itsjasona

Thanks for the tip about Weston. Might try to give it a try sometime soon - looks like a good DZ!!

Thanks both for the top replies. Interesting that the silhouette doesn't have as strong a flare. Have looked at PD's website now, and seems to make a bit more sense...!! Cheers!

Okay, have now been jumping since I got my A licence in July 06, and am getting bored of having to put up with the random collection of gear that is available for rental (and also would like the consistency of having my own gear to jump wih each time). I have been turned away from some DZs in Australia while i was travelling there, due to only having canopies up to 150, and the last jump I did in the UK (although great to be back in the sky again), was spoilt a bit by the massive 280 that I had to jump!! I did my AFF on a 230, most of my consols on a 210, and have a jump on a 190 (Spectre), all of which I felt pretty comfortable with. FYI, I weigh approx 182lbs without gear. I am hoping to jump a lot more this year, and buy my own gear, including a used rig (or maybe new if that proves too difficult), either a 190 or 210. Having recently seen a used rig with a silhouette 190, I was wondering if the fact that it is a mix of F111/ZP makes a difference to just a ZP canopy? Do you have to have a larger size canopy if it is not only ZP? Thanks for the advice... Will be starting to buy helmet etc to at least get started on the road to gear ownership...!!

Okay, first the main thing - ask your instructor! They're the pros, and always happy to help. I had a really similar problem (lost arch), which led to me having to re-take my AFF level 6 twice. After studying the video after the first attempt, my instructor showed me how my legs were hooked right up, causing me to flip all over the place. Eventually pulled on my back (nice to know it worked for me, but believe me, it's not comfortable!). After the second attempt, we did STACKS of arching practice on trolleys, and a couple of things that she said just clicked. Went on to do a great 6 and 7, and loved all the consols too, and now sent off all the papers for my A licence! Main lessons I got out of it - never give up, and always listen to your instructors. Then the relaxing will just happen, and you'll begin to love this awesome sport!