johnny1488

I think you can tell lots from video. You can see the rotation of the horizon (turning) You can see the inputs being given harness from the levels of the 3 rings. It's not why being in full flight stops the turn that is in dispute. A canopy in trim will fly in straight and level flight with no inputs. It's why a canopy in brakes will have tremendous oversteer to the point of continuing a turn which has been neutralized.( not necessarily counteracted) Like I said, I cant tell you why it does, but try it on your next jump and tell me what it feels like to you. Johnny --"This ain't no book club, we're all gonna die!" Mike Rome

I will hopefully in a few days post some video that everyone here should find very interesting. Johnny --"This ain't no book club, we're all gonna die!" Mike Rome

Saying there is no reason it should doesnt make it true, Derek. I am pretty sure I know how to sit square in the harness. And I know I am not countering with the toggles when I release them. I pop them and let them go (for the tests I have done). I will have a better answer for you tomorrow when I consult some people who might have an answer, but for now I ask that you trust me when I say I was giving no input and the canopy was not recovering. And I gave no input when I released the brakes and the canopy recovered. I would like to take some belly mount footage of me doing this to look at the canopy. The 3 rings will be in the shot for reference of harness input. But that is a few days away. Johnny --"This ain't no book club, we're all gonna die!" Mike Rome

I dont know

It could have started turning because of harness input or uneven inflation or any number of things. Even if this things are neutralized (neutral or no input) an elliptical canopy in brakes will continue to turn. Putting the canopy in full flight (releasing the brakes) returns the canopy to straight and level flight as long as there are no inputs. The long and short of what I am saying is the input that started the turn no longer has to be present for the turn to persist if the brakes are set. As I also said this is only one in a long list of causes of spinning malfunctions. Johnny --"This ain't no book club, we're all gonna die!" Mike Rome

Something caused the canopy to start turning. Or it could be something causing the canopy to turn. If you start a turn with the brakes set and then stop the input, the canopy will continue to turn with no additional input. And in some cases opposite input might not be enough to stop the turn with the brakes still set. I have new elliptical jumpers try this up high because many have approached me about wild spins that do not stop with nothing visibly wrong with the canopy. Start a turn up high the rear risers with the brakes set and then let go of the rears. Then after a few revolutions unstow the brakes and let them go. The turn will stop. But this is not the answer if there is input ie un even harness or other factor. Johnny --"This ain't no book club, we're all gonna die!" Mike Rome

Unstowing the brakes puts the canopy in full flight. The canopy will stop the turn on its own in full flight. It's happened to me and I've seen it happen to others. Mostly highly loaded ellipticals. As was said, once an elliptical is put into a turn with the brakes set, it doesnt want to recover on its own. I have not though, been able to manufacturer a turn that I couldnt stop with the rear risers. They just happen. Usually after line twist. They have for me, all been solved by unstowing the brakes. I watched a 200lb russian pull a rear riser to his chest trying to stop a turn and it did not. He chopped. As far as how a twist gets there, aside from all the normal stuff, I think a bag can just spin now and then. I (try to) deploy in the same position everytime, but have had a handfull of occasions that I feel something is wrong when the bag leaves my back. Most of these have been sorted before the slider is down. Sometimes shit happens. Johnny --"This ain't no book club, we're all gonna die!" Mike Rome

A big VX!! Here's mine whether you want it or not. Student shit 20 jumps Silouette 230 15 jumps Spectre 230 25 jumps PD 210 40 jumps Safire 209 300 jumps Safire2 169 100 jumps Crossfire2 169 150 Jumps Crossfire2 141 200 jumps Crossfire2 119 200 jumps VX 114 30 jumps VX 104 200 jumps current Johnny --"This ain't no book club, we're all gonna die!" Mike Rome

I flew a xfire2 119 loaded at 2.0 and at first I thought it was a bit too small but after a few jumps found it to be a lot if fun. Was still able to get it to shut down nicely and found no real performance drop off. Jumped a 109 loaded over 2.1:1 and knew right away it was too small. Johnny --"This ain't no book club, we're all gonna die!" Mike Rome

Buy Hookin' it. Sonic is getting skinny! Johnny --"This ain't no book club, we're all gonna die!" Mike Rome

Does being under the Icarus tent all day every day count? Then put me as a maybe. Johnny --"This ain't no book club, we're all gonna die!" Mike Rome

What risers were you using ie style, length? I thought the pressure was kinda high when I used to fly xfires. Now that I went to VX's, xfire riser pressure is really light when I fly them. And yes I have flown a 129 and it felt really light. Johnny --"This ain't no book club, we're all gonna die!" Mike Rome

I think the Safire2 had lighter toggle pressure but a slightly slower turn rate for the same amount of input. I prefer that trade off in order to get a bigger control range. I dont fly with the toggles that much. Did I mention that the Safire2 is guaranteed fro 31 days ? Johnny --"This ain't no book club, we're all gonna die!" Mike Rome

I have no expeirience with the Pilot. The Safire2 has a slightly "lower" flare point than the Sabre2 but I think it has more power and a better bottom end. The openings are softer and more consistent. I think the Safire2 has better glide and better slow speed flight. I like the Safire2 because you can get it lined with vectran. I prefer my canopies to be in trim after 200 jumps, but thats just me Johnny --"This ain't no book club, we're all gonna die!" Mike Rome

Let me jump your canopy next time you are at the ranch. Do a pull up!! I think you have been scratching records too long instead of jumping. We really need to get that sand out of your vagina. And is your friend who went to a velo Matt? That kid is going to hurt himself. Johnny --"This ain't no book club, we're all gonna die!" Mike Rome

I have owned all Javelins but Mirage has a better ringed harness configuration. With the hip rings at the legstrap junction (ie javelin, vector, old infinity) you get a huge kink in the MLW when the person bends. I have seen a fair amount of harness wear on small harnesses but SunPath says there is no issue. On a mirage Unisynn harness there is no kinking. The hip ring should be at the lateral junction to keep the harness from kinking (ie Mirage unisyn, new infinity) As for the cut in laterals, I see it on every rig. When the hips are de arched, the laterals will straighten. The only way to keep the rig completely tight is to make the harness form a straight line (conected to the outside of the container. I will not buy a mirage but do like their harnes configuration (but not the way it's built ) Johnny --"This ain't no book club, we're all gonna die!" Mike Rome

If it is a Crossfire 1 they have a bit more riser pressure than a Crossfire 2. Going into brakes does help with getting rid of some of the pressure. Check out www.IcarusCanopies.aero for an explanation of some of the differences between the two. Or get going on those pull-ups!! Johnny --"This ain't no book club, we're all gonna die!" Mike Rome

See you next year! Johnny --"This ain't no book club, we're all gonna die!" Mike Rome

Why does that matter? You are guaranteed to have fun (just so long as attitudes are left at the door!!). This has always been an event based around the competitors and them having fun. Talk to Mike Ennis (Nullified) about whether you have to place to have fun. Ask Mike Shatalov (Frost) if you have to be assured money to consider competeing. Although he should have gotten wet! Anyway the more people come out to these meets and compete, the more fun we all have. See you next year. Johnny --"This ain't no book club, we're all gonna die!" Mike Rome

Come on down to the Pro Shop and jump this puppy!!! I fit it in there easier than I thought. (I thought it would be damn near impossible.) It is definetly safe but probably a major pain in the ass for anyone but me!!! By the way how were the brake lines since I adjusted them? Johnny --"This ain't no book club, we're all gonna die!" Mike Rome

She is something special!!!! Kaz And I almost made it!! me Johnny --"This ain't no book club, we're all gonna die!" Mike Rome

I dont have any yet but I will hassle all the locals to get some on here. You will see a bunch in the magazines (hopefully). Thanks again for coming!!!! Johnny --"This ain't no book club, we're all gonna die!" Mike Rome

Well its all over here in New York. The total pot came to $8000!! Here's the breakdown and the final scores. 1. Jeff Provenzano $3600 2. Jason Eames $2000 3. Kaz Sheeky $1200 4. Kamuran "Sonic" Bayrasli $800 5. Will Lajeunesse $400 1 Jeffro Provenzo 295 2 Jason Eames 257 3 Kaz Sheeky 226 4 Sonic 171 5 Will Lajeunesse 143 6 Dan Oden 139 6 Doug Urbuny 139 7 John Kieran 116 8 Lars Margolies 115 9 Leland Bendel 87 10 Mike Ennis 65 11 Andre Litouev 58 12 Mike Shatalov 53 13 Pia McFarland 39 Thanks to the sponsors: Icarus Canopies, Aerodyne, Performance Designs, The Ranch Pro Shop, Skydive the Ranch, Freefall Express, Velocity Sports Equipment, Mirage Systems, Sunpath Products, Firefly Unlimited, Tony Suits, Flite Suit, Bonehead Composites, Skysystems USA, Royal Lens, Vigil and Airtec. Go big or go home!!! Johnny --"This ain't no book club, we're all gonna die!" Mike Rome

JT was kicking ass long before he got a Velo. He is an awesome pilot. As for everything else goes, I think it is more pilot than anything. JC did awesome under his VX's. Now he is doing awesome under a Velo. Give him some other x braced canopy and I'll bet he'll do.....you got it, awesome. I also think marketing has a lot to do with it. but thats another discussion. Get what you like. Johnny --"This ain't no book club, we're all gonna die!" Mike Rome

Get your your pond rigs and your towels, cause your gonna get wet!! It's time for the annual Ranch Pond Swoop Meet. 8 Rounds of pure pond sooping bliss! 2 in lane 2 carving 1 target round 1 freestyle 1 expression 1 raft accuracy $250 covers everything you need to compete in the longest running swooping event in the world. Come and be a part of what started it all. Here's the low down, the more people compete, the more money you can win, so bring your swooping buddies and come tempt the Princess! We gave out $10,000 last year, but we need YOU to make it happen again. Check out www.theblueskyranch.com for all the info and come on down. Not a swooper? Then come down to watch or jump all day. There is a barbeque saturday night and the girls from the school will be slinging jello shots too. You know you want to. Johnny --"This ain't no book club, we're all gonna die!" Mike Rome