Michele 1 #1 May 18, 2003 (Yes, I know about the beer thing...) Kay, so yesterday was all about the suit flying me around the sky. Bev suit, hot bod. Now I float. Did a two way with someone who I sank on when in jeans, and he was below me. Sigh... But the real issue is me and these booties....something is going on, and I'm not sure what. I am rocking. Kinda like chipping, but more gently. Nothing side to side, but definitely back and forth. And yes, I was tense. i had heard about how fast booties make everything, and was really scared...of the freekin booties!...so was tight and stiff and rocking through the sky. Any hints? Stories, consolation? Or explanation? Was it because I was stiff? And don't even ask if I got the booties off once I was under canopy... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Casch 0 #2 May 18, 2003 I would be interested in learning if the "Relax" mantra should also be applied to the use of booties. I haven't yet reached the point where I feel I need to experiment with them, but it will be nice to "know" beforehand. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tigra 0 #3 May 18, 2003 Michele, Congrats on the new suit!There's that and the whole relaxing thing to consider!So, double check the fit, relax and enjoy! Green bottles for me, please!maura Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fudd 0 #4 May 19, 2003 Congrats on your new suit! Arch hard and relax. I don't see any reason to be afraid of booties. They give more power to the legs and make it possible for faster turns. As long as you know how to stop a turn, it's no problem. Once you get used to them you'll never want to fly without. It's a good idea to take the booties off once you're under canopy. That way they dont wear as fast, and lasts longer. My sequense after opening is: Check for traffic, relase toggles and check chute, hold toggles in one hand and take off booties with the others, collaps slider. Take a jump and try some bootieflying...great fun There are only 10 types of people in the world. Those who understand binary, and those who don't. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mirage62 0 #5 May 19, 2003 Must be something in the water.........I've been jumping for 6 years and just got a rw suit with REAL booties (Merlin) man they are great, but in track I had a slight right to left thing going on. By the 5th jump it was gone, but proved to me that there is a BIG difference in what the size of the booties do.Kevin Keenan is my hero, a double FUP, he does so much with so little Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Watcher 0 #6 May 19, 2003 Quote My sequense after opening is: Check for traffic, relase toggles and check chute, hold toggles in one hand and take off booties with the others, collaps slider. Control opening, check traffic, stow slider behind head, take off booties, Lossen chest strap to its max, check brake line to make sure its clear of toggle, unstow toggles. You would be better off NOT unstowing the toggles then doing the booties cause its easier to let the canopy fly and have two hands getting the booties off then trying to hold both toggles in one hand. My whole sequence takes about 6 seconds, so you cannot use time as an excuse. Plus the canopy is alittle less sensitive in brakes with harness shifts as you are taking off your booties than with the brakes undone. --Jonathan Bartlett D-24876 AFF-I Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,124 #7 May 19, 2003 On one of my suits the booties are a less-than-perfect fit** and often one will come off during exit. It doesn't seem to make a whole lot of difference during the RW - I guess I adjust subconsciously. However, on breakoff I have to be careful if this has happened because if I go straight into a hard track position with only one bootie on it tends to roll me over! ** It's a Tony Pit Special. I have spent hours trying to adjust them, but the real problem is that the leather sole is too wide and my sewing machine isn't up to stitching leather.... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
harryskydives 0 #8 May 19, 2003 I shoe goo my booties. Then they last quite a while. I am not a fan of waiting to release my toggles. I once had a tension knot, on one break line, that i cold not clear. I think you should get control of your canopy and do a quick performance check, practice flair. There are many malfunctions that are not apparent untill after you have released your toggles and done a canopy check. Don't run out of altitude and experience at the same time... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michele 1 #9 May 20, 2003 Quote I shoe goo my booties. Where do I get shoo goo? Thanks, guys...I think the adjustment period will be longer than I thought. I appreciate the comments and suggestions... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #10 May 20, 2003 Quote Where do I get shoo goo? Big 5. I think I have an unopened tube. I'll bring it on Saturday in case you don't have any by the weekend. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michele 1 #11 May 20, 2003 Thanks, Lisa. I dunno if I can squeeze a trip to Big 5 in this week...I'd very much appreciate it. Now, just how do I fly the freekin thing instead of being at it's mercy??? LOL! Time and practice, I guess... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #12 May 20, 2003 Quote Now, just how do I fly the freekin thing instead of being at it's mercy??? Don't ask me. I cut the damn things off. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michele 1 #13 May 20, 2003 Quote I cut the damn things off. LOLOLOLOL gasp...LOLOLOLOLLLLL! I needed help getting them on, as well as off, on my first jump...I felt like a 3 year old with untied shoes... I will say that I felt the difference in the tracking dive - flatter, smoother, easier, floatier...but that first jump was wonky... I think I'll give it a few more tries before I get out the machete... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #14 May 20, 2003 Quote I think I'll give it a few more tries before I get out the machete... Definitely. I didn't have the patience - or time really - to learn to fly them; at that point I needed a suit I could already fly, not a suit I had to put 20+ jumps on to figure out. I'm going to try them again, someday. But I think I'll fly 'em in the tunnel for awhile before jumping them again. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diablopilot 2 #15 May 20, 2003 Remember that had signal your AFF instructor gave you from time to time? You know the limp wrist shaken from side to side? Relax. You probably have just picked up a case of happy feet. Students often have it. They have not realized the subtle inputs and changes you have to make with your legs to be stable, instead they over compensate and start "chiping". Make a couple of jumps, and try to relax your legs. Even if it means back sliding for stability. Then add a little more leg to hold position. Go do a two way drill dive, and work on approaching and sliding away from someone on the horizontal plane. I think before long you rill be flying booties like a pro! (Of course you know you'd look even cooler in a *certain* brand of jumpsuit, but we won't go there) ---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Emma 0 #16 May 20, 2003 Michele - don't worry about the booties, it shouldn't take you more than 5 jumps to get the hang of them. They feel a bit weird at first because they give you more lift (ie power) on your lower legs but it's like anything - once you get used to them you won't notice them, other than that you can track, turn and stop better. I used to have a crappy old Bev Suit (not the fault of Bev suits, it was just very old!) with booties sewn on afterwards by my well-meaning but not entirely superb rigger (great for RIGS, but not booties, so it would appear). I did some tunnel drills where you try x, y and z moves with the booties, as normal, and then repeat taking the booties off. My coach looked pretty surprised to see it made no damn difference to me when I took them off, so crap were my booties. In fact they have been referred to as 'flippers' or 'shoe lace covers' ever since. Then, I got my Tony suit with MEGA booties. The 4way video is a sight to behold. I am up, down, forwards, backwards, bobbing around all over the place. Felt like someone had given me a new body that I just couldn't control... But after 2 or 3 jumps with gritted teeth and cursing and spitting into my fullface, I got used to it. You will. They actually give you a lot more range, not just for forward movement and tracking, but also for slow fall, if you turn your ankles slightly inwards, toes outwards, it creates lift as they become like mini sails....V handy if someone goes underneath your legs unplanned... Anyway - don't be afraid of them. There is no need for you to do anything especially dangerous just because of booites. It's like, say, driving a 3 litre engine car after an 800cc Mini; you try the accelerator, realise there's a lot of oomph, and lay off the gas a little. But when you want to go, and you have an open road... yeah baby! However do get someone who knows about these things to check the fit regardless. You should lie on the floor in your standard body position and feel alittle tension in the toes. Sometimes they make the 'z' measurement too small (ie crotch to neck) which can make the booties pull and restrict your movement too much. This can cause 'chipping'. You can cut the collar at the back of the neck if it's really a problem..or send it back and tell 'em to sort it! Have fun and make sure you do some tracking dives in your bootie suit, it ROCKS! But be prepared to go a lot faster than you've been used to and look where you're going. Emma Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michele 1 #17 May 20, 2003 Quote Felt like someone had given me a new body that I just couldn't control. Emma, that's it exactly! A lot like AFF-1 without the JMs and a bare understanding of what was going on...I will have someone doublecheck the fit, but that was done when I tried it one for the first time and it was pronounced fine. I am confident that I will eventually conquer these little pieces of fabric, and I will fly the suit, and not vice versa, but still, it was discombobulating at best...thanks for sharing your experience. Made me feel less like such an idiot. Hey, JP? Quote (Of course you know you'd look even cooler in a *certain* brand of jumpsuit, And happy feet...happy happy joy joy! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Watcher 0 #18 May 20, 2003 Yeah but how does waiting 5 additional seconds to take care of everything make that much of a difference, I guess if you pull at 2 a lot, but I know most people deploy around 2.5-3(me). 60ft less and you are in control the entire time ( you can still turn it you need to and under canopy I can see all my lines to make sure they are ok or not). You can still cutaway if you had too but atleast this way you are not dangerously trying to hold 2 toggles in one hand to do stuff. And I shoo goo my booties too, but I sure as hell don't want to try running in them. I keep my booties very tight, and if I tried to run in them I would probably fall on my face. On a side note, What is a Big 5? Sport Authority has shoe goo. --Jonathan Bartlett D-24876 AFF-I Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
harryskydives 0 #19 May 20, 2003 You can get shoe goo at K-mart. I am sure Martha Stewart Or Penny Marshall, witch ever one is working can direct you, It comes in a big tube like toothpaste. Best to apply while your booties are clean and new. coat thickley not just on the bottom but around the edges also, and let dry. It will smell up your house, but that could be a good thang. You will like your booties after a few jumps, my promise.PS the incidents has another post about a mal caused after poping toggles. Don't run out of altitude and experience at the same time... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Emma 0 #20 May 21, 2003 Shoe Goo is an amazing thing - even more amazing, it's illegal in the UK. Too many school children and tramps sniffing it apparently. There is a huge black market opportunity here... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michele 1 #21 May 21, 2003 Quote You will like your booties after a few jumps, my promise. [Cool] I am holding you to that (although I suspect I will like them, once I get used to it...) Quote PS the incidents has another post about a mal caused after poping toggles. [Unsure] Yes, I read through that one. Appreciate the directional, though. Thanks. Emma, if Harry is right, and you are right, my cats are in for some serious fun! Maybe this is a good replacement for catnip?Thanks, guys, I do appreciate the help. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SpinDoctor 0 #22 May 22, 2003 I didint know that.... Note to self.... pop over to Wallgreen's when at the tunnle and stock up on goo.... Laterz doodess... ----------------------- Connextion: British 8 Way Team www.bodyflight.co.uk ----------------------- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Emma 0 #23 May 23, 2003 Hey Spin...what happened to SkyCoq? So we are definitely on for the tunnel then eh? SCHWEEET!!! Can't wait, you are gonna be on FIRE after all this tunnel time man! Emma Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SpinDoctor 0 #24 May 23, 2003 I do expect to be 'on fire' - one can hope...I am very much looking forward to it now... only another 3 weeks to wait ----------------------- Connextion: British 8 Way Team www.bodyflight.co.uk ----------------------- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
