StearmanR985

Yep, I have Billvons list at home and I actually use it too. I found it MOST helpful. The only thing left for me to work on is the rear riser landing itself which is on my list for this coming weekend. Also, I will be incorporating some very gentle carving with fronts as well as part of my landing. Oh, and hillside landings, we have no hills here.... Thanks JP, Jeff

This is another excellent point. This is why it is important that the low timer should ask people he/she trusts (and that know their abilities) before actually making the decision to downsize. A serious question for you JP; What are the justifiable reasons a person should downsize? We can take this to PM if that would be better. Jeff

Well Ian, You said it yourself in an earlier post. The guy came with you on a 14K H & P and was very receptive to input so long as it was not to upsize. Some people just can't stand hearing "You can't/shouldn't be doing that." Yet some of these very same people are ALL ears when someone tells them HOW to do it and how to do it CORRECTLY. Basically, I just wanted to commend those that, though they may not agree with an individuals choices, they help them out anyway by giving useful tips and information. Jeff

No worries, I have been consulting with a couple of coaches/instructors at the DZ regarding my downsizing issues. I have been advised that if I continue to fly in the same manner I do now, I will be fine. I just wanted to show the percpective from the other side, as a newbie. Advice on waiting to downsize may be noted but not followed by some. With that being the case, advice and instruction on flying the smaller canopy may be more valuable than you realize. I will use myself as an example, you could talk to me until your blue in face about not downsizing and I probably won't listen (unless the demo doesn't work out too well ). However, tell me that the canopy I have chosen is a bit aggressive and that I need to be careful followed by offering me advice how to PROPERLY fly it, I guarentee I will listen to every word you say. And if your advice pays off you may just have a new best friend.....Whether you want one or not. I do thank you for your concern though, yes I really mean it.

Ian, I did not mean to imply that you condoned his choice. On the contrary, you voiced your opinion that you felt his choice was not wise. But instead of just walking away you took the time to help him.

This is actually an excellent point of view. I am quite new to the sport and am looking to downsize very shortly. I have a Sabre2 demo on the way (hopefully). I am not looking to hear "OMG WTF are you thinking?" What people like me ARE looking for is advice/instruction on how to properly and safely fly our new canopies. Can't some of us 'low timers' make a SEMI aggressive canopy choice but still be safe? I would like to think with proper instruction and flying conservativley as our skills improve the answer would be yes. Jeff

Hey Gravity, I like the idea of being able to keep the Sabre 2 for two weeks. That way I can put a dozen or so jumps on it. However, you have a Pilot 170 available for demo? I would be very interested in demo jumping that particular canopy as well. Would that demo be free for a day?

I where a helmet when I am doing RW with more than one other person otherwise I do not. I will not jump without a cypres. Jeff

It is done. I changed my demo to a 170, well I left a message anyway. Thanks for the help. Oh, and I will be breaking that nasty double front approach habit with the Sabre 2(for now). Jeff

Hmm, something to think about. I could demo a 170 for two weeks and if I liked it I could then order the 150. Definetly something to think about. Thanks

AggieDave, Sounds like good advice, I will have to check what our policy is on clear and pulls up that high. Thanks.

Hello all, I am currently jumping a Tri 175 and I am looking for helpful "Inside Information" on what to expect, what to be careful of and any other information when my demo Sabre 2 150 arrives in a few weeks. I realize that the canopies are quite different and that this is a fairly aggressive upgrade and I want to keep it safe. I am planning on pulling high (6-6.5K w/DZO's permission) to work with the canopy as much as possible at altitude. I will be doing my standard straight in approach and landing. All constructive advice will be appreciated, Jeffrey

ROFLMAO I know the feeling.....

You mean your pilot will normally slow down for you? They don't slow down the Beech 99 over here for us period. I was told, " At 3k GTF out and stay down so ya don't hit your head on the tail and ruin the ride for everyone else!" But talk about a cheap thrill! Jeff

I am escaping work this afternoon!! Whether they like it or not!! You are welcome over here in Lodi ChopChop. There will be a few of us out there later today. That is just in case no one wants to take the afternoon off to go with ya to Byron. Regardless, GO HAVE SOME FUN!!!! Jeff

emallin, Yep, I have worked on flat turn landings. I have practiced flat turns up high several times and I have landed a flat turn twice for practice as well. Probably still need some work though as I slid (like baseball) both of those landings. I was coming in just awkward enough that I couldn't quite stand them up. Thanks and have a great day.

Yep, I said it....FIRST. And it was awesome!!!!! The pilot hovered for us at 8K, I went out backwards, got to geek the camera (thx Ed) as I fell back. Very bad ass watching the chopper as I fell away. I loved every second of it. It was the one of the coolest things I have ever done. I am going to pat myself on the back here as I did NOT flail while falling away. I was pretty worried about it on the ride up. Speaking of which that was cool too, no doors on either side, great view. the pilot did an excellent job, got us to altitude pretty quick and kept the flight quite smooth. I owe BEER!!! Well, 2 cases actually as I made my FIRST jump from a Super Twin Otter (very comfy plane) on Saturday as well. Damn, ya gotta love Lodi. Ed, I HATE YOU for encouraging me in this skydiving thing!!!! I have NO money, I sold my motorcycle, I am trying to sell my bicycle and as of today (if the guy shows up) my truck is sold!! Why? So I can buy more skydiving stuff (yes an RW suit, jeez) and many more jump tickets. BTW, I want to thank for continuing to push me along in this sport. I am LOVING every second of it!! And that's the truth. 66 and a still going.....

For the most part I feel the same way skip, I don't get the same rush that a lot of people do. Skydiving is just A LOT of plain old fun to me. I also find it to be very challenging when trying to learn new things. I will say that jumping from a chopper was quite a rush though. Going out backwards and 'falling' was SWEET!!! Jeff

FUCK THE CORPORATE WORLD OF AMERICA!!!!!!!!!

I always do. But, while I am trying to hide from work during the week , I have found DZ.com a great place to get ideas from. Thanks for your input, I appreciate it. Jeff

You hit the nail on the head in regards to receiving grief about learning 'extra' canopy control techniques when your still new and have a low jump numbers. I too have received some grief for wanting to learn do new things with my canopy. But I learned rather quickly to filter through the nay sayers to find those with valuable information. There are definetly people out there willing to help one learn while still maintaining safety as the number one priority (my JM Ed is one of them ). As a fellow newbie, glad you learned some cool stuff!! Jeff

This is a good topic. My DZ does not offer any canopy specific training that I am aware of. Other than the basic AFF stuff of course. As a newbie though, I can and have gone up to my DZO and asked for advice. Providing the DZ is not too busy he will even come out and watch me and make sure I am doing it right. I also go to my instructor for specific canopy advice as well. At my DZ, you are pretty much left on your own after you graduate but if you ask for help, you will receive it. There are several people here that are quite knowledgable and willing to advise. You just have to kind of seek for the help, but it is always there. Jeff

Hello NeedToJump, Not trying to hijack your thread Cielo, but my canopy seems to require quite a bit of front riser pressure to get results. I find NeedToJump's suggestion interesting. So if you use a bit of brakes then go to front risers how will this affect canopy speed as compared to using fronts only on approach? Will this style affect the sink rate differently as well? Jeff

Relative work huh........LOL BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! Whew, I needed a good laugh today, BADLY!!