equipment/training suggestion for a 300lb wannabe?

[ernokaikkonen 0]

>And people who don't have anything sensible to say should not
>post on this particular forum......

Actually I agree with TK. Skydiving just isn't a sport for everyone. Some people will call it an "Extreme sport". I don't think the equipment is the biggest issue.

Skydivers(especially students) should be at least in reasonable physical condition. We do get bumped every once in a while(especially on student landings...) and the ankles of fit people won't be going "snap" as easily as those of overweight people.

My DZ has limited the weight of students to 100kg(220lbs). Bigger people just have so much more momentum to hurt themselves...

Erno

[AggieDave 6]

The new RWS tandems can be converted very easily too, the Sigmas. They're as rock solid in any attitude as the Vector 3. Infact, with the new Sigma mains, he could eventually fly a 1:1.1 elliptical main, although it would be fairly different then the average jumper is used to. Yeah, they cost a whole lot more, but suck it up for being big, that is the price you pay. This would go for just about any sport similar to this. Lets say Jumbo wanted to go Mt. Biking, he would have to buy a seriously stought bike or it would not survive a serious ride. That bike would cost more then a normal Mt. Bike, suck it up.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[SkyDekker 1,465]

Quote

Actually I agree with TK. Skydiving just isn't a sport for everyone. Some people will call it an "Extreme sport". I don't think the equipment is the biggest issue.

I never said I didn't necessarily agree with TK. But, that is not what the issue was. Here is a whuffo, looking to get into skydiving and the response he gets from a respectable and knowledgable person in this sport is just an off handed hurtful remark. In the end there might be a possibility for this guy to skydive, it may be in a restricted form, but it might be possible. All he wanted was some help in trying to fulfill a dream........

Phree, I know where you are coming from, but the issue really is not whether or not it would be expensive or the disciplines he could get into are limited. The question was one of feasibility.

[rmcvey 0]

Here is a whuffo, looking to get into skydiving and the response he gets from a respectable and knowledgable person in this sport is just an off handed hurtful remark.

Phree, I know where you are coming from, but the issue really is not whether or not it would be expensive or the disciplines he could get into are limited. The question was one of feasibility.

[skymut 0]

Quote

Skydivers(especially students) should be at least in reasonable physical condition. We do get bumped every once in a while(especially on student landings...) and the ankles of fit people won't be going "snap" as easily as those of overweight people.
My DZ has limited the weight of students to 100kg(220lbs). Bigger people just have so much more momentum to hurt themselves...

I think you are mistaking weight with atheletic condition. Jumbo listed nothing of his height compared to weight. He did mention that he is a solid 300 lbs. Should we assume that 'solid' means 'good muscular build' or otherwise?
So ,many people interpret someone's weight as 'fat', when that may not be the case. By the 'standards' of height and weight charts, based on those two factors alone, most heaveyweight body builders would be labeled as fat/overweight.
Could be, jumbo (I don't know) is 6 foot 10 inches, 310 pounds, and less than 10 percent body fat, and in better physical condition than anyone posting here.
I'm not trying to slam, I just think that an unfair assumption has been made. Only jumbo can make this clear.
Besides, if it is his dream to skydive, and he is in good physical condition (and just because he weighs 300 lbs doesn't automatically mean he isn't), he needs to go for it.
He sure is willing and determined to do his part to make it happen.
You go Jumbo! Start skydiving, and become an Anvil Brother!

Matt
A well-informed person is somebody who has the same views and opinions as yours.

[ernokaikkonen 0]

>Could be, jumbo (I don't know) is 6 foot 10 inches, 310 pounds,
> and less than 10 percent body fat, and in better physical condition
> than anyone posting here.

So very true. However, weighing 300lbs, being in peak physical condition is the only way he can do a relatively safe skydive. Even if he finds equipment suitable for his size, he will still have a greater risk of injury. A 300lbs person will have three times the momentum a 100lbs person will have, assuming the speed is same...

Erno

[thrillseek 0]

I totally agree. The gear isn't an issue. If they can design parachutes to heavy drop a tank, i'm sure with enough looking this guy can find a tandem-type rig that'll suffice.

The real issue here is his personal safety. I'm sure that any dropzone that may have turned him away did so with safety in mind and not ill-intentions. With someone of that size (wt), a landing that a 180 lb guy screws up on a little could really hurt someone 120 lbs heavier.
Jumbo, I salute you for wanting to skydive and encourage you to pursue it. Just do so with realistic expectations, and your own safety foremost in your mind.

[cobaltdan 0]

at 300# drogue fall is required in freefall to avoid too high a terminal speed.

equipment wise there is no problem a tandem rig i.e. from rws with a 350 cobalt and reserve.

problem is perhaps teaching a newbie on a drogue fall rig. this is done in the military but i can see why with all the added things that could go wrong a sport operation would definately shy away.

sincerely,

dan <><>

Daniel Preston <><>
atairaerodynamics.com (sport)
atairaerospace.com (military)

[billvon 2,998]

>at 300# drogue fall is required in freefall to avoid too high a terminal
>speed.

Interestingly, Strong designed a student system to do just this. The intent was the the JM would "IAD" the drouge, and thus give the student a bridge between his tandems and his first freefall. A 'ripcord' (drouge release) opened the main. As I recall it wasn't that popular.

[cobaltdan 0]

i would shy away from recommending strong equipment to this potential student as i believe strong tandem reserves are not rated for the higher terminal speeds involved in a non drogue freefall.

in the event of not being able to deploy the drogue, proceedure would dictate deploying the reserve. at non drogue freefall terminal speeds you can significanly exceed the capabilities of the strong reserve and damage it on deployment.

sincerely,

dan<><>

Daniel Preston <><>
atairaerodynamics.com (sport)
atairaerospace.com (military)