Crispy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vwW2MBocok

Sorry, but in no way can that be used to determine the number of active jumpers. One could have 500+ jumps, be a current USPA member, and not have jumped in years. He/she would fit into the USPA demographics but would not be "active."

I couldn’t agree more.

So you're saying that the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (an Illinois State Agency) has the right to demand aircraft "logs?" I'd like to see where you are getting your information. Got a source? While you're at it, can you also point to a source that states it is a crime to "report the presence of any FAA, NTSB, etc, agent, officer, etc,... inspector doing their job?"

Haha. Yup, totally read VC and thought VK. Duh.

Out of curiosity, is your AirWolf all ZP or hybrid (ZP and sail)? Same question for the VC you were flying. If the AirWolf is a hybrid and the VC was all ZP, I would expect a difference. There is a reason that everyone wants the hybrid VCs and the all ZP VCs are sitting on the shelves at PD. Note: I've never jumped the AirWolf or VC and don't have an opinion on which is "better."

I'm hoping some of you can help me with a couple of questions. Here is my situation: I am looking to build a new camera helmet. It will be used for 4-way fs and tandem video/still. I would like to run two GoPros for the fs jumps and a Sony still/GoPro for the tandems. Option 1: A Cookie Fuel with a flat top and one flatlock. I imagine I would set it up with the Sony camera on the user's left side and the GoPro on the user's right, such that they will kind of interlock and well balanced (see Nicklas Daniel's setup, attached). Pros: versatile setup and dedicated external port for my Protrack 2 (the audible I currently own). Con: I would need to remove the Sony to access it's memory card and the memory card of the GoPro, which is a pain in the ass even with the flatlock (I seriously tried this with another helmet and it sucked). Option 2: Custom Tonfly 2x. The Sony camera would sit on top and the GoPro in front or, when flying fs, one GoPro on top and one in the front (similar to the setup in the 2.5X-tonfly attachment). Pros: I hear they are super comfortable (haven't tried one myself) and the camera disconnect (the TF Pro mount) appears to be very smooth and easy . Big plus if it is a constant on and off type of day. Cons: No external port for the Protrack 2 and I've never tried one on. I'm not about to buy another audible, so I'd have to stuff the Protrack 2 inside the helmet. Question: will a Protrack 2 fit inside the Tonfly 2x and will it be comfortable if it does? Ideas? Suggestions? Thoughts? Thanks in advance.

I'll send you a message.

☝🏼This. The reasons to stow a collapsed slider have nothing to do with drag. It’s all about allowing your wing to flatten out a bit and getting it out of your way so you can see and use your front and rear risers without a relatively large piece of nylon getting in the way. I asked whether you loosen your chest strap because if you do but don’t stow or remove your slider, loosening the strap is pretty much useless.

You'd still have to pull the rings down, at least on rears. At least that's what I see (I don't jump with an RDS) Yes, you pull all of the rings down with a removable slider. What's the problem with that?

So why don't you just stow it behind your head? Do you loosen your chest strap under canopy?

Three DZs that run otters and can be reached in 1.5 hours or less. My home DZ is just under an hour, though.

There are programs in the US where the first two jumps are tandems and the third (which is the first solo jump) is with one instructor. Skydive Chicago's AFP program is one such example. Student's are required to perform basic skills during the tandem jumps, such as altitude awareness, practice touches, and timely deployment of the main in order to pass the tandem progression. After the tandem jumps, the first solo jump is always with only one instructor. So the short answer is yes, there are circumstances where the first solo jump is with just one instructor, but I could not tell you whether the program you observed is one of them.

Another example of stellar exit separation here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJd6skENPcs Three seconds of separation (and that's being generous).

Just a point of clarification, the stock Flight-1 courses are each one day in length. It's not uncommon to take the 101 course on a Saturday and the 102 course on a Sunday, but they are separate courses and are each one day long. I took 101 and 102 in Deland with J-Mo and I highly recommend both of the courses. I also did a couple makeup jumps (we could not complete all of the 102 jumps due to weather) with Bobo. Also an excellent instructor. As for alternatives, I can second hodge's suggestion, although I would personally rate them as the top choice. I have had multiple days of instruction (both "stock" courses and custom instruction) with Curt and Jeannie from the Alter Ego Project. They are both fantastic canopy pilots and coaches and their instruction is second to none. Like I said, multiple days with them and I will be flying multiple more with them this summer.