Tonto

And THAT defines customer service. When something is new, everyone is learning, and mistakes will be made. I'd prefer that more work be done prior to release, but with the US/EU summer aproaching at the beginning of this year I don't think Aerodyne had much choice in the matter as to whether or not to release the ICON. Sure, they've got some bad press, and are grounded in Sweeden, but in the long term I think they'll do OK. t It's the year of the Pig.

I know I see a few things wrong on the Icon, because a lot of the very new ones came to our DZ when the rig was 1st released. Is your only purpose on these forums to slate the Icon and push the Vortex 2? All rigs have their problems. It's how the company responds to those problems that defines their customer service. My experiences with Chute Shop (I have yet to deal with "Parachute Systems") as a customer have been simply dreadful. I know of Icons from our DZ which have been returned to the factory after being built "bent" and are being replaced. That's service, but you won't get it if you don't ask for it. t It's the year of the Pig.

That rig is built skew dude. I'd send it back. The whole thing is out. t It's the year of the Pig.

Are you jumping an Icon? t It's the year of the Pig.

Mmmm. I don't think I'm there yet. Is it nice? t It's the year of the Pig.

Forwards in the relative wind, or forward for you? t It's the year of the Pig.

Doesn't it concern you that even with a short closure loop, and a main sized correctly for the container, that the grommet is still exposed? t It's the year of the Pig.

Is that a grommet I see sticking out under the main flap? t It's the year of the Pig.

Glad it's not a Bullpup. I'm left handed and don't enjoy them much... t It's the year of the Pig.

It's clear I've been doing it completly wrong! Too head down into the relative wind on exit, and not nearly enough power in the arms pushing down and the back flattening the body position out. I think I'll work on more back flight first, and then see if I can take what I've learned to the exit. Thanks for the help! t It's the year of the Pig.

Hi There, If you have a valid License and USPA membership and a logbook, and are current, you'd have no problem jumping in South Africa. I think you'd need to become a temp PASA member, which would cost you aprox $17 and be valid for 3 months. We don't require medical insurance. If you smash yourself and don't have any - we just don't make the call. If you do have, you'll be flown out in a nice twin turbine helicopter. If you have your own gear, the reserve would need to be in date by our 180 day repack rule. t It's the year of the Pig.

Ahh. I think my arms have probably been too relaxed, resulting in the loss of support on the front half of my body with my garenteed straight legs... We have a Caravan as well this weekend, so I'll try it out of that - with a bit more airspeed than the Porter. Thanks for the input! t It's the year of the Pig.

Why did apartheid fail? Or rather, why did the apartheid government choose to un ban the ANC and other "terrorist" organisations, and release their leaders from prison? Why would a country with the strongest military on the continent - facing no direct threat from the west - reform a 48 year policy of seperate development? Ecconomics? The Rand was twice as strong then as it is now. Guilt? Yeah right. We did it cos it was the right thing to do.. World opinion? After 48 years and developing our own arms industry after the UN arms embargo? I think it was because (white) South Africans were tired of not being part of the world. Of not being able to justify their governments domestic policies. Of having their sons off into Africa in Namibia, Angola, Mozambique without getting their passports stamped. Of not being able to have a life even 12 years after national service because of being called up to do "camps." We got tired. That started to show when fewer and fewer people voted. People never showed up for national service. Never went to camps. Never paid taxes. Left the country for the UK, for OZ, for Canada, and took their brains with them. It was only when the National party realised that they were at the end of the road that they chose to try "power sharing" with the black majority. Nelson Mandela did a great job at nation building. He made us feel like we belonged to a country we could be proud of for the 1st time in our lives. Now we're faced with other problems - Like HIV/AIDS. That's the new struggle. Hopefully we'll remain united against a desease which shows no prejudice. But that's our story. Yours, and that of the US, is still being written. t It's the year of the Pig.

Hey, I've thrown plenty of anti-Bush stuff in here as well, you know. I don't HATE Bush though. I think, from a world perspective, he's done the American people a diservice in the same way that many South African politicians during the apartheid era had massive (white minority) political support, as well as government support from many nations, but turned ordinary South Africans, both Black and White, into pariahs abroad for not doing more to put an end to apartheid. At the time, that same questionable patriotism and Nationalism was called into play. "*Insert country name here*- Love it, or leave it!" Or "My country, right or wrong!" I'm amazed to see the change in world opinion on the US in the short 3 years following 9/11, and the slash and burn approach they have taken to historical allies. Some allies for 100's of years, over this one issue of the war on Iraq. From a country that had the sympathy, empathy and support of the world, to one with an increasingly lager mentality internally, and openly critisized abroad for actions that are largely beyond the control of the average American. I see Americans bickering among themselves about Clinton having done/not done this or that, and Bush having done/not done something similar or something different. I can't help but think that Bush dealt with what happened on 9/11 in a particular way, and that he did things the way he did them because he honestly beleived that was the best thing to do at the time - but that the world isn't happy with that. Personally, I'm benefitting. With the weaker dollar, I've bought new gear, wingsuits and am planning a trip to the Eloy boogie - something which would have been absolutely IMPOSSIBLE for me to afford a mere 2 years ago, so it's not all bad, I guess. As things stand now, I'm being paid $40 per AFF jump at the current exchange rate, while 2.5 years ago I was earning only $16. Of course, I'm putting the same amount in my pocket. It's how much I can buy in the US which is different. All this is, after all, only politics, and as we know, politicians have more in common with each other than they'll ever have in common with us - regardless of whether they lean left or right of the line. I hope in future the clashes on this forum will be more ideological in nature, and a little less personal than they've been recently. It's hating people for what they beleive rather than what they are that's led to most genocide in history. That's something worth considering. I'd like to thank the greenies for laying down the law. I don't think I'll be questioning any actions they take. t It's the year of the Pig.

I know a cat that lived to 21. His name was Tishka, a short haired Russian Blue. I know an Abysinian aged 13 at present - who's going through "dying fits." His owner comes across him, sprawled somewhere, cold and stiff as a board. When she freaks out - he "wakes up." Manx cats die younger I think. Short hairs live longer than long hairs. I'd say "normal" would be 12 - 16. Anything over 16 is a gift, and probably indicates a very loved cat. t It's the year of the Pig.

Some input required, since we have no BMI in the country... When I back fly an exit, I really need to sit it. Any attempt to fly flatter seems to result in a dive off the top of a loop, if I let that happen. Is back flight out the door as inefficient as it feels? t It's the year of the Pig.

Plenty of bitterness and resentment out there lately. Makes you think, doesn't it? t It's the year of the Pig.

I have a nice smile. I'll take my chances. t It's the year of the Pig.

Can I still come to the DZ.com boogie and get tunnel coaching if I pay the going rate? t It's the year of the Pig.

Really? Oxford defines it as n Person who seeks to bring about war. Is there anyone here who thinks that President George W Bush did not seek to bring about this war? Anyone? t It's the year of the Pig.

Erno went to Oz after visiting here. Wanted to do Tandem - ended up picking fruit and then working in a warehouse, I think. Oz is quite strict about allowing (or not allowing) work. (although not as strict as the US) Take it from me - if you need the money and are prepaired to work, there are always jobs available. t It's the year of the Pig.

Yeah, and it's only the Dems that do that, right? t It's the year of the Pig.

The Mirage Main flap stays closed even during deployment. the only wear on the flap is when you (or your packer) opens it to repack the rig. Flaps that get opened during deployment are obviously exposed to more wear. t It's the year of the Pig.

Ahhh... You're just grumpy cos Bush is getting hosed. t It's the year of the Pig.