MattFallsFast

Wow, letting other people's ego make you cry, being afraid of what other people are thinking and having your feelers hurt by jumpers with more jumps than you...that's EXACTLY the way you should approach the sport of skydiving. Have fun!

Exactly.

Not whining, just a legitimate question about how this organization functions. There is no enforcement mechanism that will compel the DZ to report it to the USPA. How many DZs have ever had a USPA membership revoked? If your argument is that there is little the USPA can do once they've kicked DZs out of the organization then I'd say you were right, and that's the problem. It is a regime in which we all smile and say we agree on a set of rules but then don't follow the rules when we don't want to. This is one thing when it involves something trivial like a regulation that the DZ must keep a copy of the current Parachutist on hand, however when it involves the lives of others it is completely unacceptable. You cannot just sweep that under the rug and a dead tandem passenger is manslaughter. So I suppose I completely agree with you but draw a different conclusion. Yes, the USPA can do nothing if it isn't told, BUT once the USPA finds a case in which it wasn't told and does nothing it confirms that there is no appetite for anything beyond spending money in this association. Like I said before, if this is a lobby fund just call it that and drop the sanctimonious attitude. We'll all just write a check each year and the fund can buy lobbyists and lawyers to keep federal regulations out. Personally, I'd very much like to see a USPA that works but it really seems quite pathetic at this point.

If this is true then I ask everyone: WHY EVEN BOTHER HAVING USPA LICENSES OR RATINGS?! Can anyone, anyone at all, tell me why we even bother having a USPA license system when something like this means you just go to the next "USPA Member" DZ over the hill and start taking tandems again? Aside from money to build a headquarters palace in DC, the licenses and rating appear to mean very little to nothing. This is a joke. If the USPA is nothing more than a lobby fund then call it that, I'll send you a few bucks to help furnish the headquarters with something shiny and don't bother me with meaningless license requirements again. (I yield back the balance of my time)

Well, 10 things I've learned so far: 1-Don't believe everything you read online...there are a lot of nutters out there and on this forum in particular. 2-Don't try to do what the guy next to you in the plane is going to do on his skydive, since it's likely something stupidly dangerous. Then again, maybe you could just do it and not tell anyone? 3-There are a lot of bad skydivers out there (I mean just awful) so you can either avoid them, learn from them or, hell, just jump with them for the thrill of not knowing what they'll do next during the skydive. 4-Skydivers drink. They drink a lot. Do not ever complain about this fact. The only real answer is more drink. 5- People fart on the way to altitude. It's disgusting but they just do. You can complain about this fact, however it will only result in more farting and a vicious "fart fest" may ensue. These are the times in the sport you will WANT to die. 6-You'll get your license and then you're on your own up there. Pay attention to your instructors, what they tell you now will save your ass later. 7-Take care of your gear and it will take care of you. 8-Jump as much as you can. If your girlfriend or the wifey complains just laugh and walk out the door. You'll have forgotten all about her by the time you reach the DZ! She'll eventually learn her lesson. 9-BPA requires a hooknife...a somewhat trivial fact until an American such as myself shows up at Nethers and has to run around like a crack whore begging for a hook knife. Chaz finally gave me one on loan, but you won't believe what I had to do to get it... 10-Meet as many people and jump as many new DZs as you can. The sport has some extraordinary individuals, some a bit odd and many mentally insane, but on the whole an amazing collection of humanity. I've met some of the best people I've ever known through this sport. So there you go. Take it for what it's worth, bearing in mind it's free and also noting the first rule listed above. This isn't rocket science, but then again rocket scientists don't hit the ground at 120mph, do they? Nethers is a great DZ with great professionals instructing. You'll be in good hands there. Although I'm not sure you'll have a large enough landing area with the 20 acres provided....

OK, but I see only about 25 or 30 DZs as the main posters here. Still, if say half the total DZs have a dedicated forum, that's 150 divided into regional catogories I think it wouldn't be insurmountable. Maybe 25 per region if you don't count the less active DZs?

I will show up and I will get dirty...

It might be nice to have dropzone specific forums, essentially allowing us to post under a heading for our local DZ. There are not that many DZs in the country, and they could be divided up into folders for each USPA region to allow quick access. This would also clear some dropzone specific traffic out of the general forums (like the "anyone coming out to the DZ this weekend" or "Hey guys I'm in town next month" posts) HOWEVER, I see why you might not want this since it would likely just end up a forum for gossip and personal attacks. Still, it'd be nice as I travel to be able to just click on the forum for that DZ to see the latest goings-on. Have any thoughts?

What, all this coming from "The Germ"? I don't believe it. Your profile clearly states you have 6 Freestyle jumps under your belt and from your story you can even deploy upside down! I think this is all a gag and we're collectively being Punk'd. If it is any consolation, some people actually lose control of bodily functions due to the fear and you've never done that (have you?!). Don't fret, it'll be alright. Just go and do it. Or just don't do it and regret it for the rest of your life. Either way, you'll still get an issue of Parachutist magazine delivered to your home each month.

All that and modest too...

With Denis from Team Dirty Sanchez....but then I guess some of those Snohomish types that happen to be in Orlando could also come along if they behave in the basket. Of course, I'm used to an Otter so the basket was cramped for me and not the style to which I've become accustomed. Coming from a Cessna DZ, the tiny basket should make you feel right at home!

bah, from 6k you've got a good 25 seconds to 2300. Lots of time to do some quick RW 25sec - 7sec (tracking) gives you 18 seconds of working time! (more if your balls are bigger than mine ) edited: grammar & spel'in Actually... From 6000 feet RW might be boring and a 2-way head down is what would be called for, if one were so inclined. But of course, that is only if one were in posession of said "bigger balls". For someone just off student status it would be reckless and irresponsible to even put such a thought in their mind...

I used hop n pops to improve my canopy control and accuracy between AFF and my B license. I'd always start the day with a hop n pop because it allowed me to: 1) save money, since my 6000 hop n pop cost $12 2) get good at getting immediately stable from whatever unstable exit I could come up with 3) use the whole landing area as my personal playground since I was always the only guy out at 6k 4) get down, get packed and catch the second otter load even if it turned hot 5) finally, if the spot is off and the uppers are not as expected, you let the rest of the load land off while the pilot adjusts his jump run If you are lucky enough to have high hop n pops at your DZ, you can get a good 15 seconds of freefall from 6-3500 and then still have some canopy time and the accuracy experience without traffic on a budget. I'd say even if your DZ only gets 3500 for hop n pops you should do one every weekend or two.

Fear is what makes this fun. If you didn't get an adrenaline rush (with all the butterflies, jitters and euphoria it brings) then why would you really bother giving up thousands of dollars, your free weekends at the DZ and hours every workday typing on this forum?! You need to recognize the difference between "Oh shit, I have a high-speed mal and I'm going to die in 10 seconds if I don't clear it" and "Oh dear, I have some butterflies in my tummy because I haven't jumped in a little while..." Actually, both are wonderful human emotions that remind us we are alive. Both are authentic feelings, so embrace each as it comes. The uneasiness you feel coming back is great: I wish I could get that every day I jump! (unfortunately for me, I have to go about 3 weeks without jumping before that kicks in) At the end of the day, if you let healthy, natural emotions stop you from living your life then you are little more than a hostage trapped in the prison of your own mind. Same goes for any other activity in your life, from relationships to career. You won't find the answer on this forum. The answer has to be you. Then again, I suppose you could always just watch safely from the ground and sip warm tea until you die of natural causes?

So, if coffee is bad before jumping then might a few pints help even it out a little? Two coffees followed by three pints Guiness should about bring the system back into a normal state in time to jump, right? Anyone have a USPA SIM to check on this one? What does the BPA stipulate?

At Skydive Houston, they offer a 5k Hop 'n Pop jump for $12. *** Yes, at San Marcos I've always seen 6k or more...guess everything is bigger in Texas?

Is this a joke??? I thought that my heart racing was a majority of the fun...guess if I stop slamming coffee and Red Bull in the morning I'll have to start BASE jumping to make up the difference. I say, if you are worried about your cardiovascular health and restricted blood flow then quit jumping out of planes and take up shuffleboard. Just give your old ticker a rest and leave all this rambunctious behavior to the kids.

Just did my first balloon jump in Orlando after Christmas this year and it was awesome. Why wait for a boogie when you can just spend a few bucks more to book your own flight? Go with a balloon company that has skydiver as a pilot or owner (I'd recommend "Bob's Balloons" in the Orlando area as Bob and some of his crew are skydivers). They'll know what you're after, but if you have any special requests just ask. I got 5100 ft, some free advice from Team Dirty Sanchez and a couple glasses of cheap champagne all included! Thanks for the advice Denis...next time it's gonna be a two way.

And 'canopying' was such a polite sport until now....

Always good to know I'm 'jolly strange' as opposed to 'just f*cking crazy'!

Yes, exactly, a wingsuit....or is it birdman suit?!? Will I be accepted into the flock if I use the wrong one?

Some of you are way too serious. Yes, I am an old fart, and I am certainly not very clever. I thought I did a decent job in my original post of "unseriousing" the whole thing. I will try to be more clever in the future. I am already pretty good at being safe, fun, and myself. Just giving you a hard time (you had to expect that starting a thread like this one). But seriously, as a new skydiver it is annoying when guys call you out on things like this (that seem completely irrelevant but make the person not in conformity feel somehow wrong or ignorant). I guess my point is that this should be about being completely your own individual so long as you are safe and don't kill anyone. No one should call you out just for the way you speak. Having said that, I'd be interested in any new term for the fabric over our heads. And while we're at it, anyone have a term for the point on the way to altitude where everyone lets rip in the plane? At my DZ it is always 8-10,000, like clockwork. It should be a shaded area on the Alti to notify you of the danger, like the red and yellow lines.

I say we all stop doing everything altogether and just take a nice cozy nap in freefall. That way, nobody will get their feathers ruffled and there's no emotion or controversy. Now, how can we make the air be quiet because it's too damn loud! We need to shut that air up.

My brain equates a speaker who often uses the word "whuffo" as an old fart and not very clever... Regardless, I take your point and feel ashamed at my actions using that vulgar C word. I mistakenly thought skydiving (or 'canopying' if you will) was about a bunch of amazing individuals having an great time. Hell, my DZ actually has some people who don't care what you call the thing so long as you are safe, fun and be yourself. But I guess the sport is actually about sematics and trivial conformity. Recommend renaming the USPA the USCA (United States Canopy Association) and reprint the magazine with new title. Also, we all need to go back to the missionary position (belly to earth) and stop all the decadence of our sinful freeflying activities. It's immoral and not the way it was done back in the olden times when skydiving was pure.....