vtskydivescott

Thanks for all the good advise and comments. Let me start by saying that I am working my butt off trying to loose some weight. I have lost 18lbs so far and want to shoot for another 20lbs. I am somewhat tall so I don't have any drive to get under 205lbs. Currently my fall rate is between 120 - 123mph which I thought was around the norm. If this is true then who's responsibility does it become? Should I be trying to slow down even more or should the smaller skydiver speed up. What is considered a good fall rate. Should that change from DZ to DZ? Stay safe and Blue Skies!!

I am currently jumping at a DZ where the average jumper is around 150 - 180lbs (Some less some more) and I weigh about 235lbs without gear. Everyone has advise but this comes from the 150lbs guys. I just bought a new RW suit from Bev Suits that is pollycotton with cordura booties with the afterburners on them as well to help with fall rate. My average fall rate is around 123mph. I have tried flattening out, cupping to catch air, etc, etc, etc but try cupping air and also making turns and 360's on a formation dive, not very easy. Is it just me or should the smaller guy learn to fly to us bigger guys or wear weights. Why fight gravity, go with it. Any thoughts. Let me know! Thanks!!! Stay safe and Blue Skies!

Hi, You can order direct from the company however you actually get a better deal (Most of the time) going through a dealer such as para-gear or square one etc.. I have bought 2 rigs over the last few years and both times it was cheaper going through a dealer than straight to the company. Seems strange but that is what the deal is. If you go with a dealer, they can add all canopies, AAD, and anything else you want. Last rig I bought, I got it from Sonic at the Ranch Pro Shop and he gave me a great deal and it came to me fully assembled and ready to jump. Hope this helps. Stay safe and Blue Skies!!

I have jumped on a Sabre 1 when learning to jump which was a good canopy and my first canopy that I bought was a brand new Sabre 2 210 however after 1 season I decided to sell my gear and go with a complete Aerodyne setup. So Glad I did!! My Sabre2 was ok but I got popped a few times and a lot of the times it would turn on me durning opening. I have only had the pilot for a couple of months but regardless of good or "bad" pack jobs it is consistantly opening smoothly and on heading. I am a big guy and it still is soft and smooth when opening. Nice!! Different flare than the Sabre2 but once you find where it is, it is easy to land. I wanted a reliable canopy with great openings and I got it. You can still do high performance stuff on it but just have to add a little more to it than with the Sabre but thats ok with me. Safety and consistancy first! :)

I bought my brand new Icon over the winter of 2006 / 2007. I owned a new Mirage G4 before that and rented a Javelin before that and I have to say the Icon is the most comfortable out of all 3 rigs. I liked my Mirage too but if you wore it for any longer than 3 minutes waiting for the plane it would start to feel bulky and wear on my sholders a bit. When I got my Icon, I wore it for around 20 - 30 minutes around the house and I forgot I even had it on...Very nice!! I would certainly get another one above all the others. I love the pin protection in freefall. Works great for RW, Sit, Head down etc.. I paid $5000 for it and this included the hip rings (Standard) and added the chest rings and did custom colors etc... All for $5000.00 Compare the others where they ask for extra for hook knife, chest rings, hip rings etc...this is a good deal!!

I jumped from 3K and it seemed low to me but that was when I first started out. I prefer to jump out high, I love the fall. Sometimes I am out at 13K and pull right away. Really nice at sunset to see the sun go down etc... It's about 15 - 20 minutes just floating around up there enjoying the scene.....However if the pilot said get out, I am gone at 1,ooo feet.

Hey all, I want to know where all the big people go to jump. I weigh around 220 and almost everyone I jump with is about half my size which makes it a little hard to do RW's. We can make it work by me cupping air and others sometimes using weight vests but what a pain. Don't get me wrong, I have been busting my ass on losing weight (30lbs so far) but I doubt if I will ever be under 200lbs. Sometimes feels like a lot of pressure is put on you for being a big person, is this the overall concensus or should it really matter! Anyway....I am glad to be in the air any possible moment I get. Stay safe everyone and Blue Skies!!

I bought my first Bev suit (RW) about a year ago, BEST one I ever had. This season I purchased freefly pants from there and they were great too. This month I am purchasing a camera suit from Bev. Can't wait to try it out. Awesome job Bev, keep it up! Blue Skies!!!

The Mirage G4 was my first rig after I got off student status. I have around 125 jumps on it. I bought it brand new. I love the wide padded leg straps, very comfortable under canopy. Cons: I have sent the rig back 3 times due to stitching issues. They seem to fray on my rig around the reserve handle and down near the leg straps. A buddy of mine jumps a G3 and has the same issues with his. Even though I like the rig I am researching new rigs, possibly the Icon from Aerodyne.