Chris-Ottawa

Hey Mike, Just a bit of advice, from experience. The more you reply and "attempt" to defend yourself, everyone on here will just find some way to twist/contort/flip what you say so they can keep ragging you. How much sh*t do you think I took for making my 32nd jump (and every one after that) on a Spectre 135? Everyone on here said the exact same thing...You're going to die, You're stupid, you're this you're that. I don't give a damn anymore and I don't try to defend myself. Like you stated above....it's a lose-lose battle. You say you'll be careful, they say bull sh*t, you say fine, I'll fly the 170, they get out bounce bingo cards. I'm not saying that I am not going to die or get hurt just like they said. I simply used my instructors advice and opinions, as well as some from DZ.com, to make a decision of "MY" own. I cleared the decisions wiht my instructors, and voila, Spectre 135. I accepted and accept the risk involved in doing what I did. I say do this...DO NOT use DZ.com for canopy "size" advice. That's why you pay your instructors so damn well. They see you fly, they make the recommendations, you weigh the risk and accept whatever you're willing to. That's what I've done after realizing the above. DZ.com is a great place for information, not advice. Notice my profile still says I'm on the Spectre 135 and my jump numbers are not in there anymore? You know what canopy I'm flying and roughly how many jumps I have. No one on here needs to know what I chose with my instructors. If your instructors say you should be on a 170, and you think that's a wise choice, and you feel comfortable jumping it, and you accept the risk....so be it. Skydiving involves inherent risk, if you accept it, you keep jumping, if you want more speed, you increase the risk for more pleasure. Simple as that. (In no way does this say, yeah, man, you'll be fine under the 170, I have seen you land maybe twice and I wasn't specifically watching you). In all truthfulness though, the guys at your DZ seem to be fairly conservative with their canopy choices. I'm surprised that they would let you jump something agressive like that. I calculate a rough loading of about 1.22ish, and that's not absurd, but it is fairly high for your jump numbers. I loaded the 135 at 1:1, but granted that canopy is smaller and more responsive than a larger one at an equal loading. So after all of that, I would "suggest" starting on a 190. Spectre, Sabre, Pilot, Safire etc.... All great beginner-intermediate canopies. Chris Shitstorm "When once you have tasted flight..."

Hey Mike, I love my Spectre...jumped it for the last 85 jumps, now I've got my new one that i'm off to jump in about an hour. I'm not saying what it is on here to save the hassle, but I think you remember when we talked about 2 weeks ago... The Spectre is a phenominal canopy. You won't get a canopy that treats you quite the same. Best opening, best flying 7 cell out there. Just be careful, that is a fairly high W/L at your progression level. I say that but I am doing something similar, but I only weigh 115 without gear. The only reason I'm getting rid of the Spectre, other than because I want to downsize, is because I want to switch to a 9 cell for the better flare performance. Don't get me wrong, the Spectre flares great and I've stood every landing perfectly, but it's a very short flare unless you swoop it. (See: Tony Hathaway). If you look in the para-gear catalogue at the Spectre, that's Tony swooping the shit out of a Spectre. He also personally sent me a small clip of him swooping the Spectre. (msg me if you want it) It's a great canopy, and I HIGHLY recommend it, but you must be careful on the 170...not to mention that the Spectre is "semi-elliptical" and will be more responsive than the Sabre you're jumping. And when you're ready....I've got a Spectre 135 that will be up for sale shortly...you'll be moving under that....haha. You might need just a few more jumps before I'd let you jump it though.... Chris "When once you have tasted flight..."

Hey Joe, I will consider writing up a story for you as to why I started, why I keep jumping and why I can't stop. I'm a member of CSPA and don't think that matters, but it's up to you. Could/would this video possibly be shared with other skydiving organizations? But I think I may have an idea that caught me off guard when I joined the sport. Get people to add what they do for a living. When I found out what the jumpers did, I was shocked to see how broad it was. I think this would benefit the video/posts because if people can relate, it will hit closer to home. It's to show people that we're not psycho skatboarders, and motocross experts, or crazy extreme people, most of us hold a 9-5 and this is our escape. I know lawyers, doctors, dentists, nurses, military members, police officers, auto mechanics, IT guys, pilots etc... It shows that everyone and anyone can be a skydiver. Hope that helps. "When once you have tasted flight..."

This would be Arnprior, Ontario, Canada. It's just north of Ottawa, Ontario. Mile High Parachuting (milehighparachuting.com) Surrounded by water on 3 sides, tonnes of outs, dz is on the airport, great staff, fun parties...what more could you as for, besides a turbine... Thanks "When once you have tasted flight..."

Great photo a friend took of me today. (Thanks Jim) I just think this is an awesome shot and I wanted to share it with everyone. Added another one that I thought looked really cool too. Enjoy! "When once you have tasted flight..."

Exactly... So as I'm climbing out and under the wing...my gps will lose signal.... If I get lucky, it may hold signal long enough for me to climb out and it to start logging... Only one wasy to find out...sure glad it's friday tomorrow... "When once you have tasted flight..."

Ok, for clarification. I still stand by my post. Everyone should be able to lift at least their own weight to "bend" the canopy and get it to turn. I load my Spectre 135 at 1:1 and after a 360, it is pulling damn hard, but I can still hold it. After a 720, it is pretty near impossible for me. Now, introduce a second hand and....sprials away... However..... I had not considered the dive loops. Every canopy I've jumped, other than Mantas have had dive loops. On the Mantas, I was able to grab the top of the riser and thread my fingers through the lines then pull down. Sorry about that, but I wouldn't consider that the inability to do a front riser spiral, but the inability to get a good grip on the riser. "When once you have tasted flight..."

Hey Mike, Not sure who told you it's impossible....but I did it. Now if I was asked to do more than a 360, yeah, it might get really tough. Imagine me, 5'8", 120 lbs, on the front riser of a Manta 288. Trust me, it is fully possible. In my opinion, if you "can't" do at least a 180...you're too weak to be jumping. That may sound harsh...but seriously. Chris Edited to add: By "you're too weak to jump", I'm not indicating that this is you specifically, but jumpers in general. "When once you have tasted flight..."

Hey Mike, Well my friend Jim was on the jump with me and he dropped out pretty quick. I'm a light assed bastard and with my booties, I was gone. He had time to watch me tracking away from him and then deploy, after he deployed. I probably tracked for another 10 seconds after his deployment. He also went out poised, I dove out then turned and tracked sort of above him for the first second or 2, then veered off to the right in case something went bad. I took a look at Google maps, and based on our exit point and my deployment point...I figure just shy of 2km. I even had my Garmin Etrex Legend in the car too....dammnit. I'm definitely gonna try that again...with the GPS. Also want to take a wingsuit for a burn and see what kinda time I get. Right now I'm just hoping for my new canopy....wingsuit can be next year or something like that. Lotsa time for that! Anyone know how well a GPS holds a signal in a Cessna? "When once you have tasted flight..."

Hey, Thanks for the posts everyone. It's amazing to see some of the numbers... I think I will also strap my GPS to my shoulder or something and measure distance as well... I'm sure I can get down in the high 70's. That was my first attempt and it felt pretty good. I'll post some graphs when I get it nice and low. Thanks again! "When once you have tasted flight..."

Hey, Did my first tracking jump this weekend with a friend. I was pretty surprised with it. I felt great on the jump. I dove out after my friend, turned and started tracking. I ended up getting 65 seconds from 11k, after dumping at 3 grand. Average freefall: 91mph Min Freefall: 89 mph Is this good, or is it about average? Please post your best results....no wingsuits. FYI: I weigh 120 lbs and am 5'8" and I was jumping with booties. Thanks! "When once you have tasted flight..."

Hey Mark, Been a long time since I've seen you out jumping...guess you're at Gan all the time. Personal experience, last year: Bought a rig from the US, including 4 year old cypress in need of maintenance. Paid $500 in taxes because it was sent at full value for everything. (Damn)... Anyways, I sent the cypress away using the instructions for Canada on their website. I was billed a total of $360 including it's first 4 year, battery, shipping and taxes on the "repairs". This was last year when the dollar was around .80cents. The exchange is to your benefit right now, and it's not going to be as bad as you think. Also, if you decide to sell, do you think someone is going to pay full value that SSK's website says it's worth? I doubt it, but maybe. I bet you're also not including the taxes on the new Vigil, as well as the duty/taxes that you'll still have to pay to get it into Canada. You WILL pay more to get the Vigil unless you're getting used. I wish I had a Cypress2, but I've still got 7 years on my Cypress1. I say...keep the Cypress 2 man... Have fun at the Otter Boogie...I'm off to Barrie for 4 days! Later "When once you have tasted flight..."

No...but I can see the beer store. DZ is just to the left of my knee...Photo was taken from about 9 grand under canopy. Edit:Typo "When once you have tasted flight..."

Repeat Level 1 Did everything right, except on my practice grabs, I wasn't actually touching the hackey. When it came pull time, I reached back and grabbed a handful of bridle...not good. I'm not sure if I would have pulled or not...but I failed because the instructor pulled for me at my pull altitude because he didn't feel confident I would have pulled I guess. ANyways, don't get discouraged...it's worth every repeat... "When once you have tasted flight..."

Hey, I've never seen, nor heard of the Nitro. Someone PM'd me suggesting a Fusion, and I noticed they also have a Nitron, but apparently they are not one and the same. What are the characteristics of it as far as opening, flight, flare etc..? Thanks! "When once you have tasted flight..."

Hey, Thanks for the advice so far everyone. I am taking consideration of all advice and input. I realize that a 120, no matter what platform or W/L is still going to be more agressive than an identical setup at a larger size. I was fully aware that the Spectre, Pilot, Safire etc, are "tapered" canopies. I've been to the Ranch once and hope to make it back to another larger US DZ before the end of the season, but can't guarantee it. What makes it hard in Canada, or around my area is the fact that when you see a canopy sub 135...it is almost never non-elliptical, or crossbraced etc. Part of the idea in my head around an elliptical canopy, is the fact that my instructors are recommending that for me. I don't know if they see my landings or whatever, but they seem to be thinking I will be good with a 120 elliptical. My instructors have thousands of jumps and are very current. I don't know what to think...are they right, am I "above-average", probably not, am I "special" (I do ride the short bus sometimes). I guess I just don't know why instructors that I fully trust and are well respected would recommend I do something that may "cause" harm to me... "When once you have tasted flight..."

I figured a thread like this would cause a stir in a hurry...It was the same thing when I bought my 135. Rather than causing a "back and forth" thread, i'm just going to let everyone speak their mind. I will take the advice, weigh it with my instructors and come to a conclusion. I'm looking for an overall picture to base my decision on. I do have a question though...has anyone jumped a Cobalt at a lighter W/L. Based on their website, I could buy an 85sqft canopy and still be considered intermediate. A 135 wouldn't even make me a beginner. Would I go and buy an 85...absolutely not. Skydivers learn from their instructors, they see things that happen around them, and they get a certain mindset, swooping and downsizing are the result of a lot of those factors. It also has to do with the manufacturers too. http://www.atairaerodynamics.com/FAQ.html#one I'm simply trying to make the best choice. I want to have fun, yet be safe at the same time. Although, as with any sport, there is a direct relation between enjoyment/fun, and danger. Why does skydiving exist? Because it's thrilling due to the danger factor. "When once you have tasted flight..."

I guess I should have mentioned this above but I'm in Canada. Hence the localized market and choice problems. I also did contact Aerodyne and they will not ship a Pilot or any canopy to Canada....crappy deal. "When once you have tasted flight..."

Hey, Maybe that's part of my problem. I'm not really sure where I want to/should go. I want a 9 cell for the glide ratio #1. The only other things that I want are decent openings, powerful flare and the ability for me to have a bunch of fun. I'm not interested in getting into swooping, but the occasional 90 riser to final would be nice for a little extra speed or flare power etc... I really do like the Spectre, but I'm looking for something with a shallower glide and the capability to have a more progressive flare. I'm just kind of stuck as to where to go. Does that make sense? I was recommended to go to a Stiletto because it's not really a full on elliptical, and the shorter recovery etc... Landing a Stiletto 135 was very nice, but the name "Spinetto" kind of has me thinking. One option I had thought of was a Cobalt, they seem to be sold on flare power and openings and the website actually says that it can be an intermediate canopy based on W/L. "When once you have tasted flight..."

Hi everyone, I'm looking to get a new canopy. My main reason for doing this at this point is because I want to go from my 7 cell Spectre to a 9 cell. I currently jump a Spectre 135 loaded at 1:1. I'm kind of stuck on canopy choice and the selection to demo in Canada is pretty slim. I really have no idea where to go. I don't want a Sabre2 because I hate the off heading openings and end cell closure. I can't get a hold of a Pilot to jump it and no one has a Safire around here. Those seem to be my only options for a 9 cell non-elliptical. Now as far as elliptical goes, a few options open up. I'm curious where people might suggest I go at 100 jumps with my current weight and experience. What canopies would you suggest and why? Would you go elliptical, would you simply downsize etc... I have made jumps on 2 different elliptical canopies and enjoyed them, but I'm curious what the general population thinks. I'm not looking for a reason to downsize or go elliptical so please don't read my post that way, I'm looking for opinions, advice, experiences etc... It's very hard being a light jumper and looking for canopies. I have gotten many looks when visiting other DZ's when they ask me what I'm jumping. It goes like this: DZ - "What do you have in there?" Me - "Spectre 135" DZ - "How many jumps do you have?" Me - "Insert current jump number here" DZ - "And how much do you weigh?" ME - "115 lbs" DZ - "Oh, ok, have fun" If I were to show up with say a Stiletto 120...what would people think? Would they be like, ok, well you're light and 100 jumps is early, but there must be a reason that your instructors ok'd it, or would it go like, no, you have 100 jumps and you're jumping a 120 elliptical, go home. Or even so the same scenario with a non elliptical canopy. ANyways, curious to see some opinions. Thanks so much! "When once you have tasted flight..."

Hey, I know there is a gap in the helmet lining. It does sit in there and becomes flush with the lining btu that's the problem, my ear goes there. It really doesn't have the room to put it on the inside. The helmet fits my head good, but there's no room for a dytter beside my ear. I'm pretty sure I'm going to attempt to make my own pocket on the outside and make a small hole in the neck lining and put a grommet through it for the sound. If it doesn't work, big deal, I'll have a pocket on my helmet, won't be in the way of anything and will barely be seen. I agree fully that mounting it to the outside(plastic portion) of the helmet is not the best idea. Yes it will work, but it adds a potential snag point and I don't want to lose my dytter to a riser strick. With the pocket, there are no snag points, the hole "should" allow the sounds to be heard, and it won't make the helmet any tighter. On another note, The optima is damn loud. I am wondering that even if I did put it in my helmet, it would essentially be pressing against my ear, and I'm sure it would be painfully loud. 120db is enough to make you go deaf. Tis is another reason I like the neck lining idea, it will be close to my ear, but not "in" my ear. Thanks for the ideas and opinions. Chris "When once you have tasted flight..."

Hey, Yeah, I totally agree, It doesn't make sense to try and reinvent the wheel as the pockets are already there, but.... With the dytter in either pocket, it's really tight on my head and I feel that I'm going to crush it. It really is not at all comfortable. Maybe my helmet is a bit small, but it fits nice and snug. The riser slapping the dytter is true, I had thought about it, but as far as I'm aware, it's never happened to me yet. I really am thinking about the pocket being sewn onto the neck protection. Picture a pocket right about where I have it in the second picture that is closed on 3 sides and has velcro on the other so I can change settings/batteries etc. As for the sound, I'm sure I can hear it through the material, but I was also thinging of putting a rivet through the neck material, similar to the holes in your shoes that you pass the laces through. I think it will work, I just need to find someone who can help me do it. Thanks for the info Chris "When once you have tasted flight..."

Hey everyone, Hopefully I'm not the first one to do this (I really hope not) but I am trying to mount my Optima to the outside of my helmet. I have 2 questions: 1) Is it safe to do this (snag point etc...)? 2) If it's not unsafe, how did you do it, or how have you seen it done. I had 2 ideas... 1 - Go all out, get some fibreglass resin, cut a hole in my helmet and make the "pocket" myself. 2 - Attach it to the outside with zip ties going through the helmet. I don't really like either of those options because option 1 forces me to massachre my helmet and it makes the helmet fit tighter. (Same reason I don't want it in one of the internal pockets. Option 2 has a much higher snag potential I had also thought about getting a pocket sewn on the neck liner that could close with velcro. I'm almost sure I'd still hear the dytter. Maybe someone with experience could elaborate but this idea is the most appealing to me. Anyways, Thanks for the advice Chris "When once you have tasted flight..."

Hey, I would say not to sell the Pilot. I can assure you that you will want to jump it very shortly. I am posting because I was in your shoes exactly this past summer. I made a choice with my instructors and it may not have been the best choice but they said I could handle it based on my skill level. My progression went very quickly after I got my solo license on jump #10. (May not be exact but it's the best I can remember and I don't feel like checking my logbook) Jumps 11-20 were on a 210 Jump 21 was on a Pilot 170 Jumps 22-35 were on a Sabre 2 150 All remaining jumps to current(57) were on my purchased gear, a Spectre 135 loaded about 1.04 to 1. I'm 121lbs naked. I've had a couple moments where I though, damn, I should have a bigger canopy, but at the same time, I am doing very well under this canopy. I am very accurate, stand every landing, love flying it etc... I've only had one landing that I messed up, I landed crosswind and it pushed the canopy sideways at about 20 feet off the ground, I countered it, but went too much, so I countered with the opposite toggle and it went like that to the ground. I landed at about 20 degrees to the ground and was fine, luckily. I actually find it fairly funny how people are trying to convince you that a 132 is ok, and it's a fairly "conservative" wingloading. I assure you, it is not conservative. Conservative would be a 170, conservative for someone jumping a loading of 1.5+ would be any loading at or below 1.1:1. If you go and read some of my early posts, I got shit on for even considering a 135. People wanted me on a 170, not one person said that it'll be ok, it's fairly conservative. I guess it just depends how you pose the question. People said I would be dead within 10 jumps. I'm not saying that I'm going to be fine under this canopy, but I'm going slow and taking it easy. One step at a time. Anyways, my point is, master landing the 150, and when you can get landings dead on every time, and you're flaring and not wiping out, then go for the 132. The 132 will be "ok" if you are conservative with it. Don't try anything stupid, radical or unknown to you. "When once you have tasted flight..."

Hey Stumpy, It's Mile High Parachuting in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. www.milehighparachuting.com I plan on taking many more pics this summer though. Maybe a few sunset jumps... I love doing H+P's for the fact that I actually get to fly. I want to buy a paraglider for just that reason. Later Chris "When once you have tasted flight..."