blackfox

you should include a weather and winds aloft section,

As a new jumper I had never heard of the first man sets the pattern idea, so it really confused me when all of a sudden people were landing in the opposite direction as planned, as part of the confusion and distraction i misjudged my landing distance requirement and ended up fracturing my ankle, dropzones need to "plan better" and not assume that everyone knows everything, canopy and landing trainning probably needs improvement and stronger uspa trainning requirments

well thanks for the advice everyone Im probably not going to take the job

I'm moving to San Diego soon, and would like to know if there any good places to live, or if there are any areas to stay away from? I'm hoping to find a roommate or a place to live for about $400-500. I've heard San Diego can be an expensive place to live. I have a job offer at a non-profit environmental consulting company for about $27,000/year. My family thinks I'm crazy for relocating for such a low paying job, but I think my family is just holding me back. I trust the opinions here more than my family. Anyone have advice for living in San Diego? Is everything in San Diego overly expensive? Is $27,000/year enough to live there?

I can't wait for these videos, I liked when DSE did the interviews, I think we all really appreciate the effort that is put into these videos and it's the only way a lot of us get to be a part of PIA. So thanks in advance.

if anyone has pictures of custom symbols it would be great to see some.

I wonder if flying a 7 cell, like a Spectre hurts your future canopy pilot skill progression?

When I flew a Spectre a few years ago, it seemed that if I tucked my legs up and flared right above the ground, I could get kinda a small swoop several feet across the ground, that ended in a small pickup at the end of the flare, that was incredibly fun. Has anyone else experienced similar landing characteristics? Is this typical of a 7 cell low powered flare? Why would someone want more flare which results in a boring tiptoe landing?

Hey your in luck buddy, I live in Arlington TX and im a rigger, you could really just get anyone to take the measurement, but i'd be happy to help you out anyways, It looks like your going to UTA which is good because I am too, if you want I could meet you somewhere on campus. -Joe Mowery

this is not going to cost as much as your all are so worried about, no more than a USPA membership, and the only ones who would have to pay would be riggers, and let me remind you that it would be an optionable certification look at all the things that USPA has done for skydiving and it only cost you $50 a year. To complain about cost it absurd.

I saw it on tv recently, and my dad says "now theres something you could use" I tried not to laugh to hard. Silly legs

As it is now the FAA could not release control even if they wanted to because no alternative system is in place. But if there was another system it would be possible to influence the FAA and slowly over time take certain responsibilities away from them. As we have seen with the recently pack life extension the FAA can be swayed if we have good data and widespread consensus. That is what a rigger assosiation would provide.

A DPRE has no power to do anything in this situation because packing a square is not a requirement by the FAA

some people have made some good points, perhaps PAI is not the best organization to certify rigger, the USPA would be a better choice, actually an even better option would be to create a rigger organization. PIA represents businesses USPA represents jumpers __?__ represents riggers we should create one Association of Parachute Riggers (APR) or Parachute Rigger and Regulation Association (PRRA) I claim rights to the 2 names above

We all know that the FAA doesn’t really know jack crap about rigging, and yet we let them regulate us. Most of the FAR's are outdated. Lap parachutes have not existed for 50 years yet the FAA still thinks this is a type of parachute. Also you can become certified as rigger by packing rounds and then magically you are allowed to pack ram-air canopies, and vice versa. Not to mention that some containers are really different but apparently if you can pack one you can pack them all. I can continue talking about tandem packing, TSO's, ADD's, ext, but the point is that I think PIA or USPA should give an additional rating so that jumpers know that riggers really know everything they are supposed to know. Rating Idea: Once you have obtained your FAA Rating, then you can obtain a PIA rating. The 6 PIA ratings would be PIA senior rigger (back, chest, seat), and PIA master rigger (back, seat, chest) To obtain the PIA senior rigger certification, a rigger would: 1. Prove that he/she can pack rounds and ram-air canopies 2. Knows how to pack a chute into different containers (javelin, racer, wings) 3. Knows how to assemble the 3 ADD'S and skyhook. Ext.. The USPA used to have a ram-air certification for riggers. Now sure you old-timers might think it’s too much of a hassle but I think it would help young riggers by forcing them to learn more and it would really help jumpers know that their rigger is knowledgeable. Of course I think a PIA rating should be optional, so that those who take the extra effort to prove their knowledge would be rewarded by being able to call themselves PIA Riggers, but those who think it unnecessary could simply stick with their FAA rating. Vote and say why

maybe we could find a way to stick it on a harness, like around the shoulder

why tip, the coaches are geting free tunnel time

the PIA forum is ok but it has its own problems, the point it to make dropzone.com better, why would you want to force riggers to go to a different website, riggers play a preaty important role in skydiving, I dont think its asking to much to give them an area to talk on this website.

I agree having 2 magnets in a slider could be a serious problem since they would almost certainly stick together when packed and at the critical moment when the slider is first exposed to air. One magnet in a slider could be ok, but its going to add weight to the slider. The benefits dont outweight the risks.

I really agree we should separate these into 2 separate threads. The gear section is great for people wanting to who what gear to buy, but as a rigger I would really appreciate a thread that is fully dedicated to rigging techniques, manuals, tutorials. Riggers in the US are spread out thinly across many states, currently there is not much communication happening and it is often difficult to meet in person. We need a section in this forum, separate from all the people asking nagging questions about gear.

There is a different between making your first skydive and being a skydiver. I think your a skydiver after your officially certified by USPA with an A License. Also I think you need to be currently jumping, and own your own gear. Consider other sports: Are you a basketball player because you shoot one basket? No. You are a basketball player after you have played several games and live the lifestyle of a basketball player. So if you have not jumped in about a year, or sold all your gear, or are a 25 jump chump, the thing to tell people is that you have gone skydiving. but thats just my opinion

sometimes teams put their name on the tube, so in that case it would be better for the tube to not spin so that the camera can read what is written on the tube more clearly on the other hand it seams like a spinning tube could be better because it might stay slightly more ridged

it was cheap and looked nice online, but the coating started to crack after about 15 jumps, ive been really careful with it, ive never dropped it or anything, but just from the tiny bit of stretch that is required to put it on has caused cracks, i wish i would have paid a little more for something nicer. Also the inner liner is only attached with hot glue and i noticed as soon as i got it that the edges of the liner were peeling away. This helmet has been discontinued by the manufacturer for a reason.

Ive been a senior rigger for the past 2 years and ill be moving to texas around oct 08, I may not be the most experienced person yet, but ive been learning a lot and will be looking for some work when I get to texas, I should be around skydive dallas.

like the USPA , the BPA has it own magazine called the "Skydive The Mag" you can subscribe to this magazine OR you can read many of its educational articles online for free The free articles - http://www.bpa.org.uk/skydive/pages/issuesindex.htm The Magazine - www.skydivemag.com Enjoy -Joe