Rig question

[guineapiggie101 0]

Just found out today that it will cost me a few hundred for the DZ to get the student rig modified for me (not definite on cost yet), before I can do even AFF 1 and continue onwards (I think it has to be sent back to the mfg for the mod). I am OK with paying for the mods because I know it is for my own safety.

Just want to know if it would be more cost effective to get a used rig and have the mods done on that, and for me to go through the levels that way vs. having the student rig modified and then, at the end of all my lessons, me still having to go out and get my own rig and having it modified?

I want to go through the lessons first before I make such a big outlay of money on rigs and such.

Also, are modifications usually very expensive?

[airtwardo 7]

What mods?

~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~

[guineapiggie101 0]

Quote

What mods?

I think they are going to modify the pull-thing so it is a ripcord and so I can pull it in front. I have short arms and have a problem with comfortably reaching the knob to release the main chute.

[Andy9o8 2]

Quote

the pull-thing

Wow, I haven't heard that term since Steve Snyder dated Mae West.
OK, I'll shut up now.

[TampaPete 48]

Something you may want to ask is if your arms are long enough to properly flare the canopy on landing. I’m pulling about 45 inches of brake line on full flare (from reaching the toggles on the risers to full arm extension below me).

Blue skies, be safe.

[davelepka 4]

Pay the DZ, and see what happens. There are several reasons for this.

First, the size canopy you need for your first 10 jumps is 1.5 times the size you need from jump 25 or 30 onward. You start with a 'giant' canopy, stick with that for a handful of jumps, then start to work your way down to just 'really big'. If you try to buy your own student rig, it would need to hold a student sized canopy, which would make it way too big for your personal rig. If you're a smaller person, you want to go with the smallest rig possible once you get your own stuff. Not the smallest rig they make, just the smallest that will hold the canopies you need to jump. If the rig is too large, it will overhang your body and be in the airstream while you are in freefall. Having all or most of your rig behind your back, and out of the airstream, is a good thing.

Next, once you get a rig, micro-size the harness, modify the deployment system and risers to suit you, it's going to be worth very little in terms of resale. it almost certainly need the harness resized and the mods reversed if you wanted to sell it, so once you factor those costs into your resale price, the rig itself will won't be worth much. The solution is to buy the right rig, have the mods done the right way, and jump it until it's old and worn out, and worthless based on that. With zero jumps under your belt, it's impossible for anyone to know what type of rig and mods will be right for you, whcih brings me to my last point.

You're going to be needing a unique rig to get in the sky, but there are probably ten different ways to put that rig together. Exactly which way to pick is anyone's guess at this point, but after 10 or 15 (or more) jumps, and talking with the instructors and riggers about your experience and the performance of the rig, everyone will know 100x more about how to build a rig to suit you and your needs. This will go a long way toward making sure your rig is built right, and that you end up with the best option possible.

[guineapiggie101 0]

Thanks for explaining this to me in detail. Now I have a better understanding of the situation.