DJL 235 #1 September 2, 2003 Was going to continue on my thread about my new gear but thought I'd start a new one instead. I was going to have a tail pocket put on my L160 but after this last weekend decided that there's really no point other than to have another snazzy mod. My reasoning is that as a new jumper I'm probably going to be on the lower tier lock-ups for a while, so a bit longer deployment time is a plus. Then I don't have to do so much work initially to get low. Also, it's harder to pack. I will say that a freepacked opening sure puts you under a canopy in a jiffy. On one pack I did everything I could for a rapid deployment. It worked. There was as audible "whoa" from the rest of the plane looking out the back of the Casa as my body kicked up above the level of the canopy. So, what's the experienced perspective? Where is it useful? Who is it useful to?"I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
crwmike 0 #2 September 2, 2003 Well, ...a tail pocket is easier to pack . Someone (here?) (Wendy?) mentioned a quick and easy installation of having the tail pocket sewn on through top and bottom skin. I had this done on a L218 a few years ago and put hundreds of jumps on it with no problems. Worked just as well as the one PD put on my current L176. Where is it useful? Competition exits, base quad exits. Who is it useful to? Everyone on the dive. It usually doesn't make much difference, until it does ...and then it makes a lot of difference. I've got ...bunches of jumps on both systems and am happy with both. Spend the money on your skin tight suit and having your body hair removed for a clean aerodynamic profile. CRW Skies! Michael QuoteWas going to continue on my thread about my new gear but thought I'd start a new one instead. I was going to have a tail pocket put on my L160 but after this last weekend decided that there's really no point other than to have another snazzy mod. My reasoning is that as a new jumper I'm probably going to be on the lower tier lock-ups for a while, so a bit longer deployment time is a plus. Then I don't have to do so much work initially to get low. Also, it's harder to pack. I will say that a freepacked opening sure puts you under a canopy in a jiffy. On one pack I did everything I could for a rapid deployment. It worked. There was as audible "whoa" from the rest of the plane looking out the back of the Casa as my body kicked up above the level of the canopy. So, what's the experienced perspective? Where is it useful? Who is it useful to? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
faulknerwn 38 #3 September 2, 2003 You can pack a canopy with a tail pocket in a bag if you wish. You can also add one after-market. I personally prefer tail pockets because they're easier and faster to pack, and they're a lot more likely to open on-heading, which makes the mass exits and such safer. I've taken lots of decent-length delays on my tail pocket and it opens fast, but Lightnings open fast no matter what you do so its a negligible difference. Overall, I much prefer a tail pocket over a bag - pretty much just because of the on-heading openings and the ease of packing. Oh - and scaring the freefallers :-) W Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
boinky 0 #4 September 3, 2003 QuoteOh - and scaring the freefallers :-) I totally agree with Wendy on this. I was doing hop-n-pops under a CRW canopy at my home DZ and the freeflyers freaked out at how a tail-pocket packed canopy opens. We got down and they asked me, "Do they always open that way?" I, of course, looked at them like they had lost THEIR minds and acted like nothing out of the ordinary had happened....which for me, it hadn't.Nina Are we called "DAWGs" because we stick our noses up people's butts? (RIP Buzz) Yep, you're a postwhore-billyvance Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VectorBoy 0 #5 September 4, 2003 QuoteQuoteOh - and scaring the freefallers :-) We only scare the ( visiting ) freefallers when on a seperate crew pass and after the last dog jumps they also start to exit without checking the spot. OOpps hope you make it back. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites boinky 0 #6 September 4, 2003 Quoteafter the last dog jumps they also start to exit without checking the spot That's too funny. Actually, though, I've heard of that happening. I think it almost happened in Richmond this last weekend. When do you think they finally figure it out? Just as they let go of the door, when it's too late to hop back in, or after they've fallen to 2500 ft. and have opened and are looking for the DZ? On the Otter in Richmond, there was a list of jumper "suggestions" and one of them was to always check your spot, as you are responsible for yourself. When I do my hop-n-pops, the instructors always warn everyone not to follow me, but I'm over the DZ when I do those. Normally, it's not an issue at my home DZ, though. There are only 2 of us CRWdogs there and they always have us get out last. So to scare our non-CRW counterparts, we have to resort to leaving as much fabric and risers/toggles hanging out as we can and wearing multitudes of obvious hook knives. They DO have to follow us into the airplane!Nina Are we called "DAWGs" because we stick our noses up people's butts? (RIP Buzz) Yep, you're a postwhore-billyvance Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites VectorBoy 0 #7 September 4, 2003 When I do my hop-n-pops, the instructors always warn everyone not to follow me, but I'm over the DZ when I do those. Normally, it's not an issue at my home DZ, though. There are only 2 of us CRWdogs there and they always have us get out last. . At perris following a big crew stick out will leave you a few miles to the west of the DZ. I have never seen it personally but it has happened. If its a big crew event day with mutiple formations out you may just freefall past some nice big already flying formations, But they're dogs and will just smile and wave at you as you fall past them. Doh! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
boinky 0 #6 September 4, 2003 Quoteafter the last dog jumps they also start to exit without checking the spot That's too funny. Actually, though, I've heard of that happening. I think it almost happened in Richmond this last weekend. When do you think they finally figure it out? Just as they let go of the door, when it's too late to hop back in, or after they've fallen to 2500 ft. and have opened and are looking for the DZ? On the Otter in Richmond, there was a list of jumper "suggestions" and one of them was to always check your spot, as you are responsible for yourself. When I do my hop-n-pops, the instructors always warn everyone not to follow me, but I'm over the DZ when I do those. Normally, it's not an issue at my home DZ, though. There are only 2 of us CRWdogs there and they always have us get out last. So to scare our non-CRW counterparts, we have to resort to leaving as much fabric and risers/toggles hanging out as we can and wearing multitudes of obvious hook knives. They DO have to follow us into the airplane!Nina Are we called "DAWGs" because we stick our noses up people's butts? (RIP Buzz) Yep, you're a postwhore-billyvance Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VectorBoy 0 #7 September 4, 2003 When I do my hop-n-pops, the instructors always warn everyone not to follow me, but I'm over the DZ when I do those. Normally, it's not an issue at my home DZ, though. There are only 2 of us CRWdogs there and they always have us get out last. . At perris following a big crew stick out will leave you a few miles to the west of the DZ. I have never seen it personally but it has happened. If its a big crew event day with mutiple formations out you may just freefall past some nice big already flying formations, But they're dogs and will just smile and wave at you as you fall past them. Doh! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
boinky 0 #8 September 6, 2003 Sorry. I sometimes get distracted. Back to your original question. I am only a "PUP" and these are only my personal opinions and experiences. I was thinking back to my first CRW camp. I had some of the CRWdogs recommend a bag instead of a tail pocket because they said it doesn't seem to "jar" your body quite so much. I guess that as we get older, our backs and bodies don't take that shock quite so well. I suppose it opens a tinier bit slower, but not enough to screw up getting to your spot in a formation. Most of the competition DOGS definitely recommend the tail pocket, though. Faster, on heading openings. Easier and faster packing. If you aren't a neat freak about your pack jobs, then you would LOVE the tail pocket. Even though it opens fine, it looks like you just wadded it up and stuffed it into the container! You can take a short delay on opening without any painful openings, too. I wish I could tell you that one or the other would reduce line twists, but I have had those no matter which I use. Just happens sometimes. When I get my own Lightning, I will get the tail-pocket, even though I am a neat freak about packing. I want to get out and into the action as fast as possible. Also, one other suggestion. When I use a smaller pilot chute, I tend to have hesitation in my openings. I am going to invest in a LARGE pilot chute to prevent that issue. If you've never opened at terminal under a CRW canopy, take my word for how it hurts. Blue Skies, Nina TharpNina Are we called "DAWGs" because we stick our noses up people's butts? (RIP Buzz) Yep, you're a postwhore-billyvance Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
