headcase

FWIW I saved my ass by having a low wingloading at least once where I would have surely been badly injured but instead had bruises to body and ego. In retrospect do I regret having 1:1 or 0.9:1 on those occasions hell no. Do my fellow jumpers pay me when I have to take off work. Then again I'm prone to injury going to the fridge for another beer or am I.............

As mentioned previously Wolmari or Reverse s-folds seem particularly well-suited to new Pilot canopies.

L & B are outstanding!!! Fast, friendly, and fair.

Sorta like the "experienced" bowling ball shaped fellow skydiver whom was gently urged to allow 10 sec exit separation who went out after me and I was on my back and watched come bombing towards me in a "steep belly track." No problem I go to a sit watch him then turn 180 and track with a barrel roll prior to pitching to ensure I had both horizontal and vertical separation. Back at the packing area I strike up a conversation and lo and behold in spite of all maneuvering in close proximity to him HE NEVER SAW ME. Or the 250ish fellow canopy pilot who came straight at me necessitating I use evasive manuevering to avoid a collision. He was messing with his slider and chest strap at 700 ft and going opposite traffic on a well considering DZ landing pattern. No prob except again this guy absolutely did not see until I yelled it as we passed. And on and on.....

Spot on post. I thought I was a good body flyer until I got in in the tunnel and recorded my flight on DVD(BTW get it recorded as this will by surely hasten your progression by cleaning up your flying quickly. You will be able to view the moves done correctly versus those done poorly which at the time in the tunnel is not always easy to burn into the mind and muscle memory.) When I would get back to the DZ I would jump with much more confidence and frankly much cleaner precision. Can't fudge in a closed space... Good Luck and Have Fun.

Just like this one?: http://www.basik.fr/en/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=189&category_id=6&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=28 The basik "Seven" looks very well thought out, safe, and comfortable. Any comments from users? Thanks

Try calling Ralph Hatfield in Oregon (the "Call Ralph!" guy), he's still advertising for Hornets. I demoed some Sabre2's and wasn't terribly impressed. I've been jumping a 210 Pilot for the last two years and absolutely love it. The openings are every bit as soft as a Spectre and I've NEVER had a canopy with a longer glide. Sometimes in light to zero winds I have to get on my fronts to keep from overshooting the landing zone. Ditto

Learn to backfly stable in a tunnel, After that get a proficient fellow skydiver to track belly above and directly to the side so you have a point of reference to cue off. It also helps to perfect your barrel rolls in the tunnel so you can reference your track to the jump run when solo. An exit into a back track straight out the plane will also serve as a point of reference to ensure straight tracking. Simply watch the plane for awhile as you stabilize into a track. A fun dive flow is: arms crossed legs straight roll onto back, then gently widen legs and point toes coming off the hill. As you track uncross arms and place them at your sides as you arch to cup air behind your back and tilt your head back as well. Once you're in this position you can make minor adjustments by feeling the airflow. Subtlety is key with movement as is a willing partner. Trade-off positions one belly dive then switch off to back. This was shown to me by a more experienced diver and helped me alot.

DCS- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decompression_sickness Remember after reading this well written "for public consumption" overview that DCS is only tagged when symptoms are apparent not when let's say an emboli develops whcih also resolves spontaneuosly and is otherwise asymptomatic.... ________________________________________________ My condolences to friends and family. I will say no more.

I'm not gonna start anything. What you say is true. "There is no evidence..." Evidence is hard to come by.... But here is a quote: "# Magnitude of the pressure reduction: A large pressure reduction is more likely to cause DCS than a small one. For example, the ambient pressure halves by ascending during a dive from 10 metres / 33 feet (2 bar) to the surface (1 bar), or by flying from sea level (1 bar) to an altitude of 16,000 feet / 5,000 metres (0.5 bar) in an un-pressurized aircraft. Diving and then flying shortly afterwards increases the pressure reduction as does diving at high altitude. # Repetitive exposures: Repetitive dives or ascents to altitudes above 18,000 feet within a short period of time (a few hours) also increase the risk of developing altitude DCS. # Rate of ascent: The faster the ascent, the greater the risk of developing altitude DCS. An individual exposed to a rapid decompression (high rate of ascent) above 18,000 feet has a greater risk of altitude DCS than being exposed to the same altitude but at a lower rate of ascent. # Time at altitude: The longer the duration of the flight to altitudes of 18,000 feet and above, the greater the risk of altitude DCS. # Age: There are some reports indicating a higher risk of altitude DCS with increasing age." So it is a matter of degree. To think that this cannot occur with rapid pressure changes from let's say 10k to 15k would to negate the concept of bell-shaped curve which in nature is the rule not the exception. Lastly I can assure you tugging on membranes will dislodge an emboli. What do you think happens with all the jukin' and jivin' with ascent/descent/freefall/ BP/HR/ etc. Again you're probably correct in that I know very little....