Basejumper.com - archive

Hey I will be moving to West Chester,PA this coming year around Feb/March to attend college. I would be willing to work ground crew/whatever is needed and make drives up to a negotiable distance. I WILL NOT ASK YOU FOR A MENTOR OR TEACHERS IN RETURN!!! If I asked anything along that lines please feel free to kick me to the curb. I don't wish to make any B.A.S.E attempts until I acquire a Skydiving C license and have begun basic work on wingsuit flying. Here is a little background on me: I have been trying to skydive for 5 years now(no joke). The last opportunity I got required a 4 and a half hour drive and my vacation time just for my AFF graduate level. Of course if there is one time their training plane broke it would be during that period. I plan on getting an A license as soon as I can in PA. I am moving from Montana to PA for my education obviously as I am separating from the military after my 4 year enlistment. If you have any questions or concerns feel free to PM me.

No one on here is going to take you out to go do illegal shit. It's kind of like those marijuana/mushroom growing forums. Sure you can read about how to grow some bud, but no one is going to invite you over to their house to check out their set up. So just go get 100 jumps and take the FJC at Bridge Day or one of the manufacturer's courses in Twin Falls.

First of all BASE jumping isn't really illegal its semi-legal especially depending on the country you live in and where you are attempting to make your jump. Most people are busted because they are trespassing or jumping in highly populated urban areas where law enforcement considers their jump to be a danger to the public(national parks will get you too). Second I read and was told by base jumpers that it is always good to volunteer as ground crew regardless of skill level. Lastly 100 skydives and a single FJC course is not good enough for me on a personal level. I like snowboarding but I take risks only when I feel comfortable enough to take them. For me,even to BASE jump would require 200 skydives(with "C" license),some fundamental wingsuit work, and 2 FJC courses. I took a community recommendation and made my standard slightly higher. If anyone really thinks I am going to narc I will gladly smoke a big fat joint to make you comfortable and myself high though I might be useless after that. Thank you for your input captain it is honestly appreciated as well as all other advice I obtain here. The offer still stands.

EDIT: After a little investigating I see you have 53 skydives and no BASE jumps? I kind of felt that info was sketchy. Listen I respect your opinion but if that statement came from an experienced base jumper it would hold A LOT more bearing to me than it does now.

First off, motherfuckingcaptain is right.

Secondly, even if someone were to take you for ground crew (I live in PA, and was considering it, until I read your last post), your arrogant attitude is a warning sign. Honestly, you don't even have a skydiving license, and you are saying you don't respect his opinion because he has 53 skydives? Even if he had 26 skydives, that's more than you do.

Cheekybastard that is not what I said. Reread that edit I said I RESPECT his opinion. I am not being arrogant at all. I completely agree he has more knowledge even with 50 skydives in many areas. However, I was told by BASE jumpers that working GC is a good foot in the door regardless of experience and to start when you can but don't ask for anything in return. I was a bit angry to receive slightly harsh statement by someone who isn't a BASE jumper but I agree that doesn't make it OK for me to act pissy. Yes he understands more about free,canopy flying and etc. but would you want advice(especially when they come off kind of rude) from someone that isn't a BASE jumper? Essentially its "work ground crew and that's it". I am not looking for anything past that. If you would like my help fine, if not fine. I understand your perspective and the risk involved with an unknown individual.

There was nothing harsh/rude about what he said, broski.

Survive through your A license, and we'll talk.

you're probably right rough week on my end and that's the probably with forums. There is no tone of voice to the messages you read. I will contact you again when I have my "A" license dude.

Right on brother.

Where are you planning on jumping at? I frequent skydive PA if you plan on being up there.

I am probably going to jump at Keystone most frequently just because it will be located close to me. The problem I keep running into in PA via the dropzones' website is a solid learning program. It looks like some of them don't even have AFF courses. I am trying to find an "A" licensing program and I might have to do that when I am home visiting family in Missouri. If you know of any there your knowledge is greatly appreciated!

I looked up "Skydive PA" and I may be out there it appears to be the most structured DZ so far for training. The only problem is to make frequent trips its a 5 and a half hour drive from where I will live like I said though I can be flexible with that and try and make a trip every other month or so up.

fwiw...

USPA sets the requirements on a "A" license. any dz that helps you get the license must have a plan.

"pure" AFF exists at fewer and fewer dz's.

if you get to highly structured training for skydiving, it might make the transition to BASE more challenging.

being able to communicate well with your instructors is the key to quick learning. much will depend on the "vibe" of a dz. only you can tell which is the best fit for you.

Any advice is more than welcome wwarped. :) If you don't mind could you explain a little further when you say "if you get highly structured training for skydiving,it might make the transition to BASE more challenging"?

highly structured -> tends to quite procedural, emphasizing following the book. it can be quite good at processing lot's of people, including those with limited aptitude. it's weakness is teaching dependency on the support structure, not on individual judgment. I've seen too many skydivers who appear "spoon fed" and can't think for themselves.

BASE -> there is no book. there is no organizing body setting standards. you'll only find support amongst the local crew. creativity greatly aids site access.

some instructors teach one way. they do well in a highly structured environment with large classes. other instructors adapt their teaching to your strengths and weaknesses. small classes facilitate this style.

USPA forces a minimum structure on skydiving.
BASE? yeah, right. some take multiple courses, and some still teach themselves.

what works best for you?
(I can't say.)

ahhh ok! No need for concern I have been in the air force for almost 4 years now and it is a "highly structured" organization I know the severe downfalls of that kind of system. I see fundamental skills as a piece of metal you are given and then you are free to bend, shape and addd to it over time to your liking. I don't do well with narrow-minded or linear paths I just believe fundamentals are extremely important. I have played a lot of sports and every fundamental technique I learned somehow played into advance techniques and individual technique. I am looking for a structured program just for my "A" license because its all about fundamentals and I don't want my learning experience to dismal in that stage of learning. If I learn poor fundamentals its going to hinder me severely in the long run. Past my "A" license I may seek some accuracy coaching but other than that I like to play and figure things out for myself and from many people who are just experience to see what kind of skydiver I want to be. :)

Someone needs to get you the great book of BASE for christmas.

But really, couldn't agree more with everything you said.

To the OP, I would recommend finding a static line drop zone. Most of the time (at least from where I learned), most of the skydivers are accuracy jumpers, and with their 1 on 1 training I was a pretty good canopy pilot by the time I got my A. Those are the skills you want to learn. Fuck free fall and arching for 60 seconds. That won't help you much at all. Granted, it's a skill you should have, but don't put all your marbles in AFF.

If your down near phili, skydive PA (hazelton) is about 2 1/2 hour drive. Not a long drive considering. I've jumped up there ~7-8 yrs now, and I would highly recommend there skydiving progression to anyone. I can't help you much on the BASE end as I'm slowly trying to expand that direction as well.
But, if you have any questions about hazelton, I'd be happy to help.
John

OP - sky's the limit is in east stroudsburg pa, i know instructors, and there are some base jumpers there, all good people. if you can travel, there is also crosskeys in south jersey and the ranch in upstate ny. pm me for details or if you have qustions. i am in pa often, let me know where you're located

First, this whole discussion should really be
moved to our sister site -> dropzone.com

Second, regarding the training regiment,
do not discount a particular method, they
all get you in the air, teach something,
and have their own pros and cons.

Third, watching shit on BoobTube does
not substitute for real world experience.

Fourth, poorly written posts by wannabes
with ZERO skydives annoy most of the
guys & gals with the skills to help you.

Fifth, low time skydivers are not the ones
inventing new shit, they just re-invent the
same mistakes, which actually make them
a risk to other jumpers on the air field.

Sixth, why is that every kid with access
to a computer is just so sure that he/she
is way too rad for pussy ass skydiving??

Edited: to correct a minor error

Thats absolutely the dumbest thing I have ever seen anyone post on this sight in the 4 years I have been base jumping. How the fuck do you think we deploy when BASE jumping? Hint: It's not from a static line after a 10 second delay.

Allow me to explain myself. I am saying doing however many levels of AFF falling for 60 seconds doesn't help prepare you for base much at all. Sure, knowing how to have a stable depolyment is vital, but I think a static line drop zone is more suitable to prepare you for base. (focus more on stable exit, canopy control and accuracy.)

What does a stable skydiving exit have to do with a stable BASE exit?

And let's face it, by the time someone has enough skydiving experience to be well prepared for BASE the method that they started skydiving with will have long since faded into insignificance.

absolutely nothing.

the experience you gain in skydiving in relation to BASE is canopy control. you need to be able to land that bitch on a dime, you don't learn that in freefall. seriously sub terminal jumps don't allow you the luxury of getting stable, you need to be stable before you even exit, your dealing with dead air here. it will never cease to amaze me the ignorance involved with BASE wannabees. this is a seriously technical sport, each jump is different and you prepare for that. comparing skydiving to BASE is like comparing apples to pomegranites. get a clue children, it's hurts too much when you go in, and i don't even know you...

+1

Wow looks like a lot has happened since I last checked this! First of all I would to thank everyone again for their input and suggestions. I see some of it has spark a bit of a heated debate but that is one thing I have really found in the reading I have done about this sport. Most BASE jumpers tend to have different perspectives on things. Number of skydives you should have before you jump or if you need to skydive at all. The disagreements on training methods,burning sites, leaving an injured person behind, media attention and etc... You have to understand something though a person who is new to the concept of BASE jumping may be told something by one group and then get flamed because even though it is what he was told others act as if they didn't attempt to understand BASE is what I am finding out from this. Green machine whether you believe it or not I can sympathize with your fourth point. You know how many shit heads tell me they know what war is like because they play "Call of Duty" online? Sometimes I want to strangle them. I am not trying to annoy I am just trying to get information its just how I work into something. I am someone who makes plans things far in advance to ensure I can reach my goals. I am not that concerned with Base right now as far as learning technical skills I was just offering assistance to those who do it as a chance to meet people in the sport. I honestly expect nothing in return. I won't be up in West Chester,PA till January but when I am settled in there is free room and board to those passing through. For those who do skydiving in PA i will definitely try to make some trips up to your DZ's whether your are a BASE jumper or not! If you need some ground crew help as well I may not know much there yet but I can learn. Thanks again for the replies regardless of your feelings towards me! Constructive criticism is an excellent learning tool and I have some thick skin and enjoy harsh honesty.

Rezo wrote:

Green machine whether you believe it or not
I can sympathize with your fourth point.

You know how many shit heads tell me they
know what war is like because they play
"Call of Duty" online?

Am I the only one laughing?