mikkey

great pics! Looks exactly like when I first started in the 1970's

Billvon explained well what I was on about. Re-read my posts above - I think you mis-understood. 1) I do not do any radical turns under 1000 feet as a matter of policy. 2) I do a lot of planning and looking in order to land safely. 3) I have practised flat turns 45 -90 degrees low in order to be able to avoid obstacles safely during landing phase and land cross wind. 4) After discussions with somebody with many thousands of jumps and 30 years in the sport, I decided to practise being able to do a radical turn (hook) during the landing phase and learn it in a careful manner as decribed in above post.. When I say "low" I meant not "too low" i.e. practising to be able to stay out of the "corner" and understanding the sensation and visual experince of a quick turn at lower altitude (this is the important part - the guy pointed out that some people would "freak out" if they have to do a quick turn and have not experienced the "ground rush" in a controlled environment - this can lead to deadly mistakes). This will make it more safe if I need to do it (and I do NOT normally want to make a hook prior to landing - this is for emergency only). 5) Whilst flat turns are my first choice for "avoidance" low, there are situations where you would need a quick "hook" turn and the flat rurn is not an option. I want to be able to do one durring landing phase if need be (and know how high I need to be to be able to use the option) - and I want to know what the "visual" ground rush experience is so I do not freak out and make a deadly mistake. Hope this explains it better. --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

I recently bought a Safire2 and I love it. The openings are great, soft and reliable. It is rock solid but fast and turns fast but without "twitching". It is perfect for somebody around 100 jumps if you do not load it too agressively. Landing is a joy with a hugh flare "envelope" so you have a lot of margin in regard to how to flare it. The Sabre 2 is good too, but Safire2 is better I think. You should demo a couple also to find the right size for you. I am conservatively loaded at 1.15 but there is more then enough "fun" for me at this loading and at the same time it is very forgiving. If your exit weight is 160 lbs the 139 is about a 1.1 loading for you and probably OK for you (but talk to your instructors about that). If 160 is your body weight and your exit weight is more like 180+ then I would recommend to go up one canopy size. Again, see if you can get a demo jump in both the Sabre and the Safire. I love the Safire but the Sabre is good too - so best to try out both and choose what suits you. --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

Bad excuse... There must be loads of "veterans" in CA who can help you do that "manly thing" - and do not forget to post pictures of your landing

"LOL If it checks out and i can find a way to put it in modern gear i would consider it. " No, no - come on - the rig looks in great shape - use the original. If you do not have a reserve canopy, I am sure you can borrow a round reserve somewhere to put into the chest container. The mini is a safe system - just practise the capewell cut away --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

Looks great! Oh those memories

Very common my friend (especially when you are ion the heavier side). I assume you will also experience bruises around your upper arm / shoulder area. You are jumping in student gear - it is not exactly fitted to your measurements and it is not build for comfort - it is build to accommodate a lot of students and for durability. Problem will go away when you get your own gear (if it is fitted correctly for you). Have fun

Grrrrrr - and I bought a brand new Cypres (1) less then 2 month ago - bad luck I suppose..... --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

Amen to what Lisa says (talking about cool women in skydiving ) May I just point to the fatality rate statistics that was provided in the first thread. http://www.iit.edu/~kallend/skydive/fatalities.gif A couple of points I would like to make: 1) There is a saying: "there are lies, damn lies and statistics" - the graphs make very interesting reading, however they have one major problem: They reflect fatality per 1000 USPA members not per 1000 jumps. So if the structure of membership in the USPA has changed, i.e. average number of jumps per member etc. the statistic can be very misleading. This could e.g. happen if there were many more students (AFF) now then 12 years ago who quickly drop out of the sport again (which would mean more members (students) - less jumps in average. I assume this is the best stats we can get for now. 2) Lets assume that the figures are OK (that the average number of jumps per member is about the same). What I find so interesting is how much the main reasons for fatalities from the 80's - no pull, malfunctions, reserve problems - have reduced. Take landings out and the fatality rate per 1000 members has approximatly halved!! This is probably due to the improved equipment we use and the emergence of better AAD's - especially the Cypres (look at "no pull" numbers since the Cypres came onto the market around 1990). 3) Whilst the fatality rate for landings has gone slightly down per 1000 members it is still double any other reason. We also have to take into account that there is probably at least a 10 to 1 "injury rate" - i.e. for every one who gets killed hooking into the ground there are 10 survivors with (often serious) injuries. This is probably not the case with the other types of problems... So if you take all those people into account that are maimed for live by these landing accidents you have a very high accident rate. You want to do something about it? Uniform regulations together with a better training and rating program is the only way. Even if a few people get pissed off. --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

Squeak, You might want to have a chat to Parachute Australia. They manufacture rigs, so they have the machinery and expertise to do these type of changes. Alternatively, contact the APF and ask for a list of master riggers who can do this type of work. --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

"@ mikkey: Thank you very much 4 informations" You are very welcome. You can always buy me a "Koelsch" or "Alt" beer.... hmmmm. Remember these from my early youth when I actually did live not that far away from Cologne

I don't mind it - as long it does not come from a 100-jump wonder who is quite crappy himself. That pisses me off...... --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

Reality Check: - Fatality and Injury Rates during landings are very high and increasing . - Those countries (in Europe) which have canopy regulations have seen a decrease in injuries and fatalities. - By all means educate people better - but if you want to really address the issue and decrease the fatalities and injuries quickly - you will have to regulate. Basta. Talk to the Europeans. - I have been on and off involved in the sport for 25 years. My gut feel is that injury and fatality rates are higher now - and even if they are not - they SHOULD be much lower - due to the overall improvement of equipment and training. It comes down to the canopy accidents. You either regulate canopies by number of jumps, weight, ratings etc. or you will continue seeing people going in like flies. There is no easy way out, the sport has to make a choice and no "lets leave it up to the locals to eduacate each other" will change this. --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

"Please tell me more. Which types of Talon FS are available from US and Australia? " Well, firstly the Talon 3 (which I have and very happy with) has been on the market in Australia for a couple of years and is not being produced or sold in the US. The FS has been on the market in Australia for about a year and I think has not yet been officially launched in the US. The difference is (as far as I know) that the Talon name is owned by Rigging Innovations and the local producer here (Parachute Australia) has a license agreement. The FS (as far as I know) is an Australian design and will be produced in the US by R.I. for the US market. For more information about the Australian Talons go to: http://www.parachutesaustralia.com/ and for the US ones go to the Rigging Innovations web site: http://www.rigginginnovations.com/ Hope this helps.

Dont agree the Talon FS is a Vector clone. Be aware there is a difference between Talons made in the US and Talons made in Australia. Note the max size for main in the FS is 170 (that is why I have a Talon 3) - I think a couple of other rigs have maximum sizes too (so you might want to check). Also, be aware that the "looks" of rigs can be quite different depending on canopy sizes, i.e. a rig that looks great with a 120 on board might not look that good with a 190. Depends on how they adjust lenght and width of the system to different sizes. So make sure to look at rigs with larger canopies in them before making a decision. --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

I have practised Flat turns - and I meant (and the experienced advice meant) hook turns (low but not too low). Reason being that I could get into a "tight" landing area situation and a quick hook turn might be the best option. If I do not practise and have not tried the feeling and "visual" experience of a hook turn landing, I might be in real trouble if the situation arises. Note that I was talking of a careful and safe training program. General rule still applies for me that I do not do hook turns, but I want to be able to manage a situation where I have to do one. --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

Can you get the Talon FS in Germany? It has a lot of features in common with the Voodoo but is better and as comfortable as the Odyssey. --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

It was a "local" product in Australia that is why people outside would not have heard about it. I think (not sure) it was a rig with ripcord and spring loaded PC. I would recommed to talk to an experienced Australian rigger or instructor. --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

Agreeing very much with Lisa on all her posts in this important discussion. A couple of points: 1) I saw 2 skydivers die 10 days ago - (not directly related to canopy size issues) and I am still affected by it - so I hate people telling us it is their choice if they kill themselves - fatalities are very traumatic for all people involved. Also, there have been fatalities where 2 HP canopies collide during landing. So the argument that its a personal choice stinks. 2) I recently returned to the sport after a break of 11 years - and all I can say is that this situation makes me sick. The equipment as such is so much better, so much safer, the training so much better - and what is happening? The fatality rate is not going down, its going up. This is crap. I used to jump roundies, I jumped large F-111's and very rarely somebody got killed once they had a good main over their head. We did not know the word hook turn and we still had fun skydiving. I think regulation is needed - full stop. Don't care if some people get upset - as mentioned there are a lot of 14 year old's who are upset they can not get a drivers license. Better to self-regulate pro-actively. European countries have done so - and even if it is not perfect I think they have already seen impovements in regard to accident numbers. I hope common sense prevails before this gets out of hand. --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

I have a new Safire 2 which I assumme is nearly identical to a "1" with the mod. I am convinced it is the packing. I am lazy and the canopy is brand new, so I have been paying packers to pack it, but I also packed a few times myself. I experience about 60% of the time a right hand dive when I open. First I thought like you it was my body position, but now I am convinced it is the packing (e.g. when I packed myself it was on heading same when packed by another guy, when 2 other packers packed it I had the off-heading). The main has been packed mostly "Pro". I am still trying to figure out what in the packing can lead to this. So you might want to try a couple of different ways of packing, including Pro (I pack slowly keeping lines very straight and clean and put effort in flaking etc. -this gave best results so far). Good luck. --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

I don't do hook turns as I am planning to die in my bed . What I do, is to set up my landing pattern very early: 1) Check position of all canopies early 2) Check over ground speed against wind, down wind and side ways. 3) Have a plan on how I am going to approach the landing area. 4) Stay aware and look, look in case I have to change plan. This does help me get in cleanly with no need to do wild turns low. I have however practiced flat turns 45-90 degrees so I can avoid people if need be and do a cross wind landing. After advise from an experienced person I will also start to practice low hook turns - in case I need it one day. The approach of learning how to do it, is to do only a 45 degree turn 200 feet higher then needed and then lower it altitude gradually. When this is mastered increase angle to 90 and slowly up to 180 degrees. But as a general plan, I do try to avoid low turns by using my eyes, plan ahead and be prepared to react quickly.. --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

People should consider their reserve performance more when jumping. Would be kind of ironic if your reserve safes your arse first and then kills you in a landing . I grounded myself on Thursday when the wind at the DZ reached 16 - 20 knots. My Safire could have handled it fine, but I was not so sure about my reserve and I think people should base decisions in regard to which weather and ground conditions to jump in on what they believe their reserve can handle. --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

Well, "mate" - maybe some people are getting pissed off by the number of injuries and death under perfectly deployed canopies.... If the sport continues down this road government regulations will come in, be sure of that. In some countries local federations have been smart enough to self-regulate. I am trying to get insurance for disability and death covering skydiving and I can not - which is a problem when you have wife and kids and want to ensure they are OK if shit happens. And yes, I blame partly those guys who jump equipment they can not handle safely and hook themselves in. I get annoyed when I see posts like this and the one where a guys with 160 jumps buys a Stiletto loaded at 1.5 because he wants to be able to get back to the DZ after a bad spot. Apologies for the rant, but the "anything goes - its a free society" attitude is getting to me. --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

The Talon 3 is only sold in Australia and is as mentioned a development based on the Talon 2. I do not think that Rigging Innovations is going to sell the "3" in the US. It is a very nice rig (i've got one ). The FS has a lot of features in common with the VoooDoo but they are not identical. I have seen both and I think the FS is better. The FS is great - extremely comfortable and I would place it up there with the new Javelin. The FS is only designed to take canopies up to 170 Sq.Ft. - I have a 190 and thats why I went for the "3". --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

Don't know and maybe not possible. Actually most thought about container size and springloaded PC release. Good point about the size of the risers. But worth asking the question to a rigger. Most student rigs I have seen do not have mini risers, buy yes it might still be too bulky. But hey, you can always try it out in the "Mini" rig. Could be the releases are "one shot" Capewells, they are quite easy to get released compared to the older 2 shot and 1 and 1/2 shots.... Don't be a chicken --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.