richclive

Glad to hear Royan is doing well - jumped there for a few years but had a couple of poor trips where the service was cursory at best. May well head back there as the views on the climb were glorious. More recently two other coastal (-ish) DZs are Mimizan which is good if you are in the south-west, and Vannes in Brittany is consistently great. Both had Porters on my last visit, both had English speakers, and no-one ever asked my canopy size.

Thanks, that makes sense. A pic would still be appreciated before I start with the power tools. No rush, am grounded with toddler care for the next couple of weekends.

Any chance of a pic of the mod? I suspect that if I try it without any guidance it would be an expensive process...

Had an unrecoverable line over recently that was winding up, chopped and pulled reserve while in a poor body position, but it opened quickly and smoothly with no twists. Slow forward speed with brakes stowed and a bit of a surge when getting to full drive so no issues with making the dz for an unremarkable landing. Loading at 1.4 which is pretty much the same as the main. Performed perfectly; which is more than can be said for the packer.

Z1, by Parasport Italia. Tricky to open with gloves on, but once that was sussed never had a problem with mine.

Ooops - was less than clear in the title. When I said pre-Eos I was thinking more that before splashing out on the Canon, was there a smaller non-SLR to try out which would be less expensive and less snaggable, and would let me see how I got on with still photography - I'm under no illusions that it's a very different discipline. From your reply I think I might be looking as biting the bullet and seeing if there are any 350s are on eBay...

Having lurked and searched I know that the Canon is the way to go for the best images, but I'm concerned about adding that much bulk (and value) to a top mount. So, assuming that I'm not about to win the lottery, is there a lower profile and cheaper still camera alternative anyone would recommend for a video jockey wanting to add stills to his repertoire? Cheers Rich

My brother and I decided to live up to our motto of "All the gear - no idea" and got ourselves a Neptune each. Great unit, very clear display, loads of cool features and especially liked it for working out the alti you lost on canopy turns. Then the problems crept in. On one dive I was at 4K, and tracked off. Checking my alti again after the track I was still at 4K. Wow, the Neptune even improves my flat track. However, as the ground still appeared to be heading towards me, and the reading was still 4K, I pulled anyway. It went back to the supplier, it got repaired, and it did the same thing again only at 3.6K. Ditto brother's unit, which also started commenting on his sexual practices as it gave him warning bleeps when he was at home in bed. I know people who haven't had any problems with these and are delighted, but I'd have a hard time trusting one again.

Situated right on the beach, this is a DZ that has had a lot of ups and downs (arson of a Porter, problems getting air traffic sorted out) but this all seems to be sorted now, and they have planning permission for their own buildings which may go up for next season. Right now they 'share' a building with a restaurant (bit pricey, sprint to the one on the campsite - over the runway) and the rooms for private pilots, meaning you pack a short walk away in a hangar. Customs rules mean that you cannot use the door to the building from the landing zone - you have to go through the window. Like I said, quirky. The vibe when we were there was good and we were made to feel very welcome, but we know one of the tandem guys and his girlfriend which made it much easier (that's why it gets a 4 on friendliness, the language barrier being the main cause). We have had nightmares in the past getting our paperwork sorted at French DZs, but this was quick and easy. There's a small shop on the campsite, a cheap hotel right next door, and you can camp for free in a tiny area at the back of the packing area, where there is a basic shower. They run a Porter, only putting in seven people if they are tall, eight if short. As the other reviewer says, great view.

In the past couple of years a new Directeur technique (Marin) has made this a whole new place to jump. Very friendly (although speaking a little French will help) and is set up as a club so they're not a tandem factory and gear hire is free for your first 50 jumps. They fly a Porter, and have just put in an order for a brand new one. Porters are very popular in France for good reason, and on a good day they can get up to 30 loads up. Guest planes are generally another Porter, occasionally a Skyvan or Twin Otter. The bar opening times can be a little sporadic (run by volunteers) but if you claim caffeine withdrawl they'll open up if they have time. Operate under FFP but no problem with USPA or BPA ratings, but be warned that, as with most French DZs, if you want to do a tandem you'll need a medical cert / letter from your doctor saying you're fit and healthy.

Got any idea what's going on - heard that the Antonov won't be there this year. Anyone know what planes they'll have?

Only been to Lapalisse a couple of times, but the athmosphere was excellent - really friendly and never had a problem hooking up with other people to jump with. The organised teams just meant that they Skyvans never stopped going.

Thanks for the info Rich

Some things much better now? Like what, old boy? And is there anything you need to do before going on the course? PS I'm NOT shaving my legs.

Anyone been on the canopy control class they run in Empuriabrava? If so, what did you think? Ta Rich

Some terrible media coverage is due to people wanting to sensationalise the sport beyond recognition. This sort of reportage is always going to happen and there's nothing anyone can do about it. As the cliche goes, facts would only get in the way of the story. What does help is having an official body for the media to go to so that journalists who want to get things right (the vast majority) can get the information they need. With the Hilder case, the BPA refused to answer any questions because it was 'not a skydiving accident'. They would not even confirm the number of skydivers there are in the UK. This pushed more media attention towards the DZ, friends and family. Individually. BPA members who knew that journalists weren't from a red-top were happy to talk, realising that the more good information you put out there, the better informed the article and the better informed the public. You're not guaranteed to get the perfect report, but if everyone closes ranks then the media will have to fill in the blanks themselves. And that doesn't do anyone any good.

I was there last month with my brother who's just finished AFF - I came out with a huge grin after 15 minutes, he came out with less time saying it had been a bit of a waste of money. The next day at Lake Wales we did a 2-way and he was flying noticably better. After he landed he shrugged and said maybe it hadn't been a waste after all. I think to judge the tunnel after one 10 min session is a bit harsh - most people ping around for that long before they get the hang of the tiny space.

I'll fifth that, although I can't see many colonials agreeing that a rig made by surrender monkeys is any good. Or that PdeF have been one of the most innovative manufacturers in history.

Everyone seems to be quitting right now. I'm three days in as well, fingernails have gone, I'm trying not to glare at fellow workers going on cig breaks - little walks to the water cooler have saved me a few times. But with the amount I used to smoke I think "Its a jump ticket every three days".

Yeah, it is. There's a switch in the brain that gets hit around the seventh pint, when most men start pounding their chests and crying out 'I must MAAATE!'. At this point, all advice and logic is useless. The secret is to drink the next two pints QUICKLY, and then fall over. You will then (typically) belch, sigh, and try to get off with the carpet. No harm done.

Ahh, young James, you too are joining the Jersey funnel camp team are you? Excellent. BTW did you volunteer to go or did they find out about the sheep worrying?

Snap. Light fever, lovely clammy hands, and someone's cut my throat with a blunt object. Two hours to go. I find growling gently at co-workers takes my mind off symptoms.

I dont know or care to know how John Cleese tastes like grilled Very much like chicken. No-one expects it.

You're only saying that because you have huge numbers of dropzones, better weather, cheaper lifts, cheaper gear . . . but we have warm beer. And Monty Pyton. And foie gras. So there.

Ahh, Europe, where there is one fewer excuse for not buying beer. It's legal at 18 in the UK. And compulsory on the continent from birth.