JustChuteMeNow

I agree with Krisanne. Students are also adults and they are certainly capable of making informed decisions regarding this sport. When I am in a situation where there is conflicting instruction being given I try and explain why I teach it my way in terms of safety if it is a safety concern or in other terms of technique or gear wear if that would be more applicable. Again this type of situation does not have to be confrontational. Think of how stupid the average person is and realize that statistically half of them are stupider than that.

Hello Chris, Welcome to the forums. I have attached a link to some skydiving terms that should answer your question regarding the differences between the acronym AFF and AAD. However your cost question will really depend on the DZ where you take your training. Some offer tunnel training and some don't. Some will be using a turbine aircraft while some will be using a cessna. In other words it is hard to compare training programs. I would say most people spend between 1,000 and 2,000 dollars but some people have paid more and some people have paid less. Again welcome Skydiving Glossary Think of how stupid the average person is and realize that statistically half of them are stupider than that.

Two tips Tip 1 - Do a four line check on every pack job. Tip 2 - Make sure that you keep the lines on the tail side. Don't roll them under the canopy while you are working the air out because this puts the lines on the nose side which can lead to a line over. Think of how stupid the average person is and realize that statistically half of them are stupider than that.

Well actually they shut down in the winter time and so 205 tandems a day is a "low" estimate Think of how stupid the average person is and realize that statistically half of them are stupider than that.

One of the guys responding to the article said he was married to a bitch too Think of how stupid the average person is and realize that statistically half of them are stupider than that.

At Couchfreaks $50 buys your way into the hog roast on Wednesday night, a chili feed on Friday night, and a pork chop dinner on Saturday night. It also buys rights to the beer truck that flows 24/7. It buys nightly entertainment as well as access to some kick ass load organizers and skydiving vendors. I'm sure there is is more but those things make me feel pretty good about forking over a registration fee versus some boogies where the fee pretty much buys nothing. FWIW I enjoyed the zoo guy and the hula dancers at your boogie. Hopefully I can make it down for the next D.S. get together. Think of how stupid the average person is and realize that statistically half of them are stupider than that.

There is no BSR that states that a student can not jump their own rig. In the SIMS it does say that a student must jump a rig with an AAD and an RSL. The RSL requirement can be waived by an instructor but not the AAD requirement. Of course DZs can set their own standards on top of the USPA minimum recommendations. Hopefully most DZs would stop a student from jumping guestionable gear. Think of how stupid the average person is and realize that statistically half of them are stupider than that.

I was there when City Hall was dedicated and I had a chance to party a little with "Phantom" then as well as other times visiting Z-hills. A person always experienced good vibes coming from Jim. He will definitely be missed. Muff, Muff and fly free Think of how stupid the average person is and realize that statistically half of them are stupider than that.

Ok since we are talking safety a Velo-107 is completely safe because like the tooth fariy it doesn't exist. PD doesn't make a Velo-107. It sounds like the guy should have done a little more reserach before he started spinning this yarn :-) Think of how stupid the average person is and realize that statistically half of them are stupider than that.

Ted has my full support and I would encourage other people to help as they are able. Think of how stupid the average person is and realize that statistically half of them are stupider than that.

This is a GREAT definition Think of how stupid the average person is and realize that statistically half of them are stupider than that.

I agree. The coach rating shows a demonstrated ability to work primarily with NEW STUDENTS who don't yet have an "A" license but have successfully graduated from a program like AFF or static line progression. IMO it is a great program because while the skill set doesn't have to be huge to help new students learning the sport the rating does show a level of competence. Most coaches can certainly help teach new skydivers how to be better skydivers. I also like that the coach rating does help set a precedent on who can and who can't jump with new students for skydivers with less than a "D" license. The 100 jump minimum seems fine as long as the coaches can pass the standards of safety and competency in the course Think of how stupid the average person is and realize that statistically half of them are stupider than that.

OK I have read the whole thread and I still believe that ANYONE who makes a blanket statement that grip switching is bad, very bad does not have a solid understanding of lauchcing a 4-way. In my opinion many exits launch better with a grip switch after the launch. Of course I would love to hear your reasoning on why you believe I shouldn't post a response to the implied statement ALL grip switching is bad. Feel free to send me a PM in the future if you have issues with what I post. Of course if you prefer the open forums then ignore my suggestion. Think of how stupid the average person is and realize that statistically half of them are stupider than that.

Since I have a Firefly suit and I think it rocks, I will do what no man has done before in this thread and post a clicky Firefly Website Think of how stupid the average person is and realize that statistically half of them are stupider than that.

Hello Eightate8at8, Both DZs have good people and I would check them both out. I personally jump at Skydive Iowa and the people are great. There is a bunkhouse and at night there is always a bonfire with fun activities. If you have specific questions, send me a PM and I'll try and answer them. Think of how stupid the average person is and realize that statistically half of them are stupider than that.

I got my rating so that I could jump with new students not yet licensed and help them grow in the sport. I never received money and I never expected to receive money but I did recieve some great intangibles like smiles and contagious enthusiam. I am now an AFF instructor and I still dont' get paid for students who are off of AFF status and not yet licensed. Of course every instructor at my DZ also jumps with these students for free. We do this because it is important for the sport to grow in a positive way. Many many many experienced jumpers helped me along the way and none of them expected pay. They just wanted me to succeed and to love the sport. Fortunately because of them I do love this sport and like them I have a similar attitude that I want to pass on as well. I am not saying that taking money for coaching is bad because a good coach who earns the money and helps beat down the learning curve is a valuable resource. Think of how stupid the average person is and realize that statistically half of them are stupider than that.

I don't know if those "experienced" jumpers you are talking about were gold medal winners in 4-way but I have had people like Solly Williams preach the benefits of doing a grip switch. In fact many 4-way teams do grips switches on exit. Think of how stupid the average person is and realize that statistically half of them are stupider than that.

Well I'm not a teenage girl or a book writer or a fatalist. However I guess I would be considered religious because I thank God that I have found my soulmate. As luck would have it you even know sexy Sylvia.

I'm thinking regardless of age that having a happy organ is a good thing. I'm betting that there were plenty of happy organs at the old skating ring that were happy with or without the disco duck. Think of how stupid the average person is and realize that statistically half of them are stupider than that.

I'll raise my hand and think back on some good memories. Quack Quack

Well I guess in retrospect he probably did look hungry him being starved for attention and all. I'll try and be more compassionate to trolls in the future. Think of how stupid the average person is and realize that statistically half of them are stupider than that.

Somebody is bored and has decided to go trolling for their FIRST post hahahahaha

There is no time frame but if you reference the SIM it also states that a student needs to stay current with a jump at least once every 30 days. If a student does not stay current then a refresher class is usually required before jumping can commence again. Also note that an A license can take more than 25 jumps to complete. 25 jumps is just the minimum. Think of how stupid the average person is and realize that statistically half of them are stupider than that.

I believe there is a sticky posted by Sangiro marked Forum rules and policies. I will post a little of it below since it appears that you disagree with the rationale. I absolutely agree that existing threads should be used first before starting a new one. I also believe that new users should learn sooner versus later how to use the search function. This isn't an effort to put down a new user but to help point them to the information that has been posted before in detail. How many threads should be started for the SAME question just to get the SAME answer? Put another way is it important for new users to have the courtesy to do a search first. Why would we have a search function on this site if it wasn't an effort to have people use it in order to avoid redundancy? I have never responded with "Do a search" but I continue to shake my head at people who can't seem to grasp the concept. Think of how stupid the average person is and realize that statistically half of them are stupider than that.

Hell yeah you are one of the cool kids. You do know Jimmy Coiner