MikeTJumps

I have many of them. Check out the cover of the 9th ed. of PSH and you'll see they are there!!! Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

Thanks for the compliments! The 9th edition is hot off the presses. Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

Heck no! It is an electromechanical device and the only reason I have it on is if I am incapacitated. If it ever goes off and I was conscious and alert, I'd have to ground myself indefinitely!!!! Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

I've ridden planes down with students who decided not to jump, or when the clouds made it illegal to jump. As to educating yourself, there are several good books available to fulfill your thirst for knowledge. I hope you'll look at mine. Blue, Clear, and Calm Skies!

Getting nervous is nothing to be ashamed of. Heck, with over 3300 jumps under my belt, I still get nervous on occasion but my knowledge of the sport and my equipment helps me get through it. I always pay attention to the little voice in the back of my head. Wind is too high. Clouds are too thick. You don't feel well, so stay on the ground. By paying attention, I stay alive. You can educate yourself on the sport to help you overcome some of your apprehensions. Blue, Clear, and Calm Skies!! Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

Well, as an AFF Instructor, I think it is a great way to coach people and help them learn our sport. I know you'll enjoy yourself, and I hope you grab a couple of books on the subject to help you learn even more. Blue, Clear, and Calm Skies!!! Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

Well, you at least got to jump this weekend. I'm still suffering with lung congestion from post-pneumonia crap so I'm staying on the ground. I'll get up there next week though. I'll even repack both of my reserved this week. Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

Welcome Julie. No, you're not crazy. We all love the sport and that is why it takes 1st place over anything other than immediate family needs. Enjoy yourself thoroughly. Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

Long before Skydive U or coaches were predominant, we had individuals who jumped with low experience folks and helped them learn our incredible sport. I strongly recommend you get a copy of Pat Works' "The Art of Freefall Relative Work" as that was the premier book of its day and it still is a great resource of information on belly RW. He also has a book on vertical RW now. Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

The EPA defines a skydiving impact as IRREVERSIBLE Earth-Person Compaction. Hint: Avoid this at all costs. When the ground and the canopy meet, the body should have been there first at LOW speed. Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

Diet and exercise, then get ready to enjoy a long and fun-filled jumping career. Get books on the subject and study it to be informed. Get used to large parachutes as they will be the most benefit to you right now. WELCOME BACK!!! Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

Gee, is that why I've been at it for 25 years and became an I/E? OMG! Now I understand...I'm an addict to the sky! Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

You've learned at an excellent facility with great people. Consider yourself fortunate and enjoy yourself tremendously! Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

Congratulations on your jumps. BRRRR! Those northern winters. I prefer Houston, TX! Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

Hello back, Laura Belle Welcome to the fray! Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

As I teach landings in class, I tell my students that when the canopy and the ground are equal distance from their eyes, initiate a full flare. The flare should be about 2-3 seconds to complete. Flare thousand to the shoulders, Two thousand to the breast bone, Three thousand to the full arm extension. Only flare as much as it takes to stop all forward movement (for jumping on windier days). This seems to work for hundreds of students. Let your instructors guide you with on site supervision and assistance. Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

Well, if we had known about the winds exceeding our personal limitations before we left the aircraft, we wouldn't have jumped. Unfortunately, in this non-perfect world, we didn't know about that until we were under canopy and close to the ground. So, back to the original premesis: Wearing protection when you don't know you'll need it is far better than not wearing it when you will! (Seems like that applies to a whole lot of activities now, doesn't it?!) Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

Yes, there are good books on skydiving that will help you get through some of the maze of what to look for, but the best thing is to talk with your instructors who have a better feel for what you can handle. Don't hesitate to learn all you can before you buy! Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

Yehaw! Fantastic progress you're making there, Chew. Enjoy yourself and stay safe. Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

Congratulations on completing the USAF academy program. I have a cousin there with the last name of Conetta. As to answering your question. the quip is "Around $1,500in the civilian realm and 1/2 your spare change for the rest of your life." But in the academy, I'm sure that your club arrangements will make it less costly. A-license requirements can be found in USPA documentation at www.uspa.org. Learn more about the sport. Go to your library and borrow the books on the sport! Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

Spiral fractures are particulary a problem. Clean breaks heal better and form stronger joints. As much as you may hate to, give yourself plenty of healing time. To jump again too soon and re-injure yourself will cause much more grief than waiting out what your Dr. advises. Be safe!!! Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

ALWAYS remember to check your altimeter. Remember, the ground is a harsh mistress or master depending upon how you view it. When you run out of altitude, you'd better be going real slow or grab the grass. Irreversible earth compaction is not body friendly! Stay safe and aware and you'll enjoy the sport for many years. Get distracted or complacent and bad things will happen. Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

Ah yes...we all run the risk of boring our friends outside of the skydiving world with our euphoria and enthusiasm. Its just one of those things that if you haven't done it, you can't quite understand it the same way as those of us who have done it. Congratulations on your continued safe progress in our sport. BTW: I learned by the S/L method too 25 years ago. Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

I concur with the procedure you've described too. In the 15 years I've been doing tandems, I've only had to cutaway on the ground once and that was when we landed 1.5 miles from the DZ due to a horrendous spot and wind change. Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

As one of the smaller (5'4.5") TIs, the manufacturer recommends that I wear a big RW suit for maximum control and yes, it does the job right. Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook