brucet7

Until now I have not contributed, but as someone who has never been to Lodi, knows nothing about Bill and his history (other than what I have read here), who doesn't know you, or anyone else in this discussion and as someone who served as an aircraft mechanic who has changed hundreds of perfectly good parts because they have timed out, I have to say that when I first read your 'skydiving is dangerous' comment I came to the same conclusion about what you wrote. I was not biased, prejudiced, nor had any preconceptions as I read it. POPS #10623; SOS #1672

You might try a larger sampling than two jumps before drawing too many conclusions. POPS #10623; SOS #1672

I figure the seat belts are really there to keep the bodies with the plane and not be spread over God's half acre. I not really sure there are enough points for those things to be really safe. POPS #10623; SOS #1672

If this was the US, the other side of the country would be a big deal. The OP is from England, so it is not that far to the other side. People travel those distances here all the time, but it is just across the state. No disrespect intended, just saying. POPS #10623; SOS #1672

The question relates to A and B lines being pulled in the video, not front or rear riser turns. It seemed like a reasonable question given the video he was watching. POPS #10623; SOS #1672

Practice the good advice given here, even when not on a 4way. People might think you are crazy, but do all your exits from the front float spot, even solos. Practice makes perfect. POPS #10623; SOS #1672

Actually, there are 4 places coaches can sign. Exit and Freefall lines for Cat E-H. POPS #10623; SOS #1672

The three day coaches' course is not all that goes into learning to be a coach. Jumps (whether enough are done or not is the real question), information gleaned from talking to other jumpers, actually reading the SIMs, and the Ratings Manual. Attending the FJC as a jumper and learning to teach part of that before the course, those are the things that make up a coach course. The attitude of "Three days ago I couldn't spell coach and today I are one" is a fool's attitude. And to think of ourselves as instructors or teachers with just a coach course and >100 jumps is fooling ourselves as well. We are learners helping learners apply the lessons our instructors have taught us both. POPS #10623; SOS #1672

I wash mine in cold water and regularly. Not so much for the sweat, but the dirt and grass stain from less than perfect landings. I tend to slide into base. POPS #10623; SOS #1672

If you are waiting for a reserve ride to build muscle memory you are too late. That is build by the routine on the way to altitude and at repack time. When you need it you are relying on muscle memory not building it. Both parts of your question are true, but not dependent on each other. Yes pull the handle. Yes building muscle memory. The second does not result from the first, however. POPS #10623; SOS #1672

I believe that is the exact reason a teacher starts out as a student teacher. Watch the teacher, teach one or two parts of the lesson, grade a set of papers, etc. Then after a time as a student teacher one gets to be a teacher. Coach = student teacher. Instructor = teacher. POPS #10623; SOS #1672

And I pay my own way. I don't ask people to pay for my fun. I am going out of the plane anyway. I am not in such demand that people are calling or texting me, hoping I will jump with them. POPS #10623; SOS #1672

I got my coach's rating for one reason. New jumpers, those off AFF but not licensed, need someone there for reference point. I am someone to dock with, someone to track away from, someone to to see if they are backsliding. I can lay a stable base for them to work from. I can fall a little faster, or slow down to help them learn those skills. I can tell them to watch on their 360s and I can actually move a little to the side to help them learn to side body. And sometimes I am just someone to brag to, "Wow, we did it." You don't need to be Mr Super Skydiver or God's Gift to the DZ to do that. I am thankful for all the help I got when I needed it and am proud to do my little part in making it fun. POPS #10623; SOS #1672

I love jumping with new jumpers. And most are now a lot better than I am (and don't jump with me anymore). My skill are improving all the time. Partly because I am either trying to catch them (rarely) or slow down so they can catch me. POPS #10623; SOS #1672

My sister flies and and I jump. I sometimes help with the fuel cost, but she is flying for the fun and I am falling for the same reason. POPS #10623; SOS #1672

You might check out the classified adds here for used prices and sites advertised in Parachutist Magazine for new. POPS #10623; SOS #1672

Rent a locker at the DZ to keep your gear in? I know we have them at ours. POPS #10623; SOS #1672

So you really like it, but it is hard to learn. Well we wouldn't want to do anything that takes time and practice in this age of drive up windows and instant oatmeal. I vote throw in the towel. POPS #10623; SOS #1672

My experience is just the opposite. When people hear I skydive they usually say something like, "I wouldn't do that . . ." "You would have to push me out." or my favorite, "I would mess my pants all the way down." POPS #10623; SOS #1672

Then again, no one has ever asked me to see my various diplomas either, EMT card or most other related items. The police have asked for my driver's license on occasion and the bank want to see my account card. Other than that, not much. POPS #10623; SOS #1672

Same here. Main 230, Res 253 POPS #10623; SOS #1672

I try to maintain a healthy balance of skydiving and life. I am a goal oriented skydiver. Right now I am working on my C license. I have set goals for the number of jumps per month to get to that goal. Currently, life has gotten in the way and I am 8 jumps behind the August goal (which was 12) and I will try and get half those done. But I have a wife who supports jumping (encourages might be a better word) but doesn't and I spend time with her. I have grandkids who live 3 hours away that I want to visit, and there is a DZ 14 miles from them, so I can seek away. My mother is on hospice, so I have responsibilities for her care. And I work, particularly Sundays (though I can sometimes slip in for an afternoon). Skydiving is important. I talk about it, read it, do it. Yet, I am more than just a skydiver. POPS #10623; SOS #1672

Russia, or Idaho?? POPS #10623; SOS #1672

I think the fear comes and goes. Every time you try something new there is added fear. After a reserve ride, a little added fear, coming back from an injury or a layoff, or a particularly hard opening, cotton mouth returns for a few jump. And a little fear is not a bad thing. I took a friend for jump and he kept saying he wasn't afraid, or worried. Then the door opened and he road the plane down. Then he was afraid. POPS #10623; SOS #1672

I have none. My DZ stocks Vigils, so that was my choice. POPS #10623; SOS #1672