skytribe

They seemed to be pretty popular canopies up in the Pacific Northwest. I know of at least 5 of them at my DZ. I seem to recall (and I may be mistaken that they came out after a partnership between NZ Aerosports, CIMSA and Precision to build canopies. Ultimately resulting in Icarus canopies.) Precision then turned out tandem canopies and Xaos canopies which looked similar albeit slightly different to the Icarus tandem canopies and FX/VX canopies. I believe they did develop the Xaos a bit from the FX/VX series (it wasnt just a direct copy) and at one point offering a retro-fit for VX canopies. That being said, having seen them being jumped they are high performance canopies in the same category as the FX/VX canopies from NZ Aerosports/Icarus. The performance is similar.

Agreed, I think these are all variations on a theme and all are better solutions than a bit of line fingertrapped around the fastex clip. This would probably work MOST of the time but I'd rather have a solution that will work ALL of the time.

The cutaway works by using a cloth loop and grommet just like the top loop on a 3 ring release. The fastex clip is secured via this cloth loop. We have tested with high loads on the strap and found it released every time with the handle only having to be moved a couple of inches. The handle is securely attached to the helmet between the shell and the liner. Whereas other solutions I've seen depend upon the action of the fastex clip being squeezed to release, this simply disconnects the clip altogether.

After some jumpers mentioned the cutaway and seeing some of the simple solutions. Myself and another rigger at DZ have built a nice cutaway system for G3. Rather than depending upon the action of the fastex clip to other implementations, this design will disconnect the chin strap completely on one side of the G3 and the helmet comes off cleanly. The cutaway handle is kept nicely in place and take 5 minutes to install. PM for more info.

Something very strange going on over there as I have something that has been on backorder with a dealer of there's since October. All sorts of excuses with supply, materials, delay in ports but it seemed to be the same excuses they are giving all there dealers. There customer service appears to be distinctly lacking...

For the 10R there is also an adapter cable that allows you to use a standard headphone so you can just use ear bud headphones of your choice rather than the speakers. Its around 6 bucks.

10R work just great for CRW and wingsuit. The 20 allows more than 5 to be paired but the 10R are smaller units.

and tandem skysurfing.

Buying headgear is not the same as buying something like an altimeter/hook knife. The shape of everyone's head is different. You may find someone with the same measurement and have a completely different shaped head than yours. Hence its a sizing GUIDE !!! Without trying one on then its always going to be a crap shoot. What's the rush ?, go to DZ as the helmet is a very popular one and I'm sure there are a couple of people with them that you may try on. Or wait until you go to a DZ with a good gear shop and demo a few helmets. You can try different helmets until you find one that is suitable. That's the only real way you can determine its fit for you. G3 are know to be sized on the small side. So you may be ordering a larger size than you think. And once you put audibles in and depending upon you hair state (long/tied etc.) all will effect how it feels.

How about find someone with a XL and try that if you think that the guys at Cookie are going to give you bad advice with there sizing chart. The shape of your head as well as size is important on a good fit. So finding one of your friends to try there helmet is probably the best bit of advice. Just to note that Cookie sizing chart is normally good advice to use. They make the helmets.

Have been waiting for order for a couple of Benny helmets in a specific color and now have been on order for 2 - 2.5 months and I'm told it will be another 3 weeks. They have been telling the dealer that supply of materials is problematic for the matt finishes but really months delay in production seems rather a major issue - perhaps they should find another supplier if that is the problem. Anyone else experiencing issues with Sky Systems.

I believe that most containers are OK. Racers cannot as no 2 pin version. Mirage, UPT, Wings, Javelin, RI (Talon, voodoo, curve), VSE Infinity, Aerodyne Icon are all approved. Other orphaned containers such as Reflex, Eclipse do not say approved or disproved so I would guess its up to the rigger to determine compatibility which should be a non issue if it is already set up for cypres.

I simply send pictures of there reserve being packed at various check stages. This includes for PD reserves showing the data panel correctly marked. My pet peeve is riggers not marking the panel. Whether intentional or not it should be done as per manufacturer instructions. Seeing this not done leads me to the conclusion the rigger is not following instructions or has paper packed it. Additional items in the pack job only available when rig is unpacked doesn't stop people paper packing a reserve. I believe a modified pocket only accessible from the inside but visible to the outside is a great idea.

Sometimes people are well ahead of the curve and can handle the increased performance. That being said, these are rare indeed and newer jumpers often underestimate there lack of skills. Brian is probably a good source of information on the canopy itself and the suitability for experience level under such a canopy. He is a great guy for giving advice on canopy suitability for experience levels. He saw what was occurring and started running canopy coaching classes which are some of the best. Watching people downsize and think they can handle it for something to happen that results in them smashing themselves up or killing themselves is not pleasurable for anyone. The dropzone I jump at this year instigated a policy with regard to canopy wingloadings and shapes trying to guide people in the appropriate direction. I believe its 500 jumps to jump a fully elliptical canopy now. Some people didn't like it but most understood the reasoning. Having an experienced tunnel flyer kill themselves landing under a canopy that he could handle on good condition days didn't help him much on the fateful day he turned too low to the ground and killed himself. Look at what experience level and loadings the manufacturers recommend. Realize a canopy is cheap compared to a hospital stay and 6 months rehabbing.

Sounds like more than just Chapter 11 for the DZ at Cross Keys. http://www.philly.com/philly/news/new_jersey/20141014_N_J__skydiving_firm_files_for_bankruptcy_reorganization.html Didn't he sell Sussex in the last year as well ? Didn't he have a falling out with his business partner as well involving one suing the other ? Its a shame as I worked there for 10 years and it really looks like a shadow of its former self.

Hat Shoppe still exists, which I ordered through paragear. They have some in stock but can do custom which took about 3 weeks for my replacement hat in August.

I mostly do the same thing, many jumpers do not appreciate that I too am in the firing line. I am a professional and follow the manufacturers training and requirements. My belief is a professional instructor should have no problems saying No to requests whether to strangers or friends if they don't meet the requirements, in a manner which conveys or desire to make this a safe experience and act in a professional manner. If you meet the requirements and we discuss this beforehand then it may be possible.

Genius ...

CRW with microlines can involve deep cuts even outside of an entanglement scenario. I'd personally had them when playing around with microlined triathlons many years ago, wont make that mistake again. As said, you can do CRW on anything. As to whether its a good thing. Its hard on gear, the compatibility of a pilot with other canopies is not good, the pilot doesn't have retract system so more chance of pilot chute entanglements. 9 cell aspect ratios also mean glide is normally significantly different. So basically its possible but the risks are increased. If you want to do CRW get a CRW canopy as you will have less issues.

Just shipped back a protrack that had the screen broken by a hard opening with head pinched between risers on a tandem Sent back to Denmark but just got a email too old to repair. This one I've only owned for probably 3.5 years. So I now have a protrack that I cant change altitudes. This is the 2nd one I've had. So not as impressed with customer service this time - albeit the product and service in the past has been good.

.......................... Simple! If you sell:harness, reserve and AAD separately, send photo-copies of the packing data card with each component. Agreed if you sell either harness or reserve separately that a copy should be sent. But what does the original go with ? From you comment about traditionally it went with the reserve I would think this would continue. Either way a copy is better than nothing and then at least you have a more complete history.

Each to there own opinion that's what makes discussion. I personally don't care what you jump that's your personal choice.

I have more than once returned 20-year-old canopies to PD that I know had more than 40 packs and more than 25 jumps. They came back with data panels for 40 more packs and 25 more jumps. When those panels are full, those canopies will have been in service for more than 40 years. I think you are mistaken about it about being planned obsolescence, and I think the DPRE was mistaken about the data being collected to justify a 20-year service life. MCordell, I think you have a opinion which is a strange misconception about recertifying and obsolescence. The 40 repack / 25 year is about ensuring that the product is still in good enough shape to be considered airworthy by the manufacturer. 20 years in the field can be a hard life for canopies. Maybe not all canopies. To think that at 40 repacks, PD just tells you its done.... Shows an extremely low opinion of PD as a company or there products. I don't work for PD but do consider there products and customer service to be great. I don't see any problem with recertification as it helps protect me as a rigger from the potential of criticism for packing older equipment (because the manufacturer has recertified it) and helps the customer determine that their reserve is in good shape as well by the manufacturer many years after it was produced. For this to occur the full history of the canopy needs to be evident - hence the need for the packing data card with the reserve and the data panel to be correctly marked. It annoys the crap out of my when riggers either pencil pack or don't mark the panel (Intentionally or not).

To get the definitive answer as them directly. If its similar to the 40 repack PD requirement it would mean sending it back to them or approved service center for recertification. They put this requirement in there manual so they obviously had a reason for doing this. As none of my customers with smart reserves are anywhere near this limit it is a moot point for now but knowing the definitive answer would be good information.

Shlomo is normally bang on the money when it comes to these matters. http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=1888256;search_string=20%20year%20reserve%20%2B%20pd%20reserve;#1888256 Should give you a few more manufacturers that have specific requirements when having the historical record on the card is extremely useful.