CrashProne

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Everything posted by CrashProne

  1. CrashProne
    What Boogie, what dropzone and what dates?
  2. CrashProne
    I've only got about 25 jumps on the Zulu, and 4 on a Stilleto (both 170 size) and I wouldn't think to compare the two. The Zulu was better (for me) in every aspect, from opening, handling and landing. Huge difference. I think the Zulu is trimmed flatter, which makes it considerable more responsive to steering inputs, in turn making it way more fun (to me). I felt the same about Zulu vs. Sabre 2.
  3. CrashProne
    I had to work pretty hard to be in normal control. If it is not "easy" and you want to learn, I suggest you make WS 90% of your jumps until you are a lot better. It is hard to learn just doing one or two, every once in a while. No doubt that is solid advice. Too bad there's so many fun jumps to do, and so little time to do them all!!!
  4. CrashProne
    Well, since my exits still suck, I'm getting a bit of that practice right now! ;)
  5. CrashProne
    204, one year into the sport. I now have another 130 or so skydives, 20 of those in a wingsuit. It's not coming as easily to me as I'd hoped, but aside from scaring myself a little, no real problems have come up. Not really looking forward to that first flat spin though...
  6. CrashProne
    The Zulu is still a fairly flat trimmed canopy, so glide performance is good to excellent. I never felt stretched getting back, but didn't have any horrible spots deal with. As the other poster mentioned, it will stall much easier than Pilot, and the recovery can be an eye opener if you react too quickly. Not a problem, but something you'll want to play with up high before you find out about it in the pattern! I can't say I felt the canopy was "under-loaded", but I do look forward to trying it at 1.5 sometime soon. I definitely enjoy an energetic canopy flight, maybe more than most.
  7. CrashProne
    I demo'd a 172 for a couple of weeks, loaded right about 1.33:1. I had 200 jumps at the time, and had been flying Pilot 188 and 210 prior to that time. I enjoyed the Zulu a ton. Openings were quite nice, shorter than the Pilot, but comfortable and predictable with good heading performance. On toggles, it flew similar to Pilot, just considerably more responsive. Front riser pressure was a good bit lighter, and recovery arc was still positive, but longer and more gradual. Flare was strong even with nothing but straight in landings. After the Zulu demo, I dropped in a Sabre 2 170 for two weeks, and it felt like a dog by comparison. Way heavier on steering inputs, slower to turn and react, but still good landing performance. I didn't end up buying one because I'm also a beginner wingsuit flyer, and needed something square. However, if I can get a second rig put together soon, I'll likely drop a Zulu in it!
  8. CrashProne
    What better way to celebrate my 45th birthday?
  9. CrashProne
    I ride, quite a bit, and own several moto helmets. I also skydive with an open face and a closed face skydiving helmet. I can tell you that the skydiving specific helmets are MUCH better suited to the sport than any moto helmet. Much lighter (huge factor if your opening is at all abrupt), much quieter (freefall speeds much faster than normal motorcycle speeds) and way better visibility (field of view). I personally wouldn't recommend it, I'd rather a cheapo Pro-tec over a moto helmet until I could afford a nice Cookie or similar.
  10. CrashProne
    As I progress (albeit slowly), I am certainly beginning to appreciate the advantage to a wingsuit specific canopy installed in a second rig. Now, if only money were falling off of trees... I'm still jumping beginner/intermediate suits, and getting by with my Pilot 150, but if and when I move onto anything 'big', I'll have to figure out something different.
  11. CrashProne
    I agree with the posters above who recommended: -Get that A license card, show it to a local instructor and ask how to get started knocking it out. -Ask about "coach jumps", a few of them will be required to finish that license, but one or two right away will likely help you get into the swing of things at your new DZ.
  12. CrashProne
    Thank you for the input! Personally, I've decided on a Pilot 150 for the time being. I'll build some more experience (all around, including wingsuiting) on this canopy before making that next step.
  13. CrashProne
    I don't know why the Pilot isn't on your list. Great openings, flat glide, very responsive toggles and flare for days. The Sabre 2, by comparison, was trimmed steeper but felt sluggish compared to the Pilot to me. If you're a front rider jockey trying to start a swoop progression, then maybe Sabre 2 is your bet, but otherwise I would definitely recommend you try a Pilot. 2 week demo costs you $90 (basically covers shipping round trip). http://www.flyaerodyne.com/canopies/pilot/
  14. CrashProne
    Uh, important to note that I said "loosen" the chest strap, not "undo" the chest strap. I will agree though, please add disclaimer "please discuss this with your local trusted instructor before you go try it yourself".
  15. CrashProne
    I'm a relative newbie, but I can tell you what helped me start standing up my landings early on. Under canopy, make sure you're loosening your chest strap, I loosen mine as far as I can. Practice leaning forward in your harness with your legs bent and underneath you instead of extended and out front. Think about being in a good athletic position to start running, almost as if in the starting blocks. This position and mindset will leave you ready to stand up, walk or run out your landing, or to transition to PLF if needed. Happy landings!!!
  16. CrashProne
    Argh, every time I see that I'm afraid I'm going to have that as a dream tonight! Not to mention having that for real...
  17. CrashProne
    I'm a long way from being good enough to fly the Freak, but some guys I know seem to have it figured out... https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10210092928626446&set=a.10205956460737334.1073741829.1434373966&type=3
  18. CrashProne
    Thank you both for your input, that's exactly what I was looking for. My experience to date is mostly on Pilot (210-188-168-150) with a demo of a Zulu and Sabre 2. I feel like the pilot leads the field of beginner to intermediate, flat trimmed canopies, certainly in terms of its responsiveness. The Sabre 2 felt sluggish and mushy by comparison, even though it is steeper trim and dives more. I preferred the Zulu to both however. Argh, the hunt continues!!! (Although with a renewed sense of urgency, because I sold my main today!)
  19. CrashProne
    No input on this? Bueller???
  20. CrashProne
    Do you have reasonable amounts of experience on both these canopies, preferably at or near the same wing loading? If so, could you please take a minute and give us your thoughts on how the two compare, and the pros and cons of each? Please include sizes and wing loading info for reference. Thank you!!!
  21. CrashProne
    For reference, I've recently been demoing a Sabre 2 170 after almost 200 jumps on Pilot 210, 188 and 168. The Sabre 2 flare feels mushy by comparison, and is even lower in the stroke than the Pilot. Still plenty effective once you get used to the difference, but definitely a different flare. I would almost say the Pilot has more power higher in the stroke to level off your glide, but the Sabre 2 possibly has a little more left at the bottom to shut down your forward speed.
  22. CrashProne
    G3 is a great choice, can't comment on the Phantom. Once you put an audible in your helmet, it will stay there. No need to look for one that does both, just plan to get both. (Visual altimeter first, of course.)
  23. CrashProne
    After watching this, a group I was with grew into what was starting to look like a zoo dive, with at least one pretty new face. Someone was telling him to just pull in place, and I flashed back to that opening... I changed than plan and told him to track away just like the rest of us, and advised the whole group just to keep an eye on him in case his track was off heading or unstable. I think that was a much better plan, and it worked out fine!
  24. CrashProne
    I agree with the posters above. I've flown Pilot 210, 188 and 168, all had good flares. However... I did shorten the brake lines on my 210 after just a couple jumps, my 188 was brand new and didn't need it. Can you induce a full stall with toggle input only?
  25. CrashProne
    Lol, I hear you. (I am a rank beginner on a wingsuit with only five flights, all of which were on a Pilot.)