BBKid

I thought it was the other way round, total suspended weight divided by canopy area, i.e. jumper A weighs 300lb fully kitted up, and jumps a 150, therefore he is loading it 2:1. Am I right here? Nick --------------------------- "I've pierced my foot on a spike!!!"

Whatever you do, make sure the jumpsuit material is a different colour to that of your cutaway handle. You should be able to find your handle without needing to look, but being able to see it may just save you a few seconds, and at terminal that's about 300-400 feet. There's also something inherently satisfying in prancing around at the DZ with the arms of your jumpsuit tied around your waist. We all do it, even if it's been hours since we jumped, but no-one takes them off until the end of the day... I remember when I got my jumpsuit and did it for the first time - I really felt like I belonged! Sad, huh? Nick --------------------------- "I've pierced my foot on a spike!!!"

The thing about that website is that even though a lot of it is true (a lot isn't, I should add), when you browse the other pages on his site, specifically the ones about being an expat Brit, I still think I prefer it over here! Working that hard for 2 weeks holiday takes the piss, and that's enough to keep me in cold, expensive, unhelpful Blighty! Nick --------------------------- "I've pierced my foot on a spike!!!"

It's happened with all wmv's I've tried from skydivingmovies. I'm downloading the upgrade for WMP right now, but I still can't see how an out of date player would make the files download so fast. I'm talking the holiday boogie wmv (13.1MB-ish) in 1 second! Nick --------------------------- "I've pierced my foot on a spike!!!"

Whenever I try to download a .wmv from skydivingmovies or wherever, the same thing always happens - it downloads in about 1 second, then tells me the file format is unsupported? Anyone got any ideas??? Nick --------------------------- "I've pierced my foot on a spike!!!"

The Superfly Teardrops have the C23d TSO, or whatever the latest one with a 'd' in it is. It's on the standards or safety page on the website, and Chris Thomas told me himself at the AGM that it's approved anywhere, and I didn't get the impression he meant for a Brit to use anywhere. Best to check though. Phree - you almost certainly know this, but for anyone else who's reading and doesn't know - some people just don't like the idea of there being any flaps to get in the way of their pilot chute launching. Others just like the idea that their reserve pin is up against their back, and therefore very well protected. One guy at my dropzone could afford any rig he wanted, but he had a mad scary reserve PC hesitation, and he's committed to poptops (and Superflys specifically) for a very long time. He's selling his old SF, getting a new SF. Nick --------------------------- "I've pierced my foot on a spike!!!"

Works best in a northern English accent (think John Lennon) Dracula was lurking in an alley, waiting for his next victim. As he saw a pretty young virgin walking past (wasn't set in Liverpool then), he jumped out, but as he was about to stike, a sausage roll hit him in the head. He was confused by this, but carried on in his ill-fated attack. The next second, some vol-au-vents splattered into his face, and blinded, he tripped over a Scotch egg that had leaped into his path. As he lay on the ground, some cheesy pineapple hurled itself from a tree and the cocktail stick pierced the undead fiend's heart, consigning him to hell forever. Police are looking for buffet the Vampire Slayer. Nick --------------------------- "I've pierced my foot on a spike!!!"

My Nickname is Hans (long story coming up): My first year at Uni, I really partied hard and didn't give a crap what anyone thought, and pissed many people off. That summer, I really changed (don't know how or why) and when I came back for the second year everyone asked what had happened. I said that in the entire first year I had been kidnapped by my evil twin, Hans Graham. This was from the episode of Friends where Brooke Shields gets obsessed over Joey's character in Days of Our Lives, but gets confused when she sees him on TV whilst she's talking to him in his apartment. She asks how he can be in two places at one, and Chandler shouts "Because he's not Drake - he's Hans Ramoray, Drake's evil twin brother!" It's kinda stuck. Phew, that was tough, well done if you made it this far. As for BBKid, there's a drink I'm partial to - shot of blackcurrant juice shot of malibu shot of taboo make up to a pint with half cider, half lager - called a Brownie Bomber, hence BBKid Nick --------------------------- "I've pierced my foot on a spike!!!"

I haven't jumped an Icon, but I saw and tried a couple on at the BPA AGM and they seemed to be well-constructed rigs. I loved the look of them, and they have a couple of really neat safety features, such as the link-stop panels and the pockets for you to hide your slinks in. There are a couple of things that have me humm-ing and hah-ing, however: 1) I'm not totally convinced about the miniforce 3-ring system. I'd have to take advice from a rigger unconnected with Aerodyne who'd actually examined one before I bought 2) they seem to pack VERY big. The first one I tried had a Stilletto 120 and PD126-R in, and it was massive! When I asked the guy what canopies were in it I half expected him to say Sabre2 170 and PD143-R. Whether the guy just couldn't understand my Scouse accent and thought I was asking what was the smallest size I could put in, I don't know. I was just really surprised. 3) It only comes in 5 container sizes, so you've gotta have canopies that are compatible with their combinations, otherwise they're either gonna be too loose or too tight. Let me just re-emphasize - I haven't jumped one, my only experience was a five minute chat with one of the reps and a chance to throw one on my back. It did feel VERY comfy though! Oh, and it's sexy as hell! Nick --------------------------- "I've pierced my foot on a spike!!!"

You might want to look at the thread about actual size of a PD-176R. PD reserves are measured a different way to most other companies', and it turns out a 176 is actually about 188sq. ft. This is just info from this site, however, so take it with a grain of salt. It's just one more thing you might like to consider. Nick --------------------------- "I've pierced my foot on a spike!!!"

Nice plan - hasn't worked out for anyone I know! Nick --------------------------- "I've pierced my foot on a spike!!!"

Congrats dude! I know Ashley's nuts about you! Good luck guys!!!!!!!! I hope this is the pre-second time you've proposed to someone! Nick --------------------------- "I've pierced my foot on a spike!!!"

Me too, if it were an option, but then again, if I had the choice I'd go Wings! Nick --------------------------- "I've pierced my foot on a spike!!!"

Pretty much what I figured, thanks guys. Just to make it clear, it's all hypothetical, I was just wondering if anyone knew of it being done in the past. I don't own a rig, so I was just sounding people out! Nick --------------------------- "I've pierced my foot on a spike!!!"

Can it be done? And would the expence make it worthwhile? Let's say I have a 99 Javelin with the bridle cover and good riser covers, could the reserve cover flap be modded to make the tongue tuck in, or would the flap need to be replaced (at the factory)? Also, and here's the stupid bit, would there be any problem with having padding sewn onto the backpad (not replacing the entire back of the container)? Just something crossing my mind, i.e. potential first rig which could be made more comfy for BirdMan in the future. Nick --------------------------- "I've pierced my foot on a spike!!!"

Erm, hundreds of thousands of guns, and 65 million population (ish). Sounds to me like the majority didn't want them. So that's how you justify taking away their rights? "They're only a pitiful minority!" How can you possibly justify this statement? "All the time" is a statement which has no place in what was an otherwise well-reasoned argument, however much I disagree with your opinion. I said it because while I know that gun-attacks have become increasingly common in England -- particularly due to increased drug gang activity -- I don't know the exact figures. I know that it is certainly more than was happening BEFORE your gun ban. So all farmers are hell-bent on GBH/manslaughter/murder? Come on. Perhaps I should have specified that I meant "of people walking the streets with guns, or keeping them in their cars." The guns your farmers are allowed to keep are hardly self-defense-oriented guns, anyway. Single shot .410 shotguns, .22 rifles, etc. Not what I'd want to repel a home-invasion robbery. And certainly useless for on-the-street personal defense. I'll take my Glock 27 for that, thank you. Since most burglaries are opportunistic, it's incredibly unlikely that such a burglar would have a gun. Plus, in most instances where a burglar is disturbed, they run away. Might be different in the US where, since they know the chances of a homeowner having a gun are much higher, they think they may be better off staying to fight. This is the most backward-assed logic I've seen yet. You appear to be saying that a burglar in the UK will turn tail and run when he meets the homeowner he KNOWS is UNARMED, but he will stay and FIGHT the AMERICAN homeowner who might very well be ARMED?! THAT'S ABSURD. Johnrich posted figures regarding the "hot" burglary rates for UK and US. There was a large gulf between the percentage of burglaries committed when the occupants are home or not home. In UK, more than 50% of burglaries occur on occupied dwellings, as opposed to 20-something% in the US. This is attributed to the notion that UK burglars have less to fear when they encounter a homeowner, since it's extremely unlikely that person will have a gun to defend the home. Edited to hopefully make repsonse stand out more! Nick --------------------------- "I've pierced my foot on a spike!!!"

OK - here's a revelation for anyone reading this thread, and the principle applies equally for any other where there are hotly debated topics: If you've been brought up in an environment where the majority tell you something, and you've never suffered as a result of this upbringing, it's likely you'll consider it the right one. It will also be as difficult for you to convince someone brought up in another environment (believing in the contrary position) that you are right as it will be for them to convince you that they are correct. Ergo: 1) I was brought up in a country where the majority of people I encountered believed there was no need for everyone to bear arms, though some people chose to for work, sporting, or other leisure reasons. The fact that a section of the criminal world carry guns was something I could do nothing about. I think the US laws on gun control (or lack of it) are absurd, and only serve to increase the risks of being shot. 2) Someone brought up in the US by people who staunchly believe in the right to bear arms will likely adhere to this upbringing. They will fiercely oppose any attempts to disposses them of their weapons and will think it ridiculous that other nations may decide not to allow such weapons. They see removing the weapons as removing their right to defend themselves. It's all upbringing, guys. Nick --------------------------- "I've pierced my foot on a spike!!!"

Erm, hundreds of thousands of guns, and 65 million population (ish). Sounds to me like the majority didn't want them. How can you possibly justify this statement? "All the time" is a statement which has no place in what was an otherwise well-reasoned argument, however much I disagree with your opinion. So all farmers are hell-bent on GBH/manslaughter/murder? Come on. Since most burglaries are opportunistic, it's incredibly unlikely that such a burglar would have a gun. Plus, in most instances where a burglar is disturbed, they run away. Might be different in the US where, since they know the chances of a homeowner having a gun are much higher, they think they may be better off staying to fight. Plus, I find the implication by several posts in this thread that all burglars are prepared to kill a little far fetched. Maybe I have too much faith in humanity. Nick --------------------------- "I've pierced my foot on a spike!!!"

Crappy UK weather means I probably won't be able to do this for a while - bugger! Even when I do, I need another 150 jumps before I'm allowed to take up any sort of camera. Nick --------------------------- "I've pierced my foot on a spike!!!"

Just thought I'd post my opinion, as a Brit. If someone broke into my house and threatened my family, I'd want to neutralise the threat, whatever way I could. If that meant scaring them off, so be it, if it meant fighting them off, with them winding up dead, so be it. But then think - you wake up and you can hear scuffling around outside. Due to the new law, you pick up your gun and blow the intruder away - after all, you've been burgled four times in the last year. Then you find out it was someone who had been attacked themself and would go to any lengths to seek protection, or was just some homeless guy who saw an open door and wanted to take some food just to survive. Both these situations are far-fetched, I know, but they're entirely possible, so I would oppose this law. Besides, if I do need to defend myself or my family, I've got a Japanese sword under my bed (for martial arts - I'm not a complete tosser!) which I'm sure, combined with the sight of me coming downstairs naked, would deter any would be attacker! Nick --------------------------- "I've pierced my foot on a spike!!!"

Maybe I'm weird, but I read what dinog wrote a little differently. I just figured (s)he(?) was trying to say that on every jump you're going to use the harness/container, whereas you aren't always going to use the reserve, for example. I didn't take it as an implication that a mirage is safer than a wings. But then again, I already knew what has been posted above about stitch count and material. Nick --------------------------- "I've pierced my foot on a spike!!!"

I've seen many a main pin cover flap on a Javelin flapping about in freefall. It's not a major issue for most, but if the job of the flap is to cover the pin...whereas on a mirage or wings, the flap tucks upwards into itself, making it more secure. Nick --------------------------- "I've pierced my foot on a spike!!!"

I ain't got no malted milk, but I jus fell over. my head hurts Nick --------------------------- "I've pierced my foot on a spike!!!"

So, I have to be in work at 7.30 tomorrow (5 hours away), and I'm pissed off my tits! My parents are in Spain, so I've just been drinkning like Billy No Mates, and now I'm so happy I just can't explain. I'm going to meet Alana and Zeemax on Saturday (as far as In know), because it's her birthday and he'll be there and I misse them at the Agmand i fell asleep so I'm really excoited!!! Eric Clapton rocks!!!! You got me on ymy nees Layla (acoustic CD on now)...I'll get my coat. Nick --------------------------- "I've pierced my foot on a spike!!!"

Hang-gliding dick. Felix, that is... Nick --------------------------- "I've pierced my foot on a spike!!!"