Skydivesg

This question is to anyone: Does any one have first hand knowledge of "When is the last time an AAD got confused and locked up"? Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

My wings were first connected by the bronze shackle until I got tired of them unhooking at really bad times - including but not limited to my climb out and/or exit for various reasons. I had the Wichard stainless steel shackles put on and have never had one unhook since (past 5 years). The Wichard shackle has a very powerful (my guess is at least twice as strong) spring in the post which is what keeps it hooked up. You don't always get what you pay for - but you usually pay for what you get (in one way or another). Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

I've had AFF people and people just off AFF in my tunnel camps. I don't teach the wide outrigger type skydiving like many others. I teach you to fly with your legs and hips. I also teach them to fly with the back of one hand, then the other, then both on the small of their back for 10-15 seconds (each way) holding a heading, stability, and level fall rate. This shows them they can fly this way while pulling - be it their main or their reserve. Not all tunnel instructors/coaches know how to teach decent belly skills. I know several instructors who don't have more than a dozen jumps themselves and because they don't fly on their bellies in the tunnel, they teach old school body position. Tunnel flight is the best training aid we have, but it still comes down to the guy who is teaching or coaching you. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

Check with them about that. http://www.desmoinesskydivers.com/#!location-contact-us/cz7l Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

I'm not sure if this is the podcast being discussed or not. But one of the Jump 26 pocasts had a great interview with Dan BC who, most agree, knows his stuff. Do a search for his interview and take a listen. I'm interested to hear what you think. https://www.facebook.com/jumptwentysix Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

I'm pretty sure they limit the number of Pro Passes they sell. And pretty sure the locals scarf them up or put their name in for them before the end of the previous season. And I think they favor the local people and seasonal staff on the list - which is rightly so. You might want to check with Doug Smith (DZO) or Jason Kane (DZM) before committing to going there. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

I changed mid season last year from my Canon to the Sony a6000. I use the kit lens 18-50 and tape it down at 20mm. It weighs a little less than 1 lb. The auto focus is incredibly fast. Pop up flash for in air plane shots. Set it to 6fps or 11fps for those of you who spray and pray. 24 megapixel or less if preferred. Shoots in RAW if wanted. And you can manually change the settings for those of you who are like Spot and know what you're doing. Interchangeable lens so you can use your own glass if you want. I can also pull it off my helmet and carry it in my back pocket for ground stuff. Bottom line - I've compared my pictures to a friend who has a heavy Nikon d7100 and expensive heavy glass. Neither of us can really see much difference and in some shots my pictures actually looked better. I will never own another DSLR. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

I went and watched again and it looks like you're right. I'm just going to assume #BodyPosition... I have a little over 40 jumps on a VK 96. Years ago I changed the way I deploy my Velocities. I never look up or reach up during the opening. I square my shoulders to the horizon - while scanning the arc of death with my head and eyes (requires discipline to keep from affecting my body position). During the getting-stood-up-to-vertical process I bring my feet and knees together focusing on the loading of my leg straps and bring my hands in and grab the main lift web at the ring covers. All the while being ready to do a collision avoidance turn by quickly grabbing my rears (only if needed). On all of my VK openings - so far - I've had zero off heading openings. I love that canopy. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

The Skyhook is designed in such a way as to disconnect if the reserve pilot chute needs to deploy the reserve as in a total (jumper does not have a main out). Because of this design, if the reserve pilot chute happens to create more drag than the malfunctioning main, the Skyhook will disconnect. Bill Booth describes it as a race between the malfunctioning main and the reserve pilot as to which one deploys the reserve. While quite rare - there are some cases where the Skyhook disengaged during the cutaway before it pulled the free bag off the reserve canopy. This is not dangerous unless you lowered your cutaway hard deck because you expected the Skyhook to always work and open the reserve in under 100 feet. Being a Vector dealer, I am very close to many at UPT Vector and discuss Skyhook deployments frequently. While they do not keep hard numbers, it is estimated that the free bag will stay connected to the main about 80% of the time. Just because it is not still connected on the ground, after the fact, does not mean it didn't do the job of deploying the reserve. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

I always teach "why" something works -whether coaching in the tunnel, free fall, EPs or coaching canopy flight. It encourages people to use their critical thinking skills. And I still believe that teaching the correct modern way of doing things the first time, builds better skydivers. JMHO On the up side - people who are being taught the old school way -certainly provides an endless supply of people willing to enroll in tunnel camps to learn the updated more efficient way. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

I am assuming this question relates to how one H&C from one company compares in fit, to a H&C from another company. If not - just ignore my post. While the measurement/length of the MLW may be the same, it does not necessarily mean the same thing from one manufacturer to another in terms of harness fit. Many companies use chest rings - Vector does not. I'm a Vector dealer but can't speak knowledgeably about other rigs. However, when it comes to proper fit and comfort on Vectors, in addition to the MLW, you need to factor the OSA (over the shoulder adjustment) lateral length and "Stagger". All these combined, will determine the proper fit of an individual H&C for a particular person. When UPT decides to add another inch or two to the OSA, it may affect how long they make the MLW and definitely affects where the chest strap rides on the person and the placement of the BOC on the back. So, just because two people may submit the same measurement for the torso, does necessarily mean they will both receive the same size MWL. This also means - just because one H&C from UPT fits someone, does mean that another H&C from UPT (with the same MLW size) will fit the same way. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

Now I just have to find a decent used 170 main and reserve and an AAD and I'll be all set! If you're looking for a new AAD - I sell brand new Vigils (built in the last 2 months) for $1250 which includes shipping. You can ask your friends about me - I'm in Des Moines and jumped with the South Dakota Skydivers for 10 years before they moved to Luverne. Sandy Grillet Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

This is exactly how I teach side slides. You can also add a slight bit of paddling with the forearms and elbows once they get the leg and knee move down. This technique only works if you are teaching the proper leg/knee turn and keeping a straight spine. (no looking over the shoulder or elbow in the direction you want to go) When newer jumpers attend my tunnel camps, I spend a fair amount of time breaking habits they learned on their progression to what ever license they have or need. The disadvantage of learning the "push off the wall" technique (which -like most long time jumpers - is how I originally learned) is that when we are doing FS, we want to use our hands and forearms primarily for taking and presenting grips. By using the old school technique we are out of the best body position for grips, when we finish our slide. We then spend extra time getting back to our neutral body position. As you can see in this video, once the person has stopped the move they are immediately ready for grips. I heard BC in an interview say he would like to see a more up to date and unified method for teaching these skills to people early on, so they don't have to relearn them once they get further down the road. I have no doubt many will say that this is too advanced - but I disagree. I honestly believe it doesn't take any more time or effort to teach them the correct way - right out of the gate. It's my experience the instructors who argue this, are those who don't have these new technique skills themselves. Good on you PC for asking Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

I'm pretty sure the planform is exactly the same. It'll be other things they've changed like line trim, airfoil/panel shape etc. Nope. Everything is different. Airfoil, planform, aspect ratio, fabric, line trim… This is based on many conversations with the PD R&D design team. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

This is exactly how I wash my own H&Cs. I use liquid Cheer. Two cycles. I wash them every year. I put a couple of large bath towels in just to balance the load during spin cycles. I also stay around and monitor the spin cycle because they can get out of balance. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

Velocities are 7 cells. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

All the good points being made here continue to validate my decision to use the forged stainless steel pin and Spectra rip cord by UPT Vector - which has been in use for 6 years. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

Hi Professor. I made about 20 jumps on an OP 143 (as a main) when first they came out. The canopy is not just a PDR with low bulk material. It's a completely different plan form. As others have remarked, it flies much better and has a very powerful flair as compared to any other reserve I've flown (which is quite a list). The fact that you can put a size bigger reserve into a pack tray designed for a smaller canopy is just one more plus. I've had three actual cutaways on the OP 143 since then and they were all uneventful openings and landings. In an effort for full disclosure - I am now sponsored by PD. But if I weren't - I would still be jumping the OP 143 as my reserve. My son has one he uses as a main when he is jumping on anything bigger than a 40 way. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

Bill, I hope you have an incredible day celebrating an amazing run in this sport. Enjoy it my friend. Sandy Grillet Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

Do you know what rig that guy is jumping and the approximate age? Those riser covers and pin covers are less than desirable. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

Try this guy. nickgrillet@flycookie.com Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

One of the disadvantages of demoing this type of canopy at an event like this, is the fact that, as a load organizer, I did not have the pleasure of choosing what order I got out of the plane. On literally every load, I had angle groups going right before or immediately after my group. Because of this, my primary focus during and immediately after opening was canopy traffic, so I was not able to ascertain the distance it took to open. While I can't state exactly how much altitude it took to open - overall it was softer and did considerably less searching than my Velocity, without as much altitude loss. It was definitely a shorter and smoother snivel. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

I have two Velocity 103s and will go to 96s on the Valkyrie. About 1/3 of my jumps are filming tandems (so roughly 110 per year) One reason for filming instead of throwing drogues is that I like to fly my own canopy and I can see this canopy being much less eventful during openings and a lot more fun to fly on those jumps. Win - Win Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

I was jumping at the Invasion Boogie which has a 90 degree turn rule so I didn't do any big turns. But based on the turns I did - it is quicker and easier to get it to roll into the turn using fronts. It seemed like maybe a bit more front riser pressure but not that much, Bare in mind I usually jump a Velocity 103 and I moved to the 96 Valkyrie for these jumps. I also only did 20 jumps on it to I didn't really get to ring it out. The openings were probably the best I've had, on any canopy I've ever jumped (this list is a long one). I've always felt like an active participant in the openings on most other crossed braced canopies I've jumped. But on the Valkyrie I just relaxed and paid attention to how my leg straps were loading. I didn't do anything during the opening sequence (including not looking or reaching up) and it opened on heading and softly on every jump. And that was using a packer. I did not pack it myself. On several jumps I was out quite far from the landing area and on one jump (when we were really far out) I purposely turned the formation at the end so I was tracking in the direction of a person who went low on the formation. I made sure to track over the top and past him quite far and watched him open before I opened. I was watching him during my pull and opening and I thought sure I would cause an off heading opening but was really surprised that it still opened on heading. I can't say my Velocity would have done that. Tracking that direction made me even farther out than any other jumps and I was amazed at how quickly I got back to the landing area with my rears. It definitely has a lot more get-back when using rears than any other canopy I've jumped - even with it being one size smaller. I do feel like it dove longer than my Velo but it started the turn with very little effort and built up a lot more speed. It just likes to roll into a turn. I'm looking forward to performance enveloping this canopy. I mostly use my rears to fly my canopy until I get in the pattern and even then I seldom use my toggles other than to slow fly to a set up point and flair. While I was flying back from the spots, using rears, I did some harness turns (90 degrees) and holy crap does it respond to harness inputs. I was impressed. I also did a few harness turns to start my landing turns but due to traffic and the 90 degree rule, there was only so much I could do. I did not notice any over steer. I did a few carving front riser turns to final and those were quite nice and seemed to build a bit more speed. The speed on all the approach turns seemed to carry thru longer than my Velo which of course results in longer swoops. I think this may be due to the Peregrine like planform and the tale ribs. I was not able to do any carving landings but I've heard they are incredible. I also believe the tale ribs and the inflated wingtips helps it be more stable in slow flight. It definitely has more flair at slow speeds and seems to be able to slow you down better in low/no winds. Even though I only have 20 jumps on it, I am very impressed and can't wait to have it as my primary canopy. Bare in mind it is not designed to be the first cross brace canopy for any body - but for those with cross brace experience, it is a dream. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

Well - I'm back home after a great time with amazing people at the Invasion Boogie. I must admit however, even though I love my wonderful wife, and my two loving daughters, I've had to make room in my heart for yet another young lady. Her name is Valkyrie. She is a svelte 96 square feet with a fantastic elliptical shape, cute inflatable stabilizers and lovely orange Vectran lines. Even though we've only known each other for a few short jumps (20 to be exact) we are madly in love. I did my best to make her mad by letting my packer put hands all over her, but she did not show a jealous cross brace in her body. Instead of back talking and sassing me, she insisted on giving me perfect, soft, predictable, on heading openings every time. I also discovered she loves to go for long walks (flights) - far from the spot - and smiles nicely when she get's you back in plenty of time for her to show off how gracefully she rolls into your performance turn with very little effort. Once she planes out, she just loves to strut her stuff by going and going and going, then - when you're ready - she let's you down slowly and softly. It's almost as if she doesn't want you stop holding her toggles. I'm so thankful to my good friends Gilles Dutrisak and Matt Siegmann for introducing us last week. I can't wait for our cupid, Kyle Schoonover, to continue his match making by hooking us up. I'm ready to make room in both my Vectors for this lovely lady (ladies). And unlike my wife, I'll even loan her out to other jumpers. Be forewarned Xaos jumpers - you are about to have an affair with a younger lady. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.