murrays

Just made my first Paradactyl jump a few hours ago! I borrowed the canopy from Tom McCarthy, the owner of Skydive Gananoque (in Ontario, Canada), a couple weeks ago and have been waiting for weather ever since. First parachute I've ever packed that nobody could help me with the packing. Tom still had a copy of the packing instructions but it was still a little nerve-wracking throwing the pc out and waiting to see what would happen. Opening was fine.... Unfortunately, I have forgotten completely how to spot and landed about a 1/4 mile away. It's been a long time since I backed up under canopy and had to look out for fences, etc. behind me. Landing was good. I rear riser flared it and fell down because I had my feet together to PLF but I'll stand up the next one!! Will post some video in a day or two. -- Murray "No tyranny is so irksome as petty tyranny: the officious demands of policemen, government clerks, and electromechanical gadgets." - Edward Abbey

Flying High Manufacturing....Al MacDonald's company that builds the Sidewinder. He's in Claresholm Alberta. flyhigh@agt.net if you need support of some kind. -- Murray "No tyranny is so irksome as petty tyranny: the officious demands of policemen, government clerks, and electromechanical gadgets." - Edward Abbey

As are you Julie. Thank-you so much for staying with Perry and his family, being strong for them and keeping all of us informed throughout this terrible time. You were given a very difficult task to handle and you did the best anybody could do. All the best to you, -- Murray "No tyranny is so irksome as petty tyranny: the officious demands of policemen, government clerks, and electromechanical gadgets." - Edward Abbey

Jeff, That picture of Perry made me laugh and cry. It captured the fun person Perry was and makes me think how much all of us are going to miss him. I only knew him for a year but Perry was the kind of guy that felt like an old friend as soon as you met him. I'm going to miss his raucous laugh and meeting him for lunch when he came into Saskatoon. He had hoped to do a 4 way flock for his 600th jump before he left on his trip but we never got the weather we needed. I'll be particularly thinking of him on every wingsuit jump I do from now on and hoping he's our "phantom wingman". I've never heard anybody say a bad word about Perry and that's a legacy few of us will ever have. He was a terrific guy and is going to be sorely missed. -- Murray "No tyranny is so irksome as petty tyranny: the officious demands of policemen, government clerks, and electromechanical gadgets." - Edward Abbey

Gee Andrew, still a little sore because the overrated Canucks got knocked off by Calgary? Last time I checked the Canucks haven't won the Cup since... well never.... A drought nearly as long as Toronto's. HAhahahahahahah........HA. -- Murray "No tyranny is so irksome as petty tyranny: the officious demands of policemen, government clerks, and electromechanical gadgets." - Edward Abbey

I have a Stiletto 135 that belonged to a friend of mine that died of non-jumping causes. I had no idea how many jumps it had on it when I started jumping it in 2002. The openings were awful...off heading, spinning..no fun at all for an old guy jumping his first zp canopy So, I sent it to PD for a complete inspection. I wound up replacing two centre topskins, the slider and the lines. Very different and more likeable parachute on its return...openings are on heading..maybe a 90 once in a while...and it flies very nice. I don't notice much difference in how it flies but the openings are vastly improved. So, big changes in canopy behavior do happen with a reline in my limited experience. I'd ask around to see how other people are packing canopies like yours, if you haven't already, to see if you can get the canopy to inflate completely on opening. Was the reline done by PD? Was it a PD line set? Is there any chance the brake settings are off a bit? -- Murray "No tyranny is so irksome as petty tyranny: the officious demands of policemen, government clerks, and electromechanical gadgets." - Edward Abbey

Whatever he is, he's either dumb or he's got more guts than a slaughterhouse! Go Leafs!! Should be a good one! -- Murray "No tyranny is so irksome as petty tyranny: the officious demands of policemen, government clerks, and electromechanical gadgets." - Edward Abbey

Very cool Steve! I had heard this story when I started but was unsure if it was urban legend or nat and now you come up with a photo and even a name! He was one lucky individual to survive that relatively unscathed. -- Murray "No tyranny is so irksome as petty tyranny: the officious demands of policemen, government clerks, and electromechanical gadgets." - Edward Abbey

I think if Ray mounts the remote really close or even on top of the IR sensor on the camera body he shouldn't have any problems. He could likely even tape over it so that no extraneaous light could affect the IR sensor on the camera. But... we'll have to wait until he gets it done and gives us his report to know for sure.

Ray, Thanks for the heads up on the comparison on dpreview I will check that out. I took a look at a D70 shortly after they came out and was impressed by the feel of it...very solid. I have several pieces of Nikon glass ... I've owned Olympus, Pentax and Nikon equipment over the years ... and I agree, they are great lenses. Do you find the "instant-on" nice to have? -- Murray "No tyranny is so irksome as petty tyranny: the officious demands of policemen, government clerks, and electromechanical gadgets." - Edward Abbey

Ray, What did you like better about the D70? What were the features/capabilities that lead you to go Nikon? -- Murray "No tyranny is so irksome as petty tyranny: the officious demands of policemen, government clerks, and electromechanical gadgets." - Edward Abbey

My condolences to all of you who have lost a father, son, brother and friend with Paul's passing. The posts here reveal how much he meant to everybody who met him..they also reveal how lucky he was to know so many great people who have suffered terribly with his passing. Paul was a lucky man to have so many friends that were at his side, giving their all, until it was over. To his friends, I say that you have done your job and been true friends to Paul in his hour of greatest need. It is time for you to take comfort in knowing that you did all you could to help and ease his suffering, a true friend can do no more. With my deepest sympathy, Murray

I only met Paul once...the weekend of August 24/25, 1991 in Pitt Meadows, BC and was fortunate enough to do a skydive with him and the other Golden Knights. I remember him as a nice, friendly, funny guy and I am hoping for the best for him. -- Murray "No tyranny is so irksome as petty tyranny: the officious demands of policemen, government clerks, and electromechanical gadgets." - Edward Abbey

And price dropped! iBooks are nice too. I have 1 14" 1GHZ at work...nice little machine and not too much $$$. Firewire and USB2 and the new models will take over a gig of RAM whereas my machine is maxed at 640mb. -- Murray "No tyranny is so irksome as petty tyranny: the officious demands of policemen, government clerks, and electromechanical gadgets." - Edward Abbey

Still or Video? I've done many jumps with my 35mm still camera duct taped to my running shoe. Very inexpensive. -- Murray "No tyranny is so irksome as petty tyranny: the officious demands of policemen, government clerks, and electromechanical gadgets." - Edward Abbey

I've heard of the Volplane. I don't know if John McCarthy (from Gananoque) had one or not but he told me about the hydraulic reefing device. I think he mentioned that you would put in a lighter oil in cold weather or something like that. Sliders are so much better...simple, effective...a truly elegant solution to slow down square openings. -- Murray "No tyranny is so irksome as petty tyranny: the officious demands of policemen, government clerks, and electromechanical gadgets." - Edward Abbey

Trevor, I just got a PM from "Burbleflyer" and he is what he says he is and he has the jumps he says he has. His statements on Arthur/PST should be accepted as the most credible posted on here. He knows what went on there. If you want to know who I am and if I'm credible, ask Tom McCarthy (the DZO of Skydive Gananoque, where Trevor jumps according to his profile) the next time you're out at Gan. I jumped at Gan 1981-1990 when I lived in Ontario. Or ask Fuzzy Dave, Wendy or Angus Smith when they are around. All old and dear friends of mine. -- Murray "No tyranny is so irksome as petty tyranny: the officious demands of policemen, government clerks, and electromechanical gadgets." - Edward Abbey

Well, I'm baffled and intrigued. I won't betray your confidence. PM sent. Murray aka Commander Salamander

Nashville beats the Wings 3-0 and ties the series 2-2. it would be too sweet to see Detroit make another early exit. -- Murray "No tyranny is so irksome as petty tyranny: the officious demands of policemen, government clerks, and electromechanical gadgets." - Edward Abbey

Yep, the smell can be deadly....I've jumped Tevas since 1982 or so and plan on always jumping them. I just love wearing sandals in the summer and hate having to change into running shoes to jump. Cold weather is about all that makes me jump with other foot gear. As many people have pointed out in this thread...consider the scenarios and accept the consequences of your decisions. -- Murray "No tyranny is so irksome as petty tyranny: the officious demands of policemen, government clerks, and electromechanical gadgets." - Edward Abbey

I've been jumping in Tevas since 1982 or 3...whenever they first came out...and still jump in Tevas. -- Murray "No tyranny is so irksome as petty tyranny: the officious demands of policemen, government clerks, and electromechanical gadgets." - Edward Abbey

Bill, PST used to do 4,000 first jumpers a year... the total number of jumps isn't unreasonable. -- Murray "No tyranny is so irksome as petty tyranny: the officious demands of policemen, government clerks, and electromechanical gadgets." - Edward Abbey

I wish they'd both lose!! -- Murray "No tyranny is so irksome as petty tyranny: the officious demands of policemen, government clerks, and electromechanical gadgets." - Edward Abbey

Who do I think will win? Wings, Sharks, maybe Senators, Lightning. The Wings are tough to bet against...but that's what I thought last year too. Who do I want to win? Sharks, Leafs or Flames...just cause I know players on all three teams. -- Murray "No tyranny is so irksome as petty tyranny: the officious demands of policemen, government clerks, and electromechanical gadgets." - Edward Abbey

I saw my first D70 today at lunch time. Solid feeling camera. Metal lens flange. The 18-70 Zoom is fairly robust with a metal lens flange as well. The combination is definitely heavier than the Digital Rebel. I talked to the salesman about the inability to buy a remore release for it and the problems that created for freefall photographers. He came up with the following idea: There is a wireless remote available that appears to work using IR. If you could open the remote and run wires from the switch on the remote to a bite switch you could them mount the remote on the camera where it would be able to trigger the camera. This would not result in opening the camera and voiding the warranty. It seems like it should work. Any thoughts? -- Murray "No tyranny is so irksome as petty tyranny: the officious demands of policemen, government clerks, and electromechanical gadgets." - Edward Abbey