msandt

Any updates? Have you gottenyour suit or heard anything more with Firefly? I am considering putting an order in for a suit from them and am wondering how it has worked out for you. I emailed them some questions I had on my suit a couple months ago and never heard anything from them. I have an old suit that I got used that is built top notch, but I would the customer service is troubling. Thanks.

That's right, thanks for the reminder. Can't wait to check out the new facilities. Wish I wasn't working last weekend and could have made it out for the last weekend.

All those DZs are great places to jump. Skydive Houston just closed down for their move, so for the Houston area, Spaceland's your only choice, but def not a bad one. They tend to say pretty busy even this time of the year, plenty of loads flying on the weekends & quite a few during the week. San Marcos & Temple are both great places with great people too, both with turbine aircraft. I think they are only operating weeknds this time of the year, but not certain. Call & ask before heading there, they are both about an hour from Austin. I'm scheduled to work that weekend, but if anything changes I'll let you know and come out & jump. Either way, all those places have great people & there will be people there to jump with.

It looks like they are even limiting what Flight benefits you can use it for so its no longer a blank slate to get a pilots license but you have to be using it to get ratings for jobs. The Post 9/11 GI Bill is different than the orignal one, and it is up to the veteran to choose which one he wants if he is eligible for Post 9/11. But you are correct, the school must be approved by the VA and I knew this is where the challenge would be. If you found one that was, I doubt they would pay for your jumps to get the numbers, gear, etc, just for the courses/training needed. They have different pay scales based on how many "hours" of school you attend or some sort of equivilent. Either way, it is probably more trouble than any AFF/I-E, T/I-E, etc would want to bother with. Good luck guys.

I've been wondering the same thing about my GI benefits and if it is possible to use them for Ratings Courses, Riggers Courses, etc. Has anyone actually talked to anyone with the VA about this? I havent yet (as Im still a good ways from meeting the minimum req for my ratings) but would like more info if yall have any. I'm doing my Coach Course next week but just paying out of pocket for it. Thanks guys, keep me posted please.

I would recommend the 210. I am roughly the same weight as you and I started out with a 210 and loved it. I just downsized to a 190 about a month ago and the difference was surprisingly a lot more than I expected it to be going from the 210 at 1.1:1 to 190 1.25:1. I'm by no means an expert and am new myself, but I would recommend the 210 until you get more canopy time. Just my opinion, have fun.

Another one here. USMC 2003-2007. Got out and started skydiving.

Bullet design also play a big role(as Im sure you already know). Most people like to buy the bulk 55gr FMJ/Ball ammo or 62gr M855 steel core penetrator because thats what the standard military issue is, when actaully this is a horrible choice for home defense in a populated environment. There are more suited bullet designs for this purpose. +1 on the 12 ga. birdshot. Within the confines of most any residence, this will provide everything you need with minimal collateral damage possibilites. Good post Winsor. Odds are, this will be a cut and dry case of self defense. In Texas, it's pretty easy to justify if you are in your home and there is unlawful entry. They even did away with the need to attempt to evade the burglar before using lethal force a few years ago.

I have captured still of of video as well and personally, I think it is far worse that the stills the GoPro shoots in photo mode. I am by no means a camera or photography expert, but I was pleased with the quality of the stills from that camera, especially for my uses like tjm.

The GoPro can take stills and they arent too bad really. Definately not SLR quality of course but nice in terms of a standard digital camera. I have used it a few times for stills and was pretty happy. Really wide angle though, so you have to be close. The biggest drawback I think is it takes a photo every two seconds, so you cant really "pick " your shot, just have to get into position and wait at least 2 seconds, or get lucky.

Thanks Scruffy, I like your attitude! Billvon, Im not opposed to anything. There is a BJ's near me that I have tried all of their home brewed beers (they used to have a sampler that gives you a small glass of them all). And many of which I liked. I have also traveled the world a little bit and tried a variety of "foreign" beers. None of which I hate, a good beer is one in your hand. Just never got into the micro-brewery/conaisseur aspect of beer tasting. Call me simple, or maybe its just my upbringing. I know for a fact its not a closed minded attitude by me, I just prefer more mainstream beers I guess. But I do enjoy trying them all. One of my favorites was a Turkish beer called Efes. Man that was good stuff. Anyways, cheers to all! Good topic. -Matt

Wow! I was all ready to post on this one but after reading everyones replies and not having the slightest clue as to what anyone is talking about (outside of the Shiner, I understand that AggieDave!), I guess i'll just stick to my lowly normal person beers. But at my DZ, these often go over quite well with the general poulation and are among my favorites. Dos Equis Lager Landshark But I like to drink Lone Star Beer, because anything else is considered treason!

+1 GQ. Today's fight sees a lot less armored threats and soft targets much more present. More attention on soft tissue ballistics and less on steel penetration is needed, IMO.

When is the helo gonna be there?