megamalfunction

"A near miss leaves you traumatized. A remote miss makes you think you are invincible." - Malcolm Gladwell

Jumpers have a bad habit of trying to dump their old gear off on newbies. If you buy used gear make sure you speak with YOUR rigger to make sure you aren't getting ripped off. I jump a '02 Dolphin container, '02 Tempo Reserve, and a '96 Triathlon main that I bought used from a jumper at my home DZ. The reserve was fine, but I had to spend $1000 to upgrade my container to modern standards (tuck tabs, larger bridle protector etc.) & I had to spend another $300-$500 replacing the line-set and having some other work done on the main. The AAD was not included +$1100-$1300, and I needed new risers because the risers included with the rig did not have a ring to connect an RSL. The bottom line? My $1650 used rig, ended up costing around $4000. Was this a bad deal? Maybe? To purchase an IDENTICAL rig brand new from chutingstar.com would have cost me $6000. So buying new gear in my case would have cost 50% more had I bought the same equipment new. However, had I bought new gear, the equipment would would be 8 years younger (bought my rig in 2010). From my experience, I'd say you will probably need at least $3000 to buy a used rig equipped with an AAD. Most likely, you'll end up spending closer to $4000. For $6000+ you could buy a brand new rig. Just make sure you speak with YOUR rigger before you buy anything! P.S. In 2022, when my rig is 20 years old, I pledge not to try and dump my old ragged out used gear on some poor unsuspecting A License newbie!

~ Blue Skies Black Death ~ Jordan Janway ~ I only had the opportunity to meet Jordan Janway, or "Tomas Jordo" as he introduced himself once, 3 years ago at Skydive Dallas, and I still remember him, having only jumped with him one time. He happened to be visiting our dropzone from out of town one weekend when we were doing night jumps. Having just earned my B License, I was eager to get in on the action that night. When no one else wanted to jump with me, Jordo said that he would. It was my 66th skydive and it went flawlessly, except for a glow-stick malfunction. Fly free Jordo, & thanks for the jump Crispy B35178

I learned how to skydive out in West Texas. Hit me up

Everybody knows that Richard McCoy Jr. was the REAL McCoy. Blue Skies Black Death D.B. Cooper

I'd say 20 years is more of a rule of thumb. Gear that is approaching that mark should be sold at a CONSIDERABLE discount.

Honestly, make sure you don't pay too much. Consider this: you can buy a brand new 2014 Vector III for $1790. & let's say that a container is typically good for 20 years more or less? So if you factor in 19 years of depreciation, I would say that container is worth about $89.50. Or if you'd like to use 25 years instead, maybe its worth as much as $429.60. Maybe some accountants can chime in? I dunno ... but I wouldn't pay ANYMORE than $500 for the '94 Vector II you are thinking about buying.

You could try emailing the some of the wingsuit manufacturers. They might be willing to tell you how many suits they've sold. I would assume that there are roughly as many wingsuit pilots as there are suits.

This Author should worry more about his own dropzone. NONE of the freefall collisions mentioned in this article occurred at Skydive Dallas. We haven't had a fatality in almost a DECADE. When was the last time Skydive Arizona had a fatality??? LESS THAN 12 months ago. Way to go Bryan Burke!

C'mon now McGraw, all the coooooool kids are wearing skateboarding helmets. Where's yours? You know you want to be a cool kid too! (Actually, I think I might have caught you wearing one one time on a hop n pop?)

Some people must not like to feel the wind on their face. I sold my $300 full face helmet. Now I use a $30 skateboarding helmet.

I'm sorry, its $200 for the lineset, $100 to install. $300 total.

They just charge you for the new lineset. $300

What year is your canopy? If its an older Triathlon, you should send it in to Aerodyne to have the line mod done. The line mod will add a lot of flare!

And you know whats going to happen? This kids going to end up going to his DZ, and everyone is going to LAUGH when he tells them that he heard on DZ.com that 1.05:1 is a dangerous wingloading for a licensed skydiver! ABSOLUTELY ridiculous. But whatever, I'll quit beating a dead horse. Flame on.

You know what I'm really sorry man for giving you all of this bad advice. WHATEVER YOU DO, don't load your canopy at 1.05:1 its certain BLACK DEATH. DONT DO IT. YOUR GONNA FEMUR IN!

Well that's actually an easy answer since I weigh 160 lbs. and am a newbie myself. I'd say 150 sq. ft is a tad too small, and 190 sq. ft. is a tad too big. 170 sq. ft. sounds just right. I don't think he'd really be in the Black Death category till around 130 sq. ft.

O no what a slippery slope! Next thing you know I'm gonna be telling him to get a velo, and you'll have him convinced he needs a Manta!

You know what's going to happen in a few months from now? The OP is going to end up getting his A License, ask around his DZ, and this is the response he's going to get: "How much do you weigh?" "160 lbs." "O yeah, come check out this Sabre II 170 we've got for sale in the proshop ... we've got a nice wings container that will fit you too!"

How bout you go fuck yourself.

It's the Honda Accord of canopies.

I'm pretty sure everyone and their mother jumps a Sabre II 170.

If you jump a canopy that has a wingloading lower than 1:1, your going to get blown backwards, period. I know, I used to jump a 200 sq ft. canopy. When was the last time you jumped something lower than a 1:1 ratio? TANDEMS are loaded higher than that!

BUT... I have busted my ankle and put bunch of grass stains on my jumpsuit so... maybe you should listen to these old farts ;)

I know I wouldn't want to be getting blown backwards on a 190 so... yes I think it's good advice. And as for no wind/ down wind conditions ... I think he can handle the 170. I'm loaded at 1.15:1 and I'm not scurrrred!