Posted on Jun 26, 2016
How many here are recreational skydivers or are looking to be?
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How many members on RallyPoint are or were at one time, Skydivers? How many of you want to be? As an avid skydiver myself I can't imagine many things that come close to the rush or the feeling of freedom I get immediately after I launch myself into the wild blue! People from all walks of life decide to earn their wings and we all become family. Blue skies! P.S yes that is me in the picture. ;)
Skydiving
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Recreation
Edited 8 y ago
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 13
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I was a skydiver way back when, ENS (Join to see)! I was licensed USPA #C-11083, and also rated by USPA as a Jumpmaster and an Instructor. I am licensed by the FAA as a Senior Parachute Rigger. Back then, there was no such thing as tandem training jumps, and every jump was made solo.
The photo is of me during a demonstration jump onto then Maxwell Morris Drill Field, Auburn University, Auburn, AL on 19NOV75. I was jumping a Papillon. The photo appeared in The Opelika-Auburn News a few days later. I made my last skydive (175) onto Moton Field (home of the Tuskegee Airmen), Tuskegee, AL on 31DEC76. LTC (Join to see)
The photo is of me during a demonstration jump onto then Maxwell Morris Drill Field, Auburn University, Auburn, AL on 19NOV75. I was jumping a Papillon. The photo appeared in The Opelika-Auburn News a few days later. I made my last skydive (175) onto Moton Field (home of the Tuskegee Airmen), Tuskegee, AL on 31DEC76. LTC (Join to see)
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SSG Mike Simpson
LTC Stephen C. - There were two ways to pack a Para-Plane Cloud with the top reefing system - one for a sub-termainal opening and another for a terminal opening. God help you if you took a sub-terminal pack job to terminal. I put 20+ jumps on my Para-Plane before I had it modified to a Strato-Cloud over at Bardstown, KY. I even had a Strato-Star with a top reefing system (1976).
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LTC Stephen C.
You had much more experience than I did with ram-air canopies, SSG Mike Simpson! On one of my first jumps on a Strato-Star, I stalled it too high while landing. Of course, the canopy slid backwards and I as hit the ground, I kept myself from falling totally backwards with my hands. Sure enough, I had a hairline fracture in one of the bones in my left wrist. I had a fiber glass cast put on, and a week and half later, I was skydiving again!
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SSG Mike Simpson
LTC Stephen C. - The Strato-Star was notorious for stalling. Back in the day USPA highly recommended that a jumper had at least 100 free-fall jumps on either a Papillion or a Para Commander before going to a square.
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ENS (Join to see)
I've definitely always wanted to get my SCUBA certification. Once I get a few extra dollars I plan on it!
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COL Vincent Stoneking
I've dabbled in both. They are both great, but I would also chose SCUBA if it was either or.
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Lowly 5 jump chump here... no real desire to be strapped to someone else on exit.
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COL Vincent Stoneking
No need to be strapped to someone else. All 6 of my civilian jumps (no Army wings for me) were solo - I had an instructor near, but not attached to me, until chute opening.
Once you get your skydiving license (I did not - may pursue again another day), which is around 25 mentored jumps of increasing challenge and lack of oversight, you can then jump on your own whenever/wherever.
Once you get your skydiving license (I did not - may pursue again another day), which is around 25 mentored jumps of increasing challenge and lack of oversight, you can then jump on your own whenever/wherever.
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