ManBird

HAHAHAHAA!!! So personal attacks against Scott are OK? How come I didn't get mentioned? I make uninformed posts all the time! I guess I'm not popular. And I agree that attacking Mr. Blue is a major no-no. How on Earth could anyone not like Chuck? It baffles the mind. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

I think you meant downwind. If not, then I'm confused. It does sound like your swoop was hosed, I'll give you that. While I don't think people should spiral through the pattern (mainly below 1,000'), I also feel that "low and slow" always needs respect to avoid a collision, regardless of what got them there. If they did something they shouldn't, like spiraled too low or got into traffic in a high performance area (if a DZ has a separate HP landing area/swoop pond), then it's probably best to just land like you would had they exited before you, and maybe have a polite chat, asking them to respect traffic better. I do find your decision strange based on this: If you decided to abort your front riser turn at or near 700', then why did you choose option #3? That's plenty of altitude for a wide, flat 180 that'd allow you to fly around the lower canopy without landing against the direction of traffic or breaking the pattern. Besides, you should be able to safely fly in traffic and land downwind with whatever canopy you're putting over your head. Not to come across as harsh, but it sounds like you didn't do either one. It sounds like you either didn't have outs planned all that well, or you didn't choose the best way to abort. You just turned an inconvenient situation into a dangerous one. From the ground, no one can tell that you aborted a swoop -- it'll just look like you blatantly landed in the wrong direction. It does sound like you were hosed a bit by this other canopy, but getting passed at 700' is hardly getting cutoff -- come up with a better plan. If someone from the group behind you has a Cypres fire or lowish reserve ride, you might have the exact same scenario, but with absolutely no reason to be upset. Don't take these criticisms personally -- I don't even know you. But based on what you've written here, it sounds like you don't have a lot of argument against the low person. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

Yeah. I'm one of the service reps, and have been running a beta version for a bit. Changing the target altitude based on your last jump is great. Especially for higher altitude 182 DZs where planes only go to 9' or 10', as well as for doing hop and pops all day. It happens right around 40 MPH. I'm not sure, but I feel like 40 MPH over a small period of time is threshold. Like if you're doing 44 MPH down and you check your altitude (burbling the unit), it confuses it for a moment and thinks you deployed. And just doing good ol' under 40 MPH for at least a couple seconds seems to log a deployment, as well. Alti-2 seems to be well aware of this, though, and they're always working to make the Neptune ever more precise. The updateable firmware is always proving to be a better and better asset. I need to write Tetris for thing. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

Very cool. And you didn't have the "trailing edge flap" until pull time.

Absolutely beautiful object and day to jump. Made an excellent background for an excellent flight. The exit and glide you had was spot on. Very nice. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

I think he means that the Neptune is prematurely logging a deployment altitude. Been happening to me on literally every wingsuit jump (I just can't break 12s of freefall anymore ). I think low airspeeds plus movement (generally from looking at the altimeter) is enough to put it under its threshold for logging a deployment. They've been tweaking it quite a bit to keep this from happening. This also seems to be related to a hop and pop logging issue I've had, as well (dumping within 1s - 2s of leaving AC). Alti-2 claims to have fixed this issue in version 2.1.5, and I think wingsuit pilots might benefit from it. About to try to the latest firmware this weekend. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

Wait... so people actually log BASE jumps? Like with a book? Hell, I don't even log skydives. I keep a tally, and that's about it. Well, with as few BASE jumps as I have, they're just committed to memory right now. So, if I was asked to classify a blimp or balloon I'd jumped, I'd just say, "fuck it, I jumped it." "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

HAHAHA!!! I'm not the only one who got that, right? "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

28" ZP = good. If you go bigger than 28", go F-111. I use a 28" ZP and a 32" F-111 (on skydives). I went 32" to get more surface area out there (less burble issue), but F-111 to have less snatch force. You can really use just about anything, just deploy according to your gear. A standard length bridle and smaller PC work just fine, so long as you burn off your forward speed and keep your wings closed after deployment. On my 32" PC, I use a 10' bridle and the BASE PC pouch, and I pitch it in full flight. If I did this with my "smaller" PC and bridle, I'd more than likely get a hesitation (I've had a PC in tow because of this). "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

Wingsuit chicks. That's hot. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

Hadn't really thought about that. I could definitely see a new or big canopy popping out the tuck tabs, whereas rubber bands are, of course, more flexible. Heck, I might convert my d-bag to one of these. Use the four locking stows and then stow the rest of the line like I do on tailpocket. Vladi made a good point about why these bags aren't out there. If someone doesn't know how to stow lines in a pocket, they could easily pack themselves a malfunction. I guess some education should be sent along or known in advance. It's not at all difficult, of course, but I could imagine someone with 50 jumps who just bought their first rig getting one of these bags and hosing themselves over "guessing" how to stow the lines. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

I think the Berger bag uses no stows at all -- a "tail pocket" with tuck tabs. This one just looked like a normal d-bag that uses a pocket instead of secondary stows. Very cool, regardless. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

I'm a diseased clown who loves to nibble Bill Cosby. I'd say it's fairly accurate. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

I thought that might be Jay, but all those damn PD guys dress alike in competition. I just noticed that d-bag in the VX39 video. Very interesting. It has two traditional locking stows and then uses a velcro-closed pocket for the rest of the lines. I wonder how that'd do at terminal with a more "normal" (less than 2.4:1) wingloading. My theory is that it'd open as slowly, but probably have better heading.

DAMN! That 1080° in the Texel video was SICK! Spot on. That's really damn impressive to throw that so accurately. Who was that? "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

Well, hear it again. This happened to me on a PC in tow. I pulled both handles simultaneously. I then immediately popped my riser covers and gave my 3-rings a "stroke" from top to bottom -- not to detach the risers completely, but to make for a cleaner breakaway should the main container open, which it did. Whether to chop or not is simply a matter of whether or not you are comfortable with a two-out situation. I, personally, am not. I think the release of pressure off the main container combined with the drag of a pilot chute is enough to open the container (with the exception of a misrouted bridle). However, if NOTHING is out, then chances are that nothing will ever be out (impossipull, lost handle, or a PUD in tow for those who still use those). Even with the reserve out of the container, there is no force to extract the pin. I've been in this situation, too. I just went straight to reserve and the main container stayed closed (though I was ready to catch the d-bag with the tail of my wingsuit -- the PC was VERY stuck). My 2¢. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

http://www.parastuff.nl/video/vx39.wmv http://www.parastuff.nl/video/swooptexel.wmv "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

I think he means if those pants are made the company which makes Pressurized pants (http://www.pressurized.at/). And according to the picture my guess would be yes. I've since been informed that he made those himself. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

This seems to be what I hear about a lot of monowing suits. That you can fly them pretty well right away, and then you learn to max them out in a very short time. I think the S3 has a much steeper learning curve, but more potential. The fall rates that people hit pretty quickly, but never really get below, in their MTR2, I have no problem maintaining (and beating) in my S3 (for similar weight and height). I haven't had the chance to compare forward speed, but I know I'm consistently doing over 2.2:1, and 2.4:1 or 2.5:1 for good chunks of my flights (crosswind/no wind). However, it took many many jumps to get here. My theory is that if you gave someone a MTR2 and had them do 30 jumps on it, then went back in time and them jump the S3 30 times, they'd probably get better results from the MTR2. Given the same situation with 200 jumps, they'd probably be smoking in the S3. No, this is not a dis to Matter or its products, owners, or representatives. There is no atempt to open yet another can of worms here. These are simply my views on a message board, and therefore should be not be taken to heart. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

I think that by wearing them under your harness it will cut off or cover the vents on the hips and in the crotch. Which will dramatically reduce the flow of air into the pants. If they're at all like the BirdMan Pantz, the effect isn't that dramatic. The vents don't get covered, but inflation in the ass area is somewhat restricted (unless your leg straps are a tad loose). Besides, what's so bad about wearing leg straps under your pants on a skydive? I wear them under my wingsuit all the time. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

I lost everything before, but the cutaway handle (it was all stolen, including the main). My reserve handle was $50, but I remember the PC being more, because of the cap. That seems like an awful lot for handles. $75 for a pillow handle? Emroidered or anything? "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

WHEN? September 10 - 12, Friday through Sunday WHERE? Skydive Oregon in Molalla, OR -- http://www.skydiveoregon.com WHY? The goal of this boogie is to unite the birds of the Northwest (and hopefully elsewhere), get new birds in the air, and have some friendly competition. This will be a good opportunity to do some seriously scenic flocking with birds from the Northwest. WHAT? A good chunk of BirdMan's demo fleet will be available to accomodate new birds of all shapes and sizes. Go on your first flight, or demo a suit you've never flown before. Alti-2 will also be here with demo Neptune's to use throughout the weekend and in the competition. Load organizing and big-way flocks will happen all weekend long. And bring those cameras for some big-way HP canopy and wingsuit relative flying. On Saturday, you can put your money where your mouth is by competing in distance and delay rounds. As an added bonus, we'll have a waddle-n-chug -- a 100 yard foot race -- in your wingsuit -- to cold Northwest ale (or root beer), followed by some kickass cooking and a bonfire. HOW MUCH? There is no registration fee for the boogie (aka, we're not doing t-shirts). Dinner on Saturday is $10 (covers food cost and all profits go to the swoop pond aeration project). Take $30 off the normal FFC price this weekend -- it's two slots and $20 for ground and air instruction. Suit rentals are $10 per jump. For the competition, it's your two slots and $25 for the pot to be distributed to the top three contenders. ANYTHING ELSE? All wingsuit pilots will receive a wristband as soon as they've been briefed at the BirdMan booth or have received their FFC. If you're a BMI (or other wingsuit instructor) and you plan on attending, please PM me if you'd like to do instruction while you're here. PM me for more details on the boogie, competition, or the DZ. See you in a month! "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

We're planning on a BMI course on the 9th and 11th (Thursday and Friday). Many have expressed interest, but payment is needed from the rest of you to make it happen. Monday, August 23rd, is the cutoff date to reserve your slot. In the event of cancellation, those who have paid will receive a full refund. If you become a BMI at the course and/or plan on doing instruction at the boogie on Friday through Sunday, please PM me and let me know. The FFC has a reduced rate during the boogie, but you should still be able to recoup some of your investment right off the bat. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

Nice site. And they seem to work well per the video. That just looks like a weird body position. The PF suit seems to allow for a more "natural" track, and you aren't spilling air anywhere. It'd be nice to try the Pressurized suit, but for that price, I may as well buy a Classic and get better performance. Or hell, just use my S3 and save a few bucks and get way better performance. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

Are those the Pressurized pants? "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click