hookitt

the 170 puts you at almost a 1.2 wingload. That's not to big of a stretch to see you under a 170. You mentioned you jumped a 170 already. How did it feel? The suggestion to put some jumps on a 190 is a very good one. The jump from a large 7 cell down to a canopy that actually does what you ask it too is a big step. I would guess that you have the discipline to make those jumps on a 190 and then jump down to that 170. Are there some real good canopy pilots were you jump? Pick their brains about canopy flight. Do this. Borrow that 190, pull at around 10,000 feet and just wring it out. Figure out what the canopy will do. Test flair it, stall it Riser turn it(front and rear) Go nuts! It's not only a lot of fun but it will improve your canopy skills immensely. Email me personally if you want some cool canopy drills. My grammar sometimes resembles that of magnetic refrigerator poetry... Ghetto

Count me in My grammar sometimes resembles that of magnetic refrigerator poetry... Ghetto

At this point I would have to say Moodyskydiver. You are so Cute! I don't look a thing like Vin Diesel so I'm out of the running :) My grammar sometimes resembles that of magnetic refrigerator poetry... Ghetto

Extremely aggressive 360 carve. It's very steep and dives for a long ways. LOTS and LOTS of front riser input, and the degree of input depends on outs altitude and sometimes my attitude the day. almost 3000 jumps on 97 stiletto with 1.7 to 1.8 wingload. Bunches of jumps on lots of other tiny canopies, up to 2.8 wingloading. It feels good to hang your hands back like Rickster is doing in the picture. That's all My grammar sometimes resembles that of magnetic refrigerator poetry... Ghetto

Looking at your profile, you have 61 jumps. prolly a few more unless you update it all the time :) I would consider something other than either of those 2 parachutes. Something like a sabre2 would be a good step for you. Very agressive canopy and will do what ever you want it too. But sized properly, will give you lots of room to error and to learn before jumping up to an even more high performance canopy. The stiletto out performs the diablo in every way. My grammar sometimes resembles that of magnetic refrigerator poetry... Ghetto

Almost one year in the sport. 100 BASE jumps. ================================= 1. What are you thoughts on base jumping?? (i.e. scares you to death, can't wait to do it, etc.) I do it. Once I jump I'm not usually scared any more. The time Leading up to the jump, I am always scared and sometimes I wonder why I'm doing it. Scared as can be. Most of the time I still prep my self get my self ready and jump. I have walked down from an exit point in perfect conditions. -------------------- 2. Does this forum affect your feeling toward you base jumping and why? (i.e. do you want to do it now from stuff you have read or not do it now) I just started to read this forum so it doesn't affect my decision in any way. ------------------- 3. If you do want to jump, how many jumps (just a guess) do you think you will have when you will be ready to jump and has this forum affected that number? Has it cuased the number to be higher or lower and why? I jumped the first time with around 1500 skydives. another 6 jumps over a few years. It just didn't call to me. It wasn't until I had 4000 jumps that I decided to Jump again. Now I love it and want to learn more and more about it. --------------------- 4. Hypothetical- If you made a couple of jumps with a experienced jumper or attended a fjc, would you be comfortable continuing your jumping on your own, with just the information from here or Blinc? Damn good question. I didn't take a first jump course. There was many a time I wished I had. I still wish I had. Very few of my jumps were with an experienced jumper. If I were to start again, I would take a course. I have loads if information because if you ask you will recieve. It's how you listen and apply what has been shared. Take the course. I HIGHLY recommend it. ========= Many skydivers are of the opinion that the skydiving experience is enough. It's not true. It is or should be the training ground for BASE jumping, but it's not even close to the same thing. I have LOADS of canopy experience. It has helped me tremendously. The difference is that my BASE parachute and my skydiving parachute are completely 2 different beasts. The other is canopy rides are generally less than 30 seconds in The US. I say that because 400 to 600 feet is the norm around here. A jumper should have enough skydiving experience to make quick desisions. You don't always get to land where you want to and other things happen and it happens quickly. There are lots of people around willing to share what they know or at least give an educated opinion. Those same people also know who else to ask the same questions. Tom has been a good source of info. But like he says, he is not an expert or and instructer. Along with many other experienced and non experienced jumpers alike, I respect Toms views. I have Lots of skydives... BASE JUMPS? I just passed 100. Just like skydiving it's a milestone. I finally feel like I'm beginning to learn. Oh by the way, I was really scared and focused on my 100th jump. I had made it to 100 with nothing more than a few scares (not scars...except for walking right into a barbed wire fence on the way to an object) and some tumbles. I know darn well that it can get serious very quickly. The only thing I had in my favor was that I have lots of rigging experience. The gear was not a mystery. Leaping from and object? THAT was a serious mystery to me. Still is actually. Ok.. long post. I'm done for now. C-ya My grammar sometimes resembles that of magnetic refrigerator poetry... Ghetto

I forgot to mention this. When the reserve comes out of the reserve tray, there is no longer any presssure on the divider wall between the Main and reserve compartment. That will easily allow the main pin to pop out with minimal force allowing the main to deploy. My grammar sometimes resembles that of magnetic refrigerator poetry... Ghetto

There is one thing about bridle routing on a Talon and a few other rigs out there. It is pretty easy to push the bridle up to far under the side flap. It is then possible to catch the stiffener on the bottom flap. I learned this when the new style talon first came out and would tow the pilot chute for several seconds. This is only a possibility and am in no way saying that was the cause. Several reserve rides have occured because of catching the bridle over that bottom flap stiffener. I'm happy you made it in one piece. C-ya My grammar sometimes resembles that of magnetic refrigerator poetry... Ghetto

I changed no words and posted what I feel is a good response. It's included below. C-ya > Actually the manufacturing of BASE equipment has employed many people. It takes much research and developement and manpower to develop and manufactuer the safest equipment we now have available. BASE jumpers include Doctors, lawyers Computer professionals sales people, mechanics... the list goes on. Thousands upon thousands of Legal base jumps are done every year. The place where Tom met his demise is a well known place and one of many where it is completely legal and accepted. Go look on many of the walls in many Twin Falls establishments and one would soon see that is not only legal but highly accepted. Tom was a gem, those who knew him already know that. Ms "A" has no information and is obvioulsy quite jaded against BASE jumping or jumpers. My guess is that she doesn't like skateboards either. We'll just have to blow off her statements and remember our extremely talented fallen comrade. He screwed up. But we love him any way. My grammar sometimes resembles that of magnetic refrigerator poetry... Ghetto