VTmotoMike08

I want to better understand why and when HMA lines are used. It seems that you hear about HMA lines being used on certain types of canopies but not on others. I often hear about HMA lines on katanas, velocities, VXs, and other high performance canopies but you never really seem to hear about HMA being used on midrange canopies like Sabre 2's, Safires, etc. Why not? From what I know, spectra is used on most midrange canopies and also a lot of HP canopies. But it changes dimensions due to friction heat of the slider, while HMA does not. So why is HMA not used on everything? I know it can break after X amount of jumps without showing wear, but its not that hard to keep track of how many jumps are on the current lineset and replace it when the time comes. And a broken line is not always a cutaway/ reserve ride. It just seems to me that HMA is superior and could be used on all canopies. But I am sure that I am missing something, or else it would be that way. Can someone fill me in? Also, what does HMA stand for? And what is the difference between HMA and vectran? Yes, I did a search and could not find the answers I am looking for. Not saying its not there, just that I did not find it and I am looking for some help.

I'm pretty sure factory divers have different shell sizes. I could be wrong. Those little Z1's dont work for those of us with an XXL sized cranium. You gotta put all that knowledge somewhere Anyway, even the biggest Z1 would not fit me and my XXL (not XL.5) factory diver fits nicely. Well, it is snug around the jaw but slightly loose up top but every head is different. I could notice a big difference when I crammed a XL factory diver over my head. Edit: Ya, I can't spell

I have done about half a dozen buying and selling transactions on these classifieds, ranging from a few dollars to a few thousand dollars. I have never used a rigger to inspect it and have never gotten scammed or scammed anyone else. I always send/ receive payment before the item ships. If a seller has a highly in demand item (like a sabre2 150) at a good price, they will likely have several offers from buyers. If one buyer wants to hassle with using a rigger as an escrow agent and one just wants to send the seller cash tomorrow... well 9 times out of 10 the seller will sell to whoever is the least work to deal with. Thats just the way people work. Working through a rigger then might not be an option for the best deals. Your results may vary.

Can anyone comment authoritatively on if the reserve (pillow) handle is part of the TSO'd components of the rig and therefore cannot be modified unless by a master rigger?

To each, his own. I think if you are going to have a big boogie, or want to attract a lot of people, you will have to cater to several different tastes. Personally, having fun to me involves turning points, docking on big ways and really stretching my RW skills. I would view such things as a horny gorilla as a waste of my time because I want to improve my skills in other areas. So, goofy jumps are fun for some people, but its not what everyone goes to a boogie for, although you did not suggest that it was. Except for boobies. I think we can all agree that those are good.

My cypress also was acting strange a few months ago. It was documented in this thread: Clicky I light of this service bulletin, I would not have chosen to jump it while it was powered off like I did a few months ago.

When you get it, please comment on whether the software that it uses is upgradeable. If is has a bug that is discovered later, can you plug it into your computer to download new software or would it have to be sent back to the manufacturer? The Neptune is one device that I can think of that has benefited from being easily upgradeable.

Some canopies have end cell closures sometimes. Its not really a problem, more of an opening characteristic that is more common on canopies known for slow snivelely (sp?) openings. Just realize that it may happen and be prepared to pump the breaks, like you did. Is it a new canopy? If it is used, how many jumps on it? If it is constantly turning to the same side on opening, it may be out of trim. Ask a rigger to check it.

New username one post heated subject with obvious answers no replies from the OP... surprised no one has used the T word yet http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troll_%28Internet%29

My older (92, I think?) Javelin is doing the same thing. I was told that as long at the yellow binding thread along the edge is intact, the structural integrity of the strap is fine. Comments?

Any reports of injuries from this? I agree, not funny.

Fairly easy. Buy them plane tickets from any of the good travel sites and throw in a rental car too. Check the top of this page and click dropzones to find a list of dropzones in Arizona or where ever else you want . Skydive AZ in Eloy comes to mind but there are a few others. Give cash for lift tickets or try calling the DZ and see if you can work something out with your credit card over the phone. You might also want to look into accommodations on or near the dropzone for them. I wish I had relatives like you

That's pretty cool that they did that but >>Most skydivers also pay a $2-per-jump surcharge that goes into the fund, Casares said. Correct me if I am wrong, but maybe that explains why they have the priciest lift ticket in the whole state despite having an efficient plane and a huge tandem base Please don't ban me. Just an observation. Call me the grinch if you want but if I want to skydive, I go to the dropzone. If I want to donate to charity, I whip out my check book and do so. I have donated money before, but I have no desire to combine the two. I will base my decision on where to jump on several factors, price being one of the biggest.

That is exactly what I wanted to know, Thanks! But in my situation, the cost of a new lineset (about $245) is also about half the value of the whole canopy, maybe more O well, I have been looking for a convenient excuse to buy a new canopy

So, out of pure boredom today I decided to waste a perfectly good pack job and pull out my main to measure the lines to check the trim. I quickly found that measuring the lines without a rack to hang the canopy up and hang from can be a real pain. I only measured the A lines and the steering lines before I got frustrated and quit. I just might go out to the DZ and try to use their rack and do the rest later. But I wanted to ask, how much is too much to tolerate as far as line shrinkage? The center lines off the center cell (line A1) have shrunk about 1.5 in from the manufacturers specs, and the outside lines (A5) have shrunk 4.25 inches. The steering lines are 3 inches too short, but I have adjusted the toggle setting a few times. Is this cause for concern? I have noticed a tendency for this canopy to turn to the left on opening but the line shrink has been symmetrical on both sides from what I have measured so far, granted that I have not measured them all. Is there a rule of thumb, like if it is 5 inches out of trim then its time for new lines? I am still getting a nice flare and it seems to fly straight in full flight so I don't really want to replace the lines yet but 4.25 inches seems like a lot. FYI, my canopy is a 1997 Sabre 1 190 with about 400 jumps on it. The last 150 are from me, and I think the previous owner may have been a little conservative when he told me it had 250 jumps on it

To the OP: BMW Motorcycle Owners of America has such a network for its members. I can't, for the life of me, remember exactly what it is called but it is published in an annual pocket size book. But basically, if you volunteer, you list your general area and phone number (not name) and if a fellow BMW MOA member breaks down in your area, you have agreed to help him/ her out with a tow, ride, etc. From what I have seen, it only gets used by the really hard core BMW fanatics. This could possibly relate to skydiving... or not. I'm not sure.

There is an extensive discussion on this topic here: http://www.collegeskydiving.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=214

After 3 years and 200+ jumps of jumping in college I can say with some certainty that you think are are a lot more badass than most of your friends do. Most girls do not care, but will feign interest out of politeness. Same with most guys. I have seen about a dozen people come thru my college club with your attitude. None have lasted more than 1 year. Very respectfully, I think you should reconsider your choice to jump out of a plane if one of your top motivations is the badass factor. To the OP: I started when I was 18 also. Tell the parents later, I did. The poster who said its easier to ask forgiveness than permission is absolutely correct. Edit: I should clarify what I mean by none lasted more than 1 year. I do not mean that they got hurt or worse, simply that they realized that they were not getting what they came for (attention and badass points) and then quit the sport after a short time.

Go to a place that offers balloon skydives and exchange money for a ride to altitude

I have sold a canopy on these classifieds and I did not have it inspected by a rigger. I had two people who wanted to buy it, one wanted to work the deal thru his rigger and one said just send it to me after I send you the MO... so, the person who was willing to deal with less hassle to me got it. Yes, he was at more risk but I know that you can trust me

Only a few more weeks until the fun begins! Virginia Tech will be there in force.

Or somebody could just give you the info you need since it is fairly well known. There is a little over 30,000 USPA members in the US and slightly more total skydivers. As for an official citation or reference for your paper, that you will need to get from the USPA. I think we all wish there was 350,000 skydivers in the US. I will not speculate on the total number of skydives made annually but it is no where near 3.3 million. If you numbers were correct, that would equal only about 6 jumps per year for each of us

I fixed it for you.

Out of pure curiosity, I would be interested in knowing what the typical difference % in between top and bottom skin area. edited for spelling >> I doubt the manufacturers think that someone will say "I tried a 170, but I wanted something zoomier, so I bought a 169." I know. I was just saying that I bet there is some skydiver out there who thinks it sounds cooler to say 169 instead of 170. But maybe not. I think you got it right the the whole differentiating themselves thing.

I was reading the FAQ on the PD website that talks of the different ways that different manufacturers measure the size of their canopies. It is here This did not really make sense to me. I am no expert on the topic, but I do know this much: A canopy is a piece of fabric. Therefore, it DOES have an absolute area. Assuming that ZP fabric does not stretch at all (right?) then every canopy has to have a true area. Why can't the manufactures all agree? If you laid the canopy down flat on a huge piece of grid paper and counted the squares of known size, would this not give the true area? I have heard that the size that reserves are marketed as is not really their true size as well. I, for one, would like to know how big that thing above my head really is and be able to compare it to another canopy accurately. Also, here is another question. Is it really just a marketing gimmick when a manufacturer sells their canopies in stock sizes like 169 instead of 170? I guess it does sound a little cooler to have a 169 instead of a 170 and I bet there are a few skydivers out there who would make a purchasing decision based on that . Really, except for very small canopies, I bet there is not a jumper out there who could fly both a 169 and a 170 and tell the difference in the two. It sounds to me like they are trying to "one up" other manufacturers that sell the typical sizes.