NM156

I just bought a pro-track and have the following issues: 1- I did not enter my total jump number and freefall time prior to my first jump as I was in a rush and needed an audible. After a few jumps, I read the manual and delete the last jumps and logbook. I then setup the correct jump number and freefall time in the protrack... so far so good. I had approximately 21h of freefall time. After a day of jumping, I look at the logbook, and although the jump number are correct, the freefall time shows 2h30min. How is that possible? I then reset everything (thinking that I might have made an error when I input the freefall time the first time). I make sure that everything is entered properly. The day after (6 more jumps) the freefall time now shows aproximately 3h30min??? how is that possible? 2- On my last day, the protrack recorded jump number 1366, 1367, 1368, 1369 and... 1371 (not 1370), but the logbook shows 1370 jumps... Again, how is that possible? There was nothing special that occured between jump number 1369 and 1370 (recorded as 1371) and the plane ride was very normal (no up and down in the plane that could have created a problem). 3- This is not an issue... just a simple question. Are there various versions of jump track. I saw jump track 3 at the DZ, but it seem to be to use with altitrack... is it compatible with protrack as well or do I need another version? Thanks in advance for any assistance.

I might be moving to the San Francisco area this year and was wondering if anyone could provide information on DZs in the area. More specifically, I am looking for a very friendly place (where people feel welcome) and with at least one turbine airplane. I enjoy doing AFF, but I only have my Canadian (CSPA) rating (and I got it only last year). Do US DZs acccept CSPA PFF (or AFF) rating? Are DZs in the SF area looking for AFF instructors (keep in mind that I am a week-end jumper/instructor)? I also enjoy 4-way, are there DZs with few teams in this area? Also, how is the weather for jumping like in this area (windy, cold, cloudy)? Finally, if anyone knows the SF bay area, are Oakland or Alameda (spelling?) nice places to buy a house for a family with 2 young kids? and how is the commute to work in SF (i.e. crossing the bay bridge)? There are many questions here, but any help is appreciated. Thanks is advance!

I own a Micron with approximately 300 jumps on it (with original tru-lock risers) and my right toggle came unstowed once at the end of last season and twice last week end. While I was packing (after the second time the right brake released), I inspected the right risers and noticed that one of the stitches holding the pin on the toggle to the risers was "gone". My rigger put another stitch where the original one was and after 7 more jumps last week end... no more problem. Ask your rigger to take a look at your risers. Danny

Can anyone confirm that, for the WFFC, the 180 days is still acceptable for Canadian with their own gear (even if it is TSO'd in the US). It seems to me that, according to the Gear Regulations for Parachutists Visiting the US, I would need a repack, but according to the WFFC website, they still mention that :"Your gear must be 'in date' for the entire convention, even if you are not staying for the entire duration. For USA Jumpers, the date that needs to be reflected on your repack card is April 12, 2003 or after. Foreign jumpers gear will need to be in date for their country's repack cycle.If your gear is not current through the end of the Convention, you will be directed to the friendly and professional onsite riggers for a repack." Is it just that their web site has not been updated? NM156

I am curious to see if Queensryche fans also like Crimson Glory. Transencence is one of my favorite albums of all time. I heard a few weeks ago that Midnight might be returning for a new album. BTW, I am on a roll, 4 post in one night for me... at this rate I might lose my Newbie status before next year!! NM156

Well I have to say that I prefer Queensryche's music to Dream Theatre, but I would not go as far as saying that they are a cheap imitation. DT are extremely talented, their music is just a little harder to appreciate. NM156

Actually, if I remember correctly, Chris DeGarmo was still with them on Promised Land and left afterwards. His replacement was definitely not as talented (he could play all right, but the writing was not as good). Chris de Garmo was writing a big portion of the music at the time. NM156

I have to say that their music was really great up to (and including) Empire, plus a few good tracks on Promised Land... and then they went downhill from there. However, their first few albums are just amazing. I saw them in concert once (Empire Tour... but the show was really about Operation Mindcrime). This was one of the best show I have ever seen. Anyone wants to guess where I got my user name from? NM156

I had between 350 and 400 jumps when I bought my Vengeance. I tried a few other elliptical ones before, but I never tried a semi-elliptical. NM 156

I did practice martial arts for a while. Karate on and off for ten years (kyokushin, shoto kan, yoseikan) and jiu-jitsu for 3 years. Then, skydiving got in the way and I started flying instead of fighting. I have to say that knowing how to fall helped me a few times on my landings NM 156

I can only comment on the Vengeance, since I have never jumped a Crossfire 2. I have over 200 jumps on a Vengeance. The Vengeance have given me excellent openings (always very soft and on heading). The recovery arc is pretty long compared to the stiletto. You can definitely have some good swoop with the Vengeance and personally, I like the airlocks... but that's just preference. Your best option is to try both and see which one you prefer. NM156

I think this was last year's (2003 DZ row still in progress according to their website). NM156

I will be on that load!! Who would be interested in a tube exit out of that plane? The biggest tube exit I was on was a Canadian 12 way in 2000 in Quincy (it's on the 2000 WFFC alternate video by Danovision). So, who's in?? NM156

OK, I will jump in as well. My name is Danny and I am an actuary in the pension consulting industry (I know, BORING). The good thing is I studied survival probabilty and statistics and determined that it's safer to skydive than to drive a car. So I started skydiving! NM 156

Out of the two, I'd say go with the Mirage. I think that both the riser and bridle protection is better on the Mirage than the javelin. I also don't like the way the javelin looks. Having said that, I personally prefer the V3, but that's just me. At the end of the day, you will get as many different answers as there are containers! It all depends on the features you are looking for and the price you are wiling to pay (although if you consider these containers, the price does not seem to be a big issue). NM 156