Dazzle

I don't remember hard openings from the rounds I jumped as a student, mostly Aeroconicals but don't remember anything specific to slow openings on those. How come they opened acceptably slowly?

Isn't there a design of pullout that doesn't inflate immediately? Pud attached to the apex or base?

From the ops manual section 5 I'd have thought at least 1 jump with an AFFI

What planes are these in the background?

How about football (soccer if you really must) 2 goals, beach ball in the middle and take turns swooping in opposite directions to "kick" the ball and score a goal. What could go wrong?!

Oddly 300 jumps is more than is required to go on an instructors course?!?

From http://www.bpa.org.uk/forms.htm Which is the BPA Office / Documents on-line and the F134 / FS Coach Application. It's probably in the ops manual as well. I don't think that there is a standard cost. More details of the requirements / evaluation needed is on the back of the form. D I certify that the above named fulfills the requirements listed below: a) Has a minimum of 300 descents and 3 hours of Freefall time. b) Has been involved in Sport Parachuting for a minimum of 2 years. c) Is fully familiar with the current WARP Manual. *d) Is at least a; (i) Category System Basic Instructor, or (ii) Has attended an NCF Key Course on `Delivering the Goods`, or (iii) Has specific teaching or coaching qualifications, or (iv) Has attended a Methods of Instruction lecture, given by a BPA Advanced Instructor, or (v) Has attended a Military Methods of Instruction Course

Although the weather in Ampuria is generally good (how else to they do 100000+ jumps a year) it isn't guaranteed there either. Often high winds, generally affecting students more. The landing area is long and thin, the wind generally blows along it though so landing isn't THAT difficult. Typically if it blows across then a jump number limit will apply (depending on the speed) More of a consideration might be if you don't complete it in a week how easily can you continue. That's a powerful reason for staying in this country. If you had 2 weeks then you should easily be able to complete it abroad but with 1 week you might find yourself unlucky with the weather. A couple of other points to consider about cost. What else is included, I know some of Langars AFF courses include some gear. Various levels of gear, ie (i)none, (ii)helmet, googles, glove, alti (iii) above + custom jump suit. Be sure to check out what is included when comparing costs. Another consideration is the cost of repeat levels, some places charge full cost others just the cost of tickets (generally a higher cost course will have cheaper repeats and vice versa) Video can be another consideration (you learn a lot more from video) I doubt anywhere doesn't have video anymore (?) Sometimes its done by the instructor(s) other times (if mid week and quite) by an external cameraman which can provide a more useful view. If you're going to be there on quieter mid week days then thats more likely, if say the plane is going up with spare slots on it then a staff camera might be given the slot. You probably will carry on going where you learn't, at least for a while so somewhere you can get to will help. Beats turning up at a new dropzone having just done AFF elsewhere and not knowing anyone else.

I'd disagree with that statement. Students shouldn't ask experienced jumpers, stick with asking instructors (I'm not an instructor btw) Although the experienced jumper might well know the answer as well as an instructor they are not trained to teach to student, they don't necessarily know how the school teaches and could contradict information that the student receives from an instructor. They could also be plain wrong! Experienced jumpers who get asked questions should point the student to an instructor. There is plenty of time after the student has graduated, at least AFF if not A license, to get more information from experienced jumpers. Just my thoughts

Wow, They recently anounced that the UK minimum wage will rise from £4.85 ($9.26) to £5.05 ($9.64) The cost of living is higher over here though.

Does the article say when it is due? Skydiving is rather expensive to get in the UK and then you have to wait a week or 2 to get delivery?!?

I'd say don't learn with the kids, they'll pick it up so much faster (generally) If you learn to snowboard then prepare to fall a lot in those first few days. It will hurt. I'd say skiing is easier to get going right at first then snowboarding catches up and it's easier for a while on a board and then when you get good skiing becomes better though there isn't that much between the 2

They changed that rule a while ago. It is now 3.1.3. FAI ‘B’ Certificate (Red) holders may wear hard protective helmets acceptable to the CCI/Team Leader.3.1.3. FAI ‘B’ Certificate (Red) holders may wear hard protective helmets acceptable to the CCI/Team Leader. From http://www.bpa.org.uk/opman.htm section 6 I think the original reason was the restricted view but with more experience of full faces they realised that was over restrictive and brought it back to B license (ie 50 jumps)

So post jumping its off to the supermarket, pick up some cheap (and nice) whine and champagne and drink away.

pd dont generally sell direct, you need to go through a dealer. The dealer will be able to sell you any of the stock canopies though, they can be sent direct from pd you just pay the money via the dealer. Check for the prices via the dealer. If you get it sent direct to you you may be liable for import taxes (you are in UK don't know about Russia) If you are do you know anyone going to the states who can bring it back for you.

Seems to have a little bug in it - it thinks the US is the only place in the world!

Take a look at Gap, pretty closehttp://www.dropzone.com/dropzone/Detailed/846.shtml Lots of other french / swiss dzs on dz.com as well

I got picked up by Jim who does it for ?$30? Arranged via the DZ. Be aware that its pretty isolated at zhills and a car helps to get off the dz at some point

The stickers are given out by the CCI so that will be pretty easy for them to control.

You should be able to get a Stiletto as a zero cost swap for a Sabre2 150 and then wait it out for the Katana. Some noise out of pd about where they are with the 135 and 150 would be nice though

Yes (and I know you would too)

2 months, no prob at all. Will be nice and quiet - I know Langar say they are open but who will be there!

If you've not been on one yet then do give it a go, fantastic canopy - love mine

I'm not and am up for something else.

You were waiting on the Katana 135 but went and bought a Xaos 98 instead?!