IJskonijn

That works both ways. If you find a security exploit, and gain personal information through that, you also should be required to handle it with care. Simply throwing it out in the open with a "look-how-flawed-their-security-is" is (in my opinion) not ethical. So yeah, the programmers that made that security system are definitely at fault. But so may the hacker be, depending on how the data is handled after finding the fault.

I got my nickname from my AFF jumpmaster, since I was really stressed and flailing around during my first four AFF jumps. I guess there are worse ways to earn one...

Absolutely! The speeds we reach may well be a sizable fraction of the speed of light! *cough* (Sorry, the physicist in me got out)

Agreed! Although it won't help you overcome your claustrophobia, CRW is the most fun I've had with multiple layers of clothing on (been jumping pretty hard this winter...) As for overcoming fear, I don't really have much useful advice. I'm currently trying to overcome a fear of spiders, and want don't want want to get a tarantula (Brachypelma Smithi to be precise). Other than exposure theory, I wouldn't really know how to overcome your claustrophobia.

Sadly, it doesn't often work like this. Some of my best openings on a Lightning (quick and on-heading) have been packed in under 10 minutes. Some of the worst were when I spend 30+ minutes to iron out all the creases before gently sliding it in. Bloody thing... if you spend 30+ minutes packing...you SHOULD get smacked! sorta newbie here ^_^. I used to take 45+ minutes to pack when I first started learning it (could have something to do with the fact that it was a brand-spanking new rental spectre 210, more slippery than an eel). Nowadays, I usually take 15-20 minutes depending on the canopy (I'm actually better at free-packing a tailpocket lightning than pro-packing my Silhouette) and the weather. If there's a hole in the clouds approaching, I manage to pack it

As already said, there are plastic goggles designed to fit over your normal glasses. Ask the place where you're doing your AFF, they should have them. This is a necessity in free-fall, since the airspeed is too high to comfortably keep your eyes open without such protection. My current solution is to use close-fitting sports glasses (I own a Sinner Fushion II) combined with an open helmet when doing CRW (where you never reach high speeds). These close off good enough for the airspeed under canopy, and they come with lenses that can be fit to your prescription right behind the coloured ones. Coloured lenses are also interchangeable (gray, amber and clear are the choices). I use a full-face helmet with my normal glasses on terminal jumps, but you should only start considering this when you have a fair number of jumps. Full-face helmets have some drawbacks, one of which is reduced vision of your emergency handles. In all cases, ask your AFF instructors for advice. They get paid to teach you, and will be happy to answer your questions.

Sadly, it doesn't often work like this. Some of my best openings on a Lightning (quick and on-heading) have been packed in under 10 minutes. Some of the worst were when I spend 30+ minutes to iron out all the creases before gently sliding it in. Bloody thing...

Skydive Abel Tasman also had rigs available (student rigs, I believe it held an Omega 230). But best call ahead to ask exactly what they have now. It's been a while since I was there.

Thanks! I was starting to get disappointed because the first link didn't work anymore. I love it, and it's a nice change from the usual parodied scene.

One thing I haven't seen in this thread yet: IF you decide to pull (likely) higher when your altimeter kicks it, immediately steer your canopy away perpendicular to the jump-run, since that steers you away from everyone else coming after you. Of course, this requires looking out the door on jump-run, and noticing the course relative to a non-moving object (the sun, or a big mountain/town/river nearby). But checking the spot is something you should do anyway.

Elevator attendant... ^_^

Yeah but ya might have a name for the PLANE! We call the planes at my home DZ the Jump and the Swoop, but that's easy since their designations are PH-JMP and PH-SWP. And since the new supervan-900 engine, the Jump has the additional nickname of "are-we-at-altitude-already!?" Common nickname for the pilot seems to be tricycle-driver...

As others have said, shouldn't be a problem. Personally, I would rather have a larger reserve since getting a reserve ride is never going to be your most relaxing jump, and I prefer something more docile when I'm already stressed due to chopping my main. To me, incompatibility in a two-out situation is the lesser issue. I'm jumping a Raven II (218 sqft) with a Silhouette 190 or Lightning 176 main.

I only have very limited experience jumping in New Zealand (3 jumps at a single DZ), but those were at Skydive Abel Tasman (on the northern end of the South Island). I was there in May, and I believe they were open year-round, with a boogie planned somewhere in August. I've heard that most DZ's there are tandem mills, and while Skydive Abel Tasman did do tandems (and only flew with either a full sports load or at least a single tandem), they were very friendly to me as an A-licensed sports jumper. As for temperature, I regularly jump CRW in the European winter where the temperature at altitude is -10 deg C to -15 deg C. My advice would be to dress in layers, and use some sort of underglove (I've got silk ones that go under my normal gloves, they work like a charm). With two pair of socks, jeans under my jumpsuit and five t-shirts and a sweater, I don't need expensive thermal gear to keep warm.

In Soviet Russia, Space explores You! Oh wait, they're not soviet anymore...

Not sure if seriously want to go for CRW or just joking.... I'll assume the first, with a little dash of the second. In that case: Always good to see someone wanting to try out CRW. However, I strongly doubt it can be done by yourself. If you want to learn it together with a buddy (neither of you experienced), my advice would be to start slowly, make sure you have similar canopies/wingloads and fly proximity to each other. However, since a lot can go wrong when doing CRW docks, I'd rather suggest to get some coaching. It'll cost more, but you learn MUCH more than spending the same money on jumps without a coach. Mind you, I'm a CRW-puppy (at around 20 CRW jumps, most with a coach), so people like (for example) CaTo are much better qualified to give advice =)

And always better than being carried for 2 yards. Also, the low turns. I've had quite a few times where I needed a 90 degree low turn (~200ft) to avoid a ditch or tree or stuff. It was my fault for getting into that situation in the first place, but the skill to get out is indispensable! I'm glad I learned that during my first canopy control class (and re-iterating the value of coaching).