tbrown

Buy a new slider ($100) or a Spectre ($800 & up). Your choice. Or else go on getting your ass kicked by an out of date canopy/slider configuration that has sent people to the hospital. The choice is yours. This ain't a cheap sport and you only have one spinal column to last your whole life. I can't make up your mind for you. Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

Hey Muppy the 60 a year figure is pure unadulterated bullshit, so just get off it. Truth is the count for 2004 is way BELOW average, even though there have been a few more than we'd like to see since August. Bottom line is this ain't no free ride. If'n you don't like it, then stay home & watch "reality" TeeVee. We do the real thing and try as hard as we can, shit happens and real people die now & then. It's skydiving baby, love it or leave it. Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

He can't go quick enough for me. Prior to becoming AG his biggest accomplishment was losing a Senate race to his dead opponent. Now that's something to put on your resume, "lost an election to a dead guy". Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

I used to jump a PC back in the mid seventies and just loved it. In fact you can get a lovely soft stand up landing by pulling on the rear risers, I used to do it all the time. I transitioned from jump boots to sneakers under a PC, also from a motorcycle helmet to a hockey helmet and never had any regreats. I can't honestly say a PC won't ever malfunction, but mine never did, in fact I've never had to cutaway from a round canopy in my life and that's over 300 jumps. As for the rig and not trusting capewells, I'm not sure if we ever trusted them either, but that's what we had & that's what we used. They usually worked just fine, though one friend tried to cutaway a Strato Star mal and could only pop one of his capewells, which streamered everything. He finally gave up on the other one and pulled his round reserve at about 500 ft. It opened, thank God. If the round reserve canopy was in good shape, I'd jump the old gut gear again without any misgivings. But having a reserve hung on your chest makes you feel like a lead sled after jumping piggyback for so long. And oh yeqah, I'm twice as old and about 60 lbs heavier, so I think I'll just stick to the newer stuff and let the young headdown generation explore their heritage. Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

Them Floridians don't fuck around. Next time they'll probably beat you senseless for voting for the wrong candidate. Sieg heil y'all, life is good in the Sunshine State ! Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

I voted three weeks ago at an early voting station at a local Albertsons supermarket. I had ducked in to get some lunch supplies for work and there it was, with just two people sitting at this table. So I thought "why not ?". They got me checked in right away and took a few minutes to show me how the new little electronic doodle pad works and then I was off and voting. The whole thing was maybe 5 min. max. I saw a lot of long lines today. It's good that so many people were waiting in line and being patient and not getting all pissed off about it. This election's been a record turnout by any standard and that's a good thing no matter how it turns out. Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

Airgasmic. Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

I see from your profile that you live in the LA area and are jumping up at Taft. There's a loft and gear shop right at your DZ and the owners are very knowledgeable and helpful and I know for a fact they carry a line of used gear. The winter season is a good time to buy because a lot of people are selling off older gear and buying something newer, hotter, and snazzier. There are also a lot of jumpers in the northern states who won't be jumping much over the winter and some of them will be selling some very nice rigs too. Whatever you get, the harness should be a comfy fit. If you're buying used gear it probably won't be perfect, but you should be able to find something that really feels good. If it doesn't feel good, DON'T buy it, it's not gonna start feeling any better. All of the name brands built in the last five or six years should be freefly friendly. As someone else said, don't get a rig with velcro. Look for tabs that fold and tuck around the closing flaps, riser covers, and even the toggles on the risers. The reserve probably shouldn't be more than a few years old. It's OK if it's been used, even a couple times. Hell, it's a parachute and most reserves have never been opened as much as you'll use your main in a single day. But DON'T buy a reserve unless and until you get a rigger to thoroughly inspect it. It's worth paying for the inspection, that canopy's going to save your ass one fine day. Mains are all over the place in all shapes and sizes and for some pretty good prices. Again, pay a rigger to inspect the canopy before you buy. And in the meantime, rent some canopies, try out a Spectre, rent a Triathalon, probably try a Sabre2 and a Pilot while you're at it. See how they each fly differently and flare differently and which one you like better. And DON'T let anybody tell you that you "have to" buy a small canopy. Add 25 lbs to your normal body weight and that's how big a canopy a beginner like you should buy the first time out. You shouldn't be loading at more than 1.0 lbs per sq. ft for your first year. Anybody who tells you otherwise is just a fashion cop who doesn't care if you break a leg. There are some excellent canopy piloting courses available in So. Cal. They ain't cheap, but neither is the emergency room (I've been there & done that, couldn't afford the t-shirt), so consider the cost of a canopy course as an INVESTMENT. And drop another $25 on Brian Germaine's excellent book, "The Parachute and Its Pilot". Because you're not just jumping your canopy, you're flying it and you need to learn some theory about canopy flight. The Classifieds here at dropzone.com have some excellent gear for sale. I got my rig through the Classifieds here. But if it's a private sale, arrange to have the rig and money exchanged through a reputable loft or dealership. The seller, if they're on the level, will have no objection to using a rigger or a dealer as a third party and it protects both the seller and the buyer. Straight across dealing with a stranger is unfortunately just too risky, especially at today's prices. And finally, don't feel you "have to" buy anything. Don't buy a rig that doesn't feel comfy, or looks worn and beat to hell. Don't buy a rig if it isn't gonna make you happy. It's NOT the only rig around and you will get plenty of chances to look at other nice rigs. Take your time and stay loose, because once you buy it, you own it and the money's gone bye-bye. It's a little like getting married, so take your time and wait for the right one to come along, because it will. And happy hunting ! Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

Just bought a brand new 210 Pilot canopy myself and I was dreading packing it, but it really hasn't been bad at all. You could try psycho packing it, I used to psycho pack a Spectre for a while but gave it up. No particular problems, it's just that all the riggers I talk to don't like it. You'd probably be alright so long as you remember you're inducing a line twist when you psycho pack and you must remember to flip the bag over and undo the twist. Not everyone does and maybe that's where the trouble starts. But you can actually pro-pack and get it into the bag and it's not as hard as you might think. It's mostly a matter of menatl attitude, showing the thing who's boss. Be assertive with it and USE YOUR KNEES. You've got two knees and they're made for kneeling. So kneel on that puppy and don't let it give you any lip. Keep it squashed down. Like Skyhi Darcy said, pull the bag down over the canopy, don't try to stuff it in. All I would add to that is pull the bag down one side at a time. I start with the left side, pull it down, KNEEL on the bag and go after the right side. You only need to get the canopy about 2/3 of the way bagged in order to get your first locking stow done. Then the battle's over & you've won. You can flip the bag up on edge and squash everything straight down into the bag, stowing as you go. Try it, you'll be surprised how easy it can be. You'll amaze your friends too, especially the whiny ones who think you should waste your jumping dollars on hiring a packer. Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

My beliefs are my own and very private. I don't debate them anymore because somebody else always says they're right and I'm wrong. I do believe we're all part of something greater than just our individual selves. I think we need to make the most of ourselves, but we'll never be all that we can until we also realize we're part of something greater, call it what you will, call it God. I believe that any belief system without a deep sense of compassion for human suffering is worthless. And I believe that humans have a need for spirituality that is every bit as deep as our needs for food and reproducing. We need to why we're here and we need purpose, again greater than just ourselves. Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

'Cuz he's not dead yet ? Because our "allies" the Pakistanis are protecting him ? Because our manpower and budget got distracted with Iraq ? Because we forgot to print an al-Qaeda deck of playing cards with the 52 most wanted AQ's faces on the cards ? Because he hates freedom ? Because he's living in Brooklyn and riding the subway every day ? Because he won't cooperate and shoot himself ? I don't know, I'm out of ideas. You tell me... Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

Gee, I feel so much safer now. I hope they lock up all those re-enactors and throw away the key, those damn Civil War battles just set off too many car alarms. Besides, it's easier to put muscle bound minimum wage goons into school than it would be to catch a REAL terrorist, one who might hack in and crash an Air Traffic Control system, or spread smallpox around Santa's Village at a shopping mall. Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

Let's hope so, the guy is the a-hole of the century. (Please not, I'm criticizing a public figure and not a Forum participant.) His own people hate him and his corrupt thug friends. The guy had a real deal on the table from PM Ehud Barak, with Bill Clinton's backing and he turned it down cold - wouldn't even offer a counter proposal. THEN he orchestrated the takover, hostage holding and sustained urination in the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. Whether or not you're religious, the cultural significance of a church built on the supposed birthplace of Jesus Christ is enormous and he orchestrated a takeover by his asshole thugs. Who are all "studying" in Europe now (studying what, I wonder...), instead of being ass fucked in prison like they deserve. All Arafat's ever cared about is Arafat. I hope he dies and I hope it's grisly and painful for him. Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

I am single and would like Ann Coulter to be my wife.... I hear she gives GREAT head. Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

I just got a 210 Pilot, which I load at about 1.2. Compared to my Spectre, I'd say the opening is as nice, but not as long. Kind of a "majestic mush" that's easy on the body. I love the way it flies with a long flat glide. And I've had harder landings getting out of bed in the morning. I think the Smart looks like a really good reserve and would probably buy one if I were in the market for a new reserve. But my PD193 is just fine and I have to work for a living, so I'll be keeping it and my Javelin for years to come. I think it's great to see a company offer some real quality competition on the market, which will keep PD (a company I hold in the highest respect) sharp as well. Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

I'm getting my brand new Pilot into the bag alright by just kneeling on it a lot while I do the S folding. You've got two knees, so use 'em ! With every fold you stack up, kneel on it again and keep that baby flattened. Then I pull the bag down over just the left side until I get the corner filled and I kneel on that side of the bag while I'm squashing and folding under loose ends on the right side. Then I pull the right side of the bag down and guess what - I kneel on the whole thing again. Once you get the first locking stow in the middle of the bag done, you've won the battle. You can even flip the bag up on end and just squash everything down into the bag and go right on stowing lines. Disclaimer: Some people will say the Pilot is made of less slippery South African ZP material. I'm not so sure this is true anymore. I read somewhere that Aerodyne's gone over to good old American dragon snot fabric and my Pilot's plenty slippery, though it's getting better (Perris is dusty). Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

I'll be there in the morning, rain or shine & ready to jump. Wouldn't miss this for anything. Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

How 'bout "Cypres !". Or "Simon Says !" or "Look - Over There !!". Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

Speaking as a guy, why the hell would I want to go to something as dumb as a Guy's Boogie ? Since most weekends are more of those anyways. I'd rather go dive with the ladies. If I can scrounge something comfy enough off the wife I might even get on the lingerie load and feel pretty for a change ! Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

There's no Plan B. No reserve bungee, no hook knives. Some of the fatalities I've read about happened when they mistakenly put the long bungee on somebody making the short drop. Real smart. At least you'd be dead before you knew there's a problem. Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

According to the original post, the problem came to a head after "several" Cypres fires in the last month or so. As busy as Perris gets, and they just hosted the Nationals, several Cypres fires really are unacceptable. Sparky, you probably remember back in 1980 at Perris there was a problem with too many people losing their pud handles on their hand deploys and pulling their reserves. Management got fed up with that one as well and announced the next reserve ride due to a lost handle would be grounded. And guess what, the problem dried up real quick (I know because I was one of 'em and I got my pilot chute setup reconfigured). So the threat of grounding does work to clear up situations that are simply getting out of control. By the way, there was a legit9mate Cypres save at Perris a month or so back. A jumper doing a backloop accidently kicked another jumper around his neck and shoulders, putting a "Spock" on one of his nerves. The guy went completely numb and could not move his arms. He tried desperately to reach his handles and his arms would not budge. All he could keep asking himself was "Did I turn my Cypres on ? Oh please, am I sure I turned it on ?". He did and it worked, but he had to watch the ground rush get pretty bad first. THAT'S the kind of situation a Cypres is meant for, not for some yo-yo who's tracking around on his back with a dead battery in his Dytter. Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

Leaping into sky Is beautiful beyond words Don't forget to pull Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

So are you just finding this out ? Welcome to America. I live in Orange County and we have the Trinity Broadcast Network right out on I-405. That place makes Saddam's Palaces look like a Motel 6. How do they do it ? With their millions & millions ? Heck no, people send them money. Money won't buy your way into heaven, but there are always people who think it will. Maybe I should send Martha a good bottle of cognac. Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

I've already voted. California has early voting stations up and running and I spotted one in the checkout line at a local Albertsons the other day. So I bellied up to the bar and voted. It's not like I'm about to change my mind about anyone or anything over the next three weeks, so I got it over with, got the little "I Voted" sticker with the flag, and got to diddle around with the cute little etch-a-sketch ballot machines they're using now. I voted for Kerry/Edwards. Or more specifically to Electors pledged to Kerry Edwards. Remember, we the people do not elect the President. If we did, Al Gore would be running for re-election. And before you start flaming me, I'm not stating an opinion, merely a fact. But I'm already done. Voted for Kerry, for reall, so neener-neener-neener ! Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

I don't think it's fair to make this statement. This is not to flame you Dagny or to give you a bad time, but there's nothing fair about skydiving. When we leave the plane we have an alloted time for fun and then we have to end the skydive or die. It's heads or tails, we end the skydive or die. The Cypres is a great tool and a lifesaver, it has greatly reduced the number of deaths from no pull/low pull situations. I've got one and I use it. But it doesn't relieve me of my responsibility to pull by a 2000 ft minimum altitude. Grounding jumpers for low pull offenses has been standard practice for decades. When I was a newbie I once pulled at about 2 grand and the DZO called me into the office for a little chat. He said that was too low for me, he wanted to see at least 2500 ft (acceptable by the book in those days) and that if I did it again he would ground me for 30 days. End of problem, I was wrong & I knew it. I cleaned up my act and everything was cool. People cannot go low just because they have a Cypres. A wide awake jumper with no injuries who has a Cypres fire is a low pull by definition. Have you ever looked out the door or a window at 750 ft. ? It's HORRIFYINGLY low, the idea of dumping at that altitude gives me gooseflesh just thinking about it. It's not even a guarantee that your reserve will open, which is why they don't call them AOD's like they used to in the old days. They're called AAD's, because all they really do is activate your reserve pilot chute & after that, God only knows... You really should scrape together the price of a Cypres, or whip out the US Plastic or whatever it takes & get one. They're not cheap but they're not a luxury either. Make sure you turn it on in the morning and then FORGET it's there and act accordingly. It really isn't that hard to do and it's what this unfair sport is all about. I want you to live a long time and enjoy this sport. And sometimes we need to crack down on people to keep it that way. Perris is doing the right thing. Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !