ManBird

Wings is an excellent container for wingsuit flying. There were ties between Sunrise Rigging and BirdMan in the design. They understand what a rig needs for skyflying. The lateral size and position is perfect for attaching a wingsuit without stressing the teeth on the wings. Plus they're inexpensive. The Infinity is almost interchangeable with the Wings container in this sense (size and shape of laterals, price, available wingsuit mods). If money is not an issue and SunPath will sell you the Bergman bag, get an Odyssey with open corners and the Bergman bag. The only thing I don't like about the Odyssey, though, is the size and shape of the laterals, which usually end up barely fitting into the space where you skip a tooth while attaching a suit. It could eventually cause damage to the teeth. As far as Mirage goes... it's a great rig but the price, IMO, is totally unjustified. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

I saw DAD awhile ago and forgot to mention that the nickname "Lard of the Wings" was fucking hilarious. So I'm mentioning it. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

A "band" is not a "point". "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

Hey, I don't have an option! I don't think we have even one person with under 500 jumps loaded over 1.7. Edited to add: It's not necessarily that people getted banned or aren't allowed to, I think it's more that there is a lot of education. As long as I've been at SDO, we've had at least one S&TA who is also an experienced high performance canopy pilot that will provide really good advice. With the right eyeballs and the right attitude, people will just naturally be convinced that high wing loading with low jump numbers is just an unnecessary risk. There's more criticism than praise when someone steps out of their ability. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

You are granted additional time as follows: With LQRS: 4 minutes Without LQRS: 3 minutes 45 seconds GO! Er... Pumpkin? "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

Nor would I. IMO, the S3 is physically more difficult to fly, but the S1 is technically more difficult. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

BTW, what sparked this poll was a minor disagreement between Kevin and I about the amount of time most people spend hooking up their suit. I figured it was less than five minutes and he estimated closer to ten. Looks like he was right. You people are slow. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

Huh? What good is a skydiving rig that isn't attached to a wingsuit? Exactly. Hell, I only have one rig and don't need to switch the suit in and out. Though the few times I do, it's about a 3 - 4 minute process. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

Answers due by Wednesday. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

I thought you had an S3. Yeah, the first Skyflyer is definitely the most difficult suit on the market to fly. The leg wing is a little small for the arm wings. If you push the legs really hard, you have to compensate the arms a bit. Never heard of Chuck's trick. I like it. My first Skyflyer (1) flight scared the hell out of me. I found that if you fly it like you're riding on a giant ball, you'll get a kickass fall rate and the suit will fly smoothly and comfortably, and it won't kill your arms. This slows your forward speed a bit, but not so much that it excessively hurts your glide ratio (1.7:1 - 2:1 is very realistic). Overall, that instability goes away with experience. It's just one of those things in skydiving that eventually clicks. After a couple dozen flights (assuming there's sufficient experience on an entry level suit), you'll find that you can fly the suit hard, but also stable and relaxed. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

In terms of performance, if both suits are flown at their peak, the S-Fly will be easier to fly and have a slower fall rate than the GTi, but the GTi will have better forward speed, overall glide ratio, and will be more responsive. In terms of flocking, the GTi is more well rounded and compatible with all other suits, including the Skyflyer and S3. A S-Fly and S3 flock would make both parties involved have to work pretty hard. I have no comparison for workmanship, as people haven't really had the S-Fly long enough to test its endurance, but the BirdMan suits, in general, are built tough. The S-Fly is approximately $740 and comes in four stock or custom colors. All sizes are custom. The delivery time is six weeks for stock colors and nine weeks for custom colors. E-mail info@flyyourbody.com. The BirdMan GTi sells for $799. Colors and sizes are custom. Stock and used suits are also available from around $300. Delivery time is usually between six and eight weeks (usually the latter) for a custom suit. BirdMan’s web site is at http://www.bird-man.com. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

Then you need to roll your shoulders forwards more. ;) If you're getting a good glide ratio, have your shoulders rolled forwards, and have your chin to your chest (or if you look down with your head), you can, in fact, kill the air to your alti. Doesn't happen all the time, though. I just use a wrist mount and get it as far up on my thumb as possible. I can't really see it, but I don't have to rotate my hand too much to do so. As long as it isn't too dark (ie, bad depth perception), the planet does a good job of telling you where you're at. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

I think it makes sense. Think of "band" in terms of a "frequency band"... as opposed to a "rock band" or "rubber band" or "pumpkin love". "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

Or simply put... ADVANTAGES - Faster forward speed - Less chance of losing a bootie (especially in aerobatics) - Shows off how awesome your chest is (if it's already awesome) DISADVANTAGES - Comes apart sooner (I've seen this, too) - Increased chance of blowout on arms - Faster fall rate - More difficult to zip up - More difficult to remove booties "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

That's still an application. As far as definition goes, I should have just said: The power band is the total amount of power generated from diving the canopy using front risers. Examples: 1. "I was lower than I wanted to be and only got to use half of my power band, so I ended up going for a swim." 2. "He got the entire band and then didn't even touch a riser. That was f*¢king perfect!" 3. "I can use my entire power band in three seconds from 400 feet, but I prefer to spend five seconds on it from 600 feet, since my judgement isn't 100%." 4. "Free pumpkin love!" And yes, I believe Slaton coined the term. He was the first person from whom I'd heard the term. He explained the concept with drawings and a miniature parachute at a canopy seminar. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

You could also take advantage of the size of your suit. A tighter suit will usually give you better forward speed and recovery after aerobatics will be more stable. A baggier suit will give you better lift. This is why I still love to put on my tighter GTi for hardcore aerobatics and my intentionally too big S3 for getting huge freefall times. I now kinda wish I had another tight S3 for getting a better glide ratio. I'll just get a tight version of whatever my next suit is. As far the wrist goes... ALWAYS add an inch to the measurement. Add another centimeter to the hand on which you wear your altimeter, which I'm assuming is your left hand. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

Should also mention that double front risers apply to the power band. Like if you're in the position to set up for a 180 when you usually do 270s, you can do the 180 at the same rate you'd do the 270, and therefore get your canopy at the same angle as usual, then double front the rest. Nothing new here. The PowerBand™ is just a reminder that you're a special individual... full of pumpkin love. Er... I mean... it's just a reference for the amount of time spent in a turn before the riser pressure is too high to hold. Sometimes pilot/canopy combos can't get more than a 180 in five seconds, some use their powerband up on a 360 in one second. If you're Steel, you can only do a 90 before you get to the ground. The application is up to you. The choice is yours and so forth. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

No, you won't have the same end result, but the difference is usually marginal. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

Stu, to actually answer your question, the power band is the duration of a front riser turn. For example, I can stay in a front riser turn for about five seconds before the pressure gets to high to hold the dive loop down. The idea behind it is that the amount of time, not angle, of your front riser turn determines what amount of power you will have in your swoop. Whether I do a 360 or a 180, if I spend five seconds on the turn, the result will be about the same. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

Hey we posted at the same time, and it looks like our responses are pretty similar. That's good, as the wingsuit instructor role seems to be a controversial topic with some. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

I've wondered the same thing myself. While I do what I can to stay relative and give hand signals that the new bird is probably too overwhelmed to even understand, I feel that the real role of a wingsuit instructor is more informational than physical. It's not like you are taking someone up on their first skydive. Essentially, you don't fly a wingsuit until you have the ability to do so. It's a major bonus for the student to get feedback in flight and I like to make sure I'm there to give it, but it's probably not actually necessary. I do, however, strongly believe that the instructor, if nothing else, should at least observe the flight from exit to post pull (check if they had line twists, etc). I feel that most of my role when giving wingsuit instruction (the only type of instruction I give) is education, and I've even had a few qualified people that I briefed and they went and did the flight solo (back when I only had one suit). On anyone's first few flights, I really have just one concern about what they do in the air... practice pulls. I'm far more concerned with their education than the quality of their flight (for the first few jumps, anyway). And there is, to a degree, the distortion of the student's body position when they're geeking you. You fly right next to them and they look at you, which usually means that they end up flying towards you, as they aren't keeping their head on a swivel. I haven't been nailed yet, and it's pretty easy to not be, but it's just some evidence that, yes, you can be a distraction. I've found that the student does best when I get directly behind and to the side of them. They usually don't see me and end up flying better. If they aren't doing practice pulls or following the flight plan, I can just move forwards, signal to them, and then back up a little bit. Even then, though... you do get the occassional space case. Oh, well. Enough of this nonsensical rambling. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

Dwain was honored very appropriately. Huge thanks to everyone involved. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

I totally agree with billvon. It really depends on your main. When I was borrowing a Crossfire 2 for awhile, I dumped at 4k - 4.5k. On my Sabre 120, I usually pulled at 2.5k - 3k. But this was also after I had my stowing routine dialed in and fast. If your canopy has (essentially) no chance of giving you a spinning mal, you're quick at putting your stuff away, and you've given yourself a good spot, then dumping uber high isn't all that necessary. I'm dumping at 3.5k - 4k right now, though, because my new Sabre2 is just too damn fun. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

Damn right. My favorite altimeter is that big ball of dirt, trees, and houses down there. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

Personally, I say pack it once and find out where it needs to be, as it will vary from rig to rig, though it will probably be in the neighborhood of 22" on any setup. I didn't measure mine at all, to be honest. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click