andreweden

almost US prices!! dammit - still too far from Brisbane though almost worth moving for....

its only 1000km to Sydney I started yoga last week - it hurt. So it must be doing some good. more practice in the air for the sit-fly this weekend too.

I actually have the N3A. It does not play music by itself - its not an mp3 player. If you hook up your ipod - it will play music that it mutes when its got an alarm to play to you. If you don't have anything else connected it is an audible that uses earphones instead of a speaker in your helmet. Since I like using earplugs to protect my ears from all the noise anyway - this was an ideal solution for me. Since I have earplug style earphones from my motorbike. The warnings and alarms with the N3A are also spoken .wav files. So instead of just squealing sirens -its telling you what the warning is. 'Breakoff' 'Deploy' etc. Years in aircraft with similar voice alerts means this is pretty familiar to me and I finds aids awareness rather than detracting from it. I find the altitude countdown useful too. you know by 12000' that your audible is working and you get an idea of how your skydive is going rather than waiting for a normal audible to squeal at you. I am not for a moment saying that its a substitute for a visual altimeter or normal altitude awareness - but I find it a useful aid and an enhancement. it costs more than other data logging audibles - but it also does more. Personally I don't use it with an ipod - I don't want music - I want all the sounds of skydiving (although at a level that won't damage my hearing). I would say don't knock it till you've tried it.

just received my Q1000eX yesterday. Def logs at 5Hz. One switch - 42hrs of logging. its smaller than a credit card in length and width and about 20mm thick. About the same size as a Neptune N3 but twice as thick. Originally not purchased for skydiving - but will give it go when I work out a way to mount it without losing it.

def having fun! always land with a big grin on my face

Trainer is on the case and also has me signed up for a yoga session once a week. see how this goes! I was afraid to look at 'donkey dips' on the work computer....just in case.....

I'll keep practicing. Always looking for anything I can do to help my cause.

I built one and jumped it a few times. Unfortunately it would always lose the GPS lock in the cessna. It would then re-acquire once I was under canopy. I added a MEMS pressure sensor and gyro to it but lost interest and never updated the firmware to add those devices to the SPI bus. I also wrote a small app for the blackberry. Didn't finish it but it was able to give me an accurate altitude on the climb up. Maybe GPS has improved enough with cell site assistance to work. -Michael you built one of the CC sized ones or used one of the Qstarz ones?

trust me - calories are not a problem. I fight to keep the weight off. used to be 90lbs heavier. Perhaps what I mean is I lack the finer control I find I need for the freefly. I can do sit-ups or brute force ab work. Its the finer control of getting the right back position and that not coupling into changing my leg position/shoulders etc. perhaps I just need to keep practicing, I might be expecting too much too soon. as for more tunnel time - alas New Zealand I think is the nearest one now. I have told my trainer I want to focus some more on core - so I will see what he comes up with.

I am thinking you are doing enough of that for both of us

5Hz recorder the size of a credit card... http://www.semsons.com/qsbt5hzspre.html can't see too many drawbacks to this!

I have started doing some freefly coach jumps and managed to get 30 mins of tunnel time before leaving the USA (unfortunately no tunnel in Australia). Been learning heaps but am realising one (of many) of my weaknesses is actually core strength. What exercise routine/activity will do me the most good? I work out 3-4 times a week with mixed cardio/weights and run 2-3 times a week as well. I am fit, but not apparently 'freefly fit'. Non-skydivers have suggested yoga (are they taking the piss?) Cheers, Andrew

before I attempt one of these.... one question - what about 'flail' injuries? I had a few inches of leg strap come loose on a clothed jump and it was flapping all over the place and beating against my inner thigh in its own mini-tornado - is there any correlation to other thing left out in the breeze so to speak?? Aint that gonna hurt?

After looking at some second hand prices in my home country - I realised I was able to buy new in USA where I am visiting for about the same price. Having had some uncomfortable rides in student rigs that whilst not 'ill-fitting' or unsafe, were just not made for me - the idea of a custom rig was very appealing. I am also one of those people that is very particular about how MY gear is treated. I have never bought second hand rockclimbing gear for this reason. I know my gear, where its been, how its been treated. For me its piece of mind - not a reflection on how anyone else treats their gear. I have ordered an Infinity container, Sabre2 190, Optimum Reserve 193 and a Cypress2. I am not in a rush to downsize by any stretch. And looking at the 2nd hand prices at home - if I ever want to move my stuff on, I shouldn't have any trouble and will pick up more new gear on my next US work trip. Cheers, Andrew

well its been 31 days since AFF jump #1. I did my 55th jump on Sunday and have finished my B-licence exam (and passed) and my check dive. just waiting to do water training this week hopefully so I can send of for my B-licence! Did have my first real shocker of a landing on Sunday in some gusty winds and turbulence compounded my my lack of experience/skill and have scored a nice sprained ankle - live and learn I guess! Those last 20ft are a doozie... It was dead calm when we took off. don't bounce like an 18yo anymore It will heal and I will be back into it. practice practice practice.... oh and 22 jumps was the labor day long weekend. A couple Friday afternoon and then avg 6-7 a day for sat/sun/mon. Its certainly tiring but first of the day is probably a hop'n'pop at 3500' around 0830 and sunset is not until around 1920. I don't have to leave the DZ to eat or sleep - so its fairly cruisey.

haven't tried blue water yet. but got another 22 jumps in over the weekend and got my A-licence!

G'Day! I'm on a work assignment in Jacksonville and with no plans outside of that - decided to do my AFF at Skydive Palatka. I have been loving it - passed AFF last weekend and up to jump #12 by Sunday afternoon. Looking forward to the long weekend! 3 1/2 days of jumping :-) I can't see myself doing anything else with my weekends between now and my return to Australia....with my own rig hopefully! I had often imagined what skydiving must have been like. My imagination never came up with anything as good as the reality! Cheers, Andrew