Ron

No, it is more prone to malfunction. Lethal is if you fail to react properly to the problem. A Pitts Special is an aerobatic plane, it is not for a beginner and requires more MX. Same with a HP canopy. Nonsense, there is no magical number for an opening altitude. More nonsense. I can fly my HP canopy into, DW and cross wind just fine. It is not impossible. YOU just can't do it. Same thing as the Pitts... Not everyone should fly one, but that does not mean NO ONE should fly one. Hey, you may actually have one here. This one is total crap. The proof is that those that have docked with a WS are not dead. Well, I knew a bunch of students that set off Sentinels with RAVENS... So, I guess RAVENS are "lethal"??? A more logical thought is that the AAD's had an issue in that they were being used in a manor not considered during the design... Again, an AAD issue, not a canopy issue. More crap. I have seen Ravens cutaway due to a brake fire. And it is not lethal unless the pilot performs incorrectly. No, just like the Pitts they should not be flown by just anyone. But that does not make them "lethal" Maybe. Pure crap. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

You will get as many jumps as you want. The only thing you will notice is a bunch of guys wearing wingsuits waddling around. Nothing wrong with Sebastian.... But I have always found zhills to be one of the most open and friendly DZs "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

You just refuse to accept the answers you have been given to the question asked and you claim others have the ego issue? Really? How does tunnel time relate to JUMPS and it just simply does not. A better question (that would have given you the answer you seem to want and would accept) is "How does tunnel time relate to FREEFALL time?" And that would be very close to one-one, maybe even BETTER since people use the tunnel to work on very small basics more often than they would in freefall. Not many jumpers will go up and do solos to work on turns, but they will hire a coach and spin 360's all day in the tunnel. And the honest answer is that a person will take a certain level of performance from the tunnel into the air.... That ratio depends on the experience level of the person, but it seems 60-80% of what a person does in the tunnel translates to freefall once all the other distractions are added in.... The less exp you have, the less you carry over. The more exp, you will carry over more. I have seen as much as 85-90% and as low as zero. But the VERY simple fact is that tunnel does not and never will equal jumps. Well, I had a teammate that was a tunnel rat, an AMAZING flyer. He didn't know what the cells of the canopy were called, didn't know how to hook up a three ring, and when faced with a simple malfunction, died. Another guy I know was a tunnel rat..... Maybe one of the first. He almost killed himself twice under canopy before quitting the sport. Another guy who was a MANAGER of the first windtunnel broke his back under canopy. Another wind tunnel manager broke his leg during AFF. All of these folks had hundreds to thousands of hours of tunnel.... Ask the USPA how to log tunnel time for license's and ratings. OK, I have easily twice as much tunnel and twice as many jumps. And I still think that tunnel does not equal jumps. It seems pretty clear that the ONLY answer you will accept is one that lets you count tunnel time as a jump at some ratio that YOU approve of...... "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

1. I have seen AFFI's sell their old 1.4WL Stiletto's to people who just got their "A". 2. Some people know others are just not going to listen to any advice offered.... So they just don't try to give any. So, just because someone turns a blind eye... Doesn't mean they approve. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

No, he sounds like a guy that answered the question asked. The tunnel is great... but it is not a jump and never will be a jump. It can make you perform better in RW or VRW, but it will never help you with malfunctions or landing a canopy. And before you think I am "one of those guys".... I am willing to bet I have more tunnel time than most jumpers and maybe most of the posters on this site. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Here is a pic I took at THE AWARDS ceremony and banquet. So, if we can't produce an event that can keep THE PARTICIPANTS awake..... How do we expect to get spectators to care? Why does the USPA not have a freakin' Nationals Website with reporting? Look at the Dubai information.... I can't even find the scores for some years Nationals online. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

For fun, it is hard to beat Zhills. But DSE had a good thought.... Is there a boogie anywhere that might be a good event to attend? I'd focus my search on CA and on FL. Both have big DZ's within a few hours drive of each other, tunnels, etc. Elsinore has the escape boogie... Zhills has: 2-3-4 - FLCPA 2012 Meet 2 , www.swoopleague.com for the competition info and details. Watch many of the world's finest swoop competitors take to the field. Scott Roberts of SlipStream will be here coaching this weekend as well. 2nd - Friday is Coaching Day 3-4 - Competiton Days. Mar 20 - April 1 - Z-Flock 8.0 and the wingsuiters descend upon Skydive City for a weekend of 'guys in skirts' - fabulous flying and formations. See you there, contact scott I'd more focus on if there is an event somewhere. Elsinore is a fun DZ. But, I moved to Zhills..... Twice. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

A good market driven suggestion. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

YES.... The USPA talks about us not having an image, yet they are not doing anything about it. The USPA should have a website with every score from every Nationals and World Meet going back as far as we possibly can. Omniskore has a good idea and it goes back to 1998... Why not make an official USPA Nationals website? Further, the coverage is crap.... We had "Skydive TV" out there interviewing people... Why wasn't the USPA doing that? They say they want to increase exposure... One way to do that would be to self promote and we do a crappy job of that. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Get the bigger one... PM sent. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

9 mals... Looked at the ground or cutaway right after opening. 1. Line twist Stiletto 120.... It opened and 'locked' in the spin. If you have been in this, you know its over. I looked at the ground and punched out. 2. Line twist Stiletto 120.... It open and 'locked' it was gone. 3. Line twist Stiletto 107... Long story, it 'locked' and I had a problem getting my handle.... I did't use my alti, I looked at the ground for reference...I cutaway LOW with a FAST reserve pull. My freebag was found tangled with my main. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Liq4HYJZaho&feature=channel_video_title 4. Line twist Stiletto 107 (notice a trend yet?). It 'locked' and I left. 5. Line twist Velocity 96 (HA not a Stiletto!). I was flying perfectly straight and trying to kick out of it. I used my alti and at 1200 feet chopped. 6. Line over Stiletto 107. Looked up, saw crap, punched out. 7. Tandem line knots. Tried to fix it, could not, left. 8. Tandem started as a bag lock - reached for handles, changed to snivel - reached for handles changed to an open canopy with tension knots... Looked at alti, said screw it and left. 9. Tandem... Tension knots again. Look at alti and left. So if it is high speed, I fix the problem or glance at the ground and fix the problem. If it is low speed I look at the alti. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Since it *IS* part of the charter of the USPA to fund a US team: 1. Raising dues a dollar would add ~30k to the US team fund. 2. At the Nationals you could charge an additional 10 dollars per individual and have that money go to the US team fund..... Just using 4 way that would have been 3,200 extra dollars. Both would be inline with the USPA charter. Another thing would be doing EXACTLY what they are doing.... Go after corporate sponsorships, I have a few ideas on this myself. A large corporation will drop thousands on a one time ad. With the support of the USPA some of these corporations will be MUCH easier to approach. The idea of official US team rigs is interesting... But I fear we would lose the team sponsorships. Why would Sunpath sponsor Airspeed if Aerodyne rigs had to be worn at the World Meet? "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Why would someone step out of a perfectly good airplane and risk high speed death if their parachute fails to open? Why would someone risk death getting onto an airplane? It is much safer to stay on the ground. Same reasons. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Well, one small problem is it IS part of the USPA's original charter to support a US team. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Now, we need to thank them for listening. AND if we like the idea tell them we support it (I just sent my email). "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

The "D" USED to be required to be an "I". They changed that after they moved C and D "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

It is just a possession. I have had people take my car before. Once I was under canopy and saw my car leaving the Dz in a hurry. It seems that someone pounded in and was taken to the hospital... A buddy grabbed my car and took off to the hospital. One time while packing I saw my car leave the DZ. A buddy wanted to run to the store and didn't have a car. Another time when living on the DZ I went outside to go to work and found a motorcycle and a note saying they needed a car to run some errands. I just hopped on the bike and went to work. The people that I trust to be close to me... I trust with my stuff. And they know that. If someone that I didn't know took my car/gear... it would be a different story. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Twice now I have arrived at the DZ to see my canopy landing. Once was after I hooked the damn thing in and was taken to the hospital (no damage, just lots of pain). When I was brought back a few hours later to the DZ, I saw my new canopy doing a hook turn. My buddies comment: "You were not using it" 2nd time was in 1996 when I had one of the few Xbraced canopies in the US... I looked up and saw a buddy hooking it. In both cases I didn't care. In both cases I think the person would have taken care of anything they lost. BUT... I don't leave my gear at the DZ anymore after the El'snore fire and a few thefts/tampering's. It would be VERY wise to have all terms agreed upon by the person who you are loaning your gear to... such as repacks on the reserve and lost equipment. I have seen friendships fall apart over it, and less. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

See, that comment just proves you have not paid any attention to anything but what you wanted to hear. See post #2 of this thread http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?do=post_view_flat;post=4229723;page=1;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;mh=25; But again, this just proves you don't care to DISCUSS anything, just preach AT people. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Had a blast, won the 8way meet with DT's ringer team. My wife placed second. I had to spend tday with my inlaws so no 10way, and Sat with my family so no 16way. But it is pretty awesome to jump with my old friends from my time in the Hills 96-99, and 02-05 (Yes, that is not "old" but it still is 15 years ago....) "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

There you go again...... None as so blind as those that refuse to see. I am done wasting my time with such a closed minded person. We listened to YOUR views, you IGNORED ours. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Just shows that you have refuses to listen to anyone else when they have explained the error of your thinking over and over.... And this just shows how you ignored the same comments about the night flying requirements as well. But hey, feel free to ignore the data that you disagree with... It is your norm. And I am tired of wasting time trying to discuss anything with a person with such a closed mind and irrational arguments. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

So? Try going to a DZ that does not know you and they are planning beach jumps that require a 'D'. Just because you think the label is stupid does not mean it does not have uses. Have fun with your 'C'... It makes zero difference to me. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Oh Please, your comment just proves you have not read the whole thread or just are so blind in your views you refuse to listen to anyone else. There are none so blind as those like you that think you are the only one with a valid opinion. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Yes, it does.... It means that a person with a "D" LICENSE is supposed to be self sufficient and capable to handle themselves without any supervision. So, it takes a person from "Advanced Student" to "Experienced Skydiver" You of course do not agree.... But then again, I am not surprised after you skipped out on the discussion between night flying and night jumps I brought up. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334