GLIDEANGLE

Cool sewing machine resources here: http://www.usapr.com/sewing_machine.htm The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

The two articles linked below address your question. They are wirtten by canopy flight experts. The contrast in their views is interesting. http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/safety/detail_page.cgi?ID=671 http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/safety/detail_page.cgi?ID=680 The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

Facinating suggestion to PLF with a late flare. When I flare late, I typically fare rapidly and my legs are far out in front of me because of swinging forward. I have no idea how I am supposed to PLF in that situation. Can you explain? The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

Thanks!!! That addresses my question perfectly. I appreciate your effort. The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

The previous links to the Bob Buquor Memorial Star Crest Association ( www.scr-awards.com or www.starcrestawards.com) have been broken for at least a week. Is this just a minor technical problem? Does this indicate a more serious problem (discontinuance) with the SCR association? If the organization is at risk... I sure would like the USPA to take over this program to keep the awards alive. The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

Try using the forum search function for dacron spectra That should get you started. The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

Read the current (printed/paper) Square One catalog for an intersting discussion of single bladed vs. two bladed hook knives. The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

Here is the US rule about dropping objects from aircraft: FAR 91.15 Dropping objects No pilot in command of a civil aircraft may allow any object to be dropped from that aircraft in flight that creates a hazard to persons or property. However, this section does not prohibit the dropping of any object if reasonable precautions are taken to avoid injury or damage to persons or property. The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

As others have said, laws regarding carrying concealed weapons vary much from place to place in the USA. That said, I suspect that there are a whole lot more guns on the streets (in the hands of both the good guys and the bad guys) than most folks expect. The very fact that it is hard to tell who is carrying is exactly why conceled carry laws are a deterrent to crime. If the criminal has no idea which of the law abiding citizens around him is carrying .... it gives him pause before committing crime. You might find this interesting reading about WHY some folks carry: http://mwkworks.com/onsheepwolvesandsheepdogs.html The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

Wasn't there a recent fatal incident in the US where a jumper exited before the green light and this error was one of several key factors leading to his striking the aircraft's horizontal stabilizer? As I recollect, the aircraft in this incident was a Beech and the pilot had not yet put the aircraft in the appropriate attitude to move the horizontal stabilizer up out of the likely path of exiting jumpers. Here is a link to a description of this incident: http://www.dropzone.com/fatalities/Detailed/345.shtml Heck, I have even see pilots give different kinds of jumpers different spots on the same jump run. Specificly, I have done full altitude hop and pops where the pilot gave the freefallers a spot closer to the DZ, and gave us high-openers a spot further from the DZ. If we had ignored the light... we would have lost the opportunity to get the correct spot for us! Regarding looking out the door to spot traffic.... It is mighty hard to see traffic on the other side of the plane when sticking one's head out the door.... so if the pilot doesn't have the green light on... he may know about traffic that the jumper in the door cannot see. The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

The RSL shackles are widely used in sailboats where they are called "snap shackles". Here is one source: http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/SiteSearchView?dispName=SAILBOAT&jspStoreDir=wm51&catalogId=10001&Ntt=Snap+Shackles&N=377+710+1796&langId=-1&page=CategoryDisplayLevel1&omniTag=Category%3aSnap+Shackles&storeId=10001 The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

The comment that an Argus has a service life of 20 years is incorrect. Here is a quote from the Argus website: "Based on aging tests performed, the service life for the Argus is more than 12 years counting from the first time it has been switched on. " Source: http://www.argus-aad.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=22&Itemid=32 The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

Welcome aboard. I started jumping at age 50. My first jump was a 50th birthday gift. I call this legal methamphetamine... highly addicting and expensive, hard to explain to those who do not partake. Blue Skies!! The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

I am not sold on a canopy COURSE for a variety of reasons. However, I do think that demonstration of specific intermediate level canopy skills for B license is a grand idea. I would look at the USPA Canopy Piloting Proficiency Card and Bill Von Novack's downsizing checklist for some examples of skills to specify. The card can be found at: http://www.uspa.org/Portals/0/Downloads/Form_Canopy_Prof_Card_2007_04.pdf Bill Von Novack's list can be found at: http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/safety/detail_page.cgi?ID=47 The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

As has been aptly noted: "There are no perfectly good airplanes." The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

Just one... damn low ceiling. The one jump was a H&P from right under the clouds... fun. How does one interpret the three numbers separated by punctuation that some folks use to reply to this question? --I guess that one is the total # of jumps. --I wonder if one is the number of reserve rides? --I can only speculate about the third... Number of beers? Number of times laid? The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

A bullet chronograph is a device for measuring the speed of a bullet in flight. It is often used by those who hand-load ammunition. Here are three examples: http://www.eabco.com/chronyshooting.htm http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=988710 http://www.clcweb.net/Shooting/Oehler/oehler.html The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

Potential wish list items for a new skydiver: Tunnel Time RW jumpsuit... (it makes SO much difference) Audible altimiter Helmet that meets your specific needs. Canopy Control Class. Good Hook Knife (single blade, metal handle) Copy of Parchute and its Pilot By Brian Germain Gear Bag Power Tool (instead of fabric pull-up cord) Winter Gloves SKYDIVING SURVIVAL SERIES DVD (contains these 5 videos) --BREAK-AWAY --GROUND RUSH --FLY LIKE A PRO --TROUBLE FREE ZERO P Note that several of these are safety enhancing... and may appeal to family members who fear for your safety. The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

I have done only 4 night jumps. My first was an exqusite blend of "Damn this is cool" and "Damn this is scary". I have a friend who got really scared on our first night jump when she could not find the drop zone for a bit in freefall. Be damned sure you know what the DZ looks like at night before you leave the plane. My last two night jumps were 8-ways for Night SCRs. Very cool and much easier than I had feared. The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

Here's a radical idea... READ what he assigned!!! (I know.... I said this was radical) As you read, mark things that don't make sense or are confusing. Take those things to him as questions. Of course, if all else fails you could ask "Will you help me join the mile high club?" The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

Here is the regulation for jumpers: FAR Sec. 105.7 Use of alcohol and drugs No person may conduct a parachute operation, and no pilot in command of an aircraft may allow a person to conduct a parachute operation from that aircraft, if that person is or appears to be under the influence of-- (a) Alcohol, or (b) Any drug that affects that person's faculties in any way contrary to safety. Here is the regulation for pilots: FAR Section 91.17: Alcohol or drugs. (a) No person may act or attempt to act as a crewmember of a civil aircraft -- (1) Within 8 hours after the consumption of any alcoholic beverage; (2) While under the influence of alcohol; (3) While using any drug that affects the person's faculties in any way contrary to safety; or (4) While having .04 percent by weight or more alcohol in the blood. (b) Except in an emergency, no pilot of a civil aircraft may allow a person who appears to be intoxicated or who demonstrates by manner or physical indications that the individual is under the influence of drugs (except a medical patient under proper care) to be carried in that aircraft. I still don't get your concern about drinking after the last load. As long as jumpers and pilots meet the above standards by the FIRST load of the next day, what is the problem? I think I smell a moral position that drinkers are by their nature unreliable regarless of their blood alcohol level. The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

An "up jumper" is a licensed skydiver. The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

The SIM is a great resource!!! However, there is no need to read all of it nor to pay for a hard copy. You can download a digital copy for free at: http://www.uspa.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=6cNJEL6yyl8%3d Focus your reading on Section 4- Integrated Student Program. Here is the free online version of Section 4: http://www.uspa.org/SIM/Read/Section4/tabid/166/Default.aspx The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

Money… Pack! Do a really good job and be nice and you will likely get tips. If you are a cute cheerleader, pack well and the tips will come flowing in. Search this forum for info on what makes a good packer. Permission... Assuming your state law will permit you to consent: Study hard, do chores at home, be nice. Don’t be a spoiled, bitchy cheerleader. Preparation Hang out at the DZ. -- Watch lots of landings (much to be learned by that). -- Learn about gear. (When there is a weather hold, befriend the rigger.) -- Listen to jumpers talk about jumping (both what went well and what went badly). -- BEWARE of the land sharks at the DZ! Read section 4 of the SIM. http://www.uspa.org/SIM/Read/Section4/tabid/166/Default.aspx Spend time (and $$$) in a vertical wind tunnel with a coach. Watch the all malfunction videos on www.skydivingmovies.com. This will give you a feeling for how quickly malfunctions develop, and how quickly you must resolve them. This ain’t bowling… If you screw up you can kill or maim yourself OR OTHER PEOPLE. Random Abuse Just because English is your "best subject" doesn’t mean that your written English is good. The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

Personally, I think that the question needs to be focused on "Current for what?". Not all jumps are the same. I might be current with belly flying but not have done something else (CReW, freeflying,) for a long time. So just because a jumper has made 20 jumps in the last ten days, he or she might not be "current" in the skills needed for the next jump. Unfortunatelly, I see currency usually defined as "___ jumps in the last ____", without specifying discipline. The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!