AndyMan

What? No pics of AndyMan?!?!? Even the group shot I'm cut out.... I'll give hell to baszia next time I see her. Still waiting to get the film out of my camera. Maybe tomorow. Incidentally, Sunshine, you missed a vanilla, but otherwise fun party. Andre getting a chocolate cake in his face was funny. _Am ICQ: 5578907 MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfe Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

The Sabre2 doesn't have anything in common with the Sabre except for the name. It is a completely newly designed canopy. It is not an "update" to the old one.... The Sabre 2 is "mildly eliptical", or "tapered". It will turn much quicker then the original Sabre. It's is not known for hard openings like the original. I had trouble with the landing, but I've never heard that from anyone else - presumably the one I had was just one of those ones... So, you can expect quick, tight turns, nice soft openings, and a good smooth flare. A slow smooth flare will give you nice turf surfs. Too many people don't learn to flare high performance canopies. I see so many people who basically have two toggle positions while landing - "Flare Off", and "Flare On". High performance canopies will always perform best when you use the full range of control, slowly moving from one extreme to the other. It is important that you flare both toggles togeather. Pulling one toggle faster then the other will dump you on your ass. Depending on how much you're loading it, it can be quite a handfull requiring your full attention. At light loadings it will be rather gentle, leaving you some forgiveness for mistakes. How appropriate this canopy is for you is entirely dependent on how much you're loading it, and your ability to handle that loading. The people who know you can answer that a whole lot better then any of us. ICQ: 5578907 MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfe Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

I don't recoment the Z1.... They're crap, they call apart and need constant fixing. Fortunately most reputable gear dealers don't sell them, so you should be OK. Personally I like the Oxygen... _Am ICQ: 5578907 MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfe Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

I was never taught any of these acronyms. I just started seeing the "3 checks" - rings, handles, straps - when I moved to chicago. I had no idea what the SSS was until you mentioned it. _Am ICQ: 5578907 MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfe Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

Sorry dude, I'm pulling 'pocket priveledge', jumping in front.... Been a good night.... We gotta have that beer sometime. _Am ICQ: 5578907 MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfe Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

Sorry dude, I'm pulling 'pocket priveledge', jumping in front.... Been a good night.... We gotta have that beer sometime. _Am ICQ: 5578907 MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfe Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

It really is unfortunate that you feel that way. It goes completely against my experiences... I've met a good bunch of really awsome people here. I'm gonna be driving 4 hours to hook up with the Archway contingent next weekend. I'm going to be flying down to Pheonix to hook up with the so-cal contingent. Literally every dz.com'er I've met has just been great to hang out with. I've met friends who I know I'll keep in touch with for a VERY long time.... I'd suggest you track down some locals in your neighborhood... hang out, find what they're all about. If New Jersey people are anything like the ones I've met here, well - you'll have fun. _Am ICQ: 5578907 MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfe Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

Mi casa su casa, Dove. My boxers have your named embroydered on them... Think of like a welcome mat. I hope ya find it comfy... As for the pic.... Ask and you shall receive. _Am ICQ: 5578907 MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfe Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

Dove? All this pocket time doesn't count for SOMETHING?!?!?!? _Am ICQ: 5578907 MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfe Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

Have a safe trip! Play safe! Don't do anything I wouldn't do.... _Am ICQ: 5578907 MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfe Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

I won't disgree - just that when freeflying the groups are always smaller - to me at least, even though it's on three dimensions instead of two I do a pretty good job of keeping track of where everybody is. I'll only barell-roll if I don't know where somebody is. I would much rather know where eveybody is and not worry about someone being over me, then have to be checking my space at pull time. This means being aware of where people are going both at break off time and throughout the track - being aware throughout the whole process. _Am ICQ: 5578907 MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfe Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

I try to keep track of people as I turn and track. If I'm concerned because I think somebody is missing, or I'm unsure of where somebody is, then I'll do a barrel roll. On bigger ways I only concern myself with those in my quadrant.... Do I know where everyone is? No? Barrel-roll... _Am ICQ: 5578907 MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfe Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

You're right, rhino. John LeBlanc certainly doesn't know what he's talking about. _Am ICQ: 5578907 MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfe Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

Frank? You get a promotion? I though you were an ENG vidiot? _Am ICQ: 5578907 MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfe Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

Um... yeah, actually. Last year in Australia, it killed the jumper. Through sheer machismo the pilot struggled with the plane until all the jumpers got out, then he bailed himself with his pilot rig. It was estimated the pilot left the plane at about 600 feet. The plane crashed into a field. You can read about it here _Am ICQ: 5578907 MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfe Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

I'm a java geek for a tiny software company. I frequently work from home and post whore when I do.... _Am ICQ: 5578907 MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfe Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

Not very well, then... The horizontal stabalizer is too low, which gives it a good risk of a premature deployment ripping the tail off. The otter is a much better plane for skydiving simply because it's got the high tail. It takes talent to rip the tail off an otter... Caravans are nice planes, but they were designed as multi-use workhorses, and not specificly skydiving. Most frequently used for cargo, but sometimes passenger service into obscure locations. you can read about them here: http://caravan.cessna.com/ _Am ICQ: 5578907 MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfe Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

Nah, you don't need a support group - you need AIRTIME! Go jump! _Am ICQ: 5578907 MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfe Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

I'm definatley a turbine snob - but more then that, I'm a FAST turbine snob. If it takes more then 10 minute to climb at 14, then I'll be complaining the whole way. Unless it's a cesna. I guess it's part nostalgia, part novelty, but I LOVE jumping cesnas. I look forward to it! I jumped a 182 a few weeks ago at Morris - it was the first load of the day and they didn't have enough people to put up the Otter... One of my favorite skydives was a formation jump from a 182 and a 206 - we built a 12 way over my dads cottage on the St Lawrence River. Climbing out of the 182 does take some practice. I seriously hosed the spot at Aerohio on a cloudy day once... I just couldnj't get out there quick enough. By the time we left we were about a two miles downwind.... DOH! Climbing out is easy if you know the right way to do it... Which order to move your feet, etc. So far the only places I've been to that DON'T regularly fly a 182 is Skydive Chicago - they usually have enough to put up an Otter, Chicagoland Skydiving - they have a Porter for light loads, and The Ranch - they also have a Porter for light loads. Granted that I haven't been to florida... _Am ICQ: 5578907 MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfe Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

It seems like that's the case.... _Am ICQ: 5578907 MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfe Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

I'm one of the few people on these forums that generally support putting new jumpers under higher performance canopies. I like the principle. There's DZ's using Sabre 2's and Safires, and Hornets quite succesfully as first jump canopies. In another thread I just encouraged someone who I consider a friend to get a hornet at 1.0, when everyone else is shouting "that's risky!". I'm not one of those who shouts "that's risky", whenever the subject of canopy choice comes up. I will say that the Stiletto is NOT for very new jumpers. When somebody stands up and says they're looking for recomendations on a first canopy, it's pretty rare that "Stiletto" is the right answer. I was fortuante enough to NOT be at Skydive Chicago last year when a jumper with 75 jumps went in under a stiletto he had rented from ActiveWear - and yes, it was at a reasonable wing-loading. I think it is possible for jumpers to push the limits in what they jump. I think, arguably, this is exactly what I'm doing with my canopy. All I can say is that this must be done with top-notch one on one canopy instruction. Jumpers MUST be prepared for high performance canopies. Just handing somebody a Stiletto when they ask for a good first jump canopy will hurt them, or worse. _Am ICQ: 5578907 MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfe Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

I remember reading about the incident, and I remember thinking to myself how they MUST'VE got the analysis wrong. I just don't accept that this person got hurt because of the wingloading... Yeah, sure - under a 280 square foot Raven 4 she probably woulda had minor injuries... but that's not the point. This incident was caused by the pilot doing something really stupid. Ultimately every time we skydive we accept the risk that we can make mistakes and pay for it. This, I think is what caused this incident. I've never seen you jump, and I've never flown a hornet. I do understand it's a pretty good canopy for low time jumpers. In understand it's comparable to the Safire and the Sabre2 I also know you're looking at a 1.0 wing loading. I've also heard from people that I respet that you're competent in your landings. The idea that this has an unnaceptiably high risk for you just seems strange.... 1.0 is a good wingloading. My first rig was at 1.1, but I'm a lot heavier, and these things aren't linear. Since you're lighter, 1.0 feels about the same as me being at 1.1... This seems like a GOOD choice for you. It doesn't sound aggresive. It does sound like a canopy that will teach you a lot. It sounds like a canopyt that, when you screw up, will leave you with sprains... just like mine did. I don't pushing you this way because I know you're the type of person that asks lots of questions. I know you'll never stop learning. I know you'll practice all these things that we like to talk about - like flat turns, riser flares, etc. I know you'll set up your approaches at high altitudes... I know you'll be aware of canopy traffic. I know you'll be responsible. My opinion? Buy the canopy. Never stop asking questions, be safe, and have fun. _Am ICQ: 5578907 MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfe Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

Brian and his Big Air crew was at WFFC last year and had a big ole' pile of canopies with him for demo's. That's where I jumped the Lotus and Samurai. I imagine he'll be back this year. _Am ICQ: 5578907 MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfe Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

Even though I've driven a Porsche on the Authobahn at over 300 km/h, I still have fun with my little Honda. Actually, when I first started jumping I stopped street-racing my honda. That lasted about a year, then I got back into it. Adrenaline is good.... anything that feeds it is good. _Am ICQ: 5578907 MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfe Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

Hey WG - any way that any of us can possibly help, just speak up.... money, hosting, labor, whatever. we're here for you in any way we can. _Am ICQ: 5578907 MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfe Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999