pilotdave

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Everything posted by pilotdave

  1. pilotdave
    Your profile indicates 1000 swoop landings. You're ready for the split-S landing in the pitts too!
  2. pilotdave
    Another widely perpetrated myth. You need to crab into the wind to avoid drifting. That means turning as necessary into the wind. Once you've got the heading you want, you no longer need to hold a toggle down. You cannot "sideslip" a canopy like you can sideslip an airplane... we have no rudder. Dave
  3. pilotdave
    Well, the vast majority of jump planes wouldn't be affected... including twin otters. But if this goes through, what stops them from lowering the weight cutoff to 8000 lbs next time around? How long till every aircraft passenger needs to be approved by the TSA? I can understand security concerns when it comes to large aircraft. But I'd hope that the TSA would make an exception for skydiving when it comes to worrying about who the passengers are. Hijacking a skydiving plane wouldn't be too successful. Besides, I'd think the main concern would be a terrorist stealing a big plane, not hijacking it. Dave
  4. pilotdave
    In action... Well, not actually being used at the time. Dave
  5. pilotdave
    Ha... if you put your correct jump number in your profile, they'd only go ape shit about the jump numbers you really do have.
  6. pilotdave
    I'd say swooping is safer as a landing technique. Dave
  7. pilotdave
    The TSA is proposing new security rules for aircraft over 12,500 lb... such as CASAs. http://www.eaa.org/news/2008/2008-10-30_tsa.asp That last one wouldn't work too well for us if it's gotta be done in advance. The comment period ends Dec 29... EAA is trying to get it extended to March 31. Dave
  8. pilotdave
    Of course it's a safety issue for all involved in the jump, but only the video guy needs to watch out for it. On a sigma, if the drogue fails to collapse when the drogue is released, you'll get a hard opening. It collapses first to avoid that. I don't know why a strong opening would be more comfortable, but I've never jumped one from the front or the back. Dave
  9. pilotdave
    Low pack volume main sounds like a great way to get people to downsize their reserves to fit in a smaller container. Dave
  10. pilotdave

    AFF Phenominon

    pilotdave replied to kj126's topic in Instructors

    Yeah I found the original post confusing because that sounds like every student at our DZ (that actually wants to skydive). I reread the post 3 times trying to find the phenomenon. I jumped with a student at another DZ a few weeks ago where they still use the old AFF program... Kind of hard to believe the difference. The structure of the ISP really helps keep students on track and bulding their skills. But it comes at a price. Such a different attitude from the students toward their progression at DZs that follow the full ISP. This one had 20+ jumps, never done a hop n' pop, never done a floater exit (I took care of that), and 3 required coach jumps planned for some time in the future. And that's at a big DZ with 3 super otters. I can't imagine one of our DZ's students getting into a position like that... actually it couldn't happen because they can't jump solo until they finish 2 hop n' pops successfully. Dave
  11. pilotdave
    What a horrible thought! I feel so sad for you! Why get a B if you don't wanna do night jumps? That's the best part! Night jumps kick ass. Dave
  12. pilotdave
    Get airworthy ones and a container to connect em to and practice after each jump.
  13. pilotdave
    I also like the Z1 but everything works and people generally like whatever they have. But the oxygn visor does seem a lot more finicky than the Z1 visor. Seen a lot of people that have to tape them closed. I was shooting video for a 4-way team last week... one guy had his oxygn visor open in freefall and it quickly broke apart, nearly departing the helmet altogether. I've left the plane with my Z1 open a few times and it's no big deal. I've also closed a few Z1s in freefall for other people. The mamba looks nice but the visor is much more prone to scratching than the Z1. Seen some that were so scratched up that they looked foggy, and they weren't that old. Z1 visors can last years, depending on how many scratches you can tolerate. I'd personally get another Z1 if I needed another full face. Mine's probably 8 years old now and still working fine with no repairs other than occasional visor replacements. Dave
  14. pilotdave
    Your wingloading on a 170 would be over 1.2. Don't forget to account for the weight of all your gear and clothes. That's a hefty wingloading for a new jumper. Talk to your instructors and see what size canopy they recommend. I'd be willing to bet they'll say 190 or bigger. Why do you want the smallest possible canopy? Dave
  15. pilotdave
    I do that here too. It's amazing and scary how long I've waited for the little yellow box to appear.
  16. pilotdave
    All I know is how NOT to ask. Dropping your canopy on the packer's face while she is taking a nap is the wrong way to ask for a packjob. Dave
  17. pilotdave
    We were definitely standing side by side at the landing area. Here are my pics from Nationals... http://www.skydivingstills.com/gallery/6285553_4oVt2#397220981_euzou Dave
  18. pilotdave
    Here's skydiving footage from the Canon HV-10. I assume the HV-30 is similar. http://www.skydivingmovies.com/ver2/pafiledb.php?action=file&id=4916 Decide for yourself... Dave
  19. pilotdave
    Snow is goooood! Dave
  20. pilotdave
    We're planning to do away with the login requirement... as soon as google buys the site for a few million bucks. Any day now. FYI: the Guest Pass feature lets you share videos with other people so they don't have to log in. Like this: http://www.skydivingmovies.com/ver2/pafiledb.php?action=guestpass&id=xa79v. My site has more members than the USPA... must be doing something right.
  21. pilotdave
    What happens when you click the download link (in the yellow box)? Do you get any error message? Dave
  22. pilotdave
    It doesn't go away. Invest in a neck brace now... you'll be sore from looking up so much. Dave
  23. pilotdave
    Try right clicking on the download link... you can save them to your hard drive and play them. Dave
  24. pilotdave
    http://www.floridaskydiving.com/FloridaSkydivingCenter/Lodging/tabid/58/Default.aspx I've stayed at the Green Gables motel a bunch of times. It's perfectly fine. It's near the DZ, but it's not walking distance. Pretty sure they have a skydiver discount. Dave
  25. pilotdave
    A couple ringsight entanglements: http://www.skydivingmovies.com/ver2/pafiledb.php?action=file&id=7005 http://www.skydivingmovies.com/ver2/pafiledb.php?action=file&id=3706 Dave