piahenzi

yes yes yes !!! 8 am wheels up please ... I need ALL the practice I can get I'll be driving up Thursday afternoon from Orlando. I think the hotel scene pretty limited around DZ. I am booked at a Marriott Fairfield Inn abt. 17 miles frm DZ.

A bit off topic but specific reply to NickDG....If it wasn't for the tandem progression, this skydiver would not be in the sport and wld have missed out on the time of her life. I for one, am grateful to Tandem progression which made it possible for me to overcome so many obstacles.

.... Looks terrific!!! you KNOW if I can swing the work part I will be there so that VIP can stand for Very Improved Pilot :)

absolutely! It's still on risers ... but you'll owe me a pack job :)

I will happily give up some bottom end flare (which I did notice as well) and have more "unpredictable" openings for the trade off of no/lo front riser pressure and a dive that won't quit until I am ready for it to after fighting the Stiletto and the Crossfires for years. Again, I only have 15 jumps on her so it's hard to make any real definitive comments but FIRST impressions are that it's exactly the right step for me right now on the way to the big boy canopy and I am willing to give up some creature comforts for what I am gaining. I'll make an analogy for you: with cars, the sportier the car, the tighter the suspension, the lower profile the tires and the more twitchy the response from steering/power input and input from the road conditions... you have to give up one thing to get another... it's personal preference as to how far you are willing to go in one direction or another. I prefered the Katana after the first jump. I gotta tell you I howled up there at 10K when I just pulled those fronts down to my waist and held them. Anyway, I've got a long way to go before I dial this one in but it will be time well spent and the other Crossfire2 that I still have might have to go on the block sooner than expected....

Money well spent.

I've only got 15 or so jumps on mine but it does appear that more so than any other canopy so far, packing is a big deal - body position even more so - even if you double or single stow the rubber bands seems to make a difference.... (maybe that's just me but it certainly feels that way). body position at pitching pc as well as keeping even in harness during opening sequence a must ( feet and knees together) ... Mine definitely has a turn if I am not square/even in harness. She has already let me know when she is not happy with me ... so I am learning to behave and obey her rules.

Poster Morris has shared some detailed thoughts on these slow 90's as a building block in the progression to larger turns with me. I am sure he will respond to this thread in detail directly .... just wait

so, again, my point is that a 170 which I was flying would indeed be VERY boring for a Velo 84 pilot (or Katana 97)... anyway you slice it....there's just no really swooping that one...

Definitely a reread type of book. Things that were "huh???" at 100 jumps are , "oh, yeah!!!"

...let's read carefully before reply posting..... the operative words in my post are "BIG ASS"... I have indeed seen some impressive swoopage under higher loaded Spectres.. that cannot be denied ...

comparing my Crossfire 99 to Katana 97 - yes, significant difference in full flight. Have not had enough time under it to really test with inputs but from what I've heard, "it's not your Father's Oldsmobile...." and at first flight, I'd have to agree

Awesome!!! I'd probably wake up in a cold sweat if I ever had to waste good canopy time under a big ass Spectre again, even in a dream....

No thanks - just moved on to a Katana 97. I am over not being able to land the Spectre

I had a spectre 170 right after student status - coming off the Manta (??) 190. I loaded this 170 at 0.9 or so and could not land that thing for my life. I smacked /plf'd about 50 or so landings, switched over to Sabre 150/ learned the 2 stage flare and the rest is history. I know there are fans of the Spectre out there but I am not one of them.

I've definitely found having a digital wristmount alti beneficial over the analog while learning to correct my set up /points - this a recent development for me and a huge help. I use the Neptune & Neptune Wave for audibles... also find that I like the last beep a little high - gives me time to take that deep breath At the end of the day tho, deciding whether I am good or too low, do I have to abort/change rate of turn is all eyeball - as much faith as I put in the technology, there's just no place for blind faith. I also have an Optima for my other helmet but can't find anyone to program it for me I will buy a LOT of beer for anyone that will take the time ( I HATE schematic manuals. :) HELP! As an aside, I do go to the Women's Forum from time to time and there I found a poll as to who can fold fitted sheets AND knows how to pack a parachute...hmmmm. .. which forum do you guys think I visit more often BTW- I can do both

I think you will find very few canoy pilots who will agree with this point of view...keep an open mind to the responses you have had here.

Good to see you Laci! Check u at the Ranch!

I'll be seeing Laszlo in Florida tonight. I'll have him check the forum and reply to you with his options.

When are you coming back to NY??

yes, he IS the MAN!!

We have a bunch of tandem video shooting with the Kodak V705 or V505 - not quite sure about the exact model nos but you can search along those lines. I know that Kodak has discontinued these models on retail level, but you can find them on ebay. One of our cam guys on our DZ modifies them for bite switch. Wide angle, flash, 5 or 7 MB depending on model. Light weight, etc. Seems to work for them. I am sure there are naysayers to everything including these choices but for the investment ( approx $285 modified), it's a pretty sweet return. DSE - I am ready for the thrashing

me tooo me toooo!!!!

... I know what people say behind my back... just checking

In reply to "she's a beast".... I hope you're talking about the canopy and not me !!