Tolgak

I think the act of jumping out of a plane multiple times under your own will pretty much prevents you from being a COMPLETE pussy. No more than 9/10. Dropzones are terrible places for inspiration. What does one think when one looks up for a sign only to see a bunch of people falling?

I was just going to lurk the thread until I saw this. By not infringing on the right of people to live their lives as they see fit, whether the decisions they make be positive or negative. Abortion, homosexuality, religion, privacy. These are modern subjects in which modern Republicans continuously try to infringe on people's decisions. Democrats are doing it too with some of these issues and others like guns, but I don't deny it like you do. Abortion and homosexuality are easy. They don't want you to be able to abort, they don't want gays to get married. Religion: GWB's office of faith based initiatives (still kept alive for whatever reason by Obama :( ). Constant proposals of laws based purely on religion that limit others' rights (see homosexuality next). House Resolutions passing revisionist history that do not differentiate between the concept of a nation started by religious people and a nation started based on their religion. Privacy: Patriot act... 'nuff said. I'll grant you this: this list was hard to make without the propositions that don't deal with individual decisions. They still have institutional provisions that are written to benefit their group while essentially shitting on others. However, it is this combination of ideals that seeks to limit the composition of our citizenry as a whole. The conservatism that drives Republicans today was what created the Jim Crow laws of the past, anti-sodomy laws that still persist today, no-longer enforceable laws banning atheists from public office. There isn't a political party on this earth that doesn't seek to limit harmless personal choices of various types. It's a matter of choosing the party that doesn't limit the choices that YOU make. To go back to the original point of this thread, I think the idea that Republicans cannot relate to others is not specific to Republicans. Anyone who is strongly supportive of their party will have trouble relating to those of the opposition. Unlike what many people believe, Political fanatics aren't evil nor are they trying to be. They honestly think their platforms are beneficial to society. It's not autism, it's just misguided. Dropzones are terrible places for inspiration. What does one think when one looks up for a sign only to see a bunch of people falling?

I went to the SkySystems factory yesterday and tried on some of what they had. I tried on the HR2 which I liked very much and was comfortable. I checked the construction on it and yes, the padding is quite inferior to Pro-Tec pads. The shell, however, is very solid and I have no doubts that it would protect from a collision with the aircraft tail on exit. For ground impacts, it would be pretty much useless. There is just no way for the liner to disperse the impact enough to provide near as much protection as a pro-tec would. It would do quite a bit in reducing the impact force but I don't see it preventing any concussions. On the other hand, it's very tight against the head. I don't see any chance of it getting caught on anything, unlike a pro-tec, which has that chance (I've caught the brim on the door before and it really messed with my exit). I'm leaning towards the HR2, because I think there are some things I can do to it to increase protection and because it's just so damn comfortable. Considering how I am with annoyances such as an uncomfortable helmet, I think it would be safer for me to wear something that doesn't have a comfort problem. Dropzones are terrible places for inspiration. What does one think when one looks up for a sign only to see a bunch of people falling?

Actually, they are now open to the use of the Skyvan. Pictures are welcome. Dropzones are terrible places for inspiration. What does one think when one looks up for a sign only to see a bunch of people falling?

I would wait as many days as they say for you to fully recover your blood. You're much more susceptible to hypoxia after giving blood. It wouldn't be wise to go to altitude at any time until you're back to normal. Dropzones are terrible places for inspiration. What does one think when one looks up for a sign only to see a bunch of people falling?

I can absolutely do that. I just need a picture of the plane so I can scramble the hell out of it for the effect I want. I don't need an entire action shot, just an entire plane. Dropzones are terrible places for inspiration. What does one think when one looks up for a sign only to see a bunch of people falling?

I'm designing the shirt for our school skydiving club and I need a picture of a Twin Otter on exit to complete it. I need a picture of the entire plane, un-obscured by anything, in high resolution. Preferably it would be the otter at DeLand. The club pres is dead-set on having an Otter in there. I have a design with the SkyVan but it's not wanted because "we don't jump it as much as we do the Otter." So, if anyone is willing to let me at a picture, I would very much appreciate it. It needs to be close enough that some details show up but not so close that part of the plane gets cut off in the corners of the picture. I have not had any luck searching on any search engines. Thank you. Dropzones are terrible places for inspiration. What does one think when one looks up for a sign only to see a bunch of people falling?

Would I fly it? No, it's illegal unless you get special permission, which is usually only to get it to an airport with the service to fix it. Could I fly it? Yes, without many difficulties. It's not much more dangerous, but it will affect your flight. If I'm just screwing around in a training area, it's not very important. The difficulty is in landing. Even then, you can use RPM settings to get a good approach speed. I don't look at the airspeed indicator between the end of approach and beginning of flare. Would I jump it? No, I don't support illegal activities. Could I jump it (were it legal)? Sure, if the pilot has enough experience to connect his airspeed with his RPM at jump run, it wont be any more dangerous than any other jump with that pilot. Dropzones are terrible places for inspiration. What does one think when one looks up for a sign only to see a bunch of people falling?

This is exactly the point I was going to make. Size and weight are not interchangeable. They aren't wrong, you're just interpreting their intentions wrong. Of two people of the same weight, the one with smaller frontal surface area will go faster. Of two people of the same frontal surface area, the heavier one will go faster. That's all there is to it. Dropzones are terrible places for inspiration. What does one think when one looks up for a sign only to see a bunch of people falling?

Thanks for the help. It's not so much about looks as it is about size and comfort. Pro-Tecs are huge and have a lot of padding. I've never gotten one to feel snug without it feeling abrasive. Unfortunately, the only comfortable helmets are also more expensive (I've tried helmets for different sports and I'll bet skydiving is no exception). I don't want to feel the helmet in freefall. I want it to be a protective element that doesn't hinder the experience. I have jumped once without a helmet (forgot to bring it, rushed to the plane, will never do it again), and the feeling was amazing. Considering I don't want to die up there, I still want to have a helmet. I need one that doesn't make me feel like a bobblehead. Another consideration is for future camera potential. While I don't plan on having a camera for a while, I do not want to have to buy another helmet when I feel I am ready to mount one. Unfortunately, Pro-Tec helmets are not available with flat surfaces. They also don't seem to be audible friendly. I am willing to try out other helmet brands, but none of them seem to provide the type of fit I'm looking for. Dropzones are terrible places for inspiration. What does one think when one looks up for a sign only to see a bunch of people falling?

I watched the FIRE Cypres + Cypres video a while ago and the exit alone definitely set the tone of the jump. I can't believe that even with the audible, the cameraman still didn't warn the student to pull or peform a pull himself. I suspect the TI just forgot to throw out the drogue. He never made the attempt to. It's still surprising, however, that he didn't react to the obvious high speeds he encountered. The cameraman even had to go head down and the TI didn't do a thing. Dropzones are terrible places for inspiration. What does one think when one looks up for a sign only to see a bunch of people falling?

I found out today that he's the rigger that packed my reserve. I never got to thank him. Thanks Aaron! I hope the liquor flows plenty, wherever he is. Dropzones are terrible places for inspiration. What does one think when one looks up for a sign only to see a bunch of people falling?

I haven't yet been in a tunnel, but I've jumped my Skullcandy Full Metal Jacket and heard everything quite clearly, even with a helmet full of holes. They come with earplug tips that get a good seal and don't fall out. I got them for about $35 but they had a special at the time. I'm sure if you shop around, you can find a similar price. Also, if you break them for any reason, they let you rebuy at 50% off. http://www.skullcandy.com/shop/full-metal-jacket-p-121.html For the record, music has not been a distraction to me during freefall. It just makes the experience a whole lot better. Even if you don't jump with them, they're good for the ride up and the earplug tips will help keep it nice and quiet. Dropzones are terrible places for inspiration. What does one think when one looks up for a sign only to see a bunch of people falling?

It's about time to get a helmet so I need some advice. I'm planning on getting an open-faced helmet of some sort to be used for all disciplines of jumping until i can afford the closed face helmet I want. SkySystems is right around the corner from me so chances are good that I will buy my helmet from them. Since I cannot visit them on days I do not have school, I have to ask a few questions about them through the forums. I am aware of the reviews on this website but I figure I can get some better testimonials through the forum. The helmet I'm interested in is the Hurricane. However, I hear they aren't available to people with larger heads. I haven't tried many helmets on yet, but I cannot fit into a size large Mamba, to give you a sense of the scale. Reviews tell me that they have durability issues regarding the helmet developing a crack (from flexing it to put it on, and the tightening system breaking after only a few jumps. How true are these assessments? How well do any of their helmets isolate noise? I listen to music in freefall but it's very difficult even when all the holes are closed on a pro-tec. I also need to be able to hear an audible (yes I can hear one over music). Are there any helmets comparable to the Hurricane on the market? I like the form of the helmet very much and ideally that's the type I will get. I want to be comfortable and have something that isn't much larger than my head. If there are any other suggestions you can give about helmet purchasing, besides "go to the shop" (not all models are available everywhere), let me know. Thanks. Dropzones are terrible places for inspiration. What does one think when one looks up for a sign only to see a bunch of people falling?

It's funny you should suggest that, as it's already one of my goals over the next few months to decrease collision threats with jumpers and other non-powered traffic by proposing changes to the FARs and FAA publications. I haven't gone far enough in my research yet, but I'm sure there's something already defining this. In any case, my efforts will hopefully make it more visible. Dropzones are terrible places for inspiration. What does one think when one looks up for a sign only to see a bunch of people falling?

Is that conclusion based on your reading of FAR 91.113, or some other provision? True; although it seems that FAR 105 is silent as to rights-of-way of parachutes vis-a-vis anything else in the air. The right of way for regular general aviation operations is granted for two reasons, inferior maneuverability and emergencies. Even if the FARs don't call a parachute an aircraft, it is essentially an emergency and thus they have the right of way. As a pilot, I would give right of way to jumpers no matter what I'm flying. Dropzones are terrible places for inspiration. What does one think when one looks up for a sign only to see a bunch of people falling?

Are you referring to the "sleeves" on the risers which hold the free ends of the cut-away cables? Yes I am. Dropzones are terrible places for inspiration. What does one think when one looks up for a sign only to see a bunch of people falling?

While it's been a while since I've gone jumping, a phenomenon that's been happening during that time has really bugged me. In a good half of the jumps I've done, on which I was not the last man out, I've seen jumpers blaze past me after my canopy has been opened. Every load I have been on establishes pull altitudes to avoid collisions, but I have yet to go a day without seeing someone disregard the altitude he told us he would pull at. I make an effort to have my pilot chute in the air at the exact altitude I specify, but it now looks to me that it's a dangerous idea. I realize that it takes a few hundred feet to open. But that doesn't explain why a guy will get 1000 feet below me before he moves his hand to his hacky. Is this a common problem at your DZ? Am I being more concerned than I should be? Also, a bonus inquiry. I jumped at Clewiston a while back, and the cut-away cord on the rented gear would come out of its sleeves after opening. I consulted the rigger there and he said that this was a normal occurrence and nothing to worry about. He insisted that it was the proper length. Is that true, or should something like that never happen? Dropzones are terrible places for inspiration. What does one think when one looks up for a sign only to see a bunch of people falling?

Pro-gun liberal here... who would rather spend money on jumping than shooting How do I feel about the sales? Sensationalism won. It only confirms how fear can be such a powerful motivator for people. Dropzones are terrible places for inspiration. What does one think when one looks up for a sign only to see a bunch of people falling?

I've had to tell a few people to lay off my rig before; not because I didn't trust them, but because it's better learning this from a guy who doesn't get pissed than from an angry and red guy about to jump. Dropzones are terrible places for inspiration. What does one think when one looks up for a sign only to see a bunch of people falling?

I did a backflip exit followed by (I don't remember the order) a bunch of belly turnns, back/frontloops, barrel rolls, tracking, and a 3 second sitfly. Most of my maneuvers were failures. I was so out of focus that by the time I came to pull, I forgot to balance myself and ended up rolling on my back and having the pilot chute come up between my legs. As I hung upside down, I also noticed that my canopy had a ton of line twists in it. I eventually got out of it all only to make a horrible and hard landing. Moral of the story, don't do what I did. I would say, jump out on your back, just because it's cool seeing the plane as you exit. Flip, in no hurry, to your belly and revisit the COA and practice pulls. Do some turns and maybe one flip or roll and nothing more. Pull at the height you've been pulling during AFF. Don't try anything different under canopy. Just enjoy the success of your first solo jump and stick the landing. Dropzones are terrible places for inspiration. What does one think when one looks up for a sign only to see a bunch of people falling?

I think your logic is flawed. Unsupervised students are probably more of a danger to you in the plane than out. I've been a student in an aircraft emergency where it was unknown if we would make it back to the airport of 6 jumpers on the load, the jumpmaster stayed with me in the plane as his responsibility and all other jumpers left. I know that Gary was pissed at having to stay in the plane but he did spend the time on descent debriefing and running through options with me in case the situation deteriorated further. Where in my post did I say to leave anyone unsupervised? You're arguing against a statement that doesn't exist. In an emergency, the less to worry about, the better. I'm simply saying that the pilot's decision should be either get out or stay. The instructors choose whether or not to take the students or to leave the students and an instructor on the plane. Dropzones are terrible places for inspiration. What does one think when one looks up for a sign only to see a bunch of people falling?

Though I've never flown a jumpship, as a pilot I wouldn't be too concerned with who exits the cabin after I gave a bailout order. Any bit of weight loss is appreciated, but I wouldn't want the deaths of AFF students on my conscious. The order of priority on a plane for any pilot is as follows: My ass, your ass, people on the ground, the aircraft, the property on the ground. A pilot ordering all but students out is protecting "my ass" by avoiding the ramifications of said students dying on his order. If I were a jump pilot, I would write an SOP on bailout procedures leaving it up to instructors to determine if students should jump or stay. Then, my only worry would be to say "get out" (if I'm high enough) and focus on setting up the plane for egress then for a survivable landing. Dropzones are terrible places for inspiration. What does one think when one looks up for a sign only to see a bunch of people falling?

The focus in freefall is split between controlling yourself in the air, maneuvering around other people, and altitude/heading awareness. The focus under canopy time splits between altitude, wind, landing point, awareness of other people under canopy, awareness of aircraft, canopy control, and landing. As you fly under canopy, focus changes from one set of threats to another. The ways you approach each of those threats under canopy change as you approach the ground. Unless you're doing high hop'n'pops, you aren't going to learn nearly as much from a minute under canopy as you would a minute in freefall. Dropzones are terrible places for inspiration. What does one think when one looks up for a sign only to see a bunch of people falling?