Gary73

Thanks, everybody! "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence." - Carl Sagan

It's for sale, but the closing-loop grommets are 4-9/16" on center. "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence." - Carl Sagan

Can anyone identify what kind of container this freebag belongs to? It's made of a heavy, ripstop fabric and is about 10" high by 16" wide at the mouth. Manufacturer didn't put any markings on it. Thanks! "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence." - Carl Sagan

Students should have a wing loading between 0.6 and 0.9 pounds per square foot, depending on wind conditions, general physical fitness, previous performance, and total experience. At 0.9 PSF, a student's max exit weight for a 230 would therefor be 207 pounds (0.9 times 230). A student rig, helmet, etc. will weigh around 30 pounds, so figure around 175 for the max student weight without gear. Yeah, the USPA licenses correspond fairly well with the distinctions among student, novice, and intermediate. In fact the older USPA publications referred to the A, B, C, and D licenses as Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, and Master. Actually I would say that there are wrong answers to your questions. Too many jumpers get injured and even killed because they jump canopies that they're not ready for. The Incident Reports in Parachutist are just the tip of the iceburg when it comes to injuries. No one likes to be told that they're not good enough to do something, but it's pretty clear that more people do need to be told just that. "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence." - Carl Sagan

Interesting problem. ROL or belly-band mounted PC (like the original Wonderhog) could solve the reach problem, but would require a BSR waiver (full board, no less). If you swap over to ripcord and spring-loaded PC, the rig manufacturer may recommend/require a D-bag with a kicker plate built in. AFF could be a problem; SL or IAD might work better. Stitching an S-fold into the lower portion of each riser would leave the brake settings and canopy trim pretty close to normal, but would require an STC or something for the reserve risers. A small canopy doesn't require the toggles to be pulled as far to get a full flare. A more experienced jumper could jump the canopy and check length and estimate pull force required. You could set up a toggle going over a pulley to a weight to check both. (Good way to build strength if necessary, also.) Best of luck to all concerned; let us know how it works out, please! "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence." - Carl Sagan

Like Bigun said, plus: Yes, 100 kilograms = 220 pounds, but I think you'll find that with a rig this size your exit weight will be more like 260. For what it's worth, USPA recommends a wing loading of less than 1.0 pounds per square foot until you have a C license, namely 200 jumps. In other words, they and I would both recommend that you get at least a 260 main and reserve, preferably a little bigger. "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence." - Carl Sagan

I asked SSK about this myself a while back. They said that a battery pack has a shelf life of three years after the manufacture date that's stamped on one side in MMYY format. "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence." - Carl Sagan

Maybe I'm looking at it wrong, but if I see something that will benefit someone I just tell them about it. I don't expect or even want to be paid for something that costs me nothing more than a few minutes of my time. Would you guys charge a newbie to change a closing loop or explain where to expect turbulence in the landing area? I don't expect people to do everything for free, mind you. I charge $45 to do a reserve I&R (including any minor repairs), for example, but this DZO was asking the equivalent of four I&Rs just for the few minutes he spent online. He wasn't even going to pay for shipping. Seems like a pretty outrageous hourly rate, not to mention a pretty large finder's fee on a $1,500 sale. As for the comparison to selling things on commission or consignment or something, in that case there are expenses and risks involved, not to mention paperwork and taxes. In this case the DZO had almost none of that: he was certain that he had a customer. I'm not a saint or a communist. I believe in Free Enterprise and making a fair wage. But a lot of good people donated a few minutes here and there bringing me into the sport. When I get the chance to pass that on it makes me feel better than anything that a few bucks could buy me. "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence." - Carl Sagan

A few weeks ago I had a rig for sale in the Classifieds section. I got a response from a DZO who wrote that the rig would be perfect for a new jumper at his dropzone. "Hey, great", I thought, "a DZO who's looking out for his newbies!" Then he asked me to sell it to him for $200 less than the asking price so that he could make a profit by selling it to the newbie at full price. (I'm not speculating, BTW: he actually told me that.) I was pretty disgusted, but just wrote back that I'd rather not drop the price. Never heard back from him, and later sold the rig elsewhere for the asking price. So anyway, what do you guys think? Was the DZO acting in an ethical manner? "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence." - Carl Sagan

$3,000 for the first one; 25 cents each for the rest, what with seals, closing loops, etc. As for quality, so far, so good. "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence." - Carl Sagan

Eric, Thanks for the info. I prefer to list as much info as possible in the table, since that's so straightforward for both the seller and the buyer. Any additional manufacturers and models would be helpful, but any fixed list is bound to be incomplete, and possibly incorrect (like "Vector Tandem Sigma"). If it isn't practical to allow free-form text, how about including "Other" in the list? That would at least let sellers list as much as possible there. I'm not a sysadmin, but if you need a volunteer to come up with additional gear names, I'd be willing to do that. Okay, it's not important enough to do a major re-write. Sangiro. "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence." - Carl Sagan

Two months ago I posted three different bug reports in this forum regarding problems with the Classifieds system. There haven't been any responses from any moderators or admins and the problems are still there. I also tried PM-ing the moderator, again with no response. So I have to ask: Is the classified ads system intendeded to be supported by dropzone.com, or was it set up years ago and then just left on autopilot? "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence." - Carl Sagan

Be aware that a Manta 288 is probably an older F-111 canopy that won't have much of a flare. The newer ZP Mantas are pretty good, though, and are available in sizes up to 320. "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence." - Carl Sagan

From the 2008 Skydiver's Information Manual, Section 5-3B: 5. The following are suggested maximum wing loadings based on experience level: a. A and B license 1.0 psf maximum b. C license 1.2 psf maximum If you're 180 in street clothes you'll have an exit weight of at least 205, more likely 210, for a wing loading of 1.1 PSF on a 190. So on your fifth jump this "instructor" wants you at a wing loading that's not recommended until you have at least 200 jumps? If he wasn't kidding, this guy is an idiot. Your first instructors may have been a little conservative, but that's not such a bad thing in an instructor. I'd recommend that you talk with at least one of them before you jump again. You shouldn't be jumping anything smaller than a 230 for now. Oh, WRT the 190 being a student canopy: yes, but for students who weigh 140 or so. Keep being careful and keep asking questions. You'll make a lot more skydives that way! "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence." - Carl Sagan

All of the above, and if you can, do a practice eval ground prep, dive, and debrief with a Coach CD or an Instructor who has acted as a Coach Course Evaluator recently. Be especially careful about your pull altitude. Evaluators have no leeway on that one! Some items can be done before, during, or after the course. Do them before the course and it'll make it easier on both you and the CD. Good luck! Here's the standard announcement that I put out when I plan to hold a course: Before attending the course, candidates must have: at least a B License and at least 100 freefalls, observed and assisted with one complete First-Jump Course, a Skydiver’s Information Manual* that's less than 2 years old, an Instructional Rating Manual* that's less than 2 years old, become familiar with the relevant SIM and IRM sections, Become familiar with all A-license (yellow) card items, and completed the Coach Written Exam (in the IRM). At the course, candidates will: Attend a day or so of class and conduct training sessions to teach several basic skydiving skills. At or after the course, candidates will: perform two or three simulated ground preps and coached jumps with Evaluators. Before or after the course, candidates must: teach the general portions of two First-Jump Courses under the direct supervision of an Instructor. (Not a bad idea to wait ‘til after – hopefully you will have learned a few things during the course that will come in handy during the FJC!) Upon receiving the rating, Coaches can: teach the general portion of the First-Jump Course, make regular or coached jumps with students who have completed AFF, verify (but not sign!?) A-license card qualifications, and work toward qualifying for AFF and/or Tandem Instructor ratings. Don’t delay your preparations. This is the easiest USPA Instructional Rating to get, but it’s not something you can just walk into and expect to pass! "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence." - Carl Sagan

I thought Quincy switched over to being a tandem factory. "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence." - Carl Sagan

I am, of course, always happy to spend time with the most liscious of all the Lauras, but in addition to the general meeting, I want to go to some of the committee meetings and ask questions like: "What's the point of a Group Mamber Program if there's no enforcement of, for example, the Code of Ethics?" and "We trust Coaches to jump with our students, so why don't we trust them to sign A-license-card items?". I also want to get a feel for who I should vote for (or against) this Fall, though I've got some pretty good ideas already. I suspect that that will take up most of the weekend, but if not, yeah let's hit Palatka or maybe St. Mary's on the way back to ATL. "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence." - Carl Sagan

Yeah, that's what I did, so the addresses should have been correct. Could be other reasons for not getting a reply, but I think that the main problem is the lack of interest that most NDs have in communicating with their constituents. One more reason for a good housecleaning this Fall! "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence." - Carl Sagan

Theoretically NDs don't have any more power than RDs, but if you've got another qualified, non-DZO candidate for RD up there, then get him/her to run for RD and Goswitz to run for ND. The only way to get rid of the NDs we don't like is to put up candidates we do like and tell the community why. Those of you in the Central region might consider doing the same with Gary Peek. Another update: Got a PM from Todd Spillers saying that he didn't get my e-mail either. I used the e-mail addresses listed on the USPA BOD page and only got one reject back, which I corrected. So what's the deal here? Are these folks using spam blockers which reject legitimate messages? If so, they might want to reconsider that policy. I place a lot of value on responsiveness in a representative, and I suspect that others do, also. "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence." - Carl Sagan

Yeah, actually I was a little surprised. I was hoping for better from fellow skydivers. Small update: I just got a PM from Jan indicating that she didn't get my e-mail. Could be true of other Directors, also. As for how the game is played, I got a taste of student government back in college, and haven't been tempted to get involved since then. Like most folks, I'm content to let those who have a desire to do such things do them, as long as things don't get too messed up. Well, things have gotten pretty messed up, so I'm about to go to my first BOD meeting in twenty years of USPA membership. And on a weekend when the weather's supposed to be good here. Bastards. "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence." - Carl Sagan

Okay, so I e-mailed the entire BOD to ask what this and the other agenda items were about. Only Gruwell, Quaintance, Peek, Dixon, and Goswitz replied. Not a single National Director. (Guess I know who I won't be voting for in a few months.) Most of the RDs who did reply didn't know anything more than the rest of us. Apparently if you're not on the Executive Committee you're not privy to anything important. Is this the way we want our association to be run? I hate to miss a good jumping weekend, but it looks like I need to head down to Orlando for the BOD meeting and see these folks face to face. I don't expect to change any of their minds, but sometimes you have to speak up anyway. Anybody else? "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence." - Carl Sagan

I don't want to start another thread about the advantages and disadvantages of ISP, I'm just curious as to how many dropzones in the U.S. are actually using the full Category A through H ISP program. There's Skydive Orange, VA, and Start Skydiving, OH. Any others? Thanks! "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence." - Carl Sagan

No. Is that available online somewhere? Thanks. "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence." - Carl Sagan

Sounds reasonable, but ronny2 is correct. The SSK Web site isn't being cooperative tonight, but there should be a section on there which explains it all. Something about the philosophy of reliability. "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence." - Carl Sagan

The classified ads posting system doesn't allow the entry of some very common equipment makes and models. Examples: UPT RWS Vector Tandem UPT Sigma Tandem Precision Raven (not r-Max or dash M) PD 360 Tandem reserve It is kind of nice to have the models available as menu selections, but it might also be nice to allow the poster to enter models that aren't in the menu. "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence." - Carl Sagan