nicrussell

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Everything posted by nicrussell

  1. nicrussell
    I think that even on your first jump you should receive at least some training about what you are doing. In fact I believe the student should be an ACTIVE participant, not just a lump of meat. If the student is trained to at least open the main by knowing where the ripcord is then they might be able to do something, probably not, but might. nic
  2. nicrussell
    This was recent I take it. In many parts of the counrty it is extremly cold. 45 minutes suspended under a canopy and land 2.5 out on a frozen or marshy type field. Your situation has improven minimally. I'd be pissed, and be grateful I am alive unhurt and have all my digits. Talking to the S&TA and the DZO might help them realize some issues that need to be brought up. However with that said, If i came out to jump all weekend, and some yahoo comes out and lands out then it is NOT my responsibility to look for them. But that would make me not a nice person and I would go look for him. Knowing that my car is probably going to be warmer that the hanger !
  3. nicrussell
    The FAA only requires a rigger to observe if you are packing the parachute for another person, not yourself. And I bet the jumper your packing blind for wouldnt be too keen on the idea. nic
  4. nicrussell
    I am totally with you on that one!! Unless of course there is only silver bullit in the hanger, then I'll drink that. I'm easy, and I'll be the first to say it. nic
  5. nicrussell

    Bad dreams

    nicrussell replied to SSkydiver's topic in The Bonfire

    I myslef have dreamed about going in. I had the feeling of extreme ground rush. Most of the time I would live, completely fine. Just kinda scared that I would be grounded, so I'd pop my reserve and stretch it out as if I had a low pull and thats why I landed off. I have had that dream for the last four years or so. I have also dreamed of BASE sit-flying, well more like a stand up in an aggresive position. never pulled on that one either, usually hiked back up to do it again. nic
  6. nicrussell
    700ish:1 spinning 105, got a little light headed, cut away 2 second delay, and open under a nice 5 cell reserve (swift). I kept both handles but I dropped one after I landed. A lawnmower found it. Doh!
  7. nicrussell
    Congrats on a tremendous achievement. I did 21 jumps on my 21st birthday and I was rather tired by the end of the day. It was a cold november day too, but 534, damn. Does anyone know how much he raised for the special olypics? What a great cause and charity to pledge to. nic
  8. nicrussell
    The easiest to pack rig is one that is not too small for the big ass canopy you're shuvin' in there. Also some rigs have the closing loop on an extra flap at the top of the tray (be carefull not to have your closing loop "split" your lines that are stowed). you then proceed to go bottom, top, right, left, in closing sequence. Some rigs (like my wonderful Infinity have the closing loop on the top flap and then you proceed to route your closing loop through the grommets as numbered on the flaps, 1, 2, 3. almost idiot proof. nic
  9. nicrussell
    In the bar I work at a few times a week the cocktail waitress tips out the bartenders 10%and the cook 10%, the bartender tips out the cook 10% and the barback 20%. Conversion in my mind would be: Video tips out TM 20% and Manifest 10% Tandem Master tips out Manifest 10%, Packer 10% and Pilot 10%. Packer, Manifest, and Pilot no tip out expected. Just what I think might be fair, i could be wrong. nic
  10. nicrussell
    Yes I know the chances are very low of a collision. But that is now. With more and more jumpers in the sport taking birdman flights for many reasons, wouldn't it be possible to have two conflicting jumpers from different exit points. Maybe I'm overdoing it a little, but just looking at ALL possibilities. Nic And the bird would probably move out of the way. Ever try to hit one with your car, they may wait till the last second (can you blame them, think of the rush!) but they steer clear.
  11. nicrussell
    As Champu said in his first post wait a while. But when you do have the experience go for it. If youre farm has a large landing area and you have enough altitude this sort of jump would be a lot of fun. You could invite friends and family over for a BBQ and show 'em how to really arrive. Just be really careful to plan and go with the plan in a safe way. Talk to your local PRO rated jumpers. They'll have loads of info for you. nic
  12. nicrussell
    Putting your toggles all the way over your hand can lead to a loss of control. It seems to me that if the toggle is being held with four fingers and your thumb wrapped around the outside (securing it in place) you can let go in an emergency and keep it in place. Then with the dive loop use your index and middle fingers so its a strong grip but not a lot of flesh to get stuck if that is your worry. my 2 pence nic
  13. nicrussell
    A few weeks a go there was a post about a birdman doing an amazing BASE jump in Europe. He clearly makes it to the other side of the valley in freefall. As I understand it both sides of the valley in this area have exit points. What is being done to prevent two jumpers from a collision (Birdman v Birdman, Birdman v. normal jumper, birdman v. canopy?) I know the likely hood of this happening is low, but there still IS a chance. nic
  14. nicrussell
    If jump run is at normal altitudes (4k-15k) My pull will be around 3000, sometimes a little higher, sometimes a little lower. If I exit at lower altitudes (2100 to 2500) I will take a longer daley bringing me to a 1800 to 2200 pull altitude. Reasoning behind this. My body hasn't built up a lot of speed at decision altitude. I DO have longer to initiate an emergency procedure at 1800 feet if I just got out of the plane than if I just got doing a long skydive at which my speed would be in the mid one hundreds. Its all comfort level and experience. Not very many people I know will jump out of a plane unless they are at least 3000. and thats fine, thats thier comfort level. nic
  15. nicrussell
    Do you have another picture with the bottom flap open so the tray is completely open? Thanks, nic
  16. nicrussell
    When I was packing a few years ago I could turn out 3 pack jobs in one super otter load. The jumpers land on load one. Drop their rigs, I pack them up ready for them to run to the plane for load three. COuld consitstently do that until I had to pack a tandem up. Or a student rig. they suck. If ive been drinking (not too much of course) I can pack under ten minutes and have great openings. nic
  17. nicrussell
    I think I was still on student status. Just Kidding. My first jump off of student status. I even passed my B license manuevers while sitflying, 360 L, 360 R, front loop, back loop. and that was on jump 51. at least thats what this log book says. nic
  18. nicrussell
    How are you doing now? Did evrything get glued back in the right spot? Did the tree heal? nic
  19. nicrussell
    Old news yes, but still very cool. No body else has pushed the limits THAT close and provided evidence. very cool. nic
  20. nicrussell
    I remember one jump about a year ago. I jumped a friends Nitro 88 (about 2.15 WL). I picked up the rig (almost packed so I finished it) and went to the plane for a hop'n'pop from 3200. On the way up I started getting a little anxious, not nervous. So I did like 10 practice EP. Third out, Took about a 5 second delay pull.......hello, anyone up there?.....lookin up finally blue canopy and ah, yes, about 5 line twists, andd ahh yes, here come the spins, fun fun!!! kick, kick, kick, 2400, kick, kick, kick 2000, reach fo handles, look up, only one more, KICK, and clear by 1700!! setup and nice swoop. sweet. I was ready at all times to initiate my EP, i just had altitude to spare. Both of the jumpers on the load were hoping to see my canopy exchange program, both saying "cut it, cut it!! under there deep brakes. (one of those jumpers actually packed the reserve I was wearing, I just think he wanted some booze on that cold winter day.) nic
  21. nicrussell
    SELL IT!! why risk it, buy a brand new setup. Its safer that way. Or send the rig to me with a jump ticket and i'll jump it, and leave it unpacked for you so you can feel safer. nic
  22. nicrussell
    In this scenario, I do like what Zennster said. The fact that you are having better landings has to do with a lot of things. When you say better what do you mean? Are the landings faster, smoother, more accurate. Better is such a broad word to describe your landings in a textual description. I also do perfer a 270 landing, nut there is a lot more to it than just rotating 270 degrees. From setup, initial toggle and riser inputs to rotation, changes in harness pressure, traffic avoidance, round out, flare, swoop, carve, skim, gates, etc, ect... Everyperson does have to evaluate their abilities prior to trying something new and wage the risks involved. Hell I'll do a 360 on landing for kicks somtimes. usually doesnt perform as well as a 270 but has a hightened level of ground rush that can be quite exciting. nic
  23. nicrussell
    I have meet a few Europeans who have done exactly that. Come to the states, learn to skydive, learn to teach skydiving, become world class skydivers all paid for by their respective countries. nic
  24. nicrussell
    Dont pack it yourself for 20 to 50 jumps. Pay someone else to do it. By the way packers LOVE tips. And if your asking them to pack a brand new canopy then it should be automatic.. nic
  25. nicrussell
    When I show people 'raw' video with the volume up they immediatly ask "Is that what freefall sounds like?" or something like that. I guess it is, I really dont hear anything one I am in the groove. I do notice an overwhelming calm once I'm in the saddle though. nic