mccordia

"The speed at which new people progress in the sport". Its faster, if not, rushed these days. When I started wingsuit flying in 2003, it took me a 100 wingsuit jumps to even be allowed to wear a SkyFlyer3. Perhaps over cautious. But a far cry from what I see a lot of beginners fly these days. And it didnt hinder or limit me in any way, it in fact made me try/fly a lot better. Some newers suits have an awesome performance range. In everyday skydiving, its though rare to come across any formation that demands more than the performance of 'old' suits. I have around 1500 wingsuit jumps, and still fly what most would concider a beginner suit. Granted, I sometimes fly bigger. But thats by choice, not because I need it. And also not because somebody told me I needed it. Its more than capable of everything I need to do with it. And I do a lot. I personaly would love to see people advocate skills over upsizing. Similar, be it reversed, to downsizing and swooping (s)kills in canopy flying. Pricing on 2nd hand suits 20% from new price? Ive seen plenty of good deals varying from 250 to 500 Euros. The FlyLikeBrick website currently has a nice Phantom2 listed for 400,- and a SM1 for roughly the same in the 2nd hand section. Sellers may even negotiate price and get it cheaper. Regardless, far from the 850 to 900 Euros a full option new suit costs (or the 20% less you mention). A lot of the things noted as 'improvemens' (zipper rigging) have been around from the start (S-Fly had zippers in 2001 already, if not before that even). Cable rigging, though it takes a few minutes, is STILL the best and easiest way to get a wingsuit fully fit/attached to a rig with perfect fit/spacing for the handles. In todays market, people want something they can put on quicker. And it IS easier in use. But the 'old'system is far from worse or less safe. The sleeve system (on any brand, but for the sake of brand, lets stick to the Venom) is very dependent of fit and clothing worn underneath in terms of function. Unlike a cutaway system, which always functions regardless of fit or layers worn. I fully applaud you for your company and provided service. And will and have gladly recommended you to people looking to try a certain suit or model to try. But I personaly don't like the stance where its made to look like intermediate wingsuit models are only a step up to what everyone really wants to/should fly. Like there is a 100% need to 'upgrade' to bigger. There simply isnt. To counter your question: Name me one item in skydiving equipment that supposedly functions less well and less safe, because there is newer gear on the market? I can see when comparing a canopy from today to one from 15 or 20 years ago. But the 'oldest' equipment one can buy 2nd hand in wingsuit flying, is still newer than the canopy most skydivers had their first rig. If I may comment on some of the statements on your website frontpage - Gets you on a flock without having to save up $1000 first. "gets you a suit to fly while you work your way up to flocking skills" - If you fly like a brick you can give it up already. "Weirdly constructed SEO line" - That used suit you bought on dropzone.com is tooadvanced for you and it doesn’t fit anyway. "make sure you get proper advice on which suit you can and should fly before buying OR renting" - You can’t figure out the lace up system on the suit yourbuddy loaned you. "If you have such dumb-ass buddies, go find someone that can properly instruct you on the gear that can potentialy kill you" - All the kids are doing it. "Don't be a mindless sheep following the cool crowd, they may have 1000 jumps. You probably don't....take it easy.." JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

Managed to edit and upload some more stuff from the past few months! Enjoy! http://vimeo.com/33321927 JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

Seeing how precise these people you mention fly in their base videos, as well as seeing them do a lot of acrobatic stuff in their videos, you clearly have a different view of who 'some' is, and rate your friends'skill levels lower than I do JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

Thanks, thats feedback that actually works.. This wasnt ment as the definitive 'Do this, and you're a god in the skies' and its fully our intention to include feedback in a future version (put out a version 1.2 or 2.0 when we have enough additions). prolonger diving for sure a good addition ill take into account on the next update! fly by The fact that people will 'do it anyways' is not a good incentive for me to include this in training. If someone has the skills, in person, ill gladly assist him/her in being target (seperate at 6 or 7k, I dive down and deploy at 5k, so they can set up a safe distance flyby). But I dont think we should include hints and tips on an 'internet instruction' pdf for stuff that should be evaluated on a case by case basis. As well as believing that sort of stuff belongs in the 'stunt' catagory. And not standard skills/practice. Rodeos To me these are a carnaval ride. A fun look into wingsuit flying, perhaps nice for a video instruction thing. But not part of what Id want to see as basics on a person. Navigation I think (similar to canopy naviation) the simple 'learn to navigate' encompasses any type of patern. Your exit point is point A, and your deployment spot is point B. Finding a nice safe line or curve towards that point shouldnt be that difficult (and for the biggest part, already included in an FFC) A lot of the other stuff (cloud surfing, balloon exits, etc) also (to me) falls under the 'specialty' catagory. Its not needed for basic training, and flocking skills. For sure its fun, and more than worth its own seperate training. But not needed in this document which we provide for student/flocking use. Seeing the avg. skill level on some of the 'performance only' skydivers and basejumpers I see, they could use some of that as well (tongue in cheeck, before certain people get their panties in a twist again' JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

For the purpose of clarity, we will stick with normal terms such as barrelroll, frontloop and backloop for this document. Outside of talking about it, I highly recommend anyone to go outside, fly a wingsuit, and try all the moves described. For sure it has made more than one person a better flyer... JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

Its more a drop through the burble with a half-assed tuck/backloop.... I have some nice video examples from Butters, and will also try and shoot a few extra video bits the 17th to put another video together... JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

Yea..thats one of the loops I got from him...you'll be famous JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

haha...that one includes doing it inside the burble...not sure thats the best example. But I did find a few nice ones with help from Douglas. Ill try and make a flight manual video out of those coming weeks! JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

Might be a fun addition to the flight manual videos we have on our website. Ill see if we can custom shoot some footage on backloops in the coming weeks. JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

That sounds really weird. As so far every Ghost3 (or any suit from the past few years) has had nothing but solid inflation from belly up to headdown. One thing to note (on any big suit/brand) is that longer legwings can 'choke' of the lower wing when bending knees up to far. Creating a sharp fold in the legwing, and not providing airflow/inflation to that part. But related to your Ghost3 (and other owners will be able to attest to that) the suit is more over-inflated than under-pressurized, and flapping for sure should not happen. If you have some video, or more information. Send macca or me an email, and we'll see if we can sort it out. That aside. As this thread keeps amazing me. If you have a question or issue with/for a manufacturer, mailing them directly (instead of posting on a forum) is definitely the classic, best and most straight forward way of getting an answer.... JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

Do a short upfloat (get some upward momentum going). Than strong push on the arms while at the same time a tuck/pull knees into chest and closing legwing (Balling up). As you're coming through the roll, cock the head back, and look at the ground. As the horizon comes back into view stretch out the legwing, and start flying again. JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

We just put online a new training document for beginning and intermediate wingsuit flyers. Its a skill guide based on a document Douglas (DSE) did for the Elsinore Wingsuit school, and expanded to a bigger list with the help of several awesome wingsuitpilots/coaches. Get it for free from our Pilot Database at http://flylikebrick.com/pilotdb.php, or download a free copy of the PDF (top of the page), or download it via the direct link at http://flylikebrick.com/articles/flb_skills_guide.pdf Have fun! JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

The setup on the photo referenced is also different (though for sure not less prone to line snatching parts). The attachment=point is the center/top of the helmet. Not the lower base of the neck. The setup posted here actually puts the camera over the reserve. JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

And if you ask them, it's also not the best idea. I don't see the added vallue of this mount, over simply putting the camera directly on top of your helmet and aiming it back correctly. Its a setup that has a LOT of safety concerns. If you want to use it. Sure. But don't complain when you ask 'what do you people think' and they respond with real world threats/dangers to jumping such a setup. JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

Just to add to that, the PF website price/order page always has up to date order information. JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

At the moment we are up to 5 months (related to a large batch of new orders, as well as the Xmas period, and the factory being closed for 2,5 weeks during that time). The wait is long, but worth it... JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

Yea...but which issue? Its a simple setting, that almost any camera with a flip-screen has? If it was a thing you needed to fix with ductape, magic marker and silly putty...Id call it 'the same issue', but in this case its not a bug, its a feature.. JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

The information page on www.phoenix-fly.com always has the up to date lead times for all products listed. For the V4, that currently is 5 months (high demand). All other suits are at 6 weeks (as we keep two seperate production lines, to prevent the high V4 demand 'leaking' into the other lead times.) We've also added personel to the V4 production line, so those lead times are also slowly coming down. JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

Most people that need their 6 years old to switch on the computer or operate electronic devices will have that issue... I just switched it off in the menu JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

No cutaway, though it should be clear of where any part of the canopy or bag passes during deployment. But I could see the actual 'hook' on the legmount attached via some sewn loops, and a bit of yellow cable looped through, passing up to the knee. that would allow for a quick cutaway. Maybe for a version 2.0 at some point.. JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

I think Alien Suits are made in a Chineese factory yes...Ive seen those. And a correction, I just spoke to the factory. Leadtime on PF suits is now 6 weeks (plus postage) JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

Phoenix-Fly has not outsourced manufacturing. Im always curious who comes up with those kind of fake rumors. Leadtime is around 11 weeks on the P2, Shadow, Venom, Ghost etc Only the V4 has longer leadtimes. All suits are made in the same place they've always been made, with Robert himself in the factory almost daily for R&D and quality control. JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

The mount I made works very well (Ive jumped a similar setup before, and its not vastly different from what other use). Any mount attached to a shoe, that you want to kick off, will not work with wingsuit (with a bootie over it). Hence the small brace coming around the bootie. JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

Noop...people just need to pull the way they also should on normal skydives. Lazy pulls can also lead to all kinds of crap on normal jumps.. JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

The D-Bag doesnt pass allong the far side of my left leg when I deploy? This is roughly the view/position. JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?