atticus

Dude I live in mia WTF do I know about skiing? FF is to RW as Wake boarding is to water skiing. Is that better? I think PacSun has some cargos on sale.

Well they don't take 5 min in the door every time. There's no doubt that as a whole freeflying has more variety and spontaneity then RW. I realize that it is imoportant to be an eclectic skydiver. I jump(funnel) some RW now and then, and some of the hardcore RWs freefly(set a base) with us. I can't see how RW would keep its thrill after thousands of jumps.

That was pretty good. To bad you wear spandex and booties or I would actually respect your point of view. Belly flying is so gay I think I'm going to start opening on my back.

I bet your poop smells like candy too!

Ya they incorporate psychological testing in the hire process as well. For someone who preaches brotherhood you seem to do alot of firefighter bashing. You guys are the ones that brought my profession into it. I still fail to be amazed by any parallels but, I'll keep you posted. One can only imagine what kind of Firefighter you are since you Obviously lack a sense of humor. Your station probably doesn't have a very high call volume.

My dept. has one of the most selective hiring processes in Fla. You cant even apply without scoring in the high 90's on the mesh first. Out of the 45 people that scored high enough to apply. Only 2 apps. and myself made it. What does this have to do with skydiving? Do you always hate on people when you can't adress the issue.

What kind of department do you work for? Saying stupid shit is what firefighters do best!

Ok now I didn't intend to start a geriatrics hate club. I too may be old one day, I realize this. I still feel I made some valid points but, the "seniors playing grab ass in spandex" was a low blow. It is all in fun though.You old timers need to watch your blood pressures, so don't get too worked up over it. I'm not trying to start a fascist freefly group ethier. I just want to introduce as many people to the sport of freeflying as possible. I love it when the RW people from my Dz try to freefly with us, and they don't get pissed off when I funnel thier dive every once in a while. Just wait and see in 20 years freeflying or some variation of freeflying will be the dominat discipline, and freeflyers will compose the majority in the skydiving community, for good reason too. P.S. people who buy vectors are pussies.

I've seen the RW stuff from nationals. Yes they are very skilled skydivers, but practicing the same exact routine 15 times a day for 3 months fails to amaze me. It is one dimensional flying, the most exciting thing they do is a burble hop here and there. Now show me 4 guys hitting that many points in VRW and, my jaw hits the floor. RW groups take way too long in the door so by the time the freeflyers get out we have to open higher to get back. Alot of RW jumpers seem pissed of all the time, they are so serious it's like they forget that were supposed to be having fun. I guess that is why they call it work. Of course I think it is better to be an eclectic skydiver(did i spell that right Vertifly, and was eclectic an appropriate adj. to describe a well rounded skydiver). I still feel freefly is more challenging and alot more exciting. Yes we should learn all diciplines but be a freeflyer that does belly too. Rw is becoming out dated, the only hope is has for advancing is by mixing freeflying in with it.

You look like you should stay off the crack for a while honey.(just kidding) Relax I was just making a point. I love it when people get passionate about a topic it makes it so much more interesting.

Don't player hate buddy. We can't all be perfect.

"Curve" its that better?

This is gonna piss some people off. Nothing is wrong with a little controversy now and then. It was in reply to a question about jumpsuits for a new jumper: Hey, your new at this sport so don't let these guys steer you the wrong way! Forget the RW its boring and grippers are for pussies. FREEFLYING is where it's at! RW is for old timers that have been in the sport too long to adapt, It is your grandfather's style of skydiving. Forget 120 mph, freeflying speeds can excced 200mph. It is by far more exciting, alot more challenging, and the learning curb is slower. It's the new school of skydiving. If you're a younger guy you'll relate more to freeflyers because it is predominatly the younger generation. Freeflying is to RW as snowboarding is to skiing. If you bought a motorcycle, would you buy a cruiser or a superbike? If you picked the crotch rocket then you're a freeflyer at heart. It's is called FREEflying for a reason. How bad ass is having the abillity to fly your body in any position on all axis with your 5 of buddys right there! How many people can say they shake hands inverted doing 190 mph? Only freeflyers! Does being stuck on your belly all the time, falling as slow as possible, and playing grab ass with a bunch of senior citizens in spandex sound like fun to you? If it doesn't then your probably a freeflyer at heart. Try RW only to learn the basics, and practice back flying! Don't get to serious with the RW or you'll get suck as a belly jumper. So to finally answer you question if you want to learn freeflying all you need is some freefly pants and a long sleeve tee. I started with cargo shorts and long sleeve shirt. Also an audible altimeter is a must! The link to the thread is here: http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=2192036;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;;page=unread#unread

Hey more power to ya sweety! But remember that Omar,Olav, ect. didn't get famous by flying belly! You're a freeflyer too, so your more with us than against us. I love the speedstar exit by the way, but once you've built a round it's time to start freeflying! For every freeflyer who lacks on his belly I'll show you 10 RW guys that can't freefly for the life of them.

Hey, your new at this sport so don't let these guys steer you the wrong way! Forget the RW its boring and grippers are for pussies. FREEFLYING is where it's at! RW is for old timers that have been in the sport too long to adapt, It is your grandfather's style of skydiving. Forget 120 mph, freeflying speeds can excced 200mph. It is by far more exciting, alot more challenging, and the learning curb is slower. It's the new school of skydiving. If you're a younger guy you'll relate more to freeflyers because it is predominatly the younger generation. Freeflying is to RW as snowboarding is to skiing. If you bought a motorcycle, would you buy a cruiser or a superbike? If you picked the crotch rocket then you're a freeflyer at heart. It's is called FREEflying for a reason. How bad ass is having the abillity to fly your body in any position on all axis with your 5 of buddys right there! How many people can say they shake hands inverted doing 190 mph? Only freeflyers! Does being stuck on you belly all the time, falling as slow as possible, and playing grab ass with a bunch of senior citizens in spandex sound like fun to you? If it doesn't then your probably a freeflyer at heart. Try RW only to learn the basics, and practice back flying! Don't get to serious with the RW or you'll get suck as a belly jumper. So to finally answer you question if you want to learn freeflying all you need is some freefly pants and a long sleeve tee. I started with cargo shorts and long sleeve shirt. Also an audible altimeter is a must!

I am planning on a new rig. I am 6'4" and my exit weight is about 260. I have been jumping a stiletto 190 (1.36lbs/ft). I am leaning towards a vengence 170. I want to pep up the performance a little bit but not too much. I like the flare and glide ratio of the vengence. I know the airlocks are a pain to collapse after landing and the openings need some riser input, but I am willing to deal with it in exchange for better longer swoops. Those of you that have experience with both canopies please give me some advice. Also i want to get a container that holds a 170 but leaves me the option to downsize to a 150 later. The vengence packs larger than other canopies. Will this be a problem? Last but not least I am considering a wings container. I spend all my dives freeflying. Please feel free to leave any suggestions. It is greatly appreciated thanks!

I can't wait I sounds like I'll fit in just fine.

N/A

I got the time off work and plane tickets. I my first wffc I can't wait!!Please feel free to share any stories.

Good article!! I'm going to start practicing this weekend.

my next container is definitely going to be the icon and probably the pilot. But I'm Goin to wait until I am ready to down size before I buy it. I know someone who is selling a saber2 the same size as my current canopy for $800. I think Im gonna buy it and stay with my current container (javelin) for a while. That would be the best thing for right now. In about 100 jumps from now i'll reconsider down sizing. Every one was really helpful. thanx alot I really appreciate it. I realize now that I might have been jumping the gun with the higher wingload.

Maybe I should wait a little longer before increasing my WL. I find myself pulling @ lower alt. just because it takes so long to get down. I hate being the last guy to land all the time. I'm not sure if it is possible to swoop my worn f-111, when the wind is low it looses it's flare drastically. At the rate im going now I will have 200 jumps by july-aug. I'm not buying the rig till summer time. Do you think If I fly smarter like good spotting,early final approach,Minimal toggle input @ low alt. and canopy control course. I can get away with that WL in a few months from now? I've done some stupid things in my f-111 i have kinda lost respect for it cause it is so forgiving at my current WL. I am not down sizing cause I want to start swooping I just wanted something a little more fun to fly.

Hmmmn, I think I'm going with the Icon. I've packed myself a slammer before with the saber2 and I'm still not sure why. (It was a brand spanking new canopy) It happen the the owner before too and it was packed by a professional @ deland. The Openings are a con for the saber2,But i like the flare they generate. The packer @ sky mia said the pilot had better openings and better response and flight. Then again either one is way better than the F-111 im jumping now.

thanx arsrulz, The people I've talked to so far that have experience with both the saber2 and pilot have sided with the pilot. (you and a packer from mia.) Im also leaning towards the icon I just wanted to make sure that there wasn't something that jumpers didn't like about them. I was planning to downsize to a 1.3 or a 1.4 wing load. I want a canopy that I will be happy with for a long time. I have jumpped this wing load a few times already and I can see how things can get a little dangerous if i'm not careful.(like 0 wind) My instructor didn't seem to think it was an issue if I downsize to that wing load. I am going to try to take a canopy course in deland right after I get the new rig.

I am getting ready to down size. i like the aerodyne Icon container, but I don't know anyone who has that container. I like the Javelin Odyssey too but so many people have it. I want something different, is there a reason the icon is not a popular rig? Also how is the the pilot in comparison with the saber 2? If anyone has knowledge or experience with these rigs please give me some advice I would really appreciate it! Thanx!! P.s. Gus we miss you.