Ms.sofaking

When we jump from our 182, after a hop and pop we just shut the door ourselves.I realize that's not an option for the pilot when we're all gone, but he doesn't shut it when there are still jumpers on the plane.Is this common practice else where? And I have been on loads where people have and have not called for a cut on a hop and pop.Are you not supposed to?I don't understand the difference between cutting at 4,000 or 10,000. "I'm not sure how it's going to turn out, except I'll die in the end, she said. So what could really go wrong? -----Brian Andreas

Thanks.I'll call my rigger tonight.I bet I won't be able to get through to Sunpath.I imagine they are pretty busy with questions and order cancellations. "I'm not sure how it's going to turn out, except I'll die in the end, she said. So what could really go wrong? -----Brian Andreas

OK, this is getting confusing.Especially for someone who is not a rigger. I don't have it as bad as others do, I have something else to jump.But, I'm unclear on what I need to do with my Javelin that came with no RSL. There is no grandfather clause or alotted time to do this? "I'm not sure how it's going to turn out, except I'll die in the end, she said. So what could really go wrong? -----Brian Andreas

Thanks. So then can a rigger repack the reserve? Can I still get on a plane? Or will I have to carry some kind of proof it came from the manufacturer like this? "I'm not sure how it's going to turn out, except I'll die in the end, she said. So what could really go wrong? -----Brian Andreas

Are you sure about that?You are going to be awfully busy.Can I send mine to you before the line gets to long? "I'm not sure how it's going to turn out, except I'll die in the end, she said. So what could really go wrong? -----Brian Andreas

It would be nice if we found a loop hole we could all jump through "I'm not sure how it's going to turn out, except I'll die in the end, she said. So what could really go wrong? -----Brian Andreas

If a master rigger does this, will or can it ever be checked against a serial #? "I'm not sure how it's going to turn out, except I'll die in the end, she said. So what could really go wrong? -----Brian Andreas

Thank You. "I'm not sure how it's going to turn out, except I'll die in the end, she said. So what could really go wrong? -----Brian Andreas

I still can't find the answer to:What if it came from the manufacturer without an RSL to begin with? Is it "airworthy"? Or what needs to be done then? "I'm not sure how it's going to turn out, except I'll die in the end, she said. So what could really go wrong? -----Brian Andreas

If you had an RSL you could always disconnect on the plane.If you had a mal who is to say you didn't disconnect it then."Emergency situation" is left way open to interpretation. But what about people who got their rig from the manufacturer without an RSL to begin with?What are they supposed to do? "I'm not sure how it's going to turn out, except I'll die in the end, she said. So what could really go wrong? -----Brian Andreas

I a have a friend wanting to make a tandem near the Fort Myers, Florida area.Can anyone reccomend a DZ nearby? "I'm not sure how it's going to turn out, except I'll die in the end, she said. So what could really go wrong? -----Brian Andreas

I can't wait!!! The weather is looking good this week.I should be well on my way to having an opinion!

I agree with what you're saying.I'm happy to jump and learn from anyone, provided they have they the skills to manuever around my lack of skill, if need be. I just meant if I was paying for a lesson I would prefer to pay someone with more experience. "I'm not sure how it's going to turn out, except I'll die in the end, she said. So what could really go wrong? -----Brian Andreas

maybe when I have 134 jumps I'll be entitled to have an opinion. "I'm not sure how it's going to turn out, except I'll die in the end, she said. So what could really go wrong? -----Brian Andreas

I don't disagree that not everyone is good at teaching regardless of skill.And high jump numbers will not make you a good teacher.I just question the skill level of someone with a hundred jumps being a coach.I know I can and have learned from people at this experience level, but not as a coach.I don't know why I'm posting anyway, at my DZ we all just help each other out.We are aware of are different experience levels, and ratings aren't worn like some kind of badge.We're all just skydivers looking out for one another.I guess I'm lucky to be at my DZ. "I'm not sure how it's going to turn out, except I'll die in the end, she said. So what could really go wrong? -----Brian Andreas

OK I've been sitting all winter at 33 jumps.I also have an hour of tunnel time.I consider myself to be doing well for that experience level. Coaching someone when I have 3x the skill I currently have now, I find simply laughable.No way.It would be ridiculous. Could I jump with someone new and teach them something?Probably.I could possibly do that now.But Coach?No. If you had a choice between being coached by someone with a hundred jumps or a thousand who are you going to pick?Especially if you are paying for these jumps.It seems like there should be some step in between student and coach.Like learning how to skydive. "I'm not sure how it's going to turn out, except I'll die in the end, she said. So what could really go wrong? -----Brian Andreas

If you are capable of a barrel roll in max track, wouldn't that be considered a "quick scan above you"? "I'm not sure how it's going to turn out, except I'll die in the end, she said. So what could really go wrong? -----Brian Andreas

Personally I would not track on my back during breakoff because all the things that are going to kill me soon (i.e. people deploying, errant airplanes, high canopies, the planet) are below me,*** With all due respect, Someone above you could also kill you if you dump underneath them.Which IMHO is the entire purpose for the barrel roll.Agreed there may be a time and place, and most certainly an experience level capable of doing it in the first place. "I'm not sure how it's going to turn out, except I'll die in the end, she said. So what could really go wrong? -----Brian Andreas

Andy9o8, Just curious, after 31 years of skydiving, what is your opinion on this? "I'm not sure how it's going to turn out, except I'll die in the end, she said. So what could really go wrong? -----Brian Andreas

I understand your point.I just disagree.And perhaps, it's just because I was taught this.I think if you are skilled at this, it would not be erratic at all.You can say after a collision "that guy should've been watching below."But you might also say "I'm glad I did a BR because that guy had no idea I was below him."And as I said before, shouldn't you be aware of who's below you while tracking? I do see both sides of this.I think which ever you choose to do it could be wrong or right depending on the circumstances. "I'm not sure how it's going to turn out, except I'll die in the end, she said. So what could really go wrong? -----Brian Andreas

I'm not sure what you mean. The only 45 degree rule I know is on exit instead of counting seconds? "I'm not sure how it's going to turn out, except I'll die in the end, she said. So what could really go wrong? -----Brian Andreas

You misunderstood.I am working on tracking.I am working on barrel rolls.I have yet to combine them.I would like to develop the skills to do this.Trying to mix the 2 now when I don't do either one well, wouldn't be beneficial to me or anyone else. "I'm not sure how it's going to turn out, except I'll die in the end, she said. So what could really go wrong? -----Brian Andreas

The same goes if you dump and someone is above you.I understand your point.And I am not saying you're wrong. A very experienced jumper I know and trust taught me this.And this is the method that is right for me.There may be situations when not to BR.But I will still work on this skill. "I'm not sure how it's going to turn out, except I'll die in the end, she said. So what could really go wrong? -----Brian Andreas

Like I said before, I would think you would have an awareness of where those below you were during your track.The BR is just to check the surroundings above you. The questions you ask would be answered differently depending on the situation and your altitude.I personally would choose to go low over a collision. I currently suck at tracking and barrel rolls.Until I develop these skills I only jump with experienced people that are aware of my abillities(or lack of)As I grow and learn my opinions may change.This is where I'm at now.And this is the skill I'm currently working on.Or will be when the weather breaks. "I'm not sure how it's going to turn out, except I'll die in the end, she said. So what could really go wrong? -----Brian Andreas

I've seen perhaps a dozen close calls, two collisions and one fatality from people not looking below them during breakoff. The way to solve this is to pay more attention to what is going on beneath you, not to look away during the most critical part of the breakoff. *** Isn't that the whole purpose for the BR?To protect yourself from someone who is not paying attention to what is going on below them. "I'm not sure how it's going to turn out, except I'll die in the end, she said. So what could really go wrong? -----Brian Andreas