murps2000

hopnpop at 6k. I did just this. It was wild! I could feel everything. I felt the PC "in tow". I felt the pin pull and the bag deploy. what a rush! *** HAhahahAHAahahaha!! COol! Was it a real hop & pop? I mean, like a one second delay? How long did it take from pitch to line stretch? That spectre must have opened slowly. The only thing that would be cooler than you simply doing that shit would be if you read my post first, and then went out and did it. I always knew I had something to contribute here!

Ever hear of the ladder theory? All her instructors are cooler than you, and more interesting too. Your only chance is to stab them in the eye. *** Actually, it's not so much a ladder. I like to think of it as being more like that peg board you could climb on the wall of the gym in high school. Only not with pegs. Funny thing is- and most guys don't think of this - if a chick passes your peg on the way up the board, don't worry. You may get another chance, because she very likely will end up coming back down the board later. Now, the degree to which she has become damaged goods at that point is often directly correlated to the level of shamelessness exhibited by her during the ascent. If it is a significant amount, she may end up at a lower peg than when she began. Some may actually even fall of the board. This is great news for the more dorkish of skydiving males among us. Be patient, and always have an ample and diverse supply of alcohol on hand with which to ply her will when an opportunity presents itself.

Check out the video of the Ranch pond swooping comp from 2001 and you'll see at least one example of it. Can't remember exactly where in the video it is but it's there.

ADDED: ultimately we come back to the notion of risk homeostasis. As it becomes safer, jumpers find new ways to increase the risk. Bill Booth, I believe, has occasionally referred to this in these forums, and I think about it every time I read or hear a debate on RSLs. I wonder how many RSL users, particularly skyhookers, make their EP decisions based on their equipment configuration. To decide that cutting away at 500 feet is acceptable because you have a skyhook is total reliance on that backup device, but the damn thing works so well, I wonder if that's not the right thing to do. I would not at all be so quick to trust a conventional RSL that much, but some might. Curious what others might think.

TKD, like any martial art, is only as good as your instruction and your ability. "RW is outdated and pointless, if you don't FF you don't know how to fly your body." *** This is also true

Very well spoken... Thank you, I try. *** ...and your opinion is valued and honored here! *** Since I don't see this: , I can only guess at the possible sarcasm. Valued? Possibly by a few. Honored? I doubt it. Again, none of it matters. I believe that the truth will continue to elude the majority of us. Too bad. Icarus continues to raise the bar with their designs. I would jump right back on the bandwagon if I knew what I wanted to know. But perhaps the fact that I don't know what it's like to run a company that designs, manufactures, and markets cutting edge canopies keeps me from understanding what might be obvious to those who do.

Quote but I will tell you an interesting story which Mel has made fairly clear to me that he wouldn't want you to hear. Really?! I don't remember anything like that! Clue us in! I will admit that this is an inference on my part, based on our PM exchange. If this is in error, than I will stand corrected, and continue to tell my story to anyone who may be interested. Of course everyone loves dome sliders if it's a choice between using one and getting slammed. Perhaps that would change if they knew of another way to gain the same benefit, without the cumbersome slider and all that using it entails. I haven't put my dome slider next to a strong tandem slider, but that is what it reminds me of. I admitted to you that the dome slider does indeed work as advertised, but our difference of opinion centers on which fix is a band-aid, and which is an actual solution to the problem. My issues with the dome slider have little to do with how it makes the canopy open, but a lot to do with what I had to deal with after it opened. One of those issues cannot be resolved with a dome slider. That's right, you didn't say that. In your PM you said this: "The larger Sabre 1's were the first I know to do it and they did it in a different way than the method you have on your canopy. The problem with doing it on a FX is two fold: First is closing speed on opening relative to another jumper, it is increased! Second is loss of performance and landing flare. The second may or may not apply to you depending on your experience level." To me this is a suggestion that it makes the canopy more hazardous to fly. Not to jump, but to fly. Quote -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2)He knows about the effectiveness of the line mod on the older Sabre 1 canopies, but has stated to me that the line mod is a band-aid, and that the dome slider is the real fix. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- True! Quote -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3)He seems to have a vested interest in whether or not the dome slider continues to be purchased by FX/VX owners to fix their openings, while I have none. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The profit margin is greater with the line mod verus the Domed slider. So what is the interest! *** My line mods cost me less than your slider did, but only a little. When I ordered my dome slider, you asked me my canopy size and serial number, then built it. As I stated in our PM exchange, you also built it quite well. To perform line mods you would need the canopy to be sent to you at a bit of an inconvenience to the owner, correct? Might something like that possibly affect sales? I don't know, but maybe. Regardless, this is useless speculation. I have absolutely no interest in whether or not you sell dome sliders. I only made the statement about your potentially vested interest so that Rhino could reasonably weigh my opinion against that of you or anyone else who prefers the dome slider fix. I don't know you personally and I certainly can't state that you are dishonest in any way that you conduct your rigging business. You delivered the product that I ordered from you, and I told you already that I don't need a refund. I simply ordered that product without knowing what I know now. I couldn't care less about the money, at this point. What I would really just like is for the straight truth about what exactly is up with hard opening FX/VX canopies, as well as the issues with Precision and the Crossfire 1. I would really like it if that information were out there for all skydivers. As I've stated to you already, I think Icarus has great canopy designs, but what I've seen over the years and my experience in particular has made me a little apprehensive about buying anything other than a GLX from them.

Like I said, I won't really tell you what to do. I can't because I have no idea how Icarus may have changed the FX since mine was built. I only know what I tried, and what worked on mine. My FX was a Precision built model, and some may tell you that that alone is the problem. I don't buy that, and I've also heard differently. I think the real story with inconsistantly performing or opening Icarus canopies may never be known by the general skydiving population. I even wonder if they themselves know the cause of all the early problems. My gut feeling (and it is just that, I have nothing to back this up) is that the dome slider takes care of the openings no matter what the problem actually is. With that said, these posts should tell you what I went through, and what solved my problem: http://dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=1338713;#1338713 http://dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=1607843;#1607843 http://dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=1608959;#1608959 http://dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=1567902;#1567902 Now, Mel has recently PM'd me to take issue with my statements about my steering line mods vs. the dome slider, and even suggested that I have made my canopy more hazardous to fly. I can assure you that it is not. In fact, based on criteria I consider important, it is safer after opening, and I am much more comfortable jumping it. However, you may want to consider a few things: 1)He has a vastly greater amount of experience and knowledge about this canopy than I. 2)He knows about the effectiveness of the line mod on the older Sabre 1 canopies, but has stated to me that the line mod is a band-aid, and that the dome slider is the real fix. 3)He seems to have a vested interest in whether or not the dome slider continues to be purchased by FX/VX owners to fix their openings, while I have none. 4)Your FX is a different size, and probably was manufactured around a different time than mine. 5)I obtained the info about my steering line mod from a competing canopy designer. 6)I don't care, because after 100+ stellar openings, I'm reasonably confident that it worked. 7) I'm no rigger or designer, and at best just a decent beer line swooper. 8)I have no name entered in my profile. To some, it seems, that is a clear indicator of the need for sceptisism when reading anything I post, regardless of any lucidity such posts may contain. 9)Bottom line, consider the source of all your information. After what I went through with my FX, I honestly just wish that we could all get the straight story on what causes our canopies to open hard, but I'm not holding my breath. If you have any specific questions about what I had done, please just PM me. I'll tell you everything I can, and I'll try to point you in the direction of any other information you may need.

You've obviously gotten responses from some of the many rich kids in the sport today, and I'll agree with them in that there are better performing canopies to be had than the FX. For $450, however, you'll probably get what your after, and don't waste any money on the X-mod, as that will negate any financial gain. If you ever start taking that thing to terminal and it cracks you, PM me before you buy the dome slider. I won't tell you what to do, since I am not even a rigger, let alone a designer, but I will tell you an interesting story which Mel has made fairly clear to me that he wouldn't want you to hear. In fact, I've posted it before, so you can find it if you search. And I will say that my FX is one of the sweetest opening canopies I've ever owned. It wasn't always that way, but it is now.

just to clarify, are you saying pull all of the slider out front instead of quartering it? i have a pocket slider on it .... *** When you call PD, ask them about this. When I did years ago, regarding the very same size & model canopy you have, I was told that they designed it to be packed with the slider equally quartered between the line groups. I don't know about pocket sliders on anything but tandems, though. Also, I don't know what they'll say about it, but their may be a way to modify your brake lines to soften openings. Ask them.

So if anyone out there happens to find my confidence lying in the dirt, please pick it up, brush it off and return it to me. I really don't know what to do without it. *** Gee, Cougar, that MIG really screwed you up, huh? Do you not know what happened up there, but you just got so scared? Have you lost the edge? Are you gonna turn in your wings? Bullshit. At least you can jump. At least you can try to get back on the horse. You have over 1000 jumps in less than 3 years so what's the big rush? Maybe take a weekend off and relax. Think about why you do this. Could it possibly be for fun? Some people have to sit out for months with injuries thinking about every little thing they did to fuck up. That's not you so don't whine. It will be a year before I can go back to Lake Isabella and finish what I started, but you can bet your Canadian ass I will do it. Now go in the bathroom, look at yourself in the mirror, and slap yourself in the face. Oh, and maybe you should read your own sig line while you're at it.

Pearson said that computer consciousness would make feasible a whole new sphere of emotional machines, such as airplanes that are afraid of crashing. *** Will they be afraid to land at Hong Kong, too?

Some people do. It will be sutible for the task. *** That's good to see. I really hope they can get this done. I was among the many irate skydivers at the 2000 WFFC who had to get their money back when the 727 we were assured would show never did. I'm simply curious about the runway because I would imagine that it will cost more than the jet itself. My hat's off to the Conatser's for working so hard to pull this off. One other thing, though. Is there any talk about how they'll handle jump operations when that thing is taking off or landing? I don't think it would be much fun heading for the main landing area after that thing just went by.

the laws of physics? they probably don't want it sinking into the runway again *** Okay, so IOW, nobody knows exactly correct?

They are doing what is needed to takeoff and land a DC-9.*** According to whose criteria?

Course some dropzones, like a certain one in DE, are a little more stingy when it comes to refunds. I didn't mind that too much until they wouldn't accept one of their own jump tickets during a "boogie" weekend. But I still miss the place... *** Gee, I wonder which one of the multitude of DE dropzones it could have been... Refund policy notwithstanding, I kind of think the tanTem student got short changed with regard to training. I worked at the very same DZ you mention last year, and several times I've been in the landing area with a student, and heard my name on a 20 min. call for another tandem. Even if it was their second tandem, I still managed to train them more than just telling them to pull this thing when I point at it. But I was and am a low time TI, and maybe I tried to hard. Tonto's got a point in that some students are real assholes, and they do try to kill you, but I knew about that when I signed up. I never complained.

if you have 5000 jumps and still fly a batwing, maybe you just gay.*** YES! YES! Thank you for that one! At least no one ever tried to shag me while flying mine!

Are they just doing an overlay, or are they reinforcing it?

Yes. Much. *** Are they going to improve the runway down there at all to accomodate it?

After inflation it also presumably automatically rotates upwind. *** I'd have to see it to believe it. Even then, I'd have to see it more than once.

I'm not sure where it happened, but on Jimmy Halliday's Radix DVD, there's some cat direct bagging a Red Bull PG canopy off a bridge. It looks as if he then procedes to swoop the shit out of it on landing, although it cuts off the end. Not exactly a terminal opening, but I bet it took some stones to do it. Also, Jimmy himself takes a X-braced something in a Javelin off of what appears to be New River. Definitely worth checking out if you haven't seen it, yet.

Is having someone PCA you an option? *** If you ever do that with a modern skydiving rig and a normally sized PC, be prepared to tow it for a while. It will definitely add to the rush. Enjoy the suspense as your wait for the airspeed to build enough to pull your main pin. Then, feel the rush as the D-bag lazily leaves your back, and teeters in the air while your tight, skydiving line stows slowly pop loose. Betcha get aline twist or two to add to the fun, as well. Remember, a good stable exit will be helpful.

I wouldn't advise getting prescription Oakleys. I really like their lenses (gold iridium), but they suck for freefall. Breakaway hinges are probably nice if you get drilled in the face with a basketball, but they don't cut it for freefall.

You must have a lot of experience jumping Racers, huh? Have you tried a Firebolt yet? How many jumps do you have on a Batwing? It sounds like you might have a bit more experience than I do on those types of equipment. Maybe you could give me some pointers. *** No, never jumped a Racer, but I've tried them on before. One was a tandem. It was really well built, and I bet they really are as comfortable as they say. I would jump a Racer in a second, if the velcro was in good shape, but it's not my first choice of containers. Of course, I'm jumping a Reflex, so what would I know? You could give me all kinds of shit about that. I've got no interest in Firebolts, I was just being a dick. You see, as to the Batwing, well, yes, I'm afraid I have one of those dark secrets stuffed in a bag in my closet. I got shamed for two years jumping that thing. Mostly I just blew it off. I figured I could swoop it okay, and I didn't think it was that bad of a canopy. Then one day a friend of mine intervened. We were up at Cross Keys having the usual good time to be had up there, and innocently, I started thinking out loud about getting a reline. All of a sudden my friend just yelled at me to "Stop! Put the Batwing down, and step away from it slowly..." I was a little shocked. I looked at him and could see the tension in his eyes. I was puzzled, too, but then I could see other friends staring at me, as well. I thought about what I'd said, and slowly it began to dawn on me. They were right. The realization began to set in. I just had to put it down. Like most people with this kind of problem, I was in denial. It was tough to admit, but I had to come to grips with the fact that a Batwing is like an IROC-Z Camaro or a mullet. Long gone are the days when anyone will think you are cool for having one. I'm really thankful to all my friends who cared enough to help me through that dark time. Thanks, Donnie, wherever you are. So now I'll jump it at night when no one can see, or I'll ground launch it. Unfortunately, no one will think you are cool for using french links, either. But they're okay for night jumps and ground launching.

Well, bro, then you need slinks on that Batwing! How else are you going to milk every last ounce of speed out of that ultra high performance wing? Or since you jump a Racer, maybe you should just trade up for one of those hot Firebolts!