mccordia

The arwing shape with longer cell close to the body, inlets and legwing are all not much different than the stealth2 and V3, both of which pre-date any other 'inspirational' designs mentioned above by almost a year. If its copying you're looking for, check the new Intrudair line-up... JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

Still flying that custom jii-wing/sugar glider? JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

Mike would be so proud of those colors! JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

The AltiTrack seems to do a consistent job, without shutdowns for most (consisten) flights. Logging for as long as you manage to fall/fly. JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

Did that ever take active work on anyones behalf? JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

Safety is not brandwar. Tony promised a girl at the world basrace to mod her suit with a cutaway. I dont think he'd be making such promises if it was working well. And I know some people left the sponsored TS crew due to nobody listening to their complaints. See that many people complain (sometimes in carefull words if the are into the brand promotional thing) about the not fully functional system. It works nice for some, but definately not al all for some others as well. And 2 or 3 highlights of situations where it works dont dismiss safety issues for everyone. NOT mentioning a system not working as advertised...thats brandwars. Promoting a product for sale, over safety. I think its a shame comments about safety of a product, are waivered and people are sent up with a false sense of security by saying 'its okay..you can reach your risers'. Label me an asshole...but I prefer a focus on safety over marketing... JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

I could only see goggles with graphics, if they presented me with a GPS based world to play in....hoops to fly through, a flightpath to follow...a virtual mountain...dummy formations to fly in We'll get there some day... JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

In most...pull the cutaway handle and deal with it...in others...pray you're not sweating or wearing the wrong woolen sweater underneath so you can reach your risers... But more serious, everything you mention is covered by the person doing any form of coaching or instruction KNOWING the gear he is teaching people to fly on, as well as advising that person to seek a knowledgeable jumper who can assist him/her, should there ever be a change in suits. Just looking at one manufacturer can in some cases already give you 5 different rigging methods and emergency procedures related to the suits put out over the years. Its just a shame that in one case the actual manufacturer himself didn't follow the steps a real instructional/coaching course related to wingsuit flying would have taught him on instruction and pinchecks. As personally I believe that's where the real danger lies. One fatal accident is enough... Not following procedures. Not being consistent in training and advice. Putting people in huge wingsuit for their first few jumps. Talk to Bram (from skydive ratings) at Zhills on his experience in one of the biggest wingsuits available, on his 2nd jump. Also hear his account on how he saved his life with an emergency deployment he wasn't trained on by aforementioned 'instructor' Trained professionals know the gear the teach on, and also know what suit they hand a student, and know what to teach at what level of experience. Using common sense on top of training should be a given. I hope lessons learned in the past will help people see that... JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

I do remember something to that degree in the former BMI program. But having just watched Jari train someone in a prodigy on youtube, and knowing many who train on any suit they can use, I dont think thats the case anywhere. But having the coaches be current on the suits they use to teach is important in all cases. Though rigging techniques vary (but you get that within one brand even), I think its mostly a bad case of sale motivated 'limits' as to what suits BRAND (not type of rigging) students can jump. Though we did see some country rules put in an attempt at tying branding onto instruction (first forcing people to fly one brand/type for XXX jumps before anything else). That would be like the PD canopy rules...forcing all skydivers to fly a PD sabre2 the first 100 jumps. Though difficult, the more branding/sales are seperated from instruction, the better. JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

Shame about the lost camera and helmet, but glad he is still here to curse about loosing the gear! JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

On the protrack, the altitude given at 119 seconds is where you are at that time. So rough calculation to arrive at a +- approx. freefall time is possible. Regarding 'stalling out' of logging deviced. In most cases thats caused by changes in fallrate that are too sudden. Ive logged speeds as low at 16mph on a protrack, and also on my altitrack, rarely have 'stall-outs' in data. Even on flares going from 200 mph down to 8mph on some of the bigger suits. Slow speeds are not what makes ANY logging device register an opening. Its the changes in fallrate. Being smooth in your flying is all there is to it. And should it still crap out on you, just downloading the data, and altering the opening point, isnt any problem either as long as the device also logs the canopy ride. JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

I am missing a 3rd option, which is 'guide participants up to the recommended skill and experience levels, and than continue with the training per recommendation/rule. Ive been in this situations myself (people who met the skills requirements, did a great job teaching, but didnt have the mandatory experience levels yet) and everyone involved there didn't think about option 1 or B () you mention, and went for the 3rd one. Wait/train until ready. Given the fact that military training should allow for a lot of dedicated flying in a short time, it would have been no issue to push for the actual mandatory standards the BMI rating allegedly requires. Not (again) publicly poluting the already muddy standard. JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

Agreed...I think Scotts biggest fault is using the BMI name, if it was only aimed at a miltairy application outside civillian use (an intent seemingly clear with JT, not clear with Scott). Name it MBMI or whatever..but make sure its differentiated from the civilian world. Which clearly wast the case in the initial PR statement. JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

Mike...grab a towel and a good bottle greasy baby oil... You're on TV! http://revision3.com/joegenius/gravity JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

Thank you Sangiro, Ik think the basic question is, a military person, outside of his military profession, is announced here as a civilian BMI, and promoted as an instructor for first flights for civilians. Had it been for a special military training, only to military personal within their function, it would have been 'less recommendable' but to a degree...understandable. But here, its the "available for FFC's at local DZ's" that completely ignores and further degrades the already flawed BMI standard currently in operation. In the end, this has led to people not meeting the basic requirements set by the (former) manufacturer rating. And trying to aim arrows at the participants is not fair, and irrelevant. But as a chief instructor, you are indeed responsible for degrading the standard, and ignoring the basic (100 wingsuit jump) limits you make everyone else adhere to. Though the intended goal may have been military application, the actual use referred to is 100% civilian. JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

Im just an advocate of flying.... Wingsuits are not FS, and having some reward/method to make sure flyers dont turning it into FS with bent legs, arms and arched backs is definately not turning into 'artistic'. But merely making sure people fly their wingsuits, as opposed to freefalling in wingsuits. That said...Artistic and 'grid' are two things quite a world appart. One is a method of flying involving proximity, the other a restriction put uppon flying with regards to how close you can get... JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

Adding a 1 point for good flying, zero for 'okay-ish' and deducting 1 point for bad flying (legs on butt, arms back) might be a nice addition to advocate 'full flight' JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

I dont think anybody is looking at this from JT's perspective with regardsto doing anything wrong. Its not about him.. I firmly believe (and have seen examples) that any other responsible examinor consistent in his practice would have gladly coached an under-experienced wingsuit flyer, wishing to become an instructor, through the 100 manditory jumps AND given him MORE experience and knowledge than the basic skydiver. Only after he or she had that experience in numbers and skills, have them added to the ranks of 'instructors'. Again, just like ANY other rating or instructional dicipline in skydiving that has minimum requirements. And I know several capable wingsuit coach/instructor examinors from differing programs who had the same situation, yet they choose the consistency and safety. Its not a militairy specific training and licence that was taught, but a BMI course and title, that appearantly has differing standards if you have a certain job title. Standards shouldnt varry...regardless of the experience. It reminds me of the PF april fools joke....BMX or skateboarding experience is also concidered valid experience... JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

That sounds like a firm reason for anyone to abandon the rules and safety requirements you would normaly claim to swear by. JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

Currency is something that would show in the practical exam jumps linked to these type of exams. Though its definitely a valid point. But I think one that comes down to common sense in the examiners decisions.. JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

Such a shame that one person isnt mingling in this discussion, yet actively moderating these same threads in his own favor.... Its like that 'its winter...cold is upon us...wear gloves' thing all over again...Got to love moderators abusing their powers... JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

Note that the experience one has in a dicipline is deemed the bare minimum at which you could have experienced/done/flown enough to be able to pass the actual check-out jumps. Ive played dummy student with variable scenarios the last few months on some PFC exams, and for sure...not all flyers passed. But I cant see with the best of my knowledge how anyone can be expecting someone with 10, 30 or 60 wingsuit jumps to fully understand flight dynamics to the point of applying them in a scenario with a large number of variables.. Sure, some people are good at flocking, or flying solo performance. But again..1000 jumps also is not a guarantee someone will pass the exam for tandemmaster. Yet lower jump numbers (at least here in EU) are not accepted. If you have a bare minimum in your rules. Stick to that. JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

practically: making sure everyone is a first year student teacher, on top of a skilled/experienced wingsuit flyer....it sorta thins out the herd a bit more huh JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

But only on the ground...afterward.. I prefer MP3 player with music...depending on finishing the song before pulling..I know I did 3:24 JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

Lurch, I think the points you mention here, are outside of the basic experience requirements, but more linked to what should be tested during examination jumps. What Im severly objected against, is someone deviating from a set, promoted and (by own accord) 'strict' standard that, appearance isn't as strict and standard as some say. Watching another BMCI train soeone with only 80 or so freefall jumps during another BMI exam, I think it shows that standard is far from what should be concidered the norm... JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?