fencebuster

In a pinch a couple of weeks ago, I needed a second airplane and I leased a C-182A from a nearby DZ for $130/hr dry, without pilot. $110-130 seems reasonable to me. Charlie Gittins, 540-327-2208 AFF-I, Sigma TI, IAD-I MEI, CFI-I, Senior Rigger Former DZO, Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures

I have had 3 hard openings resulting in at least one broken steering line. The first was when I had about 150 jumps. I had opened high and had some time to practice rear riser flaring and decided to land the canopy. It worked out. The second one happened when I had about 800 jumps. Same rig, same brake line. I chopped it this time because experience told me that it was more likely that I would have an uneventful ride under the reserve since I didn't know if there was additional damage to the canopy that I couldn't see or appreciate hanging there in the harness. It worked out fine. Last one was at jump 1254, same rig, same brake line, although on a brand new set of HMA lines. I chopped again; uneventful canopy flight to an on target landing, but lost the canopy and free bag in a thickly wooded area. Even though I lost the canopy, I am satisfied that I did the right thing. You don't know what you don't know about the extent of damage on a hard opening that damages the equipment. If you don't get hurt and get down safely, you have made the right decision. But I have also learned that we have very good equipment and it can be trusted to work if used at the right time (i.e., high enough to save you). I have 7 reserve rides; 5 of those reserves were packed by the same master rigger. I like my rigger! Charlie Gittins, 540-327-2208 AFF-I, Sigma TI, IAD-I MEI, CFI-I, Senior Rigger Former DZO, Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures

If you have a problem getting slots at DC Skydiving, feel free to bring the operation out to New Market. We fly C-206 and C-182, but we are fun jumper friendly, have 3 riggers on site (including a Master Rigger), and have an AFF student program. Charlie Gittins LtCol, USMCR (Ret) Charlie Gittins, 540-327-2208 AFF-I, Sigma TI, IAD-I MEI, CFI-I, Senior Rigger Former DZO, Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures

Neck and back pain every Monday. Goes with the territory. Charlie Gittins, 540-327-2208 AFF-I, Sigma TI, IAD-I MEI, CFI-I, Senior Rigger Former DZO, Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures

Well, that's what I pay for my C-182 and C-U206 pilots. They stay around and do good work. My skydivers love them. And they don't break my planes. Charlie Gittins, 540-327-2208 AFF-I, Sigma TI, IAD-I MEI, CFI-I, Senior Rigger Former DZO, Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures

$10 per tach hour plus $1.00 per slot seems reasonable. Charlie Gittins, 540-327-2208 AFF-I, Sigma TI, IAD-I MEI, CFI-I, Senior Rigger Former DZO, Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures

+1 Charlie Gittins, 540-327-2208 AFF-I, Sigma TI, IAD-I MEI, CFI-I, Senior Rigger Former DZO, Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures

Woops. I bought mine 2 years ago . . . sorry, I didn't know they went out of business. They are well made though. Charlie Gittins, 540-327-2208 AFF-I, Sigma TI, IAD-I MEI, CFI-I, Senior Rigger Former DZO, Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures

Go Crazy tandem pants are very well made. Charlie Gittins, 540-327-2208 AFF-I, Sigma TI, IAD-I MEI, CFI-I, Senior Rigger Former DZO, Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures

I am in season 2 running my own DZ. If not for fun jumpers, I would have gone out of business already. Like has been said here already, they fill up the plane; they come out and set the DZ vibe; they get the students enthused about being a skydiver; they entertain between loads and they keep it fun for the staff and me. EVeryone who "works" in slkydiving is really a fun jumper -- that is why we all started. Without fun jumpers it would be too much like work. Charlie Gittins, 540-327-2208 AFF-I, Sigma TI, IAD-I MEI, CFI-I, Senior Rigger Former DZO, Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures

+1 Charlie Gittins, 540-327-2208 AFF-I, Sigma TI, IAD-I MEI, CFI-I, Senior Rigger Former DZO, Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures

I was almost 51 when I made my first tandem jump. I did 3 tandems to make sure I really liked it, and then started AFF. My first jump was in July 2007. Do a tandem or two and see if it is something that you really would like to do and if it is . . . GO FOR IT! Charlie Gittins, 540-327-2208 AFF-I, Sigma TI, IAD-I MEI, CFI-I, Senior Rigger Former DZO, Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures

At 13 jumps, 2500 is your "decide and act" altitude. The key being "act." You should pull red by the time you see 2500. And you should be checking your altimeter every 5 seconds or so when stuff is not going right, especially. I had my first cutaway after a hard opening and broken steering lines on CAT C1. I had enough time to think and be sure about what was going on and decided my "hard deck" for that jump was 3000 when I was at 3500 with a canopy I couldn't flare with both toggles and couldn't turn right with toggles. Worked out fine. Charlie Gittins, 540-327-2208 AFF-I, Sigma TI, IAD-I MEI, CFI-I, Senior Rigger Former DZO, Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures

SKydive Chicago Caravan will be flying over the scenic SHenedoah Valley for the Memorial Day weekend. $25 registration includes boogie frosty beverages, t-shirt and grilled chicken dinner. Mark your calendars and join us for the Caravan over New Market Memorial Day Boogie! Organizers - All weekend for all levels. ORGANIZERS: NELSON PEREZ – Free Flying /Tracking /Angle Flying: DEAN SCHLEMMER -Relative Work. Pre-registration will be accepted and guarantees your T-shirt size. Come and ENJOY THE FUN on this holiday weekend. Put this on your calendar…See you Memorial Day! Exit 264 on I-81; New Market Virginia (8W2); 25-26 May 2013. 540-450-6070. www.skydivenewmarket.com Charlie Gittins, 540-327-2208 AFF-I, Sigma TI, IAD-I MEI, CFI-I, Senior Rigger Former DZO, Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures

51. CG Charlie Gittins, 540-327-2208 AFF-I, Sigma TI, IAD-I MEI, CFI-I, Senior Rigger Former DZO, Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures

Good point. We are at New Market airport in Virginia. I-81, Exit 264. Airport identifier is 8W2. CHeck us out at www.skydivenewmarket.com or on our Facebook site. We'd like to see you at New Market in Memorial Day weekend! Charlie Gittins, 540-327-2208 AFF-I, Sigma TI, IAD-I MEI, CFI-I, Senior Rigger Former DZO, Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures

Mark your calendars and join us for the Caravan over New Market Memorial Day Boogie …….Come out and get the season jumping! WE’VE BEEN ROOK’ed - Turbine Aircraft by Skydive Chicago. $25 lift tickets all weekend. Organizers - All weekend for all levels. ORGANIZERS: NELSON PEREZ – Free Flying /Tracking /Angle Flying: DEAN SCHLEMMER -Relative Work: Special Guest Organizer to come - Registration is $25.00 and includes: - T-shirt, Saturday Night Back Yard Cook Out and Frosty beverages. Pre-registration will be accepted. Come and ENJOY THE FUN on this holiday weekend. Put this on your calendar…See you Memorial Day! www.skydivenewmarket.com Charlie Gittins, 540-327-2208 AFF-I, Sigma TI, IAD-I MEI, CFI-I, Senior Rigger Former DZO, Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures

Sounds like a bit much of a downsize to me. Vector 3 is a great rig. (Get the skyhook). The wait may be long, but when it arrives you may not be ready to downsize, but that won't matter because you will WANT to downsize. Take your time and make sure you can do the entire B license card before you downsize at each level. I am pretty conservative and I can tell you from experience, the ground is very unforgiving. You need to master the canopy you are flying before you downsize. The most deaths and injuries in our sport occur under perfectly good canopies flown, let's say, imperfectly. Charlie Gittins, 540-327-2208 AFF-I, Sigma TI, IAD-I MEI, CFI-I, Senior Rigger Former DZO, Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures

+1 Charlie Gittins, 540-327-2208 AFF-I, Sigma TI, IAD-I MEI, CFI-I, Senior Rigger Former DZO, Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures

They have come up with a new RSL similar to the Skyhook for the Plexus and which is available now on new Wings sport rigs and may be back fit to rigs currently in use. That is a good improvement, IMO. Charlie Gittins, 540-327-2208 AFF-I, Sigma TI, IAD-I MEI, CFI-I, Senior Rigger Former DZO, Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures

FAI license is recognized in the USA. Here's my take on it in the USA . . . . You need to have a Tandem Manufacturer's Tandem Instructor course completion certificate and you'll need to get USPA to approve you as a TI, so you'll need to join USPA. The SIM and IRM have sections on FAI equivalency and how to get USPA to recognize an FAI rating, as I recall. You'll need a US work visa, otherwise both the DZO and yourself can get into legal trouble if you are working on a tourist visa. First step -- read the USPA IRM and SIM. The SIM is on line at the USPA webbsite and won't cost you a thing. Charlie Gittins, 540-327-2208 AFF-I, Sigma TI, IAD-I MEI, CFI-I, Senior Rigger Former DZO, Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures

I personally think student AAD's should fire higher. +1 Charlie Gittins, 540-327-2208 AFF-I, Sigma TI, IAD-I MEI, CFI-I, Senior Rigger Former DZO, Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures

It's a big Wings. I looked it over, and I am sticking with my SIGMAs. Charlie Gittins, 540-327-2208 AFF-I, Sigma TI, IAD-I MEI, CFI-I, Senior Rigger Former DZO, Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures

A Charlie Gittins, 540-327-2208 AFF-I, Sigma TI, IAD-I MEI, CFI-I, Senior Rigger Former DZO, Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures

DOn't worry about buying gear if you have not even made a jump yet. Your AFF progression will include gear and as you progress you'll learn about the gear and how it works. Over time you'll progress from very large student canopies to smaller student canopies appropriate for your weight and skill. Once you approach your A license, you'll have an idea about what would be an appropriate size canopy, with the assistance and advice of your instructors. There is plenty of good used gear available for purchase and $3500 will probably buy you a decent rig -- with reserve and main, with mid-time AAD. AAD's are generally required at most USPA DZs and they are a good piece of gear that provides a fail safe in the event of a no pull or free fall collision. Concentrate on your flying and canopy skills, the gear will take care of itself as you become ready to purchase your own. Charlie Gittins, 540-327-2208 AFF-I, Sigma TI, IAD-I MEI, CFI-I, Senior Rigger Former DZO, Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures