paul.Mcallister

When I first came to live in the US as part of getting my flying credentials transferred I had to get a second class medical. I found an awesome AME. His advise to me was that the process is like doing your taxes... "Don't lie, and and only tell what is asked". He used to finish our session with, "do you have any hypothetical questions?" I am not advocating deception, just common sense. For example, self disqualify from flying or in this case Tandem work until you get it figured out. Figured out could mean anything from resolving with cognitive therapy to quitting the game all together. Best of luck.

Hi, forgive my ignorance but do you need a FAA class 3 medical to tandem jump? If so there is some good news in this particular area. Last year the FAA changed its policy on anti depressants and some of the modern SRI's for treating depression are now acceptable. I would recommend to contact at AOPA. They have a service to help pilots with medical certification issues and they will be able to give accurate information along with the approach you will need to take with your class 3 medical should you decide to pursue treatment.

*** And I can't think of many who would say that tunnel time comes anywhere near close to qualifying anyone for AFFI ratings. *** I did some tunnel time before I started my AFF class, and then another 30 minutes of belly flying training after I got my A license. To be honest, I was surprised how little of this translated to the "big sky" Sure, I had a better sense of what I was trying to learn during my AFF maneuvers, but making small subtle body corrections in a tunnel didn't help me to learn how to move 20' across the sky, hold the same level as another flyer and not smash into them at a great rate of knots. Would I tell a prospective AFF student to get some tunnel time first? hell yes, but it isn't a magic pass that's sure.

Nope. 176 is the smallest "recommended" reserve size. J4K 176 - Raven II (Yes, Raven II is 218 sq.ft.) Hi all, I probably should have shared the background on why I was asking about reserve sizes. I got an email from Sunpath telling me that the recommended reserve was a PD 176R so I understood as being the upper limit. With that (incorrect) assumption I was wondering was it really worth the effort to go from a PD 160 to a PD 176 just to put another 16 square feet of reserve over my head. With that in mind I asked a few coaches: Coach number 1 says, don't sweat it, jump the rig as it is, for you it is not particularly aggressive. Coach number 2 says, yep a bigger main is good idea, do a season on a 190, given your weight the reserve gap isn't too aggressive Coach number 3 says, yep definitely do a season on the 190, but be aware of the performance difference of the reserve. If I can put 193 square feet of reserve over my head then this is an absolute "no brainer" More is good :) Thanks to everyone for there input.

Ha ha... yes that would be bad for sure, but hey, even the best canopy flying skills are not going to help you then

Brian, this is really good to know. Sunpath told me the recommended reserve was a PDR 176, so I thought I was limited to 176 or Optimum 193. I guess it begs the question though, if I stuff something bigger in there than what the manufacturer recommends am I risking deployment issues.

At the end of the season I was flying a Pulse 190 I am a pilot so I am used to dialing in the aim point, different approach speeds, and flares so it isn't a big jump for me to line up a sight picture and just adapt to the approach speed. Mind you, if I had just cut away a spinning mal and I just got in the saddle at 1500', I bet I wouldn't be on top of my game either

Hi All, I am looking for some input. I started the sport in June 2011 and at the end of the season I got 50 jumps in, so that puts me firmly in the nooby catergory. I am 170 all wringing wet, 195 out the door. I have just got my first rig, Jav 4, Saber 2-170 / PDR 160. I have Pulse 190 that I plan on using this coming season. I may jump the Saber 2 170 in the following season. My question is about the gap between a PDR 160 and a Pulse 190. Is this a big enough issue for me to change is to a PD 176R? Risk - Reserve out is a high stress situation - Smaller canopy lands faster - Different landing characteristics Versus: - Cut aways occur roughly in 1 in 500 jumps and the gap will only exist for seasion (roll the dice) - Is landing something hotter/faster more a matter of an awareness/faster Thanks, Paul

Would anyone happen to know of some good Youtube clips that demonstrate good body position for tracking ?

The question partly comes from curiosity. I have been looking at secondhand classifieds and people often make statements like 'my rigger said xyz' or 'it will need a new lineset next season'. This got me curious as to what qualifies a rigger to inspect and what level of work they can do. For example if a new line set is needed does the canopy have to go back to the manufacturer or can a rigger at the local DZ do the work. Another question might be, if a canopy is out of trim, what level or rigger qualification required to set it up.

Thanks everyone for their reply. I have one more question. What level of Rigger certification is required to be able to replace some lines or complete line set on a main canopy ?

Hi All, I am looking to understand the differences between the various people who are qualified to work on containers, canopies ect. If someone has undertaken the training and completed the FAA examination to pack reserves, is this what is known as a Rigger, or is a Rigger more than this. Also, what is the difference on skills / work that can be performed between a Rigger and a Master Rigger ? Thanks, Paul

Thanks to everyone who helped educate a "noobie" on this topic. Paul

Hi, I don't mean to pile on but I'd like to share a few noobie thoughts. I am new to the sport this season and with only 50 jumps I can say that 99% of the people on this forum know infinitely more than me. With that said, I certainly endorse Skymama's comments on the winds. In some ways I have a built in safety limit because I fly my airplane to the DZ so if it’s too gusty then I don't go. Constant higher speed winds can catch you out because generally they are much higher at altitude. It has been more than once this season where I have opened and found that making back to the DZ was a close thing. The other thing that I'd encourage you to be on the lookout for is to get marginalized into a place don't want to be. The people at my DZ are very friendly group and it has been more than once that what starts out as swoop and doc's with one or two people turns into something else. It’s usually, “hey can I join in”, and then 3 people become 7. I know for sure that my tracking sucks and that's too many people for me. Welcome to the sport and have fun next season. If you’re ever passing through please stop in, we are right on Hwy 94 just north of Chicago.

Hi All, Could someone explain the difference between these riser types and the advantages / disadvantages of one type over the other ? Thanks in advance, Paul

Hi All, I am new to the sport this year with only 50 jumps I am looking for a recommendation for my first canopy. For my first rig I am planning on buying a new container that will take the largest canopy I want to start with. I weigh 170, 195 out the door and I am planning on staying at 190 square feet for several seasons, maybe longer. My interest is relative work and belly flying. The things I am looking for are a consistent soft opening, and good landing flare. A bonus would be a flatter glide. I am prepared to give up the ability to do hop 'n pops to have a long soft opening. The two canopies that I have looked at so far are the PD Silhouette and PD Spectre. I'd appreciate the thoughts from people on the forum my approach and other canopies to consider. Thanks, Paul

I have been following this thread from day 1 and as a nooby to this sport I have found the video and comments to be very instructive. I do have one question. At what altitude do you decide that you are not going to deploy your main and you are going to pull the reserve in order to prevent AAD induced two out? I have searched the SIM and I haven't come across the answer. Thanks, Paul

Thank you for posting this. I was thinking that next season it would be nice to do a canopy flying course. After reading this it has moved to a "must do" priority.

Hi, I was just curious to know it this data changes much if you subtract out collisions? The reason I ask is because I would not have thought there is a correlation between canopy type and collisions versus mal's and landing accidents. It would be really neat if we could normalize your data for each canopy with units sold but I suspect that data would be hard to get. Thanks for going to the trouble of pulling this together . I t is interesting stuff.

Hi I am new too this sport but I'd like to share a couple of things that surprised me. I weigh 170 lb, but just for grins I got on the scales all suited up, helmet and rig and I came in at 202 lb which was more than I expected. I had been jumping a 220 and was at the point where I could consistently stand up my landings. Working with my coach I changed to a 190 for jump number 50. Despite the coaching watching other people land the same rig I still found myself surprised at how much faster things happened in the flare. I can see myself staying with a 190 for a lot of seasons.

I did my A license at SDMW this season. All of the instructors are very knowledgeable and the ones I jumped with are great teachers as well. They have a good focus on safety without it being overt. Right from day 1 the staff made me feel like one of the family. The fun jumpers are a vibrant group and its just a fun place to be. I found that after my A license that even the most experienced people would invite me to jump with them and share there knowledge. Although they are busy with Tandems I never had to wait more than two loads to get a ride. The King Air is a bad ass'd ride. It has a pair of turbines that up to altitude in less than 10 minutes and every ride I got this season was to full altitude. My summer I had at SDMW is the most fun I have had in a long time!

Hi I built and fly my own airplane. In the US they are registered under a Special Airworthy Certificate. The operating limitations specifically exclude skydiving among other things. Oh, and yes I am also a Nooby skydiver

Hey congratulations! I also got my A license this year and it's a nice feeling to be able to move onto the next phase of learning. BTW, I still ground myself when the winds are 15mph

Hi, although I am a nooby to the sport I would like to share my thoughts on this. I am an experienced pilot and there seems and there are many parallels. Aviation isn't a very forgiving environment for mistakes and skydiving is totally unforgiving. I had a stark reminder when I visited someone from my DZ in the spinal unit this week. I found that in the early phases of aviation I had totally immerse my self in the topic. Skydiving is the same, at least for me. This means regular jumping, lots to reading and spending time talking to coaches, instructors and the experienced folks. I feel sorry for your friend who is doing his best to balance his commitments but I don't think it's realistic to expect to swing by the DZ once every 3 weeks and to safely progress in the sport.

Thanks, I'll get myself a copy. I plan on doing doing a canopy flying course next season. There is so much to learn about flying parachutes and it would sure be great to get some expert instruction.