billdo

200 jumps on my cobalt 120, about 20 deployments with line twists, one cutaway. However, the first twist was the cutaway one, and Dan's recommendations were implemented with success as to how to deal with twists. The most important was to learn to level your links (get those Slinks immediately level with each other) when twists happen. The canopy then quickly planes out and you can get out of the twists. Why on earth would I live with a 10% line twist problem on a canopy? Well, you just have to fly one.

Thanks for the drawing Hook, I'm short a digital camera, but what you drew is one way I've seen this done. Actually mine are lengthwise and only tacked down on the top part, so they don't project outside the riser webbing. grommets easily slide over but then the little webbing-finger stops it from going back up. Either way works fine. Blue Skies

I have never used any kind of slider stowe, until I went straight to my rigger and had him sew "stoppers" onto my front risers right by the three rings. After collapsing I pull the slider behind my hear and it's locked down without having to do anything else. Just pull it down and it stays down behind the head. The tabs he made were essentially doubled over webbing sewn lengthwise on the slider, with only the top side tacked on, so the grommets easily slide down over them, but not up against them (takes a very, very small effort to get slider back over them once on the ground). Please give this a thought.

I used a product available from True Value called "Spray 9" to clean an entire rig once and it got everything out, including old grass stains. Didn't seem to do any harm to the fabric, although I washed the entire rig in a bathtub with woolite and several full tubs of clear water to rinse after using the "Spray 9." However, if I had it to do over again I would check with a manufacturer. I would tend towards "citrus" based products for severe stains, but it's just an intuitive opinion. Please don't do anything except the "mild soap and water routine" without talking to a manufacturer.

I posted this and no one has said anything. If you use this system the slider is not connected to either the rig or the jumper - by velcro or any other means.

I have never used any kind of slider stowe, until I went straight to my rigger and had him sew "stoppers" onto my front risers right by the three rings. After collapsing I pull the slider behind my hear and it's locked down without having to do anything else. Just pull it down and it stays down behind the head. The tabs he made were essentially doubled over webbing sewn lengthwise on the slider, with only the top side tacked on, so the grommets easily slide down over them, but not up against them (takes a very, very small effort to get slider back over them once on the ground). Please give this a thought.

I recently PM'd Dan from Cobalt for Cazer's contact info since I needed repair on my pilot chute. He told me to call the Atair office and they could give me his number. Atair is at 718-923-1709 Hope this helps.

Actually, I have always had this problem with my Z1 and finally switched to an Oxygyn A3 because one of the 300-way ones was on sale so cheap, but before that I had worked out the problem with the Z1 fogging. Do what everyone said - keep it open until just before jump, drill those holes near the nose. But here's the real thing that works. Pull up all that fabric by the nose and mouth area way up over your nose and make sure there is nothing (no fabric) between your mouth and the slits designed as breathing holes in the helmet. Even consider cutting some or all of that fabric in the nose area out of the helmet.

I have began to wonder how many of us out there discuss with our families and significant others what our wishes are should we become critically injured / killed whilst skydiving. It seems like this would be appropriate. Particularly keep in mind that your family may be faced with tremendous medical bills and there would be a lot of reason to consider a lawsuit against the DZ. Even though you signed the waiver, there are plenty of lawyers out there who will try to convince your family that it can be bipassed and is the only way to deal with the costs of medical bills. Sure, skydiving is relatively safe, but IMO, I'm not going to assume that my family will know what to do in the event of my death when it appears the DZ could be at fault (consider an airplane crash where maintenance could have been an issue). Personally I want my family to know what I think of liability lawsuits and that I accept all the risks of skydiving and would never want to blame anyone else for mistakes or stupid decisions I made. Talk to them. Any thoughts?

Please read about the Vladiball in this month's Parachutist (the one with the 300-way on the cover). They mention that a lost ball will impact with more than the force of a .44 magnum.

Wow! So much conflicting info! What to make of all this? My first 120 eliptical (not my first eliptical was a Stilleto 120, and was the best opening, extremely consistent canopy I have ever jumped. I put about 120 jumps on it. My WL was 1.9 I then bought a cobalt 120 (NOT Comp Cobalt) and had tons of trouble with openings but SO LOVED the way if flew and flared that I stayed with it like a difficult girlfriend and learned to make it work. Packing is different than with the Stilletto and I found it to be WAY MORE finicky than the stilleto. In summary, I find the cobalt, which I still fly and love, to be a more "specialty" type canopy than a stilleto. A stilleto is a better all around performer, being extremely consistent. I've just found my own unique niche with the Cobalt. I think it's time I try a stilleto again though. Sorry this probably doesn't help any.

Amy makes a great safety point. BUT! Common things being common, don't bother taking off your jewelry if you're not already wearing a helmet and gloves. TONS more people are injured by NOT wearing these items than by wearing jewelry I always say regarding gloves that a $30 pair of gloves are a lot cheaper than skin at the hospital. They charge a LOT for that stuff! And I re-affirmed it recently when a brand new pair of Newmans were pretty trashed by a very simple hand-down landing on the concrete after I overshot the landing grass. Really, I was happy to ruin the gloves and not my hands.

That's totally what I was thinking! I hate when people tell me my regular Cobalt is no different than a Stilleto except for line trim.

Started the year with 48 jumps and some Skydive U coaching. Finishing the year with 515 jumps and some 60-ways. Total for 2002 = 467 Recently bought my second new rig (downsized right out of the first), have also accumulated a helmet, pro-track, two jumpsuits, and various other accoutraments. Total spent about $17,000. I had to start my own business working as a male escort to afford it all, but my life has done a 180 since starting this kick-ass sport! Happy Fucking New Year!

Yea, you guys make the finer point that these are more "jumper malfunctions" than gear malfunctions. I agree. And of course used/borrowed gear can be totally safe. I guess I meant that poorly maintained gear, especially when it's stuff you're new to or unfamilliar with is bad. Whatever the cause, isn't it very true "statistically" that a lot of people are hurt on "used or borrowed" gear as opposed to their own? I once ran out of gas on the freeway late at night in a rental car, and when the roadside assist guy got there, he told me dispatch told him it was a rental, even though I hadn't told them that. He said they assumed it because "everyone" who runs out of gas on the freeway is driving a rental. Whether it's appropriate or not, my pre-gear inspection is a LOT more thorough when it's rental/borrowed/used/or packed by someone I don't know. If it's combinations of those I get plain scared.

I'd like to point out an interesting malfunction I saw a jumper have in the past year. Upon normal throwout deployment at around 2500, this jumper had two canopys come out simultaneously. The jumper was using a Racer, and immediately cut away as the main appeared to be still in the process of inflation. The rig had no cypress, but did have an RSL. Any thoughts? Turns out, the cutaway handle had become dislodged in the plane and was re-stowed in the velcro on the ride to altitude. Unknown to the jumper, that little mishap had released the cable on the left riser loop, thus, when he deployed the left riser immediately left the 3-rings and pulled the RSL. Another experience I have to share. While jumping a friend's rig an old Vector 2 with worn velcro on the riser covers and missing toggle keeper loops, so the best could be done was set the brake and give it a good hard tug from above to "set" it. I was observing a coach jump from about 10 feet away, just sitting there in a stable box position when the coach, who was wearing video turns to me and flies over with a VERY concerned look on his face and begins reaching behind me. I trust this jumpmaster so I just sat there and waited while he messed with my gear. I was half-expecting him to deploy me for whatever reason. Then, and you should see the look on my face in the video, HE HANDS ME MY TOGGLE IN FREEFALL! I didn't know what to do, but we were at around 7000 so I turned and tracked away holding the toggle and wandering what to do. I decided to pull high and held the toggle at approximately half-brake position in my left hand during deployment and had an on-heading deployment with a stilleto 120 loaded at 1.9 After that, still wanting to jump the canopy, but fuck the rig, I switched the canopy to my container but left the crappy risers with missing toggle keeper loops on it CAUSE I WAS TOO LAZY to put my brand new VooDoo risers on it. A few jumps later, a brake released on opening and the canopy spun up to the risers and started spiraling like a Mofo, so I chopped it. The bottom line is, used and borrowed gear kills. Hope someone takes something away from these stories. Later

I let you know before, but again, to re-confirm, I will be there and my size is 5'7" and about 200 pounds. See you there, Bill

Bottom line is, rear risers do not produce any lift!! This is why you land hard. This is why you should never pull out of the corner with them. You therefore have to be going very fast for a "planed out" canopy, near the ground, to be able to land it smoothly without pounding in. People who do it are very experienced swoopers who are going very fast and get the canopy to plane out right at the ground, and usually have their feet down, sliding the grass a ways, therefore using their feet as the brakes. 95% of rear-riser landing I've seen involve a TRANSITION to toggles to finish the flare.

I went on a tracking dive with a guy the other day who was having problems with his track. I noticed right away how relaxed his legs were. Once he really locked 'em he got a lot better. Practice on the ground to get the mind-muscle feel of having your legs LOCKED at the knee and your body as flat as possible. Think "stiff as a board" It should feel like a very "tense" feeling. Not relaxed. Palms down right at your sides and shoulders rolled in as much as possible. I agree that you need some speed before your "airfoil" body will be able to generate lift and you will be able to track flatter and flatter the faster you're going. This is just my opinion, but since I began doing what I've said my track is extremly faster and flatter. And of course you do have booties, right?

I'm getting a new Tonysuit and I'm lost as to the bootie selection Reg. Bootie: has 3 panels, with a leather sole. It curves towards your ankle for better control. Reg. XL Bootie: Has 3 panels and a shock cord around the foot that engulfs the entire foot. Mega Bootie: Has 1 panel with a leather sole. It forms a straight line knee to toe. Mega XL Bootie: Has 1 panel and a shock cord around the foot that engulfs the entire foot. Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

Definitely read this: http://www.skydiveaz.com/resources/book_canopy.htm Good resource. Blue Skies!

***Under 500 jumps and a 1.8 wingloading?!?!?!?!? I am I nuts here to think that it is to high of a wingloading for under 500 jumps? I have 2,500 jumps, Quote With all due respect... Well, the wing loading is very high I will admit for my number of jumps - I have definitely down-sized "aggressively." However, a stilletto 120 was a sick crazy "state-of-the-art" canopy 10 or 12 years ago and you were an expert just to be jumping one. The sport has definitely evolved a lot in a small time from what I gather. Just wait 'til kids trained in tunnels hit the air at 18 with already several hours of freefall under their belts. There is beginning to be a lot of "experience" gained the hard way from others that younger jumpers can now use for their own safety and benefit. Also, always consider the time period in which a certain "# of jumps" was performed, because currency is very important in this sport, I think especially with canopy skills. And don't forget, canopies don't kill people, the people flying them kill themselves. I will head your warnings and be safe. Blue Skies Thanks

I just recently got a new cobalt 120 and have had mixed feelings. I bought the 120 because at the time I was also thinking about getting a Stilleto 135, but Cobalt suggests the slightly higher loading so I went with the 120. After ordering the Cobalt I borrowed a friend's Stil 120 and put about 110 jumps on it during the 10+ weeks it took to get my cobalt, and by that time sort of wished I should just by my buddy's Stil 120, because I was loving it, the openings seemed almost "two-stage" and NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS on the openings! Still, I thought the cobalt 120 (being comparable to a Stil 135) would be smart for me to "upsize" to since I only have 450 jumps and load it highly anyway, about 1.9 The first few openings with my cobalt were superb. I bought a special 24" ZP Kazer PC just like Atair recommends. I dumped in a track like they say to. Then I got slammed! Hard. This made me a little gun-shy so to speak, and I went back to cupping air and deploying normally. Cobalt says doing this will result in a standard "one-stage" type opening. Well, the openings are sloooow, and the slider stays up a long time (800-1100 feet), 1/7 jumps I get maybe 1 or 2 twists and the other day spun the thing up and had to chop it as it was spiraling and was twisted to the risers, VERY MUCH LIKE THE VIDEO OF THE GUY WITH THE CHAOS TROUBLE posted in this forum! I honestly admit I am probably doing something wrong and want a cobalt expert to help me out. I love the way the thing flies once opened. All my troubles are on opening. I need to learn what I'm doing wrong, but I'm getting a little discouraged since the Stilleto seemed so F-ing reliable, and I loaded that thing just as high! I obviously was doing the same things on deployment with that canopy. Any suggestions will be appreciated and listened to. Thanks