Tube Jumps...

[mountainman 0]

Hey all...I am wondering where I can get more info on tube jumps. Where do you get the tubes? Is there a limit on # of jumps to jump with one? What are the risks involved?
Anyone who's ever jumped one, let me know!!
blue skys
NEW AND IMPROVED!!!
http://home.woh.rr.com/brandonandlaura/

[freeflyguy 0]

I was on an 8-way freefly. Two tubes. One in a sit the other headdown. Trippy anc cool. I think the rigger here made them. Dangerous a bit for the guy with the tube. But not too bad. There is not much to tangle. The parachute deploys right past them. Usually. They deployed at 4.5, in case they had 'issues'.

[PalmettoTiger 1]

Quote

. Dangerous a bit for the guy with the tube. But not too bad. There is not much to tangle. The parachute deploys right past them. Usually.

Why not just let go of the tube, as long as you're spotted near the airfield? They wouldn't fall fast enough to damage anything, would they?
I've also seen video of people swooping tubes to grab them after they've released them and opened, but that's probably just as dangerous as deploying while you're attached.
Blues, squares,
PTiger

[freeflyguy 0]

Ya, I doubt it would fall two fast if you let go. But we have a lot of trees, and houses near the landing zone. So it would probably make for a problem. That and some nut case drags us into court every other week, trying to shut down the DZ. He doesn't need more ammo.
I really don't know how they deploy. Exactly. If it where in your hand in front of you when you threw out stable, it wouldn't be near the deployment. It doesn't seem to be a big deal. They land with it hooked to their feet, and streaming behind. Looks cool.
As far as qualifieng to go on the jump. No big deal, as long as you have the control to be in RW or VRW, and the organizer is comfortable with you.

[mountainman 0]

I actually found a movie online with tube jumping at http://www.freefly.com under the movie section. It looks like when they jump, it is actually collapsed and then it opens up when it fills with air. And when they get around opening alti, they let go, track away and open. Pretty weird watching a tube (with smoke) going down by itself.
Check out the movie! It's pretty cool to see it in real action.
blue skys
NEW AND IMPROVED!!!
http://home.woh.rr.com/brandonandlaura/

[what42 0]

I just happened to come across a company that makes and sells tubes. It's at GotchaCovered. They're a little pricey though.
Wesley
--
I want to fly!

[mountainman 0]

thanks for the info man!! that is a cool place to get em (although damn expensive). That is like 10 jump tix!!
NEW AND IMPROVED!!!
http://home.woh.rr.com/brandonandlaura/

[Head 0]

We actually build our own tubes at our dz. My hubbie and I made the first one ever out there. We found some ripstop material at a fabric store and modeled it after ones we had seen before. We used pvc pipe (carefully molded) for the base and came up with a release system very similar to that on a skysurfing board. We typically cut them away at about 4500', track and pull. Some have pulled with them and that depends on their comfort level. And yes we leave the plane with them "rolled" up and inflate them as soon as we clear the tail. Our next project will be handhelds!
Head

[Merrick 0]

Yeah, Pam & I have seen Shawn fly his skytubes, and Kris made our jumpsuits (GotchaCovered). We both got high quality, durable (right Pam ) CUSTOM jumpsuits for about $60 cheaper than the big boys.... I know $200 (or however much they're charging) seems like a lot for their tubes, but there's a TON more hardware that goes into the tubes than a jumpsuit & take just as long to make, & you couldn't get a custom jumpsuit for much cheaper than that. Plus, they can put a custom logo on it for you as well, can't beat that.
btw: They also make static sails & windsocks for anyone that's looking. We actually have some pics of these we could scan if anyone's interested!
"Grab the grass, it's the bounce that kills!"
Merrick