Craig

While I would like to agree, if you check out THIS PAGE and download the CYPRES saves .pdf file you might take a different perspective on it. While I agree with this there is another thing to take into consideration. Stress. If you find yourself in a high-speed situation as you stated above are you going to instinctively go for the main since it is the more "normal" response? While I would like to think if I were in this situation I would go for the reserve. It would probibally come down to actually being in the situation before you will know what handle you will pull for sure. Craig

LOL At least I am not the only one who has done this! I can say that I did not make it as far as leaving to actually go to school/work though. Just a few minutes of being confused and worried that the boss is going to chew me out. Craig Edited by Craig on 3/30/01 06:24 PM.

I was wondering the same thing myself. I submitted a request on the gear page for it to be added but it must not have made it through. Even if the old reviews don't get carried over I would be happy to write mine again. Craig

This is what the manual says (taken from .pdf format so don't know how it will format)...snipped to keep it brief. "Every time CYPRES is switched on it will calibrate to ground elevation by measuring the air pressure several times in a short period of time and taking the average value as the value for ground level." "The processing unit contains a factory-programmed microprocessor that is capable of real-time calculations of the jumper's altitude and rate of descent on the basis of barometric pressure. By monitoring this data, certain criteria are generated from which conclusions are drawn. Should the conclusion be that the jumper is in a dangerous situation (i.e. still in freefall at a low altitude) the processing unit triggers the release unit to open the reserve container. The release unit or Emergency Opening System (EOS) for the reserve container is completely independant of the rig's system, because it does not pull the ripcord pin out of the closing loop but actually cuts the loop inside the reserve container to release the pilot chute." I don't have a wife to drive crazy, but have been known to annoy others into that "blank-stare" state. Craig

Isn't DST cool! Craig

Most likely some jumpers that use a CYPRES and get together to make a load for a jump? Craig

It measures barometric pressure. If the CYPRES draws the conclusion that you are low from the parameters it has measured it should cut the reserve closing loop(s). Craig

I have a 2000 model Dolphin and I think it is great. Altico has improved the bridle protection so that it is now protected by a flap running from the BOC up under the right hand flap. This seems to be much more secure than some of the older designs I have seen and offers more piece of mind. The riser covers now go all the way over the shoulder as well for better protection. As far as customer service, Altico was a pleasure to do business with. They were always willing to take the time to answer any questions you may have. The Dolphin does not have all the extra options found on the rigs costing twice as much, but this is what keeps the price down and cuts delivery time. Don't let the price fool you though, the Dolphin is a safe rig with solid construction. My Dolphin arrived at my door a week after I ordered it which I thought was outstanding! If you are looking for a container that will keep you flying, but not drain you bank account, check out the Dolphin.

Here is one I have found that everyone might like... Craig

Okay, here is yet another one that SHOULD make it happen. I checked the "properties" of the video and under the "Details" tab it lists "I.263V2.55 under the video format. I went to the site listed below and found the "I263 Codec" about half way down the page. Seems as though this should do it when comparing it to what is listed in the "Details" section as I listed above. It's a zip file, make sure you get the correct version for your operating system. http://www.moviesoftware.net/codecs.html Craig Edited by Craig on 3/28/01 01:29 PM.

Freedom of Choice is good and all but.... All the while I am praying this guy don't come crashing through my canopy while in freefall. Craig

I think a hesitation should be pretty easily distinguishable from a tow. IMO a tow would put the PC at full extention of the bridle to whatever is creating the tow. A hesitation would have the PC bouncing around on your back is my impression. Either way if they don't clear you are faced with either cutting away and pulling the reserve, or just going for the silver. This is one reason for the reserve free bag type of deployment and the thicker, draggier bridle of the reserve. If the reserve PC tangles with something the thicker bridle MAY be able to extract the bag and release the reserve canopy. And if the canopy is released from the free bag there is nothing connecting the bag to canopy to create problems thereafter. Sitting up and/or looking over the shoulder can disrupt the bruble and possibly allow the PC to catch air and lift the main bag off. I personally seen a video of a student that had a lazy PC throw and it was bouncing around on their back. After a second she thought WTF? and looked over her shoulder and the PC took off and she had a normal deployment from there. I am under the impression form reading different mal situations and procedures for correcting that you should not sit up when deploying the reserve with a PC in tow as it may increase the risk of entanglement. I would think that going head low would have the same effect, and I suppose could risk canopy damage as well. Correct. Craig

If anyone is still having problems viewing you can download the free player at the link below. It will often show video that Media Player will not in some instances. I got it to work for this particular video. It is a small .zip file and a quick install. http://www.elecard.com/download/ and choose "Elecard MPEG2 Player v. 1.30 Shareware" Good luck, Craig

Yes, that was a cool show. I have it on video. It was actually a National Geographic show titled "Dangerous Jobs". Keep an eye on the ftp site though...there is always something new popping up. Probibally more now since the weather in the northern climates is getting better. Craig Craig

Okay, I have lots of codec's and such on my system to support different formats so that is likely why I am seeing it and others are having a hard time. Try the link below to download the Indeo codecs. You will want to get the following for Windows users, or follow the link on the page for anyone using a Mac and fend for yourselves (sorry I don't know Mac) http://www.ligos.com/?pi=103 And choose the following in the selection box: Indeo Video 3.2, 4.5, 5.11.... I THINK this should work??? Craig

You have the latest version of Windows Media Player? Just an idea. Craig

3.15 megs, your almost there. Should not take more than 10 minutes or so on a 56K. Craig

Decide for yourself... Two jumpers flying head-down, CYPRES fires on the jumper being filmed. Other jumper flips over and is pulling his main as his CYPRES fires it would seem, since he has two out. Canopy flight a whopping 9 seconds! before landing in someones back yard. The jumper then sums up the whole deal quite well in his closing words. Check it out... ftp://129.2.229.250/UPLOADS/CYPRES.AVI note: the URL for the clip will likely change in a few days to another directory. If the link dies just go to the highest directory (ftp://129.2.229.250) and search for the filename in the directories listed there, as it probibally will not change. Craig

This is so cool! I used to have these kind of dreams. It was almost like walking on the moon type thing, except you could get up much higher and get alot more "hang time" before coming back down. You could look back down on the houses and other such things around and it was just plain cool. Don't know if anyone has expierenced this or not but I will try to explain. It is like your asleep and not really dreaming about anything and all of a sudden you get this kind of fright/adrenaline feeling like falling off the bed or something and you wake up real quick as to catch yourself. The thing of it is I can't remember having either of these types of dreams since I started jumping last summer. It is anyones guess, but it must be because of seeing the whole falling and flying things differently now since I started jumping. I really have not had many actual skydiving dreams. I can remember one right off the top though of being in freefall and looking down to find myself really low and going for the pull and waking up right then, so I am not sure what the outcome was going to be. It's pretty interesting reading about some others dreams though. Craig

I have seen the Stratoquest page before. I really likeed Rockey Guy's page, this guy sounds pretty dedicated. If you'r interested in that kind of stuff you can also check out the X-Prize. I would love to see the actual attempts! Craig

You may or may not know you can read the articles HERE as well. Not all issues are listed, but there are some good articles though. Craig

Ditto here. On several solos I have found myself with less horizontal separation that I felt comfortable with, even when giving them a nice 5 count before I leave. I float quite a bit so this would be the main reason for this to happen (i.e. drifting more than the faster fallers since they will fall through the layers quicker than I) Typically I start scanning below at about 6,000 if I am by myself. Most likely there would be the vertical separation there, but like others have commented it all goes down the drain if you snivel or the low jumper pull higher than expected. Craig

There is a couple models of freefall drift and separation that plot trajectories and stuff. Last time I checked it out I though it was very interesting. I can't remember which model I actually tried out but I'll probibally check them all out this evening since I remembered about the site. http://www.iit.edu/~kallend/skydive.html Craig

Think about this.....The low person has the right of way! This applies to freefall and under canopy. When tracking off, the last place I want to be is over anyone. It also sounded like he was (the high man) going to track for the dirt. Go figure! Craig

These should keep you busy for a while..... Some of the info here only applies to the Racer but there is alot that is just general gear info... http://www.jumpshack.com/default.asp?CategoryID=TECH A site I just found with preventative maintenance and other good info... http://www.noexcusesrigging.com/ All around info... http://www.makeithappen.com/spsj/ Enjoy, Craig