Geoff

Well, I'm not a competing manufacturer, but I also have a neck injury caused by a Sabre. I agree with Dan - I recommend you get a more predictable canopy or (less expensively) an oversize or pocket slider for the Sabre. Geoff

To me a total malfunction means total - nothing out - no Pc, no bag, no nothing. normally caused by a hard pull or failure to find the handle. Geoff

My Oxygn is fine with contacts. No problems at all. I had no discomfort, even when new, but I guess it depends on the exact fit of the shape of the helmet around the shape of your head and jaw. Geoff

OK - the Atair web site says "The 3rd and 6th ribs are solid with no cross-ports. " - Part of the 2-stage opening design. that sounds fine. But I'm just looking at a Cobalt, manufactured Dec 2000, and the 3rd and 6th ribs have very small cross-ports, holes about 1inch across. Is this standard, and the web-site's not-quite accurate, or has the canopy I'm looking at been modified in some way? Thanks if anyone can advise. Geoff

I saw a canopy (a lost-then-found cutaway main) that had been left outside in the Florida sun for several months. Parts of it had become brittle - kinda like charred paper, so you could just push your finger through it. Geoff

Take a look at http://www.performancedesigns.com/docs/MAIN.doc Normally the loose end of the line is finger-trapped back inside the line, but PD don't show this in the manual. geoff

Where were you reading this? Geoff

I also think Hinton's policy for coaching is a great bargain. Unless they've changed the rules recently, you can also get coached jumps up to UK FF2 (Head down). I couldn't fly head-down at all before, but after about 10 coached jumps plus about 100 non-coached practice jumps, I can dock with another head-downer on a good day. I'm sure I wouldn't be doing that from just picking up helpful hints around the DZ. Good coaching is really worthwhile - even just a few jumps. Geoff

Not sure if this is really for 'gear and rigging' forum - it's more about the commercial structure of the skydiving industry, but here goes..... Why is the Cobalt not available form the 'big' dealers.... Square 1, Para-gear, etc.... ? They seem to stock all the other brands. and a side question- does anybody know roughly how many Cobalts have been sold? - just trying to compare with the roughly 1000 Crossfires. Just curious Thanks Geoff

M0 means it's sized for a 126 reserve and a 135 ZP main.

Does anybody else here agree with Dan's claim that Cobalts should be loaded higher than other canopies in order to fly at the same speed? Most people who've jumped Cobalts and Crossfires seem to think they fly very similarly - Is that for the same wing loading, though - will a Cobalt 120 fly slower than a Crossfire 120? I know I should demo the canopies but they're difficult to get hold of here in the UK, and the range of available sizes is limited. Thanks Geoff

I'm not a coach, so this is just my opinion.... I recommend you start learning forward and backward movement. That'll give you much more control and help you find the neutral down-the-tube position in between. I find if I relax I backslide, and so I need a little input just to stay neutral. If you're flying straddle ('Olav') position: To go forwards - push back with the back of your calves, or push the palms of your hands backwards against the air (only works if you're flying with the backs of your hands into the wind). To go backwards - I find it easiest just to push forward with one leg, though I guess you could use both legs or push forwards with your palms. If you're flying daffy, just push back on your back leg to go forwards or forwards on you front leg to go backwards. Of course, when you try any of this you'll find it harder to keep balance, so it will take some practice. Hope that helps, Geoff

The Mirage Manual says: "Clean and lubricate the release cable with a light oil such a “3-in-1” brand or silicon. Put a few drops on a paper towel and firmly wipe the cable a few times. A thin, invisible film should remain -- too much will attract grit and dirt, or the oil could become tacky in cold weather. Too much oil will require more force to extract the cable during a breakaway." I've also read people advising against using any lubricant at all because of it catching dust. Personally, I don't clean or lubricate the cables at all, but let my rigger do it at each reserve repack. Maybe I should, and it would certainly different if I jumped somewhere dusty like arizona. Geoff

It's worth considering how your stowed PC will behave in the event of a horseshoe malfunction. The PC should pull out cleanly if you pull on the bridle, and not bunch up. I think this is likely to be smoother with ZP than F111. As a side-thought, how will the Mirage freefly handle behave in the event of a horseshoe? Will it release if you pull on the bridle with the PC stowed? Geoff

It was the 4th fatality in the UK this year. Geoff

I'm not convinced that the speed readings are accurate enough to compare with other jumpers at all on TAS or SAS if you have the thing mounted on your helmet. The burble just changes the pressure too much. For speed skydiving competitions, they use 2 pro-tracks mounted one on each side of the harness on the lateral webbing (I think that's the right term), and then they average the readings from the 2 units. geoff

I'm not speculating or trying to spread rumours. I've read all the bulletins very carefully. Maybe it's just that our perception of the same facts is a little different. Looked like more of a change than a clarification to me, but OK - it's a matter of opinion. OK, but it's precisely the fact that they didn't know which canopies had problems that damaged my confidence. I have to disagree on this one. A notice on the Icarus web-site on 18 October said "The result is that a minor line-trim change will be implemented on all Crossfire’s." That's an exact quote except I added the bold. But when the service bulletin was released on 25 October, only listed serial numbers required trim modification. (Look at the threads on this forum from around 18-25 October.) I'm really not anti-Icarus. My current Safire is great. I know several people who love their Crossfires, and I had a Crossfire on order when the bulletins started. Mainly as a result of what I perceived as a series of inconsistent announcements, Icarus failed to keep my confidence, so I cancelled the order. I believe the Crossfire is probably a great-handling and safe canopy. My plan is to wait a few months, and maybe order a Crossfire next Spring if the situation remains stable until then, and if I believe the gap between the price and the resale value is acceptably small. Geoff

which facts do you think I've got wrong? No - I currently jump Icarus canopies.

Out of interest - what changes? just curious..... Geoff

Well, I'm surprised how badly they've handled it - a mass of contradictory communications and announcemements - lists of affected serial numbers changing from one week to the next - S&TA approval needed one week then not the next, - a statement that all Crossfires would require a trim change then retracted a few days later It's their inability to keep their story straight rather than the problems with the canopies that have destroyed my confidence in them. Sure they're worth less - and it's official - the Icarus website has un-jumped Crossfires for only $1200 (http://www.icaruscanopies.com/demos_for_sale.htm) Geoff

...which in turn reduces wear on the lines from the grommets.

My home DZ uses a rubber band on the slider to secure brake lines (not D lines) on student SL kit. It's intended to reduce the chance of a line over, and seems to have worked well for many (tens of?) thousands of jumps. Only seen it once or twice on non-student kit. geoff

The formatting has gone a bit astray - see the original at http://www.icaruscanopies.com/service_bulletin.htm Geoff Product Service Bulletin #20011025 Date of Notice: October 25, 2001 Effective: Immediately Applicability: Serial Numbers Attached Requirement: Line-trim adjustment Compliance: Mandatory Compliance Date: November 30, 2001 Note: This Service Bulletin supersedes Safety Bulletins #20010914 & #20011004. Background: Safety bulletin #20010914 was released on 14 September 2001 following the identification of some Crossfire's that experienced buffeting and/or instability while using front riser control inputs. Users were advised to refrain from performing front riser control inputs below 1000ft AGL. Safety Bulletin #20011004 was released on October 04 expanding on our knowledge of the situation resulting from testing to that date. Additionally a further warning was issued to Crossfire users requesting that those users with limited experience, who may not possess the necessary knowledge to determine whether or not their canopy may be affected, should refrain from using their canopy pending the conclusion of our testing. Resulting from subsequent testing we have been able to stabilize all affected Crossfire's by performing a minor line-trim modification to the canopy. Further action may be taken at a later date however we feel it prudent to act quickly and decisively to stabilize any canopies which may be affected and to allow Crossfire users to return to flying their canopy without flight restrictions. Required Action: (Annex 1) Canopies with serial numbers attached as annex 1 require line trim modification specification #CF0110. This modification must be performed before 30 November 2001. Upon completion of the line trim modification the canopy warning label must be placarded by the rigger who performed the modification by using a permanent marker & writing on the warning label as follows: COMPLIES WITH SERVICE BULLETIN #20011025; MM/DD/YY; NAME; SIGNATURE; RIGGER CERTIFICATE NUMBER. Note: Canopies remain subject to the flight restrictions as stated in bulletin #20010914 and #20011004 until such time as this modification is performed. Upon completion of the modification these canopies are no longer subject to any flight restrictions. It is recommended that these modifications are performed immediately. Canopies not modified before 30 November 2001 will be considered grounded at that stage. Canopies with serial numbers not listed on Annex 1 or Annex 2 are not subject to this bulletin. (Annex 2) Canopies with serial numbers attached as annex 2 require modification to trim specification #CF0102 before 30 November 2001. Note: Canopies in annex 2 that have been re-lined or re-trimmed since 01 February 2001 will have been fitted with trim specification #CF0102 at that time and will not require any further trim modification. Contact Icarus Canopies for details and to confirm whether your canopy requires this trim update. Note: It is not necessary to Placard these canopies. Performing the Trim Modification: Icarus Canopies will perform the trim modification at no charge should you wish to return your canopy to our facility. Please contact Icarus prior to sending your canopy to attain a reference number. We will also advise an estimated time frame and investigate options to minimize any disruption to your jumping. Should you wish to expedite this process, local master riggers are able to perform this trim change. Riggers can contact Icarus Canopies to request the necessary instructions and specifications to perform this modification. Additionally, should you not know of a rigger able to perform this modification and wish to have it performed locally, attached is a list of rigging lofts able to perform this modification with bartac equipment comparable to factory specifications. The trim change should take approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour and should be no more than the cost of a reserve re-pack. Replacing Spectra Line with Vectran: Due to the superior trim qualities of Vectran, Crossfire's with Spectra line require a line-set replacement to Vectran before 30 November 2001. Contact Icarus Canopies for details. Additional Information: USA Contact: Simon Mundell Icarus Canopies 1627 US 1, Sebastian, FL 32958, USA PH (561) 581-8131 Fax (561) 581-8132 Email simon@icaruscanopies.com www.icaruscanopies.com Europe Contact: Sascha Arndt Icarus Canopies P.I. El Ramassar - c/ Vallés, s/n O8520 Les Franqueses - SPAIN Ph. (34) 938 496 432 Fax (34) 938 497 971 Email sascha@icaruscanopies.com www.icaruscanopies.com Annex One: Canopies requiring re-trim specification #CF0110 8132 96612820 96612911 96612974 96613087 8138 96612821 96612912 96612975 96613088 8139 96612822 96612914 96612976 96613089 8148 96612823 96612919 96612977 96613091 8160 96612835 96612924 96612978 96613092 8178 96612836 96612926 96612979 96613093 8186 96612848 96612927 96612980 96613094 8244 96612851 96612928 96612981 96613095 8251 96612852 96612929 96612982 96613096 8259 96612854 96612931 96612983 96613097 8432 96612855 96612932 96612994 96613098 8433 96612859 96612933 96612995 96613099 8434 96612860 96612937 96612997 96613100 8435 96612861 96612938 96612998 96613101 8436 96612862 96612939 96613008 96613102 8438 96612865 96612941 96613012 96613103 92912345 96612866 96612943 96613013 96613104 94112350 96612871 96612944 96613014 96613105 94812367 96612872 96612945 96613015 96613106 96612340 96612873 96612946 96613016 96613107 96612790 96612874 96612947 96613019 96613110 96612801 96612875 96612948 96613020 96613111 96612802 96612876 96612949 96613028 96613112 96612803 96612877 96612950 96613031 96613113 96612804 96612878 96612951 96613032 96613114 96612805 96612879 96612952 96613033 96613116 96612806 96612880 96612953 96613034 96613118 96612807 96612881 96612954 96613042 96613123 96612808 96612882 96612955 96613043 96613124 96612809 96612883 96612960 96613044 96613125 96612810 96612896 96612961 96613045 96613126 96612811 96612897 96612965 96613046 96613127 96612812 96612898 96612966 96613047 96613128 96612813 96612899 96612967 96613048 96613129 96612814 96612900 96612968 96613049 96613130 96612815 96612904 96612969 96613050 96613131 96612816 96612905 96612970 96613051 96613132 96612817 96612908 96612971 96613054 96613136 96612818 96612909 96612972 96613068 96613137 96612819 96612910 96612973 96613085 96613138 96613139 96613196 96613255 96613332 96613140 96613197 96613257 96613333 96613141 96613198 96613258 96613334 96613142 96613199 96613259 96613335 96613143 96613200 96613260 96613337 96613144 96613201 96613261 96613345 96613145 96613202 96613263 96613346 96613146 96613203 96613264 96613347 96613147 96613204 96613265 96712347 96613148 96613205 96613267 96712357 96613149 96613206 96613269 96712364 96613150 96613215 96613270 96812349 96613151 96613221 96613271 96812356 96613152 96613222 96613272 96912348 96613153 96613223 96613273 96912355 96613154 96613224 96613275 96912358 96613155 96613225 96613276 96912360 96613156 96613226 96613277 96912362 96613157 96613227 96613278 96912363 96613158 96613228 96613280 96912365 96613159 96613229 96613282 96912367 96613165 96613230 96613283 96912368 96613166 96613231 96613284 96613167 96613232 96613285 96613168 96613233 96613286 96613169 96613234 96613306 96613170 96613235 96613317 96613171 96613236 96613318 96613176 96613238 96613319 96613177 96613239 96613321 96613178 96613243 96613322 96613183 96613244 96613323 96613184 96613245 96613324 96613185 96613247 96613325 96613186 96613248 96613326 96613187 96613249 96613327 96613188 96613250 96613328 96613189 96613251 96613329 96613194 96613252 96613330 96613195 96613253 96613331 Annex Two: Canopies requiring re-trim specification #CF0102. Contact Icarus Canopies for details. 50112559 50312630 96212806 50112562 50312648 96212809 50112574 50312654 96312732 50112580 50312657 96312738 50112586 50312666 96312741 50112601 50312675 96312747 50112607 50312684 96312750 50112613 50312705 96312753 50112619 50312717 96312756 50112622 50312729 96312759 50112646 96112739 96312762 50112667 96112742 96312765 50112676 96112745 96312768 50112679 96112748 96312777 50112685 96112751 96312786 50112694 96112754 96312789 50112703 96112763 96312795 50112718 96112766 96312798 50112727 96112769 50212560 96112781 50212572 96112784 50212575 96112787 50212617 96112793 50212623 96112796 50212659 96112799 50212674 96212737 50212677 96212740 50212689 96212743 50212701 96212746 50212707 96212749 50212722 96212752 50312561 96212755 50312570 96212770 50312576 96212776 50312579 96212785 50312600 96212791 50312615 96212794 50312618 96212797 50312621 96212800 50312624 96212803 Note: The majority of master riggers and rigging lofts are able to perform this modification. The list below may offer some assistance should you wish to have it preformed locally. Action Air Parachutes 24390 Aviation Avenue Davis, CA 95616 Ph: (530) 753-2650 Fax: (530) 753-8572 Activewear Skydive Chicago 3215 E 1969th Road Ottawa, IL 61350 Ph: (815) 434-6094 Adventure Sports Loft Perris Valley Skydiving Center 2091 Goetz Road Perris, CA 92572 Ph: (909) 657-2676 Aerostore 120 North Charlotte Street Pottstown, PA 19464 Ph: (610) 327-8555 Aerotech Products 1515 Kevin Lane DeLand, FL 32724 Ph: (386) 736-2376 Fax: (386) 738-1982 Airwork Missouri River Valley Skydiving 42938 West 64 Street Henrietta, MO 64036 Ph: (816) 290-5415 Skyworks Para Service 2222 Buffalo West Springs High Buffalo, SC 29320 Ph: (864) 426-3040 Fax: (864) 429-8428 Para-Gear Equipment 3839 West Oakton Street Skokie, IL 60076 Ph: (847) 679-5905 Fax: (847) 679-8644 Para-Loft, Inc 26 West Bainbridge Elizabethtown, PA 17022 Ph: (717) 367-0808 Fax: (717) 361-8292 Parachute Equipment Corp 69 Main Street Vincetown, NJ 08088 Ph: (609) 859-3397 Fax: (609) 859-3974 Rigging Innovations 4900 N. Tumbleweed Rd Bldg 1. Eloy, AZ 85231 Ph: (520) 466-2655 Storrie Parachute Works 1425 Century Suite 100 Carrollton, TX 75006 Ph: (972) 245-5300 Other riggers are invited to contact Icarus Canopies and request the necessary modification information if needed.

just noticed you said 'to qualify for a licence'.... Not sure what system they use in NZ, but under the BPA system, you need the 8-level AFF course PLUS 10 consolidation jumps (just extra supervised jumps, but no particular requirements so you can't fail them) so you're probably looking at 5 days absolute minimum if you're really lucky. Probably 10 days to 2 weeks in practice. Whatever the local requirements in NZ, make sure you've met the BPA requirements before you get back (including the hop and pop and the consols), or you might get problems jumping here in the UK, or get charged for 'check-out' jumps. People have been disappointed by the reaction they get at some BPA DZs, when they turn up newly qualified from an AFF course abroad. Probably best to check with the UK DZ where you're planning on jumping before you go. Geoff

If the weather and DZ are good (and busy enough to keep the planes running), and you have an average level of natural aptitude, it'll probably take less than a week. I certainly know people who've done it in 2 days. To do that, you need perfect weather, instructors and lifts available and no repeats. It's not common but it's not exactly rare either. That also means doing 3 or 4 jumps a day, which is totally exhausting when you're first starting, and I've heard of DZs limiting students to 2 or 3 jumps per day to avoid loss of concentration. Personally, jumping mainly at weekends, with British weather, a slow DZ (as is normal here), and my lack of natural ability, it took me about 2 months. I've also heard of people taking much longer. Hope this helps Geoff