mccordia

We went to the moon? Damnit..the things you miss in the real world while browsing dropzone.com 24/7 can be shocking! JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

Have to disappoint you with the dropping acid bit....A gay bacardi & coke, is as far as it goes..but most people think Im drunk and on accid in my normal behavior, so I dont seem to need it. As for making money; Though its been rumoured Ive been spotted on my knees, giving 5 euro blowjobs behind Amsterdam Central station (2 euro discount if you show your BMI/PFI number!). The truth (or the one I want you to believe) is that I have a nice job in my own company doing animation and editing for film and tv commercials which enables me to pay my rent and jump a bit on the side (http://www.airrebels.com check it out) All the wingsuit stuff is somewhere in between hobby and passion (or 'obsession and insanity' according to my girlfriend, she about freaks whenever I mention the word wingsuit) 2008 is going to be a cool year..lots of new things happening in flying, and Im sure we'll be amazed many times again by people like Loic, Robi and the VKB boys (great bandname btw!) etc. showing us some new ways of flying and swooping past mountains. Smoother and bigger formations then we ever imagines, and hopefully some tiny cool things from our direction as well... Not to say you cant invest in me...I'll gladly give anyone my (and dont forget costyn, as he spends a lot of time on the tech side of things as I do on the writing/animation) paypall account to support us in our ongoing project 'help jarno become a millionaire' But keeping it free and fun seems to be the right thing to do... ps. (shameless plug) there are a few more articles planned for FLB, and the launch of a new/bigger website for TopGun (some new pix and video) And to the initial poster> I hadnt seen the videos of the "Spelco gryphon" yet. Quite amazing to see the flat angle of flight (judging the smoke trails). Definitely worth checking out these vids of you havent (bottom of page) http://www.spelco.eu/code/Press/downloads.aspx JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

Ive used a sidewinder with video and (topmounted)stills, and it wasnt an issue. But it does depend on a good snug fit. Otherwise you may end up with an unstable/wobbly helmet. JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

Its mini vortexes around the insectwing that enables them to fly. And that vortex is created by the angle of the wing at certain points, and the speed at which it flaps. Also one of those cool things that doesnt scale up too well, unless you know some guy who can move his arms up to 100 times per second (though some single internet addicted guys out there may be close on being able to do so) physics and engineering are the way to go..and testing..lots and lots of testing.. JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

The haviest bird listed is 18kg (mute swan) to 21 kg (great bustart) And most birds of that weight catagory already way pass us in wingspan Nowhere near my 89 kg (hopefully down to 85 again after Xmas/new year) and my +- 2 meter span? JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

Loic better be up in the air again before April, as I want to fry his ass in our competition in April! JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

I say you'd just look like a handicapped mouse I definitely think there is room for improvement in current designs, but a lot of philosophy on our kinship to flying/gliding animals is not the answer JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

Only if you take your teeth out... Old people are funny.. JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

He also has some better statistics then 1500 jumps in 28 years...surf less, jump more JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

The label 'biggest star' is one entirely put on by the non skydiving media. Loic himself is one of the most down to earth and easy-going people there is in this sport, open to anyone. Be it 0 or 10.000 jumps. Trashing someone over the internet says more about you, then the accident says about the person you're talking about.. JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

Dont know about your fingernails maria, but I dont have fingers that are as long as my arm JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

I also agree with Matt and Chuck.. Though Im 100% up for giving it all we got on both events, I too believe the current diveplans are a bit too ambituous for (what I think) is currently possible. The freeflyers didnt just wake up one morning, and went from a 10 way to a 69 way. And in wingsuits, aside from some nicely flown 9 ways, there haven been any true completed big formations. And the '4th row' is also something we've been discussing here. The relative movement just gets too big after that point, and people are often more busy 'riding waves' then they are flying a slot. I have some diveplans I made, with rows of stingers on the side. Which allows for a formation that doesnt grow beyond 4 to 5 rows. And allows for some movement, without immidiately f*cking up people flying behind you. I may post those later in a seperate thread, as the discussion 'what formation/size is too big' seems like a good one.. I would rather focus on setting some 16 to max 22 way formations with several groups, and not try for anything bigger yet. Skillswise, its going to give a lot of people the experience they need for bigger formations we can aim for at a later point. We should focus less on setting a 'record', and focus more on working towards building the skills needed to fly one at both events.. And trust me..Ill be flying balls to the walls at both events, trying not to f*ck up, and keep up with the rest to make the prettiest/best formations possible. But (and I hope Im proven wrong next fall!) I think slighly more realistic goals/formations wouldnt be that bad an idea. And will most likely also help a lot, in getting formation flying accepted by the FAI as a proper dicipline (if that is what everyone wants of course) JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

and for the record...if I or anyone else screws up on a bigway attempt...be it slotwise or safetywise..I definately want actions being taken...be it a warning, the shifting to a more 'outside slot' or being moved to a B poule of jumpers... Names, egos and friendship should not be a deciding factor in any of that... JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

Agreed...the 'fun and relaxed' flying in wingsuits works up to a 4 way...above that number, its starts going towards dangerous if the 'RW mentality' doesnt ease its way into our discipline.. Making sure someone has the skills to be on a certain dive is not ignorant or ego-based...putting low experienced flyers on those dives is... There is a big writup on formation flying, safety and issues with 'axing people from dives' on http://www.flylikebrick.com developing the sport this way is moving forward..and definately doesnt take any fun out of it..it just ads new challenges for everyone and will (in the end) also help newer birds to train/learn with and from the more experienced/older flyers... JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

I'll be at both events to fly and have fun. I dont think skydiving (something I do for my enjoyment, and spend a lot of time and money on) is a place for hatred and/or politics. It came as a surprise to see these 2 events so close to eachother...but for most people from EU and SA its actually a blessing...as it means we can do both events and not spend a ton of cash on just the intl. flights. Whatever the reason or intent behind both events may be...unless you want to fly, laugh, drink, or talk about ponies, video, chaps and other gay stuf...please dont bother commenting. It should be about trying new things (take this comments as gay as you can:) and learning and advancing the discipline as a whole by doing some amazing sheit in the skies! Both events are going to happen..both seem to have different goals (formation/size wise) and Im 100 % sure we as a group can make it the most amazing, nearly 2 week, boogie there is on the planet! Be it at 2 different locations.. Gay ponylove to all! JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

I dont think you could be further from the truth.. I think events like these wont exclude the more open events from happening. and this will help develop the bigway flying, both imagewise and (more important) safetywise. and all the (self proclaimed?) flying hero's will take the learnt biway skills back to their home dz.. its about progressing..not alianating people.. trust me (speaking for myself) excluding people and working towards some elite group that will never jump with others aint the idea.. its just one event (though 2 at the same time now:) and though it may oppose or even upset you now...you'll see it will definately contribute to our discipline..skills wise..image wise..safet wise JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

It mostly depends on if I win the lotery or not Januari - Empuria Brava April - www.wingsuitcompetition.com May - Ukraine (load organising/first flight courses) November - 2 big events Thats a lot of money waiting to be burnt..not sure if I can fit one or two more boogies in there financially (plus a non jumping holiday with my girl which Im planning) But that sayd...lets do the inevitable. 1. Jeff Nebelkopf 2. Scott Bland 3. Chuck Blue 4. Ed Palowski 5. Justin Shorb 6. Norman Kent 7. Scotty Burns 8. Matt Hoover 9. Jarno Cordia (Pending approval of my flying skills by Jeff) JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

You seem to be mixing up two seperate events Johan. The two events being organised so close to eachother caught me by surprise to. Though the two events seem to have different goals as to whats being attempted in terms of numbers and flying, they both seem like events I most definately want to attend. On Scotts event (I think) Ill be organising a B poule/plane, doing training/skills dives. And on Jeffs event I'll just be hiding inside the formation, trying to bite someones tailwing Jeff will be hoping by in Europe next spring, and will be flying with a lot of people to check em out, and trusting the judgement of several wingsuit organisers he knows when it comes to the ones he cant meet/fly with. He already has a big list with names of European 'hopefulls' and I seem to remember also putting yours in there JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

Will definately be there! Flying to the max! And working hard to bring some proper gayness to the event with my scallops! JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

Speed riding is canopy flight down mountain slopes. Hope to injuries are not too severe, and a speedy recovery puts big bird back into the air soon! JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

I flew the suit palm up (S-Fly stylee) on the first jump, and had some problems zigzagging too much, and I was way tired when the flight was over. The second jump (the video) I switched my arm position to what I was used to, and actually grabbed the wingtips in an effort to controll the surface a bit more. It flew with the same arm-load I was used to in other suits and would definately call anyone who thinks its heavy a big pussy Though my (right)armstrength should of course not be under-estemated! I think a lot of people wrongfully comment on armstrain on a suit, when its actually just a new body posture, and muscles they didnt use that much before in that position, they are complaining about.. JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

Jebs idea's dont seem to have ANYTHING to do with the development of wingsuits. The wingsuit is just the vehicle that will help him aim at his catching device (which should support even catching a person from normal freefall, as I remember him being quoted somewhere) The wingsuit designs of today fly at 2 to even 2,5 times the performance of the first (current ram-air design) wingsuits. Thats a big improvement over the past 8 to 10 years. I think that for the future we're mostly looking at new materials, which will allow for more of a hybrid between rigid/flexible wing design. Evolving into bigger and more aerodynamic/low drag aerofoils, allowing more optimal flight. The human body is awfully misbalanced when it comes to our size/weight/shape, mostly where our arms(wings) are located. Advances in technology/materials will/may allow wings to be bigger in variable directions, and be moved towards spots on the body that give us a much better flying characteristics. There are an awefull lot of people thinking about wingsuits and trying new things in terms of designs. PF, Tony, JiiWings, Vkb, Egsuits etc etc And next to that there are a lot (you'd be surprised to find out how many) of people working on wingsuits and designs privately, without the intent to sell, just to try and make something that flies even better. And when one new idea is found that works, the trend is for other manufacturers/designers to take that idea and run with it. Usually coming up with new and improved techniques and ideas. Though many people talk about brand-wars, its actually also the thing pushing the companies more and more to be innovative and come up with suits that outfly their competitors. In the end, benefiting the development.. No clue where we'll end up, but compare the glide of a bird to what we're doing, and we're still just flying like bricks JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

I think Pierre means a 6 way wedge.. .....^..... ...^..^... .^..^..^. JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

No..I really went up When I reach my stall-speed, I poo, and I gain a few meters more..its awesome.. Ill make a tutorial video someday, involving lots of beans for breakfast! JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

We're in Empuria from the 6th of Januari till the 13th..too bad you're not there longer..could have sayd hi and given you your sticker But definately shoot us an email at the start of next summer.. JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?