darkwing

I generally would not expect the rigger to repack the main in that situation. I certainly would not have. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

I am genuinely surprised that you were told that the situation merited an automatic cutaway. Did the instructional staff tell you that, or someone else? edit: This is something you need to get clarified, since it WILL happen to you again. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

There have been several discussions of this in the past. Most tandem Instructors in this case would probably say "No, you can't go." Some only let AFF certified instructors go along, some never let anyone go along. Some have a 500 jump minimum, and require personal knowledge of the skills of the accompanying jumper. As I recall, virtually no tandem instructor would let someone of your experience go along. Warning, I am not a Tandem instructor. The above was merely my recollection of past discussions. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

The Rainbow Flyers were Sam Brown, Rocky Evans, Ken Coleman and Don Carpenter. I've been dragging my feet for several months on putting together a history of 4-way in the 70's, which is when it did most of its evolution. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

Don't confuse heat and UV damage. Generally speaking, modest heat doesn't have a significant aging effect. UV has a big effect. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

Yes, I have made them, but I don't have more than a couple of dozen uses on it so far, with no problem. I also had the bunching problem with sewn cords though. I don't see the difference between sewn and no-sew once you are past the pull-through or the sewing. I have gotten into the habit of smoothing the cord after use, so maybe that is the real answer regardless of the production method. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

Pro Track, ProTrack, ProTrack... (crowd chanting, in blissful adoration of L&B) -- Jeff My Skydiving History

I think there are really two issues here. One, locating a suitable performance enhanced canopy. I agree with the suggestion that you should contact some manufacturers. It looks to me like you would be looking for something about 250 sqft, and in the Sabre2/Pilot class. I will caution you about getting too zoomie, too quickly. Also you should contact Brian Germain, at Big Air Sportz. He is a great guy and builds excellent canopies. He might have a solution for you. The second issue is that of making canopies yourself. If you aren't an experienced rigger, then it would be a big, big job for you. As said above, your first canopy should be a copy of something, but unfortunatly there isn't something you want to copy, which means you need to do some engineering also, which is not a good way to start for your first time. You would end up spending a LOT of money and time getting a canopy which would be what you want. Think about raw materials, sewing machines, errors.... I have built canopies, and I don't recommend it for the beginner. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

I don't think the HMB dates are finalized yet. I think it will be earlier in October than it was last year though, but I'm not sure. The Balls Boogie is 25-27 June. Emphasis on spaceball work. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

This is a very serious problem. I would address it immediately. As said above. Contact mfr. They need to know. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

It would be best to borrow one for him to copy. Also, the cord doesn't need to be sewn, you can use the no-sew fingertrap method. here and here -- Jeff My Skydiving History

I'm a ig Lake Wales fan, but Deland is close too. Closer than Titusville (of which I am also a fan). Heck, they are all fine. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

There are several dz.commers there. I may or may not be, it depends if my new canopy gets here tomorrow or not. See you at Harvest Moon if I don't see you this weekend. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

I don't remember those. I was at the nationals in Richmond in '78 and '79. I do remember a "crash" on takeoff that was due to a rudder lock problem. Maybe my memories aren't very good though. What years were the nationals at Richmond. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

Don't take this the wrong way, but the wording of your questions suggests to me that you should get some help with the installation. I'm not really sure what you are asking anyway. Installing them is easy though, but make sure you do it right. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

It is marketing hyperbole, which certainly gained widespread use outside of the skydiving world. It doesn't have any influence on my choices, but then I'm already world class. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

Note that the point loading is the same regardless of the size of the canopy as long as you have the same number of lines. Granted, if you make a tiny canopy it is easy to decide that you don't need the classic A-B-C-D linegroups. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

I like the justaposition of the old (round canopy) and new (pin symbol, which is itself a justaposition of old and new) -- Jeff My Skydiving History

If I am doing a 2-way with a low-timer, I will make it a point to discuss this with them and to track 90 to the jump run. It is a small thing you can do to practice awareness. I agree though, that on bigger stuff you do the 180 and track. Exit separation is key here. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

I apologize for making your problem worse, but another highly regarded option in the same category is the Aerodyne Pilot. Lots of posts here with views on it, expecially with respect to the Sabre2. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

Not sure about driving time issues, but there is an Otter DZ in southern, coastal NC Skydive Coastal Carolinas -- Jeff My Skydiving History

Haven't jumped there, but the couple that works there, Pierre and Lani, have many, many friends here stateside. They are some of my all-time favorite people. skydive bahamas web site. Please tell them that they are missed in S.t George, SC. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

Similar stories abound. That's why a competitor would have to offer a product twice as good for half the price before I would consider switching from L&B. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

seriously cool. What was it that flew off a few seconds after exit? It looks to be about the size of a handkerchief. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

Here are a couple of my classic-mode haiku Haiku #17 Shadow of winter moonlight pale wind through window weary one is cooled Haiku #52 Wind defines night's air strokes faces then continues there are no borders Haiku # 29 Distant dog barking Kin responding in night's air silence replaces Edit to add: Not sure why you think this assignment means the teacher is stupid. ps - I am not an english teacher (as you can see from my haiku.) -- Jeff My Skydiving History