robellis

Right, I canceled the Scuba stuff and will see you all at the 4:20! Looking forward to meeting you both, Rob

I'm from the UK, and obviously into skydiving as #1 thing to do. However, in the posts lots of people are mentioning Scuba as a common pastime. In the UK a lot of skydivers are into motorbikes, and quite a few into snowboarding. I'm in Deland FL on 20th April, with 2 weeks to spend. I could either stay for the first week skydiving on my own, or go with a couple of mates to get my PADI thing done and jump with a few more mates that are joining us for the second week. Any suggestions?

Stupid question I know, but why would anyone jump without a cypres? I understand the whole 'it's being serviced' and cost thing but I really can't see the danger of having one at all times. It's similar, if somewhat more pronounced, with regards to canopy size. Sometimes I have off-days, so I don't jump a 2.3 wingloaded Velocity all the time - I jump a 1.8 which I know I can land in any condition. The vast majority of the time I can get away with loading my canopy 2.3 - does that mean I should do it all of the time? No. If my cypres is knackerd, I'll get it fixed and in the meantime, depending on the type of jump I'm doing I may jump my rig without one. It's about compromise, not being so confident that you can do anything at all times. Damn, I fall over in the street sometimes and I've been walking for years. Well, months. Rob

I'm exactly 210lbs and 5'11". I whizzed thru AFF much quicker than the floaty guys I know - I put it down to more weight - more inertia - more control (my bit of self delusion - but hey it works). I was concerned when I started to skydive that I would be too heavy to fly with other who were weighing in at 170llbs. I couldn't have been more wrong. I don't have much experience flat-flying, so I still struggle on the bigger ways, but if I'm just 1 on 1, I'll just hold on to the skinny wretch until I can level myself off (only joking Ivan)! However, for freeflying I feel I have a distinct advantage, esp. in transitions or cartwheels, where you lose your more streamlined position. I find keeping up the speed relatively easy where some of my lesser experienced friends just cork and lose the pack. I also feel I have much more control in speed. From a slow sit, I can fall around 140mph and in a head-down do way over 200. All in all, as long as you aren't particularly heavy, or particualrly light, you wont find difficulty in having fun and keeping up with the rest. Later, Rob btw - buy a dark coloured jumpsuit - I bought a yellow one first and shadows are not a good thing :-)

Totally agree with above - canopy choice is the most important saftey choice. A good wing loading for first canopy is under 1.0. So to calculate your WL, add your weight (200), plus a typical rig weight of 30lbs (230), and divide it by the size of canopy (230). So if you went for a 230sq.ft. canopy, it would be about right for you. Trust me, it'll be exciting when you fly it. The simple move from F-111 to ZP is a pretty cool change in it's own right. Blue skies, Rob

I haven't jumped the Odessey yet, but I have jumped the Voodoo, Mirage G3, Vector 3, Racer etc. IMHO, the best overall quality of rig has to be the Vector 3. It's tight, the flaps are locked down in freefall, bridle secure and with the Micron enhancements it has to be one of the most comfortable rigs on the market - although I await a demo with the Odessey! The Vector 3 is also a v.well known rig and you won't have any trouble selling it on. After meeting Bill Booth (RW owner) TK and Mark Procost over the last 12 months, my confidence in their desire to be the best manufacturer, coupled with their professional and rather large set-up (compared to Mirage and Jumpshack), has ensured that I won't be buying any other type of rig. There's just no point. Hope this helps.