Scoop

I have found that the wing loadings people preach about on the internet are almost always different to the realities of what people are jumping in the real world. I've just ordered a 190 Pilot which will means I'll be loading at 1.3 with the same jump numbers too. It's still a large canopy so it wont respond like a little canopy loaded at 1.3, I intend to have it for a loooooong time and learn everything there is to know about piloting it. I don't want to step beyond that for quite a while though, at least a few hundred jumps.

It's more the shit I'll get from all the little thunder bugs and such that will bother me! :D

Thanks everyone. I have ordered a Pilot.

Huh? You said yourself the pilot operates the lights. Tell me a scenario where looking at the pilot is going to have an adverse effect over blindly following the green light. I just think of it like a car indicator. Just because its flashing doesn't mean they are going to turn, it just means the bulb works. The aircraft I have jumped from the pilot has always given a thumbs up or a PA or some sort of interaction with the jumpers around the same time the light goes green (if the aircraft has one). I'd much rather rely on that human communication than some lights which may or may not be in working order. Maybe this is a personal thing but I consider it a safe practice.

Because eye contact with the pilot is better and not all aircraft have lights.

*sucks air through teeth*

Yeah... I use this software called I-Catcher Sentry http://www.icode.co.uk/icatcher/products/sentry.html I've set my Sony Handycam up through a firewire port and I've set it up so it only records 1 screen shot every second when motion is detected. Its pretty damn good I have to say. Give it a whirl. Its free for 21 days, hopefully long enough to capture your villain!

I ignore the lights and people shrieking like schoolkids and look at the pilot

Thanks for the work. Yeah "Sine Timore" means "without fear". Its also part of the police motto which is "without fear or favour" so it means more to me than just being hardcore. I did think about the break and pull thing but thats what I do on the majority of jumps so I decided to go for it. 3.5k isn't outrageously high, gives me lots of canopy playtime this way AND time to sort myself out if it all goes Pete Tong.

I know we are not allowed to advertise but I hope this testimonial is OK. We often hear when people do bad but rarely when people do good. Two companies I have received excellent service from recently have been Alti-2 and LookMa Paraphernalia. I took Alti-2 up on their free custom face service and sent them an email with swift reply and instructions. A few weeks later it arrives with the new face installed and I notice also a new lens (my old one was scratched) without asking for one. Total cost for that service... nothing. Just the postage. I tip my hat to you. Also thanks to Frank at LookMa for "The Wedge" altimeter mount. Ordered on a Saturday and it was custom made and on my doormat for Friday. Excellent communication and a bloody nice bloke (I even got to try out my German!) In the past L&B have been awesome too. I asked them for some embroidered patches and they sent me a bundle of them and a load of batteries for my dytter free too. In fact, to date, I haven't had a bad experience with any skydiving manufacturer and its a welcome change from the poor way customers are normally treated back in the real world in other fields. I'm wondering why I ever thought about turning my back on skydiving for a while. What a great bunch of folks involved with it.

We (you over the pond) won't have to worry about soon enough as he'll be dead soon anyway. Hold on, theres a knock at the door....

Why thanks

I'm 6'2" and 230lbs. I found buying used a kit a nightmare. Not much stuff comes along and when it does its gone quick. Keep an eye on the classifieds. Then I sold my rig - Big stupid mistake. Mother of all mistakes. Now I'm having to go through it all again. I've decided that, apart from a container that I found by chance, I'm going to buy all new. I've PM'd you too.

I phoned them the other day on nthe number on the website and they picked up right away. Maybe they are away or you just called at an awkward time.

People talk shit at the DZ, especially with a beer in their hand, so I don't see what the difference is personally. It's just another opportunity to discuss things. When people say "talk to your instructors" that translates to me as "I can't be bothered to explain this again".

Thats no good for anyone!

In the UK we have http://www.thekitstoreltd.co.uk Depends if you're willing to pay the postage and unfortuantely the £ to $ conversion isn't really going to be attractive either!

That solved the matter! Thanks. Great video. Amazing quality and nice flying!

I had a wings container and was forever getting people to check the pin for me. Maybe it was just paranoia. Now I have an old skool Teardrop Classic so the reserve pin is against my back. I would imagine its almost impossible to get damaged in that location.

I'm sure this is a real newbie question but all I hear is the soundtrack and have a blank white screen. I have downloaded the latest version of quicktime. Any ideas? I feel like Homer when he was waiting to go to the chilli cookout. Thanks

Thanks everyone. I think I'll go with the Pilot given the amount of jumps I'm hoping to do. I should dial it in quick. I suspect my problem before was lack of currency (60 odd jumps in a year and a bit isn't good) Canopy course sounds like good idea too. Sam

True, but do you think the slower glide (as I understand from reviews) will help with development? My main deciding factor is which canopy will help me learn to be a better, safer canopy pilot. Also, whilst I like the realtively fast straight in approaches I don't think that I will be looking to develop any further with that as, although it may sound odd, I am scared of heights and find the landing probably the most stressful part of the skydive.

Awesome! It's a great place with a great vibe. The crates of beer are cheaper there than in the UK so doing your AFF at Emp sounds like a brilliant idea! In all seriousness I think going out there for your AFF is a brilliant idea, if only for the weather.

Going to get myself a brand new canopy soon, looking at either a 190 Pilot or 190 Triathlon (at 1.3:1). I've read a few reviews and paticularly like the gentle openings both are supposed to offer. I liked flying my old canopy (210 Silhouete loaded 1.2:1) but my accuracy was lacking if I'm completely honest. I'm planning on spending a month at a dropzone as I will be starting a new job soon and want to take some time off before I start. While I'm there I want to develop my skills and hope to do an intensive 150-200 jumps. Which do you think will be the best canopy for my development? From the reviews I've read it sounds like the Triathlon may teach me more with regards to accuracy as I can sink in on brakes safely if I'm overshooting my target. I do enjoy the faster approaches though so would I be limiting myself by getting a Triathlon or is there plenty fun to be had with that too? Will I end up bored and miserable under a Triathlon or will I learn more on this than I would on the Pilot? EDIT TO ADD: I enjoy goofing around up high if I have the space and time to do it.

I worked for a bank too. I seem to rememebr that any claims below a certain amount were refunded without any investigation as it takes too much time and money to look into things. I'm sure you'll be alright