Joellercoaster

I have a Skyhook. If I didn't, I'd still jump with an RSL. Other than camera guys, I've never heard a really convincing argument from people without one. Especially from people with 50 jumps saying "they've thought hard about it and made their decision based on the facts". CRW is a different proposition, but other than that small fraction of my jumps, it's always connected. -- "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?

What she said. If your Monarch is boring you, and you really have maxed it out (and if you've had it for the entirety of your 50 jumps, you still definitely haven't), then a similarly-sized Pilot or Sabre2 will be a different game again. 1.2 is a not inconsiderable loading already, and you're already illegal in the Netherlands at that size. I was going to suggest learning double front-riser approaches, but I already saw that your locals will get mad at you if you do that. Since double fronts are definitely a safer way of going faster than getting a smaller canopy, think about what they would say when you showed up on a canopy that had no way to bail when the speed got you into hassles. I like the advice of really learning to throw it around high up. Give it a go... I did recently on a mate's canopy that was two sizes bigger and a more conservative planform than mine, and my eyes were definitely opened. I'll take a CP course this year, and I might think about upsizing for it now. Good luck with your decision, we all need it sometimes. -- "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'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?

We were on the same team at a Scrambles meet. We won, so it was clearly meant to be. -- "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?

Interestingly, I was talking to a friend last night who'd been looking to buy (insert hot-dog canopy here). He was honest about his jump numbers, and provided references - one of whom got the call and said "Do not sell him that." So he didn't. I'm not sure why he's annoyed... that's what the references of more experienced people are for! The referee in question is known to be conservative over canopy issues more than the prevailing atmosphere at the club, but she's right. -- "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?

Or, for that matter, for them. The sport is full of the bulletproof, until they aren't :( Things I wish I'd known when starting out: hey, I am starting out! Awesome. Tell me more stuff I should know... -- "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?

True, but then again he might be right on the money. I know a guy about that size, weight and age but with a couple of thousand jumps, an he's still jumping a Fury (to the OP, that's a 220 square foot non-ZP canopy). He's jumped other things from time to time to see how the other half lives, but when his current Fury gets too porous... he breaks out another one out of the shed -- "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've been pleasantly surprised with the speed my Vision has been opening after jumping mostly Pilots and Sabre2s until now - it's smooth, rather than snivelly, and definitely seems quicker to inflate while still being plenty comfortable. Disclaimer: I've only jumped this one! And even then, not a whole lot of times yet. -- "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?

Have a look at the top of the visor... it's easier to get the hang of it when you know what you're trying to do - that is, distort the top of the visor frame upward so that it slips off the metal peg. Once you get it, it's easy - keep trying

*bump* any video of later attempts? -- "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?

Been thinking the same thing about the Vision. -- "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 changed to something else, as an experiment for a while - most of the preceding 350 jumps were on two Pilots, though. I'd certainly buy another one in the future! -- "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?

The Model 5 (top of the page) is the one that comes with Aerodyne's Icon container... it's a good knife, the blade won't fall out cutting lines (again, do a search), and the best bit? It has a built-in bottle opener for making people double-take at the end of the day. -- "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 To be honest, the canopy I jump now opens quicker, and it's still buttery-soft. Pilots are amazingly gentle. -- "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?

For a novice, that's probably not a terrible choice (I know at least one canopy coach who would disagree with the model, but that's a whole 'nother thread), though on raw wingloading it might be considered aggressive. If he's desperate to start shopping now, he could go that way. The point of this thread is that there is absolutely no way people are going to let him jump that thing as a student, though. I think the general trend of the advice here is on the money - gear appropriate for students is just not worth buying (unless you teach many students). -- "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?

It's not a good choice if you intend to jump in Holland... -- "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?

Icon with spacer foam and a Skyhook (Have a Vector and love it, but hey, we're dreaming.) -- "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?

England. For the win -- "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'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 have a blue one (Actually, I bought it by accident. The first replacement visor I bought had a blue plastic backing sheet to peel off... so I grabbed this one in the shop and went to fit it, only to discover its backing sheet was clear . Oh well.) Joel Opens his visor with one (admittedly large) hand -- "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?

Both of them seem great for people with big jaws. Anecdotally, I know a few people who have cracked Freezr visors or broken the latch point - and a new visor is very pricey. Mamba visor plates are much cheaper to replace, though I've already been through two replacements in ~300 jumps as they seem to scratch up fairly easily. That could be just my helmet abuse though. Swings and roundabouts? [edit: Yes. Winter is a great reason to buy a fullface ] -- "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?

True story from earlier this season... Relatively new A license jumper exited, with apparently good separation, after an 8-way group with camera. Joining the dots, the person was giving freeflying a go with the "what could go wrong, really?" idea. At breakoff, the 8-way group all tracked off from their centre point, which is good, because the solo had now opened right where the group had been. The camera flyer was pulling in place and got a very good, very close shot of their opening sequence as they went by. At the higher speeds achieved by even beginner freeflyers, much finer control is needed because it's possible to travel a long way horizontally without really noticing it's happening. You're not retarded, you're just new. Keep persisting in trying to seek out a coach to jump with, it's worth it. The main reason is that they'll teach you things like this, which aren't obvious (though people on dz.com might pretend they are) but will keep you and other people safe. But an almost as important reason is that jumps with a coach will steepen your learning curve like I can't even describe. The people I meet with 100 jumps and a lot of coaching are a completely different class of skilled compared to the people with 100 jumps and little or none. Those people seem to get brought on the more interesting and challenging jumps, which in turn accelerates their skills, and so on. (I'm leaving the camera issue aside - I don't jump camera so I can't offer advice of my own - but the reasons not to stick one on my head too early as explained to me by People Who Know were compelling enough that I didn't do it at 200 jumps when I first wanted 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?

You have more mental strength than I do. I sent a Nitro 135 back to its seller because I didn't think I could hold off for the year or more it really called for -- "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?

Advantages for UK jumpers: B: Full face helmets. Some places also require you to have it before they'll stop making you land in the student area. The downside for some is, now you are eligible to JM and may have to C: Camera. Formally being allowed to swoop (or at least apply for CP1). No real downside. D: At least one DZ gives free club membership. There are other things that go along with those first two licenses, but those are the general advantages to the average skydiver who doesn't want to (say) instruct anyone. As to why people don't get them, i have no idea. People here seem pretty keen to accumulate licenses and stickers, but I guess the lack of them is more of a handicap than the other side of the the Pond. -- "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?