danornan

Same worded in the coal mines. It was a simple brass tag. All it takes is effort. Dano

The design seems to take something that is simple and make it complicated. I'd still do a pin check ! Dano

I disagree. I have been involved in several DUI road checks and not only are they well advertised but there are turn-offs before the check point. People still drive through who are obviously drunk. Everyone else gets past through unless there are other VERY obvious violations. This happened in Temple Terrace, FL. Results elsewhere may vary.. Dano

I don't think it makes a difference whether the helmet is plastic or carbon fiber. Carbon fiber does look good... My motorcycle helmet, Schuberth, is one of the best, if not the best, and it is plastic and not carbon fiber. Motorcycle helmets are tested and must pass to be certified. I don't think that any skydiving helmets get tested. Dano

I didn't mean to give the impression that I'm still jumping a frap hat - I've been wearing a full-face helmet for the last sixteen years or so, and there's nothing about the frap hat that I miss (well, other than its portability, and that's hardly the top criterion when it comes to choosing gear to protect your head). However, I do think it was worth pointing out that a full-face skydiving helmet's resemblance to a motorcycle helmet shouldn't lull people into thinking that it provides a similar level of protection. As Rob says above, to do so the helmets would need to be significantly heavier and bulkier than they are. I know people who've been knocked unconscious, and who've had facial injuries, even while wearing a full-face helmet and where there was no obvious damage to the helmet itself. I guess the bottom line is, get the best head protection you can, and be careful out there.

I can name several people, in the past few years, who wished that they had been wearing a full face hard helmet vs. the frap hat that they had on. I too, like many in the early days, wore a frap hat, but if you are jumping with others and wish for a safer and quieter skydive, you will put away that frap hat and get a decent full face helmet. It will give you a lot more protection. Dano

I was in a canopy collision at opening and ended up quite a bit below 1,000 feet with a good canopy above my head. The other canopy was wrapped around my risers and threaded between my lines. I hesitated to try and land what I had for fear that the cutaway canopy might inflate during my base-leg/final. I cut it away. My Skyhook opened the reserve so quickly that I had time to unstowed my brakes, avoid the helicopter that was warming up below me and land with one arm. Each situation must be evaluated on it's own merit. Thanks Bill Booth !!!! Dano

My point was that by asking the question, you are not sure, and if you are not sure, the answer is generally no.... When you are ready, you will know and have more confidence in your decision. By the way, the PD will be a lot easier to pack...but the landing will not be as predictable as the ones you are used to. F111 is more porous and it is a lot older and the lines, unless recently replaced will most likely be out of true. Again, the one to ask about a canopy downsizing question, with your experience, is your instructor. If you had several, ask them all. Dano

By asking the question, I think you already know the answer. This is not the place for that answer though. Ask your instructor.. Dano

I don't think you will be disappointed at Z-Hills. This is the winter season and there are plenty of airplanes, skydivers, local food, shelter and things to do when the weather doesn't cooperate. Dano

Well, you can NOT dump your canopy right in someone's face. That is something you can do. Not that taking it too low is an attractive option either, but........ Of course, there are lots of things you should not do, but it is the responsibility of those above you to move, if you are below them.. Never a good situation, but looking above compounds the problem. Looking above you takes your eye from where it need to be and can create more problems. Dano

YES to your first two sentences and NO to the second paragraph... Dano

YES to "obelixtim.... If you really think you can clear your airspace with a barrel roll and not loose focus below, you are disillusion and possibly creating another problem. You cannot be responsible for or take corrective action for what happens above you. Dano

No one ever downsized to slowly, but many have downsize to fast. It's not a race and you have plenty of time. Use it to your advantage and learn how to fly safely, what you have. Get what you need, at the time, in your early career and fly it to the max. Listen to your instructor... Dano

Dano

Most of the replies in this forum are anecdotal and mine is that I prefer an RSL, along with an AAD. Both for different reasons. Bills reply is based upon years of research and that to me is the one that is most valid. I have used an RSL and my last cutaway way was with a Skyhook. Many on the ground said that the Skyhook saved my life. I prefer to go with the odds and not gamble. Dano

Keep it simple, Use Chutingstar. I have on two different occasions and it was very smooth. Contact them and they will walk you through it. They will inspect the gear and give you a written report. It is a safe transaction for both parties. Dano

I've been diving for more than 40 years and have seen the damage first hand. It is so bad that I don't see significant changes in several lifetimes. It might just be too late. A recent trip to Maldives is sad. We had to look for living coral. On the other hand, south Cuba is pristine. The only anecdotal reason is that very few people live on the south side of Cuba ! Dano

It's summer time and in Florida, unless something unusual is going on, it rains most afternoons for a while. It's hot and humid.. You will still get in several jumps between the thunderstorms. That's just the way it is in Florida. Oh and occasionally a hurricane, but those are predicted... http://www.usairnet.com/cgi-bin/launch/code.cgi?Submit=Go&sta=KVDF&state=FL My favorate. I use Vandenberg, about 15 miles from Z-hills and it is very accurate. Dano

Mussel memory.... Takes a while to develop... Practice doing it 25 times... When I switched from keeping my pilot chute in a leg strap pouch to a BOC (bottom of container) pouch, I also had the same problem, at first. I had to change my muscle memory and that took even longer. Just keep practicing and it will happen as you want it to. Perfect practice though. Have someone who knows what to look for watch you. Dano

Can't say if this will help a student, but learning how to flat pack (all that we did in the day) sure seemed a lot easier to learn. You can lay it down and look at it the way that it flies and see if everything is where it needs to be. Line checks are simple and the only knowledge is the fold and placement into the D-Bag. ZP's are harder, but doable that way too. Easy to learn by video with a flat pack too. Dano

Remarkable video. What these guys are doing is amazing and it changes some of my perceptions. My fear is that others, without the same skill, might try the same and they are betting with their life on the results.

One of my best friends from early childhood did this right out of college and loved it. He also used the location as a base for travel in that area. No regrets and would advise anyone with the opportunity to do the same. He later went to law school, practiced for about 30 years and just retired in a northern WV. I wish I had followed him. Dano

There will always be exceptions, and it seems that some skydivers seem to dwell on them for their final life saving decisions. After a canopy collision, and after a lot of untangling of lines from the other canopy, still inside my lines above my head, I felt that it was necessary to chop what was in my opinion an unsafe canopy to land. I cannot tell you the altitude I was at when I chopped, but people on the ground thought it was way below 1,000 feet. For me, it was like a canopy transfer and I had what seemed like plenty of time to unstow my steering lines and get away from the helicopter that was warming up on the ground directly below me. I am very thankful that the demo gear I was trying had a Skyhook. Dano

Contact Sunpath and they can tell you what the rig was built to fit, unless it has been modified. They can also tell you if you fit it correctly, if you have your correct measurements that were taken by someone who knew what they are doing. It is difficult to take your own measurements. With your experience, you should be working with a good rigger, instructor or a legitimate store. Dano