sraja

Hello I will be moving to Seattle area later next year from Chicago and would like to request advise from local jumpers on 1. Places to jump actively (I do approx. 100 jumps a year) 2. Best places for freeflying (head down & angle) 3. Availability of organizers Thanks in advance

1. DZ is officially open and operating all days except Wednesday. 2. Whether you can jump is entirely weather dependent. If you are there on a weekend, you are likely to find a few fun jumpers and tandems. If the weather is above 65F, the fun jumper population will be higher. 3. Cabins are available for rent - recommended as frost is common at night and evenings. 4. The skylounge will be open for dinner and drinks over the weekend Have fun!

There was an attempt to build a 16 or 18 way head down POPS formation at Summerfest this year. If I am not mistaken it was organized by Olav Zipser but it did not build. I think it built up to a 14 or 15 and then someone had a premature deployment...

I have a trailer for anyone interested 2 separate beds (almost like two rooms) Air conditioning Refrigerator Right behind the showerhouse (so no long walks in the morning) Walking distance from Tiki bar and Hangar $60 a night - split it with someone else or have it all to yourself.

USD 40 for a jump from 20,000 feet off a Twin Otter. Oxygen masks will be provided and Rook will brief you before the jump. About pre-requisites, I think you need to be B licensed or at the very least B qualified. Check with manifest

I jump with glasses all the time as well and use a Bonehead Havok. It opens up as well under canopy and works just fine.

Holiday Inn is better, Super 8 is just a tad closer. Holiday Inn has eating places as well as Walmart within walking distance

sure - let me know

I can pick you up - let me know when you are arriving - I prefer O'hare since its closer but I can do midway as well.

I do have Trulock toggles - but even then the lines are made of Spectran and are very thin. There is a lot of loose play area and like you stated - no solution is foolproof.

I had my second cutaway today - after normal deployment at 3000 feet, I stowed my slider and was ready to unstow my toggles. At this point, as I was looking for traffic, I blindly reached for my toggles without looking for them. During the course of the opening some of the excess line stow around the left toggle had come loose and was flying around right in front of the toggle - as I reached for the toggle I must have slipped my fingers through the excess line stow and reached for the toggle. As a consequence, when I pulled the toggles loose, the left toggle formed a significant knot involving the brake line, risers and the toggle itself. This is very difficult to undo under canopy with the suspended weight of the jumper - it was pretty difficult to undo even on the ground after recovering the canopy. I cutaway at 1800 feet and was under a reserve by 1600 feet or so. Tips and Lessons: 1. Look for your toggle when reaching them - the excess line stow might be flapping around 2. I learned a different technique to stow the excess lines - while absolutely nothing guarantees that they will not come undone in the future, the chances are reduced. Especially if you have thin lines and wide excess stow area

1) DZ Name Skydive Chicago 2) How many fun jumpers on the weekends visit? 50-60+ 3) How many fun jumpers on the weekdays visit? 10-20 4) Aircraft actively flying? 2 Otters fulltime 5) How many loads per aircraft per weekend day? 35+ 6) How many tandems on the weekends? 200+ 7) How many AFF level 1 in the FJC per an average weekend? 2+ 8) What do the skydivers do in the winter? I see a lot shut down???? go to Florida

There are quite a few CReW dogs on the drop zone - Pilot Dave, Tracy the Rigger or Pilot Jerry - ask around

There is also a cheaper Motel 6 - the rooms are pretty decent and its about 1.5 miles down the road

Thanks John - will check the grommets/line for wear

I think you are probably right - I did ask my packer to give me a little bit of a snively opening on the last few jumps that probably caused it. Thanks

My packer is also a senior rigger

On the last 3 jumps my slider has been consistently stuck and requires a few pumps on the rear risers. I didn't think much of it but I've been thinking now and I should have a chat with the packer to find out if something is wrong with the gear. Anyone have any clues if this is an indication of something wrong or is it just coincidental to have 3 stuck sliders?

I'm hoping you have already shared this with your instructors and gathered their feedback but I noticed one thing and that was at 16 seconds into the movie as you touch the ground you aren't completely flaring your canopy. Your hands are by your waist at 15 seconds and then they back up by your shoulders at 16 seconds. Do discuss with some experienced jumpers / instructors on the correct flaring technique.

I met a sky surfer during the nationals and he was planning to setup a coaching program for wannabe sky surfers using the Paraclete wind tunnel. I am not sure I remember his name but he walked away with the gold last nationals. The tunnel could be a very effective and safe way to learn sky surfing if that does become reality.

I'll be there on Monday 26th but there should be a pretty large crowd throughout the weekend

Ditto!!!!