Geoff
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Everything posted by Geoff
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You sure don't.... the only two skydivers I've known personally who've died jumping both died from low turns under non-HP canopies. One was a Fury 220 (really) and the other was a Sabre 150. Both jumpers were known as conservative jumpers and had a few hundred jumps. Of course, really high performance and highly loaded canopies need huge amounts of respect, but virtually any ram-air canopy can descend fast enough in a turn to cause fatal impact. Geoff
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Try http://www.icaruscanopies.com/canopies/EXTreme_VX/EXTremeVX46.htm and http://www.icaruscanopies.com/multimedia/ There are some really scary video clips on there! Geoff
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Here's an issue over which I've heard contradicitory opinions. Some say that highly loaded canopies can only be successfully landed by building up speed prior to the flare. e.g. a jumper I know has a Stilletto 97 loaded at about 2.0, and claims that straight-in landings are impossible without injury. I've also heard very experienced jumpers claiming that it's just a matter of technique, and you should be able to land straight-in even at very high loadings. So - what's the truth? I guess it depends on the canopy design. I could believe that old designs (e.g. Sabre etc, maybe Stiletto) will handle much worse at high loadings than more modern designs with cross-braces or airlocks. But can Cani land his VX46 straight-in? How about a modern, but non x-braced, non airlocked design like a Crossfire or Cobalt - can the Cobalt 65 be landed straight-in, loaded at more than 3.0? Incidentally, I'm only loading my Safire at about 1.5, so I'm only asking out curiosity! thanks Geoff
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Why won't some manufacturers make mini risers with large rings? It sounds like the best of both worlds to me - you get the better mechanical advantage plus the reduced drag and the ability to lower your slider. Anybody know? thanks geoff
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If the plane just climbs to 1000ft and then you exit, the Cypres won't function anyway - it won't arm unless you've climbed over 1500ft. Interesting stuff about the Sabre2 - sounds exactly like a Safire! I'd be interested to hear from anyone who's jumped both. Geoff
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I thought Fly like a Pro was very good. I didn't like Break-Away so much - all the footage of mals was good, but some of the students were shown doing their reserve drills far too slowly for my liking. geoff
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In your opinion what is the most Comfy container..
Geoff replied to Viking's topic in Gear and Rigging
I'd really like to know what you're referring to. Any clues? -
Maybe someone else can confirm the details, but my understanding is that Fliteline systems is now out of business, and another company is supplying spares. I don't think you can buy a new Reflex any more. They seemed pretty good containers though, and lots of people seem to like them. Geoff
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I'm not a rigger, so this may be bullshit, but I've read that bungee systems should only be used with a ZP PC, because the drag of F111 (sorry 0-3 cfm) will decrease with use, and eventually may not be enough to inflate against the pull of the bungee. Made sense to me. Also remember you shouldn't use a bungee PC with a wing-suit, if you were ever considering it. Personally, I think the centre-line system is better overall as long as you remember to cock it. I always 'snap' my PC through the air after cocking it to be darn sure it'll inflate when needed. Geoff
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In your opinion what is the most Comfy container..
Geoff replied to Viking's topic in Gear and Rigging
I don't think there's any right answer to this. It all depends on the match between the shape of the rig and harness compared to the jumper's body. For some jumpers, a 'cheap' rig will be more comfortable than an expensive one, or a rig in one size may be comfortable and a different size may not be. You've really gotta try them to be sure. Certainly getting a rig custom made to your measurements gives a much better chance of it being comfortable. Sorry to seem so unhelpful, but that's how it is. Geoff -
Have you contacted Airtec? They take a very close interest in any strange incidents involving Cypres's. Also, I'm not certain, but I think the Cypres unit may record information about the last descent and so give some clue to what happened. Geoff
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That's basically the story I got from Simon Mundell at Icarus. There'll be more than new brake lines on the Gen II Safire. Slightly better than gossip, but the manufacturers do have a tendency to keep changing their minds. Nothing's certain until it's released. Geoff
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Don't get too excited about the price if you're a civilian- it's 8 pounds for military personnel (not sure of the exact definition) but 16 for us civvies (which is an average price for UK DZs)
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I agree with all of this except that the Javelin is on your list (and I can't remember what an Infinity looks like). Even the newer Javelins don't have really secure main or reserve flaps. The other rigs mentioned all have a 'midflap' design, which is much more secure, IMHO. But hey - Javelin's the market leader, so it must be the best, no? Geoff
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BASE gear (and CRW) can be tuned for a range of deployment speeds (different sliders and PCs), but can be made to open a LOT faster than a reserve. A reserve can't be made to open too fast because it needs to be survivable if deployed at terminal. I know CRW jumpers who tune their gear for VERY fast openings, and it could be dangerous or fatal to try to deploy at terminal. Their procedure is that if for any reason they delay more than a few seconds, they'll use the reserve rather than the main in order to get a SLOWER opening. Geoff
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There are some military DZs which are open to civilians, are BPA affiliated, but not listed on the BPA web site. Try http://www.netheravon.com/ Geoff
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I know an experienced jumper (6000+ jumps) and rigger who keeps his Cypres batteries until 4 years or when the warning code comes on. He obviously doesn't do this with other people's rigs nor does he advise other people to do the same for their own rigs. He just feels safe enough based on the unit's self-test each time he turns it on. I guess I'd be pretty happy with that, but I'd be concerned about the batteries leaking when they get old. Any thoughts? Is this a common practice? It's obviously a greater risk than following the manufacturer's recommendation, but how many of us replace our mini-risers every 200 jumps as recommended? Geoff
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The argument about wind drift leads to the conclusion that freeflyers should go last. I've stuck with that for a while now and it seems to work OK. However, as a freeflyer under a relatively high loaded canopy (compared to a lot of the other jumpers at my DZ), I often find myself having to thread my way past many other canopies before landing. I'm beginning to wonder if we should start arranging exit order by wing loading (highest first), then if there are freeflyers before flat, just leave a bigger gap between exits. Whatever the drift, you can always be safe if you leave enough time between groups. Just a thought. Geoff
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I strongly recommend you don't buy a brand new Sabre. It's a good canopy, but a very old design, and you'll find it very difficult to sell again at a reasonable price. PD are releasing their new 'Sabre II' some time this year (that probably won't be its name) and the resale value of Sabres will go even lower. Depending on your experience level consider a Spectre, Triathlon, Sillhouette, Safire, maybe a Hornet, or wait for the new PD canopy. On the other hand, used Sabres can be real bargains - I'd recommend you get a large or pocket slider fitted to prevent the occasional hard openings that Sabres are prone to. Just my opinion. Hope it helps. Geoff
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Should be no problem if the weather's good. Where were you thinking of going? I've known people finish AFF in 2 days! A word of warning - if you're planning on jumping in the UK afterwards, USPA A-licences SHOULD be recognised by BPA drop zones, but some get a bit funny sometimes. Best to check with your UK dropzone before you go. USPA-style AFF consists of (I think) 7 levels, whereas in the BPA it's 8 levels, and in addition you need ten 'consolidation jumps' after completing AFF before you can apply for your A license. UK DZs sometimes get funny about people coming back with just the 7 levels completed. Alternatively, it may be worth doing your AFF in the states with BPA instructors. Try asking for advice on uk.rec.skydiving Cheers Geoff
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I think it's type IIIA suspension line sleeving geoff
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Z1s are generally OK, but with Oxygns, A3s, and sidewinders (otherwise excellent helmets for RW), the visor can flip up due to the high wind speed in a sit or stand Geoff
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Oh f8ck, it's awful. I did more jumps in February than June. It was lot colder, but at least the skies were clear and the wind low.
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Sorry - I dunno, but another one I've seen has a parody of the Cypres advert/sticker. It says something like WARNING - Skydiving is a high risk activity that may result in injury or death BUT wearing a parachute dramatically reduces this risk! Well....I thought it was funny. Any clues where to buy one? Geoff
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I think most people who stay in the sport for a few years or more will lose someone they've jumped with, if not a close personal friend. I've lost one friend (not real close, I admit) in 4 years jumping. How could I continue? It never occured to me not to. But then most of us have lost friends or relatives to slow cancer or other diseases. Losing someone to a skydiving accident, happy until the last few seconds, doesn't seem too bad in comparison to that kind of suffering. Geoff