GeeeeeeFly

From what I remember the stall point on Stiletto's (like most PD canopies) were at mid shoulder (about where the deltoild muscle and tricept join). The stall point for a Xfire is below the elbow down by the hips. Giving a few more inches to the Stiletto brake lines will not put your stall point out of reach. But in full flight you may see your control lines bowed out a little more than you may want. G "The edge ... there is no honest way to explain it because the only people who know where it is are those that have gone over"

Yeah I took a break for three weeks due to an injury (non skydiving related) and I was pretty nervous with my returning jump... I can't imagine being out for more than a month due to winter weather... Thank you San Diego weather... G "The edge ... there is no honest way to explain it because the only people who know where it is are those that have gone over"

Xfire2 openings... Awesome... Flight characteristics for the Xfire2... Incredible as well... If you purchase one you will not be disapointed... G "The edge ... there is no honest way to explain it because the only people who know where it is are those that have gone over"

I like the cool looking guinea pig you have for an icon... G "The edge ... there is no honest way to explain it because the only people who know where it is are those that have gone over"

I currently jump an FX 120 (wl 1.9-2.0) and use it to compare to other crossbraces. I have demoed a velocity same size and found it to be terrible on openings. I put around 15 -20 jumps on it (#3 turned into a wrap and chop) and was scared of each opening. I wasn't sure if it was going to be nice, flip me around, or bomb out of the bag. I am sure now the bag was too big for it, but I never had the inconsistency with my FX like the velo. Signature of cross braces, they both search on opening, but I usually grab my risers to control it some what. Unfortunately Precision did not have something for me to demo in 111-109 range other wise I would try it out. I am currently buying a VX because I have had really good results with my FX and want to try out the same thing but in a 9 cell version. Also I have had good customer service with Icarus despite all the past differences others have had. Best thing I can say is demo, and ask experienced pilots about their impression. I am lucky in that regard I have two canopy teams close by and a bunch of swoop fanatics at my DZ. G "The edge ... there is no honest way to explain it because the only people who know where it is are those that have gone over"

I have a pull out currently, and have put around 300-400 jumps on it. I have had difficulties with it but nothing that has resulted in a reserve ride. 3rd jump with it, floating pud. I have had a couple of PC's float on my back in a horse shoe mal, but I would simply look over my shoulder and sure enough the bag comes off my back. It's all personal preference. I have had problems with throw outs as well. With experience comes better excuses... G "The edge ... there is no honest way to explain it because the only people who know where it is are those that have gone over"

I know of many people down here in SD that will jump with you... Always nice to meet a new face. The skill levels vary so there is no need to feel intimidated. And for the most part there are a lot of recent graduates... G "The edge ... there is no honest way to explain it because the only people who know where it is are those that have gone over"

I did my first levels of AFF at San Diego. And when I tried to finish to get my license it was a pain in the ass. I ended up in Perris with Jim Wallace and he took me through the paces to finish up on my A. About a year later I returned to San Diego and reintroduced myself to the crowd there. I don't blame San Diego for their inability to fit my needs at the time, because I got the opportunity to venture out to Perris and meet others. Now I pretty much stay down at Otay unless there is a boogie or some sort get together. It would be nice if that developed into something now that it has two DZ's and the best view aside to Skydive Monterey... G "The edge ... there is no honest way to explain it because the only people who know where it is are those that have gone over"

For some reason there is some favoritism and some instigating brewing from this post. I doubt that either DZ would appreciate this. I will no doubt jump at both DZ's depending on the events going on... In the words of Carmen Mullenix.. "I am a Southern California jumper" "I'll jump where ever they're flying to altitude" G "The edge ... there is no honest way to explain it because the only people who know where it is are those that have gone over"

I payed $35... Through square 1... Using his little link there... G "The edge ... there is no honest way to explain it because the only people who know where it is are those that have gone over"

Was that the sweater, and bulbus head episode??? Yeah I have washed my voodoo a couple of times.. no problems.. g "The edge ... there is no honest way to explain it because the only people who know where it is are those that have gone over"

Recently I had a mal due to the canopy coming out of the bag late. It floated above my head spinning until the canopy finally surged out of the bag. The twist I had would have been OK if had not been flying a Velocity. I knew it was a packing error and found out recently that I should not be double stowing the locking bands (ones going through the grommets). Personaly I think this mishap was a combination of circustances and don't feel that double stowing is the major problem. Because ahve been doing this on my FX and have had no detrimental results. I think you should experiment a little a see what works for you. Do this all with accordance with a rigger or someone whom you regard as knowledgable in the sport. Good luck.. G "The edge ... there is no honest way to explain it because the only people who know where it is are those that have gone over"

At Skydive San Diego, we have Icarus Evolution. They are more than happy to discuss with anyone tips and pointers on canopy control; they also have a course for pilot canopy progression. You can get the sam course from Team extreme at Perris too. "The edge ... there is no honest way to explain it because the only people who know where it is are those that have gone over"

So the lower wing loading creates longer swoop? I am interested in getting nice long surf turf. I was thinking I would need to up my wing loading some more. But I knew from my physics training and understanding the wings dynamics I would have to put some weight into it to get the performance I was looking for in forward glide. The seven cell at higher wingloading just seems to fall out of the sky. I get really nice hook turns with it but my canopy has over 1100 jumps on it and has gone through some rough times (chow after chow) and now I am waiting for the jump to happen when I look up after deployment and seeing nothing but lines dangling in the wind... Thanx for the input... G "The edge ... there is no honest way to explain it because the only people who know where it is are those that have gone over"

I am interested in figuring out the best wingloading for a VX. I have been jumping a 120 FX at 1.9-2.0 (depending on whether I have eaten or done something else) and I feel very comfortable under the canopy. I am in the process of purchasing a new VX and I was thinking of down sizing to 114 or 109 but I have no desire to wing load the canopy so high that most of my canopy ride sinking out of the sky like a bat out of hell. I have noticed this on the velocity of the same size. I have seen the manufacturers recommendations and I don't plan on going over 2.4 ever. I feel that you lose forward flying performance from the canopy at that high a wingloading. So I am thinking 2.0-2.2 What is the general consensus among the community? G "The edge ... there is no honest way to explain it because the only people who know where it is are those that have gone over"

Typo... Shows no signs of wear unlike vectran... "The edge ... there is no honest way to explain it because the only people who know where it is are those that have gone over"

Web Racer, I have recently been researching the difference in canopy lines and why they choose them. I have contacted three of the major manufacturers (Icarus, PD, Precision Aerodynamics) and asked their R&D teams why they choose the lines they have choosen. Three of the best sources for answers were Mell, and Kirk from Icarus (South Carolina, and Chicago) as well as George Halloway from Precision. PD really wasn't difficult but did not have anyone on hand to answer my in depth questions. The difference between HMA (high modulus aramid, also known as Technora) and Vectran are slight. They are both similar to Kevlar line but have different chemical structures which give them their distinct characteristics during wear and tear. Vectran is not as strong as Technora but at the moment most canopy companies have not researched technora (HMA) enough to standardize the use on canopies. Precision uses three different tensile strengths of line on one canopy. I am not sure why George has decided to do this but that is there R&D. Currently other canopy makers are trying to figure out a way to work with HMA or technora but have not gotten all the kinks out. I expect that we will be seeing a lot more of this stuff sooner down the road the way the sport and technology is progressing. If your bar tacks are fuzzing out and loosening try different thread. B thread instead of E thread. Just my $.02... I know HMA is relatively new but it is the stronger line but most stress test that have been tried on it. It just shows little to no sign of wear unlike vectran. It can also be made in smaller diameters than vectran. It just hasn't been proven to be a good all around sport canopy line. I think George and Precision are trying to change this. G "The edge ... there is no honest way to explain it because the only people who know where it is are those that have gone over"

Awsome reserve. I was flying a 120 Velocity, spun up on me at deployment. Excellent opening, extremely soft (wl 1.5:1) excellent control with toggles nice turns. Flare was a little long but still landed fine. All in all a good reserve and happy to have it.

As I remember it was on the weekend of Memorial day, perfect timing for that damn change of command ceremony... Waiting for those words.... "Pass and Review" Only to be carrying all the bodies of your buddies that had passed out from locking their knees and passing out... 1/504 91-96 "The edge ... there is no honest way to explain it because the only people who know where it is are those that have gone over"

So I have been having problems with my leg straps on my Voodoo. After the canopy has left the bag as I start to settle into saddle my leg straps have a tendency to loosen more than expected. I have only had the container for less than a year (7 months) and I am already having problems. I have used bees wax on the leg straps in order to get the hardware to grip better, I have also used surf wax (which works extremely well) but I am thinking that maybe I am stowing the excess incorrectly or something. I usually tighten down the leg straps while I am sort of in a half squat in order to get a snug feel. Then place the excess into the rest of the leg strap pad. I do not S fold as I have had this come undone and do not enjoy having the excess strap flapping about while upside down. Help, any advice would be useful from Voodoo owners around the globe... G "The edge ... there is no honest way to explain it because the only people who know where it is are those that have gone over"

Depends on teh type of dive but usually 3000-3500... G "The edge ... there is no honest way to explain it because the only people who know where it is are those that have gone over"

So after reading this post I contacted a number riggers and companies. Sandy Ried George Halloway PD Icarus ect... Anyway most of them did not recommend any such modification or application, but they really had no input as to why one would not do this. So i contacted companies that manufacture liquid crystal polymers and aramid lines. And they had the exact opposite feeling and did not see the problem with doing such maintenance. So I figure it is up to the person who is jumping the equipment and what their issue is with it. G "The edge ... there is no honest way to explain it because the only people who know where it is are those that have gone over"

There are many things that could be it. First thing that caomes to mind is legs, then hips... Also possibly your arms may be giving input you are not aware of. Beginning HD is alway difficult to tell... G "The edge ... there is no honest way to explain it because the only people who know where it is are those that have gone over"

I have also heard of Silicone being used on lines. Has UV resistance and wear resistance as well. G "The edge ... there is no honest way to explain it because the only people who know where it is are those that have gone over"

From my understanding, the new owner would still have to give percentages of the revenue brought in from the business to the previous owner. Also there were some discrepancies regarding subleasing the planes through him as well... It has been taken over by new/old management./ Andy Witcom is now the new owner of the DZ. So far he has been doing great with it. All the locals are pleased with the improvements that he has already helped with... G "The edge ... there is no honest way to explain it because the only people who know where it is are those that have gone over"