bwilling

I put 10 jumps on a 210 (1.3) this past weekend, and it certainly seems less steep to me, which may account for the higher front riser pressure. The front riser pressure is at least as high or higher than my 230 Spectre, which is 20sf bigger. It is very responsive on fronts though... The flare is considerably different than that on my Spectre. I think I get as much or more early in the stroke on my Spectre, but it runs out at the bottom and is pretty much done at the end of the stroke. The Storm is NOT done there, in fact, it's just getting started. I was unimpressed with the landings until about the 4th or 5th one, when I figured out that I was not finishing the flare. It's got lots more to offer, very deep in the stroke. Very, very deep, with it set up on short risers (20") like it came. It's a fun canopy to fly! I did a H&P from 4 grand, and had it diving so hard at 3 grand that my Protrack went off, telling me to pull. I'll do a full review after I jump it again next weekend... "If all you ever do is all you ever did, then all you'll ever get is all you ever got."

I don't know where you jump, but at most larger drop zones, this practice is seriously frowned upon... if you're in the pattern with a group of people, the guys behind you will not appreciate you throwing on the brakes! I know this to be true, because I was one of those guys! I got 'talked' to several times, then made a commitment to correct the problem. I was just falling back on old habits (it was normal 'back in the day' when I made most of my jumps), but could understand why that technique no longer worked on a busy turbine DZ. While I worked to improve my pattern flying in general, so that I didn't end up overshooting the target, I also worked on safer ways to adjust my pattern. If I see that I'm high early, I make my turns in the pattern on front risers instead of toggles, burning off additional altitude. If I set up on final and see that I'm going to overshoot, I go to double fronts to adjust, not brakes. It keeps my canopy at full flight speeds, and doesn't hose those guys behind me. Just something to think about... you don't want to develop bad habits that you'll just have to undo later! I've jumped both the Triathlon and the Pilot, and they're both fine canopies. They're almost as different from each other as PD's Spectre and Sabre 2 are though, and you'd do well to demo both before deciding. The manufacturers still make both 7 cell and 9 cell canopies, because it's all a trade off of sorts, and some people prefer the trade one direction over the other. "If all you ever do is all you ever did, then all you'll ever get is all you ever got."

Another technique that works really well is to drill the entire length of the slot (use a drill that is the width the slot) fitting as many holes as possible without overlapping them. This removes as much material as possible from the slot, and leaves less work for the cutoff wheel. "If all you ever do is all you ever did, then all you'll ever get is all you ever got."

For Skydive Dallas that would pretty good conditions. I would jump in that with out any problem. My tolerance for high winds is apparently much higher then others here on DZ.com. We have a lot of high wind days here. I think that brings up a good point, that it is at least somewhat relative! I too jump at SDD, and during some times of the year, 12 gusting to 18 is as good as it's going to get! If you can't handle those winds, you might not get to jump for months at a time, in otherwise really nice weather! That said, we have a huge, wide open landing area, with plenty of available places to land to avoid potential turbulence off the buildings and hangers, which you absolutely have to pay attention to in winds even that high. My personal limits are much lower than some at SDD, but the DZ has a waiver for students to 16, and gusts to 18 are barely out of that range. For me, if the tandems are standing down for winds, I'm definitely down too... and some days when they are jumping, I'm still not. I am definitely a wind wimp! "If all you ever do is all you ever did, then all you'll ever get is all you ever got."

I forwarded your email address to the seller for you. Please read the anti-scam documentation on this site, and or do a search on how best to conduct internet based gear transactions. Good luck! "If all you ever do is all you ever did, then all you'll ever get is all you ever got."

If the Ethernet interface is set up to be a DHCP client (the 'normal' method when connected to a router of any sort) you can open a command prompt and see if it's getting an IP address lease by typing 'ipconfig' at the command prompt and hitting enter. Should produce output like this... Windows IP Configuration Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection: Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.102 Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0 Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.1 An address in the 169.xxx.xxx.xxx range indicates that the DHCP server request has failed (it's a default address when that happens), and probably indicates that the card is bad. As cheap as they are these days, 'pluck and chuck' diagnostics is a pretty reasonable means of test and repair. Edited to add - I just noticed the 'network cable unplugged' message... duh, it won't be getting an IP address. Try 'pluck and chuck'. "If all you ever do is all you ever did, then all you'll ever get is all you ever got."

It's impossible for folks that don't know you, and have never seen you fly a parachute, to make that call. That's really up to you and your local instructors. But if it's any consolation, the Aerodyne tech chart for that canopy lists 171lbs exit weight as a 'Student/Novice' wing loading (.9) for that size Triathlon (190). You're at about .65 with a 125lbs exit weight, so according to the manufacture, you're jumping a very conservative wing loading for that canopy. edited to add - You're still at a what PD considers a 'Novice' wing loading for the PD143R in that container, but if you think that Triathlon 190 looks small over your head, wait until you see that reserve! "If all you ever do is all you ever did, then all you'll ever get is all you ever got."

I've demoed all three canopies (currently have the Safire 2 in my rig), and will have a favorite over all when it's all said and done. I thought this post reiterated something I was thinking, that the OP was going jump the Pilot for a 'day'. That's likely not very many jumps, and a pretty small sample size for something like opening performance especially. We get demo's here in the states for 2 weekends, and most of the manufacturers will extend the demo period if weather cuts your time with the canopy short. I personally like to make at least a dozen or more jumps on a demo before I have to send it back... now if I could just figure out how to test them all in similar wind conditions, preferably low wind conditions. Not likely in Texas this time of year! "If all you ever do is all you ever did, then all you'll ever get is all you ever got."

While I'm certainly no expert, I think the aggressive change of angle is just happening too quickly. I agree with AggieDave and the others that think you're flaring too quickly. While you can make that technique work, it puts tremendous pressure on the timing of when you start the flare, because it's an all or nothing approach when you wait that late then hit it really hard. I jump a Spectre, a big one, at a 1.1 wing loading. While it's certainly no swoop monster, it's a modern ZP canopy, with a distinct plane out phase to the landing. I have better luck landing mine by starting my flare earlier to plane the canopy out some, then pausing long enough to evaluate my position, based on that plane out, and adjusting. I don't like to think of it as a 'two stage' flare, more as a dynamic event. You'll certainly need to follow through still, and 'finish' the flare, but that's true with all canopies, not just the Spectre. It's not nearly as much fun to land in no wind as the Sabre 2 I demoed, but I can set it down consistently soft with little run out using that technique. "If all you ever do is all you ever did, then all you'll ever get is all you ever got."

I'm on the list for a demo. Kim told me complete details would be on the website May 1st, and that your dealer could take orders for it now! I've been looking for something that opens like my Spectre, but lands like the Sabre 2, maybe this will be 'the one'. "If all you ever do is all you ever did, then all you'll ever get is all you ever got."

He's already got a [URL "http://www.getbehindjesus.net/"]website.[/url] "If all you ever do is all you ever did, then all you'll ever get is all you ever got."

That's why it's important to use a verifiable, trusted source as an escrow agent. I sent gear I was selling to Sherry Butcher, a USPA national director and DZO at Aerohio. I emailed her and talked to her on the phone before sending it. I didn't have to wonder for a second if it was a scam... When I'm the buyer, I don't ask people to send gear to my rigger 'goat', at his home address. I have them send it to the DZ manager or a staff rigger at my home drop zone. Think people! "If all you ever do is all you ever did, then all you'll ever get is all you ever got."

Hang in there... I sent them an email once with a technical question, and it took a while for them to get routed to the correct person in the company, and for me to get a reply... but when it did, it was a reply from John Leblanc, with a very detailed explanation of the question at hand! Their customer service generally rocks! "If all you ever do is all you ever did, then all you'll ever get is all you ever got."

Bounce and blend colors were so late 70's /early 80's! The jumpsuits are way too small to be that time period! "If all you ever do is all you ever did, then all you'll ever get is all you ever got."

I bought a used Wings H&C a few years ago, and never having owned a rig with hip rings before, wondered about the fit... I took pictures and sent them to Ankie at Sunrise Rigging, and she confirmed the rig fit me. A picture is worth a thousand words! Ankie is no longer with Sunrise, but Scarlett is working hard to provide the same great customer service they've been known for... email her at sales@skydivewings.com. Congratulations on your new rig! "If all you ever do is all you ever did, then all you'll ever get is all you ever got."

Mike Fury at Altico (the manufacturer) will update the older Dolphins to the current configuration, over the shoulder tuck tab riser covers, and tuck tab reserve flap, for a pretty reasonable price. It's not exactly cheap, but neither is purchasing another harness and container later. If the rig's in good shape and fits you well, it's an option if you want to learn to freefly in it... "If all you ever do is all you ever did, then all you'll ever get is all you ever got."

Wow, that second pack job adds whole new meaning to the term 'trash pack'! And the opening was just fine! Maybe my girlfriend is right, and I'm way too anal about packing. Nice work, thanks for sharing that! "If all you ever do is all you ever did, then all you'll ever get is all you ever got."

I don't know anything about the Electra, but all the other canopies you listed should fit that bill... I've owned and jumped a Silhouette, and honestly think it's one of the best overall canopies made. It's designed to be flown at lower wing loadings than it's all ZP brethren though, so a 190 Silhouette will likely fly 'smaller' than the others of the same size. I currently own and jump a Spectre, and it's another great all around canopy. There's probably not another canopy on the market that opens better. Well, at least if you like long, slow, soft openings! I demoed both the Sabre 2 and Pilot, and will eventually demo the Safire 2... because I'm looking for a canopy that opens like the Pilot, but lands like the Sabre 2. The Pilot openings reminded me a lot of my Spectre, but it just didn't seem to have the same flare power as the Sabre 2, which was easily the best landing canopy I've ever jumped. At a hundred jumps, I don't think it's critical that you make the 'perfect' decision. I can't image that you'd be disappointed with any of those canopies listed, certainly not enough to not happily make a few hundred jumps on any of them, which is all that you'll likely make before downsizing again... "If all you ever do is all you ever did, then all you'll ever get is all you ever got."

I have Verizon's FIOS, and the 5/2 Mbps plan. I get very close to that download speed, but upload usually tests no better than about 1.5 Mbps. Still a lot better than the cable internet I had that capped upload at 384k! I could send Verizon more money each month, and get speeds all the way up to 15/15 Mbps if I wanted. "If all you ever do is all you ever did, then all you'll ever get is all you ever got."

I offered to sell it, but I would have made him a good deal on it... good enough to ignore the colors. "If all you ever do is all you ever did, then all you'll ever get is all you ever got."

Hey, I offered you a Spectre 230, but you're too hung up on color I guess. Ok, so it's ugly! I had it hung up in the hanger hooking it up, and one of the staff vidiots walked by, looked at the canopy, looked at me, and said "You didn't pick those colors, did you?" "If all you ever do is all you ever did, then all you'll ever get is all you ever got."

It's a scam, pure and simple. That's why the ad was removed! Always use a trusted third party (think KNOWN rigger or DZO) to broker the deal for you. They've all done it these days, and it's the only way that both the buyer and seller are protected. "If all you ever do is all you ever did, then all you'll ever get is all you ever got."

That's a lot money spent to convince people that would never drink real beer, that their product IS beer, and that they should drink it. To their defense, it's really technically challenging to brew a beer that light, with that little flavor! Don't care for it myself... I've joined the revolution! "If all you ever do is all you ever did, then all you'll ever get is all you ever got."

Main Canopies Manufacturer Model Size Canopy Fit Performance Designs Spectre 190 Snug Performance Designs Stilletto 190 It's a brick! Aerodyne Triathalon 170 Snug A sampling from the Mirage website for an M4, where they don't specifically list the Pilot... but at best, it would suck donkey balls to pack that canopy in there. "If all you ever do is all you ever did, then all you'll ever get is all you ever got."

I remembered this thread where Bushman recommended Dacron lines on a Pilot at higher exit weights. PD makes the same recommendation on the Spectre I'm currently jumping. He makes no mention of slower openings though, just the increased pack volume from the bulkier lines. I'm a Dacron convert, and have had them on both my Silhouette and Spectre. I have a demo Pilot in my rig right now, and it's microlined, but if I like it enough to buy one, I'd get Dacron on it. Please let us know what you think if you switch! "If all you ever do is all you ever did, then all you'll ever get is all you ever got."