Re: [laurengr] what's a good 1st BASE canopy??
Please, consider a First BASE Course. There are some very good ones readily available. What you are considering looks, to me, much like having a "friend" with a few skydives teach you how to skydive.
Here is the description from the Consolidated Rigging website of their FBC...
In reply to:
This curriculum is a comprehensive treatise on every aspect of the sport from equipment and techniques to ethics and philosophy. It is the product of 24 total years of jumping, teaching and learning. A written manual, reference and resource materials, and use of equipment are all provided. Instruction is one on one and takes between 2 and 3 days to complete. The student will leave with a thorough understanding of his/her equipment and the ability to pack/configure it confidently. An understanding of how to approach the sport and the tools required to participate safely and responsibly are presented along with physical practice. Classes are limited to two students.
Consider it analogous to a USPA D-license. Everything from history to ethics is covered. It is formatted to maximize learning and uses jumps and/or physical practice to add context to all lectures and printed matter. At the conclusion of the equipment phase, the student will be able to confidently, configure and pack for a variety of jumps. There is detailed discussion on site analysis, site access, different types of exits, running, floater, aerobatics etc. The most important thing that is conveyed is an approach to BASE jumping that fosters responsible decision making and constant learning.
It is our goal to provide our graduates with the information, resources and ethic to gain experience after the course as safely as possible. We attempt to deliver more than facts but also the actual tools that define a good BASE jumper. The course is custom tailored to the specific needs and desires of the student. Generally, several jumps are made during the three-day course. Video and written reference materials are included.
It's just a cut-and-paste from one of their pages. You can check it out at http://www.crmojo.com/frame_main.htm and click on "Services" in the left-hand window.
Knowing what you know about skydiving... would you have wanted to start out being instructed by someone with very few jumps, a limited scope of exposure, and any kind of emotional distractions? BASE is an even less forgiving environment than skydiving.
