kschilk

I've still got a vintage 1983 Honda CR 480R....that I bought new and it's still in suweeeet cherry condition. Don't suppose that counts. "T'was ever thus."

We've got a standard formula or rating system for just about everything else, why not one to determine a "risk factor"? Just for S&Gs, I'm gonna' propose the following formula: 1) Since we need a base line, we could start with the number of people on the load, all aboard included. 2) Then, we add a "wind factor" number.... 1 for each 1 mph of wind speed. If the wind is variable, in direction or speed...multiply the wind factor, by itself. If both, double it again. (pay attention, now) 3) If you do a formation....add 1 for each member, just for the exit. 4) Multiply the number of formation members, by itself...and again, by the number of points turned (intended/planned) to allow for a "collision factor".(If not regularly jumping with any number of the formation members, add 10 for each.) 5) Again....multiply the number of formation members, by itself and again by 3....to allow for break-off, track and opening.(still with me?) 6) Add the number of people on the load, multiplied by the wind factor....for approach and landing. (If landing within 500 meters of an active runway....add another 10.) 7) to ?)....add 10 each, for any additional unfamiliarities, irregularities or changes in routine, equipment, location, aircraft, etc.. (almost there!) FINALLY.....add up the sum of these numbers. That would be our "sub total". Now, take the number of jumps you have completed and place a decimal point, in front of that number. Keep that number, we'll get back to that one.We'll just call that the "x (perience)-factor". ***Use the following to determine a "skill level factor"...A=1, B=2, C=3, D=4,Pro/Instructor Rating=5 --- Multiply your skill level factor by 100 and again, by your current x-factor. ---FINALLY....subtract this number, from the previous sub total....that's the Risk Factor of the jump. Well, whuddya' think? I know it sounds involved but it would help illustrate the forming of the "chain"....might be useful. "T'was ever thus."

WOW! I didn't expect such a response but it's cool! I appreciate the info, on the shape thing....I'd seen the high-speed film of pear-shaped water drops but they weren't raindrops. I was jumping with an Aussie friend....he was spotting. He looked at me, smiled and said "Rain's shawwp, mate!" He closed his visor & split. As I was in freefall, with an open-face helmet....I realized what he meant. I bought a full-face, used...at the dz, when I landed. I'm gonna' post a new question(s) soon. I hope you all respond, I want honest opinions....bunches of 'em. Hope to hear from y'all! By the way....Hey, "Norway"! Ever jump in Russia? "Phoenix"....knock it off, with the weather reports! Some of us are sufferin' here, you're not helpin'...man. If there's a word "spherical".....shouldn't there also be a "sphimical"...or "sptherical"? T'was ever thus. "T'was ever thus."

Hey I was enlisted for almost 12 years...so I still bleed enlisted. I have looked at POPS, just haven't joined. Right now I don't see a big benefit. Once I get more jumps and feel I have the expertise to join in on some of the big ways....I will be there. Joining for the sake of joining doesn't interest me.....and since we are always wearing uniform candy (read ribbons) the patch just doesn't float my boat. You do know that the only reason the "AIRHEADS" wear brown shoes is because they are not smart enough to pull down their pants before taking a dump and the crap rolls down their flight suits and stains the shoes Awwww, man! Walked right into that one! You got me, I deserved it.....shoulda' known! Maybe that's why we use the term "s__t hot", to describe our "best of the best"! Seriously, though....there are 2 ligitimate reasons for the brown shoes. 1. When on land, we work so hard and so fast, that we wear off the polish and there's nothing left but the raw leather. I started every morning, with a new pair of dungaree pants....within 2 hours, I had them worn down to shorts! 2. On the carrier, it's because we have to keep shoving them up the butts of those pleasure cruisin' boatpeople, to get them out of our way....so we can hurry up and win the war (that one of you guys, on liberty.....probably started). Must be why we always say you canoe club types are "Haze grey and in the way!" So....Maverick, or Muskrat? I mean, Mustang? Not a bubblehead, are ya'? I had planned on going LDO but Clinton's cutbacks crushed my move. Took one last shot and tried for the Blue Angels but didn't get the slot. That's when I punched out.....but I had a ball, while I was in! I enlisted and went to bootcamp, at 30. Enlistment to E-5....in 2 years, 2 months and 22 days....w/o a pushbutton, couldn't get that in a mech rate. You might want to start being nice, to us airdales....might come in handy, some day. If I had been jumping when I was in....I could have been jumping every helo, in the Navy inventory (we had just gotten the H-60s) and most of the planes. I had good connections with all the squadrons and flight ops. If I had known then, what I know now. I heard POPS does quite a bit of charity stuff, that's my only real interest. Wow, didn't know there was a patch involved! I don't really get into the RW thing. It was fun, at first but I'm over it. I mostly like to do really tall (10,000 +) hop & pops, when the "big fluffies" are out....play with the canopy. Other than that, just flyin'. I don't mind some RW, on clear days. Take it slow & savor every minute, it just keeps gettin' better! Be careful, out there....on that "haze grey fishfood dispenser". EXCERPT: U.S. NAVY REGULATIONS MANUAL...... SECTION 1 - OFFICERS Subsection: 1A - PURPOSE (Quote): "The purpose of a naval officer, is to guarantee that we suffer massive losses, in men and materiel....even in the unlikely event, that the enemy fails to show up....for the battle." "T'was ever thus."

Hi, Scoot! Name's Kev, 47 yrs. old...made my first at 41. Former Navy....enlisted, couldn't afford the lobotomy! (sorry, just jokin'...old habit) AMS2....Brownshoe Navy....oops! (Sir!) I'm new to the forum thing. Stuck in nw PA, the armpit of the snow belt. I hate snow. I hate cold. I got a boatload of both and I'm goin nuts! We've had the "Super King" at our dz, a few times....I loved it! I'm a bit partial to King Airs, dunno why. I envy you, man....I mean, sir! Anyway, welcome.....glad to have you aboard! You might want to check out POPS (Parachutists Over Phorty). Something I should probably do, too. I'm still in the "denial stage". I keep forgetting I'm so old but I suppose it's because I'm so old....that I keep forgetting, that I'm so old....and keep forgetting. See what you're in for? Hope to hear more from you! "T'was ever thus."

Atlanta Skydiving Center has their own forums...ascskydiving.com "T'was ever thus."

Hi, Ted....and welcome aboard! My name's Kev (47) and I'm from nw PA, formerly from VA Beach. I have the same story....but I finally did mine on my 41st birthday, as a present to myself. I went AFF, I can't be a passenger....and I really recommend that anyone who even has the slightest intention of following through, go AFF. There were only 8 levels, when I trained. It's a better program, now....more jumps for the same money! If you do it, try to keep your jumps as close together as possible.....less chance of forgetting anything from the previous jump and there's less anxiety. I would recommend no more than 2 or 3, in one day, however. You wouldn't think that you'd exert much energy, in freefall.....but this stuff will wear your butt out! "T'was ever thus."

You can expect a jump temp about 30-50 degrees lower than on the ground, depending on alt. & humidity. Get a good "warm-up suit"! I'm in PA and it's always freezing, at exit altitude. I wear one under my flight suit. It's not too warm, even in the summer and (combined with the flight suit) is almost totally windproof. I still feel like backing out, sometimes....but it's because I have a fear of airplanes. Man, by 2000 ft. I'm clawin' at the door! I feel totally safe, in the air. I got a pretty good deal, a slightly used rig w/cypres for $3000. Packing isn't hard. It's a bit easier if the stabs are a different color....easier to identify, at a glance.

Consult with riggers at your home or regularly frequented DZs. They probably know your style of flying and your capabilities....as well as the typical conditions you'll be jumping in. Also, are you using a collapsible pilot? If not, they will cause the same symptoms. Maybe consider a Sabre 2, Safire 2 (they make a 129) or the Fusion....and don't forget your container! Check pack volume allowances, if you don't plan on a whole new rig. "T'was ever thus."

If we could combine skydiving and scuba diving.......shouldn't we, logically....be able to jump, in the rain? "Hey, man....ready to mud dive this formation?" I don't know, though....rain is sharp! I never thought about it, 'till the first time I hit some. We hit the TOP of the drop....you know, where the POINT is! They hurt, man! Especially, in the face! "T'was ever thus."

If I can see the color of your eyes......you're too close. If I can see the color of your eyes....and they're red.....then you're WAY too close!!! "T'was ever thus."

I acquired the same ailment on my 8th and supposed final AFF jump. I could turn the other way but I could not remain steady. One instructor stopped me with her hand and said there was absolutely no pressure against her....like there would likely be, if it were body position related. Three separate instructors eyeballed my body position, gear, tried all the toe tapping, relaxing....nothing worked. They decided to video my next (11th) jump so they could continuously replay it, both for my diagnosis and instructor training. The gremlin split....I was rock solid from exit to pull and have been, ever since. Check your gear, I assume you jump student gear and it may be poorly adjusted. If it's off-center or tilted....could be it! We are still guessing about me but I remember turning easier to the right, than left with student gear. With my own better fitting rig, it's like power steering. Both ways!

Here's a link to a cool "wing loading calculator" : //www.myskyshop.com/catalog/information.php/info_id/14 and one for a "jump calculator" ://lensmoor.org/cgi-bin/chute.cgi . They might come in handy. Also, check out the PD website, some good basic and advanced info there. Most mfgr.'s sites have useful info....rigger's notes or something. Don't overlook the SIM, it's worth the investment but you can also check it out on the net. Some of the regs stuff is a little dry but there is some good reading there. If you have time, at the DZ....borrow some canopy manuals and look through them. Hang around the DZ, after hours and ask a rigger to explain the differences in gear. Most are willing to help, as long as you're sincere about learning. Check out parachutepages.com and relativeworkshop.com too. "T'was ever thus."

WOW! Y'all are nasty....and all over DZ reviews! Damn shame. "T'was ever thus."