vdschoor

you know.. that's a tough one, I am slacking on the hot part, shannon wins that one.. But I have other qualities.. the wine.. there's stores for that.. the backrubs, well.. I can do that too.. Compliments, no problem either.. You take your pick hottie (ooops.. compliment slipped out.. )

Ok.. so when are we going? Iwan

I'm not from Cabana, but I could pretend to be Will you settle for dutch? Also my poker is improving.. you might come back with a lot more than $500

Yeah.. just be honest about it, and ask for figure skates (the ones they use in the olympics) They are the easiest to learn on.. He he.. they taught me when I was 4 or so, and just put me on the ice with a kitchen chair to hold on to and to push around on the ice, but it would look funny if you did that probably.. you WILL be on your ass ha ha! Or go out and train like an idiot on rollerblades.. it's not quite the same but it might help.. Iwan

I have not, but contact hottamaly (here on dz.com) or call Bonehead Composites to find out. They might just be working on those or already have them. They are not advertised on the website yet.. but you never know! Iwan

I use a Canon Elan 7e with a Canon 28mm F2.8 lens for film (35mm) and the Digital Rebel with a Sigma 15mm F2.8 fisheye for digital pictures. With the digital SLRs that are out there today, you don't have those delays, those are only there with the point and shoot digital cameras. Canon is very well represented in the skydiving industry, but Nikon is as well. The problem with Nikon Digital SLRs is that it's a lot harder to get a remote that will work in freefall. Iwan

I have the d-box screwed to the top plate (TRV17, not a PC style one) and you just put the camera in the box, close it and you're done! No extra screws for the camera inside the box, it's kept in place by the box and the padding inside the box. Iwan

The 20D takes both, just like the Digital Rebel.. They are releasing more of these lenses, now the EF-S 10-22 came out, and a newer version of the EF-S 18-55 but with a USM zoom motor. I don't know what their direction on this is, since these lenses would not be needed anymore once we get full-frame sensors right? I am not investing in the EF-S series for sure.. I'm saving for L glass and that only comes with the normal EF mount. Iwan

Is this Alana from Byron? Nice one!!

It won't work, the lens goes into the camera too far. The EF-S series is only for the Digital Rebel and the 20D cameras, all other Canon SLRs use the EF lens type. Iwan

I would agree with that, I've put mine up on eBay, because I don't use it enough and the one you are referring too is SLOOOW. You get what you paid for... I do want a lens in this zoom range (roughly) though, so I ordered a better one.. the 70-200mm F4L USM Iwan

The 300D seems to have issues with low light situations, which are supposed th have been fixed in the 20D. I've been told that some simple filters can help with sunset shots. Can you expand on this? I have not had issues with mine in low light conditions, but I shoot either fully manual or on Shutter priority instead of the "fully automatic" programs on the camera. I do know that autofocus in low light conditions is tricky, but I don't use that in freefall anyways... More info would be highly appreciated.. Thanks, Iwan

Yep.. almost, now start posting them easter eggs you painted!! Iwan

It will be warm Come out and play!!

prove it.. so you're sitting at work in your office... nekkid?

HUH?? ... This statement makes NO SENSE AT ALL! He's made ONLY 3 JUMPS TOTAL on a 170, and all (presumably) ON THE DROPZONE, in (again presumably) relatively "controlled" conditions. Further, on 2 out of 3 of those landings (ALL, except for the one ON RADIO) he did well, ahem... let's say less than optimally. HE HAS NOT PROVEN ANYTHING!! If anything, quite the opposite! A 170 loaded at 1.1 is a safe canopy, that's my statement. I also told him that for him the 190 might be a better choice right now. My first landing on a ZP 190 I slid in on my ass too, because the additional speed compared to the jumps on F111 210 - 280 canopies was quite intimidating. At the time they told me "you'll be fine under a 170" and I figured I would be, but still went with the 190 because that's what I WANTED to jump. I also said, go ahead and get the 170, BUT jump the 190 first, jump a couple of weekends on that before downsizing to the 170. It's whatever, we can only warn him and help him make a decision. Right now I would say if the 170 is there for him, go for it, but only after jumping a 190 for a bit and flying that.. As to the biffing in landings.. practice makes perfect, my first landings on my 190 were not pretty either Iwan

The 170 is going to be safe for you, there's no question about that. You've proven that you can land it (even though the decent landing you had was with a radio) The smaller canopy will be intimidating at first but you'll get used to it, all that good stuff.. been there done that. The thing is, the 190 might be a better choice right now, yes it's bigger and all that, but who cares? I jumped a 190 (loaded at about 1.1) for almost 400 jumps before I downsized. When I did, I made a big jump, going from a 190 to a 150, but that was after I made a bunch of jumps on a demo 170. If you really want the 170, go for it, but jump a 190 for a couple of weekends and get used to that, then downsize. And.. read Bill's list of things to do before you downsize. Most important though, listen to your instructors, they know you, they have seen you land and they are right there for you to help you out. Iwan

We just can't keep up with you for more than a day. I'm no spring chicken ya know. Well I'd be ok with 2 or 3 that rotate.... I'll be the other then.. just don't tell me that the other is geno.. I don't want to know it's him I'm sharing you with.. Cause I still am a spring chicken.. well.. not really anymore, but I don't complain about it

BRING IT! Hey let's switch identities for today and see what happens! Don't you just have to wish it at the exact same time and then it happens? I remember seeing a movie on this..

I think McGowan's setup is still bigger though, ha ha.. Mark "only" jumps 2 flashes and a 20D. I don't have a picture of his setup but it's basically an FTP with: in front: 20D with speedlite transmitter ST-E2 (wireless flash) on top (front) 2 550ex flash units on top (back) Quantum Turbo Z battery pack for the flashes That's just one of the setups he has for his helmet, the design is really cool and very easily changed around. He was a great help in configuring my helmet to what it is today, now I just need his mad skillz For some pictures of his setup, there are some on his website http://www.aerialextreme.com

Very nice setup Jake, looks very clean. The only thing about it is the flash, there's no way to get to the controls when it's on your helmet.. that's not an issue? The flash is already way too battery hungry, so I chose to set it up in a way that I can turn it on and off even when it's mounted.. Just a thought.. Congrats with the upgrade dude! Now show us the results monkey!! Iwan

The first thing you want to try is all of this up high, see how much your canopy starts diving, how much altitude you loose and then start using this on your approaches. I don't like the advice of holding on to them to about 30ft and then let go and flare. I've gone "whale watching" (coming out waaay too high) a lot of times and that's fine, I'm slowly working my way down and now I am pretty consistent on my approaches I know where I need to turn (I do 90s now) and where to let up. I suggest you do the same maybe let go at 50ft the first time, then bring it down further etc. Try to let the canopy recover, if you have to switch between front risers and your toggles immediately, you're too low. Like I said earlier, have some experienced canopy pilots watch your landings and have them advise you on what to do. Also, you're only at 47 jumps, which I think is a little early to be starting on front riser approaches, but that's a different story.. Right now it's more important to get good at accuracy, make sure you can land in the same spot over and over again, learn flat turns (at altitude) etc... BillVon has a long list of things that I would recommend you working on first, before starting to think about front riser approaches

I don't think this was what TS was asking for, he was talking about the approach, not landing with double fronts. If you want the video for educational reasons, it really won't help you that much, ask one of the experienced canopy pilots at your dz about this. You will learn a lot more that way.. Iwan

:10:0 A great windy weekend in Byron, too bad the winds were up that high, because the swoop competition couldn't complete. Did a couple tandem videos and some fun jumps. Since the uppers were hauling we figured it would be cool to do a 10 mile crosscountry. Unfortunately our spot was not quite consistent with the direction the wind was blowing from, so we ended up only 4 miles or so "in the right direction", crabbing the second we left the airplane. It was cool though.. another group tried it again later, perfectly upwind from the airport and made it back easily..... Is it weekend yet? Iwan

Well let's get fuckin crazy tomorrow night baby! YEAH! He he.. let's get retarded in there..