Michele

Morning, Quade.... got this in my e-mail this morning..... ********************** Hello Michele, To a certain extent, the riser length you choose is a matter of personal preference. The risers should definitely be short enough to allow you to reach the toggles comfortably and easily. If you collapse or stow your slider after opening, you will want the risers short enough that you can reach the slider easily, as well. Riser length will also affect the flight characteristics of the canopy, particularly how it responds to toggle inputs such as turning and flaring. An inch or so will not make much difference, but three inches will probably have a noticeable effect. I measured my own arm after reading you e-mail, and found that it measures about 23." I prefer risers around 20"-21" in length. Longer risers feel too long, and 18" risers definitely feel a bit too short for me. I find that many other jumpers have a similar preference, and that 18" risers seem most appropriate for very short jumpers with shorter arms. The size and type of canopy do not seem to affect these preferences to any great degree. If you have used both 18" and 21" risers, and find that you prefer one length to the other, then you can obviosly choose the size you prefer when buying a rig. I wouldn't be surprised if the 18" risers feel a bit too short for you. You may even want to try locating a different set of "loaner" risers if you will be using them for a while. In most cases, shortening the steering lines on a canopy is not recommended . As a general rule of thumb, there should be a noticeable bow in the steering lines when the brakes are released and the toggles are all the way up at full glide. You should have to pull the toggles at least two or three inches before the steering lines become completely tight and the tail starts to be pulled down. On most PD main canopies, the toggles should not be set any shorter than the factory setting. In fact, since the steering lines will gradually shrink as more and more jumps are made on a canopy, you may actually have to lengthen the steering lines every one or two hundred jumps to keep them the correct length. The Spectre may be the only exception to this. Since many people do not lengthen their steering lines occasionally, or they tie the toggles too short to begin with, we designed the Spectre with the steering lines a little longer than usual. In most cases, the canopy will be just fine with the toggles at the factory setting, but some people may prefer to shorten the steering lines slightly, especially on larger Spectres. Short risers will definitely exaggerate the effects of longer steering lines. If you do decide to have your steering lines shortened, please keep the following in mind: first, the steering lines should not be shortened too much. There should still be sufficient slack in the steering lines when the canopy is at full glide, as mentioned above. Even on a larger Spectre, shortening the lines more than two or three inches may be going too far. Second, do not cut the excess steering line off below the toggle. This excess line should be left in place, and can be finger-trapped back into the steering line above the toggle so that the steering lines can be lengthened later if necessary. Third, check the slack in your steering lines occasionally to see if they have shrunk, and have them lengthened if need be. I hope this information is helpful. Please let us know if you have any other questions. Scott Miller Performance Designs, Inc. www.performancedesigns.com ************************ Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Wildblue....that attachment cracked me up! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Lots and lots of good advice below....and as I have had the exact same fears (with the exception of the bag lock one and spotting in Scotland), I'd like to add my .02....which is, as stated, exactly worth .02.... * Getting into position in the doorway and accidentally falling/slipping out of the aircraft before myself or the JM's are ready. There came a time to do a floating/climb out exit (level 5 for me). Ed asked me what was wrong, and I told him "what if I fall? What if I trip or slip or something? What if I leave before you????" And he said to me "don't worry about me. I'll be right there for you. If any of the other things happen, you know what to do...ARCH, and check your alti. You have 7500 feet to regain stability, girl. And you know what to do, or I'd not let you up here." So I pass that on here.....You know what to do, if you fall or trip. YOU can handle it, or you wouldn't be allowed to go up. YOU can do it... * After a reasonable freefall, getting unstable at the crucial pull height. Pull anyway. * Getting cramp in the aircraft, or even worse in freefall (A regular occurance when I'm lounging in front of the TV), especially in the cold air of 12k. I get cramps in my back under canopy. They hurt. They also don't stop me from flying. I have gotten cramps in my hips during freefall. They hurt. They don't stop me from flying. They are getting less frequent if I make sure I have had enough water and have stretched all major muscle groups, but they still occur occasionally (like on the high alti hnp I did last week...back cramps...). * Spotting the aircraft somewhere over Scotland when the airfield is in the North of England. Bring your passport. This is not easy to learn. get more information, more teaching. Watch how others do it. When there's a great spot, when you're landed, go to the spotter and ask what they did and how they did it. Spot in conjunction with others...you do it, and have them check it. There are lots of formulae for it, none of which I actually understand. I am not a great spotter...but I haven't actually exited the aircraft in the wrong place (o.k., I land way back lots of times, but that's because I am still learning how to fly the canopy, not because of "bad" spots.). The more you learn, the more comfortable you'll get. Like I said, I've had (and still do have) all the same fears, as I think most of us have. Fear can be a great debilitator, but it can also be turned around and used as a motivator. Find how to do that in yourself, learn more, educate yourself more, and then, my friend, go fly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Hang tight, Zennie. It will feel like a funeral for a while. And then, somewhat unexpectedly, dawn breaks, and it's a new morning, all to yourself, to design and create as you want it.... hugs and ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

and then This should be the last thing on your list. And what impresses whuffos way more than cool clothes and top of the line technology is no mention for a need of the paramedics....... I can't decide if you're serious or not.... As to the original question, the sound which is best is the one where the canopy pops all the way open...and then there's no new sound, other than the flying. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

If I can get to Eloy (jury's still out about that), I'll make sure I bring some Godiva with me.... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Well, I can understand that. I remember with my cutaway, when I landed Vinnie asked me "why didn't you wait for your Cypres to fire", to which I replied "uh, I forgot about it. I was busy pulling handles...". He was kidding, of course, but the point I'm trying to make is "forgetting about it" may be exactly what happened. In any event, what a thing to happen at her jump numbers (well, any jump numbers, for that matter...)! Really glad she's o.k. and still with us. How's she doing? That's got to be frightening. Has there been any update as to what happened in the first place? I'd be curious to know. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Thanks, Lisa. And thanks, Homer...I think.... I shall remember that you don't drink coffee, should it ever become an issue...... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Decaf with Godiva Chocolate Liqueur and a shot of Frangelico to boot. A sweet treat that I do not indulge in much, but today - well, today was definitely a day I could use it...so I did!!! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Happy birthday, Anne!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And many, many happy returns, all of them spent with the folks you love around you, and much merry making all around! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Morning, Bill... Wouldn't that also be an issue during deployment (uneven distribution of weight) or if you had to cut away? Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Morning, Q.... (madly scribbling in notebook.....) (More notes in notebook....) Nah, I'm gonna learn how to swoop next week for sure! ...straight in approaches for me for a long, long time (just in case anyone didn't realize I was joking...) Thanks, MadQ....it's great to get this flight characteristic info from you for this particular canopy. I will tell you, though, that I haven't yet noticed the rocking in the opening...all three were smooth and sweet and not terribly long at all....only had 1/2 a line twist on the first one, but that was because I was a little uneven on tossing, and corrected it as the canopy opened. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

LOL at MadQ..... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I don't think they will ever pass a law against spam....like all the circulars we get in the mail, it's a form of advertising....which sux.... ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Hey, Superstu... Phree's most excellent advice notwithstanding, I bought my main first. I knew what I wanted, and when the opportunity came along, I grabbed it...(thanks again, Eric!) but an added benefit aside from picking up the main at a serious $$ bargin is that at my DZ and those around me, you can rent the harness, reserve and cypres and NOT the main...at less cost than I would normally have to spend. And at the rate I'm able to get extra $$ for skydiving, I will be joining POPs on the same day I jump my entire ensemble for the BEER time.... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

****************** 1. Job Knowledge: Consider general knowledge, work-gained experience and specialized training. Can employee handle most routine aspects of the job with minimum supervision? Does employee have a clear understanding of the job duties? Does the employee learn from experience and grow in the job? Yes, I do. My general knowledge is quite adequate. While I don't necessarily know specific aspects of the job, that's not what I am here for. I am paid, poorly, to watch that others get it right. I am an editor, after all, and because of that, I only need general knowledge; specificity is not required. As for work gained experience, I can now successfully make coffee, turn on and off the lights, hollar "stop the presses" and whatnot. The rest of the things I utilize daily came from college. In regards to the routine job duties, as evidenced by my filling out my own evaluation, I can honestly say yes, I understand my job duties. I also recommend myself for a raise. Having had significant experiences to grow from, I would in fact say that I can learn on the job. However, what specifically I have learned, on the other hand, is not necessarily applicable to being an editor for a large daily paper. 2. Quality of Work: Consider volume of work accomplished in relation to amount of work assigned. Does the employee consistently turn out satisfactory work? Of course. Spell check and I are old friends. Grammatical structure and parsing of sentences, aligning coherent topic sentences with following supportive data, and conclusionary statements restructured to reflect accurate assessments of situations to me are second nature. Further, if you count the amount of editing and grammar-nazi-ing which is done on-line, you would be incredibly impressed at the amount of work I can accomplish in a short amount of time. I don't believe you are using me to the limits of my ability, but the amount of work accomplished is according to the amount I am paid. I would recommend a raise for me. You may see even more production if that were an incentive. (hey, what happened to 3, 4, 5, and 6?) 7. Appearance/Responsibility: Consider the ability to care for tools, equipment and supplies. Does the employee maintain a clean, neat and orderly work area? Does the employee maintain personal neatness appropriate for the job? Yes. I shower, shave, and shampoo. I even iron my own clothing. I do not go to the cleaners anymore, however, because of the cancer-causing chemicals used therein. I mean, clean clothes are not worth dying of cancer, you know? Furthermore, I am neat, tidy, and generally well put together. I make sure that all notes, gossip and rumormongering e-mails are deleted as soon as responded to. I am tidy in the workplace, and am able to maintain all equipment assigned to me (well, with the exception of the coffee being spilled on the keyboard, and the occasional splat of red paint across the windows which tends to be a tension releaser for me...). I am perfectly acceptable in my appearance, even though my co-workers are not. If you find that my appearance is unacceptable, may I suggest a raise so that I can afford better clothig and a routine visit to the nail and hair salon? *******************

Um....read the DUI thread, and see how long it takes to sober up. If there's time, go ahead and pop-hissssssssssss....if not, it will be there for you when you come home. As to your bird crapping on you, there is a reason I don't own birds... Ciels- M ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Why are you ironing? Use the dryer, like most everyone else does....!!! LOL... Yes, what Teemu said...open an alcoholic drink and toast the rain... as for your eval, post it up and let US fill it in for you....

Thanks for posting this, Derek. I appreciate it...am printing it out and saving it in my rainy day study book. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Um, this gives a whole new menaing to the term...uh, Hot Pete.... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Heya, Alan... Yes, I did read something negative in it; if your comment wasn't meant that way, I apologize for taking it that way...something can get lost in the written word, despite all the little icons to the left.... It's kind of like this, I guess. I honestly don't care who I learn from, as long as their information and education is sound. Sometimes, the best teachers can't "do", but can teach the heck out of the topic. Sometimes, they are the best in the world, or close to it, and can't teach worth beans. And sometimes, you get both. In this situation specifically, if it had been Joe Blow teaching the canopy class, my canopy skills are sooooooo poor that I would've taken from anyone willing to teach me. As it is, I jump at Perris, and have the best available to me, and was able to avail myself of that fact. I am proud that Jim was able to teach me, but it's not necessarily the reason I took the class. Does that make sense? I'm having a hard time articulating it...I guess what I mean is that it's not personal because Jim didn't do anything but open a great school, and I availed myself of it. But that's not quite right, either...darn. It's just not coming out right tonight. Sorry.... And I have been listening. Lurking on these forums mostly (I do most of my posting in Talk because I have nothing much to add of any import or knowledge), but I've read you for years, and while you and I have turned it up a time or two, I still learn from you... Absolutely. And in no way did a 4 hour class teach me enough of anything on that level for me to be an expert, but like I said, the foundation has begun to be laid, and for me, that will allow a certain kind of learning from here on out. And for that, I am exceptionally grateful. I have been re-reading lots of posts made, and have been learning more and more, just with the little bit of education I got. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Heal quickly and fully, Ray! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Hear, hear. Agreed 100%. The world has lost one of the truly great actors. He will be greatly missed. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Thank you, Travis...that was waaaaaay funny! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~