210_zoom

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Everything posted by 210_zoom

  1. I am an AFFI which due to my military obligation am moving to Wichita Falls, TX. My question is i am looking to keep my rating current but not sure which DZ i should enquire to do this. Any Suggestions?
  2. i am one of the instructors down there. Cool to see some new faces and jumpers coming down. Check out our page. http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=153654301897
  3. When i was just about to get off student status, there was a gear store close by(san diego) so i tried on a couple of helmets and ended up with the Mindwarp. I now have a side mounted camera setup on the helmet and love it. See if you can try on anybody elses gear before you just jump(pun intended) into a new helmet.
  4. I can tell you about my reserve ride on an R-max 188. It worked just fine and sat me down with a nice flare. It was a good price, but to each its own. I think i paid about 775 + s/h brand new two years ago. It was a subterminal deployment, RSL fired before my ripcord. Hope that helps.
  5. I tried to read it all but didnt see anyone say they got wrapped up in the skydive and failed to hear their 3k audible go off. Waiting for a dock then noticing mother earth, canopy @ 1700 feet. 2nd jump, didnt do that again, now have over 100/150 video jumps. Love the list, man i can relate completely. I still havent purchased a digital camera yet. And my camcorder of choice was the Canon ZR40 i bought 7 years ago and barely used it until i decided to shoot video 1 yr ago. Hanging on the door of a C182 in full arm extension and the pilot says "no,no,no" other vidiot grabs chest strap and pulls in, passes to TM and grabs harness leg strap finishing off. Pilot makes quick turn and says 1/2 mile. Needless to say i chose to dive out this time.
  6. You have to pace yourself. I bought my gear all new, but i bought the AAD, reserve, and Dolphin first. I liked that because it was sized to me exactly, plus it took 2/3 weeks to my door. I am a rigger and packed a bunch of these and thought if i am going to be packing these i want the dolphin, its simple in design and FF friendly. Plus i was on the budget so i bought the Vigil II also. I have put 2 years on the rig and 300 + jumps and it looks pretty new still. You just have to treat your gear nice and there will be no issue. I then demoed the heck out of some canopies before i bought my current main, Pilot 168. I bought it @ jump number 88. I think i bought the gear around 45 ish, because i was still demoing / downsizing.
  7. exactly, inquire about your military discounts. Aerodyne offers, i believe is 35%. But chutingstar will throw together a package with your discount pretty close to you going thru all the mfg's and piecing together a rig. Good luck and Blue Skies.
  8. you have the right idea with the slider. Have you tried to pull it all the way down, then open your chest strap all the way. You will notice quite a bit difference in the flight characteristics. Maybe start for accuracy vs swooping. But i love my pilot so i think you will have some fun with these mods.
  9. is there any chance you were inducing a harness turn on your main canopy. Just something to think about, as you reach to collapse your slider you can introduce a turn. Nice job choppin, my first reserve ride was by my rsl.
  10. I am AD AF coach rated but pursuing the glorious AFFI rating. I am also a Senior Rigger. I've been in the sport for a little over two years (apr 07). Stationed in the land of enchantment at Kirtland AFB New Mexico.
  11. are any of the trade ins for sale?
  12. Has anyone traded in their Tonysuit INTRO?
  13. Or you could just buy a VIGIL 2.
  14. If you are looking to order brand new container and am wondering what size to make it, then a 190 is a good figure. You could go one size up and down in it probably with no issues. I recommend you look for a used canopy or see if anyone at your DZ will let you jump their canopy ( if a spare). Then look at the demo program that exists. This could help you know if the 190/210 is where you should be for a while or not.
  15. http://www.square1.com/manufacturers/square1/p1536.asp#SquareOneFreeflySuits I purchased this as my beginning suit. It worked well for Belly and FF. Its kinda baggy so you can stack on the layers. BTW, i also have a BEV custom suit. But if the mood suits me i will fly belly in the FF suit. Hope that helps.
  16. I am wondering where the closest and best DZ to ft walton beach is? Any help w/ this would be much appreciated. Thanks
  17. 210_zoom

    Gratuity

    I believe alot was said about the instructors. But dont forget about the little guys Packing the chutes in the backround. Do any of the instructors who received tips share it with any of your Packers? I mean if they were packing your Tandem chute or as an AFFI having your personal rig packed? Pizza, Beer, Soda, Tip, Return for the class are all good answers and will not be turned away if you brought any of the above. I hope you stick with it.
  18. Hopefully you have been jumping at the same DZ over the years. Approach a rated Instructor and ask the question to them. It takes a lot of belly skills and more instructor abilities to make a good coach. Which is your first step in your Instructor career. Then you need alot more jumps and skills to become a TM or AFFI. Not trying to discourage you but stick with it and you will have a blast. I wouldnt recommend quitting your job just yet. Get the rating and see what happens.
  19. How many riggers prefer to close the dolphin according to their manual vs the javelin method or vice versa. I found closing the top (last flap) IAW the dolphin container kind of sloppy with the pilot chute. Just was wondering.........
  20. 210_zoom

    Coach

    U would like to thank everyones comments. I appreciate the time u took to provide your input.
  21. 210_zoom

    Coach

    I am curious to what anyone has opinions on as improving your skills to become a coach and a future AFFI. I have 76 jumps to date and am wondering what would be good skills to improve and work on. Thanks for your time and comments
  22. Greetings All, I made my first S/L jump. What a blast. I am also a military rigger and i acquired my Senior license. I wonder if anyone can help me to acquire some manuals for the various rigs out there. I just started and hope this is okay posted here. Blue Skies Eric