Merrick

Yeah, I know of 'SOME' people that have participated in a few CReW jumps using microlined canopies... personally, the thought of 20 little razorblades wrapping around my neck scares the hell out of me. Yes, it's a very very bad idea to do CRW with microlines, I mean... the stuff can cut through sheet-metal like butter, think what it could do to an arm or leg or anything in between! "If words were wisdom, I'd be talkin' even more.."

Don't frett little Willie, you'll always be a "KISS ASS SKYGOD" to me (Kick ass... I meant kick ass ).... Can I touch ya?!? "If words were wisdom, I'd be talkin' even more.."

Hey JT... OSC's still a lot of fun (when we get to jump), Cloud9 came out this past weekend to make some jumps, poor guy waited around all day only to leave with a ?:0:0. However, Pam & I got to do a night dive that night. OSC's been making a lot of changes... it's kinda weird seeing all our old jump buddies teaching students now and becoming JMs. In fact, I think Pam & I are about the only regular jumpers there now that aren't JMs. lol Oh well, as long as they still let us in the plane & don't make us land with it... *phew* did that for the first time this weekend too, I went for a ride in a Bi-Plane with our 5 year old (Ty) this weekend... landing in those little ass planes is scary... NO THANKS - I'd rather take my chances under a bed sheet!! LOL Anyway, we'll have to hook up somewhere we can make a few more jumps sometime... Laterz!! "If words were wisdom, I'd be talkin' even more.."

OUUUCCCHHH!! I definitely feel for ya guy, I've tugged mine on everything BUT my rig... however, I've never had it ripped out. I can just see that chest strap taking hold of that ring, laughing a little, then tearing it from your flesh.... NO THANKS!! Pretty much cinches the no nudie dive clause for me! lol "If words were wisdom, I'd be talkin' even more.."

Not to mention that he's now flying a Heatwave 120 loaded at about 1.8:1. LOL That'd be somethin' huh... "microline SPEED CReW!!" .....Show me your femur!! "If words were wisdom, I'd be talkin' even more.."

Umm... would this be it? ... or maybe this is it! Bwahahaha! "If words were wisdom, I'd be talkin' even more.."

I think Diver was just saying that $2500 would be a "steal," but I personally wouldn't pay more than $2800 for it, there are just too many "good deals" out there. I got pretty much the same setup (except a lot newer cypress, pd reserve, J4, & older sabre 190) for $2200. You can get excellent used gear really cheap if you're patient enough. "If words were wisdom, I'd be talkin' even more.."

Agreed!!! Sounds like an excellent used setup, especially with such a new main. I got something very similar just off student status, and I'm still havin' fun with it (Thanks Diver). You might keep an eye on the "Used gear, did you get what you thought" thread. "If words were wisdom, I'd be talkin' even more.."

I'm going to have to agree with Sin on this one... I've heard that the only phobia a child is born with is the fear of falling! A fear that each one of us had to overcome to get where we are now! Now with that in mind, I don't see how this could have been anything but terrifying to the kid. A two-year-old doesn't understand 50% of what goes on around them anyway, I don't see how they could take something as intense as skydiving & file it away as a "good experience!" "If words were wisdom, I'd be talkin' even more.."

ROFLMAO - Oh Gawd dude, you're killing me... can't... stop... laughing! Eyes are watering... OH GAWD, here come the stomach cramps!!! It's amazing how much we've been thinking alike today! "If words were wisdom, I'd be talkin' even more.."

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAAA.... You're a riot Missy! "If words were wisdom, I'd be talkin' even more.."

I know I said I wouldn't respond to this thread anymore, Oh well.... Accuracy is great, (read previous posts to get an idea). Can I hold in Brakes? Yes, I can... I can also sashay backwards with my rear risers, do rear-riser turns, do flat-turns, flared turns, flare on landing in a turn (no, not a hook turn.. I have absolutely no desire to do them), and land cross-wind in moderate winds. No, I don't have dive loops yet, but anytime I jump anyone else's canopy I use theirs... they're a lot of fun, can't wait to get mine. Can I land 10 times out of 10 on a no-wind day? LOL - I don't want to sound arrogant, or that I think I'm some kind of skygod or anything.... but yes, absolutely! In my very very limited # of jumps I've only NOT stood up 4 of my landings... and that was jump #2 on student status, my first jump on my sabre, & the first two jumps when I wore my brand new jumpsuit (Figures huh, and of course it had just rained). I think that landing 61 of 65 jumps is pretty good... & I absolutely love no-wind days!

OOOHHHH.... You have no idea! "If words were wisdom, I'd be talkin' even more.."

A friend of mine asked me if I could help her find out ANYTHING about the AR-11. I've heard the name in passing before, but that's about it. So, if you guys/gals have any info on this canopy I'd really appreciate it! Thanks! "If words were wisdom, I'd be talkin' even more.."

Don't be so sure... I'd never actually read the Cypress saves before someone posted the link on here the other day, and over half of the 'saves' were from no-pulls, and a HUGE majority of those were due to the person being unconscious... for whatever reason (one guy even hit his head on the tail of the plane & was unconscious for several minutes even after he landed)! The debate over large reserve/small reserve is just as big as the one over cypress/no cypress... Why do I jump with a cypress?? Because in the unlikely event that someone takes me out, or the pilot bobbles the plane & I hit my head on the tail therefore rendering me unconscious... the same reason that my reserve is as big as it is. "If words were wisdom, I'd be talkin' even more.."

Well, I haven't gotten video of myself yet, but as soon as I do I'm going to put Offspring's "I Choose" on it! I love that song! I think it's on the first of Chronicles III (or something like that) too!

Stoopid? Irrational fear?? Don't be so sure about that! lol I'm not saying something bad's going to happen.... however, Pam & I went through our student progression together & have been jumping together ever since. On my first clear-n-pull, after I'm under canopy patting myself on the back for saving my own life, I see my wonderful wife falling, falling, falling (her first c&p as well), then this ball of yellow kind of envelopes her, still falling mind you, meanwhile the DZO is yelling PULL, PULL, PULL, PAM over the radio! Turns out when she pulled her ROL pilot chute, she pulled it forward, the bridal got wrapped around her arm, she rolled & became entangled in it. Well, in the process the pin dislodged & the canopy began to inflate, it ended up flipping her thru her riser (like a walk-thru), & deployed without further incident (however it did take it's sweet time inflating)... she now has a real nice scar on her arm to show for it! At 5 jumps, that was pretty damn scary... you think that's it, naah.... I got another. about 7 jumps later, I'm sitting in a recliner facing the landing area (& a tree-line that's about 300 yards straight south of the hangers) waiting for pam to jump. I'm BS'n with the guy next to me & he points out South over the tree-line & I see this dot falling, then - like spectre230's funny car, or FFF polar bear, coming off the line - I see the golf cart flying across the landing area, again...PULL, PULL, PULL, PAM!!! she finally pulls & is in the saddle by ohh about 1,100 feet (pulled at 1,500). Scared the piss out of me, I damn near said that's it, we're done... but, she loves it & so do I & she was determined to be a sky goddess, which now she's well on her way!

I'm with Wildblue on this one... I have a Sabre 190 (loaded just under 1.2) that I've put about 50 jumps on, and it has yet to slam me. It consistantly opens in 500 - 700 ft (not too fast... not too slow! lol). I used to roll the nose 4 & 4 & stuff it in the center cell as well as roll the tail pretty tight. Now, after I do the whole 'shake flake' thing that Kris taught me several jumps ago I don't even roll the nose, just quarter the slider & pull the front way out over the nose, then roll the tail tightly.... I haven't noticed a bit of difference in either method (except the 2nd way keeps my heading more consistant). My canopy has the factory slider on it w/out pockets. I've heard that the wolmari pack is excellent, but haven't tried it yet (haven't really had the need). I've also heard that it's the 150 & 170 that has the 'slamming' problem.... but then again, Kris jumped a 210 & his would kick his ass at times! "If words were wisdom, I'd be talkin' even more.."

The way I understand it (this particular incident) is that, as jumpers exited the leading plane the pilot didn't adjust for the weight shift (i.e. his plane getting lighter) & kept flying at the same speed. by the time the last jumper (Blue ones Michele Thibaudeau) exited the leading plane had over taken the trailing plane, thus... the incident at hand! I'm sure the FIRST person out of the plane actually did look... they probably looked at the spot and for other aircraft. True, this accident could have been avoided if one of the last few jumpers would have just stopped & taken the time to look before they exited..... however, how many of you have ever been at the back of the lineup in a big-way? I'm sure there are several of you, but tell me... do you actually have the time (or the balance) to look around as you're tumbling out the door right on top of the jumper in front of you? I guess my point is that I believe that it was 99.9% pilot & organization error. You may think I'm wrong, which is fine, cuz this topic has already been beaten to death on here, but while I know that each & every one of us are responsible for our own lives & looking out for ourselves, I don't think she was responsible for her own death. "If words were wisdom, I'd be talkin' even more.."

Yeah, I do the same... I check my rig over completely before I put it on, then I have it checked again once I'm geared up, and someone usually checks it in the plane as well! It's also good idea to get into the habit of checking your cutaway cables up on your risers once you're under canopy. They usually don't, but can slip out of the 3-ring release. I've never actually seen it, but I've heard stories of jumpers landing then their right riser disconnects... or worse, it happens at 100 ft. if you do check it & it looks like they're about to come out just push it back up making sure there is plenty of cable above that loop! For emergency procedures, it's also a good idea to look at your cutaway & reserve handles & even touch them in both freefall & under canopy and note their location. They will move some, especially once under canopy.... or half a canopy when you'd actually need them! "If words were wisdom, I'd be talkin' even more.."

OK, I got one more post in me.... you make an excellent point sweetie motorcross is VERY diff from drag.... Any shitslingin' monkey can put their foot on the floor & hold the steering wheel straight! I've driven a 6 second funny car, a 5 sec rail car, & a 10 sec 54' chevy (first pass in the funny car I ran a 6.04, second pass, a 5.98... keep in mind it's best time was a 5.93 at the time with it's regular driver! The rail car was a little harder, but still ran a 6.88). So, your 200+ ain't sh*t! The concentration, reflexes, & general thought process was nothing in any of these cars compared to when I raced motorcross. It's something that will keep all parts of your body moving independently (much like skydiving), and you have to be aware of so many different factors at once, i.e. terrain, CHANGES in terrain, other riders, shifting, braking, accelerating, jumping (all at once)... so many things to be doing with different parts of your body all at the same time..... Much like SKYDIVING. I don't think I ever said that it had anything to do with "reflexes" anyway (that was someone else)... it's more about total body & surroundings awareness at ALL times (in freefall as well as under canopy)... I believe it is motorcross, plus a few other sports I was involved in, that has helped me so much in skydiving. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that "I raced motorcross, so I can jump a stiletto 120!!" Just saying that it certainly has helped keep me aware & constantly on my toes! "If words were wisdom, I'd be talkin' even more.."

Thanks Kris, I appreciate that someone who's actually seen me fly my canopy could give their .02. Yes, they do say that... how insightful. You have one, do you have more than 500 jumps?? PD also says that you shouldn't weigh more than 255 out the door under the stiletto 150, you mentioned in an earlier post that you're loading at 1.73... Now I realize that you're only about 5 lbs over, but hey, if we're going to quote PD, you're pushing it. That's right, it is MY ASS!! And if I thought my ass was in any danger I might actually be worried about how me getting hurt would look to the sport (since that's what you seem to be most concerned about anyway). GOOD! As it will be mine as well! Thank you Lisa (& everyone else) for the info & your opinions. I know that you've been in the sport for a long time & have probably experienced just about everything, so I do value & respect your opinions. I assure you that while I understand that there is always added risk anytime you introduce ANYTHING new to a skydive, I would never put myself in any danger... I have a wonderful wife & kids to think about, and I don't plan on leaving them anytime soon. I know that many of you may think this is an uneducated decision, but I can reassure you that it's not.... I knew well before this post all the risks this move would involve. Thanks again & Blue Skies! "If words were wisdom, I'd be talkin' even more.."

While this is probably very true, about 99.9% of the time I do tend to have very good judgment... Now, if this happens to be that .1% that I screw up, so be it... it's my decision in the end, so everyone's conscience can be clear. I realize that it's impossible to FULLY explore every aspect of every condition/situation on my canopy... Hell, it's impossible for anyone on ANY canopy, but I do know what I'm capable of. Some of you say bullshit! Well, fine... as much as you feel like you know me, you don't, & you certainly have never seen me fly my canopy. Zennie has called a 1.2:1 wingloading conservative, yet I'm wanting to downsize to a 1.3:1 (1.29 actually) from a 1.16:1 wing.... tell me, where's the cut-off between 1.2 & 1.3 that crosses over from conservative to outfuckingragous!? I realize that any increase in performance is additional risk, if I wasn't ready to deal with the consequences I never would have even considered a smaller canopy. The majority of my first 16 jumps were done on a 230 sqft canopy which I was very comfortable with, I've been jumping my 190 ever since ( I currently have 61 jumps), I know none of you consider 45 jumps on my canopy enough to know shit, I might as well still be on radio (which btw, I was taken off of on my 5th jump), but I am absolutely 100% confident in my abilities & in my ability to handle a canopy one size smaller, as well are my old instructors & many of the highly experienced people I've talked to who have actually seen me jump on numerous occasions. My point is, my decision to downsize was made before I even posted this question (the question about the different canopies, not the one about how fucked up you think my judgment is that somehow must have slipped in to my post). Thank you Lisa, thank you for that vote of confidence & validation.... On average I land between 10 - 20 feet from my target, the only time I don't is when we have a long spot or someone else is near it. Do I land in the same place every time... NO. Every weekend before I even make my first jump I pick spot to land, & I make sure it's different from the last. I do not land in our pea-pit because it's a mosquito infested 15 foot pond 80% of the time (& because I don't want to get complacent on landing in one spot).... the one time I tried to land there my foot touched one edge & I surfed straight thru the middle to the other edge! Landing has never been a problem for me, & about 25 jumps ago the accuracy thing just sorta clicked! I apologize if I sound incredibly arrogant (or have that 'attitude that's going to kill me'), but I am confident of what I can do & so is everyone around me. Yeah, I could probably land Pam's 135 without a bit of problem either (gonna' get it for that one huh? LOL), but does that mean I'm comfortable trying it or that I'm just gonna go out & buy one!??! Hell no! To put you at ease a little bit, I don't plan on getting the canopy "RIGHT NOW." I decided (along with the decision to downsize) to wait until after Quincy to start looking seriously (OH NO! Quincy with

I have a J4... My current canopies are a Sabre 190 & PD176R, the main seems to fit in there pretty tight... but that won't be a problem since it will soon house a 170.... I'll let everyone know when I 'break my leg' *Phew* Pam, good thing I have a desk job huh?!? Damn, there goes that attitude again! Can't wait until I can get that M1 so I can be like all the cool kids! "If words were wisdom, I'd be talkin' even more.."

Are they open on the 3rd as well??? "If words were wisdom, I'd be talkin' even more.."