mrubin

If you set it up and leave it, a cheap tent should last you as long as you don't abuse it. The bunkhouse and IHOP are also very reasonably priced. The IHOP has a kitchen so you can prepare your own food and save money that way. And sometimes people rent trailers/houses/rooms near the dz. Contact the dz and see if there is anyone doing that. You might be able to find a good deal. "I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things." - Antoine de Saint-Exupery

I was really nervous before my first solo. It was the first time that I had no instructor to save me if I screwed up and I had no dive plan. I went unstable on my exit, punched a hard arch, and got stable right away. That's when it hit me that I knew what I was doing. It was an amazing feeling. Trust yourself and trust your instructors. If they don't think you're ready to solo then they won't let you. "I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things." - Antoine de Saint-Exupery

I was taught to always start my landing pattern at the same altitude but to adjust where you enter your pattern. You should discuss this with your instructors before your next jump. "I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things." - Antoine de Saint-Exupery

***At least check out I40 instead of I10... I've done the drive between Oklahoma and California a few times. I40 between California and New Mexico is a nice drive. I'd avoid it while going through western Oklahoma and the Texas panhandle as that section is very boring. I haven't been past Oklahoma City on it so I can't say what that section is like. "I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things." - Antoine de Saint-Exupery

When I bought my first rig, my instructors told me I should go with a 150 (I weighed 150 at the time). I followed their advice and ended up with a Pilot 150 for my main and a Smart 135 for my reserve with only about 60 jumps. Luckily everything worked out for me. I'm very cautious about the conditions I jump in, but I still could have found myself in a bad situation under a reserve smaller than I should have had. If I were to do it again I would have found myself a nice 170 main and a larger reserve. With some skill and what I'm sure is a lot of luck, I survived quick downsizing unharmed. Even though I know that I can land my reserve safely (from having done it), I decided that when things go bad I want more fabric over my head so I just bought a larger reserve. The whole point of this post is that the people at your dz are not always right. A lot of the people on this site know a lot more about skydiving than either you or I, so I think you should consider their advice. "I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things." - Antoine de Saint-Exupery

White Sands, NM is pretty cool. "I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things." - Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Most of those lounges are for people with first class tickets or who have a very high priority with the airline's frequent flier program. But a lot of them do sell one day passes that can be used by any of their passengers. Look into that and decide if the cost is worth what you'd get out of it. "I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things." - Antoine de Saint-Exupery

When I was doing AFF, my instructor spent a lot of time drilling EPs. He said he wanted us to be able to do them in our sleep. Well, it worked. Shortly after AFF I had a dream where I had a malfunction and performed my EPs flawlessly. Now I make it a habit to go through my EPs a couple times once I put my gear on. I even visualize them when I'm not at the dropzone. That way, when I need to do them, its not so scary because I've practiced it thousands of times. "I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things." - Antoine de Saint-Exupery

+1 The day that I'm not a little scared about jumping is the day that I need to stop jumping. "I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things." - Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Read the reviews on this site. Spend a day at each dz and see what kind of vibe you get. Call each school and ask whatever questions you have. Tell us which dropzones you're considering and ask for people's opinions and experiences. You've got a lot of options on how to pick a dz. "I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things." - Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Don't worry about buying gear yet. Focus on finishing your training. When you finish that and start renting gear, you can try different canopies pretty easily. You'll likely start with used gear and it's important to find a container that fits you and holds an appropriately sized main AND reserve. Don't buy anything without talking to your instructors first. Most people wont sell you a canopy that is beyond your skill level but there are some people who are just trying to make some money and will sell anything to anyone. "I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things." - Antoine de Saint-Exupery

I'm at about 1.3 and plan to stay here for a long time. I get enough drive in the winds that I'm willing to jump and I'm not coming in faster than I can run on no wind days. "I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things." - Antoine de Saint-Exupery

On the ride to altitude, take some time to visualize the entire skydive. Mentally walk through everything from approaching the door all the way to landing. Take some slow, deep breaths to help you relax and smile. If you're still feeling really tense, turn to your instructor and tell them the dumbest joke that you know. It's amazing how hearing/telling a dumb joke can just cut through the tension and help you relax. One of my favorite dumb jokes is: What's brown and sticky?... A stick. "I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things." - Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Haikus are easy But some times they don't make sense Refrigerator "I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things." - Antoine de Saint-Exupery

This is such a great thread and I had to make sure it at least stayed on the first page, so...BUMP. "I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things." - Antoine de Saint-Exupery

I did a solo road trip across the country and back plus moving from California to Oklahoma and back. I tried to limit myself to 8-10 hours of driving a day. After that I felt like I wasn't as safe a driver due to fatigue or boredom. If you can convince someone to go with you it would be a lot easier, but 3,200 miles solo is definitely doable. "I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things." - Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Does anyone know a rigger who lives in the Santa Clarita area? I'm getting close to needing a repack and don't want to have to scramble at the last minute. I drive to Palmdale/Lancaster for work, so someone there would be great too. Thanks! "I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things." - Antoine de Saint-Exupery

I jumped at Skydive Airtight when I lived in Tulsa and really liked it there. "I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things." - Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Make sure you warm up before stretching. It's not good to stretch cold muscles. "I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things." - Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Sorry it took so long for me to get this done. "I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things." - Antoine de Saint-Exupery

I really enjoyed it. "I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things." - Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Cessna 208 "I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things." - Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Friday was NOT a good day to die Its ok to fart on the way to altitude "I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things." - Antoine de Saint-Exupery

I've got a Panasonic Lumix and I've been really happy with it. "I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things." - Antoine de Saint-Exupery

I thought the emergency exit opened by pulling them inward not pushing them out. i am probably wrong though All the pictures I've ever seen show the doors opening outward. J.M. probably knows WAY more about aircraft than me.