Blink

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Posts posted by Blink

  2. This is an interesting story because I had a friend who broke his back while jumping in the US. He had all of his expenses covered by his healthcare from Canada.

    I also spent a few months living in the US a few years ago and contacted our healthcare provider to check and see if I would be covered. They said absolutely, as long as I was not going to be there for more than 6 months I think. I just had to inform them when I left and when I returned.

  3. Quote

    If you don't have US citizenship or permanent resident alien status (a/k/a "green card"), please, please be sure your visa, entry status, whatever, expressly permit you to be employed in the US before you do any kind of instructing in exchange for ANY kind of compensation - money, jumps, room/board, anything. If you run afoul of this and get caught, it's a violation of US immigration laws, and you could easily find yourself with a lifetime ban from ever entering the US again. So be very careful.



    Thanks for your concern! Fortunately, I married a US citizen and after a load of paperwork I was awarded a Green card, and am allowed to work here (I currently am).


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    The most important question; did you bring beer?



    Thanks for the reminder! I certainly will when I get out there my first time.


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    Buy Health Insurance...



    Also a good point!

  5. Hey All,

    I tried doing a search on this, but nothing useful came up.

    I moved to the US last summer and haven't made a jump since I've been here (mainly due to lack of transportation), but I am going to try and make it out this summer.

    In Canada I had a C license, and 600 jumps. I know I will need USPA membership, but are my licenses valid or do I need to apply for USPA licenses?

    Thanks!

  7. Quote

    Stainless steel hardware is simply a look good option imo.
    Articulation, i.e hip rings, pillow reserve ripcord and all important freefly mod [elastic between leg straps]. are imo options worth considering.



    Actually, I would recommend against pillow reserve handle for the time being. Being new you should stick to what is familiar (stainless handle). It provides a more positive/easy manner of extraction.

  10. Quote

    Should have thrown one of their executives out a window every 3 days. When it gets close to your turn, you're motivated.



    Thank you for the mature, informative post.

    Do you honestly think they weren't motivated? They had continual efforts put forth to improve the matter, they might not have worked, but they tried.

    People are so ignorant and arrogant it's amazing...

  11. I don't know what's wrong with Aerodyne's website? I've been on it frequently recently considering an Icon as my next rig. I love their website, very easy to navigate, and answered nearly all my questions. The only question it didn't answer was about pull-out systems, and within a few hours I had one of the nicest, most informative replies from a manufacturer.

    Also, I jump a Javelin, so I'm not bias towards Aerodyne.

    P.S. Cut in laterals won't change how well you freefly, I've done 500 jumps without em and I can fall just like my friends with em.

  13. I'll second Brian Germain's book, "The Parachute And It's Pilot" http://www.amazon.com/Parachute-Its-Pilot-Ultimate-Ram-Air/dp/0977627721/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1278735954&sr=8-4. It will answer most questions you could have any canopy piloting.

    Something else I'd recommend is a Brian Germain canopy course, you get plenty of aerodynamic details, as well as practical coaching.

  16. Quote

    Ok..... so what everyone else said is great advice but I have an Altitron and it is my primary altimeter. The fact is that I love it! It is very easy to read and has been very reliable. I have used it for a year and a half now. I like my altimeter on the underside of my wrist while freeflying (just a preference) so it works out well for this. The display is huge and easy to read as well. That's my .02



    I don't own one, but I did borrow one while L&B was replacing my broken VISO with a new FREE one. I really like it, maybe moreso than my VISO because of the large screen. I would not hesitate to jump one. I've never dealt with their customer service so I can't comment on that.

  17. Quote

    Quote

    Freefly:
    Cons:

    Requires two-action pull (down, then out)



    My experience:
    My rig has a freefly hackey (normal hackey with tuck tab). In about 800 jumps I've never used two motions to extract it. It really doesn't feel any different at pull time, at least for me.



    Agreed. Mine has a velcro strip and requires no additional movements (unless I've been doing it wrong for the past 500 jumps...).

  19. My middle name is Andy (Andrew), does that count?

    On a related note, new materials are being developed known as smart materials or shape memory alloys. When heat is applied, or a current is passed through, the object resorts to previous shape.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsBHF_j2FJ4

    All we need is out canopy wired with a connect, hook it up when we land and through carefully controlled current, the main packs itself, voila. ;)

  21. Quote

    I know exactly how you feel. I am doing 90s on my Sabre2 (only loaded at about 1.3)...

    ...I have been recommended to move to a Katana so I can increase my initiation altitude a bit and hold the dive easier.

    Good luck and stay safe!



    So you're already flying over the recommended wingoading, and people are recommending a Katana? Who, is this some hot shot 100 jump wonder, or it is a an instructor? If you can't swoop your Sabre2, then you've got no business being on a Katana.

    I've got a Sabre2 and can hold it in a dive for 720* before the riser pressure is too much. A few tips to help, make sure you're flying in deep brakes before your turn. As soon as your ready, let up fully on the brakes and start the turn, the pressure will be non existent. If you see you're too high, slow the turn down.
    Also, harness turns can be used to turn the parachute without distorting the tail and slowing it down. Also, go to the gym and do chin ups and pull ups.

    I hope you take your own advice (stay safe) and continue learning on the Sabre2, it is a great wing and swoops nicely.

  22. Quote

    Seems silly to think that's "just as good" when it's easier, requires fewer steps and and you don't have to reach up around your pack job when you cock the p/c earlier. The simplest way with no down side is the more correct of the two ways. Unless you can show me a definite advantage to doing it your way, I stand by my earlier statement.;)



    Actually, had you read my post, you'd know I said that I cock it before it goes in the bag.

    I was only pointing out there is more than one way to skin the cat.

    Just because you do it one way, doesn't make it the best way. People that have been doing it for years might be better/faster doing it that way.

    If I bag my canopy by psycho packing it, and it takes slightly longer, but in the end, it's the same result, am I doing it wrong? No.

    Is flat packing a canopy wrong just because it's slower and different? No.