nessvegas

I just can't get my attchments on this site It is not telling me they are too big.....just not showing up! _________________________________________ I married the right one......it just took me 2 times!

Couldn't let you be the only one.......

How about this, a female praying mantis, after mating with a male, will then bite his head off. "Hi honey, I'm home! What the f---"CHOMP How is that any different than my ex-wife? _________________________________________ I married the right one......it just took me 2 times!

You buy the video "Pack Like A Pro" to start the indoctrination of your six year old son and then educate him on how @ 12 he will have sooooo much fun at the DZ with you. _________________________________________ I married the right one......it just took me 2 times!

Take it easy on yourself. I would guess all of us "newbies" have bad days. I will give you two examples. AFF 5 I had a bad jump....never really felt like I was comfortable with what I was doing. I did the minimums and passed but I just knew in my heart right after I landed that I was going to get the TUB speech. I sat down and spent 10 minutes thinking about the dive and then debriefed with my instructor. He is an excellent instructor, I was blessed with great instructors on all my jumps, but as English was his second language, I had trouble verbalizing what I was feeling as well as having increased frustrations that I could not understand what he was trying to instruct me to correct. My fault....my ego, competitive nature, anger with myself, etc...did not help in the conversation. I was planning to pack up and go home because the last thing I felt like doing was #6. I think I would have returned, but I may have gone home and beat myself up over it and started to wonder if I was going to kill myself or someone else.....then just given up and bought more chrome for my bike. Thankfully, a member of Team Fastrack was listening to my debrief and as I was getting myself ready to leave he casually asked if I was going to try and get the next jump in that day.....then he talked me through my frustration and we decided that @ 6'3" it may be that I am starting my dive flow with an exit that made me uncomfortable before I even left the aircraft. He then went out of his way to offer to instruct me on my next dive if I had the time and was so inclined. That dive was probably one of my best AFF dives. I owe him alot for taking that time. Driving the 3+ hours home from the DZ I felt good that I had learned more that day, felt a stronger appreciation for the mentality of the skydiving community as a whole, and whizzed through the rest of my AFF dives like a champ. Well....until this next idiot move on my part.... It was the docking dive on a coach jump (he is an instructor as well). This particular instructor just speaks my language and I turned to him often, still do, with questions. He talked me through my first jump, we connected right at BO altitude, so not a great dive leaving at 12.5k but I came close to the peas on my stand-up and was feeling pretty good. He did the debrief and we talked about my issues with leg pressure and went up again. This one we had....ummmm...extra altitude of 15.9k (beer to pilot) and it was the twilight dive with a beautiful sunset. We connected twice well above 10k and I was feeling pretty damn 14 jump wonderous by deployment altitude. So good in fact that I flew a pattern while watching that pretty sunset that could only put me squarely in the corn field adjacent to the DZ landing area. Now, having read "A Parachute and its Pilot" 2x I was an expert at how to flatten things out and make that pretty landing next to my instructor I was trying not to look stupid in front of after a nice dive flow. (I wonder how many new jumpers get hurt because they are afraid to look stupid?) So after I put my expert knowledge to practice, I managed to land seven rows deep into the corn blazing on a bad recovery arc, instead of 15 rows back with a flare. I managed a PLF (of sorts...I was MOVING), emptied some luck out of the new jumper bag, and only ended up sore and with a fat lip. A bad luck rock in the field could have made this a much sadder occurence. My instuctor pulled me aside, made sure I was ok, gave instructions, razzed me appropriately and sent me on my way picking the dirt out of my fillings. This time, however, I tried not to be too hard on myself. I learned a very valuable lesson that some don't get a second chance to learn. I came back and committed myself to getting my license. Moral of all this......Don't be too hard on yourself. Get the coaching, continue to learn, question and listen. Don't let yourself be led by your ego (most skydivers have this personality trait...not meant as negative) Take a deep breath and have a GREAT time. Blue Skies Erik _________________________________________ I married the right one......it just took me 2 times!

Read the post "What makes an instructor?" Good information on the process. Good Luck _________________________________________ I married the right one......it just took me 2 times!

Thank You. The article was very informative and now sits on my desktop for re-reading. Blue Skies _________________________________________ I married the right one......it just took me 2 times!

As a newbie jumper I have a question for all of you. Is a wingloading of 1.1-1.19 on a 230 for a bigger skydiver less dangerous than an equally skilled newbie loading @ 1.1-1.19 on say a 170? I would have assumed that on identical canopies with identical wingloading the flying characteristics would be the same. Is my understanding incorrect? _________________________________________ I married the right one......it just took me 2 times!

2003 Victory Vegas All but the LED upgrades are Arlen Ness. A blast to ride, very fast (now, ok when off the floor) and looks good sitting. Trouble with file size....Any thoughts on hoe to fix this? Your attachment did not upload: The attachment exceeds the maximum attachment size (100 KB) _________________________________________ I married the right one......it just took me 2 times!

Wow....Dead on target. Under Dog 100% All the qualities of Superman, but barely housebroken. _________________________________________ I married the right one......it just took me 2 times!

$1200.oo for a newer used rig could be a smoking deal or it could be a bad deal for you..... Having just purchased nearly new (used gear) here are my thoughts for what they are worth. Have a rigger check you for proper fit. Is the AAD up for re-work or good to go....Does it have one? If you are buying before you get your A you can't jump it w/o AAD. Is the reserve a proper size for you? If all the above answers are positive to you, then you only have your downsizing concerns to worry about. Easy.....You own a nice 150 that will stay out of the rig, you spend $500-$600.00 on a 170 and jump it until your instructors say otherwise. Sell it for $500.00-$600.00 and hook up the 150. You would be out $1200.00 which is inexpensive for good used equipment...I was over 4.5k for mine. Good Luck _________________________________________ I married the right one......it just took me 2 times!

Hello All, I have done the past thread searches and found a 2002 discussion on this, but with the newer options out there I am hoping I can ask again. I am planning on buying my first full face helmet. I am 23.5 even and don't wear glasses (love the Lasik)and liked the looks of the A3 but the reviews here are pretty mixed. I like to wear two audibles, but could pocket the Pro-Track if needed. By the way, if any of you are in the South Bend or SW Michigan area and would like to meet for a drink and talk the sport, that would be fantastic. I am dying up here in the cold with my non-jumping friends. Blue Skies (Please soon) Erik _________________________________________ I married the right one......it just took me 2 times!

I have been a part of many interviews, and I highly suggest the follow-up letter but not the phone call (unless you asked for permission to follow-up with a call). I do not expect or even want one from a candidate. I do like the letter or even an email. Be sure to personalize it to your interview. I got one once that was so obviously a formed response the candidate chances were lowered. Wishing I was in the air instead of in Michigan! Blue Skies _________________________________________ I married the right one......it just took me 2 times!

I am also a new jumper and got my first rig at the end of the season. I am loading it much more than the 280 rental gear. I am about 255 out the door and flying a 230 Spectre. I did clear high pulls of 9k with the load and jumped after tandems on the load. I was glad I did. It gave me the opportunity to feel the speed difference, which for a novice initially felt much increased. I also had plenty of time to play with running at different percentages of brakes. I had time to judge altitude lost in a hard spiral turn. How many of those can you make pulling at 3.5k? Most importantly I got instruction on what I should be doing from the DZO and my favorite instructors. I put myself back on radio for a few jumps as requested by DZO. I pulled that high at least 4 times. I did not regret the loss of freefall time. I am more likely to get hurt or killed under canopy making an error than making a mistake in freefall. Do what makes you and the others jumping with you the safest they can be and everyone will be happy. Blue Skies _________________________________________ I married the right one......it just took me 2 times!

I just bought my first rig from a DZO owner. It was basically brand new (3-4 jumps). I had great luck using the drop zone locator and calling surrounding area DZs. The DZO at each of the places I called either had, or knew of used gear. If you go that route you can go try on the rig, and have a rigger inspect everything. With a little sweet talk you might even get a chance to jump it. I ended up with the exact rig I was planning to purchase new, except that I did not have to pay $5500.00. But be prepared to pay a decent amount as they don't seem to fall in value too much. Mine saved me about $800.00. _________________________________________ I married the right one......it just took me 2 times!

Don't mean to add another thought, but have you jumped the Spectre 230? Just got my first rig and have jumped it four times....openings are a dream and Slooooooow. _________________________________________ I married the right one......it just took me 2 times!

I have just received my "A" license yesterday. I can not say that I have ever been bored. I was done with my card expectations and even my check dive on number 17. So yes, I did many solos, (relative to my total jump numbers) however, I also threw in several coach jumps. I really don't know what discipline I will be motovated to call my own, I am thinking freefly and photography, but I try to remember that I am never alone in the sky. Even on a solo flying flat, dumb and happy I try to remember to stay focused on what I can learn. Can I pick out the jumpers in freefall around me? Can I slow my fall rate dramatically or really speed it up? I may, at my stated deployment altitude, practice a fast pull as if I saw trouble below me. Can I get stable quickly from an awkward body position for that fast deployment when I need it? I practice tracking dives away from the jump run. How far can I get from my initial spot? Hard to judge for me sometimes, but not inpossible. All of these basic challenges excite me when I do well and challenge me when I don't do well. My "A" license gives me the right to jump, it does not make me a good skydiver, my excitement comes from the continued education. No matter the discipline I choose, I believe it is paramount to have a good understanding of the processes involved in them all so I can keep those around me, and myself, as safe as possible. Then when I pull a whole other learning environment is open to me. At your jump numbers can you get pumped by flying a safe pattern and nailing your landing? I do...everytime I do it right. As a new skydiver, I think the greatest compliment I can get from experienced jumpers and instuctors is a positive comment on my approach to safety. Yea, I love to hear that I am progressing well with my newbie skills, but to hear that they recognize my desire to be safe at the DZ is what makes me smile on the way home. Why? When my skills are solidified, those jumpers will want me with them and in all probability I will get to die from something other than my sport. Skydiving boring? Never. IMHO Erik _________________________________________ I married the right one......it just took me 2 times!

Congratulations! I got my "A" on Saturday also. Feels good. I also got my own rig. That feels even better. No comparision between the Spectre and the student rigs. Now lets go get our "B's." Erik _________________________________________ I married the right one......it just took me 2 times!

Congrats on the win! Guessing this is not your first Rodeo? _________________________________________ I married the right one......it just took me 2 times!

I have only 15 jumps so I won't try and give advice other than to say go buy "The Parachute and its Pilot" by Brian Germain. Read it once real slow, then read it a second time slower. The practical advice helped me to a safe and soft landing when I hit some low thermals recently. Practice his advice up high, and be more prepared for the unexpected when low. The book is NOT just for swoopers. It really helps to drive home the importance of what the canopy can do to help or hurt you. Just my 2 cents........ Bang _________________________________________ I married the right one......it just took me 2 times!

Sorry, this page did not load before I wrote this.....been covered.....ignore the big man in the corner. _________________________________________ I married the right one......it just took me 2 times!

The way I read this is that you are having some confusion. They are not selling a custom container. They are selling you a coupon worth 50% off a custom container. You will get the coupon and have $400.00 invested. Then you can buy a new Wings container, use the coupon, and pay around $750.00. That would put you @ $1,150.00 for a brand new container. Still a good deal if it is the container you are wanting to purchase. _________________________________________ I married the right one......it just took me 2 times!

At least it wasn't your Butterfly or Dolphin....remote controls confuse the older folks? _________________________________________ I married the right one......it just took me 2 times!

Have volume 1 and 2...all the first episodes on DVD. My phone rings with Stewie's Quote.... "Forecast for tomorrow, a sprinkle of genius with a chance of Doom!" Best show on TV! I am looking for the "My Fat Lady Loves to Eat" song but so far no luck in ring tone. _________________________________________ I married the right one......it just took me 2 times!

What do you all think a good range is for a new jumper, working on their "A"? I am curious to hear the different responses as to why. Assume average canopy newbie skill. I am 6'3" 220-225. I have heard thoughts from experienced jumpers saying 190 main (uh...no thanks) all the way to a 260 (that seems big to me?). This does not need to be specific to me, just wing loading figure and why you think the way you do.....Thanks _________________________________________ I married the right one......it just took me 2 times!