JYorkster

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Everything posted by JYorkster

  1. JYorkster
    I have my audible set at Breakoff, Pull, and Harddeck. The associated altitudes are generally 4K, 3K, and 1500 ft. These may change depending on the nature of the dive. I would not set my flatline altitude where you hear it on a regular basis, because you'll get used to hearing it. I want my flatline to be a wake-up call that I do not hear on a regular jump. Even when pulling at 2500, I do not hear my 1500 squeal. Just my 2 cents, Rock
  2. JYorkster
    I disagree even with this. Besides being fatal, as you pointed out, it can also be an indication that everything is still OK. An instructor opening his/her canopy is the strongest indication to the student that it is time to open. Unless you are pulling for them, staying with your student below the hard deck only increases their chances of NOT pulling. As for 15 sec delays, there is no way to effectively judge a student's body position 2000 ft away from the airplane. I beliive the instructor should leave the plane on anything more than 10 sec delays. Just my 2 cents, Rock
  3. JYorkster
    You're more likely to have a main opening due to poor maintenance, worn closing loop, etc, than a faulty cypres fire. Also, like Bigun said, you should not have your back facing the prop anyway. For IAD, you should be out of the plane, next to the student, 90 degrees to the line of flight. Because you're working with students, I think you're safer with it on than with it off. Just my 2 cents, Rock (S/L and IAD I)
  4. JYorkster
    Z1!
  5. JYorkster
    I'm gonna break from the herd a little here on my answer and say there is no reason you should need weights. I'm 5'11 165 and never have a problem falling too slow. If you are using your freefly suit to jump RW, then that is your problem. Get a jumpsuit that fits, and learn how to fly with it. The right jumpsuit will definitely give you the range you are looking for. We're about the same size, and I sometimes worry about going low...never can I not go fast enough (unless it's a tumbling student I'm chasing). Don't get me wrong...weights have their place. Larger jumpers seem to always expect smaller ones to wear weights. I just don't think they're required in your case. just my 2 cents, Rock
  6. JYorkster
    It depends on the canopy you are jumping, but if these are very large, docile student canopies with a single stage flare where you are pretty much told to flare all the way and hold.... I tell students to try to picture when the distance between them and their canopy matches the distance between them and the ground. That's a pretty good average flare height...12-15 ft. Now don't be looking up at you canopy trying to make this decision, but the visual works for most students. Ask your instructor about this before trying it, since it is dependent on the type of canopy. Rock
  7. JYorkster
    What are you really asking? By "first" do you mean in time or distance? These are different questions, and I think people are giving you different answers based on how they interpreted the question. A better glide ratio will make you go further and probably also take more time. Half brakes may or may not give you a better glide ratio in zero wind. It may bring you down slower, but in a more vertical descent. If you are in high wind that is pushing you the direction you want to go, this could be beneficial. Some canopies drastically lose forward speed in half brakes, but get very floaty...think of it like a round canopy. Low descent rate aided by wind can get you where you want to go. Just my 2 cents, Rock
  8. JYorkster
    I can't speak for PD, but we did experience a situation similar to yours with my wife's Cobalt... The canopy had a built-in turn that no one could figure out. The lines were correct and even the measurements on the fabric seemed OK, but for some reason, it still turned. Riggers and test jumpers could not figure it out. Anyway, Atair took care of all the shipping charges for sending it off to an independent test jumper and to them. They sent a demo canopy for her to jump during the entire process and handled the shipping charges for that as well. They ended up having to make a new canopy, but hooked us up through the entire process to make sure my wife still had a canopy to jump. Bottom line - the time it takes depends on what they'll have to do, but I'd expect a demo while you wait. Rock
  9. JYorkster
    And you want a wing loading of 1.2? I think the Sabre is a great canopy, but I think you are trying to go too small too early. You already stated the PD230 is not working for you. Granted it's F111, but size DOES matter as well. Rock
  10. JYorkster
    I personally like 1000 ft, but I agree with Quade...Entry into the pattern should be upwind and off to the side of the target. The pattern described in the SIM simply won't work. It describes 1000 ft abreast of the target 600 to base and 300 to final. Even assuming zero wind, the "downwind" leg is longer than final. Add any wind at all, and it exacerbates the problem. 1000 ft abreast of the target will work if the altitudes to turn to base and final are adjusted, but you may have students turning for final later than you'd like. I've tried to use the 45 degree rule (not the exit order 45 rule) that is commonly used for flying, and it seems to work pretty well. Enter the pattern at 1000 ft abreast of the target, turn to base when the target is 45 degrees over your shoulder, turn to final when you are in line with your target.
  11. JYorkster
    Lesson #5. Know what type of canopy you are jumping BEFORE you jump it. Not doing so could have pretty serious consequences. Glad you're OK. Rock
  12. JYorkster
    Where did you get this connector? I've looked for a snapping mini-DIN connector with no luck. Do you have an item number or link to the connector you have? Thanks, Rock
  13. JYorkster
    Sounds like a good deal pending the rigger's inspection. If it checks out, jump it to make sure it's what you want. Don't listen to all the negative hype about the old Sabres. I have put over 500 jumps on my Sabre 170 manufactured in '98 and have only been smacked when I forgot to uncollapse my slider. I do nothing special to pack it. Hope it all fits and works out for ya...Congrats on your first gear if it does! Rock
  14. JYorkster
    Choices, man...all choices....
  15. JYorkster
    Two words.... Student Loans! Rock
  16. JYorkster
    Your life, your choice! Don't live your life based on what others may think. If you and your wife are OK with it, continue jumping. Rock
  17. JYorkster
    Z1! You'll get used to the button in no time. I wear gloves on every jump and have no problems opening my Z1 with one gloved hand. As for quality issues, my wife and I have both had our Z1s for years with no problems. Never had the visor open when I didn't want it to, as you hear some say. And for anyone who has lost the helmet on opening, the helmet must be a few sizes too large. Just my 2 cents.... Rock
  18. JYorkster
    stateofnature is right....Look up the rules for yourself. Many commanders or instructors are just worried that they'll get in trouble if you get hurt and they knew about your jumping. They often just spout off made-up rules to cover their own asses. The Air Force has a High Risk activities briefing to get and sign off. That covers me. After explaining the level of safety, training involved, licenses, ratings, etc, most of my commanders have been supportive. Those that weren't still never told me I couldn't jump after I went to them with the facts. BTW - I'm a flyer on active duty, been in the USAF 10.5 years, been jumping the last 6. Rock
  19. JYorkster
    We have an '03 Prius and it's a great car. Sure I prefer my 4-Runner, but it uses a little more gas. I read some of the other responses, so here's what I'll say. My inlaws have had a Prius for several years '00 or '01, I think...and have had no problems with it. We haven't has ours as long, but have also had no problems. Runs great and has better pick-up than your average 4-cylinder sedan. I have calculated about $80 per month savings in gas, so that should average out to almost $1K a year. Someone driving more than me (20miles each way to work) should see even more of a savings. Also, though experience, you can't go wrong with a Toyota. I haven't tried the Civic, so mine is a one-sided opinion.
  20. JYorkster
    So you think the President of the United States should stop everything and go out and personally join in the search? Even if you disagree with his stance on gay marriage, you can see how silly it sounds for him to totally focus on one thing. I would fear a leader who could ONLY get one thing done at a time. Just my 2 cents... Rock
  21. JYorkster
    So YOU know where OBL is!?..Why don't you tell the rest of us who have actually been out searching for him. Rock
  22. JYorkster
    In watching the video, it does seem that your right toggle input was deeper and faster than you describe. You may have meant to only pull the toggle to your ear, but from the angle in the video, you can no longer see your right hand. That means it had to have been at least past your shoulder. Making a reaction that quickly and that deeply could easily have caused the reaction seen in the video. That is not to say that you didn't hit some kind of weird turbulence, but your input also had something to do with the dive. Just make sure you don't over-react to situations close to the ground. This is what happens to many experienced jumpers who turn low to avoid an obstacle...they mean to have a very small input, but over-react and end up turning themselves into the ground. Obviously, it wasn't that bad in your case, but control the urge now, and it will pay off later. Rock
  23. JYorkster
    12 O'Clock High
  24. JYorkster
    You left out those of us who said we have never been slammed by a Sabre. And those who have been slammed just a few times probably compare to most other canopies out there. I'm not doubting the folks who have been slammed...maybe it was a quality control issue, but that's hard to believe with PD. If you're looking to buy a used Sabre, ask the owner about the openings, and test jump it. IF it has a hard opening "every 70 or so jumps", it is much more likely that it is a packing error than a design flaw. Again, I have about 500 jumps on my Sabre and have only been slammed once when I packed it with the slider still collapsed. And I don't do anything special when packing--I don't even roll the nose. That's just my experience... Rock
  25. JYorkster
    I won't give you all the same arguments everyone else has, although some are valid. In simple terms, look at the money and the area you are concerned about. For a very similar amount of money, S/L will give you many more jumps..which equates to more canopy rides-the area you are most concerned about. Not to say one is better than the other, but $$ per jump is also something to consider. Rock