DSE

IMO, that's something to be concerned about, not complimenting. But, the jump number discussion has been raised ad nauseum here. Head down can be learned in a tunnel. Wingsuiting, canopy, traffic awareness, landings cannot.

Martin, I agree with every point you make, but would also like to add this small caveat; The semi-new BOD and the new leadership seem to have an aggressive edge. I haven't been around as long as most, but have a pretty good idea of what things have been like in the past...maybe I'm wrong. If I'm right, you'll likely start seeing more pressure related to safety issues. Yet I can't imagine the USPA turning safety-challenged dropzones over to the FAA, either.

Stratostar, I don't have anything to add past what Gary wrote...we didn't train in 182's, all my AFF training has been in KingAir, Caravan, or Otter. We *discussed* and did a fast mock-up on the 182. We never sat in a 182 mockup to determine which is best for instructor/student conversation. I'm the wrong guy to be looking to for "good, experienced info" about 182 exits and AFF. I'd like to know more about 182 exits in the event I'll ever be at a DZ that uses 182's for students.

Mine are at the DZ, but... IIRC, go to the HOME menu, then go to the General setting tab.

Everything about the jump has to be "street legal" as in, gear buckled/secured, and deployment above 2k. If they could even shave a few hundred feet from the attempt, more jumps are possible. But due to opening altitude...it *must* be legal. Given that Jay is the new president of USPA, it probably wouldn't be cool if he broke rules.

It's obvious you don't know Jay. You'll never, ever hear him speak of any of his previous record attempts. He raises money for the charities and only does the "public parts" he has to. He also brings a tremendous amount of goodwill to the sport. Jay Stokes is a very humble man, a man of his word, and one of those very rare people that *is* a skygod and you'd never know it.

mp4 isn't iPod format; iPod simply accepts it as the container for what they'll play in specific dimension. Were the iPod a true mp4 playback device, it could handle mp4 in scalable sizes... Anyway...MainConcept only for iPod. 640 x 360 is your best go for an iPod. 1280 x 720 for web 1920 x 1080 for archive 1920 x 1080 (or 1440 x 1080) for BD burn. "BEST" is rarely the best option, unless you've got a LOT of compositing going on. If you choose Best, not only will it resample every frame and grossly slow down renders, it will also bring to light any specific ugliness that "good" will allow to pass. It's actually a fairly complex question/answer given the four render quality options. Pixel blending is optimized in "Good." That's the fastest rendering speed, too, and why it's a default.

I guess you didn't view the link It begins a week from tomorrow, show floor opening a week from this coming Monday. In other words, it hasn't occurred yet.

Back to the topic; Is there a confirmed example in the last say...15 years of someone experimenting with a Dbag being packed grommet to reserve, grommet to pin, or grommet to rig bottom that has resulted in a fatality?

Shawn, I've a friend in the Cirque that is in much the same situation. He did AFF A/B/C at our DZ, and we logged it deeply and well, plus providing contact info for all instructors. He was able to complete his AFF and A license at a variety of DZs, and is now a happy skydiver traveling the world. It takes a concerted effort, but it can be done.

The original post says; "If you're an experienced skydiver, I don't see anything wrong with experimenting one step at a time to learn if another idea works for you. Manufacturers are imaginative, creative, and intelligent, but those factors don't mean they always know what's best for your particular method of deploying, flying, etc.... ....If you're new...I agree. Follow manufacturer recommendations. Which part of this wasn't clear? Which part "blew you away?" Not every new idea in skydiving is related to an incident. Many new ideas are related to a bigger/better/more advanced/timely idea built upon existing tools, techniques, and technology. Or new technology. Each new technique/tool isn't necessarily a solution to a problem but rather a different way of looking at something already existing. Newbies should skydive "by the book," IMO, but there is value in an experienced skydiver thinking things through, experimenting carefully and with intentionality to discover new aspects related to ever-changing factors in the sport. One of those factors is Dbags deploying during highspeed, forward motion vs high speed downward motion. Safety is always paramount.

Unless you're Scotty Burns. He's got a built-in afterburner. Hope (for your sake) he doesn't ignite it til he's out of the door. ESPECIALLY if you're behind Scotty.... Add length to a wide leg wing... how much instability does this create? When will we see a 24" extension of the legwing coupled with stiffeners and individually tuned vents?

B&H Armatos

Dynamic Corners1 from my Rigging Innovations Voodoo. Liked em' so much, I bought two! Note the difference from Scott's line guides.

If you know Vegas Platinum, you'll very smoothly transition into Vegas Pro 8 at any point. The interfaces are nearly identical. In fact, projects created in Movie Studio can be opened in Vegas Pro (but not the other way around). Vegas Pro offers automation, unlimited tracks, surround, and some other features/benefits, but by no means is it a requirement. you can make GREAT vids with the four tracks offered in Vegas Movie Studio. Feeblemind picked up Vegas a week ago, and without training has been creating some very complex content. I've given him some minor tips here/there, but it's pretty intuitive for most.

Actually, one could easily achieve 6 hours in a wingsuit, in less than 300 jumps. But, they likely won't be able to pass the AFF course. Having spent quite a bit of time observing various AFF courses, one factor that is *very* clear; if you haven't spent the majority of your early jumps on your belly, you won't pass. I've seen several freeflyers unable to successfully pass the course, even though they're terrific in a sit or head down. I'm a believer in the 100 minimum, but IMO candidates should consider waiting til at around double that number. IMO, the value in the Coach rating is less about flying skills and more about teaching skills and learning how to stack blocks, communication, learning to properly brief/debrief, and set the first foot forward to an Instructor rating.

In English, please?

I'm confused at your meaning between your posts. Is it your assertion that wingsuits are flying, gliding, or falling?

pillar/letterbox sounds like you're starting with an SD source?

IIRC, you can't. The lenses need to be spaced to be in focus.

Assuming you're in the USA- NTSC Widescreen template. Leave the bitrate as-is. AC3 audio Leave bitrate alone. If you want to play, however...you can render as high as 9Mbps. You can legally go higher, but there are some media types and some players that can't manage high bitrate. 6.5-8Mbps is ideal for skydiving and most outputs. ~d

Two Voodoos, two Talon FX. Voodoos for wingsuiting and most flying, Talons (one is for demo, the other is one I lend to others and keep "just in case." I love my Voodoos, but sure loved an older Stunts Eclipse I had. Very comfortable.

I didn't have a camera, the angle I wanted to generate wouldn't have benefitted from me wearing one, and it would have also distracted from the Blimp, which is the product I'm wanting to focus on. When the magazine ad prints (different photo), I'll post it. I too, like multiple camera angles. We shot a piece for Turner that involved four camera angles and although it's a bit of a dance, it works out well if it's properly planned and dirt-dived.