jverley

I would recommend stretching and being limber over anything else. Skydiving is not aerobics -- its air deflection and body manipulation. The ability to have and hold an arch, see over your shoulder, find your handles is the most important. Also being limber may save you from injuries should you land in a less graceful manner than you intended. John Arizona Hiking Trails

Eloy is open 7 days a week most of the year but it is closed Tuesday and Wednesdays during June-September. But for flying weather you are correct, they probably fly more days than any other DZ. John Arizona Hiking Trails

Dad has 600 or so. Mom has 10. Sis has 3 and my wife has 2. Dad's first jump was a static line with sister (also her first). My first was a static line with dad (his second). Some of my favorite jumps are just logged "2-way with Dad"

I enjoyed LXG as well. I am now reading King Solomon's Mine by H Rider Haggard. Allan Quartermaine is the narrator and protagonist. I am only two chapters in so I can't recommend it yet. John Arizona Hiking Trails

My team has a very good way of fixing a short spot. You cannot sit and refuse to go -- tto much shouting -- but your climbout can be painfully slow. We usually have our front float or camera guy give a signal -- adjusting a bootie perhaps -- that tells us all that the spot is short. That being said, we would not do this so that our spot is perfect, just if the spot is so bad that everyone on the plane would be affected. John Arizona Hiking Trails

One was in Eloy. There is a big wooden poster signed by all the participants in the main hanger. Don't recall the date. John Arizona Hiking Trails

My 8-way team will be training this weekend. It is our first camp. We don't even have a name yet. John Arizona Hiking Trails

I also am returning to school and I chose the University of Phoenix. I start on January 28th. While it is expensive, I like that it allows you to keep working a full time job and that it is geared for professionals. While I have not attended a class yet, my counselors and advisors have been great. The online piece seems to work well and I think I am gonna like it. Good luck with your return to school. John Arizona Hiking Trails

If you ever find me in such a position, please call 911. I have been severely hurt John Arizona Hiking Trails

The one time my team was forced to use a King Air instead of an otter, our coach made a point of having us just launch one bullet proof exit for the entire camp. (We used a satellite). His argument was that since you will not be competing in this aircraft, no reason to learn all the details about all the launches. Instead we worked on our sub-terminal transitions to the first point. Once we had our Otter back we went back to the normal variety of exits. John Arizona Hiking Trails

I disagree with this in part. Staying to the side is fine but you should begin your track when you reach the breakoff altitude not when the group does. If you are 2500 feet low, are you going to wait until 1500 feet to break off? Since most jumpers cannot judge how low they are relative to the formation, use the information you have available (your altitude) and follow the break off plan. John Arizona Hiking Trails

353. My third best year. I try to get at least 365 a year so I can average one a day. The three W's always slow me down -- wife, work & wallet! John Arizona Hiking Trails

2000+ jumps without an altimeter. I always jump in groups and someone always has a Altimeter. I just break off when the first person does. My internal clock is usually good enough that I am aware of breakoff time when it comes. On the occasional birdman, I will borrow a wrist mount for the jump. It works for me. Your mileage may vary. John Arizona Hiking Trails

I found it here. http://www.paragear.com/frame.asp?menu=group%3d2%26level%3d1&main=templates/parachute.asp%3fgroup%3d2 John Arizona Hiking Trails

Posted before. Still funny though. John Arizona Hiking Trails

Try the Paragear catalog or their web site. According to the Paragear site a Sabre 2 190 has a pack volume of 416 cubic inches. The Talon FS T5 (Flexon's are no longer made so not shown on Paragear's site) shows as being compatible with a Stiletto 150. John Arizona Hiking Trails

I am not sure of the turn around time but when I was at my heaviest, I swore by the High Lift Acrylic fabric Tony suits by Tony Suit. I was 240lbs and 5'10". Nice and round. Dropped 50 lbs and now can be comfortable in a regular Poly Cotton pit special. John Arizona Hiking Trails

All the amassed knowledge of man can be found right here at Dropzone.com. The Talk Back forum is particularly a good source of information. Seriously, I can help with some of the terms: Whacker -- A whacker is a line of skydivers attached to a base. The term come because they look like the string on a weed whacker. Related term: Line--Two or more skydivers flying side by side facing the same direction with wrist or arm grips. Corking -- When freeflying any change in body position that causes a sudden deceleration relative to the others in the group. At freefly speeds this is very dangerous. The cause, like all things in sky diving is body position. Mantis position -- Your description is accurate. The mantis position is a more advanced position that allows for faster turns and movement. RW Formations -- The best way to understand the terms used is to get a dive pool form USPA. The most common formations for belly flying are: Star-- 2 or more skydiver facing a common center with arm grips Cattepillar -- 2 or more skydivers in a line from head to knee with two leg grips. Donut -- Like a star but with all the skydivers presenting there side to a common center. Which side you present will determine the name Right Hand donut or left hand donut. Open accordian-- 2 or more skydivers facing opposite directions with arm grips Compressed accordian -- 2 or more skydivers side to side facing opposite directions with leg grips on each other. Sidebody -- 2 or more skydivers with one taking an arm grip and a leg grip on the side of another. Stairstep -- 2 or more skydivers facing the same direction with a single leg grip (Right hand on left leg for example)[/INDENT] There are a lot more, but that should give you a start. John Arizona Hiking Trails

Why would you doubt the manufacturer? Do you think they are purposely putting bad information out? If they say a 120 is tight, I would expect the 135 to be at least 12.5% tighter John Arizona Hiking Trails

[URL http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=778813;search_string=Slingshot%20Santa;#778813] Nice Game![/URL] John Arizona Hiking Trails

Anyone know where I can get packing instructions for a Paraflite Swift Reserve (5-cell)? I have not been able to find them on the web. John Arizona Hiking Trails

Yes, but the mailbag has a very slow fall rate John Arizona Hiking Trails

Eloy is doing a $10 sunset DC-3 load to celebrate. (Any reason to crank up the 3 is good). Should be followed by a sweet buzz job.

It's a 4 hour movie (or 11 hours if you saw the trilogy). Maybe they were trying to get circulation back into their hands for sitting so long. John Arizona Hiking Trails

Congratulations! The number of numbers you will have will continue to grow: You get a new number for each license (A-D) You can get a riggers number You can get unlimited Wings, Freefall badges all with different numbers (and minerals) You can get Falcon, Eagle, CCR, CCS, 4 stack, SCR, SCS and others with unique numbers There are the Muff Brothers, NCB, Badgers and others who assign numbers. Get lots of numbers. And have fun! John Arizona Hiking Trails