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Everything posted by JanuszPS
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After 100 jumps on Sabre 2 150 (225 in total) I moved to a second-hand Cobalt 135 my first fully elliptical canopy and I was amazed by it. First I did couple of demo jumps on friends of mine Cob 135. At the date I have 180 jumps on that canopy with 400 in total. My WL is 1.4/1.5 on it and as per Viso my highest speed generated during dive was about 80km/h. Comparing to Sa2 150 which I owned I was amazed with the following characteristics: 1- long and soft* openings 2- beautiful fly - flat glade 3- nice front's dives 4- great and powerful flare - the best 5- Gelvenor ZP fabric The openings on both (demo and my second-hand) were great, but defenitely on my friends nicer. I noticed that my openings with time = jump numbers get worst. Cons: 1- Openings if something is not fully right. 2- Due to the line trim there is low wind penetration at my WL. * Once the canopy had EXTREMELY hard opening broking one of mine ribs and whiplashing my neck putting me out of sport for 3 months. I would put this more on maintenance side as after reline the canopy transformed from a beast to a beauty with soft openings. In addition I don't think that the canopy had exactly declared number of jumps. I found that the lines (Spectra) were 8cm shorter than on line trim chart which defenitely had huge impact on openings as well as flare. At the moment I land 90 and 180 degs on fronts and I have to say that the flare is amazing on this canopy. After opening this is a sweet canopy to fly. The glade is great - no more off dz landings which reduced dramatically comparing to my Sa2 150 which sunk much quicker. Difficult to get to stall point on toggles. The canopy is packing friendly due to Galvanor ZP fabric. After being an owner of another canopy made of Galvanor (Cayeene) I want to stick with it for ever. To make it short - I bought another second hand Cob 120 and I hope to stick with it for another couple of hundreds jumps. Final score - 4 of 5, however it should be 4.5. -1 because of that exploding opening. Janusz
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look at the bright side of the situation, I know at least one guy who wasn't able to rich his hackey during freefall and ended up with reserve ride. It was a small Jav, but don't know the size (sub 100sq xbraced main). IMO rigs should/already have a min length to avoid above situation. But I would also expect container to be shorter which is good for traveling. Janusz Back to Poland... back home.
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AAD fires during high performance landings
JanuszPS replied to michaelqld's topic in Swooping and Canopy Control
It's Vigil, so I don't know if it counts... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lehGkRCFXY&feature=channel Janusz Back to Poland... back home. -
Hi, I can buy a nice Vector 348 with PDR160 as my back up rig. I would like to put into it my current canopy - Cobalt 135. As per info which I found on the internet Impulse 135 vol is about 330cuin. So my question is if the main will not be too small for that container in this configuration. I've seen the most recent UPT sizing chart where the min canopy was 140 (mamba, vision). thanks in advance. Janusz Back to Poland... back home.
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I had the same till reline. After that it's nice and soft. Even when I extended steering lines there was improvement. My only question is for how long? ;-) I might not survive another shocking opening... Try to leave the central three cells more exposed than the other. That should improve the openings. check the lines. After measuring every single one I decided to reline with a very good result. Janusz Back to Poland... back home.
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Contact them: http://www.basetroll.com/index.html http://www.basetroll.com/order.html If you ring Stane should answer your ph call. There were not making 150 Comp as I aware. Only H-mod was provided to some of them. The H-mod should open slower, so it might be the lines problem. Sorry to hear about your problem tough. I was struggled with mine but after reline it works perfectly - no complains at all. Janusz Back to Poland... back home.
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Did you measure the lines? I have a 135 for last 160 jumps. I experienced on it one extremely hard opening which broke my rib and whiplashed my neck... then I measured the lines and they were 8-10 cm shorter than in the chart. After reline I have to "help" my Cobalt to open quicker. All of them are now very soft and looooong. I sent it to Atair, but in Slovenia as this is the place of origin of that canopy and I'm very happy about the service. In addition I got a brand new slider and extra piece of fabric for free if I decide to do the H-mod to my canopy. I also jumped prior buying my canopy friend of mine 135 and all openings were great. Another one have 150 and no complains (previously was jumping Sabre 1). I like so much the canopy that I'm going to buy 120 soon. Hopefully I will move to it this summer when I much current. So far I like cobalt and recommended it to other friend of mine. Janusz Back to Poland... back home.
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Based on my experience (WL 1.25 Sa2 150 100 jumps) with Sabre 2 (2nd hand about 400j), the brakes were in that range that I could only get nice full range for flare with nice landing but no fronts, or get them longer with good dive but no full landing range (stall definitely too low). Everything in between cost me buckling while on fronts and short flare. Janusz Back to Poland... back home.
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That's why, because you jump in US for past 20 yrs, where the weather is generally very good. I don't know where the 20mph came from as a threshold in that conversation as I did not refer to any limit. I used expression "strong". that what is considered as an extreme in one place in another can be just normality. That's what I mean. BTW, if I don't feel comfortable with the wind, I do not jump even if others try. this is an individual call for anybody. take care Janusz BTW, not everything in the world is based on USPA recommendations/experience. Back to Poland... back home.
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Agree, but I'm not talking about extremes. I'm talking about a situation which I experienced in the places where 50% of the cloud coverage (above opening altitude) prevented people jumping. I don't want to go into the discussion about possibilities and safety issues with drowning in a pool/lake, nearby hills and terrain differences and other theoretical problems. If I was following that way of thinking, I would have 10 jumping weekends (not necessary both days) pear a year. So I do not consider this as an abnormal situation. So in this case we would speak about being grounded week after week after a month, etc. I did not say that students should be sent up to the air all time! I know that high altitude lading zones combined with hot temperature create different problems, but an average person does go every July to Eloy for a weekend of jumping. (another extreme). And as you know a very conservative canopy flying is advised in all new places visited by a jumper who is not familiar with. yet again, I'm not talking about jumping in ridiculously high gusting winds, but on my experience I noticed that level of acceptance depends on the good weather availability per a year not week! And this is equal to training and experience in such conditions. Best regards Janusz Back to Poland... back home.
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chest strap release under canopy
JanuszPS replied to cucamber's topic in General Skydiving Discussions
I have exactly the same experience. Loosing my chest strap improved my body position, wing characteristic and in consequences landings. However I don't know if I would have trouble finding the handles if there was a need for that. I loose my chest strap without looking at it. what for look at it??? I know where it is. There is no doubt that loosing the chest strap improves flying. The question is if it decreases the safety. Janusz Back to Poland... back home. -
I disagree, It depends where you live and where you jump. there are some countries where sight of few clouds on the sky stop people jumping. But there are some countries where a day without wind and clouds is like blessing and miracle. that's why skydiving and jumpable conditions are so relative depending on the place. Obviously there is some cut of point where regardless the local experience weather permits jumping. Janusz Back to Poland... back home.
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I fully agree, the bottom line in my opinion is - everything is related to the individual, his/her abilities and skill level and good knowledge and training. (I will refer to my example as I dont know somebodies experience and feelings of the problem) [Edit: in general (not directed to anyone)] saying this I mean - I had 45 jumps moving to 170 (WL 1.05) and after 70 jumps I was swearing that each time when is windy and I was allowed to jump I had zero wind penetration and lots of dz landings. Believe me, Ireland is quite a windy country ;-) So at 125 jumps mark I moved to SA 2 150 (WL 1.25) but I was already after a canopy class which helped me a LOT to understand the principles. And to be honest I had much better/safer landings than on 170. After another 100 jumps (225 total) and full CP course I moved to Cobalt 135 (WL 1.45) which first time jumping I landed better than friend of mine his canopy with the same WL/canopy but with over 500 total jumps under his belt. This does mean that the jump number very often has nothing/little to do with the ability to fly a particular canopy under particular WL by a particular person. I am an engineer and going across codes of practice in various disciplines (structural/fire safety, etc) I can see that huge safety factors are build into the recommendations. Usually this is based on experiments, life experience and a significant statistical data. If I good remember this means there is 0.05% chance that something might go wrong in probabilistic approach. Now, skydiving is not a discipline that we can measure, calculate and predict events/failure etc using simple mathematical formulas with predictable level of confidence. I always was wondering where the canopy sizing charts are coming from. An I come up with conclusion that this is based on an experience which not necessary was build into a statistical data but based on somebodies opinion and skydiving "tradition". When we look at the manufacturers charts there are so conservative that they are so far away from the reality and life and thus mostly ignored. With the better knowledge built on years of experience and mostly available statistical data the charts can be revised but in my opinion at the moment they still are just a guess and that how they should be read. They are only suggestions/recommendations but not the law or Holly Bible to follow with. I'm just saying that if someone is not paying attention to canopy flying could "blindly" follow the recommendations when the need for downsize occur but staying more conservative is the option. In the other situation when a jumper pays attention to canopy flying every time trying improve the landings, putting some effort, etc. the normal chart has little to do, as it covers the "worst case scenario" of a knowledge proofed student/jumper. the best option would be if the charts were build on statistics, experiments and experience, but I doubt that this is manageable at the moment. Slightly too long and chaotic, but I'm not a native eng. speaker - so sorry for errors/mistakes. I also know that my view on things can be verified by life and be much conservative in the future. I hope nobody will crucify me now. But essentially what I'm saying is that blindly looking into the charts is not always the correct way. However if individual moves slightly forward needs to be fully aware about the consequences of the decision. But who is not aware about that one time bad things can happen? At the end of the day skydiving is a risky adventure and that how I look at it. I think the key is to always try limit the unnecessary risk to the minimum but still give a chance for taking pleasure from doing it - that's the hardest part. Janusz Back to Poland... back home.
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Altimeter : Feet vs. Meter at European Dropzones .
JanuszPS replied to maLUCo's topic in Safety and Training
yep, I also multiply/divide by 3. In terms of the scale in my opinion for a quick decision making it is extremely important that in a stressful situation I can easily identify how high I am with good sensation of the altitude loss. This means I've spend most of my life in a country where meters (system SI) is in place, so in a blink of my eye a can say how much altitude I will loose in a unit of time. I don't have that comfort working in feet. take care Janusz Back to Poland... back home. -
Altimeter : Feet vs. Meter at European Dropzones .
JanuszPS replied to maLUCo's topic in Safety and Training
depends where, obviously in UK and Ireland feet is the way. On the continent mostly meters, however there are some exceptions, example Skydive Spain (Seville) is feet as the operator is from UK. but I wasn't everywhere ... yet PS altimiter - you can use whichever you wish, however you need to know how to convert units. Stick with the most familiar with you. Janusz Back to Poland... back home. -
Hi, It is a little crazy moving to 150. People tend to advice on safe side here in DZcom as they do not know you and there is responsibility behind written words. From my experience on the dz's usually people act the other way as there is no record what they advised or they know you. I was about the same level of experience (45 jumps) and weight (73kg w/o rig) and I moved to 170. It was "tricky" at the beginning but nothing crazy. After transitional 10 jumps my level of confidence rose, but at the same time till my first canopy course I was guessing about landings. So first try to get a little couching in canopy flying. If you jumped 170 already you know the feeling. My first canopy was Cayenne 170 which is of similar class as SA 2 170, Safire 2 169, etc. and I do not regret that. The decisions is on your side and your choice should be based on good research, knowledge and training. Did you read articles, posts, etc relating to downsizing? I made my decision consciously knowing that I'm slightly forward the recommendations, but I also spend a lot of time reading articles/posts (including incidents forum) to understand the consequences. I also attended a CP course with the local "canopy wizard" ;-) . But that was 50 jumps after the downsize which I regret! BTW get a second-hand 170 as you might spend less time than you think on it so a brand new canopy would be lost of money. good luck Janusz Back to Poland... back home.
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Anybody dealt with nocek700 before or shipped to poland?
JanuszPS replied to slj678's topic in General Skydiving Discussions
Don't worry. If the package is lost that his lost, not yours since the payment was cleared. As dragon2 sad, If people were suppose to pay add 22%+ would talk differently. I'm also Polish, never ever dealt with the guy but heard of him good thinks. IMHO "an opinion" is priceless and easy to loose in our very small society, so you should not be worry. if I buy anything from 2-nd hand market (outside EU) I will ask the seller to at least lower the value of the goods. It's simple, as example 22% from 1000 is 220 additional charges which is nicer than 440 from 2000, etc. As I aware all goods declared below $100 are exempted from taxation (it is VAT) in EU. You are not cheatting on your own state/government but on very greedy EU customs, and that's a huge difference. Regards Janusz Edit: VAT is different in different countries within the EU. Also additional charges apply such as import duty (usually about 3%). Back to Poland... back home. -
Yep, specially the last sequence of the opening is bad. but the first left on the bottom lane - risers equal and the canopy already 90 degs turned. cheers Janusz Ps I know, I'm piece of s***t Back to Poland... back home.
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I know that there was a slide to the right, but minimal... look on the pic with canopy out - exactly 90 degs turn and risers straight and equal. I know that I didn't make the opening with perfect position, but I was more focusing on the guy in front of me as that was his second jump with the camera. Maybe next time I will manage to get another pictures and then I will compare them to see if I make always the same mistake. thanks Janusz edit: It was very hard for me to ignore the presence of another person in close proximity during opening. that day the weather was bad (v strong wind) and I wanted to pull very quickly to give the guy a chance to land on the dz, but despite my effort he landed off dz. that was what I had in my mind at the time. Back to Poland... back home.
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Just a question about openings. Usually my openings are soft and after the reline I cannot really complain about them. However they are usually with right turn. two weeks ago friend of mine took pictures of my opening which I combined into a sequence. From the pictures appeared that my body position wasn't 100% perfect, mostly due to the fact of close opening to the cameraman (second jump with still - congrats). But wasn't that bad and at some stage the risers are at exactly the same height/level. Anyway from the pic can be seen that the second last line stow turns the bag by 90 degs to the right, thus the canopy opens with right turns. what can I do to eliminate that common in my case occurrence? surfing on the Internet I found some SB related to Wings containers indicating a modified method for line stowing (as per attached pdf). Does anyone use that method? any opinions? thanks Janusz edit: I have 725 spectre microlines and I use small bungees for microlines and single stow. Back to Poland... back home.
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no worries, I'm an engineer
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I perfectly understand that, but.... on the other hand we would only be jumping now Javs with PD's in them if there were no other factories getting into the market... I hope Sanyo and others will kick Sony's ass one day for benefit of all of us. I had this cam in my hand but I did not decided to buy without feedback from others (too much $$$). So... is there anyone jumping them yet? Janusz Back to Poland... back home.
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Can someone (moderator) rename it to Cypres (in the title), plzzzzz? janusz Back to Poland... back home.
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That's not only possibility, you can have also different situation with small main and large reserve out. So that sort of disproportion between canopies has been for years... but the other way around janusz edit: now we have just more combinations which can likely occur - that's the only differentce Back to Poland... back home.