SkydiveNFlorida

Man, they sure are leaving much to be desired. Maybe I should study aerospace engineering -A

That would be really stupid on the part of the jumper. Why own one if you're not gonna turn it on. They made the decision to buy one for whatever reasons, yet some dumb rule would make them turn it off?. If that is what the rule would encourage, it would be a much worse scene if someone didn't pull... Can't' teach a dead person a lesson. -A

Just reread... That's odd. That wouldn't be a brake line problem if you've let your brake lines go, then. When you pull fronts w/o holding your toggles (which I have no idea what you'd do that for), you are obviously not pulling your brake lines. Maybe your canopy is severely out of trim, that or the brake lines are so short that you're actually flying in brakes at full glide. I would talk to a rigger who can inspect and maybe test jump it. -A

If there isn't much slack left in the trap of the lower lines, you can just have new lower brake lines put on, rather than entire new brake lines. I did that with my first canopy. I don't think it costs much, either (it was done for me as a favor by a friend). Prior to that I was getting a lot of bucking in riser turns... when your canopy is fighting you, it'll probably win. Angela.

Yes. I think when things get to a certain level of popularity, they should just make them standard. Order in bulk, put certain things on every rig, it'll cost less if everything you build has those options. So, the cost increase in base price would not be as great as the current base + cost of popular options. But, like you say, maybe these aren't as popular of options as I may thing. However, if you have a certain backpad that is more comfortable than others you use, just discontinue the latter and make the former standard. Sheesh, not many people buy a new rig hoping to be uncomfortable. Angela.

Maybe this particular rig w/o the backpad is extremely uncomfortable? It seems like many mfgs ring you out for every penny over the asking price. Wings seems to have an awful lot of options, so the base price looks good, but adding in the "options" (many of which, imo, should just be standard) can get pricey. Just looking at some of the things that other mfgs charge for like articulated harness, mfg own monograms, hackey, etc... makes me glad I ordered a Voodoo (which is supposed to be comfy at no extra charge) . I think the new Icon even comes standard with ss hardware. Just a thought. -A

You have to remember that those are YOUR custom colors, and the canopy will not sell for what you bought it for. I'd not want to lose more than 300$ at this point, though, since it is so new. Sux you have to sell your brand new custom canopy, I won't be selling mine 'til it has at least 300 jumps on it (or, until I can fly it like a pro, whichever takes longer). Angela.

I'm not sure if the main or reserve was out in front, so I don't know which actually came out first. It's a very scary situation, and I certainly hope to never be there and take measures against it (look at ground, 2 dytters, altimeter). I understand it's serious, but sometimes shit happens and if it's a first and the person tossed first, then I think those things should be taken into consideration. After 100+ jumps w/o a cypres, I finally bought into the "sometimes shit is out of your control" line and got one. Besides, you can usually tell how seriously something is taken by a jumper just by talking to them, and I do think this will be enforced on a case by case basis. I have jumped canopies with long snivels before, so maybe you're right, maybe even if he pitched right before the fire he would've just been a stain. Thankfully, we didn't have to find that out. Angela.

haha... I did the same thing! lol! (i'm such a dork!) :D

This is not always the case. Both times I saw people have cypres fires the cypres had beat them by a split second. The first jumper landed with two out, I think the second jumper had a mal and cutaway and deployed reserve but the cypres beat her by a split second. My guess is that, though close, neither would have died w/o cypres. Angela.

\ So, someone makes a mistake and you force them uncurrent (no, not by uspa rules, but I personally feel uncurrent after 30 days). I can understand if someone has done this a couple times, but I have seen two jumpers get too low and have their cypres's fire and, though one seemed pretty 'wgaf' about it, the other one seemed to realize what a close call that was, and it appeared they were going to be thinking a lot about that. I think something like this should be handled on a case by case basis... and even after this memo, I am guessing that it will be. -A

yep, sure is! In a year and a half, I have spent about 5350$ on gear (this counting bought and sold mains, new gear and the $$ i'll lose from buying/selling used gear, plus helmet, altis, etc). I've also spent at least $4500 jumping. This does not include gas to and from my home dz and other dzs. Of course, ymmv, many people keep used gear for a very very long time, and don't make very many jumps in a year. I guess the expense depends on how addicted you become. This has definitely been my most expensive hobby ever. I plan to make my 300th jump in the next month, and I hope to do at least 250 in the next year. Don't let anybody fool you. AFF is expensive, but it doesn't get a whole bunch cheaper... Not many jumpers drive to the dz to make 1 jump in a day. I am not happy unless I get at *least* 4. Angela.

I kept my handles on my first mal. I was not in the worst situation in the world, I had altitude and I kept my cool. It was only minor effort to hang on to the handles. That was not the first question asked of me by anyone. I don't think it's unacceptable to toss your handles in that situation at all, though. If everyone kept them, no one would ask you if you still had them. Who cares if it's cool? It's much less expensive to keep them, and you don't have to wait on new ones. I'd always planned to keep mine for this reason, not because it was "cool". :) Angela.

How is that twice the loss? If they get the item back, in working condition, then they've experiened only the loss of the cash they returned to the thief. Then, when they sell the item, they make at least twice what its worth, so therefore they still win. just an observation... and, no, i'm not a thief, btw. Walmart will take anything back! That's why I love that store, even if they are all that is evil in this world (making small business prices something to be laughed at, destroying jobs, oppressing workers, blah, blah.. but damn the prices are low!). -A

Man, this is funny shit! Anyone who doesn't laugh like hell when reading this parody DEFINITELY needs sex at their dz! LMFAO! -A

Had the SAME problem with a friend of mine. I paid for her Tandem and vid, and didn't see a dime until about 6 months later when I told her just to pay half because I probably owed her anyhow(riiight). She paid me back in 2 installments over the next few weeks. Lesson learned: Don't loan to irresponsible people who spend their $$ partying instead of paying debts. Luckily, I didn't NEED the cash, so I didn't worry about it, because at the time it wasn't worth it to me. We're still friends, I just know better than to loan her $$. -A

So, you're saying that in your opinion the Katana is more hp than the sam, correct? What were the differences you noticed that lead you to that assessment? -A

I wouldn't buy it unless you're confident you can sell it for about the same price. I might get flamed and I really don't care, but I don't think a 125lb jumperwith 1 or 2 jumps should commit to buying gear he/she doesn't understand much about and that is built for a 190sf canopy unless it's very cheap and can easily be sold for what it was bought for (as per an experienced rigger who checks the gear out and can give an unbiased opinion (not friend of the seller)). Aside from the fact that it holds a pretty large canopy that you'd load at less than .8lbs per sf. which is pretty low and can keep you on the ground in moderate winds, there are other things to consider (bridal protection addition if you plan to freefly, hard cable housings container/risers, and i'm sure others as well). Otherwise, rent, get an idea of what's out there, then buy gear when you know a little more about it. jmo. flame away Angela.

I doubt everyone who votes is a competitor because competitors and spectators alike were asked to vote. I'd definitely love to come out and watch, probably make it to the Lake Wales comp in Dec.

http://www.jumpshack.com/Read/Tech/canopy_volume_chart.htm another volume chart. -A

Try a few more with internal mounts. I tried the Gunner, which was very comfy. I ended up with an Aviator and I think there is plenty of room, I have had no problems. Demo until you're sure, because you're probably not gonna buy a new one for some time (they are expensive!). I am glad I have internal mounts, I don't like the look of external, and with internal mounts I don't have to worry that I won't hear the beeps, or that my riser will hit them, etc. jmo Angela.

It was a congradulations for finding the one person they each want to be with forever, and making that commitment. I think that is pretty damn cool and am really happy for them!

I really think you're lumping everyone who does drugs into one group (which is probably the smallest out there, those who do it just to be cool). I know old folks who've gone their whole lives being responsible adults and they just happen to light up at days' end in their own homes all alone watching sitcoms and eating chips. And, alcohol is definitely a hard drug, and there are a good many folks who drink because it makes them feel good... not because they are filling a void, blah blah. And, I think it's a real toss up on who's more dangerous, the guy with the bad hangover, or the one who did a line of meth an hour ago. Being 'down' might just be worse than being 'up'. I predict the guy on meth would sooner avoid you under canopy, and would probably be more altitude aware as well. Also, there is no way to stop people from doing drugs on the dz out of sight. Nothing can be monitored 100% at all times, so there is just no way around this. If you know someone is impaired, and is on the next load, you can make the decision to inform the pilot or dzo and if nothing else, you can always stay on the ground. Otherwise, if you don't know, but suspect something, use your best judgement. I have no problem with people doing drugs after the day is done, (although I don't want to be in the presence of the consumption of many of them). However, I will damn sure not get on a load with someone who I know is f*'d up on acid or drunk or whatnot (and, btw, I do think you could probably tell . . . dialated pupils, antsyness, being overly talkative, etc are signs that someone's on a trip. And, alcohol smells and leaves people slow). And, many, many people have done LSD in their lives, so if you're afraid someone is gonna have a flashback, it 'supposedly' could happen 3 years later or at any time, so it would be just as unsafe to jump as to drive on the freeway, or walk across the street. I don't know anyone who's had flashbacks, though, and I know a lot of people who've tripped in their lives. I'll place my bet that the guy who dropped last Saturday will be ok after a day or so and some good rest. I think that the people who have done drugs in their past will not be as such nazis about the whole thing. That doesn't mean they want to jump with intoxicated people, it just means that they have a better understanding of what exactly goes on when you do certain drugs, how long the effects last, and even what the signs of someone on certain drugs are. -A

Wow, Congradulations!!! That rocks

It's not that hard. Use both hands if you have to, though. If you have a pillow reserve, remember to peel before you pull (just like the cutaway). I practice on nearly every plane ride. Feel for hackey, put hands on handles, pretend peel and pull cutaway, pretend peel and pull reserve. I was pleasantly surprised at how instictive it had become when I really needed it. edit to add... it's good to gain some muscle because it helps tremendously in flying, using risers, and not tiring out after only a few jumps. Get out there and workout:D -A