bluetwo

A quick easy answer, and obviously other replies will vary: 3,500 for a totally decent rig If by SDLI you mean Skydive Long Island (big assumption I know) their website seems to advertise the AFF program, with discounts as about 1300 Add in 25 here, 35 there, 45 for gas or whatever... I think a reasonable estimate would come to about: 4,875? then add in rentals, coach fees, a rip cord or two if you throw it away instead of keeping it (or maybe that was just me) ....lol. Compared to the other responses, I think what we're all getting at is its really EXPENSIVE!! But totally worth it. How can you compare any dollar amount to really living while you're alive? Deep thoughts. _______________________________________

There's definitely an iPhone app and there's supposed to be one for android phones coming out soon. With pdf's I think you have to convert the file somehow, so Kindle can resize and reshape pages correctly but I have never tried it. I do know there are Kindle forums on the web, which is where I've looked when I had questions so that's where I would look. If anybody ever figures out a way to make the Kindle 3 not automatically turn off please let me know because that **** is SO annoying... _______________________________________

Static Line is a lot better than AFF.... I'm joking!! And I swear I don't really think that despite the fact that my student progression was on "training wheels" as some people call it. My point is: you'll probably run into some people with very different opinions about what's what and it'll be up to you to decide what makes sense and what doesn't And my other point is stick to what you know and love despite what others think or say. I'm in your same shoes basically, since I'm deployed to Afghanistan and can't jump for about another 5 months. In the meantime I read, without going overboard, and visit cool sites like this one and I've discovered pretty much ever DZ has a facebook page. There's thousands of videos on youtube, etc. etc. You can also become a USPA member and start getting Parachutist magazines. You don't have to be a USPA member until you apply for your A license but I'm just saying you can do that early and it'll be one less thing. Oh, and you can check out helmets and altimeters in the meantime too. ...my 2 cents _______________________________________

Thanks for sharing. I'm sure all newbies like me have started a base wishing we had done something differently or had known what the wind would do to change the way we had planned to land. I'll make sure to get advice on anything new I wanna do from a canopy course or qualified coach. Blues _______________________________________

Is it too late to put the rear wings and elevators at the top of the verticle stabilizer? Or is that only good for smaller, sport planes? I really don't know if or how that stuff works. _______________________________________

I've definitely always felt like it's a business relationship but it's an odd one in that there's a hint of genuine concern for your well being. And there should be, but it should not be for no other reason than liability, and I guess I should add I've never felt it was only for that reason. At the end of the day they should just be happy you brought your business to them because most DZ's (probably) need tandems and students to survive. I feel like my home DZO would be curious to know what I thought about the other DZ and what I liked or disliked about it. That's just the kind of respectable people he is. _______________________________________

Perfecta!! You really don't have to hate one type to love the other. That's just so hard for some people though... _______________________________________

I've seen some pretty nice slide-in's but I wouldn't have called those swoops at all. It seems like TI's probably experience variable others don't, like wing loadings not being what they expected. How does wing loading affect final? _______________________________________

I've never been afraid of heights, in fact as a little kid I would climb to the top of an old oak tree and swing from side to side, rocking and swaying in the wind. A few times people asked me what I was thinking or made a comment about how crazy or brave I was. There was a time when I looked over the edge of an eight story building and got that insanely strong sensation as I looked down but I'm not sure I'd call that fear. I knew I didn't want to lose my balance or get pushed off by a rouge wind but I really think that was more excitement than fear. _______________________________________

I'd like to put a go pro on a pilot chute so I could watch the footage of it coming down.... only it probably get blown way off and never be found again. Damn.... _______________________________________

I liked the article. I was really curious going into it, to see whether it would discuss people who have done stupid, careless things that came really close to being a lot worse too but it I didn't know how much craziness to expect. I guess I could've just kept going and going, reading stories and learning from other peoples experiences. I wonder if there's a good thread like that.... one that doesn't go into psychotic rants and raves I mean. _______________________________________

I do think I'll try to get my parents to do a tandem. Maybe if I get them the certificate for their birthdays they'll go for it... I say don't forget other loved ones, like significant others. They may not always tell you exactly what they think, like my ex who I think just wanted more to be supportive for me than to tell me she didn't like me jumping every weekend. The truth finally came out in the end though. Moral of the story being: make sure you know what people really think. _______________________________________

Welcome to the forums!! Glad to see you got the picture thing sorted out... blue skies _______________________________________

Welcome!! Glad you're back or whatever..... Read, watch, listen, learn, all of the above, and blue skies!! _______________________________________

Yep, I think as a jump they do, generically speaking. _______________________________________

Welcome my noobish friend!! Just goofin on ya As someone who isn't very experience and shouldn't give a whole lot of advise yet about all I want you to take away from this post is ARCH!! ...and have fun. Get hooked and stay hooked if this is really you but don't ever force it. Read, talk, watch, learn and blue skies!! _______________________________________

I've always wondered what that would be like. I always just think I can try not looking at it... ...but no, I always look anyway. _______________________________________

Very nice. _______________________________________

Studies have shown that athletes trigger the same electrical impulses in visualization as they do in the actual activity, so I agree with visualizing it before hand. As such you can go through the motions in your mind before the jump and it's a lot like actual practice. I'd say it's totally natural to have a hundred questions and some concerns, and I know after 50 something jumps I'm still very new to the game. I see things all the time that trip me out and when I tell my stories to the more experienced people they're like.... yeah so? Lol, it's just part of it. I'm sure the more you do it the less you'll get nervous (in an anxious way) leading up to the jump and while you should still get that nervous energy, or whatever you wanna call it, it should get more and more fun. The only thing I can add, as a new jumper myself, is keep your eyes and mind open and look for something new about every jump. _______________________________________

One of the best decisions I ever made: just go!! ...and now I tell myself the same thing when the chance arises because procrastination usually ends up in disappointment. _______________________________________

It hasn't happened yet even though I keep thinking eventually it will, but I've always had dreams that I could fly. One recurring dream is I'm walking down a big hill but somehow I mastered the ability to jump really far, like almost skim the slope and almost fly, kind of like repelling where you stop and start again. _______________________________________

Well said. I remember the very first time the door opened at 10.5 ....and I remember thinking, ok now it just got real son!! haha _______________________________________

That's great that you've had such an awesome experience so far. I love the skydiving community too, so many good people all having a good time. You might get a little negativity now and then, maybe some from DZ.com too but for the most part it's the coolest stuff in the world!! _______________________________________

Yes!! haha Another static line student!! I'm not gonna intentionally start the learning method debate but I love that I can relate to the learning process of SL. I hope you'll post some of the details of your progression, even any failures. I have to admit I jacked up my first PRCP just because I didn't find it quickly on my first attempt. Lesson I learned from that was keep searching for it and pull it even if your hand doesn't fall right on it at first because it really doesn't always. _______________________________________