GLIDEANGLE

Your subject line implies that the booties help you control your legs. Not so. Botties primarily enhance your ability to use your legs to control your body in flight. I was really surprised when I first wore booties at what a difference they made. The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

Many students have the mistaken notion that "completing AFF" is the main goal. Actually the goal should be to get licensed. That is a bigger (but quite reasonable) task. I only had to repeat one AFF level... but I had much more trouble with the more complex tasks required to get my license. (My personal challenges were instability at deployment after tracking and landing accuracy.) Your options are rather limited if you only complete AFF and don't get your license. (Search recent posts about this topic.) AFF typically requires at least 7-8 jumps (more if repeats). An A-license requires at least 25 jumps and the completion of specific skills. Many of us required more than 25 jumps to get all the skills done. You will have a grand time. Welcome to spending all your money and time on jumping. All previous advice about beer is quite correct. When in doubt regarding a skydiving social issue, never underestimate the power of beer. The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

I don't know if the DZ volume and finances have taken a hit or not. However, two of our part time AFF instructors and one of our part time camera jumpers lost their regular jobs. So, yes, we have had some impact. Last year I asked our DZO your question and the answer was that student volume was UP. The hypothesis was that it was cheaper for folks to stay home and do a tandem than it was to go someplace exotic and expensive. The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

Here is another good glossary: http://www.uspa.org/SIM/Read/Glossary/tabid/173/Default.aspx The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

The advice to get and read the SIM is sound. However, the document is large (more than 200 pages). Start reading in Section 4, the Integrated Student Program. That will be the most efficient way to begin. Here is a link to the on-line version of section 4 which has interactive quizzes. http://www.uspa.org/SIM/Read/Section4/tabid/166/Default.aspx When you are licensed and ready to jump with larger groups (>4)... come visit us at Skydive Dallas. We have two turbine aircraft, great load organizers, big landing areas (plus lots of suitable alternate "out" landing areas) and a very hospitable crowd. We will make you feel welcome and show you a great time. Many, many of us love to jump with novices. Regarding the "turbine aircraft" above. Generally the advantages of turbine aircraft are three: ---Fast climb ---Can efficiently get jumpers higher (to ~13.5k ft.) ---Large capacity (23 pax on the Twin Otter, and 13? (can't remember) in the Caravan). This means you have more folks to play with! I loved your toggle/brakes question... I asked the very same question before my first jump (tandem). The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

Huh? I don understan the question. Is there any beer left? UCLA '86 The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

Here is an example of a series of bad decisions that resulted in me making a low turn. The only reason that I walked away is a FLAT TURN (aka "braked turn"). http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=3178836#3178836 I had no intention of making a stupid low turn when I got on the plane... but "No shit...there I was". The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

Here is an inside secret. Shhhh .... don't tell anyone. If you already have survived a serious mal... you are way ahead of the many of us who have never had one. You have "Been there, done that". There of lots of us who wonder about what it will be like and how well we will resolve it. You already know... Smile, Breathe, Relax.

1. There are LOTS of resources out there to help you learn to pack. There are several videos / CDs out for you to buy and review. 2. If you want a crutch... buy an Aerodyne Pilot canopy.... they have color coded line attachments. 3. Clearly, you are not buying enough beer. Don't underestimate the power of beer. Next Saturday night... hang out and distribute beer ... let folks know that you aren't comfortable with your packing. On Sunday, I bet you have no trouble getting someone to look over your shoulder. 4. Honestly... have you taken a good look at some of the packers? Some of them are pretty scary aren't they? If they can do it.... certainly YOU can do it. 5. Watch folks pack and ask lots of questions (see comment about beer above). [Besides, some female butts look the best when packing.) 6. Ask around for someone to point you to the guy who psycho packs. Watch. If that mess opens... how hard can this be? (I am that guy.) 7. At home pack your rig every evening for a month. Presto… 30 pack jobs! 8. Slider up, lines in the middle, good locking stows.... get on the damned airplane. 9. What could possibly go wrong? 10. Pack fast... pull high. 11. Smile, Breathe, Relax

For USPA rules, this is the relevant section of the SIM (§5.2): http://www.uspa.org/SIM/Read/Section5/tabid/168/Default.aspx#970 What is left unsaid in the SIM is exactly what recurrency training consists of. Based on my observation, the content of the recurrency training is based on a review of your experience, and the length of time since your last jump. The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

Do you mean the Performance Designs web site or the Precision Aerodynamics web site? If you truly mean PD... please supply the link, I would like to see what you are speaking of. The reason that I don't pull the corners of the tail as shown in the Precison website video is my concern about pulling brake lines in front of the canopy nose. Thanks The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

I think you misunderstand the chart. The chart is describing the MINIMUM canopy size. Note the following direct quote from the chart: *Jumpers are welcome to use a larger parachute than the chart suggests. The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

Re-read my reply. I think you may be confusing the rules regarding the main and the reserve. It is prudent for the rigger to inspect the main at repack time (180 days), but it is NOT required. The main only needs to be repacked (could be by YOU, a rigger, or a rigger supervised packer). It would be legal for NO ONE to ever formally inspect the main. Do packers inspect as they repack? .... The good ones do a quick inspection as they pack. The weak packers may not look at much. However, even a diligent packer doing a quick inspection while packing could miss problems that would be picked up by a complete inspection. A key issue regarding packers is that they are usually paid per pack job.... so they are packing as fast as they can. Everything that slows them down costs them $$$$. They are being paid to PACK... not to rig. The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

When you rent you should verify that the reserve has been inspected and repacked in the last 180 days (if in USA). That inspection and repack should include all of the harness, the reserve container, and the reserve canopy/lines. You verify this by examining the packing data card, which should be in a pocket on the rig somewhere. Inspection of the main at the same time is prudent, but not required by any US regulation that I am aware of. There is a US reg that the main must have been packed within the 180 days preceeding a jump. The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

1. Congratulations on completing your A license and having your own gear.... that puts you WAY ahead. 2. See the above suggestions about Spaceland and about asking the staff to point you in the correct direction. I look forward to being there during nationals this year. 3. Never forget the power of BEER. Be damned sure to hang around on a few Saturday nights and bring beer. Bring a case and walk around giving beer to everyone you meet. They will ask you what it is for... you can say "This is for my A-license...but I didn't bring the beer until now." or "I am new here and want to meet folks... so I have folks to jump with." If you do that on Saturday.... I would be astonished if you had trouble finding groups to jump with on Sunday. 4. If all else fails... come to Skydive Dallas. We have load organizers every weekend whose job it is to solve this problem (free). Don't worry about your beginner skill level, they often split off separate groups by skill to keep everybody happy. Not only do they organize before jumps, but they give excellent de-briefs which amount to free coaching. If you are really desperate... come to Skydive Dallas on a FRIDAY. The "old guys" will jump with ANYBODY... and you will laugh yourself silly. 5. Remember, every jumper has been where you are at one time. Many experienced jumpers look forward to jumping with new folks. Smile, breathe, relax.

Heck if it wasn't terrifying.... what would the point be? As said before, do it for YOU. Don't let folks pressure you into it. Here are the most likely hazards: (fairly likely to happen, low risk) 1. You will love it. You will devote the rest of your life and your money to doing over and over again. 2. You will not buy video and will forget much of the jump due to sensory overload. 3. You will hate it and wonder why on earth you spent so much money on something you hate. Hazards which are moderately likely and moderately bad: 1. Broken ankle due to not following instructor instructions. 2. You will pass out/puke and embarrass yourself in front of your "friends". Hazards which are unlikely and REALLY bad: 1. Death. Whatever you choose, enjoy it and live the moment fully!!! Smile, relax, breathe!!!

How to get started: 1. Hunt for a DZ which will let you jump at 16-17 years of age. Undoubtedly you will need written parental consent.http://www.uspa.org/FindaDZ.aspx 2. Even if you have to wait until you are 18, you can do the following now: --a: Read Section 4 (Integrated Student Program) of the Skydiver information manual. ----i. You read it on line: http://www.uspa.org/SIM/Read/Section4/tabid/166/Default.aspx ----ii. You can download a free copy (PDF): http://www.uspa.org/Portals/0/Downloads/Man_SIM_2009-2010.pdf ----iii. You can buy a copy: http://www.uspa.org/USPAShop/tabid/353/pid/2/Default.aspx --b: Start making and saving MONEY!!! This is an expensive sport. You probably should expect to spend no less than $1000 to learn to skydive. I suspect that $1500-2000 is a common price at many places. These prices are guesstimates for the costs to get your A license. --c. Visit the local DZ. You can learn a fair amount by just watching landings and chatting with people. If you are highly motivated, you might even be able to earn money by packing parachutes for jumpers. --d. Read through the incidents and fatalities (two different places on DZ.com) on this web site. Hopefully doing so will give you an idea of the many ways to die in this sport. YOU CAN DO EVERYTHING RIGHT.... AND STILL DIE IN THIS SPORT. In addition, you might learn a few things that could be helpful to you if you choose to skydive. --e. View some of the movies on http://www.skydivingmovies.com. In particular, watch all the malfunction videos there. Rather than learning any specific skills, these videos will help you understand the many ways to die in this sport, and that good decision making by YOU is the best way to keep YOU alive and unbroken. Note how QUICKLY things can go to crap, and how quickly the surviving jumpers respond. --f. If college is in your future, start looking for colleges with skydiving clubs. See the bottom of the home page here for a list of some of those colleges; http://www.collegeskydiving.com/ The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

I jump at Skydive Dallas. I also travel on the airlines a moderate amount. I don't know which has been odder... looking out the jump ship window and seeing an airliner nearby, OR being in an airliner passing near the DZ and realizing that I had probably jumped from that very spot. In the latter case, I just wanted my rig and an open door. The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

Try looking here: http://www.hancockfabrics.com/ The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

This might be helpful: http://www.uspa.org/GroupMembers/StartingaDropZone/tabid/105/Default.aspx The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

Apology accepted.

Rigger Paul: I am not sure how my posting implied that I am a slacker who is looking for other folks to mind my busines, or that I support anything other than the DZOs tracking BOTH the reserve repack date and AAD maintenace due date to protect themselves and thier crew. I never proposed that any jumpers or riggers change the decisions that they make about timing of repacks and timing of AAD service. All I suggest is that in order to protect themseleves and their crew it may now be prudent for DZOs to verify that both the reserve repack date and the AAD service date are current before letting a jumper on the plane. Without a doubt jumpers and riggers need to act responsibly, but that was not my point. The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

So... how does this affect DZOs and pilots? As I understand FAR 105.43 (c), both the user and the pilot are accountable for the AAD (if present) being properly maintained. When jumping at a new DZ I have only been asked for my reserve packing date... never any info about my AAD. I presume that DZOs believed that if the reserve was good, so was the AAD. If riggers choose to follow the more liberal guidelnes you cite... DZOs will need to begin to ask about BOTH the reserve canopy and the AAD (if present). If they don't do this, and an incident occurs with an out of date AAD in a current reserve, the pilot could be in a heap of trouble. The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

Here is a wind assessment that I was taught. Look at who is NOT getting on the plane. If the more experienced (perhaps grey haired) jumpers are not getting on the plane.... stay on the ground. On a recent windy day I saw an example of this. I watched the jumpers board the plane.... two tandem instructors and passengers, two camera flyers for the tandems.... and three guys with about 100 jumps each. So the load consisted of professionals who get paid to jump, passengers, and low timers. All the other jumpers were staying on the ground drinking Mountian Dew and flirting with the wenches. Fortunately, in this case no one got hurt. However, I have found this rule helpful. Actually the rule above was taught to me in a more specific way. I was told to keep my eye on one specific jumper. She has MANY jumps, was a naval aviator, and is currently an airline pilot. I was told that if she won't jump....DON'T get on the plane. Another tool I use is to watch the tandems land. If they are descending vertically or backing up on final... I am gonna have lunch and a soda pop. I find watching the tandems helpful as they are usually loaded more like me...instead of watching the folks on the more highly loaded canopies which fly faster. If in doubt, sit it out. The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

In another thread someone asserted: "Some military bases have skydiving clubs where jumps are pretty cheap." While I don't doubt that this was once true, I can't find any today. Are there any US military bases which have recreational jumping clubs/programs? If so, which ones? Thanks. The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!