batman134

Actually 2/27-3-1....Thanks

Sorry to be a bit off topic, but....... Very new to the tunnel thing, but will be in Orlando evenings of Feb 28th-Mar 1st (3 nights) Any instructors wanna take me thru as far as I can progress in three evenings? Have around 500 skydives, almost all belly....wanna do more. PM me or post on here. Thanks.

Agreed. Seems a lot of people genuinely seek info here, but some are simply bored, or do not do a search before starting a new thread on a topic already beaten to death.......Then again, it doesn't cost anything, and no harm done, glad he's interested. Still sticking by my "get good coaching" deal.

Dude.....on another thread you stated that you read Brian Germain's book on canopy control. Was there not enough info and things to get familiar with under canopy, that now you're ready to think about swooping? Forty jumps? Please get GOOD coaching, and take it slow.

Thirty nine jumps, 184 posts? Seriously? A lot of people have benefitted from Brian's advice, and interest in the sport. Have bought a couple old Jedeis, and he gave me invaluable advice when I asked. (FOR FREE). Like all good teachers, I think he gets more from giving. Maybe think twice before chastising someone with as much experience, and knowhow as Brian, especially on an international forum.

OK, done the search, and since Cypres is tried and true, that's the route I'm going. I know about the firings under heavily loaded canopies on aggressive, no...really aggressive approaches, and that won't be me, so I'm going with the standard. Thanks for the reference to the search.

Got out of skydiving a few years ago...am back now. Bought some used gear. When I left, Cypres was "it". Any valid opinions on the other AADs that are out now? I imagine thet all work, but have they been out long enough to be trusted. Am interested in some folks' opinions before I buy. Also, it seems you have to pay retail for a Cypres. Is that true with the others? Thanks

By the time you get to fifty jumps it won't matter which route you took. If you can make 100-200 jumps in the year following your "A" license, nobody else will be able to tell either. That said, save the wear and tear on your car, gas money, and certain fatigue you'll endure going to and from the farther DZ. Build a rapport with the folks at the closer DZ, as you'll most likely elect to jump there on the weekends. (Assuming you've checked them out, and all is on the up and up safety wise, etc...) Learn from the folks you'll be jumping with when you're an "up jumper". If you can afford to get into the sport, a $600 savings won't really seem to matter much in the long run. Just my 2 cents.

Sounds amazing. Maybe not this year or the next, but if they're planned a year or so in advance, and the monies are secure, as in refundable if the whole thing cancells for whatever reason, I'd look into it. Heard the South Pole is pretty too. Maybe just thinking of the Continent itself. Penguins, small fishing villages, etc... Babbling now, but sure am glad folks have the wherewithall to organize such events or opportunities.

Been through all the same routine with Sunpath. Went to their website. Tried emails, and then phone calls. No answer from either. Been 2 months ago! Too much competition out there for that crap. I will NEVER buy another Javelin, and make a point to let others know.

Buy what you like if it's new. If you EVER think you'll sell it make BLACK the dominant color. What the hell were we thinking in the 90s with all that crap?! Well, that's what we'll be saying a few years from now with all the stuff coming out now. Container-Black, Main-whatever you want, it'll wear out 1st anyway, Reserve-who cares. Jumpsuit-it'll really only fit you anyway. I've looked at a lot of rigs lately, and most are plain ugly. Who can't get use to basic black though???

A lot of the reviews on here sound like advertisements. Great if you're truly happy with your gear, and even better if you have owned a few, so there is some comparison. But...here's the review on my Javelin. Bought it used, is a safe, functional, middle of the road rig. That said, I have contacted them via email once, and voicemail twice with a rigging question. That was over a month ago. Contacted Relative Workshop (actually they changed their name, but I cannot recall what it is now.) I haven't owned one for over 10 years, but got a human being on the phone immediately, and was eager to help!!! Next rig will be a Vector. Check out their Skyhook video.

Emailed Brian Germain at BIG AIR, and he's re-lining mine for $275, including shipping. Need to give him advance notice though. He gets the line sets from PD. Basically the same set he came up with for the Samurai.

A lot of really bad pilots in skydiving. Some just lack experience. That said, there a few REALLY good ones. Mike Mullins for instance...and a few others. If your pilot is riding the horn on takeoff/climbout, he/she is not maximizing the performance of the aircraft, wasting fuel, and I fear may be one that would elect to turn back to the runway, stall/spin/crash, rather than take a belly first landing in the trees. (Surviveable) As a pilot, I realize that some are in it because they love it, some are building time, and some have skils lacking, or personalities that are not condusive to getting better paying flying jobs. My main concern, it seems, is their ability to handle any emergency, and affording the lowest risk outcome. Do the timebuilders that are "checked out" in a King Air know the pitch attitude to achieve Vyse (one engine out) when they're at max gross weight? Do they realize that it'll be a boot full of rudder, and the aelirons, or rather the overuse of such will kill everyone on board. I think that the proficient pilots out there won't be offended, and I commend their professionalism, but perhaps the "checkout procedures, and recurrent training" need some kind of self imposed industry standard. Just because someone gets a multi-engine rating in a Piper Seminole, doesn't mean he/she could handle a full blown emergency in a turbine. (Yet according to the FAA, they're qualified.) Just my two cents, and I welcome constructive criticism. ATP, Chief Pilot, Corporate

I'll add another to the "YES" column. First mal, resulted from instability...of course. Spinning on my back, pull time came...threw the main, baglock...stood me up...cutaway, and deployed the reserve, uneventful landing. I would have had at a minimum, (I believe) line twists on the reserve, if it were not for the drag of the d-bag standing me up. You've got two, and if you have time, (and you should) use the first to give your second a better chance.