Rdutch

I agree that 1 minute of tunnel does not equal 1 skydive, but tunnel time is fly your body time. There is a girl in Colorado thats 15 and has never made a skydive, last I heard she was turning an 18.2 point average with 3 other (actual) skydivers. http://skyleague.com/pages/news/showArticles.php?story=903Does this make her better than her instructors? Not many instructors can come close to an 18 point average. So in basic body flight yes she is better than her instructor's. But no not even close in overall skydiving. She also was on a team of all non skydivers ag 12-14 and did a 14.8 average, and even turned a 21 point dive. Altitude awareness, USPA seems to think that can be taught in 7 skydives (well most people, some take more). But I agree it is important, but then again thats why we wear altimiters, not many jumpers with 50 jumps can determine pull altitude or close to it just from altitude awareness. Yes before tunnel skydivers did reach great levels of skill, only now they are doing it in Years (yes years) less time, and the bar has been raised to an extreme level because of the tunnel. Pre tunnel the top team was averaging 21 points and the thought was it wouldnt go much higher, now at the world level there is many teams averaging over 23 points, looking at scores from last year there was 12 (yes 12) teams averaging over the 20 pt mark and Airspeed scored a 26pt avg over 6 rounds. This would never have been possible without the tunnel. in 2005 the highest average was a 22 and only one team met that avg, and only 4 teams (NSL) hit the 20 pt mark. I think the tunnel is a valable tool for skydiving, as far as competition it is a required tool if you want to be competative. Ray Small and fast what every girl dreams of!

I agree with you. The tunnel is a simulator, but not exactly. Flight simulators are computer simulators with simulated graphics. With a wind tunnel your actually in a real environment and you are using you body in a realistic situation. Tunnel training is very valuable. I could never have learned to fly my body at the level I do without tunnel training. I have 8000 jumps and I made my biggest gains in the last 200 jumps all with the many hours of tunnel flying I did with Tunnel Chaos (4way team). Jumping is important, but training in the tunnel then jumping made all the difference. Tunnel is responsible for the HUGE! increase in points that teams at all levels are turning now. Everything you can do in the tunnel is valuable for skydiving, from Aff students that are having a hard time, to pro skydivers. Ive seen tunnel rats do AFF in three jumps and their level 7 (jump 3) was a multi point skydive with two instructors. I know tunnel doesnt help with the canopy, but the tunnel rats I have seen do aff, picked up the canopy part at an accelerated rate also, I think it comes from comfort level, and a better understanding on how air works. Are wind tunnels saving the sport? Not exactly, but they are changing it. For the better. Id like to know how many people that just have tunnel experience, ended up learning to jump just because of their tunnel time. And if they would have jumped if they didnt go to the tunnel. I know some tunnel rats that started competing just because of their tunnel experience, this means more jumps overall at least. Blue SkiEs Ray Ray Small and fast what every girl dreams of!

I was just wondering who is running the Florida DPRE, Tandem,aff I/E ect. I have a few friends that are interested in becoming riggers, instructors ect. Ray Small and fast what every girl dreams of!

You forgot to mention wendy for doubling my prize money in Sebastian! Ray Small and fast what every girl dreams of!

Actually there are a large number of Zune screens cracking when left to charge for a while ie: overnight. Mine cracked also, it was in a hard case and I only used it in my car mounted. The screen cracked when I left it to charge overnight on my computer. Looking for screen repair, I found hundreds of reports of zune screens cracking for no apparent reason. Ray Small and fast what every girl dreams of!

I did a couple intentional Baglock jumps to test the skyhook, and to be honest, it never stood me up, I was a little more than head high. That with a 30 inch pc and a 170 main with dacron lines, so there was some drag. The videographer had no problem staying with me for the entire thing as I pulled the main at 5000 and deployed the reserve at 2500. The video used to be available on the RWS web site. Edited: after watching the video quickly, It looks like the drag on my legs kept me belly to earth. Ray Small and fast what every girl dreams of!

I don't think so. Any manufacturer would want to get their R&D money/investment back... You do realize that Kolla works for PD, right? I think she knows what she's talking about So Kolla, what do I need to do to try one of these out? Learn how to swoop first would be a good start, lol! Ray Small and fast what every girl dreams of!

I saw the recipient of about 6 stitches from jumping with gatorz. He got hit in the face with his risers on opening and it broke the glasses frame right above the lens and pushed the jagged piece right above his eye into his head, it slit a huge gash into his forehead. It was very close to a lost eye. When he landed he had to pull the glasses out from under his skin. Other than that I have seen many, many people jump with gatorz no problem. But it is something you might want to think about. Ray Small and fast what every girl dreams of!

I kind of agree, I think the USPA doesnt do enough to promote the competative side of skydiving. There are many NSL and other major meets every year, how often do you see results or interviews with teams during the other than US Nationals skydiving season? Or stories about the meets? There are stories here and there usually when a competator writes the story himself and sends it in. With every other sport that has a magazine they usually focus on the best in the sport and what is currently going on in the competition circuit. You would probably see attendance grow if there was more attention paid to the competition's, swooping, and 4way. Check out most skateboard/bmx or wakeboarding magazines. While they focus on the best, they also show up and coming athletes. Parachutist is usually way behind the curve on this. Gear manufacturers also dont often use their sponsored athletes for advertising/ promotion. You would think with Airspeed clearly being the best in the US at this time they would be all over the magazine, from adverts to spotlight stories. This for one would help generate income to help with their training as well as promote the competition side of skydiving. Especially with the interest of bringing skydiving to the public eye and promote the sport. Im often surprised to meet new skydivers and non skydivers that have no idea that competition skydiving even exists. Im not just blaming parachutist, skydiving magazine is also lack in this department. If we gave our best teams in the country more exposure, it would help to promote the competative sport and help them to support their training and overall costs, as well as help them to generate coaching work which basically pays for their training now. Ray Small and fast what every girl dreams of!

bending power tools usually doesnt happen from pulling to close your rig, The bend usually happens when closing tandems, you have to be carefull when you pull your tool through the last flap, there is tension on your tool and you need to be carefull to pull it straight through the hole and not put tension on the end or the tool before it is out of the grommet. Ray Small and fast what every girl dreams of!

Turn height is greatly effected by where your at, In Florida I usualy start my turn at about 810 ft on a velo 90 or 96, but when I jump in Indianna I bump that up to 890 ft, in Perris I upped it to 910 ft, and added 80 ft to that in Colorado. The air density, altitude of the dz and other factors change your canopy flight. Also in Florida my turn height changes on hot muggy summer days and cool crisp winter days. That said you can modify your turn for different conditions, to roll out of your dive faster or loose less altitude while turning. Ray Small and fast what every girl dreams of!

I would suggest tryig to demo a reserve that size first. The worst thing that can happen is your at a new unfamiliar dz, and you have a reserve ride, now your in a new place, possibly landing out on a canopy you have never jumper, landing it for the first time, possibly in a neighborhood, a street, or even the woods. There is plenty of incedents where someone had a ride, and ended up hurt or worse because they were were unfamiliar with the canopy and eded up landing very bad. You could probably handle the main, but then again you also might not. The only one that knows if your capable is you. Seeing that your concerned probably means your not ready. Id stick with the bigger canopy for now until your ready. Then pick the right conditions (wind ect) to jump the new one. If your very conservative you should be fine, but learning to do hp landings on a smaller canopy is a lot more dangerous that with a bigger canopy. Id say jump the big one until your completely bored with it, then if you so choose learn how to boost your landings on the big one, this will give you added excitement with the big one and keep you safer. Once your nailing your landings with it every time, then your probably ready to try the smaller one. Once again jump it a lot to get familiar with it before attempting anything hp with it. I know this sounds like a long slow plan, but a long slow plan is a very safe plan. Compared to downsizing to keep the canopy fun, then trying to learn hp landings under a tiny canopy. I myself downsized over a thousand jumps to a tiny canopy, then tried to learn to swoop, I have lots of metal in my legs to show for it. Im not saying you will follow in my footsteps, there is a lot of people that pulled this off, but not everyone is the same. Id ask around, see what people you jump with think. The best advice is from the people that see you jump. beleive me people pay attention. In Deland we call the people that are rushing things "NEXT" and beleive it or not its usually right. The NEXT guy usually ends up pounding it in. You seem to have a good head on your shoulders about this. So keep it up, take your time and stay safe. Good luck. Ray Small and fast what every girl dreams of!

Ray Small and fast what every girl dreams of!

Congrats, now have her go get checked out so she didnt get an ameoba in her brain from that pond! J/k Congrats! Ray Small and fast what every girl dreams of!

Hopefully no tykes, she has a son already, and thats enough. How about you when are we going to see little Kolla's running around? I always thought I would never get married, but she is such an amazing woman, she accepts me the way I am, and puts up with all my crap (beleive it or not Ive actually changed and grew up because of her). She doesn't jump but she wants to do a tandem Thanks for all the best wiishes from everyone. Kolla you can expect an invetation. Blue SkiEs Ray Ray Small and fast what every girl dreams of!

Lol, Right, you should see how my close friends and family are handling it, no one beleives me. This is sooo not like me, but beleive it or not she makes me fee special. And anyone that can put up with my crap deserves special treatment. I'll let y9ou know when we have a date expect an invitation. Blue SkiES Ray Ray Small and fast what every girl dreams of!

This weekend, I asked my girlfriend to marry me. She said YES! The only rule I gave her is no complaining about me doing 4way. As an habitually single guy this is a huge step. I never thought that the idea of marriage would make me so happy. Ray Small and fast what every girl dreams of!

I think your description explained itself. Ive seen plenty of video where a line twist caused a hard opening. If the line twist is near the top of the canopy it can prevent your slider from catching air, think about the grommets being held together by the twist. the canopy starts inflating and because the slider is held closed by the small lin twist it bangs open. If you have a lot of twists they will hold the slider up a little, but with a 90 or 180 twist it offers verry little resistance to the slider and the opening ends up very hard. Ray Small and fast what every girl dreams of!

Why? You can fit two 4-way teams (including video) into a Porter. There are various ways of cramming the 10 jumpers in the aircraft. The best solution I have seen is in the D-FROH (Breitscheid Porter). It climbs to 13,000 ft in about 14 mins. It has a nice big door that it unfortunatley on the right of the aircraft. This could make it tricky for Teams that have only trained out of a left side door. It needs a runway that is about 16 inches long Ugh Poter, actually a very nice plane. I once did 46 4way jumps from a porter in DeLand in one day, with two teams on the plane. We were jumping from 6000 ft, and it made me sick to see the plane at the boarding area as I was setting up for my landing. The pilot would land almost right next to the turn off from the runway to the landing area and just bang a right and be there to load. The exits took some getting used to, there was almost no air to fly with on exit. The DeLand Porter "had" doors on both sides, it was weird, on the right side it was a very easy ride on the camera step, but on the left door it sucked, the prop blast was very strong. Even worse was how hard it was to see the team from the step, unless you were very short you just got a great view of the top of the wing. When I was doing test jumps on the skyhook we were trying to get as slow as possible reserve deployments for the pc to test the breaking strength of the seal thread on the hook design, to see if it would cause any hesitation in the event of a total. I had the pilot flying with just me and a cameraman, full flaps as slow as he possibly could fly. I have a good video of me being stupid and firing too soon, and the pc bouncing off the tail. One scond earlier and it could have been bad, I remember the pilot telling me he could land the porter inside a hanger if he tried, I watched him dive almost straight down, pull up, touch down and stop. The take offs were a little longer but not much. The DeLand Porter "had" a -34 on it, I dont know if it made that much of a difference but it seemed like it. Ray Small and fast what every girl dreams of!

Thats with an otter and the new rules right? With the old rules and a DC3 a 20 is a cery bad time, before you could hold on for dear life for exit and then build the formation. You should see how fast the last people fly out of the plane when everyone has tight grips on the person in front of you's leg straps!!! Anyway I dont know how he is doing it so let us know. Blue Skies. Ray P.s How the hell have you been? Ray Small and fast what every girl dreams of!

The most important thing I can suggest with the 300lb HMA is get your slider immediately! Collapse it, remove it, whatever. Just dont let it flap around for a long time. You will get a lot more jumps out of a lineset if you do this. Ray Small and fast what every girl dreams of!

You owe me a beer! Oh yeah I was looking for this person that only comes out after nationals, at the bar, and she was no where to be found. TOTAL CHAOS! Ray Small and fast what every girl dreams of!

Was he testing a magnetic riser/flap system? If so cool. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Hee! Hee! You need to go ask Ted Strong about all the test drops he has done with Argus and Vigil over the past year. Hee! Hee 1 Ray Small and fast what every girl dreams of!

Id love to see how the magnets all over the rig affect the aad? And if the manufacturers tested this before they released the system? I wonder if there was any misfire on a rig with magnetic flap systems would the aad manufacturer be quick to blame the magnets. I personally would like to see all the aad manufacturers work with the rig manufacturers and safely test this system before it was sold to the public. Ray Small and fast what every girl dreams of!

I purchased my Zune in February, after my ipod v1.0 finally died. I was actually very happy with it, there was some things about it I liked better than the Ipod and vice versa, but overall it was a good unit. Two nights ago I plugged it in to charge (usb cable from my computer) and checked the screen to make sure it was charging (Ive plugged it in not all the way before and ended up with a half dead battery at work, so now i check every time). I watched a movie on the tv and was just about to go to bed and I heard a very small pop/crack sound. I went to check it out, and looked around my computer, I finally checked my zune and it looked like nothing was wrong. I hit the button, which usually backlights it, and the backlight was dim, and when I looked the screen looked like a spiderweb. The onlything you could see on the screen was the backlt spiderweb crack. Im 100% sure it wasnt dropped,or hit recently, and especially after I hooked it up to recharge. I went to the support section of the zune website and I cold find nothing about the broken screen, just that Microsoft voids the warrenty when a screen is broken. I called the zune support number and talked to their support staff, who told me that to get it fixed I would have to find a 3rd party to fix the broken screen and that he was sure the broken screen wasn't microsofts fault. I offered to send it in on my own dime so they could inspect it but was told it wasnt neccessary. After doing a search there seems bo be a lot of people having this problem. So I would reccomend anyone thinking of buying a zune to hold off until Microsoft fixes this problem, and has better customer service. Ray Small and fast what every girl dreams of!