bdrake529

No wingsuit demos scheduled. This weekend is all about the flocking (and racing). Brian Drake

In the spirit of the Flock-n-Dock threads (and really just an excuse to bump this thread to maintain visibility), here's the latest head count with home DZ/area and suit: Dave Barlia (Cal City) - Acro/V2 Tim Bennicoff (Cal City) - Acro Chris (Elsinore) - V2 Brian Drake (Cal City) - Acro/SM1 Craig Falon (Minnesota) - S3 Mike Hanson (Cal City) - Acro Cate Henegan (Elsinore) - GTI Jim Hickey (Elsinore) - Aerobat Eike Hohenadl (Elsinore/Perris) - S6 Tony Kekahuna (Cal City) - S3 Nick Kent (Cal City) - Classic Nacho (Elsinore) - S3 Kevin Morris (Mesquite, NV) - Ghost TJ Oliva (Cal City) - Acro Scott Orland (Cal City) - Acro Andy Tompkins (Taft) - M1/V2 Janel Rizzo (Cal City) - Acro and about 4-5 others confirmation pending. I'm optimistic about this size of an event since it will let us start with several smaller-way flocks working towards the goal of (potentially) a 20-way (full Cal City Otter). I look forward to seeing you all on the 8th, bright and early (6am early bird load)! Blue skies, Brian Brian Drake

Yuri, I realize you wrote this with a smile and a wink, but what do you mean by this? Are referring to extremely favorable tail winds or something else? I'm curious because the performance on Tracking Derby is often hard to reconcile with "real world" performance (both tracking and wingsuits). Brian Drake

But you can confirm that un-inflated, the material does "curl" and this is normal as far as you know? Thanks, Brian Brian Drake

This is for Jeff/Tony or anyone who has a SM1 (or has flown one enough to be familiar with it): First question: One of the main differences between the standard M1 and the super M1 is that the leg wing has been narrowed and then lengthened in the center, correct? How much was it narrowed by? The stance still seems quite wide on mine and pictures I've seen of other SM1s (including Chris' recent post of Tony's glow-in-the-dark suit). Was the original M1 leg stance really that much wider? Second question: The center of my leg wing is definitely longer (giving the leg wing's trailing edge a rounded profile), but on the ground, I'm having a hard time understanding the design. When I apply tension span-wise to make the leg-wing taut, the trailing edge of the leg wing curls up towards my body, not only negating the extra length, but apparently creating a pocket of drag. I've yet to flock with another SM1 (or have video of mine) so I don't know how this looks in flight. With the wing inflated, does this trailing edge behave the same way? Or does the rigidity provided by inflation prevent this "curling"? Is it normal that it behaves this way on the ground? Thanks, Brian Brian Drake

You bring up a good strategy, which I haven't tried yet. I always acquire a link on the ground then turn the unit off. But then I turn it back on to reacquire at about 2-5 minutes before jump run (to, at least I thought, increase my odds of getting a signal). I suppose if the unit cannot quickly reacquire, it goes into search mode which is too slow to link immediately on exit. I'm optimistic to try this new style (turn on again only right before exit), but even then, it's far from the "turn on and forget" approach we're all looking for. ....Well, that is unless you're DZO/pilot is cool enough to let you install a re-radiating antenna system (GPS repeater). With this system, I can use any GPS logger hassle-free. Of course, if your DZ has multiple planes, this can get cost prohibitive (or pointless unless you can always make sure you're on the GPS repeater equipped plane). Brian Drake

Unfortunately, the WBT-201 does not "manage lock everywhere inside the thin metal shell of a Twin Otter", at least in my experience (though this was my hope too when I bought it). In my tests, the WBT must be held directly against the window on a Twin Otter in order to have a good chance of a lock (chance being the unfortunately correct term). Even then, it also seems to depend on where you are (geographic location) and the view of the sky you can get from the window. I've tried using the WBT in the Twin Otters at San Diego, Elsinore, Perris, Cal City, and Taft. I only got a usable signal at Cal City (Otter's GPS repeater turned off for an accurate test), though to be fair, Cal City is the only DZ where I've conducted extensive testing. The only plane I've actually had success with "turn on and forget" is the Grand Caravan at Lompoc. I had the WBT taped to the back of my helmet (no vacancy in my audible pockets) and I sat in the middle of the plane. Perfect satellite link the entire jump run through landing. I haven't yet tried a small Cessna. Also, I've found mounting position is indeed important. I did a wingsuit jump where I put the WBT in my suit's chest pocket. Paralog showed perfect GPS logging on jump run (thanks to the GPS repeater I have installed in the plane) but immediate loss of signal at exit. It didn't reacquire until I was under canopy. My rigger has extensive military GPS experience and was convinced that the organic material of my torso was too strong an interference for GPS to connect through. Brian Drake

Justinn, I'm curious, what specifically disappoints you about Paralog and your GPS data? Thanks, Brian Brian Drake

p.s. before I get chastised for numbers myopia, I had a blast flying the suit and loved my flights with it. On my 3rd flight, the pilot dropped me off and then circled around to buzz me twice (as we previously agreed), flying alongside roughly 100 feet away. What a thrill! I went straight to analyzing numbers because as I posted earlier, I primarily bought this suit for solo performance flights. Just because I have a long way to go to fully realize the potential of this suit, doesn't mean I won't love every flight along the way. Brian Drake

Put the first 3 flights on my SM1 this weekend (I gave in to peer-pressure and spent the rest of the weekend freeflying). To be bluntly honest, I was a little disappointed. I expected that with all of that wing area, I would see a significant increase in flight time and some very low fall rate numbers. But my VISO showed performance in the range I can get with my Acro. I lost my GPS later in the day on a freefly jump so I don't have data on the forward speed. Of course, it was quite presumptuous of me to expect mastery of the suit right off the bat, especially with my low-level of experience. But I guess I hoped that even flown poorly, the gigantic, airlocked wings would provide significantly more lift than my Acro. For me, this is a valuable lesson that it is indeed the pilot that's the most important variable (what a concept! not as though anyone's ever advised that here...). Don't get me wrong, I'm optimistic about the suit. As I fly it more, I'll get closer and closer to the correct flight mode and I know performance will come with experience and time. A word of warning (echoing another post), be careful where you mate the velcro on the arm break-away system. I applied the velcro too close and had a zipper malfunction on what was to be my first flight. The zipper was so stuck I had to ride the plane down and then have my rigger work his magic on extracting it. Easy problem to avoid if you're mindful. Brian Drake

Scott, You bring up some fair questions. I didn't buy the suit for flocking. I bought it for going fast and falling slow. I'm 5'11", 170lbs so all that wing isn't to compensate for build. I have an Acro (that I'm keeping) which is perfect for me to flock with and to experiment with "free flocking'" (as well as solo acrobatics). Unless I'm racing, when I'm jumping with a group (of mixed experience), I'm more than likely going to stick with the Acro (which will make me evenly matched since there are 7 other Acro flyers at my DZ now). In addition to loving the thrill of flying with other people, I'm also a numbers hound. I get a kick out of charting my progress as I train for slower fall-rates (longer flights) and faster ground speeds. I've been doing this via GPS and Paralog from before I was wingsuiting when I was focused on tracking (to prepare for wingsuiting). So to me, the Super Mach 1 is the "drag racer" in my arsenal and with the design and wing area, I expect to be setting personal records in glide ratio, ground speed, and low fall rates. I'll mostly use it for solo, performance flights. As for safety and experience, it is a big wing and with the new airlocks, it does require additional consideration throughout the entire flight (especially at pull time). I originally learned to deploy (at my FFC taught by a PFI) by collapsing the leg wing. But I recently re-trained myself to deploy in full flight since I was potentially going to be flying with smoke at a demo (with my Acro). I've found this deployment style has helped me feel comfortable with the SM1 since that leg wing requires loins of steel (that I don't possess) to collapse. Experience wise, in lieu of Tony Suits posting a min. flights requirement (nor has Jeff N mentioned one), I used Phoenix-Fly's 50 flight min. that they post for the V2 and the Ghost (in those suits' manuals). I have 80 wingsuit flights, 67 of those in the last 3 months. I can always dock on the base (if the flight plan calls for it), successfully perform on-heading barrel rolls and front loops, back fly solidly (out the door or transitition from belly), and have mid-size-way (10-14 ways) experience from attending Scott Campos' skills camp at Eloy. Since my FFC, I've sought out instruction from some very experienced wingsuit pilots and have been very fortunate in the mentors I've found. I write this not to brag nor do I consider myself an "experienced" wingsuit pilot. There's nothing more annoying than a 322 jump-wonder posting on DZ.com ignoring the advice of those with much more experience and arguing as though he had some God-given talent that came with a humility waiver. I was actually trying to do this "by the book" and therefore only post my "qualifications" since they're the only list of basic abilities I've seen required to "upsize" to a high-performance wingsuit. I'm open to correction on this though (honestly), so please set me straight if you think I'm wrong. Blue skies, Brian Brian Drake

Yeah, but at Eloy, I was only wearing about a fifth of the material (Scott's loaner Classic - a fifth might be a slight exaggeration), and it wasn't parapack 4. Brian Drake

You're telling me. I'm sweating profusely from just 5 minutes of posing in front of the mirror in my apt. Tomorrow's flights in Cal City (Mojave Desert) are going to be brutal (it's forecasted to be 101° F). That's what God made PowerAde for. The toe-to-throat zippers do appear to provide some relief as I can have the suit practically hanging on me like a cape as I board the plane. I'll wait to zip up until 7-8k ft and the heat shouldn't bother me in flight. Brian Drake

Here's the obligatory pic (still at the office, but out at the "smoker's lounge"). It's a bit blurry, but you get the idea. Talk about turnaround! Tony got back in the office on Monday and my suit arrived today (in Los Angeles), just in time for a weekend of flying! Thank you Tony and crew! Anyone have any flying tips for the Super Mach 1? I did 2 flights on Jeff's personal suit (SM1 proto) when he was at the Perris boogie, so I feel confident with basic flight. But I'm curious if anyone has advice on how to maximize the performance (glide ratio) of the suit. -Should I roll my shoulders? -Wings completely stretched taut or a slight bit of slack? -Arms straight to the side (iron cross) or swept back? Level with my body or the "hug the sequoia tree" approach? -Chin on my chest, or head straight in line with the spine? -Pronounced de-arch of spine, or only slightly? I'm sure I'll dial it in. Just looking for pointers to save me time. It seems that every suit I've flown (Classic, S-Fly Expert, Phantom, Acro, Raptor, standard Mach 1) has a slightly unique body position to best utilize the wing shape. Brian Drake

Yeah, who were they? Brian Drake

Who knows the names of those on the dive? Could someone please post them? Or could someone please PM me so I can ask you a specific name to confirm? Thanks, Brian Brian Drake

When will a list of names be released? Brian Drake

A few more details. -No boogie fee. This means no trinkets and tshirts, but that's hardly why we're hoping people will be motivated to come. -First place winner of the GPS race will get a copy of Paralog, the world's leading skydiving logbook and flight analysis software made by skydivers for skydivers. -Boogie starts bright and early with the "Early Bird" jump (6am) both days. If you're on this load, the 4th jump of the day is free. More details to follow as they're nailed down. We're not requiring registration, but we would prefer RSVP to help plan accordingly. Either leave a note here indicating your intention to attend, or contact the DZ directly. Brian Drake

Well, I joked with Jeff that buying the Super Mach 1 would give me about a 4 week head-start before Tony Suits released something even better. Sounds like it won''t even be that long. Brian Drake

Was your one jump BASE or a skydive? Brian Drake

It's the Tony Suits BASE suit. Brian Drake

Has anyone here flown the Apache? Jeff described it to me and it sounds like an interesting suit. Anyone have any pictures of it? Brian Drake

I flew Jeff's Super Mach 1 prototype on Saturday. Wow! The wings are massive! When I initially suited up, I had a few moments of doubt anticipating interference at pull time. But a couple practice touches on the first jump allayed my fears. The wings are there, but it's not hard to adjust and get a clean pull. With only two jumps on it, I certainly didn't dial-in the most efficient body position, but never found the suit unstable or difficult to fly. My performance was quite varied as I was constantly adjusting to find the sweet spot. But even then, flying with a 90° crosswind, GPS data shows that I sustained over 120 mph ground-speed (peaking at 130 mph) and briefly got down to a 27 mph fall-rate (different part of the jump). I'm floored by the possibilities of this suit and eagerly look forward to when my skill begins to reach the level where I'm utilizing the suit more to its potential. Of course I placed an order immediately. Now the cruel waiting game.... (which is really a joke considering Tony's lighting-fast order fulfill times) Brian Drake

Congrats Monkey! That design really looks good with your signature colors. Less of a "Charlie Brown" vibe... Brian Drake

This thread has gotten quite long and it's become a bit difficult to determine the exact status of the Mach One. Here's my attempt to summarize which is submitted for correction or confirmation. Improved, standard Mach One -formed leading edges -new cutaway system (busting out of arms?) -new airlocked inlets -velcroless leg zip pull ups -shoulder zips to attach wings (instead of hip zips) -base of the arm wing is sewed to the leg -throat to toe body zips Super Mach One -everything on the improved Mach One -4" longer arm wing at the root, the arm is also swept back a little more -4" longer leg wing, narrower leg stance Or have I become confused and there is now only one Mach One version, which has been referred to alternately as "Super", "New", or "Improved"? If there is a "Super" version, is there an additional cost? I'm also confused because this past weekend at Taft, Red Andy (Tompkins) let me fly the "improved standard" Mach One (completely red suit) and though it had the new leg inlets, it didn't have any of the other improvements listed here (leading edge, new cutaway sytem, new zippers, etc...). I'm hoping to place an order this Saturday and just want to make sure of what I'm ordering so I get the most bang for my buck. Thanks, Brian Brian Drake