ccowden

You have 12 jumps. I would say you are conquering your fears quite nicely! Way to go! Keep it up, have fun and stay safe. Congrats on the stand up! It will just keep getting better!

Well..........Get posting!

Looks very nice! You should be modelling it for the picture though!

I hope you mean "cheap" as in money! Can't wait to meet everyone and am really looking forward to a FUN weekend!!

Totally agree. I also agree that too many people move on to swooping as something to learn way too early and before they have a grasp on all aspects of canopy control. Safely controlling your canopy should be the first and foremost goal before moving to new things. You have a great point that more emphasis should be put on that. High performance flight and swooping should only be learned once you have a very solid foundation of canopy control in all types of situations and with all inputs of your canopy. There is no question that this takes many, many jumps and should never be rushed into to be "cool". Even with all the learning, experience under canopies is something that cannot be substituted. I truly believe that it is this lack of experience that contibutes to most of the landing incidents. Even if someone feels as though they are learning all they can and being safe, you just can't say enough for experience. It just takes time and the patience to move into things slowly. It is like someone getting there pilot's license and after only a little time flying airplanes, they climb into an F-18. They may be a terrific pilot and fly that f-18 very well, but without the experience, sooner or later they will get themselves into a situation where that very lack of experience costs them dearly. Just because they CAN fly an F-18, doesn't necessarily mean they SHOULD. WE all need to watch out for each other and be safe and smart about what WE are doing. WE can't let the pressure of what is "cool" dictate what WE do. Watching someone get hurt or die on a canopy and then saying, "I knew that would happen.", is a little like letting someone drive away drunk and saying the same thing. I think most people will be receptive to concern. WE just have to be careful in how WE deliver it. If someone just plain won't listen and it is the opinion of the dz that they are being unsafe, then I believe the dz has every right to keep them from jumping until they comply. If they go to the next dz, hopefully they will have the same policies. WE all play a roll. "We" is in uppercase because I include myself and everyone in this. I am not perfect and have been quilty of some of the things we are discussing. But I am striving to be a better person, teacher, canopy pilot, roll model and friend. I think if we show more compassion and caring, and less criticism and control, we will all be better off.

I am still thinking about it. If I went, I would try to meet up with you at the airport and share a rental if ya wanted. I would probably just tent it to save money, but if Greg didn't mind, you would be welcome to share.

First off- I have NO experience on a XAOS. But, I do have some experience with Stilettos and non-crossbraced canopies. I now fly a Velocity 96 loaded at about 2.14 I will say this: You will be so much happier on a crossbraced canopy loaded at those numbers. I do think that going to a crossbraced canopy loaded at 2.1 would be a better move than going to one loaded at 2.4. A crossbraced canopy at 2.1 will be much different than a non-crossbraced at the same loading. But you can make your own call there. Ask around though. I would imagine that most would say that 2.1 to 2.2 is closer to the "sweet spot" on a XAOS 21. I could be wrong though. I guess my point is- A xaos 21 at a 2.0plus wingloading is a much better choice than a Stiletto at that number. Done right, you will get much more out of your swoop without being as aggressive. Don't get me wrong- a crossbraced canopy is a step up and should be considered as such, but it should allow you to learn safer, smoother techniques and increase your swoop. Mis-treated or not respected, and it will bite you. THIS IS MY OPINION. I am sure some will disagree with my loading numbers and my Stiletto/non-crossbraced comments, but like I said, it is just my opinion. Just figured I would offer my input.

I agree with alot of your post. You have made some very good points and brought up some things that I also have seen happening, as well as been part of, on here myself. Thank you for posting some very valid points. Hopefully we can all take a step back and look at ourselves and how we come across to newer jumpers who want to learn. That said, I do try to be a positive role model and teach safe canopy piloting by education as well as example. From time to time I am sure I fall short, but I try to do my best. I have also been told that giving advice on here is not appreciated, as only instructors at the persons dz should be doing so. Maybe some people feel this way, but I personally feel that all information that can be shared can help. It is true however that a qualified instructor form your dz who knows your abilities would be the best to consult for advice and learning techniques. It makes it a little of a grey area to give advice/teach on these forums. But it is definitely something to discuss. Thanks again for posting your thoughts and concerns. PM me if you want to discuss things more or if I can offer any help. Swoop safe!

Always an open invitation for you D! Just tell me which flight and when it is arriving.

Yaaaay for weege!

ALL the way to 11??! Oh, you poor thing! Now, somehow I doubt that! I know I never get tired of it! Tell everyone I say hi! Have fun!

Yep- I agree. Just too tight and not relaxed. Alot of that comes from over-thinking it and trying to hard to control it instead of just relaxing and flying it. Same when you do head down. The more you try to control and get rigid, the worse it gets. Stay loose.

Mine ID to PM to is ccowden. Just so ya know!

Some people can be such whiners! "Oh, woe is me! I have so much work to do!"

Ahhh, screw it! I just can't stop!

Ok, this one is.

Ok, Ok, this is my last post. Promise!

I actually thought the same exact thing when I posted it!

What is this packing you speak of??

What was that? All I heard was- "Hey pal, blah blah blah......I'll break blah blah blah" Don't worry man. I love her like a sister.

No worries, sweetie!

Sweet! I live about 2 hours 20 minutes on your side of the Ranch. If you guys wanted, you are welcome to stop at my house Friday night, eat, have a place to crash, get showered up, and head out for the remaining couple hours of the trip early in the morning. Just an offer. I know how bad those long trips can be.

Well, well, well.... Maybe we can meet sooner than I thought!

Oh geez...............Lemme see, there was- -Downwind barrel swooping -Boomerang throwing -Skinny dipping on private property -Swimming in the lake at 3am, drunk -Wake boarding behind a car on grass -Strip football (actually pretty cool) -Indoor Frisbee hockey -Tote racing -Drag racing cars on the runway -Putting out smudge pots with urine -Climbing around the outside of a Jeep while moving -Putting 17 miles on said Jeep, all in the DZs grass Etc, etc, etc......