fergs

I had a T-bow back in the early 70's. Made a couple hundred jumps on it. Always opened softly - I only ever side packed it (flake it and pull the sleeve down without bothering to dress it). I eventually retired it after getting my first square canopy, a strato-star in 1975 or 76. Pic attached. Blue Skies, fergs

Alan, Come to Oz over the Christmas / New Year period. There's a nice boogie then and we'll have you dancing around the clouds with us in no time. Also some wingsuit events in November if you can make it earlier. It'll be our summer - nice warm days mean nice warm temps at altitude. Blue Skies, fergs BMCI

It's vital that you concentrate on having your shoulders completely level with he horizon all through the collapse, pitch and deployment sequence. This includes as you come in for the pull and grasp your hackey. Do not pitch it until you are watching the horizon and are 101% sure you are level. Then pitch and keep watching horizon. Stay level - concentrate on it! Don't relax until you are completely deployed. Bingo! Twist problem cured. Incidentally, although a longer bridle will probably help, your length at present should not be a cause of so many twists so often. Packing grommet to grommet will definately help, though, as the bag will not have to go through so much of a rotation before leaving the pack tray. Blue Skies, fergs

I jumped Mirages for many years. Since Feb this year I've been jumping and Icon (and Pilot / Smart combo). From my experience, the Icon is as comfortable as my 2 previous Mirages - maybe even more so. Plus the Icon has some features I really like. If I were buying again tomorrow, I'd definately be ordering another Icon. It's a great rig and exceptional value for money. Blue Skies, fergs ps Had a cutaway last week. Before that, my last malfunction was 1981. The Smart reserve handled fantastic. It was a very windy day and my landing was really soft. Well done Aerodyne!!

Do not go to Dubai without first ensuring 101% that they are operating. They have had huge problems with aircraft the last couple of years. It would be a pity to get all the way there only to find no jumping that day / week / month / year ... However, if they are operating, it's a pretty DZ - nice visuals of the coast and desert. Attachment gives you a bit of an idea. fergs

I'm ready - but lasers are for whimps - who wants to come dog-fight?

Dan, Hope you can make it .... and I suspect you owe me a beer (?). hahahaha Plus we have so much fun, you won't want to leave. Just get lots of wingsuit flights there in Headcorn and try to stay away from too much Fremlins down at the Bell.... Blue Skies, fergs

Jason, pm me your email address - I have a document that may help. fergbird BMCI 8

Well done. fergs

Dan, So names don't go into public view, pm me the name of your CI. It's quite possible I know her. Her email address would be helpful too. I'll email her a copy of the Wingsuit Procedure Manual that the APF (Aussie Parachute Federation) has "adopted" for all of our CI's to at least have a reference document to refer to. That may help, especially if your CI is who I think she is. Blue Skies, fergs BMCI

Hey Linny, Years ago I did some jumps at Agra. But I'm sure that operation closed shortly after. It was nice being in freefall close to the Taj Mahal. Plus I became the only non-Indian member of the Indian Parachute Federation. The Federation subsequently closed, so I guess that makes me the only ever non Indian member. India is a great place to travel around in. It's full of pleasant surprises, nice people and great food. So enjoy your jorney, fergs

I guess that when it's time - it's just time to leave the sport. I too, am agasp at the average jumper these days - the basic skills they fail to pick up, yet should have. Yes, spotting is a very good example. And landing safely is certainly another. For me, I had a new lease of life 3 years ago when I discovered the wingsuit. Now I can have a blast on my own, or in a flock with others. I can arrive at a DZ and simply slip into an unsold seat down back with no hassles trying to coordinate a group at manifest. I always carry 2 demo wingsuits - so if there are others who want to come play, their lack of a suit is no barrier (after, of course, proper training if they have not already had wingsuit experience). The hot shots never bother me or become a danger to me at 100' - they've already landed their pocket rockets and have walked to the packing area and I'm still in free fall watching them. Now that's a good feeling... And if someone who cannot spot a load puts it out way away from home, I simple fly to the correct opening point with no problems. So I have no reason to consider leaving the sport - but after 32 years of skyplay, I balance out with other interest and activities, keeping spousal-unit happy. Oh yeah, my skydives are now double value - twice the freefall and half the pack jobs for my ticket. Life is good - spread the love. fergs

Dan, 1. Aim for 4 to 6 jumps a day. 2. I've flown Virgin with a rig as carry-on cabin luggage - with the rig in a non-descript gear bag. It's the X-ray guys as you enter the departure area that will either make or spoil your day. Have a cypres card available for them to look at. The (many) times I've taken it hand luggage, they have not been a bit interested in the gear. But my rigging-kit bag uaually causes questions, with all of its cables, spare cypres cutters, seals, etc. 3. Rather than a tent at Ramblers, why not book a bunk? Less to carry! Blue Skies, fergs

On September 17 and 18 there's a wingsuit weekend at Temora. A little further from Melbourne than Nagambie, but will be well worth the extra driving time. It's in New South Wales. If you have time on Monday 19, there's a plan in the making to do some flocks over the national capital, Canberra. We have an exceptional route planned - ending with opening right over our Parliament House. Come join us. Blue Skies, fergs BMCI

Its sitting in my trailer....Come and get it R, Not fair - I'm way too far away from you - hmmmm, when is your next vacation - I have a spare room for you to use here in Oz. f

Quote Again, I didn't get anything out of Karel but a tshirt (Thats too big for me). reply] Hey Ron, XL is my size .... fergs

Dave, A great plan! I did an ash dive for a good friend last year. Rather than the usual ash-sack which was dumped in a single cloud of "smoke", I devised a leg-mounted tube. It released the ash in free fall much like a smoke flare - by air entering the larger end and the ash then being forced out the smaller end. It worked a treat - and Daryl had his last skydive and first wingsuit skydive at the same time. The tube came out of my office photocopier - an empty toner cartridge. Main murphy factor was to have a quick release mechanism. The other was to minimise chance of pilot chute interference - so opposite leg was used to mount. If I am asked to do another ash dive, I will make both ends smaller - which should have the effect of having the ash release slower (remember I am 2 minutes in wingsuit freefall). All in all I was honoured to have been asked to take Daryl on his last skydive. I'm sure he'd have wholeheartedly approved of my method. blue skies, fergs BMCI

I changed to an Icon earlier this year. It's a really well made rig - and as others have said, the inserts are standard. I've had 12 rto 15 igs over the years and so have experienced the good along with the bad. My Icon is outstanding. So I'd wholeheartedly recommend Icon to you. Blue Skies, fergs

I made a bunch of skydives in jamaica back in the mid-80's. Some were into a horse racing track near Kingston. Also a weekend at a little airfield up in the mountains. There were some pretty enthusiastic jamaican jumpers plus one US guy living there at the time. Probably all contacts now too old to be current, but i'll pull out log books and check it out for you. Oh, I busted my ankle on a jump on the mountain weekend. We flew back into Kingston so I could be driven to the hospital. On the way stopped at a bar for a rum or two. Then stopped at another bar between the first and the hosopital, then another between ..... Eventually my ankle was cured - well at least for THAT day. Next day was another story - complicated by the fact I had a london flight to catch. My wife did not show an ounce of sympathy. I cannot understand why. Good luck, fergs BMCI

Is that at Citrusdal? I believe a legend was born when a single un-named Aussie out drank all you Sth Africans there way back in the mid-80's. Hardly a need for a re-match, as I'm sure there's still no chance he can be beaten. Blue Skies, fergs BMCI

Here's some shots of Timibird. He lost the complete cable on exit - the handle velcro caught on the pile of the lining inside the aircraft - zip, the cable stays in the aircraft. As you can see, he was able to stay controlled and on heading. So here are more than one ways to have cable problems - and the more we know about, the more we can be alert for them. Stay safe. Blue Skies, fergs BMCI

Nigel, nice to hear from you. Where are you? I've finally returned to Oz - life is good. fergs

Heck, what would I know? Not being a Londoner (or Brit for that matter) my memory cannot be relied upon. fergs edit for site location ~TA

B, You're still a bloody tart.... f hahahahahahaha

I supplied the pic to Nick for The List. It shows Frank sitting on the platform level we exited from the antenna Nigel, Well well, must be coming up 20 years since last seeing you ...was it Headcorn or Weston? Anyhow, here's a pic from an old album of mine. Can't help thinking it's Frank leaving Tr...ick Towers. Or is it you? How many of the old "Frank was pushed" T-shirts are there still in circulation? Blue Skies, fergs BMCI