RossDagley

Word on the street is that Rob Silver's hoping to get a FF 2-day camp (one hour flight) sorted for Feb some time. Hes away at the moment but back on the 18th. Bedford obviously. Although I'm guessing you're after a FS tunnel camp?

specifically, what is it about the airkix design that makes it easier (than bedford I assume) to learn stability and what is the problem with learning fall rate control at bedford? Hi Dawn I didn't mean to imply that learning fall rate control was harder at Bedford - far from it. Rather, imo the control required at bedford is potentially more than at Airkix. Airkix tunnel like all skyventure tunnels, spills more and more air out the mesh sides the higher up the tunnel you go. Bedfords tunnel doesn't. If your fall rate control is lacking, you'll reach a point where as you assend in the Airkix tunnel you'll naturally 'level out' as lift is reduced by the spilling air, and "hey - I'm stable". In bedford, applying the same technique will have you on the top net. So learn in Airkix gives you the skills to fly upside down. Learning in Bedford gives you that too, but you'll learn more efficient fallrate control too (albeit you'll be carving sooner at Airkix because of the tunnel helping the fallrate control) I hope that makes sense. I'm far from an authority on the subject with so few hours in the tunnel (6.5), but I do take an interest in the 'physics' of tunnel flight and want to learn more. If your opinion differs from this, I'd be (genuinely) interested in hearing your point of view

My god. Is this a 'thread revival record'? 3 years old?

Theres probably a 'middle ground' of 'too big'. Airkix is small enough that when learning if you go unstable its a matter of moments before you hit a wall. Bedford is so bif that most people find theres enough room to go unstable and recover *before* hitting a wall. Somewhere inbetween (probably around 14ft) would be a point where you go unstable, generate speed but dont have enough room to recover. That would hurt Airkix and Bedford both have pro's and con's for learning head-down. Airkix's tunnel design by its very nature makes it 'easier' to learn stability, but on the down side, its harder to learn fall rate control than at Bedford - another essential head-down skill. Pound for pound, I'd rather my learning curve was more involved and took slightly longer, than rushed and didn't train as well in an area as I could. For me personally, my money would go with Bedford. I'd like the room to recover whilst learning. I'd also like the room to freefly (generally) with more than 1 or 2 other people. This may be a factor when deciding which tunnel to use for competition practice. PS - I'm yet to see a 12-way hybrid in Airkix

Hi Nigel. I'd like to know how much it is really - bit strapped after xmas. if its inclusive of 2 hours time, I suspect its gonna be over £1000+ so I dont think I can lump that at the moment, even though it'd be a serious investment in my skills... Tag is good, but you need to be a reasonable skill level in there, otherwise you could get hurt. Theres a lot more chance of a burble playing tag. I wouldn't want to see low-timers doing this Oh, and the tunnel twister isn't setup - I asked for a quick go last night, but it would have been aggro to swap the cabling over on the pc's etc in the control room. I suspect if you booked some time just for it the guys would sort it out though

Yeah it sucks. Someones making me go back tonight for some freefly. The dirty buggers.

Ah thanks Nigel, and sterling effort putting up with the manifest computer The Tunnel Twister was won joinly by Maddy and someone else whos name I've forgotten

Hi Marc. Good to hear from ya. You should have come. George, Maddy, Nat, and a few others from Hinton were there. Was a blast . Anyway, only a few days till jumping starts again, and now we get to jump in the snow! See you soon m8.

Hi Maxine - of course you enjoyed flying with lots of people - you flew with ME - loads of comedy value! I'm still waiting for an email to remind me who won as I couldn't remember - I'll let you know as soon as I do

Just a quick post to say how well the BodyFlight Bedford New Years Eve party was. Incredibly well run and organised event, with loads of interesting events happening to keep both flyers and non-flyers amused for the entire evening. Tunnel Twister was a great success, with two joint winners both scoring a very impressive 27 points each, whilst the 4-way scrambles provided some (very short notice!!) interesting dives. Some teams had under 15 minutes to plan and dirt dive 3 different 4-ways, and it was very pleasing to see how well everyone gelled and got down to business! (even I didn't shame myself too badly, with our team coming 3rd!) The free freefly coaching was a massive hit, with Rob (et al) doing a sterling job of staying on his feet whilst new back flyers did their best to wipe him out! The big way / hybrid stuff was also a great draw for the crowds, and very impressive to watch (even if my skills weren't up to being on it ) 12 people in the tunnel at once was an amazing sight, with some very impressive skills being demonstrated. There was a nice range of skills present, with some new flat and freefly flyers right through to some very experienced world-team members, and world class freeflyers. Always amazing to see points turned so accurately, or monster head-down carving! Food and drink was provided throughout the night, and although was of the 'snack' kind (sandwiches and nibbles etc) was of a high quality and very nice. Drinks were on-hand throughout (alcoholic for the non-flyers, or those that had finished flying). Then at 9pm, the DJ got spinning (and bizarrely, flying in between records!), the lights dimmed, and the party really got started. Everyone seemed to be having an amazing time. 11pm sadly arrived, and the tunnel was shutdown for the evening, but that didn't stop everyone enjoying themselves with this being the indoor equivalent of the 'beer light'! Paul made the announcements for the winners of the scrambles and the tunnel twister, then it was party into the New Year! Overall, a very well organised party/event, with Paul really showing he knows how to hook us all up a treat! The allocated time of 15 minutes that was a included with your entry ticket certainly got stretched! Everyone cottoned on to the fact if you flew with more people, you got free time! Personally I got 40 minutes in the tunnel, whilst some lucky sods (Henry!) managed to get over an hour! Amazing effort Paul - very well done! Already looking forward to next years! Sample photos - http://www.dagley.co.uk/tunnel/nye/

Container (Icon) July 2005 Main (Pilot) July 2005 Reserve (Smart) July 2005 Cypres (2) May 2005

I'm pretty sure its that it *cant* be fitted. I'm having chest rings fitted already, which would require the 'tear down' of the harness. Its a pity, as the Javelin I wore with it was amazing.

Agree on all points - gotta be like for like (within 'limits'). I can turn 10 points or so. But I bet you I could turn 20 from 25,000 feet

New eyes must be beer full stop

Seems that 7) Education - Teacher, professor has the lowest share. Backs up the ethos that those that can, do. those that cant, teach

Didn't catch this when you posted, only caught it today reading back. Its pretty interesting to see people who've never flown in the tunnel but with 'high' (3-500) jump numbers fly n the tunnel - pretty often they'll spend the first minute trying not to bounce off the walls - and these are *experienced* flyers. The tunnel is ideal for learning how much input is required for how much effect - I can move 6 ft up, or 3 foot to my left in the sky by the input required and practised in the tunnel. People who've never flown in the tunnel dont realise how 'bad' they actually fly (drift, sliding etc). They've never had anything 'solid' to base their inputs against so cant measure the input. A wall reminds you you cant backslide too far

Disapointed to hear Aerodyne cant retro fit this spacer foam though - requires a new container. Pity

I jump a Pilot 188 and a Smart 190 reserve. Even with my man-does-christmas-present-wrapping packing technique, its always soft, on heading, and smooth. Flare is easy light and progressive.

Equally, how many people chose the same path as you and aren't here to preach about how safe a 1.5:1 WL is at 130 jumps? "I've done it, therefore it must be safe" is not a good ethos to preach. I dont care how many jumps someone has. Brian Germain and the USPA have downsizing guidelines for a reason. I'm not saying one-size-fits-all - you've proved that it doesn't. That doesn't make what you did safe or sensible. Even with my low experience, I radically downsized off my student gear (to a 1.1:1 loading I have now) and I THINK I've got away with it. I'd never advise someone to make the same choice though. Certainly not someone I've never met

QuoteI'm thinking rigs need to be built the other way around with the reserve on the bottom. I know it's a geometric nightmare in rig design, but we are forced by the fact our mains are smaller and so must be our reserves. If hurt, dazed, or slightly malfunctioned under a reserve, bigger is better . . .Quote My reserve is bigger than my main, and thats the way I intend to keep it for as long as possible. Other than 'style' (and thats not a significant reason to me), theres simply no excuse for having a reserve smaller than your main. You're GOING to be low. You're likely be landing off. You're possibly dazed/partly lights-out. So why not jump a smaller reserve and add to your problems

This should be in bonfire...

With that amount of time in the tunnel, altitude awareness will be an issue during AFF. FORCE yourself to check your alti RELIGIOUSLY. You're used to 2 or 2.5 minute sessions in the tunnel, and your minds 'accepted' that. You'll get 30-45 seconds during your AFF dives - that takes some adjusting. Yes it can be done in a short timescale (did mine in 4 days) but you'll lag behind a little in other essential skills like canopy control and exits. The best rate to pregress is one at which you and your instructors are most comfortable. If you can, get canopy coaching as soon as possible after completing AFF.

If you empower a 'smart' president, he might have the nerve to attempt to make his own decisions. And americans dont ant that. Oh no indeedy.

Not so. I acknowledge that the twin towers collapsed - I dont celibrate it.

I find it odd that others who are of a different religion (Muslim for example) at my place of work take the christmas period off and are allowed the 'bank holiday' days (christmas day, boxing day etc) as days off, when they then also expect they're own religous 'holidays' as days off - gratis. Is this a common thing? Its a bit like smokers who work on average 8 hours a week less than a non-smoker because of the smoking breaks in their day I guess.