darkwing
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Everything posted by darkwing
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It depends on the canopy and on the suspended weight. Also, the tension in the riser depends on how far down you pull it. On my spectre the tension decreases dramatically if pulled down more than about 4 cm. -- Jeff My Skydiving History
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I use two audibles and one visible on every jump. I agree with Billvon's logic. Failure is more obvious on a visible alti. -- Jeff My Skydiving History
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I have a few hundred PC jumps, and while the change in flight characteristics isn't as profound as a square, I think that what was often done with a PC using either rear risers or the toggles does qualify as a flare. -- Jeff My Skydiving History
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Generally use durable fabrics, cotton-poly and/or supplex. Consider using cordura on knees, seat, booties, etc. You can double-layer fabrics to get extra body if you want it. Building a second one is usually much easier than building the first one, so don't agonize about things. Maybe bring her a suit you like and have her look it over, make some measurements, etc. -- Jeff My Skydiving History
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It is good to have ideas and share them. This particular one strikes me as the wrong solution to the problem though. Hard cutaways can better be solved by proper maintenance, and having hard inserts. -- Jeff My Skydiving History
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Insurance. -- Jeff My Skydiving History
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supplex may be more durable, but is lighter. My jumpsuit has doubled supplex in some areas to increase drag compared to single-layered supplex. You could also put the supplex over any other fabric to increase drag. -- Jeff My Skydiving History
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Some questions about a Wings container order
darkwing replied to JustRelax's topic in Gear and Rigging
Another comment on the "make it tight" notion. I have a pal who recently got a complete system, and the main container is absurdly tight already. I told him to consider sending it back to get it "relaxed" somewhat. -- Jeff My Skydiving History -
I have heard of this several times, as recently as last weekend with a teammate of mine. Some people now use various tricks to secure the kill lines to prevent unfortunate entanglements (i.e. when hooking or flaring...) -- Jeff My Skydiving History
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It is almost certainly an Alouette II helicopter photo. We had it at our DZ a few weeks ago, and it was at Lake Wales over Christmas. Good fun for a jump. You get 5,000 feet and can do a 4-way if you hustle. Well worth the price for one's first chopper jump. edit to add: The doors aren't on it when you jump. -- Jeff My Skydiving History
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I have about 500 jumps on mine and am very happy with it. My previous helmet was a Z1. The main reason I got it, and continue to like it, is that it is so friendly if you wear glasses. It was such a hassle putting on a more conventional full-face helmet with glasses. If you don't wear glasses the main advantage is communication in the airplane prior to exit, when the face portion is raised your mouth is completely exposed to make it east to talk--to students for example. -- Jeff My Skydiving History
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Honest answer: it just seems less orderly than if the lines are metered out. It is actually a rather visceral feeling, rather than an engineering one. I don't think the data is really there. To satisfy me you'd have to test drop 10,000 reserves with the only difference being half of them having the line stows. Is it really an issue for me. No, I've never jumped a square reserve that did other than the free-stow pocket method. I bought in to square reserves in 1979. -- Jeff My Skydiving History
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Yes, it can be fixed pretty easily. Often it is caused by improper stowing of the brakes. That kind of damage occurs when the locking loop is above the ring, rather than below it. -- Jeff My Skydiving History
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I've been jumping 30+ years, and have never heard of a lightning strike on a skydiver. It could happen though. (So says the physicist in me). Without a great deal of thought I'd say it was much less likely than a plane getting struck. I think the ion trail in the exhaust might enhance the chances for a plane. Most jumpers don't leave an ion trail--exception for some scared head-downers. -- Jeff My Skydiving History
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maybe put this in the camera and video forum? -- Jeff My Skydiving History
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It has been around too many decades to be in the gimic category. I like the elastic holder idea for reserve lines. I have never been keen on freestowing them in the pocket. -- Jeff My Skydiving History
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I am probably one of the "older" jumpers. In my 30+ years in the sport the large majority of older jumpes started as younger jumpers, and just kept jumping. I have met some that started at 40+, but not many. It is certainly easier to start at 40+ than it used to be. Equipment is much friendlier to an older jumper, skydiving now is physically much less demanding than when I started on a surplus 28' main canopy. And finances are easier for a person with an established career. -- Jeff My Skydiving History
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I've got an aweful soft spot in my heart for the DC-3. Out of common modern aircraft I go with a Super Otter. -- Jeff My Skydiving History
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Anyone gotten burned out on skydiving?
darkwing replied to mfrese's topic in General Skydiving Discussions
I got burned out, partly due to "competition burnout" and partly due to priorities changing--I had to get 10 years of college taken care of. I came back though, and am very glad I did. I have heard your reasons many times before, and they all make me sad. The only one I'd tend to re-write is the "Greedy DZO" one which I'd change to "DZO who is not the kind of businessman I think he should be." Any DZO that I have seen others characterize as greedy was actually just trying to survive. I admit I haven't met every DZO on the planet though. -- Jeff My Skydiving History -
get current first, and while you are doing that, research some gear. Talk with instructors. Look at some of the excellent used gear resources on the web (DZ.com, skykat, square1, ...) Generally I'd recommend used gear for you. Get a new helmet, alti/audible, jumpsuit etc. is fine. -- Jeff My Skydiving History
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I used to say "skydive until I am old." Now I say "skydive until I am very old." -- Jeff My Skydiving History
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Nice video. Glad things worked out. Had he buckled tightly though might he have discovered the problem earlier? -- Jeff My Skydiving History
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Based on my experience with their customer service, I'd strongly recommend the Pro Track. So would all the jumpers I know at my DZ. -- Jeff My Skydiving History
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Every helmet has its fans. If you wear glasses, then I recommend the Bonehead Havok. -- Jeff My Skydiving History
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If you are interested in an accurate result, using posted shipping weights almost certainly overestimates the actual weight. If you aren't interested in accuracy, then just say 20 lbs or so. -- Jeff My Skydiving History