Ron

Yes John, But there is no Block "0", there is a "1". Ron "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Made you look "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Its in there keep looking "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

No such thing as TOO conservative. You will live longer. No, asking a dealer what a canopy costs is exactly what you should ask him...Asking him what is the best canopy for you...Well another topic. He can only say what type of canopy HIS brand has that would fit you. Also, beware the dealer that trash talks the other canopies to make his sound better...He should sell you on his brand, not slam the others down past his level. Because Icarus had a number of canopies that did collapse. One did it durring a swoop meet killing a very good pilot, and a friend to many. So now some people label ALL Icarus canopies as "Black Death". Like the Nova of old. Ron "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

One more thing.... Take anything a guy with a canopy to sell (Dealer or single person) with a grain of salt... Jump the canopies that you want and make a choice based on your own feelings.... I would also recomend that you look around at what the guys around you are jumping.... If everyone at your DZ has Z brand canopy...Well there might be a reason, and if you have a different canopy..you will not be able to ask them questions. Also....NEVER BE THE FIRST KID ON YOUR BLOCK TO HAVE A NEW TOY. you will live longer. Ron "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Pack volume is about the same as same size Stiletto... I put a 105 in place of my 107,and I didn't have to change anything. I THINK both use the same lines....I could be wrong Just call Cobalt.... "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

This is what happens even with the go to the low guy plan...The low guy should be trying to get as much lift as possible. But it is MUCH easier to go to the low guy...You will almost always get the high people closing more of the distance. As for smaller stuff....Go to the low guy...As for most things, stay with the Instructor/coach/organizer. Ron "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Do a search...this topic has been beaten to death. Best advice try it...and buy the one you like better. No real problems with either canopy personally. I have a Stiletto however. Probley just because I have maybe ~1,500 jumps on Stiletto's. I have 1,000 on a 107. So I am VERY comfertable with it. Ron "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Anyone ever heard of a CYPRES firing durring a hook? I have not. Ron "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Well the shuttle does not use its engines on re-entery...Its a big, heavy, fast ass glider. So your shuttle argument actually feeds the idea that a WS could be landed. I personally don't think it can be...At least with out dying. At least not yet. But your argument was flawed. Ron "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Well, he can pack anywhere. Legally, he needs to be a rigger, or at least pack under the supervision of a rigger. I personally don't let people pack for me that don't jump. No real reason..Its about the same thing as I would rather have pilots that jump as well. Pack n cathy almost aways is hiring. She lets her kids pack. Ron "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

You are also a great deal more swung out from under the canopy with the snap turn....With a carve you are still mostly under the canopy. This allows you to swing out from under it much faster and with less altitude loss than the snap. Only really comes into play if you are low. However, you can adjust the angle of the dive ALL THE TIME durring a carve hook. Carves are safer, and produce a longer swoop...That being said, I still snap 90% of the time..I just like the way it feels. Down sides to a carve...You really have to be able to fly your canopy to be able to fly a pattern that takes you down your lane at the right altitude at your max speed. This is one reason I think people downsize to fast....If you can't do this, then you really can't fly the canopy you have 100%. Not even the touching the saftey aspect...but you are not getting 100% from you and the canopy. Try it a while, see if you don't agree. Ron "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

No prob...And to be honest, I could have not jumped back. We are on the same page...even talking the same thing. No worries Ron "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

The Sabre 2 is a fine canopy.... ANY canopy can go down in turbulance. The first accident was someone I knew and liked. No one I know of SAW him hit. People said they saw him toggle turn low...This was the first time I had read/heard of a collapse of any kind. But if I am wrong please tell me...It just sounds like a low pull with a bad choice to land and a turn to avoid an object. He was not a hotshot. The second accident that the original poster talked about... Well I was there,saw it and the second on the scene. 1. The winds were on the higher side (All students were grounded). 2. The area he went in at has high trees...High trees + high winds = turbulance. 3. I personally think it was a combination of input/turbulance. But I only saw the last 150 feet. ANY canopy can get hit by turbulance....Almost any canopy can be spun up with the toggles.... There are some people that have been complaning about the openings, but thats all I have heard. Ron "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

No, I agree with what your DZ does. My response was to the "My wingload thing" Why quote what I have no issue with??? My point is that a high wingload does not make turbulance less of an issue...Where do you not read that? Now exactly where did I say anything about your wingload other than it will not make turbulance any safer? I never said ANYHTING about your skills/canopy choice/density altitude, or anything about your wingload in relation to your jump #'s... You jumped the gun on this one. I ONLY SAID...A high wingload does not make you safe in relation to turbulance where did I say shit else? Read before you automaticly think I am slamming your wingload/exp. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

You are preaching to the wrong guy here..... I already know that, and my post was not aimed at you.... But since you are so quick to jump my shit... If a 747 that weighs 400,000 pounds can get hit by turbulance....A guy under a flexable wing glider...will get hit...No matter what your wingload is. Wingload will not make you safe...Now thats all I said. You took it as an attack, which it was not. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

just to give you a story...I will never buy another Ford product. 2001 Mustang GT. 12,000 miles paint problem 18,000 miles Transmission problems (3rd gear sync, and shift fork) 38,000 miles Power steering rack replaced. 42,000 miles water pump. I don't know about yours, but mine is a piece of shit. Love the speed/handling...but I am spending WAY to much time driving it to the shop. Ron "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Wingload will not make you "safe" in turbulance. If you think it will, you are wrong. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Bad thinking here....Wingload will not make a canopy more safe in turbulance....747's are affected by turbulance. The only way to avoid turbulance is to not jump on days that it can happen....The better option is to learn what creates turbulance and avoid those areas. Ron "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Unless I am in a competition, or back to backs...Or tandems. I pack my own...I did 19 team jumps last camp and packed everyone of them. I think that eveytime you get a license...you should have to pack your main, and spot the aircraft. It is a real shame that a lot of people don't know how to pack. It instills confidence in your gear. Ron "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

A LO is a person that puts together all the people who are not jumping with others and tries to build a fun, challenging, successful skydive. The LO takes the experience of the people and puts them in a slot that will ensure the success of the group, while keeping it challenging and fun. Some places you have to pay a LO to jump with them, other places they are paid by the DZ. At some boogies they have free LO's, but you pay a registration fee. LO's rock. Ron "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Well, if ya did want to tandem..PM me... If ya want to go AFF (Buddy Jump), call the manifest at Zhills....Can't help ya there. Ron "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

I have found a carve to create MUCH more speed/distance than a snap..... However I still snap it, because I like the whip feel. Ron "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

check INCIDENTS "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Well if you know this, why do it? Live long enough you can jump anything. If you are going to anyway get a Stiletto 107. Put this note in your rig: "WHEN I smack the fuck in under this canopy that is above my skill level and kill/really screw myself up. Please send it to Ron Hill c/o Skydive City Z-Hills FL." I need a second main. Ron "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334