sraja

Was out at the tunnel in NH and thought I'd drop a note about how pleased I was with the facility, instructors and general ambience. Positives 1. Huge tunnel space - as big as any I have seen 2. Very friendly instructors - Thanks Selwyn, gave me back fly coaching 3. Very very very silent - I can hear all the other tunnels from a mile away. I couldnt believe I was standing next to a powerful wind tunnel while in the parking lot at Skyventure NH. 4. New and nice equipment 5. Cheaper compared to the other tunnels (or atleast that was my feeling) No negatives!! Thanks Skyventure NH - I promise to return soon.

I just wanted to mention something - its upto you to make whatever you want of it - last year SDC had 60+ students take their AFP first jump course. 30 graduated before the end of season (including me) - many others will continue when the new season begins. And when comparing I found the AFP to be a bit more on the expensive side compared to other AFF courses out there. Now, I am not going to compare my knowledge / skill level against someone else who underwent training via Static Line but I had 22 solo landings, 24 freefalls, 3 packjobs monitored by an instructor before I truly went airborne without anyone. Other students had similar stats as well. Make what you want of the above facts. As for the environment - I feel truly at home with my new family. I have never been belittled or made to feel insignificant. I dont have gear yet and jump a huge ass student rig (Sabre 2 230, wingloading of 0.88). People with 2000+ (or 100+) jumps are always eager to jump with me and one instructor - Wade - teaches me everything he knows for free and records them on video as well (I just pay for his jump tickets). I dont know if the outcome would have been different if I learnt elsewhere - but I can honestly say I continued with my course (inspite of repeating levels 5 times) because I learnt at SDC (which also has the reputation of being a large commercial dropzone).

Jig 3 Options to consider 1. Tunnel time - go for this, have fun and correct your problems with freefall. Also reorient yourself to the sensation of freefall 2. Check out a Static Line program - Cheaper and allows you to focus on one thing at a time. Someone here earlier mentioned getting their complete A license for $700. I think it was at Skydive Wissota in Wisconsin, but there are centers in NJ too 3. Definetly try a different DZ - sometimes the change is all you need. I am biased towards Skydive Chicago but whatever works for you. Best Wishes!!!

Just like selling anything else - no special laws about selling parachutes. Though like everyone else here has recommended - if you do not know the right value of the item, do take the help of a FAA certified rigger to ascertain the same.

I am a noobie but I'll respond just to share my perspective. Not really, I dont see attribute the personal nature of a person to their chosen hobby or profession. People are who they are because of themselves. One thing I do realize amongst skydivers is that they are more fun and open to ideas. I guess when we take the risk of jumping out of a plane - a few other risky things in life dont seem like that much of a big deal. Sadly I have driven away some of my whuffo friends. My non-stop fascination with skydiving has either bored them or made them think that I have gone nuts. I wish I could strike a balance but its just impossible to keep to myself this thrill. Frankly, I dont have more respect for a skydiver than a whuffo but I do have more admiration for a talented skydiver because I understand the complexity, danger and skill levels required by the sport. I love the people in skydiving. I'm new to this country (USA) but in the 4 months I have been in this sport, I have made more friends and closer friends than in the 6 years I've spent in this country. No one treated me as an outsider - just a skydiver. I guess we all realize that being a close knit group we must look out for one another.

Question - unrelated to the story but regarding a plane crash scenario. I would presume that if a plane is going to crash (even if it is a controlled crash) the descent speed is going to be quite high. So lets say the pilot decides the cause is lost at 1100 feet and asks everyone to evacuate. Some of the people at the end are not going to be able to make it out in time so may decide to ride the plane down. Wouldn't their AADs trigger? So even if they survive the plane crash there is a possibility of reserve pilot chutes popping into people's faces and causing some kind of injury correct? Just looking for thoughts on this - not trying to debate the right bailout altitude which has been debated in several threads across this forum. Thanks.

I did all my student jumps on a Sabre 2 230. I had the same problem. Initially I thought it was due to body position but then it happened even when I pitched in a very stable position. I asked my rigger and he told me its because of the way air fills into the canopy. Mine would swing me left at first and then swing me to the right. What I do now is immediately grab the rear risers and use it to control my heading.

Just a note - the 100ft cutaway was with a base rig for reserve - slider down. The normal skydiving reserve is different.

How long before you can sit in a Cessna on the ride upto altitude? I think I broke my tailbone, but I was hoping the winter season of 2 months would be sufficient to get me back jumping in March even with a mild discomfort. But what I am reading here doesnt look very positive. - Stupid me! I deserve this punishment for being lazy!!

Being the first DZ I visited outside my home DZ, I loved this place. The ride upto altitude is awesome and so is the view in freefall and under canopy. My initial fear of landing on the ocean proved to me unfounded as the ocean is something like 3-4 miles away. The outs include a golf course but it really is hard to miss such a huge landing area unless you had a really bad spot. Staff were friendly and courteous and rental suits / helmets are excellent too. The packing area can get a bit cramped especially during a busy boogie but other positives balance out. They have team rooms for rental and the camping area is plenty too. The fun jumpers are really outgoing and there is a lot of fun stuff to do in the vicinity. Recommend this place to anyone.

My stupid stunt came on jump #27 - tired of walking across a huge landing area, I decided to land close on my third jump of the trip. I was the last canopy in air since I normally pull high - neverthless, there were a lot of people in the landing area picking up their gear and I had never before landed in a crowded area. In trying to be careful and avoid people, I missed the ground. My flare was too late - my tailbone is bruised and so is my ego. I will never forget Golden rule #2 - Land Safe, not close.

21 AFP jumps + 2 Tandems - $2705 (note I repeated level 4, 5 times level 3 twice - so remove 99 x 5 and the cost goes down to 2200) Tunnel time + coaching - $400 Trip to AZ tunnel - $500 1 solo jump with rental gear - $51 -------------------------------------- Total training & jump expenses - $3656 Altimeter - $100 (alti-2) + $150 (optima audible) Gloves & Goggles - $50 Helmet (Oxygen full face) - $295 Balaclava - $20 Rig (Fully loaded Vector 3 + 2 new canopies) - $6700 --------------------------------------- Total Gear Cost - $7315 Miscellaneous - Beer & Gasoline - $500 (I have a SUV and 2 hour drive to the DZ one way) Net result - empty pocket but satisfied soul!!

I already called them and spoke to the manifest. Just looking for feelers from the people who might be jumping there everyday. (ofcourse neither manifest nor dz.commers can predict the weather or human mindset)

Thanks Wendy. Would you happen to have any idea of the amount of activity going on there? It would be disappointing to show up and be grounded because every one else has taken off for the holidays. Thanks a lot.

Hello In search of warmer jumping weather this winter, I am planning to travel to Skydive Spaceland for Christmas. Can any one please provide details of near by hotels or motels? How far is the DZ from Houston airport (IAH)? Thanks in advance

I am not a very experienced jumper but I have 23 jumps on a Sabre 2 230 from my student jumps. I've had one hard (relatively) opening and on the topic of heading, what I normally notice is that my canopy opens on heading, snivels and then turns around as the end cells inflate. I asked some experienced people at my DZ about it and they asked me to watch the canopy as it inflates. Sure enough, almost always the left end cells inflate first and then the right end cells thus causing a turn. As soon as I pump the toggles the canopy stabilizes and maintains heading. These were all flat packed by the DZ packer.

From skydivingfatalities.info

RR #1 - Jump #13, AFP level 6 - Brake lock. The canopy sniveled and opened fine but a slow turn to the left. As I tried to undo the left brake, I found the canopy to turn faster as I yanked on the brake. At 3000' decided it wasn't worth it and pulled the cutaway pouch. Even before I could throw it away, the reserve was fully inflated over my head - thank you skyhook.

Ha!Ha! Just got it yesterday! I tried one sit fly exit and found myself on my back - that was enough. I am going to practice it in the tunnel and then try it in the sky. But for now, next 300 odd jumps are going to be spent perfecting belly and canopy accuracy skills. Any idea how long (in general) it takes to land like a PRO rated parachutist?

Did 4 jumps today - bringing my total tally to 23 jumps but most importantly, I passed my AFP. The front flips and barrel rolls were weird and the sit fly was crazy (I tried it for 10 seconds and decided it wasn't working out so flipped back on my belly) but the challenge dive (level 14) spooked me a bit. Finally, got my free graduation jump which was a long tracking dive. Woohoo! 2 more jumps to my A license and the journey that began with my first tandem on September 9 has taken a sweet turn. I was pretty close to giving up after repeating level 4 four times - I didn't ever imagine that I'd finish this season. Oh well, jumping in the cold dressed up like a ninja helped a bit :) I can still smell all the beer from the party last night - and feel the hangover as well. Thanks to everyone at Skydive Chicago - I don't think I will feel as comfortable as I do here anywhere else. A big thanks to my coaches and the people who kept encouraging me all the way.

Ha!Ha! Dan - you are quite welcome! I didnt realize I was adding to your problems - but regardless, let me assure you that when I had to do my EPs for my cutaway, I had no fear only anger that my stupid canopy wasn't performing as expected. And when I landed the reserve, I didnt realize the fear of the situation until people in the hangar started asking me about my cutaway. Some people even suggested I get back on the next load after a cutaway to get over the fear / anxiety and I did - I am glad I did. For your other questions, 1. Absolutely normal to have fear. That is why I did not purchase the AFP as a set, instead I kept purchasing each level as I cleared the earlier one thinking this was the last level I was going to do and then I am done. Somehow, I could never get over the thrill and fun and here I am - still skydiving. After 10 jumps, I began looking forward to the door opening and getting out. I still hate the ride up and can't wait to be the first one out of the door. 2. Every time I am at the DZ, I look for excuses not to jump. But then when our instructors walk in, I begin to get pumped up and excited and the excuses dont matter. 3 & 4. I am not going to say much since I am a student too and what works for me may not work for you. However the tunnel will help to get you a stable hover during pull time. It did for me. 5. The season isn't over yet. If you are ready to jump in the cold, many instructors would be too. I am not leaving this place until I finish the remaining 3 jumps in my program. Though I may look like a ninja in the sky with only my eyes exposed. On the rear diving exit, you know how much I hate it. I told you that. But luckily, Dave kept making me do them because when you do formation jumps, rear diving exit is the most important tool. Now even though I am not good at it, I am going to keep performing rear diving exits until I get it right and get comfortable with it. You know my number, call me to talk if you want. I am going to be at the DZ this weekend, hope to see you there.

Hello Kris Thanks for pointing this out - I will request my instructor to tape my landings so we can better examine the situation. I will also explain my current landing approach to him and learn from what he has to say. He has asked me to begin aiming for the peas from my next jump - accuracy landing is one of my main goals. One thing though, and you can probably advise on this, even when I am flaring from my ears on downwards the amount of flare I get makes my canopy kinda 'swoop'. In other words, I get enough of a lift at the end of my flare that I can sense it. I am a tall person, 6'2" with very long arms. Maybe it makes no difference and the approach is still incorrect but thought I'd share this with you. Thanks

Hello Karl I will definetly consider evaluating the Pilot as well. I think the store at SDC does have some Pilots for demo, if not I will get in touch with you. Justin, Bill and Doug - thank you for your inputs. I sincerely appreciate it. Thanks

Hello No real reason why I make my landing approach with brakes at my ears. I am talking about the last 200-250'. I think its partly a psychological comfort that I am slowing down the canopy a bit before touch down (maybe I am - I don't know for sure). During my first few jumps I flew in the canopy in full glide but I couldnt time the flare correctly. This technique seems to work well for me - do you think I am doing something wrong? Thanks

Hello I am planning to purchase a new canopy once I complete my AFP program and get my A license (which is about 4 jumps away). Currently I am on a Sabre 2 230. I have been standing up 7 out of 8 landings and have also had one reserve ride on a PD 218 (stood it up). My instructor recommended I go for the Safire 2 209. Before which I will be trying out a Sabre 2 210 and also demoing the Safire 2 209. My exit weight is approx. 205 I searched these forums but most of the posts are on Safire and not Safire 2. Questions - 1. Anyone got a Safire 2 off student status? What was your experience with it? 2. Anyone transition from a Sabre 2 to a Safire 2? I find the Sabre 2 quite nice to land. I make my landing approach with brakes at my ears and then about 7-8 feet I make the full flare. Will this approach work on a Safire 2? 3. How does Safire 2 209 handle turbulence? The Sabre 2 is bumpy but now i am used to it and dont get scared by that. Apologize for asking so many questions, probably many of these will be answered when I demo but I thought I'd get the opinion of others as well. Thanks