samlee

The jump was a scrambles competition. 1 experienced jumper (1000's jumps) and 3 less experienced. Approx 30, 60 and 100 jumps each. The flyer that went low was actually the one with about 100 jumps. It being a scrambles, it would have been well briefed and prepped by the experienced flyer. I wasn't there but know the experienced jumper. That's all I know - definitely a few lessons to be learnt here and I believe this video should be shown around so people know the importance of tracking and having a good plan for people going low / in cloud / losing sight of the formation.

It's a pretty crappy situation for all but that's quite exception customer service, kudos!!

If you're based in the UK, you'll need your Formation Skydiving (FS1) qualification to jump with others when you get back to the UK. The quickest and easiest way for you to do this is to crack on with 1on1 coaching straight off your Consols (assuming you are doing an AFF course with BPA instructors for a BPA A-Licence). Are you going out with British instructors? Have you spoken with them about coaching?

Awesome video!! Great edit...

Yes mine did that when I first received it back in 2008 I think. Unfortunately this was AFTER the rigger had installed it! Was sent back to Vigil and a new one shipped out right away. However, I think Vigil only offer a 12 month warranty (possibly?) so not sure what the situation will be with an older one. Sam

Yes it does work with the CX410. A friend of mine has one and has been using it with the Hypeye. I've just snapped one up myself and will be using it with a Hypeye once I've figured out how to modify my camera box to fit the damn camera in! (It's a bit bigger than the CX115!)

As a UK jumper who has recently got into filming tandems, the only advice I can give you is speak to the person who runs the tandem camera pool at the dropzone you intend to film tandems at! Some DZs are happy with Go-Pros, but most still require CX style cameras I believe. They may also want you to do some practice first to ensure you are able to get the right shots, but this might be limited given your jump numbers although it will still depend on your ability. Worth noting that CX cameras are hard to come by now, as the CX105/CX115 that are most popular stopped being made years ago. The CX410 is another good one that has a great optical steadyshot but is also now discontinued (I just snapped one up on eBay). Most of the newer Sony / CX range are not suitable due to the type of steadyshot they have, new software which is incompatible with Hypeye's or no way of attaching a wide angle lens.

Had this done to me as an April fools a few years back when I had about 100 jumps. Was actually really funny and to be fair to the rest of the guys on the jump they even chipped in to cover my jump ticket!

I think we need to update the thread title. According to his profile he now has 416 jumps and a velo 103...

You think that's bad, Airtec were taking up to 3 months last year!!

I've seen a post on facebook about disqualifications for GBR and AUS teams.

Ok so some places also do it a little differently where you must sign next to your OWN name to say that someone else has checked you. This allows those that really arent bothered about a check to just sign for themselves, but encourages everyone else to get a proper check. The DZ is then covered showing that they do what they can to make sure everyone is checked and to keep a record of it.

He is being sarcastic. This is exactly what we do in the UK. Everyone must get a gear check, and everyone is taught flightline checking (i.e. the key things to check) as part of their B Licence. Students must be checked by instructors, and A licences must have a visual check that their AAD is on (compulsory for A licence and students). I've caught a few chest straps over the last few years, although funnily enough most of them were when jumping abroad and gear checks weren't as common, I just happened to be doing random visual checks which is something I do on every jump.

Sibson's landing area isn't quite flat if you are landing a bit further out, and so depending on the landing direction you can be landing slightly up-hill or down-hill.

Same in the UK. All incidents are reported and discussed monthly at a Safety and Training Committee meeting which is made up of all CCI's (UK equivalent of S&TA) in the UK. These meetings are open for anyone to attend (occasionally things are discussed in private when relating to specific individuals etc) and the minutes published e.g. http://www.bpa.org.uk/assets/Minutes/STC20120607.pdf