YISkyDive

College. Work. Responisbilities. Scheduals. Appointments. and many other events that fall under that umprell of life. Plus Arizona is completly unaccesiable by my current standard of living. It isnt a small country. 4 days drive or thousands of dollars in travel expenses is not worth being shut down by an orginazation that for one reason or another will not listen to one person. Im not saying there arnt good reasons. But that fact stands. That doesnt mean I wont take things into my own hands- currently I am considering getting a research program at school opened to prove some of my theories. It would involve lots of times but could cover many costs to USPA- but I can't get into till next semster- meaning I must delay longer than I like. It aint a perfect world. They wouldnt want me at a meeting anyway.. Im not 'conservative' enough.

I dont know about USPA as an orgonazation, it really bothers me, in a sense that it even exsits. Skydiving is a messed up sport in which we need extensive governing.. but some times USPA just puts its self out of the line of fire and lets the jumper take the bullet. Plus, at least one director persoanlly offended me in a discussion and I understand that people have diffrences- but posting internet access information attmepting to prove certain things totally shoots what they preach. Even if their point was proved(which is wasnt)- its down right sad too see them stoop to that level publically. The insurance bothers me- at 50 dollars a year -I guess- its a deal. The obvious cutaway, lost helmet, or other weird situation tht could cause damage, it could come in hady. But i mean -more than likely- i will damage skydivers property. Plus USPA bothers me on their training platforms. I think they are two weak at the price. Stuff costs money, i get that, but our students dont get everything need even with the new training platform and it costs them way too much money. I just don't believe in it whole heartedly- and more than likely i am wrong, on many points, but still. It bothers me that i personally could 'write' a training manual to at least help maybe 5 open canopy accidents a year- but USPA hasnt touched the subject. Since I have 332 jumps though- what does it matter if I say I could write a basic canopy training manual/ patform program. USPA really down right pisses me off about it. Plus the wingloading recommendations bother me and its showing uspa might be taking the 'easy way' out of a complicated problem. I see USPA doing nothing for me. I think the BSRs where great- but thats where I see me liking them stop. I hate our training programs, I hate the insurance (but understand why things are the way they are) and I totally totally fault USPA for not forcing canopy training from jump one. Just theres some- but not enough. not enough by any strech of imagination. I pay 50 dollars because im forced too. I pay 50 dollars so I get to jump at USPA DZs- I pay 50 dollars so I get to expeirence free fall- I pay 50 dollars soI get to enjoy skydiving. That botheres me that an orgonazation can hindge my fun, my enjoyment, my life on a stupid 50 dollar bill that they have no direct invovlment with. But I openly admit I dont understand every part of what USPA does- but from what I have seen in almost 2 full years directly jumping and an additional 4 years just 'watching' the sport from the ground.. it has done absolutely nothing. That bothers me. Some people say go to a meeting. Its not that easy. Plus- writing a letter is a joke when obviously multiple memebers have found that simply proccessing your membership to be a challange. I dont have a 'screw USPA' mentallity but it needs a HECK of a lot of reformation to be a 'Usefull' org. Just my opinion. Im not trying to start a flame fest. Just my honest opinion. Dave.

That is an AWSOME thing that you do, and I respect it highly.

Cool video- I couldnt get the codecs to work unfortunetly so I just used VLC Media Player. Stock it works fine, if anyeone else is having a tough time with the .mp4. http://www.videolan.org/vlc/ Thanks for posting the video, again. I liked see all the freestyle footage! Dave

Search for a free program called 'avi to dvd' there is a guide on afterdawn.com. I personally have not gotten it to worlk, but it is freeware and it can be done. I just have not have the time. good luck! Oh yeah- you can also author the dvd with a DVD authoring prog., youd have to buy one or use a demo version that will water mark your video probably. This will allow you to add menus, chapters, titles, and suptitles to the film. I dont care for that stuff- so I just use Preimier Pro to export as a DVD- but thats an expensive program.

I dont know about MAC-- but in PremierPro I export it as a raw .AVI file and than bust out the DIVX encoding.. for 36megs and 18 Megs for a 4minute file I wasnt unimpressed at all.. comfortably viewable in full screen. I think Divx works on Mac and Pc.. but Im not sure

I read that the D50 has the "wireless remote".. I could be mistaken.. if thats the case.. XT it is.

This maybe somewhat silly to ask- but do you have a neptune to check the numbers you think you got? On my diablo I dont loose nearly that much alititude in turns- but I also have never monitored my turns at 7 to 9K. Still- it Seems like a lot. If you can get to a computer downloand your neptune graph with w/ paralog and analyzie it. Obviously if you dont have a neptune/ paralog/ RF port on your PC.. than my advice is useless

Ok- So I have been doing some homework for my skydiving digital camera and I am still confused as which to get. I Really Like the D50- but the RebelXT seems to be the standard. My DZ intends to be switched over to all Digital Equipment by this summer.. i need to conform... I really dont do any 4way freefly camera work at all. purely T.Video. I have a laptop for making CDs on the spot, so thats not a problem.. The only other thing I couldnt really answer for myself is what lens to get for which ever camera I pick up.. I plan on shooting a .43X on a PC101... I have a .45X on a PC100 now and its Not Nearly Wide Enough.. . I gotta fly pretty far out to have a chance. Like I said- I've played with both cameras for like 45minutes each in staples- and I think I like the D50 more.. overall.. but for some reason.. i know thats weird. I have a .3X sitting here.. but for some reason Im sure thats way to wide and I would have to be uncomfortably close on exit to get the shots.

Now- i know this question maybe off topic.. but what are the "proper" procedures in the event of a gift wrapped person? Just intrested, I have never heard of how to fix a shitty situation like that, and would honestly love to know. Do they train that to paraglider pilots? I know i've never been told what to do if i self gift wrap myself (I hope to god i never will...)

nah- I agree with Dave on this.. at least on the lightly loaded canopy thing.. With a tri210 loaded at 1.07 : 1 My 90 degree vertical component was 21 mph while my 270 vertical component was 26mph. The diffrence is (I guess) pretty small, given the degree change increase... but also the 270 was performed at 2,000 feet, while the 90 was onto final. My Diablo is funny though.. Its loaded at 1.3 : 1 (avg) and my neptune has shown wierd numbers for it..: Riser 90: 18mph Toggle90: 25mph Frontriser180 to harness180: 39.5 done at 600 ft Harness1260(0 toggle after first 180) : 50 MPH. done at 1000ft Thats on a 170 Diablo via neptune again. I know the Diablo is out there interms of desgin and place.. but those numbers where like wow. Im especially confused by the toggle being so much faster than the riser. I was also pretty impressed that a 170 could get "locked" into harness turns. It felt neat- very very very diffrent spiral360s and riser 360s.. much more force was in the system- like positiveGs. edited for unit error

Frost has a good point- PM Sent.

Here is a picture to help explain what I was talking about- And when I said swoop a canopy you didnt know- I didnt mean you and your canopy- I meant the canopy thats on short/ long final, that doesnt know about you because your high- Low man has right of way. Just consider this picture and realize that even if something like density altitude came into affect you could take you and someone else out. Im sure my friend and the other person I knew werent being swooped orginally with 0 ft horizontal seperation. You look down at least between your feet. There was an aborted swoop. what was amble seperation when _everything goes well_ was NOT EVEN CLOSE TO ampple _when everything goes wrong_ If you start your turn at 550 on a cold morning, but than it gets hot in the afternoon and you use 550 again, you might have to abort because your canopy just started loosing alot more alt. in a turn. If that abort is even close to what this picture looks like than I pray for you, and the innocent jumper. Shit happens- golden rule to keep you alive through swooping is You Do Not Have To Swoop Every Skydive if that means traffic- dont swoop. edited to add- when I started doing 180s, a swooper on the DZ pulled me aside, and said that I should not be swooping in my usual landing area because I dont have outs. He told me if I want to do 180s, land at the end of the feild away from everyone and dont hit the ground with yourself. Dont break the cardinal rule Leave yourself OUTS Like I said- the people that I knew that cant see their loved ones anymore probably didnt have 0ft horizontal seperation when the swooper initiated their turn. Something went wrong, horribily wrong, and that ugly thing called chain of unforunate events got put into motion.

I dont want to gang up on- But- I just need to let you know this- A very very very close friend and mentor of mine was killed a few years ago when someone thought they could swoop with traffic. He was hit from behind at 50 to 100 feet... never saw it coming, on a very well respect and prominate DZ. Recently, a similar accident happened when two people had a colision in mid air- costing lives again. I dont know enough about 270s- set ups and things of that nature because A) I have a DZ where high performance canopies and swoopers land in a dedicated area, while all others land in another, and B) I have never done a real 270- but I do know what loosing a good friend, and another friend to a canopy collision is.. Its not fun, and I understand loosing a close friend, and another person you knew is part of the sport we are in- but they should never ever be lost on turns to final. I'm not attacking you, or ganging up on you- I just want you to know that swooping with 100 ft seperation on a canopy you dont know is bad- because if you abort your 270, and your flight line is into or close to the other canopy 1 or both of you may not be, at best, walking off the airfield. Oh- and 30 miles per hour is roughly 44 feet per second.. leaving you about 2.5 seconds to fix a serious problem and not hit the ground. Thats considering 100ft seperation.

On quote 1- Thats your opinion. And I repspect it. But I hear often times "but they drive past closer DZs...." Same thing, similar evil. On quote 2- I have a problem with DZs not selling a new altimiter to try to cover the cost of their student one. Thats sick. It makes the student pay twice. On quote 3- let me do some math for you say half of the jumps where coached (which they realistically where) Than 80 / 40 = 40. If the coach jumps cost 60 dollars a piece (slot NOT Included, rental Not included) than 40 * 60 is 2400 dollars. A New used Rig. No one, and I mean No one, should pay 2400 dollars in coached jumps, and not be allowed to skydive with other people. People at that praticular DZ where taking advantage of a "upper class" student. quote 4- Very valid point, and I agree, but (not meant sarcastically) your DZ doesnt have these problems, but other DZs skyride and non take advantage of students every day. Its sick. Its sad. Its life. Im jsut saying, skydiving itself has an evil in the inudstry- and thats greed. It does not come souly from skyride. Sorry to take this so far away from the orginal. Not my intent. And Im NOT defending skyride, Im not defending anyone. Im purely speaking about the industry as a whole, please do not make the mistake of thinking I am trying to defend skyride. I just wont speak up against one evil, and let high class DZs that are guilty of the same stuff go untouched. I dont roll on that band wagon. I roll on the wagon where we try to make the skydiving community a better place. edited for mis typed point.

Sorry about that guys- I didnt mean to take it off subject. I was just showng that Skyride isnt the only "evil." If a mod wants to creat this as a new thread, that'd work.

Skyride has its problems- but people are missing that this is not just an one company thing. I looked up all the local DZs in PA, and all of them attempt to attract business from other states especailly upwards of 150 to 200 miles. Other DZs, through out the country, have redicoulus AFF and coaching programs. Sure "they help the student" but im sorry to see people pay rent costs MORE THAN THE COST OF AN ALTIMITER. Im also sorrry to see, personally, coach jumps from 6,000 ft when a ceiling moved in that cost the student 60 dollars. That student worked a week for that coach jump and was still charged. He opened at 5,000 ft. Im also very angry to see two non TSO-able rigs sold to forgeiners at redicoulous costs that where sold under the basis of "jumpable and jumpable in the USA" I was there when the reserers where opened, and even if they could have been jumped in another country, had the person needed their reserve they would have had a half. Yet the seller is VERY WELL RESPECTED(??????) in this area. When we went up to bat for them, it was a storm from hell that I couldnt believe.. That seller almost killed two kids, but he has a good DZ name backing them. Its ok. NOT. I dont jump there for a reason. My point is that Skyride is not ok, Skyride, is what has been said by this thread. Thats peoples both opinions and legal action, (or what have you). Im not defending them- what I am saying though is before we all continue to be upset with skyride and the way the its destroying the industry, we need to look at our own actions first. Sure they dont happen as often as what skyride does- but they do happen, and each time both a skyride and non skyride related incident happens we may push another good hearted skydiver out of this sport. Because when some body is forced to rent an altimiter 80 times, at even a marginal cost.. you could have bought one by now. Let alone making a person do only coach jumps up through their 80 jumps... USPA rules are rules.. but if that person needed to be out of the sport they should have had the "talk." Oh, and this person was not "asking" for coach jumps... they where being forced. But its not skyride.. its ok. fix the problems at home, fix the way coaching is done, fix things that push your business away. At the same time fix skyride, if its your will. this is just my opinion, but theres a lot of dirt and money hungry people in this industry.. I sure know more than two.

From Brian Germinas Radio show- I'd agree that the 270 is the best turn avaliable (when at the right skill level of course) Thise turn- Unlike a 180- 360 gives you a very clear C-B-A point set up, letting you fly a right/ left hand pattern to adjust your accuracy points as needed to be at the right turn altitude at the right point. I hope I didnt butcher his explanation- If you havent checked out his second radio show, check it on skydive radio, its really worth listening too.

Thats a Hot picture!

IF you dont know anyone, and its not your home DZ it can become a busy and overwhelming place. Also, Xkeys is a very, well, profit oriented place. I mean that nicely, as well as, ciritically. The coaching can help, but I know too many people that have been lead down the wrong path at the same time. I dont agree with all their "coaching" and renting practices. My main reason though is, that it is busy, so I wouldnt roll over there until Id have an A, if it wasnt my homeDZ. Its just less hectic in an already hectic enviroment. Sorry to take this thread off in the wrong direction- didnt mean to do that. Good luck on getting your hop and pops orgonzied!

In my opinion, the chart may fix some stuff, but not nearly what we need in the industry. The industry is caught up too much in “coaching” and too much in earning profits and not focused on stressing that people should actually be flying their canopies. I have flown a fairly good amount of canopies, everything form a Nitro150 for 40 jumps, as a demo, to 150 Specter, 170Diablo, 170Sabre2, 190 Hornet, 210 Triathlon, and a 280 Navigator (In reverse order). Sure, a 150 moderate performance canopy at 330 jumps has femur written on it to some- but those are the same people that only said dumb stuff to me in the first place. The best swooper I personally know, I complete ignore. As a community we need to not get hung up on wing loading (within reason by all means) and focus much much more on the important thing- flying the parachute. The parachute is a device like a car, it takes both time and energy to learn its advanced techniques, but it can be done with no accident, no injury, and no personal loss. I agree with Brian, as a community we all pull too low. That’s one reason why pilots have a harder time learning their canopies- another reason is the upset, unhappy, and angered seasoned veterans say pathetic things at best to students in trouble and in danger. Things such as “when you break your leg, we’ll call the ambulance and just keep jumping- because there is nothing else we can do!” is out there. Really out there. If every DZ had a canopy coach like my coach, our femur rate would be so low itd be amazing. A 1.1 to 1.2 Wling is such a minor diffrence, that if a pilot cant hndel the 1.2, than they have no business being on the 1.1 As a community we need to help people understand how to fly parachutes, enforce the downsizing checklists, and help people jump as many sizes as possible. I am lucky, and jump at a DZ that has a size of something from 150 to 280. I owned my Diablo170 long before I jumped it, but over 50 jumps went from the 210 to the 170D. Some may consider it aggressive, others may say it was over drawn, but putting 12 or so jumps did help me a lot, but I just don’t think we can limit people to 170s till 500 jumps. Its just not possible, and in some cases, could be very dangerous. Student wind conditions promote jumping in 14mph winds, 115pound girl, such as my fiance would have an extremely bad experience till 500 jumps. Hell, I wouldn’t let her skydive under those kinds of rules. Its just not reasonable. I promote safety, and I promote understanding of both sides in this issue, but I can personally say that on my canopy I have been between a 1.25 to a 1.4 WL with weight changes and back to a 1.25 and I never really noticed. Yet by the current recommended wing loading recommendations I jumped a span of almost 200 jumps. I see a problem. The problem with this sport lies within all the lack of shared knowledge. Its also not all in books, DVDs, or radio shows.. Though they are all Great Resources. Im talking about the friendly walk from the landing area with your buddy. Hey man- your flare was good, but id try bumping it up another 3 feet. I rarely hear that. When I try to tell that to some people- that really could use the advice, well, I need not explain. USPA needs to promote a great canopy education platform, AT LITTLE TO NO COST TO THE END USER. We already pay over 50 a month, and see little to nothing from it. A publication that I Could do with out, and insurance that more than likely I cannot use because when Im skydiving I’m around a lot of skydivers property. In short, I don’t like the organization, my experiences with it have been pathetic, especially in cases of privacy, but when people have 300 jumps, they cannot know anything. My point is this- this is the time for USPA to set up. USPA has done a lot of work with the SIM- lets take it to a different like, CCIM- canopy control instruction manual, and yes, with a USPA logo on it. The CCIM can have every bit of non aerodynamic information out there- Brian and his works have covered that Extremely well, as well as any pilots hand book, so USPA wouldn’t have to waste their time researching and writing already good information. But what USPA could do is set and write a strong set of ‘norms’ that we could all be forced, objectively with no BSR, to follow. Example, you see the 300 jump kid talking about a demoed nitro and you could approach him and say- On your previous canopy have you usefully landed on rear rise 15 times, done 45 degree+ flare turns, attempted reasonable induced speed approaches, landed accurately, and so on. If the answers to anyone is no, recommend them to cutaway the current canopy, practice the approaches some more- and be on their marry way. This could also serve as an advanced canopy control basis too- a recommended # to start swooping, with requirements for levels. 100 jumps on double fronts, 10 signed off by an instructor that knows something, that demonstrate that pilot can understand all the basics induced speed. Then, bump em up to final direction turns of UP TO 90, UP 180, UP TO 270, and UP TO Unlimited. Many of the world’s best swoopers I;m sure could pitch in- and I Don’t mean speak about techniques- that somehow every one picks up at the DZ pull on a Friser.. I mean talk about the stuff people don’t pick up the DZ, everything from what “roll out” or sight picture they should be seeing, to how all the stuff they learned in the begin can be used. My model basic outlines a reasonable canopy control progression that everyone- both canopy control pilots and swoopers alike should always know- how to fly parachutes low to the ground. I did that from 50 to 200 jumps. People thought I was dumb, stupid, and arrogant, and to an extent I guess I Was. But Under my Tri 210 I learned carving flare turns, flat turns, up to 90degree risers turns, and it Damn well saved my life twice- As soon as I downsized to the Diablo- which many of you know is a higher performance diving canopy- within in 10 jumps of downsizing I was forced to A) land in a development and B) negotiate a head on canopy at 50feet to the ground. Either one of those incidents could have killed or severly injured the 300ft conservative canopy pilot. USPA has a chance to set up as more than an organization that wastes my 50 dollars a year. Im with Dave on this one- USPA needs to fix things, some thing WL is the way to go- but I promise you that if limit peoples performance factor, its still not going to fix their lack of knowledge and the open good canopy incidents will no only fail to level off- they will climb. Skydiving is turning into a major mainstream sport. Technology has allowed it too, and so, USPA better be prepared to step up, and so should every single person at the DZ. Its time to take a step back in time, when coaching was free, and lending a hand didn’t mean getting slot + 10. Its time to be like my canopy coach and spend hours with devoted students for the enjoyment of giving back to the sport. Forget the Wling chart- Its not going to help- we need to focus on education, and if people arnt willing to learn, force them out of the sport because this sport is about knowledge, and I go to the DZ hoping to learn a new thing every day. For the record- I’d like to thank Brian for carrying so much about the safety of all those in this sport that he spent a lot of his time developing and thinking and re thinking the chart. I think its what we need to see more of, from a lot of seasoned people, because shit, I have 329 jumps, what the hell can I possibly know, and I know that. I know that my ideas are limited to my experiences. Id also like to again, thank my coach- for he has been the best and the most that anyone could have paid for let a lone for free. He must have spent over 50 hours with me by now, easily more, at not even a dimes cost to me. Thank you buddy, you kept me out of the hospital, and I Appreciate that. It means the world to me. You have given back to the sport, know it, don’t just feel it. *Prepares for the attack*

If your profile is correct, and your still a student.. Id recommend not going to Xkeys until you have your A. Just keep that in mind.

link is dead - but i did get on to your video page and checked out the mini boogie video. sweet deal. do you know about how many vertical feet (or meters) that hillside is? Also how steep that hill is? Thanks, Dave

I thought I saw a velo too.. the yellow canopy right? That also makes sense. I just did a big thing on density altitude.

Frost when we making the trip out that way? This northeast thing Sucks! Awsome video man. I liked the editing. Dave.