Skydiving News

Parachuting, or skydiving, is an activity involving the breaking of a free-fall from a height using a parachute. It’s performed as a recreational activity, competitive sport, deployment of military personnel and occasionally, forest fire-fighters. The history of skydiving begins with descent from hot-air balloons by Andre Jacque Garnerin in 1797. Modern skydiving has been around for about 200 years. Early competitions date back to the 1930s, and it became an international sport in 1951. Skydiving has been used in the military in the early 1900s during World War I, and used in World War II.

Flying the parachute has two basic challenges: to land where planned, often on a target; and to avoid injury. On a more advanced note, some skydivers enjoy performing aerobatic manoeuvres with parachutes. An example of this would be the “Swoop”, an extremely exciting, but dangerous skill which entails a fast speed approach towards the ground, and then levelling off a couple of feet above the ground to cover as much distance as possible (as much as 600 feet), in a fast horizontal swoop.

A modern parachute or canopy “wing” can glide substantial distances. Elliptical canopies go faster and farther, and some small, highly loaded canopies glide faster than a man can run, which can make them very challenging to land. A highly experienced skydiver using a very small canopy can achieve over 60 mph horizontal speeds in landing.

A good landing will not have any discomfort at all, and will land the skydiver within a few feet of his intended location. In competitions, champion accuracy skydivers routinely land less than two inches from the centre of a target.

Nowadays, most of the skydiving related injuries happen under a fully opened and functioning parachute, the most common reasons for these injuries are badly-executed, radical manoeuvres near to the ground, like hook turns, or too-low or too-high landing flares.

Parachuting organizations

National parachuting associations exist in many countries (many affiliated with the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI)), to promote their sport. In most cases, national representative bodies, as well as prudent local dropzone operators, require that participants carry certification, attesting to their training, their level of experience in the sport, and their proven competence. Anyone who cannot produce such bona-fides is treated as a student, requiring close supervision.

Within the sport, associations promote safety, technical advances, training-and-certification, competition and other interests of their members. Outside their respective communities, they promote their sport to the public, and often intercede with government regulators.

Competitions are organized at regional, national and international levels in most these disciplines. Some of them offer amateur competition. Many of the more photogenic/videogenic variants also enjoy sponsored events with prize money for the winners.

The majority of jumpers tend to be non-competitive, enjoying the opportunity to “get some air” with their friends on weekends and holidays. The atmosphere of their gatherings is relaxed, sociable and welcoming to newcomers. Party events, called “boogies” are arranged at local, national and international scale, each year, attracting both the enthusiastic young jumpers and many of their elders — Parachutists Over Phorty (POPs), Skydivers Over Sixty (SOS) and even older groups who have yet to choose a catchy name for themselves. Famous people associated with this sport include Valery Rozov who is a gold medallist from the 1998 “X” Games, who has had more than 1,500 jumps. Also, there is Georgia Thompson (“Tiny”) Broadwick who is one of the first American skydivers, and she made the first freefall.

Parachuting Records

World’s largest freefall formation: 400. This record was set February 8, 2006 in Udon Thani, Thailand.

Don Kellner holds the record for the most parachute jumps, with a total of over 36,000 jumps.

Cheryl Stearns (USA) holds the record for the most parachute descents by a woman, with a total of 15,560 in August 2003.

Capt. Joe W. Kittinger achieved the highest parachute jump in history on August 16, 1960 as part of a United States Air Force program testing high-altitude escape systems. Wearing a pressure suit, Capt. Kittinger ascended for an hour and a half in an open gondola attached to a balloon to an altitude of 102,800 feet, where he then jumped. The fall lasted more than 13 minutes, during which Capt. Kittinger reached speeds exceeding 600 miles per hour.

Extreme outdoor adventure activities and sports do not come more exotic than those found in the beautiful and largely undiscovered (in terms of tourism) country of Kazakhstan. Comprising a territory of more than 2.7 million square kilometres, Kazakhstan is the world`s ninth largest country and is geographically larger than Western Europe. As might be expected of such a physically vast country, Kazakhstan includes just about every type of landscape imaginable from enormous rocky canyons and snow-capped mountains to flats, deserts and Taigas. Indeed, with a disproportionately small population of around 16.5 million and a relatively relaxed stance on religious freedom, Kazakhstan is a haven for outdoor adventure enthusiasts from all over the world.

One of the key sources of interest for extreme sports and outdoor adventure thrill seekers in Kazakhstan is the Celestial Mountain range, which is home to the 7,000 metres high marble peak of Kan Tengri. Hiking through this vast and magnificent mountain range is not merely a physically demanding experience – it is also of considerable spiritual value and, oddly, it also provides a number of opportunities to meet local people and nomads who live in this wondrous yet harsh terrain. Obviously, any trek through the Celestial Mountain range will require a solid, durable and comfortable pair of hiking boots (bring along an extra pair to be on the safe side). Furthermore, it hikers wish to tackle the Pobeda Peak at just under 7,500 metres, appropriate mountain climbing gear and equipment will be required and adrenaline seekers should expect an ice cold greeting at the snowy summit.

Camping out in the stunning Tyouk Kokpak canyon is also an adventure in itself, as hikers will be surrounded by untamed forests, the expansive Akkol Lake, steep mountain landscapes and variable weather systems. Fortunately for those who prefer to do more jaw-dropping sight-seeing than actual hiking, a helicopter ride will take tourists up to a base camp on South Inylchek Glacier at 4,000 metres. The helicopter ride is an exhilarating experience that transports outdoor adventure enthusiasts to one of the longest glaciers in the world. Indeed, amongst all of the breathtaking natural surroundings lies plenty of opportunities to enjoy a wide variety of outdoor adventure activities.

The mountains of Zailiskiy Alatau and the nearby Bolshoe Almatinskoe lake are also popular among extreme sports fans and outdoor adventure enthusiasts. Water based activities can be enjoyed in many places throughout Kazakhstan and Bolshoe Almatinskoe lake is certainly one of the more inspiring destinations. Nevertheless, the Kolsai Lakes are home to some of the most diverse water activities in Kazakhstan, with various pursuits including swimming, fishing (predominantly for trout) and, during the winter, ice skating available.

Kazakhstan is also of great appeal to those wanting to explore its mausoleums and ancient cities. As with any extreme outdoor adventure holiday, it is important to dress appropriately both in respect to cultural traditions and in order to maintain personal safety. Outdoor adventure enthusiasts should, therefore, buy roxy clothing for less demanding pursuits and proper adventure gear for difficult activities.

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Namibia is a largely arid country of stark rough-hewn beauty. The most vivid images are those of a haunting technicolor landscape of swirling orange dunes, shimmering mirages and treacherous dust devils. The apparent desolation is deceptive and plant and animal life and even man has adapted to this environment. The country is designed almost specially with the active and adventure seeker in mind. Timeless deserts, thorn bush savannah, desolate wind ravaged coastlines, majestic canyons, and sun-baked saltpans are the bounty that awaits the traveller.

Namibia’s top draw is the Etosha National Park, rated as one of Africa’s finest game sanctuaries. The birding experience in the country is truly superior. On a Namibia safari, the range of activities you can indulge in the unsurpassable physical environment is truly impressive. Ballooning over the desert, skydiving over land and sea, paragliding, whitewater rafting and sand skiing along coastal dunes are good activities for starters. More fun games to pick from include abseiling – that most spectacular of rock sports, coastal and fresh water angling, desert camel riding, scuba diving, 4×4 desert runs, hiking and mountaineering.

Namibia has four distinct geographical regions. In the north is Etosha Pan, a great area for wildlife and heart of Etosha National Park. The slender Caprivi Strip is nested between Zambia and Botswana and is a wet area of woodland blessed with a few rivers. Along the coast is the Namib Desert, which at the age of 80 million years old, is said to be the world’s oldest desert. At the coast, the icy cold Atlantic meets the blazing African desert, resulting in dense fogs. The well-watered central plateau runs north to south, and carries rugged mountains, magnificent canyons, rocky outcrops and expansive plains.

Namibia, one and half times the size of France, is very sparsely inhabited and carries only 1.8 million souls. The people are as unique as the land they live on. The most intriguing are the San, otherwise known as Bushmen. These most hardy of people have a highly advanced knowledge of their environment. It is a marvelous thing how well they are adapted to their difficult habitat. Just pause and think that these are the only people in the world who live with no permanent access to water. In the Kalahari Desert, one of their domiciles, surface water is not to be found. Tubers, melons, and other water bearing plants as well as underground sip wells supply their water requirements.

In Namibia today, Bushmen number about 50,000. Historians estimate that they have lived, mostly as hunters and gatherers, for at least 25,000 years in these parts of the world. Bushmen speak in a peculiar click language and are very gifted in the arts of storytelling, mimicry, and dance. Namibia’s other people, who are indigenous to the continent, are mostly of Bantu origin. They are thought to have arrived from western Africa from about 2,400 years ago. The African groups include the Owambo, Kavango, Caprivians, Herero, Himba, Damara, Nama and Tswana.

The Africans aside, other groups comprise about 15% of the population and have played an important role in the emergence of the modern nation. White Namibians amount to about 120,00 and are mainly of German and Afrikaner heritage. Germans arrived in significant numbers after 1884 when Bismarck declared the country a German Protectorate. Afrikaners, white farmers of Dutch origin, moved north from their Cape settlements, especially after the Dutch Cape Colony was ceded to the British in 1806. This strongly independent people, whose ancestors had lived in the Cape from 1652 resented British control.

Two other distinct groups complete the spectrum of Namibia’s people – Basters and Coloureds. Coloured in Namibia and southern Africa refers to people of mixed racial heritage, black- white for example. They have a separate identity and culture. This makes sense considering that Namibia was run by South Africa after the First World War. Even in pre-Apartheid South Africa, racial classification was a fine art. The Afrikaans-speaking Basters, descended from Hottentot women and Dutch settlers of the Cape. Alienated from both white and black communities, they trekked northwards, finally founding their own town Rehoboth, in 1871. Baster is actually derived from “bastard”, but it is not derogatory, and the Basters are indeed proud of it.

Namibia’s barren and unwelcoming coastlines served as a natural deterrent to the ambitions of European explorers. That was until 1884 when the German merchant Adolf Luderitz established a permanent settlement between the Namib Desert and the Atlantic seaboard that afterwards took his name. Bismarck subsequently declared the territory covered by Namibia a German colony and named it Sdwestafrika or South West Africa. As German settlers moved into the interior, conflict was inevitable with the inheritors of the land.

The German occupation was a particularly unhappy experience for the Herero. The Herero resented the German’s harsh and racist rule and the effect of the encroachment on their lands on their livelihood and way of life. On the first day of the year 1904, the Herero led by Chief Samuel Maharero, rose suddenly and unexpectedly in arms against their colonial overlords. The Nama joined the insurrection and the authorities did not regain control even after six months of trying. Over 100 German settlers and soldiers died in the uprising. Historians now consider events that followed to constitute the first genocide of the twentieth century.

Lieutenant General Lothar von Trotha was furnished with a contingent of 14,000 soldiers and tasked to put down the rebellion. The governor general of the territory was then Rudolph Goering -the father of Herman Goering, Hitler’s right hand man. Lothar von Trotha was a generation ahead of his time and his kind of thinking was to become government policy under the Third Reich. He argued that the Herero must be destroyed as a people and he did not wince at the murder of women or children. At the end of it all, 100,000 Nama and Herero were killed. The survivors were herded in concentration camps where unspeakable things happened. The Herero fared very badly and 80% of her people perished. The population of the Nama diminished by 35-50%.

Windhoek, the capital of 165,000 people is the only true city in the country. For those traveling to more remote regions, this is where you settle practical matters. The positive aspects of the German period can be seen in the charming style of older buildings in the city. Places of interest in the city include the State Museum, State Archives, and the Namibia Crafts Centre. The Dan Viljoen Game Park lies 24 Km west of Windhoek on the gentle hills of Khoma Hochland. In this resort you find ostriches, baboons, zebras and over 200 species of birds. The Waterburg Plateau Park, located 230 km from Windhoek is popular with weekenders. This extensive mountain wilderness is home to cheetah, leopard, kudu, giraffe, and white rhino.

Etosha National Park is what brings wildlife lovers to Namibia. The park is comparable in size and diversity of species with the best in Africa. The unusual terrain of Etosha holds savanna grassland, dense brush and woodland. But it is the Etosha Pan, a depression that sometimes holds water and covers 5,000 sq km, that is the heart of park. The perennial springs around the pan, attract many birds and land animals in the dry winter months. The effect of this background is magical and some of the best wildlife photographs have been taken here.

There are 144 mammal species in the park and elephants are particularly abundant. Some other interesting wildlife here includes giraffe, leopard, cheetah, jackal, blue wildebeest, gemsbok and black rhino. The birding is great at Etosha and over 300 bird species have been recorded. You will get best value by spending at least three days here. There are excellent accommodation facilities at the three rest camps of Namutoni, Halali and Okaukuejo. The best time to see animals is between May and September, when water draws them in huge numbers to the edge of the pan. Etosha is 400 km to the north of Windhoek by road.

The Fish River Canyon is unrivalled in Africa and only the Grand Canyon in the U.S in larger. The Canyon runs for 160 km and reaches a width of 27 km and depth of 550 m. But size alone does not explain the appeal of the canyon. You experience incredible views at various points along the rim. Adventure lovers do not merely come for the views. Hiking through the canyon is the ultimate endurance adventure for hikers. There is an established 90 km hiking trail that will take you 4-5 days to cover.

The trail ends at Ai-Ais hot spring resort where you can unwind. You are allowed to hike between early May and end of September. The hike is quite strenuous and needless to say, you must be physically fit. The authorities disbelieve the capacity of most people to undertake the hike and will actually insist on seeing a medical certificate of fitness before allowing you to start off. Fish River Canyon is 580 km to the south of Windhoek.

The Skeleton Coast has been the graveyard of seafarers and whales and deserves that morbid name. The problem is the dense fogs. And woe to the ship wreck survivor who expects respite onshore! Ahead is the Namib Desert, one of the driest and most unwelcoming places. Adventure travelers love trekking along the coastline as they enjoy the stark beauty of the area. To the south at Cape Cross, you find a seal colony carrying tens of thousands of seals. The Skeleton Coast Park covers 16,400 sq km and begins at 355 km northwest of Windhoek.

The Portuguese explorer Diego Cao reached this part of the world in the year 1486. He is probably one of the people whose experiences discouraged Europeans from venturing ashore until the arrival of the Germans 400 years later. Further south is the Namib-Naukluft National Park, a vast wilderness covering 50,000 sq km. The landscape is very diverse and covers mountain outcrops, majestic sand dunes, and deep cut gorges. For really spectacular dunes, the Sossusvlei area is unsurpassed. Here you have dunes rising to 300 m! The orange tint giants extend as far as the horizon and the area has an unreal, unforgettable atmosphere.

To the northeast of the country, the well-watered Kavango and Caprivi Strip region offers an unspoilt wilderness suitable for rugged game viewing and camping. The area also promises a feast for bird lovers. Game reserves in the area include: Kaudom, Caprivi, Mahango, Mudumu and Mamili. Poachers did great damage to wildlife during the years of the civil war in neighbouring Angola. Animal numbers are however building up rapidly. Some of the wildlife in the region includes leopard, elephant, buffalo, cheetah, lion and various antelope species. The Caprivi Reserve falls in an area of swamps and flood plains. Here you have an opportunity to partake fishing, hiking, game viewing safaris and river trips in traditional mokoro boats.

In Namibia you can enjoy up to 300 days of sunshine. The coast is temperate and thermometers run between 5C-25C. Inland, daytime temperatures range from 20C-34C, but can rise to 40C in the north and south of the country. Winter nights can be quite cold and frost occurs over large parts of the country. The rains inland fall in summer (November-April) and are heaviest in the Caprivi region. Rains do not much affect travel, but beware of flash floods in the vicinity of riverbeds. The best time to travel is over the dry months of March to October, when it is easier to see animals at waterholes. It is best to avoid the Namib Desert and Etosha between December and March when it can get unbearably hot.

You can get by wearing light cottons and linens in summer. Over winter nights and mornings, you need heavier cottons, warmer wraps and sweaters. Comfortable walking shoes are essential, as the ground gets very hot. Some useful stuff to pack includes: camera, binoculars, sunglasses, sun hats, sunscreen and mosquito repellant. Be ready for dusty conditions and carry your clothing, equipment and supplies in dust proof bags. Do not be tempted to buy items made of ivory. You may not be allowed to carry them through customs at home. And it also good that you do not encourage the trade in ivory products that keeps poachers busy.

About the Author

Copyright Africa Point

Andrew Muigai is editor of AfricaPoint Insider online newsletter. It is part of AfricaPoint.com- the Africa travel website that has helped thousands of travelers discover Africa. You can view more info on Namibia safari and tours at the website.

Written By: Andrew Muigai

Have you ever looked up at the sky and wondered what it would be like to fly? Are you an adrenalin junkie? This article looks at the AFF method of learning to skydive and the benefits of skydiving in Spain.

Learning to Skydive

The AFF course (Accelerated FreeFall) http://www.freefalladdicts.com/aff.shtml is the most modern way of learning to skydive, and is geared towards complete beginners who have no prior skydiving experience. Students work through 8 different levels (each level is a skydive), and are able to learn to skydive with just a few days of instruction to become a qualified skydiver. Most people like to book about a week to complete their AFF course and ten solo skydives, although the AFF course is usually completed with 3 or 4 days- depending on how many skydives the student wishes to make per day.

The AFF System

The course starts with a ground school that usually takes about 6 hours long. This ground training is split into manageable lessons that cover everything the first time skydiver needs to know. When they are ready for their first skydive, AFF level 1, the student will be skydiving with two AFF instructors holding onto either side of them. http://www.freefalladdicts.com/aff.shtml Throughout levels 1 to 3, the two instructors work on perfecting the students body position, teach the student how to turn left and right, altitude awareness and hover control (being able to fly without turning involuntarily left or right). When the student reaches AFF level 4, they will be skydiving with one AFF instructor and the subsequent AFF skydives will teach the student how to regain stability (being in a belly to earth position), turns and tracking (horizontal movement across the sky).

Before each skydive there is a detailed brief that the instructor and student will spend time over, ensuring that the necessary skills are taught and learnt on the ground, ready to practice in the air on the skydive. On every AFF skydive your instructor will be wearing a special camera helmet that holds a small, but powerful, video camera. After each skydive, the instructor will debrief the student using this video that is an invaluable teaching tool. Once the student has completed their course the videos of each skydive are compiled into a DVD, complete with titles and music to present to the student as a fun memento.

Not sure what to expect during your skydiving holiday? Have a look here for a day by day breakdown of a typical holiday. http://www.freefalladdicts.com/holiday.shtml

Do Static Line jumps count towards my AFF course?

Static line jumps are when the parachute is automatically opened when the skydiver exits the aircraft. This method of learning is slower than the AFF system, as more jumps are required to pass the course. However, if you have started learning to skydive on the static line system, you may be able to convert your training to the AFF system. http://www.freefalladdicts.com/slc.shtml

Id like to try skydiving but I dont want to do a full course what are my options

Of course you could try skydiving by doing the more traditional tandem skydive. http://www.freefalladdicts.com/tandem.shtml This is a parachute jump in which you are strapped onto a tandem instructor, and after a short brief, are ready to go!

However, now you also have the option of doing the AFF level 1, without needing to book onto the full AFF course http://www.freefalladdicts.com/introtoskydiving.shtml This alternative really gives a more in depth introduction to skydiving. You would complete the ground part of the training, exactly as per the full AFF course learning more about body position, equipment, canopy flight etc. Then, you would make you parachute jump with the two instructors holding onto you, before gently floating down to the ground, steering your own parachute and assisted by one of your instructors through a radio that you will be wearing. Should you decide that you would like to keep skydiving, you can then progress straight away to the second AFF level.

What are the benefits of skydiving in Spain?

Many people choose to go to Spain because of the fantastic weather which means that they can skydive constantly throughout their trip. http://www.freefalladdicts.com/weather.shtml

The centre in Seville also boasts great non skydiving activities as well, whether you would like to go to the beach, discover the rich culture that the city has to offer, or explore the diverse bars and restaurants. The Cathedral of Seville is famed for being Spains largest church, and was built over 400 years ago. The streets of Seville are lined with orange trees, and in the evenings there is no better way to enjoy the city than sat outside a typical Spanish bar, with a cool drink, some Tapas, and the scent of the orange blossom. Its a great place to explore by foot, along the cobbled streets whether you are looking for souvenirs or just shopping. http://www.freefalladdicts.com/sevillesights.shtml

For those that are interested in more of a lively evening, Sevilles bars and clubs have to be experienced! Whether you end up in Triana a district of bars and clubs right next to the river, or the centre of Seville, it has to be said that the Spanish know how to have a good time! http://www.freefalladdicts.com/sevillenightlife.shtml

The beach is only a 45 minute drive, and the most direct route also takes you through the National Park, where an abundance of wildlife can be found. http://www.freefalladdicts.com/beach.shtml

Skydiving in Spain is also much cheaper than learning in the UK, and this allows people to make the experience into more of a holiday. The cost of living in Spain is also much less than the UK, which makes it a pleasure to go out to eat when the average cost of a meal with drinks is only 15 euros! http://www.freefalladdicts.com/why.shtml

Often, people like to take a day out to visit Cadiz, Huelva, or even Tarifa which is famous for being one of the best kitesurfing, windsurfing and surfing sites in Europe.

How can I keep my friends and family updated on my skydiving progress and where can I find more information?

The internet is a great way of keeping your family and friends updated, and photos and news are posted on a daily basis on the Freefall Addicts website. http://www.freefalladdicts.com/news.shtml The Freefall Addicts forum is also filled with skydivers and would be skydivers, ready to offer advice, answer questions or just good luck wishes! http://www.freefalladdicts.com/phpBB2/index.php Skydivers do really think of themselves as being in one big happy family, and are more than happy to help others who are thinking of having a go themselves. Of course there are some questions that most people tend to ask, so a FAQ is always useful http://www.freefalladdicts.com/faq.shtml

Who can I train with in Seville?

Freefall Addicts are a company that specialises in skydiving courses, advanced skydiving courses and parachute equipment sales. We are located just outside the city of Seville, Spain only 20 minutes drive from the airport and just 10 minutes from the city centre! http://www.freefalladdicts.com/seville.shtml The parachute centre is a British Parachute Association (the governing body for skydiving and parachuting in the UK) Associated dropzone, so all operations are carried out to the highest safety standards. One of the most popular skydiving destinations for British jumpers, the aircraft here fly to 15,000ft, the highest altitude in Spain. What does this mean? Well, each skydive will have an extra 15 seconds of freefall time. This may not sound like very much, but on the AFF course, the freefall time is your main learning time. You will have more teaching time in the air, and therefore progress more quickly on each skydive. Over the whole AFF course, this equates to about 2 extra skydives!

We don’t just stop with teaching our students to skydive either! When the sun goes down, we organise trips to the beach, to the sights of Seville, and to the local bars and restaurants for some typical Spanish dishes, or to the Irish bar for a taste of home! We make sure that our customers skydiving and non skydiving needs are taken care of throughout their stay. http://www.freefalladdicts.com/why.shtml

Freefall Addicts are happy to be able to help our customers organise every aspect of their holiday, from flights to accommodation to car hire and extra activities. With fantastic weather, a student focused operation and great priced flights with budget airlines, http://www.freefalladdicts.com/GettingHere.shtml we look forward to seeing you soon!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

http://www.freefalladdicts.com/index.shtml

After learning to skydive on holiday in Spain, Lamorna decided that a change of scenery was in order. She booked flights to Spain with no language knowledge and no job to go to. One of the 3 founding members of the skydiving school, Freefall Addicts, Lamornas focus on value for money and customer service have gone a long way in making Freefall Addicts one of the most popular skydiving schools in Europe.

Written By: Lamorna Harpin lamorna@freefalladdicts.co.uk

Use a Smartphone in place of your PC or laptop.

1. Portable Applications that you can control
2. Hang Gliding. By Robert Lett.

To see how to use your handheld like a professional, send an email with “ebook” in the subject to receive a free version of the ebook at: ebook@robertlett.com

To subscribe to this newsletter, email use at: subscribe@robertlett.com

Portable Applications that you can control
By Chuck Schwartz

Theres a history of success stories for large companies fielding mobile applications on handheld computing devices. Whether helping track packages, placing orders or taking inventories enterprises have save millions of dollars each year by putting computing power directly into the hands of their mobile workers.

Unfortunately the same results have never been translated down to smaller organizations or work groups. The number one reason for this mobility software systems are largely custom applications, created to meet specific tasks on a one up basis. This is fine when you are deploying hundreds or thousands of handhelds. There is an economy of scale that reduces the cost per individual handheld to a very manageable level. But when translated to smaller deployment counts something happens. Since the cost for software doesnt change based around the number of handhelds deployed, Return on Investment gets skewed, paybacks become too long and projects dont get done.

An emerging trend is to employ software generation tools for handheld computers that are easy enough to be used by non-programmers. This allows organizations to take control of their own applications. Typically these systems are forms replacement systems. The forms paradigm makes a lot of sense in these environments since the work being replaced onto the handheld computer likely started as field forms on a clipboard. One of these products, Portable Forms by Rovenet, is especially suited for these roles as it can take existing paperwork and turn it into data applications for handheld computers and smartphones in minutes.

Using patent pending On-Demand Programming technology, Portable Forms users take existing forms in editors like Microsoft Word and add simple intelligence. This template document is then run through a web application that converts it into application code for Palm OS and PocketPC devices that connect and receive it wirelessly or during HotSync operations. Users then go out into the field and collect their information. Once a work cycle is complete they reconnect to the Internet and Portable Forms delivers their information as emails, web delivery, databases, faxes and other means.

Using Portable Forms enterprises with as few as one field worker have seen Return on Investment paybacks of a few months, often even weeks. To learn more about this amazing product go to www.portableforms.com

To see how to use your handheld like a professional, send an email with “ebook” in the subject to receive a free version of the ebook at: ebook@robertlett.com

To subscribe to this newsletter, email use at: subscribe@robertlett.com

Hang Gliding. By Robert Lett:
Zero to 5000 feet in 3 steps! With any type of flight, you must log your times and locations for upgrades to your license. With all the flight log programs, you’ll have to look at each one and see which you might like to use. One of the one I use is real basic but it allows you to connect to your existing Palm Address Book to log your flying buddies. The really nice feature of these programs is that it allows you to see all the flights you’ve taken from a particular location, or all flights you have had in the last year where you broke 10,000 feet. It also allows you to analysis where you might seem to be having your best flights from. (This way, if you’re feeling down, just go back to the place where you keep having your best flights, and you are almost guarantied to have a great day)! Most of these programs are for private pilot and beyond flight logging. But they work really well for Hang Gliding, Paragliding, or any other type of sport flying. The last time I was PIC (Pilot In Command) of a motorized aircraft was a C172 in 1987, this was the year I found Hang Gliding, and I’ve never looked back!

Timing of each flight is important. The clock programs usually have a stopwatch feature, they will either allow for counting up or down depending on what you want. Some of the flight log programs also have this feature. With the flight log programs, when you stop the clock, it automatically adds it to the flight log. You can always edit it later if you let the time run too long.

Another nice thing about using the clock programs is that you should be able to time more than one thing at a time. Most clock programs will allow you to name your timers. This will allow you to time yourself along with 3 or 4 of your flying buddies. You can even set all the timers to start simultaneously. So after you’ve named them, just one click and they all start. The only problem with this is you almost have to land first to be able to stop the timers for your buddies. I’ve dropped my Smartphone quiet a few times, but that’s only from about 4 to 5 feet at most, and so far, it’s survived each drop. I don’t think any Smartphone out there was meant to survive a 7000-foot drop. (I haven’t tried this yet)! I don’t suggest you try it either. I have a funny, non-fuzzy feeling it won’t make it.

The ParaPhone: I have tried to design a small parachute for my Smartphone. But I haven’t yet had the guts to actually give it a try. I guess I’m just chicken! I would also need a beacon of some kind to locate the phone in the middle of the woods, or where ever it lands after leaving the comfort of my Hang Glider harness. More on this later – watch www.robertlett.com for updates.

Most of the pilots use Amatuer radio’s to communicate with one another. I’m just waiting on the day where my Smartphone will incorporate at least the 2 meter and 7cm Amatuer bands. And a 1KHz to 1GHz scanner would also be nice! I’m still waiting.
The flight logs will also hold any notes you would like to make about another pilot. With mine, I keep radio information on each pilot I fly with. Some use HAM radio and others use Hang Gliding specific radios which are in the 151MHz band. This way I know which radio to carry with me so I can be on the same frequency.
Some of the more advanced flight decks with incorporated GPS will give the entire flight history of the last 10 flights. This data is easiely sent to your computer for future use. With programs such as DocsToGo or MiniCalc/Chart you can view all your past flights from a particular site graphically. The software outputs a comma delimited file that can be imported to a spreedsheet program. As long as the spreedsheet program has charting capabilities, you can view the graphs created from previous flights. Which is nice to get a graph chart on your average flight times, site altitude, flight track, and distance. Now when you are traveling, you just pull up the next location, and your flight trends are right there in the palm of your hand along with all the people you met at that location. And all the contact information you might need.
These GPS flightdeck units will usually have the following display capable:
Wind speed
Wind direction
Time of day
Flight time
Speed over ground
Diff. speed between TAS and groundspeed
Altitude over destination
Distance to destination
Bearing
Track
Direction to best climb in vicinity
Ambient temperature
Altimeter 2 (relative)
Altimeter 3 (cumulated altitude)
Barometric pressure (HPa/in Hg)
Glide ratio (through air, over ground, to waypoint)
You can check them out at: www.flytec.com

I’ve gone to a few new spots that I was planning to skip. And had to go online and search for contacts to call for site permissions. I would just do this while sitting next the fire at the camp site the night before showing up. Then, when I was getting close to the new site, just give them a call and pickup all the information I need. By the time I arrived at the site, everyone was ready for me. I knew what frequencies they used. What their procedures were and where to sign in. And of course, sign a waiver if need be. (People always worry about you crashing or something)!? Usually, before hitting the sack and the camp ground the night before, I email ahead to my contact list at the original site, just to let them know I might be a few days behind. (Something about this sport makes people paranoid when you don’t call when plans change. I have no idea why! I’ve been chewed-out by someone I didn’t even know, for not checking in with them).

To see how to use your handheld like a professional, send an email with “ebook” in the subject to receive a free version of the ebook at: ebook@robertlett.com

Find out more of what it’s all about: www.robertlett.com/whatisit5.htm

This document is under Copyright through Infinite Data. You have permission to copy this document in its’ entirety and make duplicates. You may not change, add, or edit anything within the document. Thank you for your help.

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About the author:

www.robertlett.com
An Individual Armed with Information
Controls the Course of Negotiation
Have it all with you, ANYTIME – ANYWHERE!

Robert Lett has operated his 25 year old company Infinite Data for the past 4 years with nothing more than a handheld Smartphone. As a public records research specialist, I need to have all my important files with me when ever I speak with a client. I now carry all those files with me 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, hanging on my belt. I haven’t sat at my desk in front of my computer for over 3 years. Be productive 24/7, anywhere – anytime.

Written By: Robert Lett

Bachelor parties are about guys getting together, sharing old stories, and maybe creating some new ones. They are a chance for the best man to send the groom off in style, in appreciation for years of friendship. Traditionally, this has involved drinking ones fair share of alcohol, heading off to a gentlemens club, and waking up the next morning in a strange place with a new tattoo. Recently, a new trend has emerged. Guys are now spending weekends immersed in outdoor adventures: leaping out of airplanes, roping cattle, reeling in trophy fish, and riding wild whitewater.

Picture it: 10 buddies sitting in a rubber raft, getting tossed back and forth, and paddling like crazy through a menacing drop-off the guides call, The Meat Grinder. Besides whitewater rafting, parties can perform airborne ballets after leaping from planes at 10,000 feet, reel in fish ranging from 30 lb king salmon to 300 lb sharks, or drive hundreds of cattle alongside real-life cowboys. As an added bonus, guys return from the adventure, with pictures, mementoes, and memories that will always remain special.

Although these adventures bring a fresh, new idea to the bachelor party concept, groups are given many opportunities to do some old-school partying. Typically, the extreme adventure locations are located off the beaten path, requiring a couple-days excursion. Everyone usually congregates in a major city near the adventure site and spends the first night enjoying the urban nightlife. Day Two kicks off with an early morning rise, followed by a trip out into the wild for the adventure activity.

Some detailed examples of adventure-based bachelor parties paint a clear picture of exactly how extreme adventure combines with traditional fun to produce an unforgettable experience.

Whitewater Rafting

Whitewater rafting is an adventure that can take place in multiple locations across the country. As long as there is a flowing river, someone will put a boat in it. The trick is finding the rivers that will take you to the edge, without throwing you over it. Under the guidance of an adventure expert, guys paddle, dodge, and hold on through class IV and V rapids, all while taking in spectacular views of the scenic beauty and wildlife. To compliment the adventure, the group spends the first night at an upscale hotel in a bustling downtown area and the second night in more rustic accommodations surrounded by nature. This combination creates a solid mix of fun and adventure.

Cattle Wrangling

Imagine living out the movie, City Slickers. Saddle-up the crew, ride the open range like old-time cowboys, and drive longhorn cattle through rugged mountain terrain. In the morning, work alongside real cowboys to move the thundering herd to greener pastures. Enjoy the sights and sounds of rolling rivers, towering mountain ranges, and native wildlife while attempting to control the wild herd. After the drive, see if anyone lasts eight seconds on the mechanical bull before taking aim at the skeet shooting range. Recount the day’s highlights during a Texas-style-barbeque dinner including steaks, potatoes, and plenty of beer. Before you dive headfirst into the cowboy lifestyle, enjoy a night with upscale hotel accommodations, fine dining, and outstanding nightlife characteristic of the adjacent downtown area.

Charter Fishing

In groups of four to six people, the guys board separate charter boats and compete in a private fishing tournament. Someone not only has the satisfaction of wrestling a trophy fish into the boat, but also the sweet taste of victory in catching the winning fish to beat the rest of the bunch in the tournament. While everybody breathes in the fresh air and takes in picturesque views, the expert captains and crew guide the team to the hot spots and teach the boys how to reel in the big one. After a full day of fishing, camaraderie, and competition, a chef “cooks the catch” at a restaurant overlooking the water. Since most fishing trips are located in beach side towns, nights will be spent at Buffet-like bars sipping Margaritas, watching the fade over the horizon.

Skydiving

What’s better than jumping out of a plane, free-falling for over a minute at 120 mph, and seeing for miles in every direction? Doing it all with some of your closest friends. After some basic training, everyone flies to 13,000 feet and prepares for the jump. Hearts pound, men begin to fade to the back of the line, and adrenaline pumps as everybody peels out of the plane into the open sky. Once everyone has returned safely to Earth, the party begins. The boys enjoy beers in the hanger, a bonfire on the grounds, a delicious catered dinner, and a viewing of the days skydive video. To enhance this exceptional skydiving experience, upscale accommodations, fine dining, and locally distinct nightlife in a lively downtown setting complete the package.

Regardless of the adventure theme you choose, it will be important to make the outing an experience rather than just a trip. Answer these questions when planning your weekend to remember:

What adventure activity is the group interested in?

What areas of the country offer this type of activity during the groups seasonal timeframe?

Is there a major city near the event where people can fly to at a reasonable price?

What hotels offer high-class accommodations and fit the groups price range?

Is there a restaurant with a private banquet facility near the hotel, where champagne toasts and words of encouragement can be uttered without upsetting the other patrons?

What are the best bars?

How will the group get from the hotel to the adventure outfitter?

If the adventure is outside of the city, where will the group stay the second night?

These are just some of the questions that will come up as the event planning takes shape. The most important part of the trip is making sure the groom has a great time. So, if you are the best man, make sure to have his best interests in mind at all times. If all goes as planned, you will have successfully orchestrated a weekend filled with memories to last a lifetime and maybe even overcome some fears along the way.

About The Author

Darren Hitz is the Founder of Adventure Bachelor Party (ABP). ABP plans unique, adventure-based trips for groups of friends looking to make great memories. By planning everything from the lodging to the adventure, ABP allows the groom and his friends to enjoy the experience without all the worries and hassle of planning a group trip. Contact ABP at www.adventurebachelorparty.com or call 248-910-8152. ABP weekend adventures can be arranged for as little as $349 per person.

View their website at: http://www.adventurebachelorparty.com/

info@adventurebachelorparty.com

Written By: Darren Hitz

We all question our ability at times. Uncertainty plagues us. It is even more intense if the ability we are questioning relates to something we have never tried or not succeeded at in the past.

Set backs are common, but we rarely welcome them. We are inclined to respond negatively to adversity. It may be time to revisit that reflexive response.

I had an experience recently that caused me to reconsider whether a negative response to adversity is always justified when I was confronted with a life-threatening situation.

It was mid-morning on a warm and pleasant Saturday. I was in the midst of my first skydive of the day. It was my 2,123th jump since having taken up the sport fifteen years ago.

After about one minute of freefall and 5,000 above the ground, I parted ways with my fellow jumpers to get far enough away from them to open my parachute safely. I initiated opening around 3,000 feet above the earth.

My parachute opened with some twists in the lines between the parachute and me. This is not that uncommon. What was different this time was that I was not able to clear the twists.

The twists in the lines caused my parachute to take on an asymmetrical shape. Receiving asymmetrical inputs, the canopy did what it is designed to do and initiated a turn — that’s how it’s steered. The problem occurred when the turn quickly became a rapid, diving downward spiral that was spinning me a full 360 degrees about once every second. This was a problem.

I looked up to assess my canopy and saw something I don’t often see – the horizon clearly visible ABOVE the trailing edge of my canopy. This meant my canopy and I were now on roughly the same horizontal plane. In that I could see the horizon behind it, I was actually above my parachute and it was leading our fast spinning parade rapidly towards mother earth.

My first need was to acknowledge that I was not going to be able to solve this problem. This is not as easy as it seems. Having successfully completed over 2,100 jumps without having to resort to my second parachute, it was hard for me to believe I had really encountered a problem I could not solve. I had a natural inclination to assume I could fix this problem as I had all those in the past.

Sound familiar? It’s always easy to lapse into denial when confronted with a problem. Until we acknowledge the problem and our possible inability to solve it – or to use the methods we have used in the past – we don’t have a chance of making things better.

Fortunately, the urgency of this situation caused my hard-headed nature to yield much quicker than usual. That decision probably took a second or two.

The next step, having accepted the need to follow a different course than in the past, was to determine the course. Fortunately fifteen years of training and practice before every day of jumping took hold.

I looked straight down at the two handles on either side of my chest – one to release me from my malfunctioning canopy and one for deploying my reserve parachute – and realized I needed to quickly get them in my hands. I could not help but notice when I made eye contact with them, as had been ingrained in me during my First Jump Course way back in 1988, that by now the rapid spins had turned me back to earth and there beyond my toes was once again the horizon. This was bad!

Time was of the essence at this point not only because I was now rapidly progressing toward the horse pasture below me, but also because the centrifugal force I was starting to experience would soon make it impossible to get my hands to those two handles.

With my hands now securely on the handles, I was confronted with a bothersome question, “Now, which one goes first.” The wrong order could cause my reserve parachute to deploy into my spinning main parachute which would result in an incurable entanglement.

Fortunately, ingrained training once again took over and I pulled them in the right order. First the handle on the right side which released me from my spinning main parachute followed by the handle on the left side to deploy my reserve parachute.

This brought on a wonderful experience. My malfunctioning black, teal and magenta canopy was replaced with a bright, yellow never before used reserve parachute. What a lovely sight! And all this by 1,700 feet – plenty of time to spare.

Many years ago, I read a book about the challenges and responsibilities of Secret Service agents. One of the sad aspects of that profession is that agents who never have the chance to validate their years of training by responding to a threat sometimes struggle severely in retirement. They are faced with not knowing – with certainty – how they would respond when faced with the paramount challenge their career can deliver. For this reason, agents who have faced such a challenge successfully are admired within the culture of the Service.

That Saturday morning, I had the privilege of facing a similar, life-threatening and I now realize life-defining challenge. I faced what Secret Service agents call “the dragon.”

For all of us the greater dragon is not the external threat, whether it be an assassin’s bullet, the unforgiving and fast approaching earth or another challenge. The real dragon is the self-doubt we carry within us.

For those few splendid moments after landing safely, I was able to put my foot firmly on the neck of the dragon … and it felt great.

Keep this in mind the next time you are confronted with adversity. On the far side of the experiences the adversity presents, there could be a valuble gift – a renewed confidence and certainty.

(c) 2004, Jim McCormick. All rights in all media reserved.

Jim McCormick is an MBA, former corporate Chief Operating Officer, three time skydiving World Record holder and was a member of an international expedition that skydived to the North Pole. More information is available at http://www.TakeRisks.com and 970.577.8700.

Jim@TakeRisks.com

Written By: Jim McCormick

Towards the end of April, I began to work with another charity called AgeConcern – this time raising money for the elderly in need as I took up the opportunity of a lifetime and a lifetime goal – swimming in the clouds.

An early morning journey from Harrow to Chatteris took just over an hour and we arrived at the North London Parachute Centre right on schedule. I went to the registration trailer and signed up. Half an hour later, we had some training and watched a video that showed the experience. Noticing that I wasn’t the only “first timer” there washed away some nerves. It was a calm anticipation.

It was my turn. I put on the straps and looked like a real skydiver for the first time in my life, although I felt the pain of the straps tied so hard in the most awkward of places. As I met my photographer and instructor, we entered the plane and filed in. We sat toboggan style in two rows, facing the back of the plane. I was on the side of the door and a few people back from it. We all got in and the plane began its taxi along the runway. We lined up and took off. That was a powerful plane. I love taking off and I had never experienced one like this. I could see the ground going away and down through the open door. That was great. As we reached about 10,000 feet or so, the instructor began to hook up to me and run through the first of 3 safety checks. My mind was still on what was happening at the moment, no time to think about anything else. We finished with the prep work and went up on our knees.

As I put my legs under the plane and my head back, I was instructed to keep my hands crossed to my chest and to look at the engine of the plane. The photographer had left the plane and BOOM – we left the plane too. By the time I could understand where I was, I was trying to smile for the cameraman in front of me whilst flying into the ice. When we reached our jump height we descended from a sitting position. I was the first to go, but all the nerves had been wiped out, as the instructor was so friendly that you couldn’t possibly have any nerves. We jumped out into the clouds and instantly I was in a whole different world. There was a guy going solo, and another with a video camera attached to his helmet. As I watched they jumped out and within a second were swallowed by the clouds around them. It was a magnificent sight and I was in heaven. It was worth the whole thing just to witness that. Words cannot describe how exhilarating it was.

Many sensations hit me at once. All of them were beautiful. I will recount them as I remember them. The first thing I was aware of were the clouds and we were engulfed in them and that sensation of falling, (which felt more like floating in the wind) it was like diving into a lake, but instead of hitting the water, it was just wind and this moist white vapour. As my body stabilized I regained my equilibrium. I ran through my checks that I had been going over and over before the jump. And when I was done, the sky opened up and we were through the clouds. Houses were little dots. And I could see forever through the sporadic openings in the clouds. It was rather cloudy and so I could not see continuously but it didn’t matter. I had tunnel vision and I would look at one spot, then move my eyes to another.

I checked my altimeter, coming up on 4000 feet, which is the altitude at which the instructor pulled the cord. The parachute opened and it felt like I went from falling to being pulled upward. I melted into my harness and let out a sigh of bliss. I had never felt such wonderful sensations in my life. I didn’t have a tense muscle in my body. I must say I was surprised. I had expected it to be the adrenaline rush of all time, although that’s not what I was out for.

I was looking for the feeling of total release and complete peace. I found it over 10,000 feet in the air. I looked down on the world and it was beautiful. I was flying. No plane, no fake wings, no propulsion system, just gliding on the wind with no cares or worries. My instructor took us through a few turns, adjusting our coarse. I can compare this to a roller coaster. But a roller coaster is violent compared to this. It’s just gliding. I felt it in my stomach as it tickled a little. It was also a rush and very exhilarating. As we got closer to the ground my instructor taught me how to make a landing. We glided in. One minute we were fast approaching the ground and then we were gently sliding on our butts. It was very fun. It was like sitting, not falling, on a slide, and then sliding a couple of feet. It was a great flight and a great landing. When I left, I looked outside and up to the clouds. A big smile went across my face and even though I was looking up at the clouds I was seeing them below me again. And I felt that floating peaceful feeling all over again. I don’t think I’ll ever look at the sky quite the same way again… I’ve been there.

About the Author

Kavit Haria is a life and rhythm coach who runs InnerRhythm Coaching practice. He has appeared on many radio shows, newspapers and magazines and is a talented musician too. He runs a bimonthly coaching newsletter packed with tips, tools, and strategies to dramatically improve the quality of your life. Join now at http://www.coachkavit.com

Written By: Kavit M Haria

Having decided to jump from a perfectly good aircraft, my next question was, “Now what?”So I did the research and asked as many questions as I could think of about skydiving, and there were quite a few, considering the nature of the sport. Here is what I learned. The Basics First, you will need to find a skydiving school with a good reputation.This is a fairly easy thing to do.The internet, phone book, and local airports are full of them.Next, you will need to check your pocket book.Skydiving is one of the more expensive sports to learn.Then, you will need to decide how you want to learn.There are three methods of training: tandem, static line, and Accelerated Free Fall (AFF).All of these methods have their benefits and drawbacks, but we will touch more on those a little later. What’s First?

Health and Safety. First, you must consider health and safety.Know the risks involved before you get involved.Skydiving is not chess; you will not be sitting on an uncomfortable concrete bench moving your pieces around a game board.You are going to step out of an airplane and, in freefall, will reach speeds of up to 250 feet per second… that is 110 miles per hour!!If you have a bad ticker, unregulated high blood pressure, or any number of other health problems, speak to an instructor and discuss your options in detail.Also keep in mind, even the best of the best in this sport sometimes hit the ground a little harder then they intend to.So, bad knees may also be a consideration.DO NOT be afraid or embarrassed to discuss these things with your instructor before making that first jump. It is always preferable to hit the ground safely then to plant yourself in it.Truthfully though, with the proper preparations and instruction you would be more likely to develop cataracts from reading this article then suffer a serious injury from skydiving.Listen to your instructors, know your equipment, and never assume you know how to do something just because you saw it in a movie. Which Training Method To Use?

Training Methods As I researched information, I discovered that there are three approved methods of training to become a licensed skydiver, the Tandem jump, the Static jump, and the Accelerated Free Fall (AFF). Tandem The tandem jump is the easiest and quickest method to get into the air.With ground training typically lasting about 30 minutes, you will then jump out of an airplane while strapped to the chest of a professional Tandem Instructor. After three or four of these jumps and completion of the approved First Jump Course (ground school), a student may then move on to the next level. Tandem jumping, however, does provide an opportunity for the adventurous spirit who may not quite meet the physical or proficiency requirements for the static line or accelerated free fall jumps. By relying on tandem instructor’s skills, it may still be possible to experience the extreme thrill of skydiving. Static Line Static line skydiving was developed by the military as a safety measure for paratroopers.It is used for instant and reliable deployment of parachutes at a relatively low altitude, about 2000 – 3000 feet.Basically what happens is a specially designed cord is attached to the plane and to your parachute. As you step away from the plane, the cord immediately deploys your parachute for you. No fuss – no muss. After about two of these jumps the student begins demonstrating mock-pulls of a dummy ripcord.After about three of these jumps the student is then ready for their first free fall. Accelerated Free Fall This is the way to go for the adrenalin junky out there. Why?You get to free fall from jump one!!Of course this method is a little more expensive due to the fact that you will have two instructors jumping with you, and, although you will be in free fall, the instructors will maintain hands-on contact at all times during free fall.After a few jumps like this, you will begin doing it on your own with a single instructor giving more advice and training.This method will get you your class a license a little faster. Training Completed!!Really? After Class After you have completed 4 to 5 hours of ground school training and have made 25 jumps, you are qualified for a license and can keep going all the way to your D license, requiring 500 jumps.But once you have your license, are you really done?The answer to that question is no.As with any skill, you never learn everything.There is always going to be that next skill level to work towards.New equipment and techniques are being developed every day.So the only thing left to do now is to get started!Have fun and good jumping!

About the Author

John Ewing is the editor and webmaster of http://www.skydiving-parachuting-guide.com. John publishes articles on powered parachutes (http://www.skydiving-parachuting-guide.com/powered-parachutes.html). He also and helps people to find the best placesto skydive around the globe, for further information visit his website.

Written By: John Ewing