freakydiver 0 #51 December 4, 2003 No doubt - have fun staying sharp. I've seen sharp femurs before as well sticking THRU the skin. -- (N.DG) "If all else fails – at least try and look under control." -- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Treejumps 0 #52 December 4, 2003 "From now on I will stick to getting advise from my friends and people that know me". Are these the ones who have "talked to you" after you did something foolish, as you mentioned in your other post? Sounds like you have already been close to hurting yourself or worse, others. Take heed and live longer. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GravityGirl 0 #53 December 5, 2003 Quote No doubt - have fun staying sharp. I've seen sharp femurs before as well sticking THRU the skin. I've seen sharp femurs sticking in the dirt. Small world, 'eh? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peace and Blue Skies! Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sarge 0 #54 December 5, 2003 I feel bad I missed this when it started, because I really would have been interested in riding the rapids of this typical topical discussion. How would one catagorize it? * "Hey, look at me, this is what a real jump-wonder looks like!" -or- * "Whats the big deal, you can't; but I can! (I'm different/special) " -or- * "Nothing really bad has happened to me, [yet], and well, what I've been doing so far seems to be working for me... I must be doing something right?" -or- * "Calling all morons...?" I actually understand what you're asking in your original question. But the intent of the question itself inherently veils behind it another question that will only be resolved by you. I'm laughing hysterically at how this thread has progressed in response to your question. The thread has, as expected, maintained the integrity of protecting, preserving and developing the 'art' of the hp canopy discipline. No fault of yours, please don't be discouraged to contribute. You think this forum is unforgiving ...try a 100' foot ditch turn (of some kind) under that 96. Of course I have no doubt you would ever do so intentially or that you would ever get into a situation where some un-explored instict takes over your common sense or experience. That flat-turn excuse is purely empty and meaningless rhetoric coming from someone with 5-600 total jumps when you're flying such a wing. Not just you, anybody. My only other thoughts on the matter are that making a spectacle about canopy performance choices with factory pilots or making motorcycle analogies is further evidence that there is more ego than sound reasoning and experience influencing your inclination to 'stay sharp' under a parachute. Like I said, I understand that someone could feel the urge to push the envelope, go extreme, stay on the edge; "Stay sharp," by downsizing. And I think this thread, thank you, has demonstrated the point that "staying sharp" may simply be experienced by wringing out ones own personal best on (whatever) he/she's flying without having to downsize to do it. Good luck on yours, I'm not impressed, but stay sharp bro... You'll have to be, I guess it will have to be a self-fulfilling prophecy.-- I'm done with the personally meaningful and philosophical sigs!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
murps2000 86 #55 December 5, 2003 > Quote Why 360s ?? How does this help to hone your skills? How does a 360 fit into a good traffic pattern? I hate it when people spiral down and don’t fly the pattern just to get down sooner and then end up landing the same time as me. This brings me to my point – people that are bored under canopy fly stupid, they sashay around, spiral over the spectator area, do quick 360,s and basically just make it harder for me (The HP Pilot) to find a safe landing pattern. I sometime wish these jumpers with the big canopies playing stupidly over the landing area could take a ride under my canopy to understand why it is important to fly predictably, have a plan, and follow the landing pattern. Usually when people 1st downsize they go back to these basic principals (sigh) What about my post suggested that I spiral or sashay over the landing area because I’m bored or want to get down sooner? Where did I say I did quick 360’s? The only time I spiral to get down is if I’m the first or lowest to open, so that I can clear the pattern for others in the sky. If I'm above you, I'm probably waiting in brakes, hoping you will do the same. I agree that 360’s don’t fit into a good traffic pattern very well, and for that matter, I don’t think 270’s or 180’s do either. At some point during any more than a 90 degree turn, you will very likely deviate from what is considered a predictable traffic pattern by anyone other than another swooper. Having said that, I think there are some advantages to a 360 over other approaches, one being that your set up is virtually a no-brainer. Your target is right in front of you, and you can go left or right. I don’t believe it gains you much over a well-applied 270 as far as speed is concerned, but that is really beyond the scope of this thread. You ask why I did it? I did it because I wanted to explore the full range of what I was jumping, BEFORE I DOWNSIZED. HELLO? MC FLY? Another thing, a high performance canopy does not a high performance pilot make. > Quote Years – has no bearing. I would have to disagree on this point. I really don’t have many more jumps than you, but I’ve sat around a lot of bonfires, and I’ve had a lot of discussions with some good skydivers. I’ve seen pilots that were way more experienced than you and me screw up. I’ve seen some of the good, the bad, and the ugly along the way, and it all has contributed to my attitude and knowledge. There’s an easy way and a hard way to learn a tough lesson. The easy way is to have someone else learn it for you. Look, I don’t doubt that you’re a good canopy pilot. You’re probably quite advanced over many at and above your number of jumps. You’ve obviously done some homework, and you’re obviously very passionate about this. I do believe that you want to be safe. So unlike others, I will make no predictions that you will get hurt or killed. I will say that it troubles me somewhat that if you do, many people will try to blame whoever sold you your canopy. I’ve never agreed with this line of thinking, but there’s little I can do about it. It seems that even in skydiving the all too American trend towards having no accountability for our actions is beginning to permeate. I’d just like to leave it at this. I understand where you’re coming from with the motorcycle analogy, because when I rode my CBR600, I was way more amped and alert than on my old nighthawk. But you can’t pull your canopy over to the side of the sky when things aren’t going as you planned. At those times you need survival skills, because they are all that you have to get you safely on the ground. Those skills are best learned on a canopy that gives you some room to make errors, not the smallest thing you can fly in optimum conditions. You say that you can consistently land in a ten meter target area, that you can land on a hill or slope, that you can land cross-wind, and that you can flat turn at 50 ft and land safely. My question is: Can you do all four at once, when that ten meter circle is surrounded by hazards, and the consequences of hitting them are certain injury? And don’t answer me here. As much as I enjoy the thrust and parry of debate, I think I really take up too much of this thread. I would rather get back to my own quest for knowledge, as there are many way better than me involved in this forum. Just ask that question of yourself, and be honest when you answer. blue skyz, hizzy-hot swzzoopz, and luscious drop zone biotches frantically rubbing their snatches as you go by.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Skydive2 1 #56 December 5, 2003 Quote After putting 2000+ jumps on the same model canopy, I can tell you that your statement is the result of a lack of expereince, and a lack of understanding of the potential of a modern HP canopy. With the ever changing wind and weather conditions, it takes 1000 jumps at a variety of DZ's in a variety of weather to really know your canopy. Your line of thinking is not right, and poor desicion making such as this has lead to many serious injuries and fatalities. Your canopy is there to save your life, entertaining you is a secondary function. By putting one before the other you are putting your safety at risk. Very well said! All of the posts by NewClearSports Clearly show a definite lack of knowledge, experience, and an inability to learn. In one post, he's asking how to do 270's, now he's saying downsizing is a good idea so you don't get complacent. Sounds really stupid to me. Lance http://www.parachutesAREfun.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
