Pendragon
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Everything posted by Pendragon
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I'm with Mac here. What exactly is the problem that needs fixing? If you see a big antenna and there's a DZ not a million miles away, there's probably a local. Most characters I've met in BASE are uniquely resourceful types. That's what makes the "community" interesting. Why fix a theoretical problem and sacrifice what we have? We all know where the sensitive high-traffic areas are (or could easily find out) after all! -- BASE #1182 Muff #3573 PFI #52; UK WSI #13
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What does "right hand pattern" mean to swoopers?
Pendragon replied to 78RATS's topic in Swooping and Canopy Control
You're all kind of right, IMHO. The difference between finishing up on a 270 vs a 90 whilst following the same pattern is that you end up behind the point of initiation on the 270... and as Dave quite correctly points out, you end up flying towards someone on their base leg if they're close behind you. I would therefore speculate that, with a 270 onto finals, flying the opposite pattern (provided no-one crosses the centre dividing line) is safest as you actually fly away from others landing on a "regular" approach. Personally, regardless of how I'm setting up, I always clear the airspace immediately behind me before making any manouvre... -- BASE #1182 Muff #3573 PFI #52; UK WSI #13 -
What does "right hand pattern" mean to swoopers?
Pendragon replied to 78RATS's topic in Swooping and Canopy Control
Agreed - "forcing" people to do 180s is pretty stupid as it's one of the worst possible set ups, hard to get to the required point for the final turn... with the only outs cutting across someone elses' path -- BASE #1182 Muff #3573 PFI #52; UK WSI #13 -
I wouldn't consider random turns and extreme potato chipping as a stress-free flight. I wouldn't say that putting anyone with that level of experience in a tracking suit or Prodigy was the best idea ever either. -- BASE #1182 Muff #3573 PFI #52; UK WSI #13
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If Lauterbrunnen last weekend was anything to go by, there were many people jumping PF tracking suits but not a single Impact suit in sight... in fact I've never seen anyone BASE with it (but that's not to say people don't...) -- BASE #1182 Muff #3573 PFI #52; UK WSI #13
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The biggest issue is whether you can keep a heading on a track, and know where you are relative to the ground and others. Don't end up tracking into other groups' airspace! Deployment is also slightly complicated from normal... depends whether you can cope with this? With 60-70 skydives, you probably don't have enough tracking experience just yet... Keep tracking, and you'd more than likely be fine at 100 or so... but it very much depends on the individual. Personally I don't like the Impact suit - fiddly bits and poor performance. Yes, I'm a PFI but I'm not the only one that thinks the Phoenix-Fly tracking suit works better (and doesn't have that fiddly bit between your legs) Richard -- BASE #1182 Muff #3573 PFI #52; UK WSI #13
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Excellent! Now that's two people I know that have summitted... 1 for each of the last 2 seasons. Incidentally, the other guy is a skydiver too Was this Baxter's first attempt? -- BASE #1182 Muff #3573 PFI #52; UK WSI #13
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Also, ask yourself why you want to, and would it be for "good" reasons? Not saying you do, but "I want to look cool" is a good example of a bad reason If it's adventure you want, have you considered paragliding? There are many options in this arena... not just BASE -- BASE #1182 Muff #3573 PFI #52; UK WSI #13
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My last 2 downsizes happened in Arizona. I was jumping 8+ times a day, and I was a lot more confident about it. You might want to consider similar. -- BASE #1182 Muff #3573 PFI #52; UK WSI #13
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You're right about the knots... but that assumes that nothing is rubbing against any other part of the break cord. Quite typically, the cord is tied around something that is relatively abrasive (a slightly rusty iron railing for example), which also fits with Zoter's experience (as also mine) -- BASE #1182 Muff #3573 PFI #52; UK WSI #13
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It was going well until this point. Regardless of how good/bad your instructor was - are you telling us that you would allow someone you don't really know, without any references, and using substandard gear (proper BASE gear is available!) to put you in a very dangerous situation? I'm not trying to taking anything away from your experience, but I feel you would benefit from logically thinking about the series of events. -- BASE #1182 Muff #3573 PFI #52; UK WSI #13
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Yes, but good judgement is what helps people stay alive in this game - and stops you being a potential liability to those jumping with you. Good judgement was not shown here, through an action of Andy's own free will, even though he should have known better. How do you think this is going to be viewed by those he may wish to jump with subsequently? Do you honestly believe that many will take the risk given that, due to the displayed eagerness, he might need rescuing? -- BASE #1182 Muff #3573 PFI #52; UK WSI #13
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I found the Safire2 recovery arc longer than my Pilot, although the Safire2 was loaded at 1.6 and the Pilot at 1.4. My Pilot opened very well though - same as the Safire2! People tell me that both are shorter than the Sabre2 at a given wing loading. I agree with you re Nitro/Nitron. Both are elliptical anyway, aren't they? ... and I thought the Nitron was a copy of the Nitro? -- BASE #1182 Muff #3573 PFI #52; UK WSI #13
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Why do you need a longer recovery arc? You should ask yourself that question first. Regarding canopy types, you might want to try the Nitro - I keep hearing good things about it. Also, if you get more experience, try a Xfire2. However, I think you need to be at the level where flying an elliptical at 1.6+ (Xfire2 149 for example) would be a reasonable thing to do. -- BASE #1182 Muff #3573 PFI #52; UK WSI #13
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Second that. Boogieman is the way forward. I suppose they're not on the list since they're not American. I like the way they measure you - you put on a "template" suit, and they measure how much they need to take in / let out at what points. It's so much more likely to fit when it's been made. Also the build quality is awesome, as is the styling. Best excuse I've ever had to spend all day just hanging around the DZ, pretending to look cool. -- BASE #1182 Muff #3573 PFI #52; UK WSI #13
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Actually, Omar has been known to get kind of lazy sometimes He's certainly pulled moving only his right arm... quickly! However, he has many jumps on an Acro and was rather current (at least at the time! ) Personally I'm not that daft. -- BASE #1182 Muff #3573 PFI #52; UK WSI #13
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I'm with you, Chuck. Sponsorship and cameras cause people to do all sort of not-very-well-thought-out things, and this stunt looks slightly irresponsible. I'm glad it worked out - and the photos look cool - but you're right to bring into question whether they should have been doing it. However, I'm neither trying to pass judgement nor presenting an answer; just supporting the question being asked. Somehow, if you've got a bright jersey with a sponsor's logo on it, people think you're the best person for the job. As Chuck implied, there are many more experienced people out there that generally keep a much lower profile... -- BASE #1182 Muff #3573 PFI #52; UK WSI #13
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Try tracking in a wingsuit position; i.e. legs apart and arms wide(ish). Practise pulling arms and legs in symmetrically, bending like a banana (arching!) and doing practise-touches on your PC. Stuff like that will prepare you better. Think of it like this: if you can rehearse everything you need to do with the suit of, why complicate things initially? Besides, it will be way more natural for your first flight... and you'll enjoy it more.
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Flight Line check requirements (Was:) Fatality - Bridlington U.K.
Pendragon replied to cpoxon's topic in Safety and Training
I understand the irony, but that's not really the point. If you don't want to be checked by someone who has a "B" but a lower jump tally than you, then ask the JM - ultimately it is their responsibility to ensure that you have been checked anyway - and that is realistic. Alternatively, just make your life easier and do those accuracy landings... or is your canopy control not up to it? ...but we digress, The rules are there for a reason - you don't have to agree with all of them - and they form the basis for our insurance and our relationship with the CAA. Not adhering to them is serious as it constitutes an act of negligence: and you would be opened up to be sued (or possibly even criminal prosecution) in case of an accident. -- BASE #1182 Muff #3573 PFI #52; UK WSI #13 -
Flight Line check requirements (Was:) Fatality - Bridlington U.K.
Pendragon replied to cpoxon's topic in Safety and Training
This is why I prefer the system Weston uses, whereby you sign against yourself to certify that you've been checked. If someone else signs you off, an accident occurs to you and the AAD was found off, there could be implications for the person signing. AFAIK, only "B" licence holders and above are permitted to turn on their AAD under the BPA rules. Technically, and as Craig pointed out, "A" licence holders cannot just tell you that it's on - the "B" licence holder checking them has to see it. -- BASE #1182 Muff #3573 PFI #52; UK WSI #13 -
You can accelerate the process if you do the right kind of jumps. If you've got tens of tracking jumps making practice wingsuit pulls, keep a heading and know where you are, and have the ability to fly on your back and stop a rotation, you'll be more ready at 200 jumps than some people at 500. It's all relative. When you feel comfortable... -- BASE #1182 Muff #3573 PFI #52; UK WSI #13
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Try knee docks too, so you place your feet on your buddie's knees, and vice versa. -- BASE #1182 Muff #3573 PFI #52; UK WSI #13
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Since when is an S3 an intermediate suit..?
Pendragon replied to dragon2's topic in Wing Suit Flying
Agreed, although it depends on how current you are! You're just an enigma Yuri. -- BASE #1182 Muff #3573 PFI #52; UK WSI #13 -
Since when is an S3 an intermediate suit..?
Pendragon replied to dragon2's topic in Wing Suit Flying
Exactly. If the flyer doesn't have any problems with exit and deployment on a smaller suit, I don't think it needs that much to step up to an S3. 15-20 flights may even suffice. It really depends on the individual. An S1 OTOH, that's a different story. -- BASE #1182 Muff #3573 PFI #52; UK WSI #13 -
Read the thread... different countries, different rules! -- BASE #1182 Muff #3573 PFI #52; UK WSI #13