFF levels. But I'm still curious. When I did AFF Level 1, it was a call-and-answer: Me: "CHECK IN!" JM1: "Check in!" Me: "CHECK OUT!" JM2: "Check out!" Me: "READY, SET Gooooaaaaaa......" When I came back for Level 2, it was like this: Me and JM1 together: "Check in!" Me and JM2 together: "Check out!" Me: "Ready, set gooooooo..." So just out of curiosity, which way is the standard? Or is it different for every DZ or even for every JM? (I did a search, and every result pertained to gear checks. :) "DOOR!!!"

I'm wondering if anyone can point me toward any guidelines as to how close to sunset it can be before a good DZ will say "No way, Jose" to students. Tomorrow (Tuesday) is going to be the first sunny day here in Milwaukee since 12/23 (a new all-time record!), and I want to blast down to the DZ after work. (By the way, I called to schedule a jump and ask them this very question and got their voicemail. I'm fully aware that it's possible they'll be too booked for this question to even be an issue. But for students, it's never a bad thing to stop by and say hello, even if they can't jump, right? ) Self-edit: I also realize that the DZ should be the first and foremost authority on this question, since sunset happens at different times all over the country. Could you kind folks maybe answer this question by saying "X minutes before/after sunset" instead of giving an actual time? "DOOR!!!"

Hey folks. After my first ever jump (this past August--AFF Level 1--what a life-changing experience!!), my sense of smell seemed a little goofed up for about the next 48 hours. Everything smelled like it had a weird hot glue or burnt plastic smell mixed in with it. Does anyone else remember their sense of smell being affected like that from skydiving? I have two theories. One is that the fear I was experiencing was releasing some sort of gland or something--the "smell of fear," so to speak. The other is that the wind rushing into my nose took its toll on the part of the nostrils that differentiate types of smells. But it only happened on the first jump. Or maybe it was a dirty jumpsuit. :) Thoughts on this, anyone? "DOOR!!!"

1. Finish AFF. 2. Get the "A" License. 3. Land on my feet for the first time. 4. Spend some time in the gym strengthening my legs & knees to minimize the chance of injury. 5. Get one hour of tunnel time. 6. Design & purchase my own RW jumpsuit. 7. Somehow maintain the self-control to avoid any other major purchases (of gear, toys, etc.)! "DOOR!!!"

BLECH!! The DZ was scheduled to be all open all weekend, and I've been itching to jump (even more than usual). But the weather has been cloudy, rainy, snowy, sleety, windy, etc., etc., ad nauseum, and the forecast calls for more of the same CRAP tomorrow. I WANT TO JUMP, BUT THIS WEATHER SUCKS!!! "DOOR!!!"

While his wife was out grocery shopping, a man secretly came home early from work and bought a new chandelier for the bedroom. When she came home, he said, "Surprise! You know that beautiful chandelier we've both been dreaming about hanging in the bedroom right above our bed? I went out, bought it, and installed it while you were away!" His wife replied, "Oh, great. I suppose this means I'll be spending the whole night on my back with my legs in the air...hpmh!" The man said, "Oh honey! What I do, I do out of unconditional love for you. If you don't want to make love to me tonight, I understand!" She replied, "Who's talking about making love?? With your carpentry skills, that's how I'll need to sleep to keep from getting crushed by the dang thing!" HEEHHEHAHAHEHAHHEHHAEHAEHHEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!! "DOOR!!!"

You are in my prayers. And please, PLEASE assure your wife that this is not her fault...not in the slightest. "DOOR!!!"

Thank you both. This brings up another question: can a student use a freefly jumpsuit if he is not freeflying? I'm thinking that if the student is a big one, then the loose fit would be ideal, as it would add drag. Am I correct on this? "DOOR!!!"

Hey folks. I'm interested in getting a jumpsuit made to look something like this (without the frizzies--ignore those please). From what I've been told, the pattern would be difficult to do, and it would affect my stability/control. That being the case, I'm wondering if anyone could recommend a manufacturer/fabric/paint that I could use to color the fabric. That way I'm just ordering a suit that's made from a simple pattern, and it will fly safer. Thanks in advance. (By the way, I'm a student, and a rather big one--5'11", 215lbs.) "DOOR!!!"

Matty here...just a single guy with a desk job who's new to the sport & loves it indescribably. I did my first jump (AFF Level 1) this past August, and even though I thought it was going to be my only jump, I was instantly hooked and knew I had to continue doing it. I have 7 jumps to my credit now, and have recently completed AFF Level 6 (I had to repeat Level 3 because I couldn't turn correctly during freefall and also landed in someone's back yard--embarassing, but a funny story to share). I'm in the initial-excitement-honeymoon phase, as I'm sure most of you remember when you were newbies. I stare with envy at the photos in the magazines, and drool over every item in the Para-Gear catalog. I leave every jump just starving for another one. I can't possibly say enough wonderful things about my DZ, either. The folks at Sky Knights in East Troy, WI, are like a family--so friendly that they're impossible not to love. I look forward to the days when I can take skydiving vacations at the locale of my choice, participate in special events, and start investing in my own toys & goodies (used at first, of course). Thanks for the site--it'll be a great place to ask dumb questions, since I'll be hiding behind a computer screen. Just remember to go easy on me...you were like me once. "DOOR!!!"

So I asked the person selling this gag gift of "Bounce" fabric softener sheets a couple of questions. (Here's the link to the item again: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7205959608&sspagename=ADME%3AB%3AAAQ%3AUS%3A1&rd=1) My questions were: His response? You know, you'd think that somebody as goofy as this eBay clown would get my joke, especially if it's the same kind of humor he's using in the first place. What a butt-twang. "DOOR!!!"

Fair enough. I thought the "safe for work" disclaimer was enough to put folks at ease, but since folks are requesting more details, here goes: In the Skydiving section of eBay, somebody is auctioning off a box of Bounce fabric softener sheets. The photo shows a box of Bounce sitting on top of a Christmas stocking, although I don't know if the stocking is included or not. It has to be a joke, because as someone has already pointed out, Bounce is cheaper and easier to get just by going to any grocery store. Still, I like this guy's sense of humor. Check it out...there's nothing dirty or offensive, and there are no pop-ups. "DOOR!!!"

This is great! Somebody has a real twisted (in the good sense) sense of humor. Check this out (not dirty or disgusting--totally safe for work): http://tinyurl.com/7gwu8 LMAO!!! Everyone ask the guy questions--it will make the page look even better if he posts them (I asked him if this item was due for a repack--I can't wait to see what his reply is!). "DOOR!!!"

Let us know as soon as you get it! We're all cheering for you, dude! "DOOR!!!"

I've been told that it most likely would be if it were actually made. Back to the drawing board! "DOOR!!!"

The first time you bought your own brand-spanking-new canopy, what color scheme did you choose, and what was your inspiration? (Note: I'm not looking for recommendations, here--just interested in hearing the stories!) "DOOR!!!"

Does having 3-4 other people in there with you make it difficult to practice your skills? "DOOR!!!"

When you say "an hour" for $700, is that 60 minutes of actual time in the wind tunnel, or is something like: 5 minutes of introductions 10 minutes of lecturing about safety 10 minutes of orientation about the equipment 7 minutes putting on the equipment 1 minute of tunnel time 9 minutes of debreifing 8 minutes of returning the equipment 10 minutes of a ceremony to present the certificates Okay, that's a humorous exaggeration, but I think you see what I'm asking. "DOOR!!!"

Okay by me, as long as they fall head-over-heels. (Well, somebody had to say it! "DOOR!!!"

Sorry for the double-post. I found a link to the place out in Pigeon Forge, TN (http://www.flyawayindoorskydiving.com) and it's just barely road-trippable. They sell blocks of time, like 15 minutes for $150. That puts a whole new light on the subject. I like the idea of getting 15 jumps' worth of free-flying experience in just a day. So I've totally flip-flopped. You were right. I needed to do more research. Now I just want to hop in the car and go out there. If I ever disappoint 19 other people by goofing up a good formation, I'll kick myself for not doing some tunnel-time, ya know? "DOOR!!!"

You're right--if you consider all other factors except the price, then yes, they're a great way to developing freefall skills. But my beef is that I've only seen prices that are too high to make the experience worth pursuing. Case in point: In Perris Valley, adults are charged $50 for two minutes (and $35 for each additional two minutes). So if I make a weekend out of it, I'm spending $200 on a plane ticket, $120 on a motel room for a couple nights, and $85 to fly for 4 minutes. Add food & beer, & you're pushing $450-$500...for 4 minutes! Wind tunnels accelerate the learning process, but if they cost the same per minute of freefall time, I'm better off just doing the real thing. Anybody know where I can find one within a driving distance from Milwaukee? "DOOR!!!"

Honest opinions, please. And if you feel like laughing, go right ahead. "DOOR!!!"