mac266

As a new skydiver, I'm just getting started with gear purchases. I'm looking at the Benny because of its rather low price. What are your thoughts on this helmet? When I was into stock car racing, they used to poo-poo on the cheaper helmets - the saying was, "A $100 helmet for a $100 head. How much is your head worth?" OTOH, I think a skydiving helmet will really only protect you if you whack the aircraft on exit, or have a rough landing. If you have a major malfunction, it's not going to save you anyway. So what are your thoughts? Also, from looking on their web site I can't tell the difference between the "black" color and the "stealth" color they offer. Can you try to explain the difference to me? Thanks!

Are you Q-tip?

I'm living in Alexandria, working at the Pentagon. The closest to me seems to be Skydive Virginia, according to the list of DZs on this site. What do you guys think of them?

I started static line training in Colorado, but the military moved me to Virginia. Of the schools in VA who offer static line OR AFF, which do you recommend and why? I am perfectly willing to convert over to the AFF program. Btw, I'm currently sitting on 6 jumps, four static line and two freefall.

you say tomaato I say tomarto you say awesome I say just plain sick

what Hookit said!

http://juliabell.home.att.net/ Read this, and when digested - read it again.

Nice work! I had my first 180 off a 315ft guyed A! It gives some interesting visuals! Be Safe always

visit all the knowledge BASE posts on blinc... look at the world BASE fatality list... Learn how to skydive!!!!!!!!! because you will need a few hundred jumps before you are anywhere near ready for a course. When ready then go concentrate on CRW and accuracy. I am but a baby to this sport so these are only my opnions - but read & learn! and when you think you cant get anymore information - look again and read and learn more. Do as many skydives as you can (when you have learnt to skydive) taking into account the skills you want to learn - manufacturer courses say 250 jumps but i think that is because being US based 250 jumps and you can be very current - in the UK with our shit weather that aint gonna happen!! I started BASE after 500 - and I look back and wish I had done more CRW and more canopy drills than I did within that 500. Dont rush into this mate - when experience guys tell you to slow down and read and learn etc etc they aint trying to piss on your cornflakes - they are speaking from an experience that you will understand only after jumping - and you will look back and say to yourself - "yeah they were on the money!!!" Go skydive - have fun and scare yourself doing that for awhile - turn the world upside down on your head with your friends at 180mph - one day it will hit you - "I am now ready" be safe always! Michael

my thoughts: Dont rush - there is plenty of time and dont rule out the headdown and swooping in skydiving or any facet in fact - they can be fun aswell you know and not a waste of your time. Be safe always

well i am in late on this but my 0.2 euros worth..... A skydiver is someone who is able to jump from an aircraft without any instructor guiding them. the same way that being PCA'd from a bridge from your mate does not make you a BASE jumper the same way that taking over the controls of your friends plane for 10 mins makes you a pilot the same way that riding on the back of a motorcycle makes you a biker get my drift? I appreciate that you may not have a choice - but why the big thing about whether you are a skydiver or not - in this world there are good and bad people - thats all that counts in the end!!!!! be safe always

looking at your pic! call me anytime!

try the UK board mate - I know someone there that uses a belly mount with some nice footage! www.basejumper.org ...........of course you could always ask Jason!! Be Safe Always....... Michael

I have just returned home from my regular haunt (nice jump I may add!!) and I found something there when i arrived that worried me a little. Something was left propped against the fencing that shows that access was obviously gained to this site - now this may or may not be a jumper, i dont know, but if several people are now using this site it maybe of benefit to start getting in contact with each other to start some sort of information sharing and make sure this site is not burnt................. I dont wish to start a witch hunt or get into bad feelings with anyone - but if you have recently jumped an A in the midlands area can you please drop me a line. Thank you. Michael

http://para-net.org/paramag/archives/directlive/direct193/images/image06.jpg http://para-net.org/paramag/archives/directlive/direct193/images/image05.jpg http://para-net.org/paramag/archives/directlive/direct193/images/image04.jpg http://para-net.org/paramag/archives/directlive/direct193/images/image03.jpg http://para-net.org/paramag/archives/directlive/direct193/images/image02.jpg http://para-net.org/paramag/archives/directlive/direct193/images/image01.jpg