andrewstewart

Okay so now we're back to reasoned debate... hopefully for good. For what it's worth, from what I've read on these forums (and I've lurked for a pretty long time), I would say that your approach is indicative of a general trend on these forums towards relating anything and everything back to jump numbers. Perhaps it's because that is the only shared metric we have? I don't know. I'm sure you had good intentions, but a question about cross ports doesn't really have anything to do with jump numbers nor does it have anything to do with my ability to fly said canopy (actually I'm too scared to jump it now that I know it's got holes in it ;-) I would personally have much rather asked a question, had it answered (which it was - by hook), and had that be the end of it. Inevitably though, someone (who just happend to be you in this case) came along and asked me how many jumps I had, because no one could *possibly* not know what a cross-port is! Right? But as hook has pointed out, he knows several very talented skydivers with thousands of jumps that have absolutely no idea what a cross-port is, and this validates my core point that jump numbers are not important to this discussion and yet the discussion seems to always eventually revolve around them. I conceed that my strong anti-regulation and pro-privacy views led me to be defensive and so I had a big hand in the ensuing flame-fest. But it amazes and saddens me that so many people would criticise me for either not knowing what a cross-port is (big deal! we're all here to learn right?) or for not showing my drivers license.... sorry, jump numbers. In my very original post I said "forgive my ignorance". Well, that would have been nice...

And you know, if you hadn't been a total smart ass in answering my valid concerns, this thread would have died a very quick and silent death.

Actually, I asked a question and was given an answer straight away. It was all the superflous/antagonistic stuff afterwards that I was pointing out sucked (and that I admit I am partly to blame for). As far as being honest goes, I was completely honest. It's up to us each individually to decide to divulge jump numbers or not. I maintain that it's irrelevent to my original question, even though those people like Aggie thought they saw a worrying situation that didn't actually exist. And I maintain that you have utterly no clue what sarcasm means. Sorry dude.

NO WAY! That's impossible! Everyone knows that ALL GOOD skydivers know what a crossport is. Expert skydivers know the exact dimensions and placement of the crossports on every canopy, at least that's what I hear. Are you sure about this? Maybe it was a dream. - Jim Hehehe... dude that's some funny stuff :-) I feel vindicated :-)

Oh my god, it's full of holes!

I've jumped with extremely talented skydivers with 1000's of jumps that haven't a clue what a cross port is. There is a god and his name is hookitt!

As far as my comment about Tom goes, I think sarcasm is lost on you. And regarding "What else have you not taken the time to learn?", I couldn't ask for a better example of what I feel is the prevailing attitude here towards mocking/criticising people who ask innocent questions looking for honest advice. The irony is that Hook answered my question in about 5 minutes after my post went up! The entire thread from that point onwards has accomplished nothing other than spreading bad feeling and your post does nothing but continue that.

To clarify, I was saying "free society" that no one has to reveal their wing loading or jump numbers on an Internet message board, not what you seem to think I meant.

I don't feel that I should be embarrassed about it. It's not one of those things which is going to kill you if you don't know about it - although I'm sure someone is going to jump in here and tell me I'm wrong... that seems to be the modus operandi here. I asked an innocent enough question, I got an answer from Hook, and that should have been the end of it. Unfortunately, it seems like a standard thing to jump on people and question (and or bellittle) them for their supposed lack of knowledge. Sigh.

It probably wouldn't make any difference... http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=453925 I don't think that risk homeostasis applies to extremely low time jumpers who choose to buy extremely small canopies. They have no base level of risk to compare to. Same thing with a kid who is given a souped up Trans Am for his 16th birthday. I was referencing risk homeostasis regards your statement about driving, not canopies, where I believe it holds.

It probably wouldn't make any difference... http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=453925

If what you predict is true (that the FAA will introduce more regulations if people keep getting killed under canopy) then why haven't they mandated the use of AADs yet? You said: "it only takes a couple of morons to ruin the "free society" and have it bogged down by rules because they didn't have the foresight to regulate themselves" So by your thinking, Tom Piras is a "moron" who should be chastised for going in because he didn't switch on his Cypres, right?

Yep - you're right. However, unfortunately we (society) have to deal with the repercussions of people hooking it in. But I guess you must know what you're doing when it comes to your canopy. Sad thing is - it only takes a couple of morons to ruin the "free society" and have it bogged down by rules because they didn't have the foresight to regulate themselves. Sure hope you aren't one of them. But like I said - maybe it doesn't apply to you....right? Blue skies Ian I couldn't possibly disagree with you more.

Fair enough. Now that we're being friendly, let's just say I have about the same number of jumps your profile says you do and under this new Cobalt I'll have a waaaay lower wingloading than you, like... .4 away. - Andrew

I posted to get advice and I was grateful to receive it. I did *not* post so that I could enjoy getting jumped on by, well... I'll leave it unsaid. I respectfully decline to post either my jump numbers or wing loading, and no - it's not because I have "something to hide". Free society dude! - Andrew

Don't be an ass.

I've just received my new Cobalt in the post from Atair. On examining it I can see circular holes cut deliberately into every rib. They are placed about four or five inches down into the rib. Some ribs have holes which are about two inches in diameter, some have holes which are smaller - probably less than an inch in diameter. Forgive my ignorance, but why exactly? I don't remember the demo Cobalt I jumped several months ago having those holes... perhaps I didn't look hard enough? - Andrew

Ordinarily, the Elsinore Eclipse site is http://www.elsinoreeclipse.com but it seems to be down... - Andrew

Can anyone tell me what stock sizes the Competition Cobalt comes in? I'm also interested to hear from anyone who can tell me how different the stock cobalt and competition cobalt are in terms of flight performance. Thanks, - Andrew

I see Tandem masters doing it all the time.

I considered the 101 but I'm thinking about getting an Ariel Focus "roll cage" and they don't make a cage that fits the 101... http://www.aerialfocus.com/rollcage/index.html My preference is to not use eBay. Any further ideas? :-) Thanks in advance! - Andrew

Hi. I've owned a European Sony PC9 for a year or so but now that I've moved to the US I need to replace it with an NTSC equivalent. My camera helmet is made for a PC9 and my problem is that the PC9 seems to have been discontinued by Sony... Does anyone know of either an equivalent to the PC9 that is the same size and that will perform similarly? Many thanks in advance, - Andrew

I have the exact same problem - can't modify my profile, etc. My password uses only lower case alphabet characters... Any advice?

Yeah, and I remember when you first got your Velocity all the experienced jumpers at Skydive Elsinore standing around saying how you were an idiot for buying that Velocity when you weren't doing s**t with your Vengence.

The last repack was done in California and my rig hasn't left the country since so I see no reason why I wouldn't fall under USPA rules. I'm almost up to 120 days in that case so I do need a reserve repack. Thanks for your help, - Andrew