skyjumpenfool

OK. So you say you know how to do PLF's. When was the last time you spent any time practicing them? Not doing martial arts, but practicing skydiving PLF's? I'll go even farther.... When was the last time you practiced them off a 3-4 foot platform? Good Lord! Jumpers don't practice PLF's or EP's anymore? How can we possibly expect anyone to get canopy training? Not trying to pick on VB, but, it does exemplify my point. Birdshit & Fools Productions "Son, only two things fall from the sky."

Boy! Talk about a thread killer. Thanks BOD!

Great! Your going to visit DZ's. But, what do you and the others plan to do about this whole Demo Team issue????? I for one am watching this issue very closely. Even though, I don't do Demos anymore.

Are you being a dick or do you truly not know? Either way it illustrates the problem in a way that my poor prose cannot. a bit of both; i have never learned how to do a PLF. there was an article on here not too long ago An inconvenient truth regarding PLF's, which you may like to read.. VB.... 33 years ago, I rode a streamer in from 500' (CRW gone bad). I’m alive today and perfectly healthy because, in great part, I was well trained at PLF's. I learned this technique in cliff diving, competitive gymnastics, and skydiving. I practiced it often!! I still do and I'm twice your age (probably more). The thread you site offers reasons why PLF's don't work well with today’s canopies. But, how about when the s#!+ hits the fan???? Learn a good PLF, practice them often, live to do one again. That is all! Birdshit & Fools Productions "Son, only two things fall from the sky."

What's your time worth? In the grand scheme of things, $200 is not a lot to spend. Aside from the cost difference, what's the advantage of this camera? Birdshit & Fools Productions "Son, only two things fall from the sky."

OK... First of all, it's been over 20 years since any of my kids were 6. I'm well aware of the cause and solution to the problem. I was just interested if the newer models had the same issue. Geez!! Kids today?? Birdshit & Fools Productions "Son, only two things fall from the sky."

You are absolutely right. Back in the 70's, the culture was the same. The difference is, we didn't have any 79 foot Velo's. Believe me, "weda jumped em if weda had em". And, isn't that the real point of this thread? Can we all agree that this "Culture" needs to change? We get so wound up with the "Who's better, the old farts or the gun sharps?" that we forget about the common ground we all share. Can we all please agree that this "Culture" needs to change? Assigning a "who's to blame" for the problem is not helping. Birdshit & Fools Productions "Son, only two things fall from the sky."

Or worse... "I've got this cool instrument! Wanna go into a cloud with me?" Birdshit & Fools Productions "Son, only two things fall from the sky."

I took the liberty to fix it for you... As edited, +1 Birdshit & Fools Productions "Son, only two things fall from the sky."

I know the CX100's have had some issues with the LCD doors turning the cameras on or off. Is this also an issue with the 110's or 150's? Birdshit & Fools Productions "Son, only two things fall from the sky."

One thing I've noticed is that anything dragging along above you is not just static. It dances and bounces around wildly, looking for something fun to entangle with. Horseshoes, or even PC's in tow are scary! Birdshit & Fools Productions "Son, only two things fall from the sky."

I have a Sabre 135 in one rig, and a Stiletto 135 in another. I enjoy both. I did some CRW on the CRW Storm a couple years ago, which I loved! So, I demo'd a couple PD Storms... I absolutely loved the canopy. I'd agree with AggieDave above, try the Storm. FYI... Storm is a 7 cell and packs a little smaller if that's an issue? Birdshit & Fools Productions "Son, only two things fall from the sky."

I made the mistake of flying into a cloud many years ago... big mistake! It scared the shit out of me. But, I learned something (the hard way). As soon as I entered the cloud, I was blind. I could not see shit! My natural instinct was to slow down and go carefully. So I went into deep brakes, flew straight ahead, prepared for a collision, went over EP's, etc. I also found that in deep brakes it was a bit quieter and I found myself listening for other jumpers. I'm not sure if I could have heard anyone had they been there, but I am sure I never want to be in a clould again. I've spent the last 30 years avoiding clouds. Now, one of my favorite things is to fly along the outside of them...

For the record... My first "new" canopy was a Pegasus. I loved that canopy. It was leaps and bounds ahead of the old rags I was jumping at the time. Back then, it was HP. Students worked their way up to the likes of this canopy. A couple years ago, we started putting together some old f-111 rigs to do some CRW. In the process, I found a used Furry (Pegasus clone) for sale. It was like new and only had 35 jumps on it. The lines were still pure white and the fabric was shiny and clean. I've put a few jumps on it now and I can tell you, it flies like my Pegasus 30 years ago. So, the following perspective is based not on my aging memory, but rather on current jump experience. The Sabre II is a much more responsive canopy than the Pegasus. And although both can be flown safely to the ground, both have the ability to kill you if you're not careful. The Pegasus has a much slower forward speed, and is not nearly as responsive to toggle pressure. It flies like a truck compared to the Sabre II. However, come landing time, the Sabre II has way more flare power and soft landings are easier. If you burry a toggle on the Pegasus, it starts to come around slowly and speeds up gradually into the turn. The Sabre, given similar toggle pressure, responds much more quickly and turns harder. So, how does this information play into this discussion? One of the canopies I jump today is a Sabre 135. At my current W/L, it is indeed a HP canopy. Jumping a Sabre 210 is not the same animal. Back in the day, we didn’t have smaller canopies to downsize to. (Well, except for maybe the Strato Star.) If I’d of had access to a Sabre II 135 back in the day, I’d surely be dead! I’m alive today not because I’m a better canopy pilot, but because I’m more aware of how easily this canopy can kill me. Multiply this scenario times a Velocity, and you begin to see the problem Marisan has identified. Davelepka hit the nail on the head above. "It has a lot to do with the canopies. I expect them to save my life as well as be fun." So, don’t discount an “old farts” ability to identify a problem just because he no longer jumps. There is much to be learned from his\her experience. Birdshit & Fools Productions "Son, only two things fall from the sky."

I think you'll find it's way easier to do with a great big old smile on your face!! Enjoy it and let us know how it goes. Birdshit & Fools Productions "Son, only two things fall from the sky."

Actually, next year may work, I've saved up about 180 PTO days. I could take some days off. However, after seeing how you treat your camera guy??? Although, he really did crash the party? We missed you this past season at the NPSL's. Hope to see you this winter somewhere? Blues! Birdshit & Fools Productions "Son, only two things fall from the sky."

I think I saw a pilot chute just before the splash.... I say he has to do it again! Birdshit & Fools Productions "Son, only two things fall from the sky."

Again, I through the ball back into your court.... It's up to guys like you to bring along the NEWBS. Hell, I'd love to learn a thing or two from you. Mentor the youngons and form them into skilled jumpers.... the 30 ways will return to your local DZ!

Sounds... great? and the old ones corner like shit,, great for straight line drags in their day but not much else. I don't know.... my 18 year old ZX11 is a virtual rocket ship (even by todays standards) and when push comes to shove, it corners well for a sled. Damn.... I'll talk to you later, I'm going for a ride...... see aviator... Birdshit & Fools Productions "Son, only two things fall from the sky."

"Gobble, gobble, gobble....." Birdshit & Fools Productions "Son, only two things fall from the sky."

So, based on your post, your "self proclaimed" skillz are far and beyond, vastly superior, and just plain better than the rest. If that's indeed true (I'm not questioning your skill, just explaining how I read your post), mentor a NOOB!! Just one! Bring him/her along and help them become your equal. Then, and only then, will you have a comparable mate to jump with. ...For what it's worth. Or, you can just keep waiting for great skydivers to magically appear?? Birdshit & Fools Productions "Son, only two things fall from the sky."

No!!!! Not for the real riders. For the "wanna look like a real rider" ...Yes, thank god! Birdshit & Fools Productions "Son, only two things fall from the sky."

I banged Paris Hilton because I love Mary Jane.

Marsha works until you fill out your profile... my $.02 Ouch!!! Birdshit & Fools Productions "Son, only two things fall from the sky."

I'd like to defend Marisan on this issue... to a point! Years ago… we (students) were told "100 jumps before you jump a square". Most of us progressed to squares well before we had 50 jumps. This happened mostly because of the introduction of canopies like the Pegasus that were leaps and bounds better/safer than their predecessors. Back then, when a new canopy was introduced, it was because it was an improvement in the current design. If it was faster, it also landed and opened better. Wing loading was not a problem because most canopies were larger and most jumpers were looking to do CRW (which require a standard glide rate). Smaller skydivers jumped 5 cells, medium jumpers jumped 7 cells, and the big boys bought 9 cells (and at the time, were happy they could). Today…. There is a large selection of canopy size and designs. One size does not fit all. No one does CRW anymore, so, standard glide goes out the window. Nobody wants to dive a Ford Pinto when the Ferrari sells for the same price? And we’re all qualified to drive the Ferrari, right? So, Marisan is right that the canopies today are dangerous! In fact, many are extremely dangerous, especially in the wrong hands. Can we all agree on that point so far? Marisan, this is where I separate from your point of view. I believe qualified people, with expert training and proper attitude can safely fly and land today’s extremely high performance canopies. I am NOT one of those people. My guess is that 96% of you reading this are also not one of those people. True, you could be one of those people some day, but that would take years of training, hard work, proper attitude and experience. The big question we need to answer here is… How do we ensure the years of training, hard work, proper attitude and experience? I believe it will take regulation and I also believe many will not be happy with that regulation. Tough!! Birdshit & Fools Productions "Son, only two things fall from the sky."