freefaller2001

I think you're right Craig - the Leicester square one is very small in comparisson. The Charring Cross one sounds fine to me

HOPEFULLY I should be in the country - if so then hell yes!

Yeah I'm a londoner who's only just caught up with this thread! I often go to Hinton or Langar depending on my urge to burn down the motorway (be it on 2 or 4 wheels :p) Has there already been a big London meet? The BCPA trip this year did a big London meet before going to Elsinore - it was hillarious - and a great way to make the trip less awkward... Since I was the only "veteran" BCPA tripper I got nicely fueled on beer for my stories. All in all a great Laugh I reckon it'd be fun to have a nice meet up now the weather's nice :) Anybody going up to the Nats? If they want a lift I can offer one - and I'll take the car not the bike :p I'm also going up to BK for Beth's 21st if anyone is interested too.

really interesting read! thanks for that. I've never been faced with the opportunity (that I know of) of landing uphill or downhill... otherwise the rest I have done and can do with a fair amount of confidence (I think over confidence is dangerous) - despite having initiated high speed approaches I'm not really into high performance landings I prefer accuracy (which is something I compete in). After reading peoples reasoning and questions I'm quite happy that I'm not really in any rush to change. Unlike bikes & cars which I change often just for the sake of it. I'll stick to this canopy for a bit longer (it's pretty anyway ) and then think about it again. Is my weight ever going to cause a problem for chosing a canopy? I understand that some canopies need to be loaded a certain way - I know that I will never want a high performance ultra eliptical cross braced nutter hankerchief - but I know I WILL want a more experienced canopy in due course. Thanks for your interest and comments!

well i weight about 14 1/2 stone (not fat honest!! ) and load it at about 1.22-ish... it's been worked out on my profile anyway

that's what I was feeling. I know I've pretty much mastered my current main (though from my experience (which despite my lower jump numbers I have been in the sport for many years) you never truly master something until you go too far! - my instructors said that I'd probably be happier on something a little bit smaller (not radically - as I said something like a 170) - but I'm not bothered - the ZP.exe is basically a sabre copy but with a little steeper glide angle and a few different diving/turning characteristics. I trimmed (not as in cut... as in adjusted!!) the brake lines a little (with advice) and that's made it a little more enjoyable to fly. you've thrown forward some good things to think about - I';m glad I posted this!

Just wandering about your thoughts on this. I have always been told by numerous instructors that I have excellent canopy control. (not supposed to be a show off statement, merely I have always grasped the concept of canopy control and seem to understand it pretty well). I've never (touch wood) had a bad landing, and my landings have always been within 5-10 meters of my target (I like to test my accuracy

ahhh ooops - NOW you tell me!! should be good fun - besides I'll look after you - you know, keep your glass full etc...

my first impressions are - good on you for giving 4 ways a go already!!

can't make it during the week.... however I shall try and make it for the weekend!

yeah that's great info there!

I was talking to a friend about maybe going to Dubai at some point - as I hear they have a great dropzone there. Anybody got any experience of this place? I am very au fait with arabic culture so that is not an issue. I've done a quick search for any posts but haven't really found a decent review of it yet - so any advice & thoughts would be great!

I liked it too - hence why I got it! I think the black is going to be warm in Cali.... hmmmm good think it ain't skin tight!

ok here's mine - just cos you're nagging me and I can't say no! rush job but you get the idea!

Cool - enjoy yourself over here - hope the weather holds for you! There's some fun riding around Stonehenge if you're interested.... But yes bikes in general are sexy - hmmm I wonder if I would be nice sleek and ooo so sexy... Nah... far too macho for that

ahh girls & bikes - such a sexy combo in my opinion! Well it is here in the uk - except when it rains, (all the waterproof gear does nothing for your figure!) However, come summer time, I go on many cruises down to the coast lines, guys, girls it's like a boogie, but for bikers - fantastic feeling, very relaxing and invigorating at the same time

lol! Fair point! See you soon!

I'll jump with anyone! We'll be hard to miss... just listen for people who pronounce ass (arse), glass (gl-arse), etc... Drink like a brit?! What could you possibly mean?!

Yup 1 week to go! Thank God I'm busy at work otherwise I'd be too distracted with California dreaming! Well there will be lots of beer fines going this year so we'll definitely have lots of beers in the evenings! Any beers you all particularly fond of?

Yeah - we'll definitely have to do some swapping! How many of you Bristol boys 'n' gals going to Perris Mat? (ps. this is Will) I think there are just over 40 of us going with Jason to Elsinore. 1 week to go!

Hey! Well a big group of BCPA peeps are making their way there the 30th of march till the 16th of April - we'll be easy to spot! There will be many beer fines for people there so which ever day you chose it'll be great! Student's don't you just love 'em?! See you there!

Wow! you guys work fast!! In the uk, they'd still be at the making tea stage and rubbing their arses thinking about how to do it! See you in just over a week!

Well I'm off again this year to Elsinore! I went for the first time last year around the same time of the year. I had a fantastic time the people were so nice, the weather was excellent, the DZ was very well equipped - had a fantastic holiday too. I was really sorry to hear about the fire, I'm sure we can all chip in and help do a bit of painting etc...

ah well mine was bright red!! Not so nice since everyone can see you screwing up a landing! Not that I do that of course... well not anymore Baby blue is quite apt I suppose for a begginner? Though maybe not anymore!! My new suit's great though as I can wear layers under without getting overly cold in this winter we have here - but going to Elsinore this year will be a good time to do some serious RW without having to de-arch! woohoo! It's good for a confidence boost in your ability - a good fitting suit does help - of course you need the technique and the skill, but having the right kit and knowing how to use it is quite important. My main problem was that I'm somewhat chunkier than my friends - bloody rugby!

I'm sure this sort of issue has been posted many times before - but i used to have a LOT of difficulty keeping level with my friends in any form of RW. This was due mainly to the fact that I had a cheapo 2nd hand jumpsuit that I had bought when graduated with my A licence. The reason why the suit was to blame? It was skin tight, and I'm fairly chunky (well I used to play rugby - and weight over 205lbs! ) and basically I could break speed records in flat!! well not quitem but I quite easily averaging (this is ave speed) 132+ mph! Often dipping over 135!! So after experimenting with friends (who tried lead) and me basically slow flying and dearching like bitch and my friends arching like mad people - I finally thought about buying a proper fitting jumpsuit, but actually a slowpo one from Symbiosis - it's not baggy one but the material catches more wind (the type of material), meaning I can arch normally and others can keep up!! So it just goes to show, that despite technique, having the proper kit does help - especially if you're over 14.5 st, and not that fat!