deadbug

Depends on what kind of main I'm jumping. I jump a small (107) eliptical (Katana), 2500 on that one, but on my CRW rig PD218 with a mesh slider, 1800. On really crappy days we used to do highspeed hop&pops from around 2000. Beaver highspeed is around 120 kts max. Get out and track up, hang with the plane for a couple of seconds. Cool visual

I had used to jump a J3 with a Triathalon 160 in it, that was about perfect (dacron lines). Went to a Viper 135 put about 500 jumps on that set up, worked great. Put a Viper 120 in it, scary loose, bought a new Vector 3

RR#1 Tension Knots. Res 26ft Lopo RR#2 Wrapped a good friend on a CRW jump at 6500ft. Worked it out and we both chopped. Res Firelite 170.

Much larger. My FX 108 packed larger than my Viper 120, and smaller than my Viper 135. Viper and Stilletto pack simillar for same size. FX 104 will pack similar to Stilletto 120. Good luck, Doug

I have A Vector 3 Micron that I bought used a couple of years ago. It was manufactured in 2000 has stainless steel hardware and red webbing. When I got it, the legstraps pulled through so easily that I didn't feel comfortable jumping it and couldn't believe someone would jump ilike that (it had about 400 jumps on it). I sent it to Relative Workshop and the replaced the hardware for free. That fixed it. Doug

Take a canopy class and talk to your local instructors.

People trying to make a living off of this sport is what's killing it (Tandems factories, 100 jump wonders with a coaches lisc getting payed to jump with newbees). I agree we wouldn't have turbines without Tandems and maby we wouldn't have the facilities that we have, but trying to squeeze every nickel out of newbies just ain't right. Pay it forward.

Brian, Give me a call, I would be glad to help you out. Doug Anderson (612) 801-4654

Our rigger has been installing the cool little slider catches for a couple of years for people. I had them installed about a year ago and of all the different ways to stow a slider, this is by far the quickest easiest way I have found.

I have always used regular bands with double stows. Currently jump a Katana 107 with HMA and get great openings.

Ya Mon, I'll be the black streak pulling the camper down I35 at 80+ on Wed morning. Over and out!!!

Mark was the most generous fun person to be around that I have met in a long time. He was a breath of fresh air for our sport. We did some head down just a few weeks ago. I can't believe he's gone. Blue ones Mark

It is very good that people are concerned about people downsizeing too fast in this sport, and maby he is being too agressive. You and I will never know until we meet him and watch him fly. The idea that canopy progression is set in stone, although a good base line does not apply to every one. I have been this sport for a long time and I have seen all kinds of canopy pilots. I can give you examples of skydivers with thousands of jumps that still haven't gotten it figured out yet, and jumpers with several hundred jumps that it just seems to come naturally to. Background and natural ability do come into play here. I know that all the natural ability in the world won't help you if you don't have any experience, but background does help. I am a professional airline pilot and flying things ANY THING has always come naturally to me. My progression went like this. Manta 288, Dragonfly 225, Triathalon 160, Viper 135, Viper 120, Icarus FX 108. I was hooking the triathalon 160 at around 150 jumps and have never looked back. My point is that every one progresses at a different rate. So to rip on this guy on this forum without actually knowing him is baseless.

Blue Skies Erich, we'll all miss you.

Dragonfly 225 White and Blue in a Racer SST with a 26ft lopo reserve. Jumped it for about 125 jumps, then went to Triathalon 160, Viper 135, Viper 120. The dragonfly was the first canopy I owned but I jumped all kinds of other club crap before I got the dragonfly. It was all good though. What if the hokey-pookey is what it's all about?