WooHoo

That makes sense. The paraglider instructor said the main core of the lines was kevlar based and very stron, the outer sheaths were a covering to protect the core. So dyeing the sheaths to give whatever colour is needed would not be a major issue. I still think different colour brake lines is a good idea.

My Buddy who is a paraglider, invited me to go to his cluba nd do a days training. The canopies are huge and fly differently, I biffed the first landing, as the falre is very different, anyhow I notices the A BC and D lines were fillerent colors as were the brake lines. This made it easier to untangle the spaghetti that happened a few times after picking the monster up. I did however like the fact all the lines were color coded, especially the brake lines ( I think BASE canopies have this for ease of identification in case of a line over). Do any manufacturers offer different colored lines, and could a rigger fit them during a reline upon request. Also for packing it would surely help some folk like eh....well like me. Any thoughts? "Read the small print.............I didn't read the big print!!!!"

Thanks Sangrio This clown, complete with bad english poor grammar and no clue about rigs wrote to me too, saw your thread saved me a ton of hassle. Roibn

Last year I met a fellow who was doing AFF at the age of 62. I am sure there are older folks who have entered the sport, just wondering who is the oldest you may have heard or known about? I met him a few months later doing a conopy course. I did my AFF Level I at the age of 49, at the time in the UK the age limit was 50 - it may have gone up to 55 since I am not sure - at the time, so it was a big deal. When I went to do the AFF course in Eloy, Their view was is I was keen to learn they were happy to teach me. So can anyone beat 62? "The older I get.............the better I was"

On a very recent ski trip with some skydiving buddies, our late night beers in a French bar, sparked (yet another 'What if?.....) question. On the television there was ski jumping, a sport which I have no doubt is exhilarating but pretty dull to watch on tv after many beers> On of the guys wondered if the jumper was wearing a wingsuit wouldn't he go further. The debate raged for about three minutes with the group divided. Any smart aero engineers, phyisicists, or bar room experts have any thoughts. I think the fabric would slow them down a little and they would lack sufficient lift, and fly less than the non wingsuit guy. Any thoughts? As we many have stumbled uppon a new Olympic event! "Read the small print.... I didn't even read the big print....too many words, and the tv was on"

On a long drive, I asked some pals who jump, did they know anyone who regularly junped at a wingloading of over 2.0 This set off a bit of a debate and one of them reckeoned some folk out there are jumping over 3.0 on a regular basis. So as such rambling conversations go, we didn't establish much, no proofs given. Other than the well known, "My mate knows a guys whose friend......." So what is the highest wingloading that a jumper is using out there? For the record, I have no plans to match you, just curious.

I tend to pull at around 4000. Jumping a big old Spectre 210, when I check my audible alti it will show 3400 or + / - 100ft as the height that I came out of freefall. Someone told me that is the height the pin was extracted, others when deployment began slowing me down, and yet others say when I was under canopy, can anyone enlighten me. What is the point at which the NEptune or Protrack displays the second number? Thank

I bought a second hand rig, which had a big old hackey which I assumed was an indutry standard. I have recently bought a brand new rig (Vector 3), and the hackey on the 24" pilot chute, is smaller, and feels considerably smaller in my mitt. There was no option on hackey size when I bought it. So how would I get a bigger hackey fitted. With the same pattern, can comeone make it for me or would RW be the place to start? Thanks

I am sure various threads on the merits of RSL v no RSL, and the stability issue when pulling silver exist in the archives. However I was talking to a cameraman who told me he had to cutaway and then as he had altitude on his side got stable by 2000 and pulled silver, he said nothing appeared to happen and he realised that the pilot chute had got in his burble, so dipped a shoulder and out she popped. I am sure this is a rare occurance, but it can and did happen. Whilst at the boogie, I was reading a book about WWII pilots, and many of them recount pulling back the canopy and bailing out of their aircraft. What struck me is they were bailing out of unstable aircraft, with know knowledge of getting stable, only with the instruction of pulling the ripcord. So my thought was does the risk of burning up valuable altitude to get stable create a greater risk of a low pull versus letting the spring loaded pilot chute work as designed and get the D-bag out pronto. Just a thought and I would be interested in other peoples thoughts and experiences.

I got my first ever brnd new made to measure rig today, it is a Vector 3 and it looks great and I love it. However when I put it on it felt tight over the shoulders and really seemed to dig in. My old rig was a second hand Jav Oddesy which I guess was well worn in when I got it. Do most new rigs take a while to soften up and it it a case of the shoulder straps and risers getting broken it. The rig feels really snug, which I imagine is how it should feel, so maybe my old rig was a little loose. So how long (jumps) does a new rig take to get broken in, Thanks

Thanks very much that clears up my confusion.

I am just about to receive my new Vector III ( yeah!) am looking forward to jumping my first custom built rig. I went for the Skyhook option as it was recommended by all the instructors. I happened to notice an advertisement in a Skydive publication that amongst other offerings stated they were authorized skyhook installers. It made me wonder when I need to get a reserve re-pack, will the rigger need to be formally qualified to do this. ( Qualifications exist for a reason - so I understand and approve of them, when it comes to rigging and instruction, less convinced when it comes to cooking and country dancing but thats another thread!) My question, before allowing anyone to repack my reserve, should I ask if they are Skyhook qualified, or assume if I give them the manual, they will be able to follow it? I just want to be sure I use the right person who does the right thing in the right order. Thanks

I was putting on my gear and discovered I had left my goggles in my hotel some miles away. No problem I thought I shall wear my sunglasses which have a fitting to secure them tightly around the head. As we are coming up to jump run I am thinking 'hey no steamed up goggles" they fitted good and I was a happy bunny. I was doing a two way with a buddy first 20 seconds all seemed good then they started to rattle around and do everything they could to dislidge themselves. went to belly and kept my head downward and that stopped the problem. I landed jumped in my car and went and got my goggles. So apart from a snug fit, any brands to suggest or advice to give.

"Betsy will probably come back with more specifics about the rules (the 3500 feet thing for example). But, are you saying that pulling AT 3500 would be too low for you? That still is ample room to deal with issues. But, thats your call. " No I am fine with 3500, but as I have new canopy I would have liked to pull higher and get some extra canopy flight time, turns stalls that kind of stuff

As I run my own business, I often have to change my plans at short notice. In fact a November trip to Eloy for 10 days with friends has seen me pull out due to clients need me elsewhere. It is the second time this year. I thought that as Xmas is a very quiet time of year in my business, that I should go to Eloy for the Boogie. One of my friends who is very expereinced with over 1500 jumps, said that it may be too busy in the sky for me. He explained lots of canopies in the sky, twin jump runs, and no pulling above 3500. As I only have 90 jumps he said, it may be too much for my expereince level. Obviously I don't want to go there to discover he is right! On the other hand I would hate to miss out on a skydiving vacation in the sun especially as I have bought a new rig, which I have yet to jump. I am guessing they still do tandems and AFF, so if I can hook up with more expereinced jumpers who are happy to have an ageing Scotsman tag along with them, then that may be a solution. Any thoughts would be welcome especially from those who have been there with low jump numbers? Thanks Did I say 'ageing' Scotsman, obviously I meant 'wise old'

I currently jump a Spectre and really enjoy it. However I am currently buying a new rig, and a number of people have said I will have more fun flying a nine cell. I am pretty conservative and have no plans to hook turn or swoop, so even though I know there are pros and cons on both sides. Simply from a practical perspective does the 7 cell have any major advantage over the nine cell other than a greater range of flight characteristics ( I couldn't spell maneuverability ( see I told you so!). I learnt on a Sabre and have jumped a Sabre2, but all the demo conopies have been too small for me to trial, so if I buy ( either a Safire2 or Sabre2) it will be without much experience on them. Thanks

I met a girl who told me she bought a new rig, (a Vector 3) and on her first jump the riser covers did not open, so she was at an awkward angle, and did not cutaway as the canopy was open and she was able (just) to steer it. She thought it may have been a packing error, or that the fabric bing so new , simply offered too much resistance and therefore did not have enough energy to make the riser covers release. Either way it spooked her, and though she continued to jump with the rig, said that changed it as a result shortly thereafter. I have just ordered a new Vector 3 and love them, so this I think was a packing error. Either way out of gereral curiosity, I wondered if that happened to anyone on any rig, would it not make a cutaway redundant as, the main risers are effectively held in place by the downward pressure of the covers. ( I hope that makes sense.) Also I was wondering if anyone has ever experienced this scenario, and if so what was your course of action. I had never heard of this before, and just got into a wondering state of mind. [I've drunk nine beers, eight tequila slammers and half a quart of Jack Daniels, plus you'll notice I can't stand up, and you ask me if I've been drinking officer... of course I've been drinking, "]

So ... why is a D handle a better choice at your experience level? I am a low jumper, who will probably continue to go aon a couple of week long skydiving vaations a year. I learnt on D handles and I guess it is what I will be looking for, when the time comes. On a recent two way my buddy ( who had 112 jumps, yep 113 was a mal) had a bad line over, he stayed with it for about ten seconds thinking it was line twists, then he cut away. He told me on the ground that he got his hands on the handles, then for a moment could not remember which one to pull first. I thought he was joking but he said muscle memory took over. So I am thinking if I have a mal and need to cutaway and am having a moment of brain lock, it is just possible that when my hand s go to the handles, my left hand feeling a pad, may ( and I admit it is unlikely but anything is possible in extremis) pull which we can all agree is a bad option. So my hand willnever mistake a D handle for a pad. So I will go for the D, then in a couple of hundred jumps I can always reconsider, which will be in about ten years time at my current rate.. Any thoughts on this ? Given that some of the reports of two outs may have been due to this in the past, I was just wondering>

I have ordered a new rig ( a Vector III), and when asked if I wanted a D handle or a soft pud for the reserve, I gave it a few moments thought and went for the soft handle. A few folk have suggested that with my low jump numbers a d handle would be better. So I'll go with that. ( so you can see I appear to be very suggestable :o) My question is., is it a straightforward exchange. So when I get the rig with the soft handle it is just a straight swap, or do any changes need to be made to the housing and rig. Thanks

Damn right, they shattered! Just keep em warm. The other thing I learnt was don't put your mouth against, the top of a metal brandy flask. Makes for some interesting options regards getting it off.

I have heard that a BASE jump was done with a modified tandem rig. I was wondering given all the boundaries that folk are keen to challenge, if a tandem wingsuit has ever been done. I'm guessing the answer is no, as the rig would have to be custom built, the glide would be very poor and it could be a bit of a "so what" type achievement. In keeping with this train of thought has there ever been a two passenger rig? Again I guess it could be possible with experienced skydivers as passengers, but there again what would be the point other than to be the first, which I guess is a pretty good reason to do it. Just like I once played golf at -26C in North Star GC as part of an extreme golf challenge and ended up getting the world record for the coldest round of 18 holes ever played. www.awesomeeight.com If anyone has any other firsts (for fun and the pure challenge) let me know. "If at first you don't succeed, give up, there's no point in being a damn fool about it"

When I was around the 20 jump number, I had a coach jump to learn to track. At the apointed time I tracked, (like a sea lion gliding up a shingle beach) and though I did not make much lateral distance, I stayed with the plan. I locked on, waved off and deployed. (it was a school G3 with a Spectre 210) nothing happened for a the first 2 seconds of the count, then the deployment began, and was fine. Upon landing my instructor told me I had what looked like a possible bag lock on the first stow, though it cleared itself. In fact he went to the packer and gave him a hard word, about the stow. My question is had I cutaway, would there be enough drag ro enable the RSL to pull the reserve. I know from my EP's to pull red then pull silver. I rehearse before EVERY jump. So this is somewhat academic, Is there a situation (other than PC in tow) where there would not be enough drag to have the RSL work. " I live my life by the rules. Wait a minute I make the rules, so what am I worrying about"

Does anyone have any exercises they do specifically for skydiving. I have got a pretty good cardio workout running and cycling throughout the week, but don't do much core or upper body work. It got me to thinking are there any exercises that will improve your physical condition regards skydiving. I am guessing core/abdominal strength must be good. (Once whilst spinning on my back I couldn't pull a strong arch - but I was spinning pretty fast so I figured it was because of low G force), but any thoughts will be welcome. "The older I get the better I was"

Has anyone made or built their own canopy. Just curious?

I am sure that everyone has or will have a hard opening, some real slammers. I whilst still on my consols used a parachute that a few of the other students told me was fast opening. Good I thought that'll do me. When I let go the pilot chute, the opening sequence seemed like an instant. my chin hit my chest hard and I was somewhat hurting. Now as I sit and write this there is no way I can get my chin onto my chest (if standing upright) and a certainly cannot get my chin to bounce into my breastbone. But, on that opening ( a Paratec 230 I seem to remember). I later though that had my head been turned left or right, I could have popped a disc torn muscles. I recently read a thread about a new skydiver who had a superhard opening and broke his neck. I accept there is always going to be the one in a million that just comes along no matter how careful we are. However it got me thinking. So does anyone think it a really dumb idea, to wear (as a personal option) a neck guard, like pro football players wear. I am not sugggesting surgical collars , more of a large sausage shape made of foam, that goes around your neck, that limits the extend of downward movement and avoid traumatic hyperflexion of the neck. As I say just a thought, is it too impractical/ being overly cautious, or an idea worth developing. I had a brilliant idea once.....can't remember what it was though.