New guy questions

[not2old 0]

Having just taken the initial plunge I have two questions…

At what temperature does it become uncomfortable to skydive? It is recommended that a person not go over 30 days between jumps. My schedule (and pocketbook) will not permit me to jump every week and winter is approaching here in Pa/NJ/De area. Sure don’t want to start something and then 4 jumps down the road find it to cold to finish.

Second question concerns used gear. I’ve been looking at ads and see gear for a very reasonable price and then note that the DOM is 1995 or 97. Or I’ve seen ads where the seller states that “it’s been hanging in the closet for X years…” So, at what point does fabric/construction become compromised due to age and at what number of jumps do fabric/lines become compromised?

Jim

SOS #1314

[billvon 2,991]

>At what temperature does it become uncomfortable to skydive?

From personal experience, exit temperatures below about -30F are pretty hard on your gear. (Icing etc.) But there's no real limit other than what you are comfortable with. Just wear more layers. Gloves are the one gotcha; you need enough tactility to feel your handles.

A realistic limit for comfort depends on the airplane and on the ground facilities. If I had an Otter with a decent door and a heated hangar I'd jump in just about anything. With a leaky Cessna and no hangar I think I'd limit to myself to 40F or above.

>So, at what point does fabric/construction become compromised due to
> age . . .

Gear doesn't fall apart at some given age. 20 years is a good limit for pure design reasons - going back more than 20 years will get you into some designs/techniques that are less refined, and are tougher to fix and operate.

>and at what number of jumps do fabric/lines become compromised?

F111 canopies - a few hundred jumps
ZP canopies - a few thousand jumps
Lines - around 500 jumps
Harness/container - a few thousand jumps

All depending on materials of course.

[aresye 0]

It also depends on how well you take care of your gear. Repeatedly crashing into the ground on landing will shorten the life of your container and canopy by a lot.

As for getting into it. If you want to do this, I would personally either do it now ASAP, and get your license fast. If you don't have the money to do that, then I would hold off until Spring, and save up all Winter, so you can do AFF and get your license quickly. I know a lot of North Easterm DZs close for the winter.

Skydiving: You either learn from other's mistakes, or they'll learn from yours.

[LuckyMcSwervy 0]

I'm glad you asked these questions because they've been on my mind and I hadn't asked them yet....

And I'm happy to see the answers because I'm starting to look for gear and I don't want to pass up on "quality" gear just because it's older.

I have to tough it out when it gets colder because I need to finish AFP & get my A license before winter. There's a couple of winter trips I'd like to take and they involve some DZs.

Good luck!

Always be kinder than you feel.

[mr_music11 0]

1st, welcome to the wonderfull world of skydiving! Yes, addictive. Yes, initially expensive to get into the sport. But after you have your first rig.. you can find lifts as cheap as $13 to 13k! Can be expensive on the buy in, but once there... you're good to go. I would recomend first going thru your classes first, even get some jumps under your belt with rented gear from your DZ or maybe demo'ing some various manufactures eq. The $ that you will spend will be well worth it. Not to mention, you will usually downsize @least 1x as you progress thru your 1st to 50th jump ( I did twice... trained on 210, downsized to 190, 7 jumps later downsized to 170 (although Ive heard from some that I did that too quickly, have had no problems tho) and have stayed @my now 1st rig with a triathalon 175) Have ANY gear that you purchase inspected by a liscensed rigger. Purchase all used gear thru a reputable source/most good sources will also have a return policy (square 1, action air parachutes) I have gone more than 30 days in between jumps(not by choice, just by gas prices! to get to the DZ) And although it takes a few more min to knock the dust off while on the ground, you mentally prepare, go thru the dive before you climb onto the plane, no problems.. like anything that you have trained well in, you'll remember, just like riding a bike. Good luck! Blue Skies

If flying is piloting a plane.. then swimming is driving a boat. I know why birds sing.. I skydive.

[speuci 0]

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you can find lifts as cheap as $13 to 13k!

Where?

[skydude89 0]

I believe he his talking about lodi california, but u have to buy them in a block of 50 to get them for 13 dollars. Does any body no if lodi has rooms for rent i wana go there at the end of october, i have 2 weeks of holidays to use up and i wana jump some where warm lol.

[mr_music11 0]

Yes.. it is Lodi,CA where you can get $13 lifts. Yes you do have to get them bulk (I think its $20 when just a single ticket is purchased).. but if you're gonna be jumpin' might as well do it as cheaply as possible (of course with out compromising risk! ) They dont have any rooms in Lodi, but campers/RV's seem to be welcome as I have seen both there on many an occasion. The weather stays pretty good thru out the year and even winter jumping isnt too cold. Bill Dause is the cheapest in the area.... and he knows it! And for that you do pay for some of the attitude that is there / not quite as friendly as other DZ's that I have been to. But for the most part, a great place for experienced jumpers to go. There is also a new DZ in Lincoln,CA (just north of Sacramento) Havnt had the chance to go there yet, but look forward to it soon! Anyone out there have any reviews about the new DZ? Blue skies to all!

If flying is piloting a plane.. then swimming is driving a boat. I know why birds sing.. I skydive.

[kkeenan 14]

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...Repeatedly crashing into the ground on landing will shorten the life of your ...canopy by a lot.

Actually, it's a proven fact that your canopy dosen't care how hard you hit the ground. No canopy has ever been injured in a hard landing.

Kevin K.

_____________________________________
Dude, you are so awesome...
Can I be on your ash jump ?

[wolfriverjoe 1,523]

The 30 day rule is for currency. When I was doing S/L training, I went more than 30 days several times, and just had to do a practice pull S/L to get recurrent. Check with the instructors and see what they think (I would very strongly suggest you do that with ALL the advice you get here). If you start the program and have to stop for winter; then you can spend some time reviewing your jumps and studying the book stuff, maybe learning to pack, or other things you can do on the ground. That way when spring comes, you'll have a solid start. Again, ask the instructors. As far as cold goes, here in Wisconsin we jump until about 20F ground temp. That means -20 or so at altitude. One or two of those is usually good for me. We are more restricted by snow on our grass runway than anything else. There usually are some decent days in Jan and Feb that are jumpable if the runways have been plowed, and we can get the airplane out. A few years ago there was no snow on the ground until mid-January and there were still people jumping. One more time, ask the instructors what they think

"There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy

"~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo