Steffro

Thanks so much, everyone, for all of your replies and suggestions! It's been incredibly informative. I feel like I can go to her now presenting a more complete picture of the considerations. I've also got food for thought to bring back to my DZ. As for the would-be student, she will be doing a tandem this weekend (because she just can't wait!) while some of her friends are participating in AFF. With all of the input I've been given and the taste of jumping she's about to receive, we'll be able to make a more informative decision about the where to go next. I really can't thank you all enough, and I will keep you posted as to the outcome. -Steph

Programmer- Great suggestion. We are several hours away from the nearest tunnel, but I will certainly suggest it. skybeergodd- I did not consider the fact that her arms might only allow a half-flare. I don't know if she has the strength needed to flare properly. Thanks for bringing that up! monkycndo- I agree with you about the risers. Having her purchase her own would be beneficial to all those involved. We would still have to modify the reserve risers though, I think. Thanks to everyone for the suggestions and comments!

Hi AndyMan, I don't know my tandem gear that well, but I believe tandem toggles are longer, with an extra handle or loop and the bottom portion is generally tacked to the riser by a snap. I think a longer toggle would work well unless she dropped one or both of them. They then would trail behind out of her reach. That was one of our concerns so we thought we should just move the toggle settings down the risers, but doing that keeps the canopy in brakes even when released. And that's what brought us to the conclusion that we might need to extend the brake lines too. Please let me know if I've missed your point or am missing something regarding the the tandem toggle. Thanks! -Steph

That's a great idea, Wendy! And if your suggestion is old-school, I guess that makes us old-school, too. I neglected to say in the previous post, if we moved the handle to the front, it would be with the use of a ripcord and spring-loaded PC.

Thanks, Peek! And thanks to those of you who have sent PMs! Most of those PMs have asked why not just put her in a smaller rig, so I though I would give a little more info: We were actually able to put her in our smallest student rig. It snugged down just fine and her torso size isn't the biggest problem. It's her reach. Her arms are in the 14" range and she can't reach the PC handle without turning to do so, which of course would be, ummm, not good. She would also have trouble reaching the toggles. My hope was to find a rig that already exists rather than modifying a new one. I don't want the cost to be prohibitive to her, but modification would include at minimum both sets of risers with toggle placement, adding break line length and finding a short, squat rig or moving the handle around to the front, possibly using an SOS handle instead. I appreciate everyone's views and opinions, so if you think of anything else we should consider, possible avenues to look, or maybe just want to tell me I'm nuts, please post or PM! C'mon, help a girl out!

Greetings! I've recently been given a challenge in the form of a 4'0", 80lb student. I realize that in order to make AFF a possibility for her, not only do we need to obtain gear that fits and she can operate, but we also need to consider how she will fly because of her stature. She is well-proportioned and has no physical restrictions beyond being very small, thereby giving her a shorter reach. I've searched the forums and (heaven forbid) the web, and have been unable to come up with anything serious regarding this subject. If I missed some search terms and anyone knows of a link, would you please share? Also, if you or anyone you know have experienced a situation similar to this, would you please ask them to contact me? Thanks so much for your time and consideration! Stephanie AFF/I

PM Sent.

"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, loudly proclaiming…'WOW! What a ride!'" -Anonymous Or, perhaps this quote would be more appropriate in one of the injury threads Steph

Brownie- I just want to know how you got your hands on an extra 5K?! Was great seeing you at BD! Maybe again around Christmas in MI. Stephi