FreeflyIndian

Thanks! :) I came across that too, but looking for more breakdowns and not just any stats ;) - see first post Dylan - the SA stats are not online, not as far as I'm aware Many thanks Ria

Having looked at the statistics for South Africa I'd like to know whether our trends are in line with what's happening elsewhere in the world - data such as number students trained, number descents, number of tandems, number of members (skydivers) etc. for say the past ten years. Does anyone where I can find this data for different countries e.g. USPA, BPA, etc. Is it publicly available? Any help would be much appreciated Ria

Hi Richard Thanks for the reply. I'm actually part of the management that runs a dz here in SA. These questions are related to our business decisions and strategy for our operations going forward, hence I'm asking these questions. I'm also going to pm you in case you prefer to discuss these details off the forum. Many thanks Ria

Hi guys I'm trying to understand the real cost of tandem gear. We all know there's the purchase price, and reserve repacks, but what other expenses related to the gear throughout its life? What are the parts that wear out and how often do they need to be replaced? E.g. What is the lifespan in jumps for the following items: drogues, main canopies, canopy relines, other??? How often would one do maintenance type work to harnesses or the container and what kind of work would this be? Thanks RM

Hi Dave Thanks for your reply. The point of the beer was to use it as a really unofficial country price comparison, an index so to speak, to adjust for the different living costs in different countries. I understand the shortfalls of this method but thought it would be a fun fact nonetheless. I fully agree in paying in cash and letting the person spend the money on whatever they choose - be it beer, jumps, or bail money... :-) Thanks for the input

Seeing as I'm asking you guys for input, I might as well add my local dz stats to the list: Country: South Africa DZ: Skydive Robertson Packing price (excl. tip): R40 Typical tip (if it applies): - Jump ticket price: R320 Exit altitude: 11,000 Price of ave. 6 pack of beer: R50

Hey guys Doing a bit of research and looking to find out what packing prices are like at other dz's. Appreciate it if you could respond with the following: Country: DZ: (If you want to, not super important though) Packing price (excl. tip): Typical tip (if it applies): Jump ticket price: Exit altitude: Price of ave. 6 pack of beer: If you've got the time the info would be appreciated. Stay safe!

Thanks. Been asking around, will see what happens :-) See ya!

Anybody heading to Carolinafest from Atlanta? Looking for a ride there. Currently at Skydive The Farm in Rockmart

Hi all Thanks for the replies. Yes, it is a bicycle. Anyone know if there's a source online that lists boogies/dates? Would help with the planning Thanks for the info thus far. Also had thoughts of starting in Florida and working my across/somewhere. Shot Ria

Hey guys Hope I'm putting this in the right forum. I really need some help here. I'm looking into the possibility of cycling across the US but with the intention of visiting as many boogies along the way. Which one's and route – I'm not sure. Hence I seek the community's assistance with this (also I'm currently cycling across Africa at the moment – charity fund raiser which I hope to continue across the US in 2012 – internet connections are really shit here and so doing even simple desktop research is a real challenge). Here's what I'm thinking, come to the US at the start of the season (March/April?) and make why across for 6 months (assuming the powers that be grant me a visa for this long). Would really appreciate feedback/ideas on boogies to visit and route you might recommend. If anyone's interested, the trip I'm currently busy with is cycling from Cape Town to Cairo. You can visit www.siyashova.com to find out more. Thus far I've done 8500km's of cycling, but only one jump which was over Malawi's International Airport in Lilongwe (cool when you realist that its the capital city!). What I miss most is the skydiving hence the idea to combine the two for a really good cause :-) Blue Skies and Stay Safe Ria Moothilal Africa's Fastest Indian ;-)

Thanks My concern is more weight and volume of the device and not so much speed. If the netbook can do it, although a bit slowly, then that will do. Why weight/volume of the device is important? My needs is actually for a bicycle tour I'm doing next year - 8 months of cycling. I know this is a skydiving forum but think this would also be relevant to any travelling jumper. That said, any advice on the specs of netbook I should be looking for Or if you disagree with the use of a netbook completely, any suggestions on another device that will do the job (light editing for post videos to youtube, not professional hard core editing) and that is lightweight Many thanks!!!!

Anyone got experience on using a netbook to edit video? From my little internet research I believe net books are becoming more powerful to handle this. Thanks Ria

Some help here please

Well done to all!!!!

Shot! I suppose I could work on my search skills too

Hey guys Any tips on easy exits (linked) to do with those "new" freefliers? I'm talking about two ways. Or is better to go unlinked? One example is a exiting in track - side by side linked, then front flip into a sit. Interested to hear what you have to say Shot!

Out of interest, why Bridle in the mesh and not fabric?

ah. thanks

How do you make sure the door of a Cessna is secure up top? Whenever I've had the door hit me was when I was out the door - I'm guessing caused by the drop in pressure caused when you block the air flow underneath the door as you climb out. So you do you make sure the door is secure up top before you climb out and how would you secure it?

OK, before coming here I did seek advice elsewhere. Yes, as Dave so brilliantly pointed out I did injure myself - hence the quest for more knowledge - I dont intend repeating shit. The post here was to see what everyone else thought regarding body posItion in the harness. I do enjoy arguing/questioning points right or wrong - it only leads to more comments/questions/info being shared. Oh, and I do know of pilots (much more experienced than I am) who also suffered similar injuries when things suddenly went wrong on the last stage of the landing - so it does lead me to believe that this is a relevant topic - my opinion anyway. As to the feet together vs apart thing. I think I'm with DanG on feet together on finals (possibly earlier), then if there's a possibility to run/walk it off make that decision at the end. IMHO that makes more sense - less to think about on those last few moments when the ground is close should something go not according to plan Stay safe!

I thought it was pretty obvious, driving at getting more info. You'd rather I not ask questions? Real smart Harness turns and directional problems? Not really having those issues as I do fly square. However, even with my low WL, if I do drop a leg and fly assymetrical, the canopy turns, not huge, but it does. see you say this, other's say feet together. And you wonder why I ask questions [reply ] If you are not sure which foot to lead with, do this... Actually some new useful advice from you with this. See what happens when you ask questions As to convincing others, if ever I say "this is how it should be..." feel free to accuse me of trying to convince others to follow me, but if I'm asking questions, how the hell does it come across as convincing others. Being a forum, I knew I'd get some bullshit like this. Oh well, shot for the useful bits of your reply

Now there's some constructive input

Real constructive. How about addressing the questions asked?

Fair enough, but having your feet in front, and your body "driving in" from behind could result in your legs taking too much impact - injury perhaps? Now feet behind, could be feet knees face, or feet knees side (assuming your turn your body when impact) I've also seen and heard of swoops gone wrong (this thread isn't about high performance landing but think this example illustrates a good point), where the pilot was a fraction too low, feet behind, fee impacted, rest of body followed, somersault through risers, no real injury. Now had he had his feet in front, I reckon much worse outcome... Thanks for the input. I'm just trying to thrash out a lot of ideas currently in my head, so please dont think my mind is made up