lowpull

The rule of thumb is a hundred. We require at least this many, because the handles are not the same, the systems fly and work differently, and you need to be a bit more comfortable with the entire tandem process before you start juming multiple types of rigs.. Ralph

THIS, ladies and gentlemen, THIS is why Jeff is my hero!!! Kinda makes up for all the times you jumped thru hoops to impress a girl and she blew you off huh?? dude,,,, we need to party together more often. Ralph

OK, $30 a tandem may sound low, but, lets look at the math. $180 minus 2 slots at roughly $22 each. $136 take off $25 for the rig. $110 $10 for the pack job $100. $30 for the Instructor. So now we are left with the grand total of $70 for the dz as "profit" Oddly enough, these numbers are what most dzs exist on, so I agree we probably are worth a bit more from time to time, but this is the way things are. I know thirty bucks really doesn't sound like much, but even at a small Cessna dropzone, I have done 10 or 12 a day, so it helps offset the cost of jumps and gear and rating courses and the couple hundred bucks for the next thing we seem to not be able to live without. Hope this helps Ralph

Ummmmm, in famous DC3 Mr Douglas. A few times. What can I say, it was parked at the dz for a while,,,,so Ralph

Something that works well for me is to ask them to shrug their shoulders, which puts a bit of slack in the chest strap, so no groping is necessary. Hope it helps Ralph

Just buy the Racer dammit! You tried mine on.it fit, it's the most comfortable,and besides, Racers were made for us short folk!!!!! love you Ralph

Peter, you and I could fill this bandwidth with stories!!!!

I have a Sabre 135 that I bought new in 1991. This canopy has been used for water jumps, beach demos,and anything else you can imagine. I had it relined once, and it still looks and flies great. If you keep it out of the sun, and take care of it, there is no reason a zp canopy can't last several thousand jumps. As far as being able to tell how many jumps are onit by just looking at it, well, I don't possess Jedi mind powers, but maybe this packer does. have a rigger take a look at it or, better yet, send it to PD. They are the best in the business for a reason, and won't try to sell you a new canopy just because yours has a few jumps on it. Hope this helps Ralph

hey, you let ME pack your main!! Wait, come to think about it, I helped teach you how to pack your main!! Whats up little brother, and oh yeah, greetings from the armpit of the universe (Iraq) Ralph

generally I teach the left handle is primary, the right handle is secondary. The reasoning is that your right hand throws the drogue,the left hand releases the drogue. This has worked very well for all the candidates that have gone through my courses. Hope it helps Ralph

the 396 is a big block

Wanna bet???

Does anyone know anything about this dz? I am stuck in Baghdad, and am looking to jump while I'm over here. any info is greatly appreciated Ralph

Sometime parachutes fail to work even when properly manufactured assembled and packed. Shit happens, that's why there is that silver handle

dude, that sucked MUCH ass! Hope you keep the day job!

When you sign the paperwork for a Vector Tandem rating, you sign the agreement to follow their rules.

Anyone stop to think that maybe Al might just not want to be found quite yet? We all seem to find ways to take a "breather" of sorts.God knows, sometimes wanderlust has a very attractive appeal. Hope you find what it is you truly seek.... R

I should hope EVERY person on the DZ would have the balls to speak up and try to point out the idiocy of this situation. However, sadly, too many times those of us who know better just watch and hope for the best. I am lucky that the dz's I work at are very good at letting us self police ourselves and watch out for the younger jumpers. I honestly believe if I saw this exact scenario being played out as you have explained,I would do anything and everything in my power to put a stop to a needless injury and bad press for our sport. I pray all of us would............Ralph

Lowpull shouldn't really need too much of an explanation.

Plan on spending $1500-$2000. Pre jumps, pre course,missing a weeks work, the actual course, lodging if you have to go to another dz,lots of slots,plus, hope there are no weather days..... But, all in all,,,,,,once it was all said and done,,,,,worth every penny to know you passed the AFF course........Good luck

Yes, it's true A helicopter at humble Skydive Palatka tomorrow, Sunday the 26th. Come out and play............

I jusy got off the phone with the owner type, and we will be flying a helicopter Sunday. Come on Out!!!!

As far s small comfortable rigs go...Power Racer. I LOVE the fit. I am not the biggest guy so I needed a tiny rig.I also know of quite a few small girls that really like theirs.........

Amber, Sometimes it is not the thing that counts, but the thought and love behind it.There have been holidays that a special friend or family member got me a card that meant more than anything else that money could have bought. As far as the alone thing,well, I know it may not mean much right now, but it is easier to be lonely than sorry. Sorry about the knee,but(like the lonely thing)at least the pain reminds us we are still alive. Keep your chin up, and like one of the first friends I had in the skydiving world told me(in a Trini accent no less)"Don't let the bastards get you down!" Hope this helps a bit,,,,,,,,,,,Ralph

Being a FSU fan(even in the shitty years) I truly thank whatever passes for God in your (and my)particular world for Friday nite and Saturday football. "Dadgum It!" St. Bobbie Ralph