SurfFlite

You don't want to cork during the FF but obviously the dive has to come to an end eventually. Corking during the dive while everyone is falling at a higher rate of speed is dangerous. You should pre-plan out your breakoff altitude that way everyone tracks off (in different directions) at the same time. If you are in the middle of the FF and you feel unstable and about to cork you should stay small (ball up in the fetal position) so that your fall rate with the others on the dive stays the same. Stay small and try to get into either a stable sit, stand or head down position. The last thing you want to do is get big and arch, this will decelerate you from the 150-160 mph range down to the low 100's. Not good especially if someone happens to be right above you. Every skydiving student is trained to ARCH when they feel they are losing control of their skydive. But during a freefly, arching is a bad word. I suggest you practic not corking, balling up and recovering to a sit, stand or head down on a few solo jumps before getting in a group.

Just arch just like you were taught to do. A big arch will recover you from most anything. (Except an out of control spin on a skyboard, but even arching works there sometimes.) Of course if your audible is screaming at 1100 ft. just pull Kerry

10 sizes ships in 2 days super durable (honeycombed polycotton) can be worn in public (wuffo style) http://www.matterclothing.com/freeflypants.htm Kerry

It is made out of carbon fiber with an aluminum honeycomb core. It is basically a board with gullwings.It has a wingspan of 29 inches and is 50 inches tip to tail. It weighs less than 4 pounds. It locks you into a pretty stable trank but forget trying a henhouse on this thing. Kebe already has a red one. (board that is) Kerry

I'd like to see the wingsuit vs this board I designed. I have a "bigger" version in the works but I see no way to equal a winged suit short of reinventing the hang glider.

Email me your email address and I'll send you some information. or call me, 480-250-5289 Kerry Surf Flite-Skysurfing Equipment

Here is some data from test performed by Trent Alkek at Spaceland. More testing is currently ongoing. ****************************************** We used Lead Shot to fill it, since we were afraid it'd be slow. (lead shot in our first, pullup cord tailed ball fell at about 170mph with 1lb 6oz of weight. The diameter of the lead shot is just about 2mm, I'm not shure of the shot #, but it's small. Here's some more data: NORMAL PULLUP TAIL: Avg speed: 170mph (from pro track, TAS) Movement: small circles, about 3-4 feet wide. Tail length: stock, 8.5 inches Weight: 1lb 6oz CONE DROGUE TAIL: Avg Speed: About 110mph Movement:Prett wild spinnin, but seemed to be falling relatively straight. Weight: 1lb 4oz Only the skinniest guy on our team, with the longest arms and legs was able to catch it. Even then, it was a stretch. We got it though. ****************************************** Here's some results from our test with the regular ball: Tail Length: 7 3/8ths inch, standard pullup cord. Weight: 1lb 6.8oz Shot: Lead, 2mm diameter Average Fallrate: 170mph, maybe a bit more... hard to tell with the protrack Movement: Almost none. Fell very smoothly. Barely even had a rotation in the ball itself. Best setup yet. We're going to try to lighten the ball a bit and fill a little with sand to take up space. We'd like to get the fallrate to about 155. ****************************************** Just got down from testing the cone tail, shortened to 2" of line, not including the 4" cone itself. It flew fine for belly for about 3 seconds, then the cone caused severe wobbling, which turned into a helicopter spin, which slowed it WAAAAY down. We last saw it at about 10 grand. I apoligize that we lost the ball, but hope that the results of that test help you out. Here's some facts: Ball weight: 1lb 6.8oz White fabric length: 2 inches Cone length: 4 inches Shot: #9 lead Speed: Held at about 120 for a few seconds, then it was sub 100 we're guessing. So ball #1 is gone, but we landed with the rubber bands, so it deployed over unpopulated fields. ****************************************** Here's the latest. Ball Model: the Vladi-Saw (mesh screen washer) Tail Length: 7 3/8 inch Ball Weight: 1lb 7oz Shot size: #9 lead Average Speed: 155-160 mph (nice) Movement: It seems that there was a lot of different fallrates with this version. It would slow down and speed up sporadically moving a few feet horizontally as it did. ****************************************** Based on all the data (from above and others I've talked to) it appears that the optimum ball would be #9 lead mixed with sand ~3:1 ratio ,total ball weightwith a 7 3/8 tail ~ 1 lb. 4 ounces Kerry

Gary, I'm picking up the new tapes tonight and will send your out right away. Kerry

This place has 25 pound bags for $17.25 They also claim the record for the longest web address http://www.ballisticproducts.com/a1BPHome/t2-prodcatagories/Prod_components/t3components/Prod_Shot/t4-shot/lead/leadshot.htm As for filling the ball, a small dixie cup works well. Just squeeze it on the sides and pour it in the hole. You'll lose a few but if you put a towel down the stuff doesn't get all over Kerry

Here is some info, straight out of the owners manual. ***TIPS Number 8, 9 or 10 steel shot (bird shot used for reloading shotgun shells) with a 3-8" tail has been proven to work well with most freefly work. Trying to place weighted objects in Vladiball that exceed .100 in diameter will defeat the purpose of this product. Decreasing the mass of the ball by changing its payload may also slow the fall rate of the ball. Vladiball flys best when completely full of the weight media used. A half full ball will fly unstable. Sand is too light of density even for belly flying. However mixing lead and steel shot or shot and other weighted "ground safe" fillers call slow down the fall rate. If Vladiball weighs less than 0.97 lbs. it will be too slow to jump. The freefly Vladiball weighs 1.8 lbs. Most well supplied sportsman gunshops carry shot in 25lb. bags for around $16. (about 64 cents worth will fill the ball) Or search online under Steel Shot" Vladimir is also creating some "attachments" that will go where the cone cap that holds the pull up cord tail is now. They will serve 2 purposes, 1 to slow the ball down and 2, to make the ball less likley to move around. I should be getting those for testing in a week or so. Kerry

The ball with the pin engaged is not as fragile to squeezing as when the pin is not engaged and just the rubberband is around it. Give it a try. If you watch the locking holes in the ball as you squeeze it without the pin engaged you will see the holes misalign. When the pin is in the holes engaged the ball becomes very rigid, more than you would think. The supplied rubberband will hold the full ball closed. There is already a new beefier model in the works. It's all part of the ongoing product developement. Your right, it is a new product. I'm not sure how much testing should be required before going into production but Vladimir felt that 25-30 test jumps was good. Obviously there will be negative feedback but we think this thing is a good idea and will only improve over time. The main issue is it does not present the opportunity to kill or mame people or property. The theory is great!! The owners manual does recommend not flying the ball beyond your capabilities. But that very first jump who knows what will happen, even Omar was leary that the ball would fall too fast. Look what happens of you are off timing on an exit, the other guys/girls leave you behind and you can never catch them. The ball was tested, many times, (with video) but it was Omar who tested it so maybe his flying skills prevented him from ever loosing the ball intentionally. He liked it and the occilation issue was not present on his jumps except when we tried long tails. I beleive this problem is related to the tail length and the tail not coming out of the cone cap straight, we did notice more movement with longer tails over 8". The pullup cord tail must come out of the cone shaped cap straight. If you dangle an emprty ball by its tail you can tell if it is out straight, if not the ball will hang canted slightly. Be sure it hangs straight. Nowhere, does the manufacturer claim the the ball with withstand opening and falling to the ground entact. The most reuses we were able to accomplish in testing was 3 but we did have a couple that only withstood 1 opening and the hinge broke.The plastic ball is light for safety reasons. They could have made it out of metal but that would have defeated the purpose. A beefier hinge area is in the works also. It is ok the fill the ball with the shot and also to mix in some sand or other filler to lighten the ball to slow it down. But the ball will move a lot more if you do not completely fill the sphere. See tips section of owners manual. The filler hole in the ball is small for a reason, so you don't try to stuff large objects in the ball for weight. Lastly, I reiterate, I am not the designer or manufacturer, but I am interested in assisting Vladimir in making this thing work. I am sure that this ball will evolve and there will be definate improvements. Your feedback, negative or positive, is a great help in achieving these goals. Thanks. NEWSFLASH!!!!! I sold Surf Flite last week. There should be a big announcement coming up in a future magazine issue. The new owner is James Browning from Tampa, FL. I will still be the guy who phyisically builds the boards but James will be the new man with the plan. This move will only help the skysurfing community, look for lots of new and exciting news from Surf Flite in the near future!!! The Vladiball website has been relocated to www.vladiball.com Kerry

Something like this. Set your audible so that you are catching the ball at 6000-5500 ft. Catch ball (*maybe a left handed catch) *Put ball in left hand (if you pull right handed) Deploy just like you always do. You are now under canopy floating to earth.(Obviously a parachute malfunction could cause you to drop the ball but at least it is not that tennis ball) The rubber band that you removed before flight and stowed around 2-3 fingers can now be placed back on the ball to hold it closed. Put it in your pocket. Fly your canopy to where ever it is you fly it. Very easy to accomplish.

At Skydive Arizona they have designated a ball drop area. It is at the south side of the DZ out past the student landing. You can easily make it back to the main landing area after your jump. Every test jump was made out in this area. There were people on the ground looking up at the test balls. Balls were dropped from just over 2000 ft simulating a ball that accidentally falls from your hand as you stow it. Balls were set to open at 3500 feet and filmed as they opened. Balls were set to open at 6000 ft. All the while there are people on the ground intentionally looking up (granted we were nervous people) These test were each performed many times. The plastic ball assembly landed pretty much straight down from where it was dropped everytime. The shot was so scattered that only a couple of shot even hit anyone and only a few could actually be found or heard at all. I'd say you would be much more likley to be hit in the eye with bird crap than have something like this taking you out. It will be up to each individual DZ to decide if this ball will work. Only time will tell. Kerry

Try it now. http://www.surfflite.com/vladiball.html Kerry

Patent # P-295/01 It is a Yugoslavian patent. International patent is pending. I am not the inventor of the Vladiball. I am the sole US distributor. Kerry

Yep, charts we have. Also I would like to take this moment to appologize to all the lead heads. I was assuming that it was lead shot. We bought the shot at a hunting store and after hearing all the anti lead comments I read the damn bag and it is LEAD FREE. You can all spleep well now.

DUCKEY: So far it is approved to jump at Skydive Dallas, Skydive Archway and Skydive Arizona (the official home of the Vladiball) These are the only DZ's we have approached so far. Brian Burke among others is writting up an article for Skydiving Magazine and several overseas magazines. There will be pictures and details about its operation in the article. Everyone at SD AZ are pretty excited about this thing. They bought 5 yesterday for the DZ. ZENISTER: Each ball comes with an extensive owners manual and an "Instruction for Use" booklet. Also each customer must provide there skydiving experience prior to the sale. COBALTDAN: Tell Stane & Robert hi from Vladimir (he is the inventor of this) Kerry

Yea, your right it is a mechanical device and it could fail. As for tests. We have done lots of tests. I can say that all the test have been successful. We have tried everytime to make it fail, so far no luck. Who knows maybe someday it will fail. I would guess that it would be the result of human error though. If for instance you do not tighten the calibrated chamber enough and it leaks. But if it leaks then the lock device would not be visible at exit time. This final check is part of the "Instruction of Use" that comes with the ball. If the locking device is not in the correct position you should put it in your pocket and abort the ball jump. Introductory Price $60 Kerry

Also keep in mind that Keith Snyder is a world class athlete that has 1000's of board jumps. It is recommended that skysurfers use a canopy that has two important characteristics. Soft sniveling openings and canopies that are not as suseptable to line twists. There could be that day when your canopy deploys while you are still rotating and a high performance, high wing loaded elliptical canopy would not help the situation. Kerry

The recovery chute was thought of but the problem is that the ball assembly would be too large and the sales price would exceed $350. Besides the fact that a "drag chute" would still not slow the ball down enough to prevent injury or property damage. As for the pocket full of lead shot, we have a stow pouch or Vladiball sack. Basically, you catch the ball, put it in your left hand and deploy. After you are under canopy you can place a rubberband around the ball and stow it away in your ballsack or pocket.

People flying head down fall at 160mph not lead shot that is .020 in diameter. We have stood underneath it and let it "rain" down. We have even let the plastic assembly fall on our heads. It doesn't hurt, take it from me, one of the crash test dummies.This ball has been in the works for 3 years. It is safe and it works everytime. From 1800ft to the ground the lead shot is pretty sparce. Maybe spread out over a 200-300 yard area. Keep in mind the objective here is not to let the ball get away. It just happens to have a deployment device just in case you do not catch the ball. I would imagine that the amount of lead shot escaping from these skyballs is pale in comparison to the amount of shotgun lead that is skattered around the world. After all each time you fire the gun lead comes out. Unless of course you plan on just tossing the ball out and after you are done with it just letting it open. Same kind of people who rely on their Cypres I guess. We have already received approval from Larry Hill & Brian Burke at Skydive Arizona. All Larry asked is that we designate a ball drop area and the ball jumpers are 1st out. Trust me, we have tested the shit out of this ball and the falling parts WILL NOT harm those on the ground. There is no way possible that this ball will not function as designed as it operates on a very basic scientific theory. Kerry

There is a new skyball available that is deisigned to dump the weight if it is not caught. The Vladiball freefall toy is made from very durable plastic and carries #8 or #10 lead shot as it's payload.It is a very simple design that calibrates itself to any DZ's altitude. In a nutshell it has a hermetically sealed chamber that calibrates to any DZ, a "realtime" air chamber that senses pressure at any altitude up to 17,000 ft. and a diaphram that seperates these 2 chambers. This diaphram drives a needle that locks and unlocks the balls payload. The balls are each individually calibarated at the factory in a pressure chamber. They are set to open at 1800 ft +/-200ft. The ball has been patented. As of 11/22/02 it is legal to jump at Skydive Arizona, Skydive Dallas and Skydive Archway. It should make skyballs legal at any DZ. The lead shot dissipates and it is harmless to those on the ground and the empty pastic ball assembly weighs about the same as a plastic cup. I didn't intend on this sounding like a sales ad even though it does, just wanted to let everyone know about this new product. It is definately 1 of the best skydiving inventions to come along a while. For more info email me or call. ph:480-288-1557 m:480-250-5289 Kerry

What, "high rate of deaths?" Am I missing something? I know of only 2 skysurf related deaths in the last 10 years. 1 of those was on a homemade board. However there have been a couple of skydivers who happen to have been great skysurfers that have died. But they weren't on boards at the time. Sorry to vent but this high rate of deaths for skysurfers is just not true. Training? try http://www.surfflite.com/school.html Keith has the best training program going. Don't forget to check out the shortboard competion coming up at Skydive Arizona in December. Cash prizes for beginner board jumpers. Check the "events" section here at DZ.com for more information. Kerry

I've seen belly deployments on "intermediate" length boards. If you are big (no insult intended) enough to be on a 48" board then that is the size board you should try. The boards length is all relative to your size. A 48" board is probably too long for say a 5' 5" , 140 lb. person just getting started. But in proportion to a 6'1", 200 lb. person it isn't that bad. The length to weight chart isn't written in stone, you can go shorter but these ratio's have been tryed and tested over time and we know they are safe. You would probably have no problems deploying on a 40" standing up 99 out of 100 times but it's that 1 time that could get you. BTW, I am recovering well from the accident. I have had the clamshell brace off for about 6 weeks now. I went to the doc last week and was told I am in the top 5% and recovering well. Originally he told me I could never jump again, but last week he hinted around that maybe I can in another 8-10 months. I went to the DZ yesterday and felt like a fish out of water. Got to see a few freinds though and had fun. Best regards, Kerry

Here is the general rule of thumb relating exit weights to stand up deployments on boards. This will assure a soft/normal opening. Packing your chute to snivel 500-800 ft. also helps considerably. Exit Weight (lbs.) Recommended Board Length Less than 135 42"min length 136-185 45"min length 186+ 48"min length Beginner boards usually require a belly to earth deployment but if you are very small (like Brittany) you could deploy in a stand up but I wouldn't go there unless you are in the 75-105 pound exit weight range. Kerry Surf Flite-Skysurfing Equipment (and wakeboards too) Kerry