ManBird

Will definitely do. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

'll be at Skydive DeLand from very late on the 15th to very early on the 22nd. Any recommendations on accomodations that are free or next-to-free? Wanna let me crash? I don't mind camping, but I haven't been able to get ahold of anyone to find out of the camping area is open to campers right now. Has it been dry enough for me to forego a tent? I'm all about the roughness. PM me. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

I'll be at Skydive DeLand from very late on the 15th to very early on the 22nd. Any recommendations on accomodations that are free or next-to-free? Wanna let me crash? I don't mind camping, but I haven't been able to get ahold of anyone to find out of the camping area is open to campers right now. Has it been dry enough for me to forego a tent? I'm all about the roughness. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

500+ have been made in a day. ;) I've definitely seen a good number of people do 100 - 200+ jumps per month... at least in the summer... in SoCal. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

Hmmm... I may go for this for my PC10 rather than bore into my current helmet. The price difference is barely higher, saves me a lot of work, looks like it will hold the camera better, and allows the flexibility of two helmets. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

The PC10 (scored for $411 on eBay) just came in. I'm flat broke for the next five days, and then I'm going to DeLand, but I'll be piecing the helmet together after that. I have a Bonehead Mindwarp. I was going to get a large D-Box, a chin-up, and a UV protective lens. Sound right? I'm wondering if my currrent photography principals apply to aerial photography. I never use wide angle lenses, artificial lighting, etc.. At least for now, I only plan to film fun jumps (which, for me, means wingsuit jumps), but no students anything, so I don't think I need sighting. Sighting scares me, anyway. As does Joan Rivers and Dairy Queen. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

BASE is for homos. OK, not really, but that f*¢kin' BASE/YMCA monstrosity was horrifying, and had me questioning my sexuality, I MEAN... er... shut up. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

Yeah, I did. While the technology is, of course, greatly improved, I have 74 reasons to not attach rigid wings to my body. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

Just browsed the Skyray site for no reason and noticed that they claim that it has a glide ratio of 2:3. So it would only move forwards about 6'700 feet in a 10'000 foot descent? There were claims that they could outglide wingsuits, but even breaking 1:1 is easy to achieve on anyone's first Classic jump. On Robert's Arco jump, he may have had over a 6:1 glide ratio (assuming a 1'500 ft descent (not including canopy ride) over 63 seconds at about 110 MPH forwards (pessimistic estimates)): ((110 / 63) * 5,280) / 1,500 = ~6.15 I heard he may have been traveling about 140 MPH horizontally, which would put it at almost 8:1, but I'll stick with what I consider the more realistic figure. Even if I'm off in the other direction and it's down to like 4:1, that's still way over the Skyray claim. For some reason I was under the impression that the Skyray's glide ratio was higher than that? Am I missing something? Is it just that it's late and I'm tired and can't do math right now? "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

I wish that spinout didn't look so cool. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

Wings also has "pop-up" toggles and dive loops. The dive loops kick ass, as they are set high and at an angle, making them very easy to grab. The very newest ones also throw in a half twist on the risers to eliminate a little bit more drag. Totally refined for safety and performance in swooping. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

Racers are by far the most comfortable rig that exists. They also have super clean and fast reserve deployments (hell, the bridle alone would probably rip the canopy out). I put a couple hundred jumps on my Racer Elite before I got my Wings, and I will say on three occasions (all three after transitioning from head down to sit), a riser cover came open, and I had risers down to my forearm in freefall (pretty easy to just put back on my shoulder). But this was with velcro, and even then, replacing the velcro with newer velcro covering a much larger area eliminated that problem. I'd imagine the flaps and added riser coverage on the new one will do much better. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

"BM_SF3 cut away.mpg" in UPLOADS. Just watched it. Pretty intense spinner. Looked like you were rotating to the left a tiny bit on deployment, but I'm surprised in went that nuts. Good testimony to pulling high, which I don't usually do. What was that? 4? Looking at where you where at the end of the reserve deployment, you needed it. I have a camera on the way. I can't wait to film my next mal. I wish I could have filmed my last one... I love skydiving. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

I have been in free fall in clouds, under canopy in clouds, and flown aircraft through clouds and never noticed this phenomenon. Nor have I. You're definitely not flying at ground level on jump run, but I don't think you were being totally serious (s136). If I can see the DZ, or at least a reference that I know I can maintain a visual on, I'll get out, otherwise, I won't. I've done this, and have spent a lot of time in freefall and under canopy in clouds. In keeping altitude awareness, especially in clouds (if it clouds over completely, it's nice to know that I came out at 3,000 -- hop and pops), I've never noticed altimeter reading irregularites (at least not significant enough to notice). "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

Yeah, I was pausing the video to look for the white loop around his thumb. Nothing. F*¢king amazing. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

EATING A WHOLE CAKE IN FREEFALL?!?!?! YES!!! "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

HAHAHAAHA!!!! You, dumbass. Just kidding. That's frickin' nuts. Good incision into that obstacle-ridden "landing area". "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

What would you do if: 1. You showed up to the DZ early, before the pilot. The pilot calls and tells the DZO he is running a little late. A load has formed, geared up and is waiting on the pilot. The pilot arrives, jumps out of his car goes directly to the airplane, and without a pre-flight, starts it up and tells everyone to get in? If I'm not manifested, I'd let it go up without me (and I have in that same situation). Manifested, I'd go anyway. Flying a wingsuit, I usually get out last, but I can opt to get out first, allowing me easy bail-out access. 2. You know that the pilot bail-out rig being used in the aircraft is out of date? I'd first notify the pilot. Then, if it's my home DZ and the pilot doesn't take action on the out-of-date rig, I would inform the DZO. If I'm visiting, it might give me an opinion on the DZ that wouldn't warrant a return visit. 3. Your friend's reserve is out of date and he wants to go make a jump with you, and use his out-of-date rig (you don't have a spare available for him top use)? Depends on how out of date it is. 40 days or so overdue really isn't a big deal, safety-wise. It also depends how I find out. If I just notice a tag or something, I won't say anything. If s/he tells me, then it depends if they agree that "I don't know". Outside that, no, I wouldn't jump with them. Either way, I'd recommend a repack. 4. One evening you witness the DZO forging a 100-hour inspection in the jump-ship's logbook? That's just wrong. That's grounds for finding a new DZ and reporting it. That's the lives of others right there. 5. The pilot tells you the DZO has disconnected the tachometer to prevent the meter from showing that the 100-hour inspection is past due? Same as 4. 6. You become aware that the pilot's medical has expired and they are still flying jumpers? How expired? If it's recent, it's understandable. If it's been awhile, request a different pilot (if available). If there's only one pilot whose medical is very expired, then I'm no longer at a DZ. It also depends if the DZO knows or not. 7. The battery in the aircraft is bad (leaking) so the DZO removes it and "jump-starts" the aircraft for each load? F**k no. I wouldn't set foot on that plane and I'd do what I could to keep everyone else off. 8. The winds pick up in the afternoon and jumping stops. A few people have started drinking, including the pilot. The winds calm in the evening and a few of your friends want to make a sunset jump, and the pilot agrees to fly? Same as 7. 9. On jump run, your are in a cloud, nothing but white in every direction, the pilot, turns and yells for you to go? I've gotten out before and made it back just fine, but I would never do it again. With a wingsuit, I just need to see the DZ, regardless of where it is. If I don't even have that, then it's a sucker load, f*¢k what the pilot says. Same goes for bad spots and yelling pilots or tandem instructors (when I used to not wear a wingsuit). 10. Your rigger returns your rig to you, but did not replace your AAD batteries that have expired? I'd get a repack and have the batteries replaced by someone else, inform the DZO (privately... politics), and never use that rigger again, and inform others (privately... politics) if the DZO did nothing about it. In reality, I don't have a Cypres, but that mistake would indicate the thoroughness of the rigger to me. 11. You become aware that the pilot is not calling Air Traffic Approach before dropping jumpers? I'd talk to the pilot about it first. I'd still jump. The chances of impacting aircraft in freefall or under canopy are extremely slim, and it's something I could work to avoid by spotting and flying evasively, if needed. Depending on visibility, you can see and react to aircraft from quite a distance. You REALLY have to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. 12. You witness your DZO pack a reserve for a local glider pilot without a rigger's ticket or the supervision of a rigger? Inform the rigger and the glider pilot (if s/he doesn't know). 13. You witness a rigger pack a Seat bailout rig, but does not have a Seat rating, only a Back rating? Talk to the rigger, then the DZO if needed, and not use that rigger. If the DZO knows, I'm sure I'd still jump at the DZ, but I'd become more suspicious of its operations and management. 14. You land off, in a tree, 20 feet above the ground? Suspended... nothing, wait for help. I must say that I'm quite the tree climber. If I'm secure, and I have figured out a route down, I would then cutaway and climb down. If chopping would drop me, or if I'm not certain about a way down, I'd stay and wait for help. In a tree under a reserve, I'd just wait. 15. At 500ft you initiate a hard toggle turn, and your steering line breaks? No I didn't. But if for some reason I ever did, I'd do a front riser turn (rotation depends on altitude, traffic, and obstacles), then go to rear-risers. At 500 ft, I'm most likely set up or on the front risers. 16. During taxi, you notice two jumpers without their seat belts on, or only draped over their leg? That's me on every jump in a Caravan. Winguit + Caravan = no seat belt. The co-pilot seat works, but only one jumper gets it in a flock. I usually just get a seatbelt around an arm in the Caravan. If they aren't in wingsuit, I'd just think they're dumb and complacent. 17. During take-off you notice the cameraman in the back of the airplane is not wearing his camera helmet and it isn't secured with a seat belt? Think he's dumb and complacent. 18. Your friend "pencil-packs" his reserve when he discovers it is out of date on the first day of a big boogie? Hope no one notices. Hope he doesn't have a reserve ride. Hope he doesn't go in. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

Never really took a look at the Superfly. Excellent riser coverage. And the BOC looks pretty flat... also a plus. I like the way the main closes (like a Wings), though the little stitched-on pocket for the pin cover doesn't look too permanent. And pop-tops are a little scary. I have enemies. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

Pack him a mal. j/k. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

That exit was smooth as sh*t. Hell, that whole tandem was. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

Jumpers at Elsinore are victims of second-hand smoke. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

You could hold SO much coffee in that thing. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

Oh, did I mention that I was usually eating graham crackers on deployment? When I switched over to Saltines, that cleared a lot of stuff up. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click

The span would actually be maybe 2½' feet, if anyone cares. You definitely can hook the suit. I've had my GTi down to 21 MPH (per ProTrack, so accuracy is questionable, but low-mid 20's a number of times) after 270ing and diving the suit. In a Skyflyer/S3, I wouldn't doubt that fall rate could become extremely minimal. However, as you lose fall rate after a hook, you gain forward speed, and as you shave off forward speed, you gain fall rate, and there really is no "stall point" that would make it safe. Maybe survivable on certain surfaces with PERFECT timing, but definitely not safe. As someone on this site was saying, what kills you is your internal softness. You stop, and you may have minor external injuries or abrasions and that's it, but your brain, heart, etc are just floating around in your body, held by very soft things. They'll stay in motion even when your body is stopped and could tear out of place. That's why some high-speed accidents (impact, swoop, etc) leave the body apparantly unharmed, but result in fatality. If you heart is going 10 MPH in one direction, but you're not moving, it could break away, and you're done. Ground effects on today's wingsuits are probably not quite enough to prevent a fatal fall rate. Not yet, anyway. "¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click