Vectracide

Thanks Sunny! It definitely can be done, but it takes consistency to be competitive against the X-braced canopies. If I had verted or received penalties, I probably wouldn't of had the points to survive swoops like Stu's. I was down at Seb in Feb. for the East Side weekend. I'm not sure if I met you or not. Did my bro Jim introduce us? Did you go to his wedding in the Keys? Anyways, if you see Will there, give him a sharp smack to the back of the head and tell him its from Brad. Later.. ------------------------------ Controlled and Deliberate.....

Thanks Stu! I'm still trying to process it all. Its funny how things turned out, as when I arrived that morning, I wasn't feeling on my game physically and more importantly, mentally. But after the first two rounds....it was game on. Your set up advice helped. As far as the distance round, you kicked some serious ass with a MASSIVE 434'. Thats at sea level folks. Very impressive. It was an enertaining day, as the smack talking came from all angles and much crow was eaten at the end. I look forward to Shelton and another event. See you guys there. B. ------------------------------ Controlled and Deliberate.....

I would have to agree with Apoli. I have jumped with and spend after hours partying with Chris, and I have got to say that he is one of the best in the sport on all facets. Not only is he an amazing flyer, but there is not a single bit of skygod in this guy. He's a totally down to earth dude. If anyone is in the area and can come to this event, it would be foolish not to partake. ------------------------------ Controlled and Deliberate.....

Make all of your FF exits a flower exit with soft grips on the arm, or a high/low grips. This will get you used to the orientation and start muscle memory for your legs. Other than that.... lots of practice. B. ------------------------------ Controlled and Deliberate.....

Dave, What about the spring style hinge? Basically, if you can take a spring that is about the same diameter as the pin in your hinge, you can pull the pin, put the spring in and give it a couple twists to give tension in the open position and then reinstall the pin. Now, not seening the kind of hinge that they use, it might not be possible,but you could always replace thier hinge with one that will work for your application. Make sense? Ok, its called a torsion spring, see attached. Maybe a mini locking lid stay... [/url]http://www.spdhardware.com/dc4.htm[url] B. ------------------------------ Controlled and Deliberate.....

If they offer you the reline deal on the HMA, it will be cheaper than Microline at full price. Win win situation here. As far as I know, they do not put anything else on there other than HMA. ------------------------------ Controlled and Deliberate.....

Tetra, I bought a used KA from a private party with microline on it. The canopy had 280 total jumps on it with the stock lines. I jumped it for about 10 jumps and sent it to PD to get a reline as the canopy was opening very very poorly. Some of the lines had 3 1/2 inches of shrinkage in them. They offered to reline the canopy with HMA for about 1/2 the cost of HMA reline. Contact PD and find out if they are still offering such a reline. This was my first ever experience with PD and they FAR exceeded my expectations on customer service. ------------------------------ Controlled and Deliberate.....

I jumped one of Jeff Bell's (Kapowsin's Rigger) RDS systems this last weekend. I jumped it on my Katana 107 loaded at 1.8. 1 jump at subterminal and about 9 at terminal. It quickened my openings just slightly, but the KA openings were smooth to begin with. It however, increased the on heading percentage greatly. As for ease of removal, it couldn't be easier. Grab the handles with one hand, yank it from behind and bring it to your waist and wrap it up. Stuff in shirt (tucked in well). As for the performance after removal, it makes no difference which one you get. What I would really like to investigate is the performance increase differences between x-braced and non-xbraced canopies. Being that the X-braced is so much flatter across the top and more efficient to begin with, I'm wondering if the non-xbraced canopies tend to benefit more from the decreased resistance and wing deformation due to the PC/D-bag drag. I was absolutly blown away by the difference in how the canopy feels. Everything seems smoother. My turn feels smoother and I could swear that my rears are more sensitive, due to increased speed. I went over 300' on a crosswing landing at sea level yesterday. I have only been able to do that with a downwind component before. I will never jump without a removable slider ever again, and its fast to reattatch the D-bag for when you're not training/competing. Just stuff the lines in the back of your mudflap. I will get a chance to jump one of Joe's sliders soon, so I will post what , if any difference there is between them. ------------------------------ Controlled and Deliberate.....

Karlm, I jumped a Jeff Bell RDS system, Velocity Air Sports, all this weekend. I put around 10 terminal jumps on it. I am jumping a Katana 107 loaded just under 1.8. It changed openings just a little as far as speed goes....slightly faster. But headings changed for the better. I no longer get the last second heading change at full inflation. I would say that the only thing that you really have to pay attention to is your deployment alititude. Dump higher than you normally would as it takes some time to stow all that stuff. I was only doing 2-3 ways and one on one coach jumps, so there was not much traffic in the air with me. I felt comfortable with that, but it would not be my first choice on zoo loads or big ways,(full system that is). Just the slider, no problem. In fact, I will more than likely not jump a standard slider ever again, as it frees up the risers so much, gives you great camera range (not hitting helmet and stuff). I absolutely love it. ------------------------------ Controlled and Deliberate.....

Yeah, we have been fighting crappy spring weather for a couple weeks now. There has been other attempts at the FF weekend, but each time it gets weathered out. So when finally the sky looked good, it got posted. We had lots of A licsensed jumpers there on the weekend. There was a LO jump on almost every load, FF and RW. Mostly 2-3 ways. Between the RW and FF coaching, I believe we gave about 10 students a free coach jump. I did a sit coach jump with one of the new packers that has 66 jumps, and I have never seen someone at this experience have such an amazing solid, stable down the pipe sit. A true natural. Its exciting to see so many new FF out there and giving it thier all. Having Kapow's Grand Caravan for the next 2 years straight is going to be awesome. That plane has HUGE front and rear camera steps. I'm looking forward to some FF state record attemps later this summer! ------------------------------ Controlled and Deliberate.....

We will have Freefly and RW load organizing all weekend long at Skydive Snohomish this weekend. Crucible Freefly will also be offering free coach jumps when not organizing. Coach jumps consist of dirt dive with goals set, videoed jump, and video debrief. This is a great value for only the cost of your slot. This weekend is supposed to be a great weather weekend, so come on out and jump the Grand Caravan. ------------------------------ Controlled and Deliberate.....

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Just curious, but unless you asked that DZ if they said that, how would you really know it was them? Could be a whuffo that wanted to sound cool..... ------------------------------ Controlled and Deliberate.....

Thanks....left a message. Is there a good time to call, like when someone is there? ------------------------------ Controlled and Deliberate.....

I did a search and could not come up with his DZ/Rigging loft info. Anyone know his #? ------------------------------ Controlled and Deliberate.....

So I guess the knee is doin better...... Has the wife seen your poolside pictures? ------------------------------ Controlled and Deliberate.....

Ahh, my ancient Chinese kaka-poo poo does not work with this one.....he is quick in the ways of ungayiety. He still sucks at Halo.

What would your advice be for this student? ------------------------------ Controlled and Deliberate.....

TJ is a gay homosexual. And he can't play Halo2 worth a shit..... Course he can swoop alright every now an then... ------------------------------ Controlled and Deliberate.....

Hey all NW jumpers....the Caravan is here! Check this out......until further notice...there is a 6, yes only SIX, person minimum to get it in the air! We really want to get this year started off right by flying the heck out of the Caravan and picking up the pace from the drudgery of 2-182's to full speed Turbine time! There will be Freefly LO and free coaching this weekend as well. Come on out! ------------------------------ Controlled and Deliberate.....

Whats logging? Hey Karen. You packing this weekend? If so, you are on the first and last load of the day.....got it? And any others you can fit in. ;) B. ------------------------------ Controlled and Deliberate.....

Skydive Snohomish and Crucible Freefly is hosting the inaugural Crucible Freefly Organzing and FREE coach jumps all weekend long! The Caravan is here, and is ready to GO! See here in the web cam: http://www.skydivesnohomish.com/skycam.htm It's parked in the back right! Brad Harris of Crucible Freefly is kicking off the summer with a weekend of Freefly load organizing and freefly one on one coach jumps. It doesn't matter if you are an east fielder or a airport jumper, you will get prejump dirt dive, filmed jump, and a video debrief. Let Skydive Snohomish and Crucible Freefly start your summer out with a bang! See you there! ------------------------------ Controlled and Deliberate.....

Hey now, I'm feelin like I'm behind with it all. Can't tommorrow, got shift. Sunday? ------------------------------ Controlled and Deliberate.....

I do know that you dont neccesarily need iPhoto to view photocasts (I think), but my big question is how is it possible to share with others if you don't have a membership to .Mac? Do you need to pay to a service of some kind to utilize RSS feeds? (as sender, not receiver) ------------------------------ Controlled and Deliberate.....

Thanks dude. Hey, you comin out to SDO to train with Stu or not? Get out here and lets drag that pond. ------------------------------ Controlled and Deliberate.....