Craig

In my opinion, why fix it if it isn't broken? The reason for the non-functioning release system was due to incorrect assembly. If this was happening to properly maintained riser/release systems then it would be important to look into the design and see how it could be fixed. Somewhat going along the lines of DB's post, if I remember correctly the white loop on the risers that retains the ring sees in the area of 5 pounds. In other words it requires about 5 pounds to hold the smaller ring in place when the system is loaded due to the mechanical advantage the 3 ring release system provides. Point being...make sure your rig is assembled properly and is in good working order. Always follow manufacturers instructions! If you choose not to you have just become a test jumper. Not a rigger, just my opinion. Safe Skies, Craig

I was able to hunt down the article by the American Academy of Actuaries, it can be found at the link below. http://www.contingencies.org/mayjun99.html Craig

Correct, one of those days I guess

LOL. I was on a CASA load last weekend with only 11 jumpers on-board.

This is what I say as I drill procedures because it is how we were trained in ground school and didn't want to change procedures....two hands on each handle method. Craig

Damn, beat me to it! Seriously though, I am GUESSING about 12in released riser travel as the second riser is being released. I noticed the differences in the cable lengths (from loop to end of cable) when I was inspecting my release system a few months back and chalked it up to design and wanting the RSL side to release first to possibly reduce the risk of reserve PC entanglement. Another consideration besides wanting the RSL riser to release first would be housing flex/strech due to a loaded harness. This might or might not be equal depending on the mal (more weight suspended under the RSL side would strech the harness/housings more on that side which would use some of the cable length as a result. FWIW my RSL side release cable is 1 1/4" longer than the other side. Craig

Ralph Ponce skybands@earthlink.net I am thinking about getting some myself, they are called Sky Bands. That or the ones made by Aerydyne Research called Super Bandz that are similar. Craig

I agree, get a copy of "Fly Like a Pro". What aspects of your approach don't you like? Some could possibly give you some advice here but need to know what you would like to improve on first. Craig

It only has side door exits, two of them in the rear right across from each other. In the first pic if you look carefully you can see through the aircraft if you look through the rear door. As for number of jumpers, according to Frank it at least holds 44! And yes, it is longer than a CASA. Craig

Here is a couple images of the Knights Fokker F-27 that I photographed at U.S.Air and Trade Show. I would love to jump out of this plane! http://my.voyager.net/cattell/F-27.jpg http://my.voyager.net/cattell/F-27_TO.jpg Craig

Anyone have the Tony Suits "Space Suit"? I am thinking of getting one of these. I do not have a freefly suit already, but this type of suit sounds ideal for myself since it is for the lighter-weight jumpers and is slightly more snug that a normal freefly suit. Lets just say I tend to float quit a bit at 160Lbs exit weight! Just looking for some info here before I call Tony Suits for their recomendation according to my build. I really don't want to shell out $200.00 on somthing that won't be right for myself. Craig

Same thing here. I havent had the "flying" dreams where you just jump off the ground and fly around for a minute, or the falling dreams where all of a sudden you would jump up and be startled from sleep (wake up and feel like you are falling out of bed and trying to catch yourself) since I started skydiving. Go figure? Not sure about why the flying, without a rig that is, dreams stopped. Pretty sure the "falling" dreams stopped because falling is looked upon differently now. The mind must not see the fall as threatening as it used to so it does not go into a more aware state, i.e. wake you up. Not sure though, the brain is pretty damn complex. Sweet Dreams Craig Craig

During the briefing and dirtdive of my first IAF jump the jumpmaster said that when you do your first PRCP you will likely reach for their hand located on your legstrap. So true for myself, you can even see it in the video. I just thought....hmmm, that does not feel right and felt around some more till I found it. After that one time I never had a problem again. I suppose all the student rigs have the same type of handle. My advice would be to gear up early before your next jump and keep practicing your dummy pulls. You will get to know the "feel" of the handle and build a muscle memory to where to position your hand and arm when going for the pull. Also this could be a good time to follow those "dummy pulls" with some emergency procedures. I like to visualize different stages of deployment starting with actually reaching for the main handle. Act like it the handle is missing/lost...now follow through with procedures for that type of emergency including dummy pulls on the cutaway if necessary and follow with reserve activation. You could simulate a hard pull situation followed by the proper emergency procedures. Next you could make a practice pull and visualize a PC in tow and follow up with the procedures to correct the situation. Keep going, bag-lock, streamer, you get the idea. Long winded I know, just trying to throw out some ideas. Craig

Thanks, I think I might give them a try. Craig

riggerrob wrote: Okay, since were talking about Triathlons now, I have a question. Aerodyne wants you to use microline rubber bands. The only thing that seems to be a pain is that it looks like I will have to replace them every five to ten jumps cause they stretch out and don't grip as well. I don't want to use tube stoes but have seen the "Super Bandz" Aerodyne sells (see here). Can anyone vouch for these? Are they going to break in the situations you want them to like regular rubber bands will? Just curious if anyone has any expierence with them. As a sidenote about hard opening Tri's, mine was Mfd. 3/2001 and I have about 10 jumps on it so far loaded at 1:1 and other than two off-heading openings with no linetwists (packing expierments

I am happy with My "2000" Model Dolphin as well. Did you check the Dolphin reviews HERE yet? Craig

My container and PD reserve are tested under TSO C23d, which I believe are the latest standards out there, for max weight of 250 pounds (254 pounds for reserve) and 150 knots max deployment speed. My main is rated for about 135 knots max. Just curious, why not slow down before deploying? Craig

The caonpy sounds like a CRW canopy like Kirils commented. HERE is the way Aerodyne sets up their canopies for PC/bridle retraction, your setup might be similar. As the canopy expands to each side during deployment it "pulls" in on the PC to get it out of the way. Craig

Zennie, as your making your "S" folds are you grabbing the material that is against the ground to hold it together? You might try to use your knees to hold the canopy to the floor and place your hands under the canopy to hold it together at the bottom to try to prevent it from squishing out at the folds. For myself I noticed the majority of the "squishing" that took place was the first "S" fold near the lines. I would end up with the canopy really wide at the line end and a more "bag with" fold at the bridle attach point. This not only made it more difficult to stuff, but also prevented the bag from being completely filled in the top corners of the bag. Remember to keep positive pressure on the canopy, but not so much as to squish it out. Try this along with S folding and bagging the bridle attachment end first and see what you can make of it. Craig

Zennie, you may want to give this page a try...http://www.brentfinley.com/packing.htm. I bagged a brand new Zero-P using this method several times with a good looking consistant results. It is suprising how easy this pack job is. And given the folds you put in the canopy it looks as if it could reduce the possibility of a line-over as well. I have not jumped this pack job but I have a Triathlon which has similar openings as a Spectre and is fairly easy to pack even when new and get 600ft soft openings. Although I blow it sometimes also when "S" folding and bagging using the Pro-pack so don't be fustrated. I need to plan on packing and actually jump the pack job at the link above and see if there is a difference there. It don't seem like the extra folds would increase opening time much, if any. I don't want none of those 1,200 footers Ramon was speaking of with his Tri after Psycho packing it.

I think that an altimiter can read up to 1,000 feet higher than your actual altitude when it is in your burble. I think I remember reading this in the Skydivers Handbook. Craig

Try this..... From the Windows start menu select "Windows Explorer" (under Program Files on my system). Then enter the address ftp://129.2.229.250/ into the address bar and click enter. Explorer should open a FTP connection to the site with the site directory on the right half of the screen. Now select the videos you want FTP over to the site on the left hand screen and drag them over to the uploads folder on the right and that should do it. Good luck, Craig

You can get the SIM HERE. I'm sure your sims fanatic will be cured! Enjoy, Craig

Hey, you can upload it to ftp://129.2.229.250/ and put the videos in the /upload directory. From there the owner will put it it the correct directory after he virus scans it and make sure it is skydiving related. I think he keeps the filenames you assign to the video unless it is a duplicate name that is already used. Can't wait to check your video out. Blue skies, Craig

We were talking about this (keeping canopy in a stalling configuration) during ground school last year with an instructor. He said IIRC that you will start to go back into freefall...stall=no lift. He said it was relatively safe and fun, but I am not sure what canopys it would be relatively safe to do it under. I have a Triathlon 160 loaded about 1:1 and would love to give it a shot up high. More than just a 1 or 2 second stall when playing with toggle positions, just never talked to any others about what to do and NOT to do. Just sitting here thinking I have came up with a few things that might be important or a good thing to keep an eye on. First and foremost, make sure you have plenty of altitude and you won't interfere with anyone else around you. Billvon commented on not abruptly bringing the toggles back up to full flight which makes since. IMO it would be wise to let them up to the deployment brake setting till things settle down, this should help to prevent the canopy surging forward as it re-inflates.. Secondly keep an eye on the canopy, obviously don't keep it stalled if it is starting to work itself into line twists...else you might get screwed and have a cutaway and reserve ride (brake lines would get locked in their setting). Also remember that your slider is down and not keeping the lines grouped, not sure if this would make a difference as long as there is tension on them. Like I said, I have never tried it but it sounds like fun if it can be done safely. Craig