Shark

Congratulations!

Check your logbook. Your JM should have noted it. It doesn't sound like your instructor is doing his job. Before you even finish AFF you should probably have an idea what size parachute you are jumping. Do know what size and make your reserve is?

Godwin must also claim the DNC...

1.2 at 20 jumps?! What has been the smallest canopy you've jumped to this point? You shouldn't need radio at this level and if you need it to jump this canopy you should ask yourself if it is a wise decision in the first place.

...and how will this test your knowledge? With so many AFF-Is, S&TAs, & DZOs that lurk here I'm surprised that you'd admit that. Then again, may be you are one of the aforementioned. They've changed this year so you'll have to obtain them illegally again.

Even someone as bright as you could have come up with a better analogy.

So in your opinion we should only use military action as a defensive solution? May be we should do some preemptive ass kissing as sKerry recommends... Exactly. Some see things from one view; try looking at it from the other.

Need another test jumper?

You didn't mention that you were relaxed in the tunnel... Yeah, me too. Just don't freak me out.

Interesting that you mentioned this. Skydive Elsinore is now hosting a fun sport accuracy competition held on the first Sunday of each month. 2 jumps, with an open and intermediate class. Judges are may also provide coaching and advice.

49% of the big-way may have similar views as you. So we don't let the other 51% dock? Ask your buddies... then again, that 51% may funnel your fun. Make it a hybrid even.

I'm sure Clinton has already watched it...at least once.

I second that, although folks were pretty helpful with me, I paid for SDU. There is a gap in between AFF and A license that can leave students in limbo and they can't even jump with other skydivers to learn anything. Only coaches and almost all of those guys charge. That doesn't make a good intro to the sport for someone just done paying for AFF and contemplating buying a rig. To cap it off I just learned that one of my local DZs won't let coach rated jumpers jump with AFF graduates, you need to be an AFF I . Let's hope that nonsense doesn't spread. Elsinore offers a great post-A license program run by Melanie Curtis of Elsinore Adrenaline. Called The Excel Basic Camp, it is similar to SDU but there is no additional charge for coaching. Just your commitment to learn and have fun. Of course you will be expected to pay for your jumps, but not that of the coaches. I believe Perris also has a 2 way skills camp run by great coaches.

Your suggestion has some merits, and probably will be looked into. I do, however, doubt that it will adopted anytime soon. Large DZs are somewhat locked-in to their type of ISP and may be resistant to change. On a side note, I've noticed that most of our students that have instability problems are typically the ones that are better canopy fliers. It may be due to the fact that they have more time under canopy as well. The freefall problems can be addressed in the wind tunnel. One student commented that he was a parachutist, not a skydiver. He required additional jumps and a couple of tunnel sessions to complete AFF. As both an AFF and tandem instructor I feel most students would benefit more from the AFF program rather than doing several tandems.

Congrats! Just watch out for the little girls!

49% of the big-way may have similar views as you.

Yes.

Most wind tunnels suck.

It appears that most of the Vigil issues are isolated in europe. Why is it that people who complain have never owned, nor operated one? Can't we get unhappy Vigil owners to reply? Everyone here is just slamming them without any personal experience. Gear selection is a personal issue and that's why there are alternatives. Prudent buyers will do their research. FWIW, I have both.

Not necessarily, unless they are just total assholes and/or politico-skygods like some people on here.

While I have discussed this privately with Nick, I will also comment here... I taught his FJC and was on both Level 1 & 2. Other JMs were on his L3. You make some good points, but ultimately it is the AFF-I's responsibility. The tunnel will benefit him more than jumping. Nick can post his results later.

Yep! You are all over those pics, too! There's another roll that they will post soon.

If you haven't had enough yet, here are some pics from the boogie. Better make plans for next year!

Nick, I recommend doing 15 minutes in the tunnel, then doing your Level 3. Mark

John, Well said. We pretty much use the same procedures. I even put up an altitude scale on the board during my FJC. Shark