Eagle7

I am an attorney…but not in Arizona. I advise you speak with a lawyer in your area. If you can not afford one you can call the local bar association and ask about law firms providing pro bono (free) services and other legal aid resources. Also, law schools have programs where students aid local residents in Landlord/Tenant Law.

Last month I had my reserve repacked on a rainy weekday. I thought I would just pull the handles and pick it up when he was done. My rigger asked if I wanted to stay and watch. I was able to pull my handles, see the reserve risers and the canopy and watch him repack it. He explained the process as he went along. I learned a lot that day. If you have your own gear you will probably learn a lot about your reserve canopy if you schedule your repack at a time when you can watch it being repacked. Now that object I am shoving my main D bag up against when closing the container is not such a mystery.

I think you mentioned before you had a sportbike? Correct me if I am wrong. I have a sportbike. I leave my gear in a rented locker at the dropzone when I take my motorcycle. I do not know if you have that option. If you do, that might be the safest thing to do.

I recently flew from London Heathrow and London Gatwick and you are only allowed to bring a bag as big as a laptop case. This only applies to flights departing from the UK. If your final destination is the UK then the rules of the country you are departing from apply. If I fly from New York to Heathrow on British Airways I can take an upright bag for the overhead locker and a small laptop type bag for under my seat. However, if I am in transit at Heathrow and I am going to another country then I must comply with UK rules (small laptop type bag only). If my original departure point is the UK then I am only allowed to take a small laptop type bag. There are measuring bins all around each airport. Security will make you put your carry-on in the bin. If it does not fit you can either check it in, repack it so it does fit, or throw some items in the trash. If you are in transit and you decide to check in your carry-on because it is too big you must go through immigration and go to the departure lounge and see your airline agent. On one flight I was in transit (New York-Heathrow-Paris) and I had a carry-on that included my skydiving helmet and other personal items. I was three inches too wide for the measuring bin and they told me I could check in my bag or throw my helmet in the trash. They are real strict with the size of the one carry-on when departing the UK. Having said that once you clear security you can buy any size item you want from the duty free shops and carry it on (except liquids for some destinations). I believe these rules are for all commercial flights departing the UK from all UK airports. I knew I was going to have to check my rig into the hold because of these new rules so I bought insurance for it. I had to buy it by the year and it cost me US$135. It is a real pain but you get used to it. I hope this is helpful to you.

The landing area is at the airport these days.

I know when I was coming close to 100, i used fake numbers so i could get out of being pied at 100... ------------------------------------------------------- lol

Maybe this is what the OP is talking about (from 2005)? http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=1811554;search_string=russian%20and%20military;#1811554 Russian paratrooper saves falling friend Moscow - A Russian paratrooper will be decorated for valour after he caught hold of a comrade whose chute failed to open and steered him to the ground by his straps, the military said on Monday. The incident happened when the soldiers became entangled in their parachute lines while jumping from a plane during joint exercises with Chinese forces that ended last last week. One managed to deploy his emergency parachute and held on to the other until they touched down. "Both guys showed the best qualities of Russian airborne troops - skill, native wit and courage," said the deputy commander of the Russian ground forces, Colonel-General Vladimir Moltenskoi.

I have taken my rig on BA on long haul and short haul flights. I put it in a normal size upright and just wheel it on the plane. No problems and no questions. I only had to check it in once on a flight from Paris to London because they decided to weigh it. They said it was too heavy for the overhead cabin.

Try the Izmailovo hotel. These are a block of several hotels near the Izmailovsky Park metro station. They are pretty cheap and they will register your visa for you. There is plenty to do in Moscow. I suggest buying a Lonely Planet guide book. That book has a host of information including useful phrases. If you are really curious buy a map of Moscow called the Atlas. They are issued by year and list every street AND every single building/house address on the map in the city. It is in Russian but is extremely useful. I learned to use it in a day. Also, get more than one ride on your metro card. The metro is the way the go in Moscow. The have many lines. I am sure there are Russian skydivers that will chime in. Be a little careful. Chechen Rebels set a bomb off near the Tverskya Metro station a little while ago. If I remember correctly it was in an underground tunnel crossing Tverskya ulitsa.. This is a popular tourist area near Red Square. So be mindful. Have a good trip. Also, the police will sometimes ask to see your papers. If you need to register your visa (I am not sure if British citizens need a visa) and you did not they will/can either try to extort money from you and make you pay a fine (bribe) or they can actually take you in. If you are not terribly out of date just say in a real loud voice in English that you want to speak to the British Consulate. The American and British Embassies are very aware of the Russian police doing this. The police should back off. However, I suggest if you need to register your visa (in a city for three days or more) then you should do it. It will save you the hassle in the long run. First time in Russia = Piva (beer)

I hate speed cameras. Every time I drive in the UK I am always wondering if I got done from that camera on the M4, M40, M11, etc. “Gee, everyone else was doing 85.” “Well, maybe they could not get me on my motorbike”. "Was the camera on?". All of the rental car and rental motorbike companies tell you that if your get caught by a speed camera they will mail you the ticket. I like knowing my fate. In the U.S. (at least in the northeast), if you do not get pulled over on the spot then the matter is closed. You are not going to get a gift in the mail.

I agree the points he discusses should be mandatory for license requirements. It has helped me a lot.

The subway is a cheap way to get around. The standard fare is $2 a trip. Do not pay for single trips. Get a Metro Card sold at the subway stations. You can put many trips on your card. With this card you can also get a one day pass for unlimited travel for $7. Unlimited travel for the week is $24. If you go to a Borders book store there is a Lonely Planet guide to the USA that will have a ton of information for you. Most Americans only buy travel guides when traveling outside the US. I learned a lot about New York City by reading this guide and I was born there. My friends and family that still live there always ask me to bring “that book” when I visit.

You will get through it. See the big picture which is passing your state's bar exam. Early this year I took two bar exams. I took off three months from work and studied my a## off. About 10 days before the exams I spent a day just skydiving. It was so nice not to think about anything but skydiving. It really gave me a pleasant pause from studying. It is good to treat/reward yourself with something you like when you work hard. You just have to fit it in to your schedule. I passed both bar exams and yes the hard work was worth it. Good luck.

Nice colors. congratulations!

I am left handed and when I skydive I (like the most of us) use my right hand when I pull. I do not know if I could do a better job if my pilot chute was on my left side.

I got a 2001 and it gets about the same mileage. They are a lot more comfortable than the R6....but the R6 defintely looks cooler. Good luck with the R1.

J and I got our scuba rating (is that what it's called? Or is it certification? ) last Friday and we're so excited about it. How many other sky/scuba divers are there here?? I know only a few. -------------------------------------------- Me...but I am still a newbie. I have heard of the 24 hour rule and the 72 hour rule. I believe it depends on the depth. I think that is one of those, "ask your instructor" questions.

I do not know why but I found that the fuel injected bikes I have ridden (R6 and GSXR 600) are gas guzzlers compared to my YZF600. I asked two motorcyle dealers and they said that the fuel injected bikes use more gas.

Check out: http://www.studentpilot.com/ http://www.aopa.org/

You should also show up early at the airport just in case.

There are lots of dropzones in the UK. Try looking here http://www.bpa.org.uk/ I am not from London (I am an U.S. citizen) but I lived there at one point and I go there 3-4 times a year. I jumped at Hinton Skydiving Centre about three weeks ago. It is not too far from Oxford. It was my second time there and it is a good place to jump. The instructors are first class and you can ask them anything. If you are by yourself there will be no problem finding someone to jump with. They have a nice Pac that takes you to 13,000 feet. There are plenty of outs (think Kansas but greener). Plus it is a nice ride up the M40. Having said that, there are plenty of other dropzones in the area to check out too. Good luck

I lot of good advice here. If you have not taken one already take a Motorcycle Safety Foundation course. Everyone that takes the course learns something. They have a “Beginners” course and an “Experienced Riders” course. Cars sometimes do not see you because they are not looking for you. You might be right but remember the bigger vehicle will always win.

Do a search on this topic because this has come up many times in the past. Having said that…arrive at the airport early (at least two hours before your flight), have an X-Ray card of your AAD, a print out of the TSA procedure of handling rigs (if you fly from or within the United States) and your skydiving license. The document on how the TSA handles rigs can be found here http://www.tsa.gov/public/interapp/editorial/editorial_1147.xml Be patient and be prepared for questions. Be friendly and do not get confrontational. Two weeks ago I flew from JFK to London and Paris and did not have any problems because I did all of the above. I carried my rig on the plane in a carry on suitcase on all of my flights except for one. The only reason I could not carry it on was because someone decided to weigh my carry on bag. Even then I was assured it would be marked fragile and I would be summoned if anyone wanted to open it. Good luck and have a good trip.

I got a big head and glasses and the FreeZR works for me. I definitely recommend you try different helmets. If you go with the FreeZR be careful with the visor. It will crack if you are not careful with it. I cracked my visor once and replaced it. I am careful when opening it now and I have no complaints.