frost

It's Mexico, not Japan! Looks awesome, whats that thing in the sky, in the top left corner? SoFPiDaRF - School of Fast Progress in Downsizing and Radical Flying. Because nobody knows your skills better than you.

Yup! Same here :) The first time got me just a little by surprise Here are some pics of what i did: http://maxf.net/~shatalov/albums/3-Gear/aba.sized.jpg http://maxf.net/~shatalov/albums/3-Gear/abc.sized.jpg http://maxf.net/~shatalov/albums/3-Gear/abb.sized.jpg SoFPiDaRF - School of Fast Progress in Downsizing and Radical Flying. Because nobody knows your skills better than you.

That IS scary!

Hey Jairo! Thanks man :) I was just lucky that the better pilots got UNlucky So i had a chance to try the "new" mod. Being a fan of easy, dirt cheap and free mods, instead of using the "ring in the Slink" method or stitching the ring to the riser under the Slink - too much work , i used a Precision style soft link with a (softer) brass ring (to help lessen the possible impact on the slider grommets). Wrapped it three times through the loop on the rear riser under the regular slink. I think this is the easiest way to mod it. Took me no more then 5 minutes to do it, didnt have to undo the Slinks or stitch anything extra to the riser. The effect was quite dramatic... not performance wise but in overall feel of the controls. Easier access to the rear riser, although i had to kinda break the habit of wrapping the thumb around the rear riser where the steering line used to be. The flare also changed, became somewhat similar to what a 3rd-riser flare would feel like. Overall i like this little mod and will stick with it. I'll snap some pics tonight... SoFPiDaRF - School of Fast Progress in Downsizing and Radical Flying. Because nobody knows your skills better than you.

I dropped my camera yesterday on the carpeted concrete floor... It didnt have any visual damage, nothing broke and it seemed to be working fine. I made a few more jumps with it, it operated as usual, no issues. But when i got home and tried to review the tape, i saw that there is no sound. Tried to record some more - it doesnt record the sound anymore... no sound from the internal speaker and no signal going to the TV. But only when recording to tape, when recording to memory stick - there is sound. Any ideas? Anyone had a similar experience? Has anyone dealt with Sony repair service? How much would it be to fix it (camera Not under warranty)? Thanks! P.S. just found out that it would be $311 flat rate... geez... SoFPiDaRF - School of Fast Progress in Downsizing and Radical Flying. Because nobody knows your skills better than you.

I guess something good finally came out of Yurop! Will be jumping on the trolleybus err.. bandwagon this weekend myself. No need for the pic. t SoFPiDaRF - School of Fast Progress in Downsizing and Radical Flying. Because nobody knows your skills better than you.

it used to be that Chuck.. true but now i take multivitamins and it's more like shit-a-little

Thanks to all who worked to make it possible for us to jump. Chris - another excellent event! But please stop butchering my name!

0) Velo111 @ 2.33 Velo should be your first choice! As Chuck said - demo demo demo

BINGO! Why doesn't anyone consider the circumstances around these accidents?? Many people in the air at the same time. Boogies. How about controlling the turns during these large jumps? How about whoever is organizing getting it in the heads of all the participants, who are probably large jump number skydivers, that there will be NO high speed landings on these jumps. You break the rule - you're out. Boogie, lots of new people on the DZ? Same thing.

Coming back from such a long break must be pretty exciting and a little scary. Do you think you might have a mental block due to the injury? I'd say you will feel it when the time is right to go back to what you know you can do. But if I were you, I'd take it slowly for the first few jumps just to figure out where my mind is and to allow it to fall back into the normal rhythm smoothly.

The pic is too small to edit it to highlight what i am talking about. I am referring to the dip in the top skin in the middle, right between the diamonds. May be just an optical illusion...

I find that very offensive. Do you know how many handicapped horses are out there that need loving too? I would appreciate it if you would replace the word "fucker" with "lover" in your comments when speaking of this noble and sometimes dangerous deed. Thank you for understanding.

Excellent, Dan! If you're making it out on your own, not a planned demo/work related visit - post on the Ranch forum or let Sonic know that you're coming out, so that we can plan it - I am sure that a few more pilots would line up to try it. Also, could you guys comment on what looks like a distortion in the middle of the canopy during the flare (clearly visible on the first pic)? Thank you

Thank you. Dan sometimes comes to the Ranch, so if you or him are ever there anytime this year and have a demo canopy in the 90-100+ sq ft size - i would love to make a test jump or two. But i am not in the market for a new canopy...

Thank you for the info. Is there a demo program?

Who will be doing the coaching for this one?

lost rds=$300 expression on your face=priceless SoFPiDaRF - School of Fast Progress in Downsizing and Radical Flying. Because nobody knows your skills better than you.

Has anyone compared JVX with a VX in such manner? I am sure someone has done a VX and Velo layout a long time ago... what was the result? I am wondering just how much is JVX based on VX (size/footage measurement especially). I'll do it myself when i get my VX97 back from a reline, but thought may be someone could post their findings before then

no special mods needed... If you can land with rears only, which is not all that hard anyway, then you're half way there :) Then once you're at level flight (how you achieve it is up to you - natural recovery or adding a bit of rears...) and have your feet sliding on the ground - you can let go of the toggles. At first, you'll be inclined to go back to rears right away - it is a weird feeling to not have your hands in the toggles when you eyes are telling your brain it's time to flare :) You almost wont be able to help yourself but go back, even if you're perfectly level. Dont worry about looking up or arching in the harness to make it into a real ghost rider just yet. Please make sure you let go of the toggles ONLY when in level flight and your feet are sliding on the ground. Be prepared to PLF. Know where the rears are so that you can bail and BE prepared to bail if you feel you need to. It's better to err on the high side. Here is a short clip of one of my initial hands off controls attempts: http://www.skydivingmovies.com/ver2/pafiledb.php?action=file&id=5057

To Chris for a cool event, to Jay Mo for good advice and to everyone else who made this meet possible - a huge "thank you!" I had a blast - it was worth the trip from NY. It was pretty cool to participate and meet new people. It was nice to be able to learn some new things and tricks. My goal of hitting the gates on every jump was achieved - no verticals. In the end, i walked away a better pilot, so am pretty happy with myself. Now i just need to work on zone accuracy. Sometimes less is more :) I cant wait for the next round. See you all then.

IF your looking for coaching, for your own sake, please seek out a qualified professional for advice. Someone who has years of teaching and experience. You can listen to advice from friends and acquaintances with a little bit of experience, but take it for what it is - a LITTLE bit more experience then yours. If you have to pay for services of a professional canopy instructor - so be it, you will get what you paid for and will save time and money in the long run.

yeah, i saw the PIA news on that. How much are they? And how did you get it - did you call them directly? SoFPiDaRF - School of Fast Progress in Downsizing and Radical Flying. Because nobody knows your skills better than you.

I think the only two "accurate" ways to measure the speed is by using a speed gun or a GPS unit/Google Earth combination. Neither one is an easy or cheap method, but both are more accurate then neptune or viso altimeters.

I dont think a combination of a 270 and a Katana 107 loaded @ 1.75 is something that should be referred to as "mere", bro :) That's a serious combo you're jumping there, dont get it wrong. dont be surprised at the speed - you may even be able to go faster.