Joellercoaster

Right at this very second... Ardbeg. Tomorrow will be Lagavulin. I am out of Talisker and it's not OK. -- "I'll tell you how all skydivers are judged, . They are judged by the laws of physics." - kkeenan "You jump out, pull the string and either live or die. What's there to be good at?

Thread necromancy is one thing. Fine, everyone needs a hobby. But why this one, of all threads? (Oh wait, you dug up a four year old discussion to mention a brand name in your second post ever (your first one being part of the discussion four years ago, also mentioning the same brand). You're an astroturfer, not a hobbyist. What's up, new venture capital round due?) -- "I'll tell you how all skydivers are judged, . They are judged by the laws of physics." - kkeenan "You jump out, pull the string and either live or die. What's there to be good at?

This is an interesting thing to say. Experience (this thread, and the other thousand like it) has shown that talking to people about danger just bounces off the wonthappentome filter that most skydivers have somewhere in our souls. But maybe speaking directly to the ego and their stated desire to progress "efficiently" or whatever, might work better. Interesting. (Of course it does nothing for another common problem, which is that (although they would never admit it) when they say "progress" a lot of these guys don't mean in skill, they mean onto the size and kind of canopy the cool kids jump - but mostly they won't even admit that one to themselves.) To the OP, I don't know you, this is not particularly directed at you - but the topic of canopy choice persuasion is certainly problematic. -- "I'll tell you how all skydivers are judged, . They are judged by the laws of physics." - kkeenan "You jump out, pull the string and either live or die. What's there to be good at?

..which is what makes buying one the size of your main not immediately crazy, despite the fact it'll be unfamiliar, low and potentially somewhere hazard-filled, the first time you jump it. The "reserves are docile, having a smaller one will probably be fine" idea contains the skydiving red flag "will probably be fine". Good luck with your purchase... the modern containers you are looking at are all good, and you are unlikely to go wrong with them -- "I'll tell you how all skydivers are judged, . They are judged by the laws of physics." - kkeenan "You jump out, pull the string and either live or die. What's there to be good at?

I'd say if your profile information is accurate (you are loading your 170 at 1.1) then stick to it for a while longer - it has plenty more to teach you. I'm not talking about learning to fly it to its limits, I'm just talking about learning to fly. 50 jumps is a very small number, and a 150 at 1.25 is a lot of canopy, even with a couple of hundred jumps. Your Sabre2 is a great canopy, I wouldn't be too keen to ditch it for something else too quickly -- "I'll tell you how all skydivers are judged, . They are judged by the laws of physics." - kkeenan "You jump out, pull the string and either live or die. What's there to be good at?

My wife has 1100 jumps over ten years, no chops. The vast majority have been on a Sabre2 135. -- "I'll tell you how all skydivers are judged, . They are judged by the laws of physics." - kkeenan "You jump out, pull the string and either live or die. What's there to be good at?

Strange, but true. You need to pack the pilot chute with the fabric (and bridle) distributed properly, since because the pouch has less give, it's possible for the PC to bunch up at the mouth and refuse to extract. I have seen it happen to two different people with cordura Wings BOC pouches, both resulting in reserve rides. This is no slight on the container or even the cordura BOC, which is a fine idea if you only ever pack for yourself (or only use packers who know what they are doing) - but they are less tolerant of packing by the unaware than spandex! -- "I'll tell you how all skydivers are judged, . They are judged by the laws of physics." - kkeenan "You jump out, pull the string and either live or die. What's there to be good at?

No. And yes, kinda. Javs look sexier in smaller sizes, and they are definitely more "deluxe" in terms of shiny materials and whatnot. Nobody ever got fired for buying Sun Path

Also, Patrick Moore is dead. Perhaps he revealed this by ouija board. -- "I'll tell you how all skydivers are judged, . They are judged by the laws of physics." - kkeenan "You jump out, pull the string and either live or die. What's there to be good at?

That's what you said. But let's answer both. That's not what you said. In terms of raw skydiving skill, all other things being equal (like tunnel time and physical talent) the one year guy will be much better. In terms of overall learning, the other guy will be better. In terms of who will make a better instructor (which is what this thread is usually about, it comes up pretty often), my money is on the guy who's been around longer, seen more and heard more. (And since you specify TI later on, then I don't think either of them is a brilliant idea (but then I'm not an instructor or examminer, so my opinion is worth what you paid for it). The first guy hasn't seen and heard enough, and the second one isn't super current.) -- "I'll tell you how all skydivers are judged, . They are judged by the laws of physics." - kkeenan "You jump out, pull the string and either live or die. What's there to be good at?

My boss a few years ago once said "Joel, please. Please. Go skydiving this weekend. I don't think we can survive another week of you not jumping." -- "I'll tell you how all skydivers are judged, . They are judged by the laws of physics." - kkeenan "You jump out, pull the string and either live or die. What's there to be good at?

Because experiments have shown that I become unhappy if I don't for too long. My wife is the same. This year we had a record low jumping year for us (life stuff) and we've gotten pretty crotchety now. We need to jump a lot more next year, so we're going to. -- "I'll tell you how all skydivers are judged, . They are judged by the laws of physics." - kkeenan "You jump out, pull the string and either live or die. What's there to be good at?

Oooh. I did this also, similar jump numbers on a Pilot 188. Scared the crap out of me. Stupid I think there are two lessons: the first one you mentioned (don't dick around below two grand), and also, learn how to turn in a way that won't end in line twists! Technique is definitely a factor. -- "I'll tell you how all skydivers are judged, . They are judged by the laws of physics." - kkeenan "You jump out, pull the string and either live or die. What's there to be good at?

To the original poster: as you spend more time on dz.com, you will realise that some people's posts should be skipped in their entirety, without reading, let alone consideration. At best they will just waste your time, at worst you might accidentally take some of their crap on board. You have just met one of them. Good luck with your search for AFF instruction... when you find it, it will hoepfuly be life-changing -- "I'll tell you how all skydivers are judged, . They are judged by the laws of physics." - kkeenan "You jump out, pull the string and either live or die. What's there to be good at?

Me three (I wanted to say 'snap' but it sounded wrong.) Adding more wingloading to deal with wind is solving the wrong problem! -- "I'll tell you how all skydivers are judged, . They are judged by the laws of physics." - kkeenan "You jump out, pull the string and either live or die. What's there to be good at?

Seconded - I often have people ask for such a thing, and my YouTube playlist is just full of Hayabusa/CYPRES Maubeuge comp rounds at the moment so I struggle to explain very well -- "I'll tell you how all skydivers are judged, . They are judged by the laws of physics." - kkeenan "You jump out, pull the string and either live or die. What's there to be good at?

Are you talking about things like the Gaths? Then no, not (in my opinion at least) good for RW, though you see freeflyers use them a lot more. The wind from underneath may or may not bother you (it does me) but I think the visors wouldn't take the punishment. And there will be punishment [edit: You will look badass while it's brand new though.] -- "I'll tell you how all skydivers are judged, . They are judged by the laws of physics." - kkeenan "You jump out, pull the string and either live or die. What's there to be good at?

1. Replace the visor, visors are cheaper than helmets and if you actually like what you have, why change? 2. If you are thinking of something else more modern that isn't the G3, try the Phantom X. MrsCoaster went from an Oxygn she'd had for about 10 years to a Phantom X and has been very pleased. -- "I'll tell you how all skydivers are judged, . They are judged by the laws of physics." - kkeenan "You jump out, pull the string and either live or die. What's there to be good at?

Hey. To the OP, I feel your pain. I'm 6'5" and 205ish (and mostly torso), and while secondhand containers in our size do occasionally appear, I have never yet been lucky enough to grab one. The people who point out that you can have a harness built are correct! It's expensive, but still less expensive than buying new. But the gap is smaller... the temptation to have a custom rig is powerful, and I am a sucker In beginner sizes, to be honest it doesn't matter which brand. Something that will fit a 190 main will work for you in terms of easily reaching your handles and so on. I bought my second one (Vector) specifically because it came in a tall variant, but have since regretted it. Not the Vector itself (utterly brilliant container) but the idea that I needed something long. It was an illusion. Likewise Wings EXT... nice idea but I'm not sure it's a real help even for me. This. I love my Vector, but my incoming container is something I could have for the start of next season! [edit to add: They do. From a quick look on the internet, the first two manufacturer sites I went to suggest an Icon I6 (which can be fitted with a Skyhook, if you must have one) or an Infinity I-45. Other containers are available but I have to go and do actual work now ] -- "I'll tell you how all skydivers are judged, . They are judged by the laws of physics." - kkeenan "You jump out, pull the string and either live or die. What's there to be good at?

That one man sure builds a lot of canopies as well... busy guy I guess http://www.skylark.ua/en/parachutes/ (I have actually jumped one of their canopies and really liked it. You are starting to see them outside Russia and Ukraine of late, and the reviews are good.) -- "I'll tell you how all skydivers are judged, . They are judged by the laws of physics." - kkeenan "You jump out, pull the string and either live or die. What's there to be good at?

You are right. I do not particularly want to go faster under canopy - I just want a less bulky rig on my back - specifically, I find my current container (V347, long and wide and flat) annoying when I am moving around in my fairly upright mantis during 4-way. My current canopy is fine. With this in mind I'm heading in the direction of a specific container size, from a manufacturer that offers a short/narrow option. It'll take an Optimum 143 and should fit my well-broken-in Pilot, or potentially a 130-ish "whatever", and will be dramatically less hungry for back real estate. Thank all of you for your replies, this is exactly the kind of input I was hoping for. (To the people who point out that I do not need this because better 4-way jumpers than me deal with proportionally larger rigs, you are right too. But I need a second rig to train with next season so I am in the market; why not get one that I like to spend a lot of time flying in?) -- "I'll tell you how all skydivers are judged, . They are judged by the laws of physics." - kkeenan "You jump out, pull the string and either live or die. What's there to be good at?

Specifically, back and shoulder flexibility doing 4-way. It's not an aerodynamic consideration at all. (Secondary consideration: lugging a bulky rig around for extended periods in the tunnel sucks.) I hear ya. And I appreciate the replies. [edit to add, in response to PM: my problem with the Katana was not about performance, it was about having jumped a borrowed one for a while earlier this season and disliked it.] -- "I'll tell you how all skydivers are judged, . They are judged by the laws of physics." - kkeenan "You jump out, pull the string and either live or die. What's there to be good at?

Hmm, certainly food for thought. The pack volume difference between a new 120 and an elderly 132 is not enormous. I may be overreacting to my current container sized for 160/160, long and flat. -- "I'll tell you how all skydivers are judged, . They are judged by the laws of physics." - kkeenan "You jump out, pull the string and either live or die. What's there to be good at?

Hey all. I've decided to downsize my container, to the point where I can still fit a decent-sized reserve in there and maintain maximum mobility in freefall. The main will be a 120, loaded somewhere between 1.8 and 1.9 depending on how fat I am. I'm happy on that size canopy, but haven't decided 100% on what flavour my new one will be. I have historically mostly jumped Pilots and loved them, but am unhappy about their landing performance when loaded this heavily. What I am looking for is something that will land well straight-in. I don't mind the odd 90 or double-front approach, but don't want it to be necessary and have no real interest in bigger turns. "Fun to fly" is nice but secondary, and the older I get, the more I think that it's kind of unnecessary compared to opening well. The front runners right now are Skylark Odyssey 120 and Crossfire 119; I've demoed them a bit and like them both. But I'm curious about other people's experiences and alternatives... how well do Safire2s cope with high loads? What about Sabre2s? PD don't have it in the recommended range but maybe they are expecting people to want a Katana at that point (and I really don't want a Katana). Any suggestions will be explored, I have a temporary solution so I have time

UK national champions Satori have been doing a series of articles in the BPA Mag, each with one beginner exit and one intermediate/advanced (from memory). They break it down into slots, where to put your feet, what each person should be thinking about through the door and so on. The online archive, especially of recent issues, could be a good start? I think the photos and (short) notes for the whole series are available from Jules as a booklet too. [edit: Just realised the archive requires BPA membership. Phooey.] -- "I'll tell you how all skydivers are judged, . They are judged by the laws of physics." - kkeenan "You jump out, pull the string and either live or die. What's there to be good at?