Thedivingdog

Are you really arguing that there is media bias TOWARD Israel??? Wow, I don't think I've ever heard that one... The general media is completely biased against Israel: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/bbc/8402973/A-family-slaughtered-in-Israel-doesnt-the-BBC-care.html Of course, you'll probably say that they deserved to be killed. Tell me, when's the last time you heard of an Israeli soldier slitting the throats of a Palestinian family?? Oh, that's right, never..

Update - Just jumped at 3,500 MSL, almost no wind, with no problems. I started my flare around 10 feet, nice and smooth, about 2 seconds start to finish and stood up no prob. Thanks for the help.

My wing loading is 1 to 1.08. But now i'm confused. Wendy says to start my flare a bit higher than ZP. I did all my student jumps on ZP so I think I can figure that out, but then pchapman says to flare lower and faster. You both have lots of experience, but which one is it??

Just got an older rig with a pd170 f1-11 main. I made about 10 jumps so far, mostly stand up and a couple plf. I feel ok with it so far, but a couple much wiser skydivers than I have mentioned that this summer, when the weather gets way hotter (I'm in Arizona), the flares are gonna be shit. Does anyone have experience with this? I don't have much $$, so I would rather keep it for now, but I did find an older Sabre1 170 with 500 jumps for $500. Questions: If I keep the pd170, any suggestions on how/when to flare? Someone mentioned I should start much sooner and slower. Is this correct? If I get the sabre, it will probably need a lineset soon. Can I use the lineset from my pd170 (It only has 70 jumps total) or does every main have a unique lineset? Any help is appreciated.

Nope. Looks like I was wrong on how much tunnel time costs, that's it. Regularly it would cost $464 for all of this including lift tickets. The 3:10 deal gets you everything for $430, a savings of $34. Thanx for the clarification.

Obviously Jeff cares a whole lot about skydiving, as do all of us. But is it just me, or did Jeff's reaction go way overboard, and kind of paint skydivers as a whole in a bad light? I may be a noob, but I hate what slyride/sportations is doing to our sport as well. Going over that thread though, Jeff ends up looking a bit nuts. To an outsider, that may make all skydivers look a bit nuts, and in the end we are all just trying to help the sport we love.

Thanks Mike. I by no means meant to bad mouth you or anything like that. I respect your opinion. I was just pointing out that I did do research on the subject.

NWFlyer - Thanks for those dates, that's where my confusion came from. I wasn't sure what came out when, and if it was before or after I bought it. Brian - Relax, I'm not accusing anyone. That's why I didn't mention any names. I said he "may" have done a douche move. Turns out he didn't , and I did my research right. It just looks like a a bad case of super shitty timing. I'm still stuck with a paper weight for now, but at least I know I did my homework and wasn't taken advantage of at the time. On a positive note, it hasn't arrived yet, so maybe the mail lost it and I can still get a refund Thanks everyone for the help.

I did do my homework, or at least I thought I did. All I found was a recall for cutters on pre 2007 models. The one I bought was a 2009, so I thought I was good to go. I also found a good article by Mike G saying all of them are fine. http://www.chutingstar.com/expertadvice_en/buying-gear/18-aads-which-one-to-buy.html Not blaming anyone, I'm just saying that I looked into it. I looked at my phone and the first time I talked to the guy was last Wednesday. I bought it on Thursday and it shipped Friday. Were these issues known then? I have a Vector 2. From what I understand they haven't issued an sb about Argus, yet. If I decide to keep it, should I have it installed anyway, or just wait this out and jump as I have been, without an aad. As for the examples about buying an older reserve, then saying "wtf?" when it arrives, I don't think that is the same thing. I knew what I was buying at the time. My concern is wether or not these service bulletins were known at the time of purchase, yet not conveyed to me by the seller. That would be more like buying an un-airworthy reserve, yet the seller "forgetting" to mention that it is in fact un-airworthy.

So I live in Arizona and am looking forward to Eloy's easter boogie. They are advertising a a coaching special: 10 minutes tunnel time, plus 3 coach jumps for $310, not including lift tickets. http://www.skydiveaz.com/events/11_easter_boogie.aspx I figured it was a good deal, but then I did the math. So correct me if I'm wrong here, but normally 15 minutes tunnel time is almost $240, so ten minutes is $160. 3 coach jumps @ $40 is $120. Together that makes $280. When you add 3 lift tickets for you plus three for your coach, you come to another $144. So all together for ten minutes tunnel time, plus 3 coach jumps plus all lift tickets equals $424. The special advertises tunnel time plus coaching for $310, plus 6 lift tickets at $20 which comes to $430. So am I totally wrong, or is this so called special a load of crap??

I know, I know, I'm a total idiot. Now that that is over with, please help me figure out what I ned to do. Here's the story: I recently bought an older rig without an aad. Perusing DZ.com last week I found an '09 argus for sale in the used gear section for $750. At the time I thought it was a good deal I had NO IDEA about this whole argus fiasco when I bought it!! I called the seller, turns out he works at a well known DZ in Canada. I'm sure he knew all about this when he sold it to me, yet he mentioned nothing at all. I payed via credit card through the DZ, and he told me it's in the mail. Only today did I find out about this whole fiasco form looking at the forums. I feel like an idiot! I also feel like he totally took advantage of me. So what are my options?? A - Suck it up and deal. The seller may have done a douche move, but in the end I'm the idiot that bought it. B - Call and demand a refund, the thought being he knowingly sold me a product with major issues without informing me. C - If he refuses to issue a refund, call the credit card company, explain the situation and hope for a charge back. Any thoughts?

So I just moved to Prescott, and am looking for other jumpers in the vicinity that would like to save on gas money and ride share to Eloy at least once a month. Also looking to meet local jumpers, hear your thoughts on the other AZ drop zones, find people to jump with at any of the dz's, etc. Drop me a line..

I recently spent a weekend at skydive AZ and had a blast. The office folks there are very friendly and got me set up right away. I rent my gear, and the ladies of square 2 were helpful and professional. I was able to find a number of people to jump with, some with much more experience than I, and they were all cool and friendly, giving me some helpful tips as well. Tons of aircraft, so when one had mechanical issues they just cranked up the next one. The bunkhouse is adequate and very reasonable, I just wish they had an attached bathroom as it gets a bit chilly at night! The packers are cool and quick, and got me on the next load a number of times. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my time there, and will be back as soon as possible.

Sorry for being the noob dummy, but I am in the market for my first rig, and live about 6 hours from Reno. Will used rigs be sold there, and if so would it be worth it to go just for that? I looked at the website but couldn't figure out if it is open to the public, how much it would cost, etc. Thanks for any advice.

Recently jumped here after about a year away from the sport, and brought my girlfriend along to do her first tandem. I'm new, about 30 jumps, so when I was told a recurrency jump would put me back $100, compared to $280 at other dz's, you can see why I chose to come here. Girlfriend's tandem was $100, cheapest anywhere. I was expecting at least a half hour long ground school prior to my jump going over emergency procedures, safety, etc. But my coach, who was short with me but not unfriendly, was content with just going over a few quick things. In no time we were in the plane, and I had to ask all of the questions I had on the way up. I did fine and he signed off on my jump, but I must admit I thought the "ground school" was lacking. If you are not a confident skydiver I would not recommend coming here after much time away from the sport. As for the tandem, my girlfriend enjoyed it. Her instructor did not explain much prior to the jump like at other dz's, but he answered all her questions and made her feel relaxed on the way up. Safety here is very different than at other dropzones. Helmets are not required, nor seat belts on the way up. Bill the dzo was friendly enough, and answered all of my questions. If you are cool with him, he's cool with you. They also let you borrow a helmet, goggles and altimeter free of charge, which is nice. There is a $5 charge on all credit card purchases though which is super annoying. Other people there were friendly enough, I didn't have any problems. It's not the cleanest or prettiest place, but they are fast, efficient and know how to get the job done. Overall a positive experience, although I would not recommend it for new skydivers. If you want to jump here, you better know what you're doing.

I called Skykef to see if it would be possible to fun jump with them. I spoke to an instructor named Nir, who said that they don't rent out rigs (even though their DropZone.com profile says that they do), but to show up early and if it was at all possible they would help me out. I get there Saturday morning and speak to a number of people. A couple staff members , including Nir and Tomer, really tried to help me. But when they talked to the DZO Roy it was like talking to a brick wall. Roy was absolutely against letting me jump for some reason. I noticed a 210 rig just hanging there, and asked him about it, but he wasn't even willing to look into it. So after driving over an hour and waiting another hour, I went home. Thanks go to Nir, Tomer and a few others who really did try to help me. But until Roy decides to let people that didn't do AFF with them rent out rigs, I can't recommend Skykef.

I recently got my A license, and happened to be in Israel shortly after. Looking forward to jumping in the holy land, I called up paradive to ask them some questions. I was put in touch with Einav, the head instructor. After explaining that I would be in the country for a few weeks and was excited to jump, Einav had two things to tell me. First off was that everybody who jumps at paradive has to be a member of the Israeli parachute association, even though I am a member of the uspa. And secondly, and I quote, "It would be better if you didn't come, as you would only get in the way." Needless to say, I was pretty shocked by these comments. Einav explained that I wasn't welcome, as I would only be around for a few weeks and not a regular. Now I may not have much experience, but suffice it to say I have never been treated like this by any dropzone. My guess is that because I was only a fun jumper and wouldn't bring in much money, I wasn't worth the bother. Unfortunately it's attitude like this that is keeping the sport from flourishing in Israel. Don't bother calling, you're business is not wanted.

I did my aff at skydive the farm, and I am very happy I chose to do it with them. Every one was very friendly and professional, and made me feel comfortable from the beginning. Shout out to Hans the dzo, and to my instructors Jack, Jesse, Micky and Andy for being amazing, answering all my questions and helping me achieve my A license. Safety is number 1, and the facilities are top notch. In short, I highly recommend checking out STF.