DSE

like everyone else says, "Check Opacity." Ultimate S has an Audit tool that checks this. There are also some free scripts that check/audit to be sure that both event opacity and track opacity are at 100%

In this, *anyone* can benefit. I've had the opportunity to train world champions with 25,000+ skydives on down to the guy that has 0 jumps. Would-be wingsuiters for example, that have 10,000 skydives are still about the same as the guy that has only 200 jumps in terms of nervousness (and sometimes, ability). What can you do to stay safe? ~seek out mentors in your specific desired discipline and follow their coaching as though you were a newbie. I know little of CRW, but Chris Gay, Eric Gallan, and people of similar quality are my go-to. In other words, get with people who are not only experienced, but respected, measured, and are safety conscious. ~use experiences of others as a learning opportunity. The concept of "that'll never happen to me" is just plain dumb, especially in this sport. ~learn to crawl before walking, learn to walk before running, and for hell's sake, learn to fly your belly before you begin trying to fly on your ass. As an Examiner, it's frustrating to see people come through courses with 1K skydives hoping or a rating, only to find out they're wasting their time because they cannot fly on their bellies. And no.... "Dude, I did 50 belly jumps before I learned to freefly!" doesn't count. Master flat skills before moving on to other axis'. ~Log your jumps. Sounds silly, but writing about a jump cements experiences. It's tactile and offers another method of recall. This will help you later down the road if you become an instructor. ~Learn to fly your canopy. Not only follow Billvon's checklist, but also get some coaching. Even if you think you're flying great, never had a problem; get someone more experienced to watch you, film you, debrief even your best landings. There is ALWAYS something to learn. ~Explore. When you feel you're ready, try new things, because not only are you exposed to new things, you might discover new methods in what you're already doing. ~Above all else...take it slow. The sky is always gonna be there. The sky is patient; learn from that.

there is no doubt, ZeroP feels more like you're "at one with the wind." Especially when it's hot and a little bit of sweat is in there...you feel the wind much more than you feel the fabric. When I get back to S'nore, I'll do flysight runs back to back with the two suits and see, but I'd be shocked if there were any discernible difference. Keep in mind, all my suits (even the balloon/ZP) has embroidery. Jarno is right; the embroidery is kinda "odd" on the ZP.

I have two P2's that are identical in every way excepting the cutaway and the fabric. I personally prefer Parapack; it feels more solid. However, some folks like the feel of "naked" with the balloon. It would be a stretch to say that there is any noticable performance difference.

I saw it at the NAB show, but haven't looked for it on their website. Century is higher priced, around 89.00 but based on what I saw, I liked the packaging (all billet aluminum, aluminum case about the size of a size "C" battery.

His design is virtually identical to the one that Century Optics is releasing, except theirs doesn't have the part that is sticking out in the corner. Theirs is a case that goes on the phone with a threaded adapter for wide and tele lenses. Case is ugleeee.

If you can get unlimited cellular, and it's genuinely DSL fast....and it's not superscary for the budget...there isn't really a downside. I can't get non-packetized uploads on my cell, and I have a 5GB upload with an unlimited download, but it's spendy as hell. (over 200.00 a month)

Probably a combination of lazy/poor packing and rig design. Those colors ROCK! You always know when it's me coming....

Century doesn't require a lens adapter.

These are both cut/dynamic corners. You think they're ugly? Another... This one is ugly, but not because of the dynamic corner, but because of the BOC color. IMO, dynamic corners are great if one is ordering a new rig. I do notice a diff between my student rigs that don't have cut corners and my Voodoos which do. Are they necessary? Of course not. Are they nice? Yes. I also use a stowless Dbag (berger bag) and it too, makes for a sweeter, smoother deployment.

This woman is showing her eyeball camera at IBC in September.

At least video lenses are finally starting to drop.

we were charging 10.00 per, and another 10 to transfer to iPhone/personal device for the "instant gratification" factor. We've been using the YouTube option as a leader, and it *has* made a difference in video sales. In other words...YouTube is at least temporarily free with video package purchase. I'd recommend not using the "social media" term, and stick with either YouTube, Vimeo, or Viddler. These links can be embedded in your webpage and they can embed them in their own FB/Social pages. If you attempt to upload to their sites, you're dealing with passwords, etc, and more than that...it can quickly create a backlog. That said, "sneakernet" is the fastest upload if you don't have a fast connection at the DZ. Consider the cost of the cell network and the cost of having to sneakernet later the evening of the same day? Most customers are fine with waiting a few hours, I think... Ours batch upload once the machines are not being used for editing.

Official search called off KSL story Lots of friends n' family are still in Moab.

I don't know the outcome; the photo was provided to me from someone who was at the USPA BOD meeting, which is apparently where this surfaced.

an airleak could cause it, but the image seems clean, so any air would be getting in from somewhere other than the mount, I'd think

Very soft, due to a unique diaper system. In high winds with lift, it can easily allow for hour-long flights. I have a video from sitting on the edge of a cloud where it seems to not move vertically at all. With a little experience, a little lift area, and trimmed out properly, it flies very nicely (assuming your butt and legs don't mind the seat and straps of the container system.

Blue skies, Ash...your laugh will always be present. I'll always remember the whales that almost killed me and you saved me. Thanks for the good times, advice, and life-lessons. Aloha.

you might wanna ask the S&T committee...I suspect they have it if anyone there does.

the point of this thread was to talk about; ~How it might have happened ~Why it happened ~What else could potentially go wrong ~How it might have been prevented Sure...obviously bad. But why not use it as a learning tool beyond just the photo itself? You and others have a lot of good experience and insight for others to learn from.

Where did I indicate it was concealed? Quite the opposite; it's bright yellow/blue and doesn't fit under pants. Fail. And there ya go; two solid reasons why you're typically bypassed for what many others experience on a regular basis. "Random" doesn't consistently, constantly include you to the point that it's become harassment. Even you not-so-subtley point out what you perceive a terrorist to not be. [note to self-"clean cut white guys are less of a risk. Like McVeigh, Stack, Kaczynski--those guys. As Paul mentioned, it's theatre. That's all it was, is, and will continue to be. That's the best response you've got? What kind of dolt could possibly suggest that Ben Gurion (as only one example) is an equal or lesser secure airport to any airport in the USA? I fly through there regularly and the difference is permeable. Exceptionally professional. Exceptionally well-trained. Exceptionally clean. Managed by security PROFESSIONALS and not goat-f**k stupid highschool dropouts, many of whom can barely form a complete sentence. It's the same at all of the airports I previously mentioned. Have you flown through them? One does not need to be a security professional to perceive a professional process. Paranoia is your business; I get it.

Dunno....having a 300,000$ camera stolen (later recovered damaged beyond use) from a locked, hand-inspected air case...having to remove my pants because of my leg brace, being regularly examined for whatever profile I fit on virtually every flight I go on....(and I'll put my miles up against the best of em') constitutes my attitude. It varies from airport to airport, but having flown almost as much outside the US demonstrates clearly what a joke US security is. Ben Gurion is no where near as obtrusive, yet I challenge anyone to suggest they're concerned about security at that airport. Most of Canada, Stockholm, Orly, Heathrow, Changi, Incheon...all significantly more secure and less obtrusive, more professional, and I'd wager that security is less costly at these facilities than it is in the US. American security at airports is inept at best, crime, power-hungry, corruption-ridden at worst. I disagree that it's intended to 'help us.' It's intended to intimidate, tax, and burden. Airport security is a necessary process; high school educated hall monitors do not constitute "airport security." I have few doubts that if there were competitive opportunities for airport security providers, cost would go down and quality would rise. We have different experiences. Glad yours are always positive.

"loss of liberty" does not necessarily equal a "right." You're correct; flying is a privilege, sure...and in a fantasy world it's an unnecessary privilege. Just as driving, taking the train, riding a bike, taking a cab, walking to work is an unnecessary privilege. Imagine walking into downtown anywhere USA and being strip searched before entering the "downtown zone." The only difference is in degree.

85% of US travel is business-based. Suggesting business people choose other means of transportation in a global economy is ridiculous and indeed, a loss of liberty. Had the TSA gotten their initiative through to demand checks of skydivers-per-load, would you find yourself still saying "You don't have to fly?"