nbblood

Well said. One of the best explanations I've seen. Worth repeating. Blues, Nathan If you wait 'til the last minute, it'll only take a minute.

Ok, since you've flown the Sabre2, here's a little more on what I think of the other canopies.....at least the ones I've jumped. The Safire2 flies very similar to a Sabre2. It tends to open much softer....a little too soft for my personal liking. I also do not like the bottom end (flare) on the Safire2. It's not nearly as powerful (less lift) than the Sabre2. The Pilot is an incredible-opening canopy. I like the way it opens as much as any other canopy I've flown, on-heading and smooth. It flies much flatter than the Sabre2, Safire2, or Spectre. It has good bottom end. It is much more responsive in turns than the other canopies (less toggle input required, faster turns) The Spectre flies much steeper than the other canopies. This tricks some people up at flare altitude but it's just a matter of getting used to. It has decent bottom end. It's a 7-cell and I think it has a tendency to rock you a little bit in turbulent air. Some people don't like that and I don't blame them. It has great soft openings. I think it has the lightest front riser pressure of the four, but you may not care about that if you're not swooping it. I don't know about the Pulse and the Silhouette as I've never jumped either, but they too are viable candidates for what you describe. Anyway, that's what my opinions are on the four I mentioned having jumped them all. Hope this helps. There's an awful lot to be said about PD's Demo program. You could demo 4 of the 6 mentioned through their program alone. Call Aerodyne about the Pilot for a demo. That leaves the Safire2.....I'm not too sure how to get a demo for that. I am unfamiliar with Icarus' demo program if they have one. Blues, Nathan If you wait 'til the last minute, it'll only take a minute.

What?? First of all, the Spectre is tapered too. Why did you disclude that one? Next, the pilot is one of the flattest flying parachutes I've flown, similar to a stilleto, which is elliptical and doesn't "kick up altitude loss." Why are they great to spiral under? Based on your profile and this nonsense, I'd say maybe you ought to read more, type less in this thread. Not trying to be an ass, but there is not much truth in what you posted. Blues, Nathan If you wait 'til the last minute, it'll only take a minute.

Nice....me likey.....Welcome! Blues, Nathan If you wait 'til the last minute, it'll only take a minute.

Well, that's a loaded question that is open to a lot of subjectivity. What is high performance and at what wing loading is "high performance" achieved? There's just not a black and white answer. Also, 1.2 wingloading on a 190 is NOT the same as a 1.2 winloading on a 107. Some people believe below a particular canopy size it is considered high performance regardless of wingloading. But, that' said, I don't think 1.2 at your canopy size would be considered high performance. But that's just my opinion. Keep in mind you can easily kill yourself by screwing up on a "non-high performance" canopy, even at much lighter wingloadings than yours......or any wingloading for that matter. Blues, Nathan If you wait 'til the last minute, it'll only take a minute.

Spectre, Sabre2, Pilot, Safire2 would be decent choices. Now I'll say what you'll undoubtedly hear a dozen times in the next few minutes......Get them and DEMO them! Decide for yourself. Blues, Nathan If you wait 'til the last minute, it'll only take a minute.

Attached. It DOES look like a death ray! Really?? And which model death ray do you suppose it is? I'm just not current on the available death rays this year. Blues, Nathan If you wait 'til the last minute, it'll only take a minute.

Take a breath,dude. It'll be OK. Just come find me at the DZ. I'll help you out. I promise! Blues, Nathan If you wait 'til the last minute, it'll only take a minute.

Dave, Just to clarify, you're talking about 100 feet and 200 feet more than you normally initiate the turn, not initiating the turn at 100 feet or 200 feet, right?? No, I'm not trying to be a smart ass, I just don't want to hear about someone initiating a 270 at a hundred or two hundred feet. And, yes, I already know the answer......just clarifying. Blues, Nathan If you wait 'til the last minute, it'll only take a minute.

Yes, I agree with most of this. But in this case he's talking about spending more for repairs than what he "overpaid" for the canopy in the first place. I just think there would be better value (in the long run) to spend the $$ toward a more suitable canopy in better condition than to more than double his cost into one he already knows has issues. Just my opinion though. Blues, Nathan If you wait 'til the last minute, it'll only take a minute.

I can relate. I once bought a ragged out Sabre. The guy was honest up front that it was old and had seen better days. When I got it the PC attachment ring was rusted and the canopy looked just like he described it. If I recall I paid $150 for it. I sent it to PD and the clamp-tested it and 5 of the 9 cells failed. I just sucked it up and chalked it up to "if it seems too good to be true, it probably is." My own stupid fault. But, I'd rather have it fail at the manufacturer doing a clamp test than while I'm under it in the air too. BTW, if I were you, I wouldn't spend the $$ to repair that canopy. I'd spend the $$ on a different one. That one is very likely to have other problems now or in the near future. PD didn't charge me a penny for the tests they did because the canopy failed the clamp test. I told them to use it for curtains or whatever. At least PD didn't give me the shaft to add insult to injury! Blues, Nathan If you wait 'til the last minute, it'll only take a minute.

Thanks for the responses guys. After some consideration I will be going with goggles or without the contacts. I'm just not gonna go with "it might be alright." I really don't like the idea of dried contacts stuck to my eyeballs. Again, thanks for the input all. Blues, Nathan If you wait 'til the last minute, it'll only take a minute.

Actually I thought about that and tried it. I didn't have any issues. But that is a very good point. I'm not sure if I lost one if I'd even notice right away. Of course that may change after I've worn them for a while too and I realize that. Blues, Nathan If you wait 'til the last minute, it'll only take a minute.

Anytime "Western Union" is used, suggested, inquired about.....whatever.....chances are it's a scam. With PayPal around, who uses Western Union anymore anyway? Why are they still in business? Blues, Nathan If you wait 'til the last minute, it'll only take a minute.

How about stopping at Skydive Spaceland, home of 2009 U.S. Nationals? Plenty of great DZs along the way there. Blues, Nathan If you wait 'til the last minute, it'll only take a minute.

Yesterday I got contacts, soft lenses. My vision isn't horrible but they do help. I normally jump with just sunglasses. I'm wondering if the contacts will stay in with just sunglasses. Anybody have experience that can say? If I lost one it wouldn't be like I'm blind or anything. I suppose if I lost one I just wouldn't do that again. Just wondering. Blues, Nathan If you wait 'til the last minute, it'll only take a minute.

Yeah, well, I once made 22 skydives in one day..... 22 is unattainable in the other category. Can I choose both? Blues, Nathan If you wait 'til the last minute, it'll only take a minute.

I understand exactly what you meant. I'm not saying it can't be done. It certainly can. I'm just saying it's not as safe as a properly sized container for the canopy. Filling the bag out as you described is exactly what I thought you had done. If it's going to be loose, that's what I'd do too. But the simple fact is there isn't as much fabric in the bag and it doesn't hold it as firmly. Simple fact. I don't care if you choose to do it. I'm not saying you're going to die. I'm just saying a properly sized container is a better recommendation, IMHO. Seriously, I'm not trying to jump down your throat, but manufacturers make recommendations for their products for a reason. A lot of people that didn't listen to the recommendations wish they had for various reasons. Are you really ready to recommend something the container manufacturer does not because of your experience? I'm certainly not. Blues, Nathan If you wait 'til the last minute, it'll only take a minute.

Well, it may have worked out all right for you, but......what you may not have realized is that you were at a significantly higher risk for a premature container opening with the 135 in there. The container will not close as tightly with a loose "sloppy" pack job. Sure you can shorten the closing loop but that only works to a point. I believe the manufacturers recommendations ARE based on "real life experiences" not "assumptions". IMHO, a 135 is too loose for a J-3 (except maybe airlocks which pack bigger). Also if it's a 7-cell, such as a Spectre it will be even looser. Can you get away with it? Sure. Is it a smart idea? Probably not. Blues, Nathan If you wait 'til the last minute, it'll only take a minute.

More than that, I think of the family and friends that would feel obligated to help raise funds to cover expenses. I simply don't want them to pay for decisions I made to skydive. I won't jump without insurance. Blues, Nathan If you wait 'til the last minute, it'll only take a minute.

It was truly an honor and privilege to jump with these vets. As a U.S. Army officer it was a little difficult for me to see my military brothers and sisters undergo the challenges they face. At the same time it was incredibly enlightening to see them take on challenges, overcome obstacles and do so with incredibly positive attitudes. I had the pleasure of either being the TI or video for several of these heroes and it was an experience I won't forget. Listening to Dana Bowman was quite inspiring as well. What a terrific example of the human spirit overcoming adversity. He represents himself and the U.S. Army very well. I'm very proud of all and very proud of Skydive Spaceland for hosting the event. I certainly hope we can do it again! LTC Blood Blues, Nathan If you wait 'til the last minute, it'll only take a minute.

From the OP Blues, Nathan If you wait 'til the last minute, it'll only take a minute.

Agreed. In this case, the DZO's trust has been earned. If you were at the DZ and saw the oversight on a meticulous maintenance program, $$ spent on expansion for the benefit of safety and comfort at the risk of loss of profit, and general oversight of all operations, I think you would agree. Trust is earned. DZOs should be judged on a case-by-case basis. In this case it most certainly is earned, IMHO. At the same time, skydivers are often judgmental of a DZO that is trying to make a profit. It is a business and in some cases the DZO's only livelihood. As it is in this case. I think there are a lot of "sour grapes" cases pointing fingers at DZOs because they're trying to be successful businessman. That is just as much BS as the other way around, IMHO. Blues, Nathan If you wait 'til the last minute, it'll only take a minute.

I know exactly which DZ you are talking about and the situation. I have never seen a downwind takeoff that I deemed unsafe. I have noticed the downwind takeoffs. I've also noticed that on a full load, right after refuel they will often take off into the wind, even if they have been taking off downwind prior to that. The pilots have every bit as much interest in a safe takeoff and landing as the skydivers. I know and very much trust the VERY experienced pilot that often takes off downwind. I also know the DZO watches the pilots closely and would be the first one screaming foul if he thought a pilot was doing something dangerous with his million dollar airplanes and the skydivers in them. I believe that, under the discretion they use from load to load, it is safe. Blues, Nathan If you wait 'til the last minute, it'll only take a minute.

Hey! You're in my territory! Get out! Blues, Nathan If you wait 'til the last minute, it'll only take a minute.