Shark

DrunkMonkey, If you must do it exactly like Bond, you and your crew will not need the use of O2 when the tailgate drops and the plane depressurized. You will only need to put on your mask right before the green light goes on just after you spot correctly. The chop can be optional, provided you have disconnected your RSL. L8 Shark

I'm at Elsinore, but jump Perris occaisionally. They have a better bar there, too. Hell, you can see each other's planes on the climb to altitude... In fact, I still have 2 jumps left on my account! Anybody gonna be there for the Iron Crank?? Skybytch, are you airborne now?

Hey Pammi, Ya mean, like Laura the writer and JKA??? Don't know about laura, but JKA has been lurkin... and the weather has scared her off; among other things. She still needs to jump her own pack job then do the test. And after that she needs to do a 2 way with the Shark as a final right of passage....

I guess the secret is making sure that the strings have been pulled all the way until the barb locks it into place. Experiment with it before you pack it to make sure you know what it looks like collapsed, then make sure it is properly configured to pack again.

Skyhawk, Your instructor is right... You may not realize that you are backsliding or whatever. Jump with somebody else or a coach. You may be challenged to match fall rates or find that you are not doing center point turns and drift away. Even a non-contact 2 way will help you out. Talk to your JM or coach.

I agree with the other posts... In between the LOs, I do 2 way skydives to improve skills. At Elsinore there is a two way skills camp every weekend organized by MJ. These are informal, but the coaching often comes from Team Matrix and others. Most are even videoed. The only cost is your willingness to learn, improve, have fun, and the cost of a jump ticket. The coaches and video pay for their own tickets. Think of the coaching as, "pro bono." It has really improved my RW skills as evidenced by jumping in the larger LO groups. The two ways are also a lot of fun, as well as educational. The next 2 way skills camp will be on the 18th and the Matrix 4 way camp the following week. Contact John Hamilton or MJ at Skydive Elsinore.

Hi Anna, Glad you enjoyed Skydive Elsinore! It was too bad that the weather sucked so badly. Anyway, it was nice that you got to experience the fun that we've all been talking about. It was also pretty cool to be on the plane with you and watch your parachute ride. And those landings that you saw of me on the grass are some of my better ones!

We all got to jump today at Elsinore. I know they got in some jumps at Perris for the SWSL.....Sure there were a couple of weather holds but the holes opened up! I even got some backwards flying on my last jump. Guess I had a few line twists. BTW, JKA..... It did not rain so you know what that means....... you lose our bet! I think I want something kinky this time...

Landmissle, How long you been jumping at Skydance? My FJC was 6/12/99. I've jumped with Neal, Greg, DOB, Stefano, & Stig as my J/Ms. While I was there I jumped for 3 months then moved back to SoCal. I finished up my A lic. at Elsinore. If you like Skydance, you'll love Elsinore!

B, You might want to check the licensing requirements, then take the appropriate test(s). It appears that you have the NZ equivalent of an "A" license. But I'm not sure if it is sufficient to jump at US dropzones. Someone else who is more familiar will shed some light....

Hey JG, I thought I was bad by jumping without one for 5 months. In December I bought a Cypres for the Frankenrig. Sort of a gift, I guess. I also got it because one of the SoCal DZs requires one. Additionally, if you've ever been on a RW skydive with the people I jump with you will want to have one. I had no idea this was a contact sport. eg. There is normally somebody bleeding during the debrief. That's how we see how it happend.

Cool deal! I did my FJC-AFF there. I miss it, sometimes. There are a lot of cool people there. Glad you got to do some rw there. I only got 16 jumps and was unlicensed when I moooved back home to Sandy Eggo, so I didn't get to scare anyone except for the JMs. I'm planning a pilgrimage sometime in the future and probably do some HALOs after I get my D lic. BTW, love the chicks there, too.

Know of any 4 point, 4 way HALOs? Or howabout a 4-stack HAHO? Okay, so the gear gets in the way....

Hi Pammi, If you are going to pursue RW, you will NEED booties. My first jumpsuit (got another on order), I did not order it with booties since I planned on using it for CReW, too. Well, It's been hard to get together with a bunch of crewdogs and much easier to jump rw/freefall with other people, mainly chicks in my case. I had a backsliding problem that was corrected with some "strap-on" booties that work great. They are also removable, secured by elastic and velcro. My next jump suit will be *faster* with booties built-in. When you get it, try a tracking dive from altitude and you will really experience what they can do. Also, leg turns come much easier; read quicker. Hard to believe but I'm becoming a bit of an RW freak lately doing 2 way skills, all the way up to 16 ways. Kinda fun, too! You and Merrick should plan on Elsinore's 4 way camp in the summer if you are in the area. Shark

Aviatrr, I guess I should've mentioned that I do this above "pattern" altitude. I know what your saying but I do this to keep the spacing. Also, if you've ever been on a 12 way CReW jump and everyone is going for the grass you will understand what I mean. I'm typically the one with a bigger canopy relative to the others who get down faster. I just help what physics will do for me. If you picture me holding deep brakes the whole way you are completely wrong. Yeah, it's just as dangerous as you mentioned and I've been in a similar situation you described.

Jacko, Nothing wrong about not drinking. There are a lot of people that choose not to for one reason or another; again, it's personal. Skydiving in general, attracts people from all walks of life. We do not show any bias. As long as you are a skydiver and like to have fun you are always welcome. That's what I like about the people at the dz. No one will ever discourage you from a choice, especially one that may save your life. Hell, I'm a non-smoker and find that everyone on my rw jump is smoking during the debrief. No, I don't feel left out. It is, however, my choice to be around smoke (just not inhale it, to quote the famous.) Anyway, I would hope that people would be non-judgemental for what some do, or not do, what they do for work, the way they look, or even what kind of car the drive. It's all about fun!

3xF, Dude, I'll fly on your wing....BTW, did you "appropriate" some of that surplus napalm??? Sharkman

In reply to: I'd be willing to bet that most people who do these low turns are trying to avoid another canopoy at low altitude. ----------- If you have other landing area options, like Elsinore. A well planned approach should have avoided this. When I jump with the big dogs on the 10-16 ways, I typically hang out in brakes and let others spiral down into the grass landing area. Only then will I make an approach into the area. (an added plus is that the video dudes will get you on your swoop; provided you have one. )

Maybe you can get a tandem jump for yer Whyffo (wife+whuffo.) Only then will she understand....

Sangiro-dude, I noticed the "jump" button after I scrolled down.... I keep pressing it to see if I get to exit altitude, but nothing happens.... I keep getting back to the index! Is there something wrong?? I've already made the 10 minute call and am geared up, then I press the "jump" button.... Okay, I figured it out... guess I shouldn't drink that stuff too early in the morning. :) Just thought I'd lighten it up a little with all the flame throwers going at it. Shark

Alrighty then! Cool out guys and girls! Shoudn't we be putting out a hitman on Mr. Taxdude/IRSman instead?? Come out to our rainy dz and have a beer on me (or pour one on me.) BTW, I always give shit to GHOpr, and he's not bitchin. Shit can flow both ways. Hell, if Baby Huey/Bullwinkle were online he'd be shittin up a storm! Just as he does at the dz. Peace, out. Shark (Agent 99. (thougt the Brownie girls would like that one.))

Once upon a time I had more posts than jump numbers..... My "Enthusiast" or "B" license equivalent can wait, I'm gonna go jump, or at least bring the drunks more beer at El Snore. GH sez it should be good beer (in bottles) since the German chicks will be departing soon to the homeland. Any suggestions? I have a 1/2 before I pull chocks... FFF, we'll save you a beer. And, Skybytch, can you bail on SQ1 to hang? L8

Second fvckin weekend in row that we will have rain.... I haven't jumped since President's Day! (That's almost two weeks, right??) And get this, the rain is supposed to last for 5 days. :-(

Skybytch, What was the canopy load factor?? Shark (still awaiting a huge Spectre 190 for the Frankenrig)

Well, come to think of it, I could pay off my student loan that was established in the mid '80s..... Naaaaah! More skydiving stuff! And get this....I pawned my old laptop (new $2k) for $200 and bought a ProTrack! BTW, since the original post I still have not completed my taxes. (actually haven't started yet.) But, I may since we are expecting more rain here in SoCal.