Patterson

Remster, your advice helped a lot. It still feels a little stiff, but when I did the chest strap first while bent forward it helped a good bit. I'm going to jump it a few dozen times and if it is still really uncomfortable, I'll contact Sunpath. I always did my legs first. Guess I'll need to switch that up. Thanks again guys.

It feels like the weight is sitting awkwardly on my shoulders. When I stand up straight and walk around in it, it feels much heavier on me than the student rigs did. It's like the weight isn't distributed properly due to something being off. Then again, it may just be the shoulders in it are really stiff and are not giving way because of how new it is. Has anyone else experienced this before, and if so, was it all just a breaking in process or did you need it re-tailored (if it was even possible)?

Thank you very much for the reply. I understand, and that makes sense.

Finally, after waiting 3 months I got my new rig! I just tried it on and it feels a little tight in the shoulders. I feel a lot of pressure on my shoulders. Is that normal for a new rig or is it too small? If it is too small is it even possible to let it out half an inch? Thanks!

I had a similar issue with one of the instructors when I was going through AFF. I had multiple instructors over the year I took my AFF. Yes it took me a year, money was tight! Anyway, all the instructors at the dropzone were very cool people except one. I'm not going to go into detail because he is very easily identified by those who jump at my DZ, but needless to say, he was a very bitter person when he was teaching, but outside of teaching, he was, from what I was told, a pretty decent guy. The bottom line is, I don't think he was a good fit to be a teacher. Sure, he knew the material, but so does everyone else with a D license (or they should). This guy was just a bad teacher, and had no patience. I'm telling you this because I want you to know there are others like you who have had this experience. My suggestion is to request a different instructor. Don't feel bad about it either. If they ask why, just tell them the truth (tactfully). Be honest with the staff, but don't burn a bridge with the guy. The skydiving community is very small, and you don't want your name tarnished early in the sport. I promise you, if you back out now, you will regret it later. Get a different instructor!

I've been eyeing this helmet for about a month and can't find any reviews on it anywhere. Does anyone have one or know someone who does? How do you like it? Is it comfortable? I'm thinking of picking up the chin cup version with the long carbon top mount for a GoPro. If anyone has any pictures of them wearing one please post. Thanks guys!

To answer your questions: 1. Depending on where you get your license, it can be roughly around 3-4k, total (it's been a few years since I did this), depending on if you want video of each jump. 2. While you are a student you do need to make 1 jump a month to remain current. If you do drop from being current, all that is required is to make one jump with the instructor. Painless, really. Once you get your A license it increases to at least one jump every 2 months (or 3) I forget. I'm sure someone on here will correct me if I'm wrong. 3. There are no exceptions. I deploy very frequently, and like I said, it is a very painless process to become current again. You will love it! I made my first jump 3 years ago and I am hooked. Start saving that deployment money now! I am currently in Afghanistan and when I get back I will be buying my first rig. No more rentals for me!

Thank you very much. This is exactly what I am looking for. You are always a help in many of the posts I read through on these forums. :)

Definitely.

LOL! Okay, so far I am getting some really good data. :P Seriously though, do you usually beat the main to the ground?

I'm just curious. I've never had a cutaway and can see how after reaching the ground safely, that feeling of dread rolls over you...how am I going to find that $2000 piece of fabric that i just tossed? How long did it take to find your canopy? How did you find it? Was it laying out flat or crumpled up in a ball with only the end cell exposed? What colors were in your canopy and how much did that play a part in you finding it? Was it in a hard to access spot (i.e. water tower (lol), restricted fenced off area...or something of the sort)? Thanks guys. :)

Hey man, I'm in the same boat as you are. I had to recently make this very same decision you are speaking of. However, let me preface this: I am a newbie as well, and take what I say with a grain of salt. I just want you to know that you aren't the only one having these dilemmas. My exit weight is approximately 190+ and I started jumping on a Nav 220 and played around with a 170 on a couple jumps (can't remember the brand and I don't have my log in front of me). The 170 was the lowest I have ever jumped, and the landings were a bit too fast for my liking so I stopped jumping it. I stood both landings up, but I felt the canopy was too advanced for me...it didn't feel safe. I am currently still in the process of ordering my Javelin Odyssey gear package (currently in the 10 day waiting period before production starts on the container), and decided to buy the Pilot 188 for the main after a lot of research. Now, mind you I have never demoed this canopy before, and I have read that demoing a canopy is highly recommended before buying it. I didn't. However, I did read that the canopy is good for beginners and it is a bit more nimble than the Pulse (the other canopy I almost bought in its place). I am like you. I have heard instructors preach 1:1 and even regulations state that if you want to be safe stick with 1:1. I will likely be coming in a bit over 1:1...more like 1.05-1.08. The Nav 220s for me are too slow, and I had a lot more fun when I was right at the 1:1 ratio. As a student they under-load your canopy, and to me it was like driving a school bus, so anything close to a Nav 220 was out of the question for me. I am an overseas contractor in Afghanistan so it's not incredibly easy for me to demo canopies. My last jump (36th) was a year ago in Dubai and it was also on a 220 (school bus!). My thinking is, when I get home I will continue to jump and get my B license soon after I return. This Pilot 188 will provide me with enough entertainment that I shouldn't be downsizing anytime soon if ever. I really have no interest in swooping. My endgame is to fly wingsuits someday, so I am not really concerned with going very far beyond a 1:1 wing load. I'm not saying what I do is right or wrong, that is up to you to decide. However, what I did was I dropped down a size and played around with it for 5-10 jumps then tried dropping down again after I didn't see much difference. You will know when you have gone too far (as I did with the 170). If you take it one size at a time you SHOULD be okay. It's not like you are upgrading from a minivan to an F1 race car. As long as you are standing up your landings and feel you can safely move down a size then go for it. Now, I read a lot more on these forums than I post, and I am ready for the barrage of "OMG I can't believe you did that!" or "Stop giving horrible information to a newbie!". Remember, I am only reporting what I did. I am not recommending anything. I am only letting you know that I played around with downsizing and had no problem controlling the canopy, and I knew when I reached my limit. I'm more of a trial by fire kind of person anyway. Only do what you are comfortable with.

I wanted to take a minute to thank everyone for replying to my thread. I really appreciate it guys. I think I have enough information to go forward with an educated decision. Thank you so much!

Jeffca, have you ever had to cutaway with the small rings? How was it? Did you have any problems? Did it require a lot of force to pull the cutaway?

Thank you so much! I definitely do not want to sacrifice safety/functionality for looking cool. I was unaware that the Aerodyne solution was the only real progress made with reducing the extra load on the cutaway process. The more I read the more I do not think mini rings are a good idea. Again, thank you for taking the time to respond to my question.