JYorkster

I agree 100%. I also have 100s of jumps on my original sabre, pack exactly as you describe and never have problems. I think the people who are having hard openings on the Sabre have something else wrong with their setup...i.e. wrong size rubber bands or bag too big for their main, etc. I'm just glad to hear there are others that like their original Sabre as well. Rock

I've always ordered from Para Gear or got them at at large DZ. It is interesting to hear that people are having problems with the life of their batteries. Mine last at least a few hundred jumps. Make sure you have it set on ECO (economy) mode and it will shut off after 14 hours on it's own. Rock

Skip, I agree with Hook...Don't roll the nose. Just press it into the center together, quarter slider solidly against the stops, and make small, tight rolls on the tail to keep the cocoon together while laying it down. As you already know, take care not to get so carried away rolling the tail as to pull the lines off center aound the other side. If you want a little slower opening, you can pull your slider towards you slightly after quartering. The more it covers the nose, the slower the opening. Again, don't get carried away...it doesn't take much. Some people are probably going to tell you that you are crazy if you don't roll the nose on a Sabre...don't listen to them. Everyone talks about Sabre being hard-opening canopies. I have about 400 jumps on an original Sabre, packed like I just described, and haven't been smacked yet. Good Luck, Rock

I know it's not listed as an option, but I would go with the best of both worlds... The ZI with a Pro-Track! That's what I've got and love them both. Rock

I used a Kestrel 1000 which resulted in an airspeed about 23-24 mph on a Sabre 170 loaded about 1.1. As has already been noted though, this is total speed which includes the downward movement. Without knowing the exact glide angle, the true horizontal speed would be hard to calculate. Rock

Seems a little high. You can get a brand new set-up with a Mirage container and cypres for just a few hundred bucks more. Even less with a wings or doplhin container. Check out the "affordable rigs" at Rigs & Things. Rock

I have an original Sabre as does my wife. Neither of us experience the hard openings that everyone seems to claim Sabres have. We do not roll the nose, instead follow the basic instructions from PD. Make sure the slider is quartered evenly and is touching grommet to stops. Push nose evenly into the center before wrapping the tail. My openings are soft and consistently on-heading. Rolling the nose often causes unpredictable heading on opening. Good Luck, Rock

The government should ONLY limit a person's rights if the activity they are limiting is done so to protect the rights of others. In the case of requiring helmets and seatbelts, government has crossed the line. They should only require such precautions on individuals who can not think for themselves (children, mentally challenged, etc.) But when a person makes a personal decision to wear or not to wear a seatbelt, it is exactly that...a personal decision. The government should not be required to protect people from their own irresponsibility. Also, statistically, requiring AADs would not save an exceptional number of individuals each year. Look at last years fatality reports and the reasons. That being said, I wear my seatbelt always, I wear a helmet when riding my motorcycle, and I have an AAD. I just don't think the government should REQUIRE me to have one. In the case of a DZO requiring AAD usage, it's his or her business. They can make whatever rules they deem necessary. Rock

Z1!!! Rock

This is because you need to have forward speed BEFORE dearching to gain the benefit of dearching. If you immediately dearch without moving forward, the 'airfoil' you just created is 'stalled' and you'll just buffet and fall just like a stalled aircraft. Forward speed is required before creating an effective airfoil to provide the desired lift and flatter track. Get your legs out first, get some forward speed (not a dive), and gradually transition into your 'proper track position'. You should see significant improvement. Rock

Same here. Always had a kill-line...never had a reserve ride. Learn how to pack! Check your gear! Reserve rides due to not cocking a pilot chute show a clear problem of complacency. I am continually amazed about how little people understand about their own gear. Rock

Gary Fuches, Desert Skydiving Center, Buckeye, AZ! When the old, evil DZO was threatening to close the DZ, Gary stepped in and saved it. His attitude was, "I'm not a DZO, I'm just a skydiver keeping the DZ open." It has created a very laid back atmoshpere where Gary mans the BBQ pit every Saturday night. Man I miss it... But, since I am now in Oklahoma because of my career, I gotta agree with Kris. Steve Guest definitely gets my vote for OK DZs. Rock

I've never had to deal with their customner service, so I'll take your word, there. But what 'issues' do you have with the Z1? I've had mine for a while, as has my wife. We've never experienced any issues. We love the Z1 and recommend them to everyone. Rock

Just wear your contacts with the full face. I've never lost one insided my Z1. Even if one did fall out, it wouldn't go far. The cloth cover on the bottom of the helmet 'seals' around your neck. Rock

What you describe is a completely feasible scenario under USPA's ISP. That's one of the great things about the ISP. It allows students to transition (almost) seamlessly between methods. I don't know of any DZs that advertise their training program that way, but it certainly helps if a student is having difficulty with a particular method. Rock

I've done one that was successful on the first and only attempt. Plan it out ahead of time to think of all the safety issues. I would not recommend IAD. It's just another added level that can go wrong. Deploy yourself. That way, YOU can decide if you are stable enough to deploy. There is plenty of time from release of the PC to bring your arm back to place around your passenger before opening shock. Also, the passenger should practice climbing up 'you' in a hanging harness. They should realize that if they plan to use the lines to pull themself up, they need to do it evenly. My passenger was pulling one side, then the other. Made for a pretty wild ride of front riser dives. Good luck! Rock

Definitely try out the Triathalon before you buy it. Although I've personally never jumped one, the people I have talked to that have jumped them seem to be split down the middle. They either love them or hate them. There doesn't seem to be a middle road. Hopefully, you'll love it, but I'd hate to see it the other way around it you fail to try it first. Rock

B-17! Rock

I only have RW #'s... Bounces around mostly between 116-124...I'd say average 119/120 SAS. Rock

http://www.performancedesigns.com/docs/Res_Pro_Addendum.PDF Rock

Congrats! Now you have a license to KEEP learning! Blue Skies, Rock

I think the ISP is exactly what was needed to formalize much of the training that was already being done on a more informal basis. Giving a student the 4-page card gives them a clear direction and plan for what it will take to become a licensed skydiver. It also ensures nothing gets missed by the staff. I agree with one of the other responses that the specific order listed in the ISP does not always have to be followed exactly as written as long as all of the skills are demonstrated appropriately. Students are not all the same, and it may be necessary to 'customize' the training program for that particular student. Sometimes plane availability or weather may prevent an item from being conducted, but you can use the time to continue down the list. Overall, I think it is a huge advancement over the previous program. It both keeps the student motivated and allows other instructors to have a much clearer understanding of what the student has already accomplished. The major drawback is simply the fact that it is a change. There are many instructors that just don't want to learn anything new. I think some of the reluctance also comes from the added responsibility involved once you actually sign them off for each item. That means we actually have to TEACH them something! Rock

Ok, I guess it's possible, but I bet it won't happen to you again, right? Now you know to look for things like that. When making a 'sunset' jump, jumpers need to take into consideration that just because the sun looks like it hasn't quite dipped over the horizon from 13,500 ft, that doesn't mean it is still visible on the ground. I guess the word 'accident' is what I have a problem with on this poll. It seems like another attempt to shirk from taking personal responsibility for something over which we have total control. Jeff

20 mph steady. Less if there is a high variation due to gusts. Most people consider me too conservative, but many of the ones who say that have a broken bone or two. I'm still free from major injury...(knock on wood) Rock

I actually look before I get out of the airplane. I've never 'accidentally' fallen out to the airplane. Sooooo, I guess I have to say that I've never had and accidental night jump. Sure I've landed when it was darker than it was when I took off, but I knew that getting out of the plane. No one EVER makes an accidental night jump. Rock