tetra316

Agreed!!! I especially appreciated that they don't mind doing drop in repairs. I did phone ahead first though and when i showed up they did the repairs/mods right there while I waited.

Did they use experienced, licensed skydivers for the passengers?

This incident was not due to any fault with Strong but rather a fault with the Intstructor.

I would recommend you jump a larger canopy for you first few ones back. Doesn't hurt to add that extra safety margin and can also be good for you mentally if you are anxious about getting back in the air. Have fun

The head down record attempt jumps are happening then as well as a 100 way RW sequential jumps with BJ Worth.

I used to jump Icarus and strong mains in strong tandems. I'm sure that dz still does.

You really need to find someone who knows how to measure for that particular dealer if you want a good fit. Or at least has experience measuring people for suits.

Sticking your head out the car window while driving really fast down the highway for the sensation and sound. Swimming underwater for how we move in the air.

fyi - There are no jump number requirements for an AFF instructor. Only 6 hours free fall time (about 360 jumps min).

I'm having a hard time with this. I have to assume that you are speaking about certain/specific canopy makes and models or does that statement apply to all canopies? Not being a smart-ass....just asking. I think it applies to all canopies. Think of what your canopy looks like with the slider halfway up the lines. The lines are squished together more than they should be thereby not allowing the canopy itself to spread out and fly like designed. If you've ever had a slider stuck anywhere up the lines you know how different it flies. The same process is true having a slider above your risers and your chest strap cinched down tight after deployment. The lines of the canopy are squished together more than if you brought your slider down behind your head and loosened your chest strap. Obviously the larger/more docile your canopy the less noticeable difference this makes. I believe it was Brian Germain who said he recommends pulling your slider down and/or loosening your chest strap on all sub 150 canopies as it will make a difference in your flight characteristics. Of course if you fly your canopy in any configuration long enough you get used to it and anything else feels different. I didn't used to bother with the slider and chest strap but once I started to do it I realized that not only does it fly different, it is also much more comfortable to me under canopy to do so.

Nope, it is different. If it's true Kelly came up with the Vector design, wonder why his rigs do not use it?

Call them. When Bob Dawes sold the place I understand it went to more a call before you go kind of place. I would imagine that they do not jump during the week as they all have regular jobs.

why would you want to lift a rig by any flap anyways ? Figure of speech. I feel a lot more comfortable with a secure main closing flap. For me that comfort comes from the fact the flap is not easily opened like those flaps or the wings version.

If you are an instructor you have currency requirements. What if you went to a different dz and wanted to work there. A log book could verify that you are within the requirments for tandem and AFF currency. As for actual practice, I don't know what is the norm.

I disagree. You should never unthread the chest strap. Never means never and water landings are water landings... With that line of thinking then there are no absolutes in skydiving. Including death if you jump without a rig. You could get lucky.

I'm not getting it. I looked at UPT's website and pictures of their rig. I still cannot see how you can possibly deploy your main and still have the main flap closed. There's not enough room for the bag to come out of the sides not to mention without opening the main flap. Or maybe we're just having a breadown in communication.

That sounds scary. So I take it the closing loop does not go through all four flaps to close the container and hence over the dbag? I don't think we have any Vector 3s on our dz but I'll look around.

You might want to reread that Or do you make a habit of landing your reserve?

I don't like that style of main closing flap hence the reason why I would never consider it. They look to flimsy. Bet you couldn't lift the container by it

I like Infinity because: 1. the fit was perfect the first time around 2. the double flaps for the riser covers 3. it's not a pop top since too many riggers don't know how to pack those 4. the closing loop is on the top of the bottom flap, not on the bottom of the pack tray like a Javelin 5. Kelly has exellent customer service 6. it's a lot cheaper than mirage/wings/javelin (or used to be) 7. it's streamlined and does not have a bulky main compartment like a wings 8. you can lift the rig up by the main closing flap (speaks for a secure closing system)

All modern containers are good for either RW or FF. It's more a matter of which fit you like better and what options you want. My personal opinion is the Infinity though

I disagree. You should never unthread the chest strap but loosening it definitely has merit (if you pull down your slider) and not just for competition level pilots. Not only is it more comfortable but it allows your canopy to fly the way it was designed, not having the risers/lines compressed together by the slider and a tight chest strap. Obviously the larger the canopy size the less noticeable the effect is. I'm sure someone more knowledgeable can expand on the technicalities.

Whatever happened to skydiving weather.com? Or whatever it was.

What color is it and where do you jump?

I would recommend finishing your aff before you buy anything. Not a knock against you but a lot of people who start do not finish and you don't want to waste your money. Plus the experience of aff and the people you will meet will guide you in the gear selection process.