VerticalRush

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Everything posted by VerticalRush

  1. VerticalRush
    I think the Air Force Academy in Colorado uses a Cypres reserve and a FXC main combination.
  2. VerticalRush
    What I see is that he is trying to fly the students body. He is so concerned with the students feet and leg position that he is wrapping his legs and feet around the students legs, trying to pull them back. It also appears he is holding the students hand to the harness. My guess is something scared him pretty bad early in his career. In my opinion he does understand the importance of a good arch. However, he does not understand that it is far more important that he arches and flies his body. Once he fully understands that he will learn that a solid instructor can out fly even the worst student body positions. I would strongly encourage some re-training. It will be a hard habit for him to break.
  3. VerticalRush
    Good job surviving!! Sounds like your situational awareness was pretty good. You might re-think your decision altitudes a bit. At 50 something jumps and a spinning malfunction 2 grand is a bit low to take action. I have seen some pretty scary stuff in similar situations! Sounds like your mal may have been a little more than simple line twists, and hard cutaway pulls often accompany spinning and/or violent malfunctions. Glad you're here to tell the tale!!! Live and continue learning.
  4. VerticalRush

    Terms

    VerticalRush replied to DeNReN's topic in Instructors

    symmetry
  5. VerticalRush
    It doesn't matter who was at fault... both people screwed up!! Camera flier crossed the center line of the landing area. High guy wasn't looking out below. If you end up dead because you felt like you had the right of way, you're still DEAD!!! Do everything you can possibly do to never get into a situation like that.
  6. VerticalRush
    why would getting their feet on the step be an issue? If their feet are not on the step put them there... grab their jump suit/ pant leg , situate there feet safely in position, and exit. Why take the risk and hope no one gets hurt?
  7. VerticalRush
    We have a hang glider problem at our DZ, too. I hate to put it that way. Those guys typically don't understand the danger they put themselves in when they overfly our drop zone, and usually get defensive when approached. They have communication with each other via small consumer grade handheld radios, but we never know what frequencies they're on. They do not make any attempt to communicate with any other aviation. I can usually pick them out from the plane, but I've missed them, too. I watched a tandem open less than 500' from a hang glider a few months back. He never saw the guy until he was under canopy. It's a big sky but sooner or later someone will get bit.
  8. VerticalRush
    Absolutely not! I have way too much respect for the pilots I work with and their tickets, as well as the safety of my students and myself. Even with GPS you would be limited to very few instruments and no communication for IFR flight.
  9. VerticalRush
    Looks like a Rebels jump suit, and that's D.C. not Alaska Skydiving in Wasilla!!!
  10. VerticalRush
    Same thing happened to me, It was hooking on the webbing wrapping the middle ring on my left riser. It grabbed immediately after exit. It was impossible to free until I deployed. I ordered a new chin cup and helmet quick release that night. Aaron.
  11. VerticalRush
    I gotta agree with Costa Rica...
  12. VerticalRush
    What about creating a drogue with a staged collapse, or building pockets into the main d-bag that could catch some extra air the event of a rare low-drag mal??
  13. VerticalRush
    I've got 110K Miles on my '06 Dodge Cummins and I regularly pull 15K lb trailers. I get about 17-18 in town and 20+ driving to Eloy and back. I have never had a problem with my current truck and very few with any Cummins I've had before. Aaron.
  14. VerticalRush
    If you go up you are lifting +/- double your own weight. However, I could not imagine flaring a tandem on risers with much success.
  15. VerticalRush
    Does anyone know any jumpers that are Costa Rican or live in Costa Rica??
  16. VerticalRush
    I got hit a few months back when I went out to Elsinore. I'm still fighting the CC company. They tell me they fixed everything, then I get charges put against me again. Riverside Sherriffs don't take action because the CC company already is on it... It's bullshit!!!
  17. VerticalRush
    I think maybe a break while you wait for your funds to catch up to you is the best answer... it might be a bit warmer then, too. Having the money in hand to push through your AFF and 'A' license jump requirements is a very good idea. In skydiving currency is a term you will hear a lot about. staying current through your early training will be cheaper, less time consuming, and much, much safer for you.
  18. VerticalRush
    I'm not the guy that sets his camera on sports mode and chatters his teeth, no. I have a great back drop with different scenes to background my shots. Why not hand the customer a great selection, so they can find the few pictures where their cheek doesn't seem a little distorted by the wind or their eyes werlooked funny, etc... I generally hand the customer about 75 to 100 photos, which include some very nice pictures of the ride to altitude, some intense climbout of the cessna shots. The pilot and I coordinate a little on the exit shots so I can keep the plane in frame for awhile. Freefall is a photographers dream out here, especially late in the day. And I'll get some decent landing shots and post jump reactions. Now I have only been flying stills for about year and do not claim to be great authority on skydiving photography. However, I do take the time to study the art and science of what i'm doing. Being the only still camera on the DZ has certainly kept me in the air, too.
  19. VerticalRush
    About 28,000 or so, mostly students. I'm jumping near Sedona, AZ, so it's always worth getting lots of shots with the red rocks in the background.
  20. VerticalRush
    I've had fun watching this thread so I'll post one up.
  21. VerticalRush
    I can't help but notice that it's the people stuck in Labs poking and proding rats that feel so compelled to try to understand why skydivers live life to the fullest... Aaron.
  22. VerticalRush
    About 450.... Best year yet!!
  23. VerticalRush
    You guys are fun to watch!! ;)
  24. VerticalRush
    I've seen some good advice here from some good instructors. Now, take some of the advice you're getting and take it back up high. Talk to the instructors at your DZ about full altitude hop and pops so that you can dedicate some jumps to just learning more about your canopy. Feel the way you rock in your harness when you flare. Feel the direction of the wind and listen to its intensity. Get to know your canopy and the way it reacts. Learn where the stall points are and how to recognize when you're appraching that point. Then, talk to a canopy coach or an instructor about what you discovered and how it can be applied to smooth and consistant landings.
  25. VerticalRush
    What DSE descibed is grabbing the opposite mainlift web on his harness. The main lift web is the structural webbing that your emegency handles are attached to. He was basically doing the job of his chest strap with his hands and arms. Now keep in mind that the more important lesson to learn here is the importance of checking the routing on your chest and leg straps as part of a strict routine. Never get complacent!!!