MikeJD

British weather.

In the ranks of media crimes against skydiving, I reckon that one scores pretty low. I actually think it's interesting just how au fait audiences are with skydiving concepts now, so that you can get away with this kind of visual shorthand. Single canopy landing + young person + two harnesses = mom taking her kid for a tandem skydive - all within the space of about five seconds, and with no need for any other establishing shots. Mike, it's a piss take, none of us are (at least i hope none of us) actually criticizing the ad

In the ranks of media crimes against skydiving, I reckon that one scores pretty low. I actually think it's interesting just how au fait audiences are with skydiving concepts now, so that you can get away with this kind of visual shorthand. Single canopy landing + young person + two harnesses = mom taking her kid for a tandem skydive - all within the space of about five seconds, and with no need for any other establishing shots.

I was actually going to say the opposite! Someone started a thread here recently in which he'd questioned another person's decision to cut away. He was suggesting it was 'very dangerous' to take a chance on one's reserve opening successfully. To me that is dangerous thinking (your experience notwithstanding! ). Of course every situation is different, and it's every jumper's responsibility to make his or her own decision. But I'm quite sure that more people have been killed or maimed over the years by riding malfunctions into the ground - or by making the decision to cut away too late - than by using reserves 'unneccessarily'.

Just remember: the wetsuit goes under the rig.

Why would you drive? Galleon in for repairs?

'Yet'? I know people with thousands of jumps and decades in the sport who aren't that great at tracking. Cute pics, by the way.

I was thinking the same thing! People generally hurt themselves under canopy, and that is where things have moved on the most since the OP's heyday. There's virtually nothing about having a jumped a round parachute that will prepare you for handling a square, whether we're talking about openings, control input, navigation, landings or emergency procedures. fj, welcome back. I wish you well and look forward to hearing about your experiences. It'll be fascinating to read about your impression of the sport now compared to how you left it - I guess you'll have a different perspective from those who started jumping at a similar time but have never been away. And I'm sure nobody will be just throwing a rig on you, putting you on a load and seeing what happens.

Good for you, and great to hear that your spirits are high.

Colleagues of mine happened to witness the result of someone falling under a train a while back - or more likely jumping, since the vast majority of such deaths seem to be suicides. Sounded very grim, anyway - body parts everywhere. I guess it's a pretty efficient way of killing yourself, but horribly traumatic for everyone involved. I'm sure it's many train drivers' worst fear.

During the weekend I came to gather up my canopy after landing and saw that one of the suspension lines had broken. It's the leftmost D line, the break is about 2cm above the link and the broken ends are quite frayed although the other lines don't look excessively worn to me. The opening wasn't violent, the canopy flew and flared as normal, I didn't snag it on anything when I was picking it up and a teammate who watched me land saw nothing out of the ordinary. So it's possible that it happened right at the bottom of my flare and when I was as good as down. On the other hand, it's the first time I've had a line break, and the thing that really gave me pause was the question of whether it could have happened on opening - which I would have thought the most likely time - and I'd never even noticed. I jump a Katana 107 loaded at around 1.7, and I'd have thought it unlikely to fly normally with a broken line (assuming it's possible I didn't see it). Mainly I'm just curious. Who has flown and landed a similar canopy with a broken line and found it no different from normal? Has anyone failed to spot a break while they were under canopy? Needless to say, my Katana is now with my rigger and I'll be placing an order with PD for a new line set.

Sounds like good news, Lisa. Thanks for passing it on.

Oh, and of course whatever your 'costume' design, a key consideration will be safety and flyability in the tunnel. Since you're talking about a superhero theme, it's worth pointing out that capes will not be welcome! Unless you already have some involvement with the wind tunnel operation, you should definitely consult them before you get into this too deeply.

It is. The ground, not so much . Welcome to skydiving. I must admit, when I first read this thread I wondered if you were trolling - but assuming you're not, I hope you can reconcile your calling(s).

Hi, Would help if we knew what country you were in since presumably local would be better. I'd think any of the manufacturers who currently make jumpsuits in child sizes would be willing to customise them, but beware that this would probably be expensive depending on the level of customisation. Custom colours are a standard offering, but if you want to change the design of the suit itself that could get prohibitive. No harm in asking though! The only manufacturer who I know produces jumpsuits for kids is Bev Suits. But I expect there are others.

I do believe it's a satirical response to another thread...

Oh, no. That's bad news. Heal fast, Jennifer!

Very nice indeed. Looks kind of hairy though, with all that traffic!

Of course! Although they do let us foreigners play every now and again, so long as we behave ourselves.

Stops your face turning inside out in freefall. Hence, you look prettier.

Is there skydiving in the movie? There seems to be skydiving in the game.

Few places match the melancholy of a closed DZ. Although out-of-season seaside resorts come close. Worst reason I can remember for closing a DZ was that it was the day of Princess Diana's funeral. Not a very popular decision, as I remember! Safe to say it was done in deference to the sensitivities of the local villagers rather than the club members.

I highly doubt it.

Anne Robinson. You're welcome to her - I'm sure she's a very nice lady in reality, but I can't bear her TV persona! I did hear they thought she might not go over so well in the States, because you guys apparently have a lower tolerance for rudeness. For me, you can be scathing as long as you have the wit to carry it off. But she doesn't.