pilatus_p

Hm just sawe a thing about Jeb Corliss developing technology to land a wingsuit without a parachute. Pilots have crashed down hillsides covered in snow and survived. If you can roll down a hill with a gentle enough curve i guess that could work, and the snow would gradually slow you down. Perhaps Jeb has a little slope covered in snowy type stuff he intends to land on .... His website claims they have 4 technoliges able to do this .... Ross http://www.teamtechnology.co.uk/troll.htm

It must be huge. Just found this one for a 100ft drop http://www.ukscreen.com/gallery.htm?table=company&user=stuntco&image=3 (Click on 'my gallery' and you will see it!) Do you know of a link to the one youre talking about? Cheers! Ross http://www.teamtechnology.co.uk/troll.htm

OK just a random thought that jumped into my head (yes I am bored)... Stuntmen jump off buildings onto crashmats that are made of inflated fabric. As the body impacts, the air is forced out of the mat, providing a nice soft deceleration. Now, if it was possible to create an air-filled mat of a fabric, or even composite of fabrics (eg layers of foam or something), that wouldnt a) tear on impact b) slap the skydiver silly, how deep would the crashmat need to be to slow him / her down? Make it deep enough, with enough air and with enough portholes ... OK yeah you'd need some massive air compressors, but we're only talking theoretically .... Does anyone know of details of the highest stuntman fall into a crashmat? Trees have been known to save skydivers by virtue of breaking branches absorbing energy. There are motorway crash barriers that do the same thing - the breaking material absorbs the fprward motion energy of the car or truck. Could it be possible (if entirely impractical) to cover a large portion of the floor with a thick layer of material that crumbles upon impact? Imagine an enormous but very soft crunchie bar covering your DZ landing zone. MMMM honeycomb .... Just think - you're in freefall. Both canopies fail. Ahh cr*p .. OH HOLD ON, there's that big mumma crashmat that the guys on DZ.com invented! Thank the lord for such a bunch of clever people. If I use my exceptional body flying skills to aim for that, I'll be in the pub with my feet up, eating chips by the evening There may not be medication for whatever mental condition I have ... Ross http://www.teamtechnology.co.uk/troll.htm

OOOOWWWWWWWW!!! That is a hell of a list of treatments. Thank you for your well wishes, and Im sorry to hear that you cannot jump again. Maybe they can make a DZ carpeted with nice comfy bean bags and let you land on that? Ross http://www.teamtechnology.co.uk/troll.htm

Hi all, I was just wondering what all you guys thought about this post, in the light of what we have been discussing here? http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?do=post_view_flat;post=2333693;page=1;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;mh=25; The two seem mutually exclusive - not actively encouraging others to jump, but on the other hand needing new jumpers to come into the sport to sustain it .... Post in the above thread and lets see what ideas people come up with! Ross http://www.teamtechnology.co.uk/troll.htm

Ok, decided to post this in here too - shoved it over on a discussion about DZ's stealing each others customers - thought it would go better here! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- It seems that DZ's are fighting over a dwindling pool of customers and its leading to some (seemingly self defeating) in-battles. It seems, if I mention my AFF, people either say 'oh Ive done that' thinking I mean a tandem, or they think i mean static line. When I tell them what AFF is, they look at me like I just regurgitated a melon. There is very little awareness of sport skydiving outside these two things, which tend to be one-off / charity oriented. That is possibly why there are many so called tandem mills out there. I don't know what its like in the states, but I'm from the UK and live in Scotland, Aberdeen. I must admit I never see ANYTHING to do with skydiving up here, despite there being three (correct me if im wrong) dropzones up here. In Aberdeen there are a few scuba shops and I know loads of people that are into diving. That is probably because we have the sea nearby - but I often find that people who scuba are often people who would skydive, being the adventurous types. This is one place that DZ's might target new skydivers, and I'm sure there are others such as Kayaking, freeclimbing etc. There needs to be more POSITIVE coverage of the accessible level of skydiving. I never hear about the amazing achievements of formation skydivers despite some of the incredible things they do; and how about the unbelievable sensations experienced by a wingsuit flyer or head-downer? But most importantly I never hear how ITS POSSIBLE FOR THE NORMAL, AVERAGE JOE to get involved in the sport. The coverage we do get is, on the one hand, things like Blue Peter (google it!) presenters doing an AFF level 1 or reality shows using it as a 'punishment'; And on the other, stunning images of Skygods blazing smoke across the sky, or Troy Hartman doing EEXXXTRREEEEME things with motorbikes and parachutes, with that woman yapping away in the background (dont get me wrong, the stunts are cool and she's cute ) All in all, our sport is not portrayed as something that is accessible or desirable to the normal person. On the other hand, I quite like that it IS exclusive, but if there are not enough people in the sport to sustain it then it will dwindle, and none of us want to see that happen. Instead of squabbling between DZ's and trying to take lumps out of one another, why don't we try to use the collective experience and intelligence we have on these boards to come up with ways of increasing the numbers of skydivers in the sport? Then DZ's won't need to fight - there will be more newbies to go round! Here's my opening suggestions: 1) Linking up with suppliers to other extreme sports to try to attract like minded people. 2) How about a skydiving reality show? In the UK we had 'Bad Lads Army' where we put some young, slightly directionless guys through a 50's style army bootcamp. How about putting 10 guys (with a fear of heights????) through AFF and FS1, and getting them to do a 10-way? 3) Finding our best 'faces' within the sport to promote it as a friendly accessible sport that normal people take up as a hobby / sport - as opposed to the common view that we're all freako adrenaline junkies (just one of the comments i've heard .... ) Ross http://www.teamtechnology.co.uk/troll.htm

I keep trying to capture the still from my AFF vid where you can see a bolt of lightining go across the screen in the background. Bloody VOB files ... I'm looking into finishing my AFF and consols in December, so look out on Skydiving movies for a 'first cutaway', 'roof landing' and 'AAD misfire two out downplane' videos from me. Once those first three jumps are over, I will put the video from the other jumps up too.... Ross http://www.teamtechnology.co.uk/troll.htm

Perhaps we should be looking at the bigger picture here - the popularity of the sport of skydiving as a whole. It seems that DZ's are fighting over a dwindling pool of customers and its leading to these (seemingly self defeating) in-battles. It seems, if I mention my AFF, people either say 'oh Ive done that' thinking I mean a tandem, or they think i mean static line. When I tell them what AFF is, they look at me like I just regurgitated a melon. There is very little awareness of sport skydiving outside these two things, which tend to be one-off / charity oriented. That is possibly why there are many so called tandem mills out there. I don't know what its like in the states, but I'm from the UK and live in Scotland, Aberdeen. I must admit I never see ANYTHING to do with skydiving up here, despite there being three (correct me if im wrong) dropzones up here. In Aberdeen there are a few scuba shops and I know loads of people that are into diving. That is probably because we have the sea nearby - but I often find that people who scuba are often people who would skydive, being the adventurous types. This is one place that DZ's might target new skydivers, and I'm sure there are others such as Kayaking, freeclimbing etc. There needs to be more POSITIVE coverage of the accessible level of skydiving. I never hear about the amazing achievements of formation skydivers despite some of the incredible things they do; and how about the unbelievable sensations experienced by a wingsuit flyer or head-downer? But most importantly I never hear how ITS POSSIBLE FOR THE NORMAL, AVERAGE JOE to get involved in the sport. The coverage we do get is, on the one hand, things like Blue Peter (google it!) presenters doing an AFF level 1 or reality shows using it as a 'punishment'; And on the other, stunning images of Skygods blazing smoke across the sky, or Troy Hartman doing EEXXXTRREEEEME things with motorbikes and parachutes, with that woman yapping away in the background (dont get me wrong, the stunts are cool and she's cute ) All in all, our sport is not portrayed as something that is accessible or desirable to the normal person. You and I know we can just go to a DZ and start a training programme, but most people don't work like that - they need to see others doing it and see it as a good / cool / fun idea (thats why TV and billboard advertising always has attractive people 'enjoying' whatever product they are pushing! Natch - social proof) On the other hand, I quite like that it IS exclusive, but if there are not enough people in the sport to sustain it then it will dwindle, and none of us want to see that happen. Instead of squabbling between DZ's and trying to take lumps out of one another, why don't we try to use the collective experience and intelligence we have on these boards to come up with ways of increasing the numbers of skydivers in the sport? Then DZ's won't need to fight - there will be more newbies to go round! Here's my opening suggestions: 1) Linking up with suppliers to other extreme sports to try to attract like minded people. 2) How about a skydiving reality show? In the UK we had 'Bad Lads Army' where we put some young, slightly directionless guys through a 50's style army bootcamp. How about putting 10 guys (with a fear of heights????) through AFF and FS1, and getting them to do a 10-way? 3) Finding our best 'faces' within the sport to promote it as a friendly accessible sport that normal people take up as a hobby - as opposed to the common view that we're all freako adrenaline junkies (just one of the comments i've heard .... ) Theres another thread along the same lines elsewhere on the board - I will post over there too

You should see the safety approach in the company I work for. If you are seen trying to walk down the staors without holding a handrail, you are classifed as 'doing an unsafe act'. Someone will 'have a sfatey conversation' with you and submit a little card recording the observed behaviour (but mercifully not your name). Now in my view, thats taking safety too far, but when you consider that the company got drilled financially for people making claims over tripping down stairs, you suddenly see the motivation. Oh Im a cynic ... RE AAD's - what happens if you are on your back when one fires? Ross http://www.teamtechnology.co.uk/troll.htm

Hi ello Yes the dive put the collie wobbles up me. I had about 6 or 7 twists, and just as the last two were coming out the canopy decided to see what was below it. As the last two came out I swung back under it. Quite a buzz. I wont be jumping at that DZ again after these comments! Ross http://www.teamtechnology.co.uk/troll.htm

Hi Lee I think I am just the unluckiest fu*ker in the world. No one else had a hard opening and it was brand new gear (well apart from a weeks worth of jumps). Where are you doing your AFF? Ask them about their ethics on packing and safety, and see what 'feeling' you come away with after you ask the question. I did this, ignored the feeling (the guy got angry at me on the phone for daring to ask if his packers were qualified) and went there anyway - and regretted it (which incidentally is NOT my listed home DZ) A hard opening is basically decelerating too quickly. You go from flat to earth, through upright, and probably onto your back (if its quick enough) whilst at the same time your body is slowing from 120 mph to 10. How quickly this happens is key, but a hard opening will be between 1-2 seconds. Mine took just around a second, which is some big g-force to put through your spine. Skydiving is dangerous and Sh*t happens - its just one of those things you have to accept if you are going into the sport. But jumping with a good safe DZ is a good start! Litle white fluffy ones Ross http://www.teamtechnology.co.uk/troll.htm

And I thought I was beginning to like you guys ... Ross http://www.teamtechnology.co.uk/troll.htm

Im just wondering - how much usually goes wrong on student courses? My AFF was pretty educational in terms of 'bad stuff'. Is this quite a lot to have happen on a first AFF course?: 1) Hard opening which fractured my spine 2) Downwind landing after wind direction change with spot-on PLF 3) Jumping in a lightning storm 4) Line twists which started to dive the canopy (kicked them out just as it went over) On the basis of having all this in only 8 freefall jumps, does this mean I'm good for my next 1000 with no upsets? Ross http://www.teamtechnology.co.uk/troll.htm

OK OK I got my ass kicked by a professor. But you did beat me to my post edit about the arguments in the community about lift theory, which lets be honest are raging all the time. http://amasci.com/wing/airfoil.html and http://amasci.com/wing/rotbal.html Who knows, what with that Anderson guy kicking everyone's ass on the bernoulli theory of flight, he might just come along and kick yours, too ... Only playing ... Glad to see you are pushing both the theoretical and humanist approach to skydiving - I see you have done a lot of work on it. What theory are you talking about? Circulation? Turbulence on top of the body? Coanda? I dont care if its geeky. Feed my brain. Ross http://www.teamtechnology.co.uk/troll.htm

already posted this elsewhere ... Can't help it - made me laugh and seems appropriate to the discussion ... http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1891830368/pageturners0c Ross http://www.teamtechnology.co.uk/troll.htm

Hehe this thread reminds me of this: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1891830368/pageturners0c Might find this http://amasci.com/wing/airfoil.html interesting too ... Ross http://www.teamtechnology.co.uk/troll.htm

Sounds like god just fancied giving you a poke up the ass that day. Glad you made it down ok. Did she have a nice yard? Ross http://www.teamtechnology.co.uk/troll.htm

Makes sense to me. You are mimicking what I would regard as a simple aerofoil, or wing section, much like you would find on a bird or older aircraft such as the wright brothers' machine. I have little real world experience of tracking, but digging about in my aeronautics theory, heres my two cents / pennorth (depends where you come from): The 'best' body position for lift will be the one with greatest curvature (better known as camber) that does not cause the air flow to break away from your body and become turbulent. The best body position for distance will have minimum curvature, presenting least frontal area to the airflow, and hence provide least drag. Of course if you change one, you impact the other. If you speak to an aeronautical engineer he will tell you that wing design is primarily a battle of this trade off between drag and lift, and the best combination must be selected for what you want to achieve. Cool post - I like the way you are thinking about it Ross http://www.teamtechnology.co.uk/troll.htm

OK this post is not really that relevant, I just like learning about how people react to stuff, so indulge me .... I think it depends on how you (not you personally, piisfish - I just hate using the word 'one' like prince charles) present the sport. People do things they think will benefit them (especially if it costs a lot), and finding the right 'benefit' is what will encourage them to be attracted to the sport. When you talk about it, you will prpbably be enthusiastic. But do you also come across as competent and sensible? Do people feel they can trust you? If not they probably won't follow you into a life-threatening sport. Adventurechick shows this - her attitude is all fizzy and happy, and people pick up on "wow, skydiving is fun" because thats what she shows through her attitude. I originally came to skydiving to challenge myself. The risk part of it was CENTRAL to wanting to do it - I wanted to do something I knew could kill me, and that was where I got the buzz and sense of achievement from when I finally jumped. Now I just think its just great fun! (took me til level 6 AFF to think that though ...). Most people are looking for simple pleasure in life, either from an experience or development from a skill, thats what a hobby is to most people. Then there are those of us that feel a need for something more, perhaps that sense of danger or challenge. When you talk about skydiving, you will do so enthusiastically because you love it. The enthusiasm will rub off in the moment and people will think 'woo that sounds like fun.' The BUT normally comes after you have walked away, and they have thought through the risk part and felt that fear rise in their chest. For some that fear turns to adrenaline and excitement, for others its just unpleasant. adventurechick , its makes me wonder - do people ask you about the dangerous side? How do you react when they do? Re: women being more likely to try it - can anyone verify that? Whenever Ive been on DZ's in the past and recently, I tend to see a lot more men than women in both the experienced and student population. Maybe we need more hunky sky-gods like me to attract them in. (see photo, left) Cheers Ross http://www.teamtechnology.co.uk/troll.htm

Hello Some of you may have noticed I am a post whore. This is because I fractured two vertebrae on a hard opening during my AFF, can't jump and am going cold turkey. I have started watching BASE videos. I may even buy a banjo. This has been covered in the past but I can't really find a definitice answer: For this kind of injury (stable compression fracture of T5 and T6) what are the best forms, if any, of physio to take? Is there an ideal time to leave between jumping again? It happened on sept 10th. Anyone whos morbid or wants to read a lot can head over to incidents and read what happened (Spinal fracture - hard opening, ocana spain or something like that). Ross "shorter than before" L http://www.teamtechnology.co.uk/troll.htm

9 inches and 246. Have I misunderstood the thread title? Ross http://www.teamtechnology.co.uk/troll.htm

I would be there too - but I'm waiting for my spine and ribs to heal. At least I broke them jumping ... Know what another poster meant about smelling 'jet fuel' - every time a truck drives past and the diesel fumes hit me, I feel a little rush ... wierd. Ross http://www.teamtechnology.co.uk/troll.htm

hahaha this is one for the 'farting thread' - Flatulence at altitude! Ewww poo in freefall ... must go up the trouser Ross http://www.teamtechnology.co.uk/troll.htm

You're having an argument over bum gas. Lol http://www.teamtechnology.co.uk/troll.htm

Hello hello As a recent AFF'er, my view would be dont do another tandem - get wind tunnel time. APOLOGIES to any DZ's I may be conning out of tandem revenue, BUT: My greatest trouble was control of body position in the air in turns, back flips, tracking etc and I ultimately failed a level because of it. I had no idea what my legs were doing and the high adrenaline made me (more) stupid (than usual). Wind tunnel time lets you learn body position in a more relaxed environment, and you can get the equivalent of 10 jumps airtime for less cost than a 40-60 second tandem - where I would have thought certain aerobatics are somewhat limited (correct me if im wrong - backflips?). What you learn is more likley to become part of your 'muscle memory' because you are more relaxed, and you have an instant opportunity each time to go back in and try what your instructor suggests. This way from jump 1 (which is normally a blur) you will have more idea than most students on the sensations to expect in freefall. Many guys I spoke to who breezed their AFF had done tunnel time, and ALL the AFF'ers I know from old went on to do tunnel time ... go figure. Of course, you DONT get the canopy time. Depends what you are after. Want canopy time? You'll get loads on AFF where you will also get radio talkdown (just remember ti LISTEN TO IT ). AND ... CH1 comes AFTER AFF! Ross http://www.teamtechnology.co.uk/troll.htm