weid14

you'll get harder openings at higher altitudes, I really noticed this at Eloy, which is about 1400 feet higher than the DZ's I ususally jump at (the plus side is the swoops are longer). that may be part of teh reason.... isnt' "slowing down to terminal" kind of an oxymoron

a woman's center of gravity is typically an inch lower than a man's, not that much of a difference in this situation.

well, guess what -- a chest high arch isn't necessarily a bad thing, especially for flying in the mantis position, a weight belt lets you actually wear less weight, and does put it at your CG (well close enough anyway). With a vest you put weight out further (put one point on a piece of paper, draw circles of varying diameter, physics dictates that, weight further from the middle will have more momentum) and it takes more effort (input) to stop any move (stopping just as important as starting and an often over looked skill). give one a try, I think you'll like it. my terammate went down 6 pounds going to a belt vs a vest.

well, I say go 12 rounds!!!! teh FAI can't seem to complete a competition in less than 5 days (10 rounds), but yet Eloy and Perris were able to complete a much larger meet 4,8,10 and 16 way in about teh same time, go figure. I agree with the french guys, with the addition of the black hole as a random (Tim's suggestion). The french proposal eliminates potential triple blocks, while slowing the draw a bit. Apparently the FAI want's to slow the dives to make them easier to judge (my response would be to train the judges better, but whatever). As teams get faster and faster, the formations get harder to judge (39 points in 35 seconds is the current world record, that's a lot of button pushing quickly). The french propose 18 randloms and 22 blocks, deleting the ones that make the most sense and adding a couple new ones. The FAI also thinks that shortening the meet to 7 rounds would make it appeal better to the media and public in general. the opposite opion resides with most (all) competitors. shoot, how many 4 or 8 way meets were decided in rounds 8,9 or 10.... many! Better organization is the key. Dont' penalize the competitors. wow, sorry about the soapbox, but I really like 4way and competition

if you get weights, dont' get a vest, get a belt.... Shannonpiltcher.com and leadbelly are both really good (Shannon's is a bit better design).

I've caried my rig on board many times this summer/fall.... use a gear bag and DO NOT make a big deal out of it. wearing your rig around is not a good idea, for a variety of reasons (peole grabbing handles, kids w/ice cream, potential random cigarettes, etc.), and esp when checking in to an airport. you want to carry it on, get a gearbag. It is ultimately up to the pilot of the aircraft whether or not it gets on board. not security, not ticket counter, not gate agent. it's best to be as "normal" as possible. Remember, it only takes one person to ruin it for the rest, don't let it be you. (some moron one day decided to repack his main right in the waiting area.... guess who didn't get on board)

saturday afternoon?

whatcha doing sunday afternoon?

A friend of mine bought a Jedi new (this was a few years ago), and the DZO jumped it (very good canopy pilot), when the DZO jumped it, if he let go of the toggles, an immediate right hand (not so subtle) turn. when the owner jumped it -- no instance of a turn, very strange.

hmmm, I would think short brake lines would cause more unconservative type problems -- like bow tying the canopy at full flair.

in reply to: What's the best kind of flair for it? ummmm... one that works

it's like one of those chinese thingys, if you take a close look at your lines, you'll notice they are hollow, you can spread the fibers out and fish something back up into the middle of them, when tension is applied, it is held solidly in there. Of course, if the line isn't trimmed properly before said finger trap is made, a stress riser can be introduced into that area, making it more prone to breaking (yes, it happened to me on my first canopy, broke the center lines right below the A/B cascade, I actually still have the broken lines at home somewhere) -- it was old, but a rigger who worked at the manufacturer knew exactly what happend. that was reserve ride #2.

that's cause you have one of those fancy new tiny little Unisyn containers....

that is probably an "M zero" as in size of container, fitting a certain size main and reserve. Give them a call, Bill will tell you everything you need to know.

If you do decide that is the way to go, remove any attachment points for goggles. These can snag lines, which would be a non-friendly scenrio.

and for some strange reason she is pinning part of the blame on me AND I wasn't even there for that event!

they were educated guesses about wear and tear, but that was when silk was around and then there was that little acid mesh problem. I know a rigger who had gone two years on his own gear (and had a reserve ride on it) with modern equipment. The scenerios you describe, if they happened to a reserve, would really involve some extraordinary cicumstances. A main, well, there's really no regulation on them, right? I'm all in favor of at least a 6 month repack cycle. Keeping your customers alive is a good thing!

soooooooo, you going to be at the DZ this weekend? hmmmmm? no statute of limitations...... maybe I'll go buy a nice cream pie and leave it by the window for a day or so and mosey on out to DeLand this weekend!

sorry, there is no statute of limitations on pie, however, once the deed has been completed, and you were to pie someone again, you inherit really BAD pie karma that WILL come back and get you when appropriate. Pay your money, take your chances....

Golden Knights won Open, PD Blue came in second and Nemsis took the bronze. In intermediate, Xodus was first, Verical Junction second, and Opening Shock third.... I can't remember the results of the swoop meet or accuracy.

probably casue Kurt was way busy on Sunday... I'm sure he'll have a write up on Tuesday about the event. There will be a show on Sunshine network, too -- probably early December. Thanks!

well, the beer will be later, we ended really close to sunset and I had a two hour drive, plus they (the event host) started getting upset when folks started carting in cases of beer for the 100 ways. :) There is no statute of limitations on beer.... :)

I'm sure yoou'll hear about it form kate, but they rocked.... did like 11 multiple point 100 ways. everyone landed with a BIG grin after each jump, there was some serious talent there.

he's South African, but lives in DeLand (has either a green card or citizenship now, I'm not quite sure)

got it -- 11 point 4 way in time on competition round 9 yesterday at the NSL finals. yes I got pied, yes I stunk like sour milk for 2 hour drive home. it was quite ingenious the way they got us too (three of us on the same team hit the milestone this weekend). BTW, if you haven't been to Fanasty of flight south of Orland -- it's really cool (ok, I'm a guy and like that sort of thing).