RossDagley

Ah - thats the sort of thing i was looking for So basically, it'll be like a fly without wings - a container without any webbing attached except for the bits from the bottom of the container to the hip rings. Having never seen how the MLW etc connects to the reserve risers, this is very interesting. Is there anywhere you know of I can see a 'schematic' or something of how this lot connects?

Thats a good idea - I hadn't thought of that. Maybe they can put a little additional padding on the mudflaps - not so I look retarded preferably, but it might help Forgive my ignorance - which part of the harness is the yoke? And is the main lift web the complete run of webbing from the hip ring up to the reserve risers?

the money issue is fine (about $300 Aubrey has quoted, plus shipping) and I'm happy with that. I was just interested in the actual physical procedure

I've got a shoulder disability and the rig is uncomfortable when doing several (4+) jumps a day. Its brusing one collarbone quite badly due to the way it sits on my shoulders. Edit to add: the money isn't an issue - the comfort is!

I bought my Icon without chest d-rings (was a $200 option). I now want them retro fitted, so I've spoken to Aerodyne and they say its a pretty big job and they're going to do it over the winter for me. So I got to looking closely at the rig last night and notice the webbing runs from the shoulders, past the handles to the hip rings, where its looped over (through said ring), and stitched to itself and the other webbing going to the container. I was trying to work out whats involved in fitting the chest rings - presumably the webbing can't just be cut because theres not enough webbing to loop through the new rings, so would they have to replace the entire harness or what? I also dont know what points in the harness take the most strain, but I'm guessing thats one of them (along with the hip ring area). Would it be tested after being modified, and if so, how? And would the process make that area weaker or stronger? I'm just interested to learn the process, so I'm grateful for anyone taking the time to reply

Looking at the photos, it doesn't look like he *planned* a PLF - feet and knees apart, arms out to the side for the flare - maybe he thought it flared fine up high so thought he could stand it up, or maybe he hasn't practiced PLF's before and the 'standup' turned into an 'accidental' PLF? I'm speculating of course - personally I'd have chopped it long before then - but if I *had* tried to land, I'd be set up for my PLF as best as possible - a deep flare could collapse it.

I was told the chicks dig it and I'd guarantee to be cool. Damn liars - now I'm just broke.

I've been attempting to pack for the last 40 jumps or so. It hasn't got off to a good start - new jumper, new ZP canopy (super-size me please) etc. I learnt in stages - I did the brakes, then someone else packed it. Then I did the lines and put it on the floor, then someone finished, then it got to doing everything other than sticking it in the bag. I never got anxiety I guess because I only ever did a 'bit' of the pack job. That was, until yesterday when I got the slimy bastard in the d bag on my own Didn't hesitate to jump it. Hell, I wanna know that I didn't but a 'Smart' wad of newspaper someday Oh, and on the point you made about pack jobs? I'd had some off-heading openings (2) with two sets of line twists (1) on 3 jumps yesterday. The one I packed myself? Lovely. And man, when I stuffed those lines in the d-bag, I really did have my doubts... S fold? what S fold. - S fold created

Maybe I'm misunderstanding what I originally read (whereever that was) then. I took it to mean Just like I would perform a straight in approach into good winds (say 15kts), and when I flare I simple stand it up, dont have to even step forwards, just float it down, flare, tip-toe perfect. My question perhaps should have been worded better - is this attitude and expectation unrealistic in nil-winds? IE, I will always have to run it off (or slide it in once I've the experience to try)? Hope that makes sense!

lol - I was only teasing Now we're (finally!) getting some tunnels here in Blighty, I might be able to get some decent time in the tunnel at last and actually *know* what I'm talking about

Ah gotcha. So its more of a copy of the skyhook than a RWS patented thing they'll licence out? Hopefully Aerodyne will investigate so my next rig can have one

No you're right - in the sky you'll just kick someone in the face or funnel the formation I've got just under 3 hours in the tunnel and its made a world of difference to my flying - I couldn't have gone through AFF like I did without the tunnel, and I view them as seperate things now, although both allow you to practice formations and moves in the other. Skydiving wasn't an invention as such (people fell out of planes for some time before realising if you strapped some fabric above your head you lived longer ) - but the tunnel? I love it. Not quite as hooked as jumping, but its insanely addictive just like crack. And it costs about the same too Edited for grammour

I love my canopy, and dont want to change it. I've just been thinking - always dangerous But I'm sure I read someone say somewhere (might even have been Billvon?) that good canopy pilots should be able to land without running off the landing even in nil winds (I'm talking straight in approaches as opposed to swooping out the speed) Is this true, and if so, does there come a point (canopy size wise) where a straight in approach *cannot* be landed without running it off?

Yeah - I took a packing course on a regular canopy and rig, and it took me ages to get the hang of which lines to move where. Then I started packing my canopy (pilot 188) - then it all made sense. Want the brake lines? No problem - purple. I could probably do it without them now, but damn, it sure helps me being inexperienced.

Are the any plans to release the skyhooks 'patent' (or whatever) to other rig makers (IE, Javelin, Aerodyne etc) for a licence fee or whatever? For those people that would pay for the skyhook option or alternative rigs.

Oh, forgot to say mjosparky - click the 'url' button once and it does [.url], then type your website, then click the same button again, and it puts a [./url] at the end. Thats all I do anyway :)

Also consider Merlin - the pro-comp suit I got is lovely. Surviving as my first suit (occasional bum/knee landings - now mostly in the past!). Plus over 2 hours in the tunnel so far. Not a mark on it, and the booties are awesome. I've just ordered my second suit (freefly this time) and didn't hesitate to go back to Christine. http://www.merlinsuits.com Picture attached (not the best of it I've got, but hey - I'm at work )

At the end of the day it's risk versus reward - you know the risk. Are you willing to accept the reward? Continue in this sport long enough, and there is likely to be a time when you approach the door and dont want to jump. That may be fear you need to overcome on AFF level 3, or common sense telling you the winds are too high and you really shouldn't have got on the plane in the first place. I guess what I'm trying to say is you have the final say, EVERY jump, whether to get out that door. If you're fearful during AFF (plenty are) it may just be something you need to work through with your instructors. If theres a voice inside saying dont jump, well to me thats different. Short of an aircraft emergency, you never HAVE to jump. Ride that plane down. Listen to the voice inside, stay current, stay informed, avoid complatency and you *should* stay safe. Just dont do anything dumb The oldest saying in the book: There are old skydivers and bold skydivers, but no old/bold skydivers.

I don't want to contradict anything you've been told already, but heres what happened to me

They're pretty good prices - I'm hoping they'll come down with some competition from Bedford. Kinda hurts to know that 30 minutes in the Orlando tunnel only costs £190 though - damn i hate our economy sometimes...

The only technical difference though is the pouch is turned around (and in some cases the last two closing flaps are closed in a different order) - it was a bit odd that the BPA wouldn't allow a senior rigger to make this change to student gear, but the USPA would (I did check first!) But anyway - I dont care. I can jump now - I got a licence and everything DeLand were amazing - they had the student rig ready for when I arrived, and didn't even charge me for the conversion it had undergone There was a bit of a panic when it got returned to the student kit room once though by the packers... That wouldn't be funny They did exactly the right thing starting me on the student rig - and I've been lucky to 'get away' with downsizing like I have. It was a steep learning curve, and I still learn *loads* on every jump.

I'm feeling a MrBill kinda thing coming on - not for me, I've not the balls, but I *CAN* see where you're going with this thread

I would have asked about USPA jumping regs for children, as you're clearly underage

Dude - thats kinda high... Are you guys NUTS?

That was a 34" CHEST dude, not waist And beer/pies are the way forward. None of this girlie weight belts - get a REAL mans gut.