chutem

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Everything posted by chutem

  1. chutem
    My first jumps were at about .65:1 in Eloy AZ. Was not a problem, slower is better at this point in the game. My wife is about 30 pounds lighter than I and she started on the same size canopy the same day, again not a problem. Keep reading and posting questions, just watch out for bad advise. (especially from my low time point of view) One thing I've noticed is bad advise gets pointed out pretty quick here. You just have to wait for a number of responces, and as always check with your instructor before following advice from the web. James
  2. chutem
    Does the old timeout automatically adjust for DZ altitude? James
  3. chutem
    My "newbie" logic on this one almost tells me that if I was going to do something dumb, like pull at 1500' intentionaly, I would be better off turning my cypress off for that jump. I would be more concerned about going a "hair" lower than I planned and getting a cypress fire 2 out. Please no one think that I would do this, I'm just trying to understand. James
  4. chutem
    Did this person think they were doing you a favor lending you an out of date packed rig forged to be current? Thanks for shareing this, I guess you have to remember only you can be trusted to look out for your best interest. James
  5. chutem
    Stupid "newbie" question, How were you able to determine when the reserve was packed if the card was forged? Is there something to look for on the rig? Or did you check with the rigger who's "signature" was on the card? James
  6. chutem
    Is it "easy" to get a radar speed reading from a canopy/pilot? I ask because my son got a radar gun for christmas last year. I never considered useing it on swoopers. I've been curious about how fast these guys really are. The radar gun he has is a "low end" type of unit do you think it would work? James
  7. chutem
    Under no circumstances substitute condoms for approved flotation devices. I was just commenting that they should be able to provide the necc. bouyancy. Also as bodypilot 1 says get the gear off before useing any of it as flotation. James
  8. chutem
    I would think you could trap air with a ZP main for floatation. I also think the condom thing would probably work, it doesn't take much to keep a body afloat. If you have a very low bodyfat % you might have trouble, but the rest of us should float with very little assistance. James
  9. chutem
    What did your passenger think of this? Will he/she do it again? Was it their first jump? I'm glad my first jump was smoother than that. Probably doesn't mean much comeing from me, but this sounds like some "cool" headed decision makeing in a tough spot. Keep keeping them safe. James
  10. chutem
    I got my RW Panic Suit back yesyerday. They put in a new front panel made of a much stronger looking material. The suit blew out at a seam approx 20 jumps after I bought it used (had 4 jumps) Carlos at Panic told me to send it in even though I didn't buy it new and that they would fix it for free. End result suit is better than when I got it at no charge to me, now thats the way to take care of your customers. Thanks Carlos, James
  11. chutem
    Stephan is a good bet in the tunnel or in the air. I believe he is from Europe. I don't know what languages he speaks but it might be an advantage since your european. James
  12. chutem
    It has avery limited flight time if I remember right, seems like it was in the 20-40 second range. I saw one video where they edited together a bunch of short flights to look like a long one. Looks like fun just don't run out of fuel! James
  13. chutem
    Mine is an RW suit and also flys well in my opinion. James
  14. chutem
    I bought a suit used of this brand (4 jumps) at the holiday boogie in Eloy. I had a problem with it ripping on the seam under the arm. I contacted Carlos at Panic suits explaining my problem and that I did not purchase the suit new. He was very helpfull and offered to repair the suit at no cost to me. I have not gotten the suit back yet but am very impressed with the customer service on a product that I bought used. You can contact Carlos at encisoa@bellsouth.net . James
  15. chutem
    Maybe it's just my inexperience, but I thought I had less trouble with backsliding with the booties. Also seems like I can track faster with them. I had a little trouble catching air with them on exit and turning me. Like I said though it might just be me. James
  16. chutem
    Low jump #'s here so take what I say to someone who know's. I think there is a soft wrap/brace used in motocross for people with this type of problem. It might help "hold things together". I would check with a doctor first and an instructor/S&TA about this befor jumping. I don't know what kind of mobility limits this brace might give (don't have to put your hand behind your back much in moto). Very nice work steering and flaring both toggles with one hand. James
  17. chutem
    Gets better as you go, although I admit it still starts getting to me sometimes. I almost see it as part of the fun. Visuallising the dive on the way up seems to help some. James
  18. chutem
    Wherever you go in AZ be aware of the dust devils when the temp. gets high. James
  19. chutem
    I went to marrana to look the place over on a day we went to Eloy but the wind was to strong and gusty for my wife and I to feel good about jumping our lightly loaded canopys.(steady 17-18 gusting to more) First thing they did was try to talk us into jumping telling us we should be ok in the wind. I also didn't see the fastest jump ship in AZ as the yellow page ad mentions. When I asked what type of aircraft they jump there I was told cessnas. We left and most likely won't return. James
  20. chutem
    I purchased a used Panicsuit RW suit at the holiday boogie in Eloy.(4 jumps on it) After about 15 jumps the stitching under the right arm pulled through the fabric. I e-mailed them and received a prompt response from Carlos that they would repair the suit at no cost to me. The only drawback being it might take a while as he would have to ship it to the factory that is out of country. I shipped them the suit and received a prompt e-mail that it had been forwarded to the factory. I find my experience with them in this matter to be very positive so far especially since I did not purchase their product new. Thanks Carlos I look forward to jumping this suit again as I was very happy with the way it flies and got many comments on how good it looked. James
  21. chutem
    Large aircraft, lots of loads every day fall/winter/spring, world champions out the wazzoo that are also world class nice people to be around, what more could you want? ELOY rocks. James
  22. chutem
    1.4:1 wingloading at 64 jumps sounds like a lot to me. How did you end up in the tree? But what do I know at my jump #'s? James
  23. chutem
    After two tandems one jump with two instructors for me. James
  24. chutem
    Are you packing at the DZ loft? I was supposed to pick up my Infinity on mon. but had to go to Oakland for work. Just curious if you packed it. Hope you did, I have confidence in you. Let me know when your "ready for buis." Congrats James
  25. chutem
    $10,000+ easy. Training for the wife and I in July. Used rig for me. ( still looking for her) 100+ jumps each. I'd almost have to vote $2000-10000 just for what I spent at the DZ.com holiday boogie. Should be cheaper this year, I hope. James