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I'm looking for an online resource - different techniques for dragging 6-way and larger exits from a Twin Otter. Does anyone know of one? Respectfully, SP

On my one and only Mr. Bill, I indeed packed for a REALLY slow opening. We launched a 2-way line (side-by-side) from the Otter, with me (Sluggo) in front. We semi-funneled it on purpose, so the rear floater (Bill) folded into me on exit, He had a left hand grip on my chest strap on exit, and gripped the same with the other hand after the semi-funnel. He also wrapped his legs around mine and held on. We chose not to use the arms behind the main lift webs grip in case we had a hard opening - didn't want him to injure and arm. We planned for emergencies; the action for each was for him (Bill) to let go. In case of a tumbled exit or main canopy malfunction I planned to tap him on top of the head signalling him to release. All worked like a charm. Have fun, and be careful. Respectfully, SP

I agree. Treat your nose differently (don't bury it as far, or expose it - you'll have to experiment). The Psycho Pack is really misnamed; it's a great way to pack. And, IMHO, a bridle extension isn't really needed if you clear your bridle attachment to the top properly. I suggest you email Beezy Shaw at Precision with your specific question regarding the Psycho Pack: support@precision.net Respectfully, SP

It's Type IIA suspension line sleeving http://www.paragear.com/webbing/indexline.htm. Plastic fids really suck. The aluminum ones are better; if you are going to use them professionally (as a Rigger), I suggest you get a machine shop to make you some out of stainless steel. I'm pretty sure you can get the aluminum ones from here: http://www.skydivemrvs.com/loft.html Good luck! Respectfully, SP

Stopped by Cross Keys as promised on Monday. Friendly folks, nice setup, beautiful countryside. A great experience. Didn't run into any DZ.com'ers, but enjoyed my brief stay. I'll be back! Thanks for the hospitality, ands congrats to Tex for his 4 point 4-way! Respectfully, SP

Hi Gang, If I can swing it, I hope to be at Cross Keys tomorrow mid-afternoon (Monday, 7/9) to squeeze in a skydive or two. Anyone gonna be there?? Look me up . . . I am 6'2", 225, will be wearing a Symposium 2001 t-shirt. (After broadcasting all of that, I am either going to run into some fellow dz.com'ers or a sniper). LOL Respectfully, SP

I will be in the area Monday and Tuesday and may sneak out to make a jump or two if the work schedule allows. Respectfully, SP

OK, you sold me. Since I have no hard opening or line dump issues, I shall silicone my rubber bands to see how long they last. Sounds like it definitely reduces the "pain-in-the-ass factor." A little on the closing loop sounds like a good idea too. Ditto on the longer line bights - that's a key! Respectfully, SP

That's gonna be really tight. I have a J-4 with a 218-M reserve (soft) and a Silhouette 210 (snug). G'luck! Sun Path will tell you whether or not they have actually packed those canopies into that size container (the only true pack volume test). They are VERY helpful over the phone. Respectfully, SP

-the purpose of the stow bands (rubber bands, tube stoes, whatever) is to hold each line stow so that the lines deploy in an orderly manner. "Line dump" can cause OSDs, tension knots, bone-cracking openings, & damage to components due to undue stress. -their secondary purpose is to do their part in staging the deployment so that the jumper decelerates to a speed at which the opening shock will be comfortable (once the slider comes down). -tube stoes don't hold the lines as well as rubber bands, thus the lines deploy much faster. Notice that PD recommends rubber bands instead of tube stoes. Tube stoes DEFINITELY last longer because they are built to flip the stow out rather than roll up like rubber bands do. -I help out fellow skydivers who are having hard openings in part by having them switch to rubber bands, make longer bights of line for each stow, and ensure that each stow is "clean;" the lines at the inside of the loop being stowed well enough so you can see through each stow. -rubber bands are only 3 bucks a pound. IMHO the money you save in silicone spray will buy you enough rubber bands to last you a good while -as for storing parachutes for extended periods in a packed condition - don't. If you know that you won't be jumping it for a while, have your Rigger help you open both containers and "Rigger roll" the canopies for storage. Keep 'em in the back of your closet where it's cool & dry, not in the basement. -personally, I would compromise . . . use the heavier "locking" tube stoes for the locking stoes (the bulk above the cascades), and rubber bands for the rest. Make sure you are using the proper size stoe/band for the line type. A friend had a bone-cracker because he used regular tube stoes on his Silhouette with microline. -my opinion on rubber bands on a (round?) reserve . . . rubber bands should be changed out every pack job so that they are fresh and do their job. The customer deserves the most bang (but least whack) for his buck. Respectfully, SP

A couple of weekends ago, while on a work trip to Arizona, some friends and I stopped by Skydive Arizona at Eloy to enjoy our day off skydiving. Arizona Airpeed (the lads that did not go to Spain) were there training. This was my first contact with them. As we boarded the Otter for our first lift, one of the Airspeed members introduced himself, asked where we were from, etc. On the ride to altitude, while not involved in mental dirtdives & handshakes, all of them were upbeat, friendly, and passing around the "have a good one" salutation to the entire plane. At day's end at the DZ bar I shot the breeze with another member, Christopher, for a while as well. Airspeed, considering their status in the skydiving world, are far from arrogant or stand-offish. Rather they are refreshingly friendly, helpful, and personable. They represent their home DZ, their sport, and their country very well. I know Craig Girard from many years ago; unfortunately he was not there that weekend for me to pass my comments to. Maybe he will read this post instead. Great job guys . . . keep up the good work, and thanks for not forgetting where you came from! Respectfully, SP

Chuck! I read the other string first, but didn't realize you LITERALLY busted your ass! Heal quickly, my friend . . . it happens to the best of us. As a matter of fact, I seem to remember a story about some big dude taking out a speaker pole doing a demo at an Air Force base?!?! Hmmm.... Respectfully, SP

CD, Great post. Your description of flying the canopy by "feel" is excellent. Canopy flight, after all, is only slightly mechanical. The rest is interpreting the conditions and sensing what your canopy is doing. BTW - most of the time I fly with my hands on top of the toggles with the steering line between my index and middle finger. It's like feeling your fishing line to sense whether or not you have hooked a fish. I go to inside the toggles when I do carving front riser swoops on landing. Insurance that the toggles will remain in my hands for the flare. I hope I bump into you at Raeford sometime so I can continue to pick your brain. Respectfully, SP

Shameless Plug: SkyMonkeyOne is a VERY experienced canopy pilot. Good advice, Chuck! Even my old tired carcass continues to learn what my canopy will do. You have to experiment with each one, cause they are all different . . . sometimes even the same make/model! Throw in variable weather conditions and you have a plethora of experiments at your beck and call! You have a lot more time under ellipticals than I do, but still I respect them as a different animal. Hi to your lady for me! "The oxen are slow, but the Earth is patient." Respectfully, SP

What a great post! Thanks! Respectfully, SP

-I have been jumping out of airplanes for 17 years. I love it, and will continue to do it until my body says quit. -Skydiving is as safe as YOU make it. I learned from great Instructors, had fantastic mentors growing up in the sport. They made me get good at the basics before I moved on to bigger and better things (or smaller and faster things). -I continue to respect skydiving as a potentially dangerous activity, and refuse to get complacent. -I learn from others' mistakes as well as my own. -I stay current AND proficient, maintain my gear, and update/rehearse my emergency procedures often. -I check my gear before I put it on, get a gear check before I board the plane, and check it again myself before I exit. I am not ashamed to check my handles before I climb out. -I tell you all of this not to toot my own horn, but to enlighten you as I have been over the years. I think that if you fall into the same mold that I have been poured into, you will be around in the sport for a long, long time. -Thanks to Tito, Carl, Eddy, Al, Dan, and Fred for keeping me straight. They're all still around to share my stories with. Respectfully, SP

Not knowing all sides of the story, I will be careful not to second-guess the AFF program at your DZ. Take these points as you like . . . -AFF has TLO's for each level. If the student doesn't complete EACH TLO successfully, he should repeat the level (by USPA guidance). It's not about getting more money from the student; it's about cranking out safe skydivers. USPA AFF is GUIDANCE, not "carved in stone." There are many AFF hybrids out there that produce safe skydivers. -One of the TLOs from Level III is an UNASSISTED SOLO PULL. If one of your JMs was still docked at pull time for whatever reason, this TLO was not successfully completed. An important TLO at that, don't you think? -One of the TLO's for Level IV is CONTROLLED 90 degree L&R turns to redock. Your spin should be considered uncontrolled, and your pull was likely not on heading. Bravo for your survival skills, though . . . you got a canopy over your head and continued to maneuver. Great job! -All Instructors have a problem with the fall rate now and again, especially in the situation you described. Unless an Instructor goes low routinely, far be it for me to chastise. BUT, based on the information you have provided, if you were my AFF student, you would have repeated Level III after some re-training on the creepers to fix your arch. -As far as the gear goes, 2000 jumps is a lot of jumps on a canopy. I have seen canopies with more jumps that are still trucking because they were VERY well maintained and jumped in a pleasant climate (packed indoors, relined at the appropriate time, etc.). I am also told that ZP canopy fabric lasts a lot longer than F-111. -Don't get discouraged! Skydiving does not come naturally to all of us (I am a prime example). Some of us have to work at it. You need a DZ and Instructors that YOU are comfortable with and confident in. If your current DZ fits that bill, so be it. Otherwise, shop around a bit before you switch. Respectfully, SP

My PERSONAL opinion(s)(assuming a BOC): -Can't find your hacky? Don't panic! Sweep the bottom of the container from left to right with your open right hand. Remain altitude aware (your altimeter hand should be out in front of you anyway). Continue your sweep(s) until your personal decision altitude, then pull the reserve handle. Pulling the cutaway handle costs you time and altitude, and does nothing (if the main container is not open, there is nothing to cutaway). That extra coupla hundred feet might mean you can make the dropzone under your reserve rather than land it (most of us for the first time) in a tight spot with questionable terrain. TIP #1: I fold/stow my pilot chute such that the hacky stays put rather than flop around. TIP #2: I adjust my harness snugly so that the rig stays put on my back. No possibility of the hacky sneaking into the gap between the rig and my lower back. -What altitude are you pulling at? I used to pull consistently at 2000ft in my younger days. Now I only go down there if I have to to get clear. I am ALWAYS pins out by 2500ft on a routine skydive; 3000ft when I jump camera. Time is your enemy; altitude is your friend! BTW - my personal decision altitude is 1800ft (what I was taught many moons ago). If it ain't broke, don't fix it, cause muscle memory is gonna make you do what you drilldrilldrilled on anyway. -Finally, the only negative consequence I can think of that might arise by pulling the cutaway handle first: if your rig has questionable riser covers, your risers could work loose and interfere with reserve deployment. Unlikely, but possible. Food for thought! Great question! Respectfully, SP

I have used the "Night Shot" capabiity on my TRV-9. It works well, but you have to be up close. Nothing spectacular (clarity) but it's still pretty cool to see yourself skydiving at night. Great for your personal video scrapbook. Respectfully, SP

26,000 MSL for me Respectfully, SP

Anyone going to be at Skydive Arizona (Eloy) this Saturday, June 16th? Respectfully, SP

It's very good. All the air is clean, even next to the walls. It's much better than the one in Pigeon Forge, TN. But if the weather's bad outside, it's bad inside, because the impeller draws it's air through the bottom net directly from outside. So if it's raining outside, it's raining inside too. Gusty winds outside also make it hard to fly. The best part about it is the mirrored wall about 8 feet up. You can park yourself in front of it and check yourself out as you fine tune your body position. Respectfully, SP

The SkyKat website is back up!

What is the make/model and exact DOM? Respectfully, SP

CYPRES is made in germany by Airctec Gmbh. The best price can be had from http://www.skykat.com Respectfully, SP