KevinP

Nice video. Could I get a copy of it. It's for personal use. I have to get my fix sometimes and put videos on my phone to view when I'm not near my computer. I can't wait to get out of this school and into the AFF program!! Sincerely, Kevin

I hope, for your sake, that you've not had your Entire Life Good point. Haha. I never looked at it that way. He's been married for as long as I've been alive? Maybe that would work. On one side, it's a rather long time, but not so long on the other.

jceman, that's awesome you've been married for my entire life.

I'm not entirely sure how to reply, although I definitely qualify. She first got my attention on a football field in High School (I was a percussionist and she was a flag girl). I gave her a hug and she started chasing me. A couple of months later, I was chasing her. Hm. "Fell in love?" Well, I guess somewhere between the first six months and the following several years. For that matter, I still find my love for her maturing, deepening and transforming. Oh, we have been married since 1987 and started dating in 1985. I still find myself being reminded of how much I love her, so, for me, it's been an on-going process for over two decades. I'm still not through "falling in love" with her.

I'm kinda late to this (and really inexperienced), but what's wrong with asking an experienced camera dude to jump with you and video/photo you? Seems safer. How much would it cost? Seems like I have read that some camera qualified dude will do it for the cost of their ticket and a nominal extra kick. I would love to fly a camera and one day film tandems, but my patience (and self-preservation) overrides that desire when I think of killing someone due to inexperience. Just my .02. And that's probably about what it's worth, but there it is. Sincerely, Kevin

Thanks for the info! I'm still a noob. :) And, no, there are no tunnels on Oahu. Or anywhere in Hawaii, that I know of. With that much time, I may have the basic maneuvers down before I ever jump. Maybe that will preclude any repeat iterations, saving me money on the other end.

Yeah, that's true. And since I can't start the AFF in one spot and finish in another, I suppose the money would be better spent in the tunnel. Good call. Sincerely, Kevin

Me and my big, um, keyboard.

While I'm sure that would be a real benefit to my future skydiving aspirations, it is cost prohibitive. That's half the AFF class. Plus, getting up there to use that entire hour (unless I did it all in a weekend) would be a challenge. The school I am in isn't a typical school. Weekends are optional. Thanks for the input though. Sincerely, Kevin

Hi all, Being that I'm temporarily stationed in Arizona, I took the time today to go up to Eloy to Skyventure. It was very cool. I got there early with the intent of watching some of the skydiving, but when I went to the front desk, she rushed me right upstairs. The staff was very pleasant and professional and I had a good time. I did the 2-minute deal, but after Christmas, I'm going to go back for the 4-minute. I was pretty excited by the fact that I wasn't all over the place. I don't know how much the flight instructor was helping, if at all. I didn't really feel a lot of contact. And one of them gave me a nod when I asked him how I did during the first iteration. It's encouraging. The biggest thing I was concerned with regarding the AFF class was being able to control myself in the air. If today is an indication, it won't be as bad as I thought it might. Unless, of course, a 30lb rig throws all of that off.

Sorry. I had to. I'm PCSing to Hawaii, where I hear the traffic is brutal. Can't be worse that Hood, though. I almost went to SFAS, but I just couldn't run fast enough to qualify. Good luck at Campbell! Sincerely, Kevin

What does all this mean?? (still noobie, sorry) Sincerely, Kevin

On more than one occasion, lives have been put in danger thanks to Wikileaks. Free speech shouldn't apply. It's hard enough working in a Counterinsurgency without some glory-hungry idiots putting out information that directly compromises both future and ongoing missions as well as operatives within an area of operations. Personally, I'd like to choke out both the originator and recipient of leaked intel. And that's for starters. Sincerely, Kevin

I'm in almost the same boat. Well, at least the same state. I'm leaving next week for Arizona for a school, then overseas for a tour (a FRIENDLY tour). I'm taking the AFF course once I get there. I have 1 skydive but did some static line stuff in the military years ago. Welcome! Good info here. You have to dig for some of it, but it's here. Sincerely, Kevin

Done. Thanks! Sincerely, Kevin

Hi all, Are any of the staffers from Skydive San Marcos on this forum? I'd love to touch base with my Tandem Instructor. I have a picture, but no name. Link to picture is http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv189/Kevin_P_JF/Skydiving%20Stuff/DSC04229.jpg Thanks for your time. Sincerely, Kevin

Good info all around and I sincerely appreciate it. I was looking at altimeters the same way I look at watches. I prefer analog, so I figured my taste in altimeters would follow suit. Although there are some really nice ones out there that perform more than just height. Makes them appealing for sure. As for watching what others are doing at the DZ, well, in all the videos I have seen from any DZ in Hawaii, jumpers have been in shorts and t-shirts. It that is the norm, I will be the odd one out. When I ride my bike, I wear full leathers and draw quite a bit of attention. I tend to use whatever gear a particular activity requires for the best risk mitigation. Again, thanks for all the input. I was actually surprised to hear that a suit is more than just protection for skin and clothes on those butt-slides. Haha Sincerely, Kevin

Thanks for all the input. And just to make sure everyone is tracking, I'm not in a hurry to buy a rig. Not even close. I am the type person that researches for a LONG time before dropping $5,000 plus on something. So, I started poking around, read as much as I could to learn about what does what and the characteristics of each component and started looking at specific products. No, the only equipment I will buy early is a suit, an altimeter and a log book. Hey, I'm paying $1500 for AFF 1-7. I'm going to use everything that comes with it.

Hi all, For those that didn't see my intro thread, I'm a total newbie. I have 18 static-line jumps (military T10B. Now that's old-school) and exactly one tandem jump. Question 1: Now, my tandem instructor did applaud me for my body control on exit and during freefall, but I was a 200lb guy strapped to a 200lb guy, so what do I know. Anyway, I'm watching videos on youtube with some rough looking first- and second-time AFF students who are totally out of control. Now, I may not know enough to know what I don't yet know, but a common scene is that they all look the same: really tense and on the verge of panic. From my military jumping days, I know that body position played a big part of riser twists and we were trained to keep our body position stable, but not stiff. Can anyone give some feedback? I'm not looking for a class. When I get to my AFF class, I know the instructor will tell me what to do, but maybe just some pointers or guidance on what NOT to do. Question 2: I have been looking at gear and terminology related to it. I understand that wing loading is the term that describes the ratio of canopy size to jumper weight. So, as a guy who weighs about 195 in shorts/shirt no shoes, I figure I'll weight between 220 and 225 exit weight. Does that necessarily mean I want to start with a canopy that is in the close neighborhood of 220 sq ft? Question 3: As it stands, my top picks for containers are either the Odyssey or Mirage G4 and main canopy being a Sabre2-230. Any input on these? Anything in particular to stay away from regarding any gear? And lastly, question 4: Can someone describe the different input controls? I have read references to rear risers vs. brakes. I thought the brakes pulled down the trail edge of the canopy. And steering? Accomplished by pulling on which edge? Any input is appreciated! I sincerely appreciate your time. I have literally dreamed about skydiving every night for over a week. What sucks is that I am six months out from starting the AFF program (I have a school to go to in Arizona, then off to another duty station, at which I will get underway). I may have to do another tandem in the meantime. :) Kevin Thanks! Sincerely, Kevin

Hi all, New guy here. I currently live in Texas and have done one tandem jump.