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Guy dropped his toggle on pic #4. Wonder how that one ended?

There are plenty of "ripe" folks in the sport. Go get a checkup from your doctor and ask what he thinks. If you feel physically able, and understand the risks, why not?

I dig this!!

Germany

SkyDance's Pac750 XL

I usually put my rig in a duffel bag and carry it on board, but the night before my flight left I realized I had lent that bag to a friend. I wore the rig like a backpack through security and onto the plane. The only hitch I had was a 2 min delay when the Xray screener called for a supervisor to take a look, then they let me go. I have flown with my rig about 10 times and have had no problems.

When I first jumped with my Galaxy I put the rubber ring around my index and middle finger. It is really uncomfortable when squeezing your hands (as when flaring). I now put the ring over only my index finger and it's perfect. No pain or soreness and it's comfortable. Did you try repositioning the ring?

I jumped in Germany for the first time this summer at Pullout Skydive (great operation). Bring your logbook and expect a thorough gear check. USPA card wouldn't hurt, but isn't it in your wallet anyway? They're much more lax about letting people jump over there. Show 'em your jump numbers, fill out a quick contact info sheet and you should be on your way up. Kinda like Lodi, except you have to fill out one paper

Took me 6 jumps... Cat A Cat B Cat C Cat D1 Cat D2 Cat E Hang in there man, people learn at different rates. It's worth it in the end.

They're not punishing you, you're punishing yourself if you can't remember, from one weekend to the next, to bring cash to the DZ

First I'd like to say that I love dogs. That being said, there are some reasons that they do not belong at the DZ. First: Dogs pee. It's a fact. I don't want to be packing my rig out on our grass and find out that I was laying on your dog's piss. It's gross and I'm sure it doesn't help prolong the life of my rig. Secondly: If you don't keep your dog on a leash, chances are it's running around over peoples canopies, lines, and containers. It's happened to me several times. Be it claws or slobber, my equipment is too expensive to accommodate your dog. Leave it at home.

Good luck finding your things, man. I was just out at SDD for my first time (don't say it! ) a couple days ago and it seemed like a first class operation.

I jump in shorts all the time and have never had anyone tell me it's not a good thing to do(I'm not saying it is a "good" thing to do ) . Granted, tuck your shirt in, WELL! My shirt has come untucked while sit flying/standing before. I don't wear baggy shirts so it didn't cover any handles or anything, just lifted up a bit . Tucking your shirt in the front of your boxers a bit can help too. If I wear a belt I make sure it's clear of everything, and I route it a way that it can't flap around freely, were it to come undone somehow. Just my $.02

When I did mine it took a week from submitting the forms via fax to receiving my new membership card in the mail. They do have a rush option, I think it was an extra $20. Clint Vincent, mentioned above, was very helpful and even emailed me my new license number when he processed my paperwork. Hope that helps, good luck.

First of all the Optima is an audible altimeter and is not meant to be used as a primary visual altimeter. Check out Larsen and Brusgaard's website for product info. I got a digital alt right off student status. I got a Viso for my wrist mount alt and love it. The only drawback I've seen with it is on tracking dives. It can be a bit difficult to read while your arms are at your sides, and an analogue would be easier to read in that sense. But as far as everyday jumps go I love it and it's easily and clearly readable. You might also want to take a look at the Neptune for a wrist mount digital alt. All in all, I've found that younger generations prefer digital over analogue. It's all a matter of preference.

Don't mean to thread jack but this question came to mind since I didn't know the rigger... I bought a used rig a couple months back. The person I bought it from lives out of the area and it was shipped to me. He had his rigger inspect it and everything, and repack the reserve. Now, my reserve card is properly filled out and everything, and this rigger has repacked this reserve a few times in the past years. The lead seal is in place. Would it still be advisable to have a rigger I know and trust repack it, or should everything be fine and dandy? Kind of a judgment call, I know, but what's your take?

Man, this sport is not cheap. I've only been jumping since March, and so far I've dumped $6000 into the sport easily (gear, jump tickets, AFF, coaching, gear rental, pack jobs, beer), and that's not even including the $1300 I got scammed on my attempt to buy my first rig Be prepared to invest a lot of time and money. I keep telling myself it's worth it, and so far I'm right. Does my credit score agree? We shall see...

The TMs at my DZ give every student the option of opening the chute if they want to. The drogue chute is deployed by the TM upon leaving the plane. The TM assists in two practice touches to the ripcord, and the student is told to pull at 6000'. If they don't pull shortly thereafter there's still plenty of time for the TM to open the chute safely by themselves. Even if the student was planning on doing just one tandem jump for fun (like on my first jump) this helps them fulfill a requirement for their training progression, were they to come back to jump again, and makes them feel like they're a part of the experience. I should mention that every student is also given an altimeter and taught altitude awareness. The student can tell if the instructor is truly there to make a fun learning experience, or just to take their little envelope of cash and push them out the door when the time comes. I do agree that letting a student flare for both of you is a bit much, learning to flare correctly is an acquired skill, and I'd image even more so on tandem rigs, but hey I'm no instructor so what do I know? All in all, letting the student participate will lead to a much higher possibility of a second jump, without compromising safety.

I just got a new rig and am having a hard time deciding on what colors to make my new suit! I want a Bomber Freefly suit. Would anyone like to give their $.02? Thanks for your opinions! Attached is a pic of the container, and one of the canopy. EDIT: Attached Bomber order form for design options, hey why not?

I drive an hour and a half from Santa Rosa, CA to Davis, CA. I really like the atmosphere at Skydance, it's worth the drive. Besides, the closest DZ is less than 20 minutes closer... It's ok for a day trip... but luckily my girlfriend lives in Davis so that saves a lot of miles

In the future what's the best way to receive a rig with a reliable money exchange? By the way my credit card refunded my purchase :-)

His name is William Denver and the user name on my printout of the ad says Willy (membership star). Address: Italy. There is a member named williamdenver and his last login date was the day this ad was posted. He deleted the ad after I said I'd buy it. The URL was http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/classifieds/detail_page.cgi?ID=61640&d=1 The ad read: "Very clean Javelin J3. Rig has bridle modification to make it freefly friendly. Lines are in very good shape. New BOC installed less then 15 jumps ago. Sabre 170 is Yellow and Black, estimated jumps on it are approx 350. Good condition and on RWS risers. Cypres is up to date for Batteries and maintence. The jav and the sabre both have 350 jumps. The cypres and the reserve have 0 jumps." His User Profile is http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?username=williamdenver;

I recently bought a rig from someone on the classifieds and I think I may be a victim of fraud. The user and I emailed back and forth several times discussing the rig and I determined it was what I wanted. The rig was being sold for $1300. After I sent my payment to him from my credit card via Western Union (he's located in Italy) he told me he'd send it the next day via FedEx 2 day and give me a tracking number and exact arrival date. Since I got my notice from Western Union that the money has been picked up communication has ceased and I cannot contact him, nor do I have the rig. He picked up payment last Thursday and was supposed to ship that same day. I printed the ad and there was a Premium Member star next to his user name. Does anyone have a suggestion on what to do about this? Would dropzone.com be able to give me his info so I can pursue this (he must have bought a membership with his credit card)? Should I file a fruad claim with my credit card company? I am very worried that I am a victim of fraud. When we emailed he seemed very knowledgeable about the gear and knew what he was talking about. Please help!

Hey everyone. I've been reading the forums for a couple months now but this is my first post. I am new to skydiving, but deeply in love with it. I currently have 20 jumps, and will finish up my A cert this weekend. I jump at Skydance Skydiving in Davis, CA (great DZ). I started out, as many people have, doing a tandem with a few friends about a month and a half ago. I was instantly hooked and have been back to my DZ every weekend since. I'm also very excited to have just bought my first rig! Javelin J3 container Sabre 170 main Raven reserve Cypres Viso wrist mount alt Pro-Track audible Bonehead helmet I'm excited to be a part of this growing community, there's nothing more fun!