Merrick

No girlie, we still haven't figured it out. We've tried all the surrounding DZ's but nothing's going on on the 3rd & the 4th anywhere around here. Which sucks cuz we took the 3rd off so we could jump LOL... haven't checked with Paradise, but for good reason! lol Air Capitol is the only other place I haven't checked that we'd consider. Thanks for getting our back April, that's sweet... but you don't need to miss out on our account. I hear that's a really fun plane to jump, and you have some s**t to work on with Tony, so you should definitely go... I promise you won't offend us! lol *hugs* "If words were wisdom, I'd be talkin' even more.."

C'mon guys, I know there are more of you people in our area... Let us know if there's something going on around here! Thanks!

Yeah, Jumping & hangin' out with Jt was a blast! Our exit went to shit, but all in all the dive was a lot of fun.... & JT almost landed on an accuracy tuffet.... don't think he saw it, but he still almost hit it... does that count?? LOL "If words were wisdom, I'd be talkin' even more.."

Sorry dutch, I didn't mean to offend.... it's just all hearsay & opinions. But you know how opinions are! I think the deal is that equipment is regional. Our DZ is predominately a Mirage/Sabre DZ... anything else is considered less than adequate, simply because our DZO thinks they're best... whereas, a diff DZ somewhere else may be predominately Javelins & Safires. I think where you jump will greatly effect the opinions that you get. "If words were wisdom, I'd be talkin' even more.."

Even before I demoed that Sabre 170 my 190 was starting to feel like a "dog".... I used to race motorcross, and while some of you won't think this is a valid comparison, I know what it feels like to "outgrow" or be performing at a level above your equipment..... Yes, I actually am! Absolutely... I practice them every time I'm in the air now, & even practice flaring while in a turn. No, this unfortunately I haven't... My risers don't have dive loops & my hands just slide down the front risers, no matter how I grab them, however the 170 I jumped had dive loops & I absolutely loved them.... that's actually the point when the canopy seemed to be 'twitchy,' and from talking to the owner of the canopy I determined that I'd simply pulled them down too far. My accuracy is actually pretty good for my experience level.... providing that we're not waaay out from a long spot or a looong climb out & I'm struggling to even get back to the DZ. On average I consistently land about 10 - 15 feet away from my target, I have landed with in 2 feet of a 20" practice tuffet & swooped the peas (the one time I saw them NOT in two feet of water lol). A couple weeks ago I had to land in a very tight area (due to a really bad spot) w/trees on all sides of me except the north side & the wind was coming from the south. I landed into the wind in the very middle of this tiny area. I even put the 170 within 20 yards of where I wanted it on both jumps. I know that it's hard to believe, but I do fly my canopy really well, especially for my experience level. On an average weekend we get in anywhere from 1 to 6 jumps, it's a one c-182 dz that puts out lots of students, so no there's really not a chance of me hitting 100 before the end of the summer. I know that the popular opinion is to wait until you've put however many 100's of jumps on a conservative wingloading, but just like there are those that excel in freefall, there are those that pick up on the canopy stuff fairly well too. I'm not actually in any big hurry to get anything, that's why I'm still trying to form opinions on different types of canopies. I'll probably even end up putting another 20 jumps or so on mine before I transition. All I know is that I feel totally comfortable with the decision to downsize, and the instructors at the DZ are totally comfortable with it. One of the best, most safety conscious instructors I know is cool with it, in fact the guy that was trying to sell me the 170 is an AFF JM... these are people that see me jump every weekend & know my skill level, and they've told me to go ahead, that I seem to be getting bored with the 190.... and the AFF guy said that even if I don't buy his canopy that I should still try to find another one, so I don't think he was just trying to 'sell' me his! Thanks for the replies guys, this IS the kind of stuff that will help me in my decision... when I decide it's time. Blue Skies!! "If words were wisdom, I'd be talkin' even more.."

From what I understand the cobalt is a high-performance elliptical canopy.... and from everything I've heard & read they're not real efficient at the wingloadings I'm comfortable with. In fact, does the cobalt even come in a 170?? There's a guy that has been flying one at our DZ for the past year or so, he loves it, but suggested I look at some other semi-elliptical canopies before trying the cobalt or any other similar canopy (i.e. crossfire, stilletto..). Keep in mind that I'm still a beginner with only 55 jumps. Thanks for the replies so far guys, keep 'em coming! "If words were wisdom, I'd be talkin' even more.."

Yeah, I hear ya baby... While I know that skydiving will always be a great passion of mine, even that passion would have to take a back seat to you & the kids!!

OK, so I'm ready to downsize, now the question is.... to What? Right now I have a Sabre 190 (loaded at about 1.15:1) that I've put about 40 jumps on... it's pretty conservative so I've never had any trouble landing it. I'm wanting to go down to a 170, cuz... well, I don't think anything any smaller would fit in my container. I was just going to buy another Sabre, but now I'm not so sure. I jumped one a couple times last weekend, and didn't have any trouble with it at all, it was a little twitchy, but that could just be because it's in desperate need of a re-line. I've started thinking that maybe I might like a Safire or even a Hornet a little better. Basically what I'm looking for is comparisons.... pluses & minuses of each, because the only one of the three that I have any experience with is the Sabre. While I like the Sabre, I just want to get a good idea of what else is out there! I've read through all the gear reviews that I could find & there are a lot of good things said about each canopy, so I'm still not real sure. I've heard that the Icarus is redesigning the braking system on the Safire because of some problems there... I'm concerned about the Hornet's quality (looks kinda cheap.. keep in mind I don't know s**t), longevity, & resale value.... the Sabre, well, I'm pretty happy with it, but then again... I don't have anything to compare it to! So, bombard me with any experiences, advice, or general opinions cuz I want all the info I can get before I make this decision! Thanks! "If words were wisdom, I'd be talkin' even more.."

Don't throw out too much just yet, remember to go over the FARs (I believe section 11 & 12) in the back of the manual. Pam & I took the test not too long ago & I remember there being two questions referencing this stuff on the exam (particularly FAR part 91 & 105, if I remember correctly). As I was studying for the exam, I remember saying to Pam, "surely all this technical crap won't be on there!?" So I didn't really read over it, now.... care to guess how many questions I got wrong??? That's right... two! LOL Oh well, I passed! "If words were wisdom, I'd be talkin' even more.."

ROFL - stop asking questions you already know the answer to! "If words were wisdom, I'd be talkin' even more.." Edited by Merrick on 6/28/01 10:21 AM.

We? Oh no sweetheart... YOU!! He makes all the ladies tape up the pockets on their jeans or jean shorts. He also makes everyone take everything out of their pockets so I don't think that's it. I still haven't caught the reasoning behind it myself, but whatever it is our DZO says that it's only necessary on the ladies because of the way their pants hang off their hips! I'm sure Kris will be able to answer this for us... since he's the grandmaster JM pimp in training under Mike & Tony's tutelage! (Gawd, did I just use that word!?) "If words were wisdom, I'd be talkin' even more.."

Well baby.... I'm gonna' have to disagree with you on this one (of course, you already knew that didn't you

How about the middle finger followed by your index, middle, & ring finger in the shape of a "W" Translation: "Fuck you, you signed the waiver!" LOL However, It's generally reserved for those flailing students! "OMG there I was, thought I was going to die.. she walks in with a can of motoroil & jumpercables.."

Yeah, I've had my Z1 for about 35 jumps now & absolutely love it. While only having done just a few sitfly jumps with it I haven't had any problems with it coming open in freefall. I did leave it up once on exit & it didn't rip off, didn't hurt it a bit. In fact, I obviously noticed it once in freefall with no goggles & contacts, so I reached back & didn't feel the visor, I thought it was gone!! I was driving in to dock on someone & thought I'll check one more time, then I'm gonna' just pull (at this point things were starting to get pretty blurry), reached way back & there it was, slammed it forward, blinked my eyes a few times & was good to go. Didn't mess it up at all!

Hey now! If you know something about his private that he doesn't... we're gonna have some problems baby! "OMG there I was, thought I was going to die.. she walks in with a can of motoroil & jumpercables.."

You know, you're absolutely right... That's exactly how you get that one perfect relationship - Blood, sweat, and tears!! While I've dated several great women that I really liked there was always something that I could just NEVER get past... then, I met my Pammi. We became friends at first, talking on the phone & computer for hours & hours at a time for over a year. Every time I talked to her she just mesmerized me more & more, but I hadn't even met her yet (we met online for those of you that don't know). I already felt so incredibly whole & complete (pardon the Jerry McGuire cliché'). Finally, I just HAD to see her.... so I drove the 4 hours to her house, and knew, right then & there, that she was 'it' for me!

Oh I agree... using the horizon as a "reference" for your flare is def not the thing to do... The "trick" is to simply look out in front of you, yes, at about a 45 degree angle & you will be able to see the ground coming up at you much more clearly. I've also looked out to my right/left side to get a reference to the ground, which works OK too. The accuracy trick (finding the spot on the ground that doesn't move) is a good idea too, but may be a little difficult for a student on final approach. The best thing to do is to talk to your instructors, ask them about suggestions you've gotten here, and accept their opinions/feedback as gold.... they know you, & have seen you fly & will be able to critique you better than we probably can! "OMG there I was, thought I was going to die.. she walks in with a can of motoroil & jumpercables.."

Omri is absolutely right... A loong time ago, while I was still a student & still on radio, I posted a question about "Depth Perception," I was almost convinced that there was something wrong with me... 2ft looked just like 20ft & visa versa. Someone gave me this same advice & I never had problems with flaring too high/low again (well, maybe a few times)... Once I was off radio, I never really had any trouble with my landings. The 'trick' that Omri explains allows the view of the ground to come up in your perriphial vision, and - at least for me - your depth perception is a lot more dominant that way..... Just like in freefall, 'relax,' you'll do just fine! I don't know how to (or if you even can) bring up threads from the Old dz.com, or I would post it for you... there was a lot of good advice in there... this is just what works for me. "OMG there I was, thought I was going to die.. she walks in with a can of motoroil & jumpercables.."

Way to go girlie.... Sounds to me like you did exactly what you were supposed to do!

Sorry, that was from me, Pammi...Merrick is just the programmer/system's analyst...I'm the geek :) "OMG there I was, thought I was going to die.. she walks in with a can of motoroil & jumpercables.."

In case you don't have mirc: [url=http://www.mirc.com}MIRC{/url] and you type in /server dropzone.com to connect and the room is happyhour, so /j happyhour to join our room good luck! Pammi "OMG there I was, thought I was going to die.. she walks in with a can of motoroil & jumpercables.."

Hmmmm... ya think??? Besides, you better learn how to land a bit better first!

MMmmmm.... *drewwll* plaster & tape! "OMG there I was, thought I was going to die.. she walks in with a can of motoroil & jumpercables.."

ROFL - Hmmm... Whoever said it was Pam anyway! Oh Hi baby, love you! Gawd, I'm gonna' die for that one! "OMG there I was, thought I was going to die.. she walks in with a can of motoroil & jumpercables.."

Hell, I was just amazed that nobody in OK took the plate SKYDIVN.... Sorry, not as creative as some of the rest, but it's mine now! lol "OMG there I was, thought I was going to die.. she walks in with a can of motoroil & jumpercables.."