dragon2

forgot about that It isn't facing the wrong way, but the cradle doesn't have a hole in it. ciel bleu, Saskia

As for the cruiselite, I've never jumped those myself. But we have a couple at our DZ meant for downsizing. I suppose they fly alright, just till you get ready to downsize again. And hey, if it's free, ...

Personally I really don't like Invaders. I jumped a couple when I was downsizing. These were modified to allow limited freeflying/-flailing. (Mods: walrus teeth for the main flap, and little bands to help hold the risers somewhat in place. Headdown was absolutely forbidden, tho.) These rigs all have FXC's I believe. I suppose for bellyflying they're okay, but I really don't like the riser covers, or rather, the complete lack thereof. I wouldn't buy one myself, except for maybe a cheap CREW rig. However there are a couple of skydivers who have them at our DZ. Like I said, not for me. But people who jumped these rigs didn't always bellyfly, they were also used for freestyle! But there are way better rigs around (tho maybe not as cheap). ciel bleu, Saskia

The cable is a serial cable on one end, a pro-track cradle-like thingy on the other. I suppose you could use that cradle to hold it in place on your helmet, but then you'd have a cable hanging out, with a serial connector etc. And personally I'd think it too expensive to risk. ciel bleu, Saskia

True, but I´ve seen approx 70 cm x 45 cm prints (ie large poster size) from the CREW record, from the Canon D60 and the Nikon D100. Both were really good. I made a poster myself, for a sponsor. A compilation of mostly D30 pics with a background also shot with the D30. Printed it at 70 cm x 45 cm. Came out great

For a fast (cheaper) digi cam, I used the minolta S404. I think the F100 is the newer version of that one. Plenty fast (0.8 frames/sec, continuous focussing), really good for point&shoot pics on the ground. That´s a 4 megapixel camera, good for pretty good 20x30 cm prints, I even printed an A3 poster from it ones, came out pretty decent. Traded that one in tho, for my Canon D30 (3 megapixel). Guess what, these 3 mp are way better than my old 4 mp. The number definitely doesn´t say everything, I think you´d be better off with a more expensive (better) lower mp cam than with a cheap version of a more mp cam. ciel bleu, Saskia

See this recent thread: http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=398408#398408 ciel bleu, Saskia

This has happened to me 2 or 3 times now: The skydivers that just landed walk to the van. We walk past some watching whuffo's. I am one of the last ones. I pass said whuffo's, with my canopy hanging over my shoulder, they go: Did YOU just jump outta a plane??!! Yeah so what, can't help that I'm a girl, and that I thereby offend some whuffo's sensibilities... ciel bleu, Saskia

The Canon camera's mentioned all accept a remote, even tho it may not always be the standard type thingie (whatsiscalled), ie my D30 has a weird looking connection, which I haven't tried yet btw. The Nikon D100 by itself does not accept a remote. Well actually it does but it's a mechanical remote, not sure you can use that for freefall very well. You need to either get the grip, which has the standard connection ($$, and adds a lot of bulk to the camera) or get Nikon to retrofit a connection ($$$ but looks neat and adds no bulk). ciel bleu, Saskia

I'm sure it exists, I'm pretty sure it's called a negative pull-out. Web search came out negative tho. Can't remember where I've heard of it, but since I did, it can't be all that exotic, can it?? Maybe it's a dutch/european thing, if Eddy knows about it too ciel bleu, Saskia

?? What is 'wetware'? And sashays I get, but what do you mean by links? ciel bleu, Saskia

i think the same. However, with the fine (ahem) weather we have here sometimes (ahem), 100/jumps a year is doable. If you can´t hang out at the DZ every weekend, much higher numbers may be difficult. I spend just about every weekend there, but I tend to stay on the ground fairly easily in winds/turbulence. I can do about 200 jumps/year that way, also finance-wise. But those jumps are mainly in summer, even tho I´ve snuck in a few to keep current (and just plain have fun of course). A lot of jumpers here hibernate, meaning the first few weekend of the year with really good weather have been.. interesting.. I suppose most of the jumpers here are current only in summer. ciel bleu, Saskia

Quade, do you really think the D60 is better than the Nikon D100? I'm a real Canon fan, I have 3 Canon camera's right now. Including a D30. But I've also used a friends D100 (on the ground) a lot. And I've seen the pictures of the CREW and FS world records (Norman Kent/Gustavo Cabana). I really must say, the D100 pictures come out best. (I do realise this may also have something to do with the photographer/lenses.) I've haven't gotten my hands on a D60 yet, myself. But if I had the money right now, and wanted to replace my D30, I'd get the D100. Even tho that would be more expensive, 'cause I'd need a lens as well and I'd want to have a remote installed. But still. ciel bleu, Saskia

Well that's what you get for hanging out with Team Teuge a lot, and with the Tops Clan at the same DZ Still trying to get my B on CREW but I'm having some probs because of my light WL. I need 3 other people to fly a boat (well, WL 1), esp. for me. So far, no luck. Hence my prob with not being allowed to jump that Lightning 126. So far I'm a "pro" at following CREW people out, which is also good practice as I want to start filming CREW in the near future. But I need to work on really CREW-ing more before that. I'm also "world famous" for my CREW exits: French world champion at the European Championships in Ampuria last year: So, whatcha doing? Ehm, mainly freefly. Yeah I know you're good at *that*!. Gotta fix that before thinking about camera's... ciel bleu, Saskia

Heh heh we have one jumper, still a student (I think), who zoomed past one of our instructors with a pocket rocket . This student jumped a Skymaster 230. Now he´s only allowed the Skymaster 280´s. He´s a kickboxer I think, so it´s all muscle. But it´s a whole lot of muscle ciel bleu, Saskia

What I don´t understand is that some people want to place/are placing responsibility with the retailers/dealers. I can order most anything I want online. Some things seem te require proof of some kind, but I presume that could be easily faked. Or you can get another, qualified, jumper to get it for you. Not to mention what I could get my hands on 2nd hand. Now that retailer or jumper can offer advice, which I may or may not follow (depending on the person). In the end, I strongly believe every jumper is responsible for him/her self. With the exception of really new jumpers who don´t yet know better. I think everybody can/should ask around for opinions (manufacturer, instructors, riggers, friends, the seller), and what your own instructor says should strongly count. Like I said, I believe everybody is responsible for him/her self and you cannot lay that responsibility at someone else´s feet (except your instructors´). I wouldn´t expect a retailer to refuse to sell me a non-appropriate canopy. But that retailer might expect it of *me* to not ask for one. ciel bleu, Saskia

I've got quite a few jumps Lightning 126s in the 1.5-1.6 range. While I understand your frustration, I'm afraid I agree with the guideline regarding Lightnings specifically and the rest in general. It is not a sub-100 jump canopy at any wing loading. Ask Henny Wiggers or Kees Topps about landing highly loaded (2+) 7-cell CRW canopies (mention Imatra). Bob I did ask Henny, he said 100 jumps was kinda much! We aren't talking about loading them that high tho! Team Teuge etc can do what they want of course, but I don't think there are many jumpers who can land a Lightning/Tri loaded that much with the brakes set short as well. I started doing CREW at just over 100 jumps, I jumped a 1:1 loaded Lightning 143. Never saw the problem some people have landing it! No biggie. But then, I've jumped mostly 7 cells. I can imagine some problems/adjustments if you usually jump a HP canopy and have never jumped a 7 cell. A Lightning has so little forward speed. But then, your reserve would land kinda like that, no? ciel bleu, Saskia

Paul, What about Sveta and Claudia..? Don't know what YOU consider small, but.... well..... They both have a WL < 1 on a 120. ciel bleu, Saskia

Yeah, well, all that is moot, as I'm not even allowed to jump a Lightning 126 anywhere in the near future categories or no, a Stiletto 120 would definately be out of the question... Note: I don't even want to jump one, so relax ciel bleu, Saskia

What I do find kinda weird, is that nobody's mentioning reserve canopies (again). Which means I may have to jump a 150 sqft Spectre but can have a PD 106R??? ciel bleu, Saskia

No it is a true statement. ciel bleu, Saskia

Everybody can keep jumping what they already have. It's only when you change canopies and would thereby end up in a higher category, that you will have to meet the requirements for that category. ciel bleu, Saskia

No it's not. It's already mandatory. ciel bleu, Saskia

Square is rectangular, elliptical is, ehm, not rectangular The cells on an elliptical/tapered/whatever canopy aren't all the same. I think usually the nose is straight and the tail is tapered (merit), but both sides can be tapered (stiletto). Look at the Design Your Custom Canopy drawings at Square1 to see the difference: An Aerodyne Triathlon is square. A Performance Designs Sabre2 is tapered at the tail. The level of tapering is one of the factors which determine the performance. Generally speaking a square chute is more docile than a fully elliptical one. ciel bleu, Saskia

A hybrid (well in this case) means the canopy is made of both (the french version of) F111 and zeroP material. Meaning that it packs easier, is generally cheaper and maybe can take less loading than a fully zeroP canopy. I think you're right about comparing a hybrid 170 to a 150 zeroP, but I think you should try a 170 zeroP just the same. A 2 stage flare (whatever that is), should also be necessary on your merit. You can't just shut it down like for instance a manta, well, I certainly couldn't (can you say, run run eh PLF?). But I'd try landing a zeroP 170 first. But then again, what do I know ciel bleu, Saskia