ManBird

Pitching in a track helps with heading. The worse the pack job, the harder you you should track when you pitch. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

It's called CReW. Yes, it is extremely odd and dangerous behavior. It is often a sign of latent homosexuality and usually practiced by men with wife-swapping moustaches and tanktops. It is best to be avoided. Intervention may be required. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

Has this been jumped by others, as well? "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

Why don't we all go into the kitchen and make a big sandwich? "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

Fox 245.

Do every load from 9.5K. Pulling at 3K, you need a 37MPH average to get two minutes. Not impossible, but pretty damn hard. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

You aren't. Seriously, you aren't. When we offer up info to "uncertified" instructors, we're not being condescending. We're genuinely trying to help. And be realistic, BMIs have a ton of info, and a lot of us (no, not all) have a LOT of wingsuit flights and a LOT of real world experience with a LOT of students. Before I was a BMI, I wanted to get other birds in the air, so I got on the phone with BirdMan and got great pointers. They understand that BMIs are not at every drop zone, and are willing to help the most qualified potential mentors and/or give info to S&TAs. If they aren't available (being a very busy company and all), shoot your questions and your number to the more experienced BMIs and I guarantee at least one of us answer your questions -- even get on the phone with you. That goes for everyone out there. The problem is that you really don't know how much information you're missing until you've learned from the best and taken many different people from many different planes at many different drop zones, and had students get into many different situations. I used to be super anti-BMI (and it's well documented). Even then, BirdMan was willing to offer me info I needed to get people in the air, and recommended me to potential new birds. It's just not fun to be against the organization that has done the most for modern wingsuit flight (and made your suit). Yeah, that. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

Oh, man! This is awesome! I hope I'm ready for it. Got a used Sabre 135 for learning ground launching (and for flatter slopes). It just hit me how weird this is. I've never owned a (skydiving) canopy less aggressive than a Sabre 120. Neat. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

Nice video. Need to get that platform out there a little further. Way to keep your head and get the canopy out on the right side. You're way ahead of the curve. You already have BASE and you're doing aerials. Damn you. I still need a building and I won't be doing flippy-dos anytime soon. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

Oh, I'm sorry. I thought you requested geeks. Not giant nerds. Novell and NT. Wow. 1998 all over again. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

If you're just looking to get practice flying, then just rig it up the same as a skydiving canopy. Sail slider, d-bag, skydiving PC and bridle. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

NICE! Great work! "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

Yeah, I'm not great on nailing gates yet, but I can definitely do 270+ in no wind on my Katana 97. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

Hell, just in ground school. The demonstration I always give is this relaxed, smooth pull all the way up to the shoulder, and I emphasize, "ALL the way" up. What do some students do? They panic pull the zipper halfway and try to reach uo for the imaginary risers. This is on the GROUND. My GTi has lost one pully-dealy -- not the metal, just the cable attached to it, and it has had both booties blown out. All from the same student (he paid for the $10 bootie repair). That guy was PEGGED out once we got in the air. But within like three jumps, he was kicking some serious ass. Then he disappeared. Forever. I kinda miss that guy. The end. PS He didn't go in. He just disappeared. Like we don't know where the hell he went. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

And when following those instructions, add like 1" to everything. A bit too big is better than a bit too small. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

I don't think the issue "certified" instructors has is with mentor-style instruction, it's with unqualified mentors. Even before I was a BMI, BirdMan sent new birds my way. I'd flown with people down in Florida, lurked some FFCs, and got the "acceptable" rating I'm all for mentorship-style instruction. Personally, I just like to verify, especially in my neighborhood, that the mentor isn't teaching anything that's potentially dangerous. And it happens. I've seen a lot people with bad practices they learned from their local experienced wingsuit person. Everything ranging from the minor -- bad body position (in flight and during the pull), bad cable routing, etc -- to the major -- routing cables around handles, and even unzipping the arm wings BEFORE pulling on every jump! Yes, there are (or were) some that scowl at these mentors. I, personally, prefer to help out. These guys and gals are going to instruct their local birds no matter what. The best thing to do is hook up with them and get the right info to them. The official certifications may eventually become widespread enough to not even have these discussions. Ask people who have been around about the early days of AFF. Same deal. There were a LOT of people giving AFF courses without AFF ratings. It just took time. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

Yeah, I saw the pic. I've since heard that JC once got a bird. Don't know if it entered the canopy or if he just nailed it. The hawk did surprisingly little damage to the canopy. He poked a few holes into a rib with his bill, but no patches are necessary. Some extra crossporting, I guess. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

Damn those springloaded pilot chutes. I love the "the cord" insert. Would have done better just to not mess with the quote. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

Nearly 500 wingsuit jumps and not one busted zipper. Am I an exception? "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

Drop zones and governing bodies always have the final say on what goes with wingsuit activity. Manufacturers can aid these parties in establishing policies for flying and training. These parties may accept these recommended policies as is, modify them, or deny them completely. BirdMan has been the most effective in establishing acceptable guidelines. I realize that the ultimate agenda here is render the BMI title ineffective. However, it's following a model that's proven itself in skydiving. Using the tandem analogy -- a non-USPA DZ that has tandem gear can probably get away with sending whuffos up with unrated skydivers, no problem. They might never have an incident, but it's pretty sketchy, eh? "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

I don't fly a Xbrace but I picked the third one. Competition flying, especially in front of a lot of whuffos, is a whole ball game. By the time someone has competed enough to overcome that, they are most likely flying a Xbrace, as well. I think it's just an intrinsic part of modern swoop competition. The same skydiving maturity (time, jumps, and attitude), that come with flying a Xbrace canopy safely and effectively apply directly to competition. Setting up a division that would welcome less experienced jumpers would undoubtedly net at least a couple that might wreck themselves in front of spectators. Just my opinion. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

Pitching in a track definitely helps with heading performance and speeds the opening up a bit (definitely reduces altitude loss). While I consistently pitch in a full, hard track (wingsuit or not), I don't recommend it. Your body or canopy can sustain quite a bit of damage from it. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

Ditto on lowhook's post. Everything there is right on. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

I toss my handles a lot. Whatever. I'm considering getting a half dozen or so handles and having embroidered on each cutaway pillow, "#5", "#6", "#7", "#8" and so on.

Where's the glove? "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click