ManBird

Oh, yeah... and that's other reason (forgot about that one). Haven't had that problem yet. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

I've never really understood this misconception. After you open, you unzip your wings. That's it as far as what to "deal with". A lot of people, even when I'm wearing the suit in front of them, say, "if I need to chop, I want full access to my handles". You always have access to your emergency handles, even with everything zipped up. You only need to pull the handles to disconnect the arm wings if you have something you need to fix (eg, line twists) and aren't comfortable with the zippers yet and don't feel that you need to chop. Out of over 200 WS jumps, I've had line twists several times, and even chopped once. I have never chopped the wings, and have never needed to do so. There really isn't a lot to deal with. After not too long, you can connect the suit in just a few minutes. It usually takes me three or four, and I often have someone doing the other side, cutting it down to just a couple minutes. For me, it's only about eight to ten seconds (about 150 - 200 feet) from the time my canopy is open to the time that I have my arms and legs out of the suit, slider collapsed, toggles unstowed and am flying the canopy. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

So, I've ditched the Vengeance and just ordered a Sabre2 107. I almost went 97, but that might be a bit aggressive... especially if Monkey's loading it that much (I'd be about the same WL). This way, I don't have to maintain two rigs, and I'll have a bit to sell to aid in recouping the money I'm about to send off to Square1. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

Hey monkey. What's your WL on that Sabre 97? Not that I'm going to try to match it at all. Just curious, as I'm sure you're over their suggested max of, I think, 1.6. Just wondering if you've had line twists yet and if it flew straight, even with the higher WL. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

I have my packing fairly dialed in, but I still get slammed on the rare occasion. I can just imagine getting slammed with the camera on, and don't like the idea of it. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

I agree 100%. Just looking for something divey. One option, which I'm definitely considering, is getting the Vengeance and just leaving it in my pond rig, never flying a WS with it. However, I would like to film WS jumps, and I think the difference between the two canopies might be great enough to throw me off at some point, if and when I get complacent (ie, used to turning at 400 on the Sabre, but I'm flying the Vengeance). "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

So, I have over 200 WS jumps. My heading control on deployment is beyond dialed-in. I want a Vengeance 107 (which I'd load at 1.7). Am I just asking for something bad to happen if I put the two together? Edited to add: I'm about to start flying camera, and I'd really rather not do so with my Sabre (that's a Sabre 1). "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

I got the CamEye, but my PC-10 doesn't have a LANC port. I need to find an adapter (posted in this forum). I don't think I need a quick release. A push and pull on the chin cup releases it quickly enough... even one-handed. I've practiced it many times on the ground, and am adding it to my emergency procedures, which I practice obsessive compulsively for every jump. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

I'm assuming there's a VMC-LM7 LANC adapter for the PC-10, but I couldn't find a place to get one online. Anyone know where I could score one and how much they run? I went ahead and got the CamEye II on my FF2. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

Some stunning new pics of Robi at Arco and in Moscow are on the site. I believe he is flying the S4 prototype in these pics. Added several videos, as well, but nothing particularly new. Expect a cool new video very soon. My FF2 came in yesterday, so I'll be putting a few videos together myself. :) "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

Looks like everyone is getting theirs all of the sudden. Shall send pics once I have my camera in there. I must say, the quality of this helmet is first rate. I'm very impressed and very happy with my purchase. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

Do NOT buy the S3 as your first suit. I don't think BirdMan would sell it to you for your first wingsuit jump, anyway. It definitely requires some of experience to fly. The GTi is a wonderful suit. It has a huge performance envelope... it's forgiving enough to fly as your first wingsuit, and but performant enough to flock with Skyflyers and S3s and last you long into your wingsuit flying. I had about 180 jumps on my GTi before I got my S3, and I still throw it on occasionally. Aerobatics are much easier and "quicker" in the GTi. I never had a problem with my zippers. Add an inch to the wrist measurement, and you probably never will. I definitely recommend loop cutaway handles. If you do need to chop the wings, you'll probably lose the pillow handles. I recommend the LQRS, if you don't mind paying extra for it. It might come in handy and it will be very easy to sell to a BASE jumper. If you plan to BASE the suit at all, the LQRS is a must. Put a bare minimum of 50 jumps on the GTi before moving onto the S3. 100 is my recommendation. Otherwise, the S3 will end up working you over for awhile, and you'll probably end up hating it, if not endangering yourself (especially on deployment). Buy the GTi. You will love it for forever. (Edited for spelling) "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

Exactly. I won't come by without permission and an understood plan (ie, "I'll approach from the west. and I will pass you no lower than 4,000. Make no radical turns until then."). It's also important for the student to be aware of what's going on. I had a second buzz planned yesterday, but the student seemed scared to death and was screaming like crazy on her way out, so I bailed on that one. Supposedly, one little Aussie got ruined it for the rest of us when he buzzed a tandem without communicating what he'd be doing, and it scared the crap out of the student. I wish he'd get his ass back up here for at least a visit, though. ;) "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

Nice. It's definitely getting bigger. Yesterday, a first time tandem student saw my suit and actually knew what it was. Buzzed them a bit, of course. :) "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

Tamer, are you looking at SAS or TAS? If you're charts leave the screen at 6,000 - 5,000... about the same place mine usually do, that's 40 ~ 44 MPH TAS, not 30, which is still an excellent fall rate, and what one should be doing with the S1/S3 after some time. SAS pretty much always gives significantly lower numbers, ESPECIALLY, at drop zones with a low MSL (like DeLand and Z-Hills). SAS is meant more for people at high altitude DZs that want to see how they'd perform at sea level. However, when you set your PT to SAS very close to sea level, the calculations result in very low numbers. 30 (TAS) isn't tough to achieve, but pretty much impossible to maintain throughout a flight. That would pretty much make you best wingsuit flyer in the world, in terms of fall rate. Holding it for ten to fifteen seconds seems a little more realistic, and even then, it'd be more of a curve's peak than straight line on a chart. And no, I'm not "muscling" the suit. I think anyone can testify that a few flights into the day, you feel a burn in your arms after a couple minutes of keeping the suit maxed (and pretty much only on solos). There's a great thread on the ProTrack here: http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=528999;search_string=SAS%20TAS;#528999 And for those who don't know, when someone shows you their ProTrack after a wingsuit flight and says, "Hey! Check out my fall rate!". Look for a dot to the left of the speed. If there is a dot there, that is SAS. Add about 20% to get their real speed. ;) "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

For those who care... fall rate, based on the data Sirob provided... 3200 metres - 1616 metres - 150 metres = 1434 metres 1434 * 3.28 = 4704 feet 4704 feet/1434 metres over 73 seconds = 43.94 MPH/70.70 KMH ...this will probably vary a bit once the height of Eiger is confirmed. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

Where are you wearing it? When I used to wear it on my helmet, I was pretty much guaranteed to shut the thing off after about 20 seconds. Looking around will throw the speed off by about 8 - 10 MPH. Flying the S3 ~40 down, a glance to the right will make it think you're at 30 MPH or less, and will shut off. I wear it in my front pants pocket now. My charts come out really clean, and the only time it shuts off prematurely is when I actually do get under 30, like after a swoop. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

Cool. Makes sense. I cut it in the exact same spot (smaller hole, though). "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

No, no pics. So you haven't had too big of problems with the thread continuing to unstitch? If not, then I see no reason to close it back up. It doesn't affect the flight and it's a great place to store controlled substances, should I be hired for a unique form of trafficking. Note: I don't use drugs. Calm down. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

Whoo! Did it last night. Got a glowstick into each cell. Wore a xenon bulb on head and strobe on my ankle. Just flew north towards the lights of Portland. Beautiful. Reportedly looked really weird from the ground. Thanks a lot for the tip! This will be very easy to repair, as well. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

Sending mail, too? Tell the rest of the gang what you did. I think DW will visit here again (I live in Portland, OR) just to show me up with his new suit. I'd really like to see it fly. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

Nice. Can't wait to try such a suit, should it hit the market. Check your PM regarding the mail. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

So... sounds like airlocking would be useless, as well. Good to know. Now I have no need or desire to butcher my GTi. :) The MTR-1 is airlocked, which, IMO, would be even more useless, because the size and shape of the wing doesn't leave much of a potentially "flappy" trailing edge. As far as mylar ribbing goes, I'd like to know if it really is making that much of a difference. That is, I could definitely see them making a difference for somewhat relaxed flight, but when flying just about any suit properly, even the S3, the trailing edge is rock solid. Is the mylar ribbing a crutch, or does it actually improve flight for even the best body position? "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

I have a pair of the Birdman BASE Pantz and besides looking most sexy, even in the bar the damn things worked really good for me. I was able to get enough drag that I was actually able to hold a head down on my own. While that may not seem impressive to some, it was to me since I don't FF and have never been able to hold a HD on my own. As for the tracking part I would say that it was about like tracking with a bootie suit on. I felt good drive and control when I tracked off. So yes I think they work, the ones made by Birdman that is. I was referring to the one produced by Matter. Was wondering if they really did much more than be tough and look cool. I am very aware of the performance of the BirdMan Pantz. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

Oops! I just found that out last night. Jean-Phillipe Riccordeau (sp?) designed the MTR-1. My apologies. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click