atsaubrey 0 #1 December 24, 2003 ok the fatman (me) went to Perris to try 10 minutes in the wind tunnel. i wanted to work on fall rate and was workign my ass off to just get up...layed on the floor for most of the first two minute session until they figured out they'd have to crank it to make me fly. i was hugging the beach ball..legs all the way out..arms all the way out and talk about no control what so ever. And the 4th 2 minute session as was actually up but no control. The 5th time i was getting the hang of it until i dropped a knee and slammed into the "floor". Anyway they said the max windspeed in there was 130 and they had it cranked for me, like i said i was really having to work my arse off to get off the floor. so....i need to know which jumpsuit makers have the quickest turn around time..i have to get some wings the beachball thing isnt going to work until i can get some major drag. Also what might such jumpsuit cost me, i just want something basic but with bigass wings."GOT LEAD?" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jsaxton 0 #2 December 24, 2003 If you have a reasonably slow suit you can sew some zp material to THE INSIDE of the armpits (wings). you may also want to try gators on your arms or wearing a very baggy sweatshirt over your jumpsuit. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
atsaubrey 0 #3 December 24, 2003 what are gators?"GOT LEAD?" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dgskydive 0 #4 December 24, 2003 How much do you weigh and how tall are you? I am over 6 ft. and about 215-220 right now and haven't had a problem at all. It defiantely takes some gettin used to in there. I have a suit that is to big for me and I would be willing to let you use it if it fits ya. As far as fastest turn around on suits. If you buy a Filte suite you can pay an extra 40 bucks and have it in 12 working days. Let me know your height and wieght and I'll see if the suit will fit you.Dom Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dgskydive 0 #5 December 24, 2003 Some people call them Slip ons. They are just sleeves that you pull over your forearms that give extra drag. I have a few pair of those you can borrow as well.Dom Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
atsaubrey 0 #6 December 24, 2003 i'll try anything at this point i am 6'2" and ...um...315lbs. yes have a gut but can still see my peter if you know what i mean. lol i am just a really big guy. most people guess me at about 260-270lbs"GOT LEAD?" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jsaxton 0 #7 December 24, 2003 Sleeves that go over your forearms, used to slow fallrate. Ask your gear dealer. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shark 0 #8 December 25, 2003 Aubrey, Pineapple Shirley sells them locally and can be bought at Ground Zero, and possibly SQ1. She's lives 5 minutes from the DZ and she also makes custom jumpsuits. You can get more info here and she can probably meet you at the DZ to get measurements. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
atsaubrey 0 #9 December 25, 2003 hey thanks mark i will definatley look her up."GOT LEAD?" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
atsaubrey 0 #10 December 26, 2003 ok Pinapple Shirley isnt making jumpsuits anymore...DAMN. Anybody else in SoCal willing to hook this anvil up...i'd like to stay local if possible...or get something besides "namebrand" just cause I like to be a bit different...but will do whatever works too."GOT LEAD?" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jverley 1 #11 December 26, 2003 I am not sure of the turn around time but when I was at my heaviest, I swore by the High Lift Acrylic fabric Tony suits by Tony Suit. I was 240lbs and 5'10". Nice and round. Dropped 50 lbs and now can be comfortable in a regular Poly Cotton pit special.John Arizona Hiking Trails Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggerrob 643 #12 December 27, 2003 When ordering a suit, ask for all the extra-fabric options including booties. after-burners, heavy weight fabric, swoop cords, etc. You might also want to consider buying a set of BirdMan pants. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rdesilets 0 #13 December 27, 2003 I have a similar issue. I weight 5' 9", 200. I am a weightlifter, so I have a 'solid' build (e.g. very dense). I was recently out at the big way camp in Perris and was on the verge of going low on the 20-ways.. I knew I would be hosed for the bigger stuff. Some of the more organizers recommended I put on a big sweatshirt.. so I ran into SQ1 and bought an XXL (big and bulky for me). It was totally amazing when I got in the sky with that.. I could fly (whereas when I just had my suit on I was a big X and could not fly in that position) and it was so sweet to fly around and not worry about going low.. If I needed to pop up... a slight change in body position and I will popping up, etc.. The whole concept is popping up is foreign to us bigger dudes.. I have a heavy cotton suit with booties and all the extras (on my current suit) and it did not do a whole lot for me. I worked with Tony Domenico and ordered a new tony suit with that high drag stuff mentioned above.. it has not come in yet so I have not tested it.. Anyhow, my point... try to put on a big sweatshirt just to get the feel of what its like to fly normally... then you will learn body position, etc.. prior to your new suit coming in.. Personally I would stay away from the swoop cords, etc. Sure you can 'flare out' if you are about to fly by a formation (maybe that is their only use?) but they won't do much when you are jusy flying (or trying to fly) your slot.. -Rob Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rjf98 0 #14 December 30, 2003 Body sport did GREAT things for me and their turnaround time is something like 2 weeks for rush. They aren't exactly local, but they are in Oregon. I'm an AFF-I that weighs over 220 with my gear on. The suit they built me allows me to stay with every student so far including the little 110 pounders. Everyone knows students fall slow anyway. Sometimes I sware that those little girls with their de-arched position could land without a chute and be ok! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rjf98 0 #15 December 30, 2003 One more thing. Their ordering system is the best, just call them up and tell them what speed you want to fly and your dimensions. They do the rest. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
atsaubrey 0 #16 December 30, 2003 cool thanks for the advice...i ordered a suit already and we will see how well it works. Who ever said students fall slow??? I consistently fall at about 135-137 and with a backloop i speed up considerably."GOT LEAD?" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rjf98 0 #17 December 30, 2003 you're not quite the average student their aubrey How many students you know with an MC1 that aren't jumping combat gear at YUMA Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
atsaubrey 0 #18 December 31, 2003 DOH!!! "GOT LEAD?" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dgskydive 0 #19 December 31, 2003 You won't fit my suits. Sorry. Shirley isn't making jumpsuits anymore but she does still make the Gators. I just got a pair from here 2 months ago. She is usaully out at Perris every Saturday. Or you can leave here a message there and they will let ya know when she will be around.Dom Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dgskydive 0 #20 December 31, 2003 Rob is right about the sweat shirt. Now if he could only keep his arm still when I am trying to dock on him next time!!!!!!! Dom Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rdesilets 0 #21 December 31, 2003 Ha Ha !!! The other side of the formation was washing around.. causing me to move.. it was not me .. really .. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
