tjm

Parafoil, glad you made it that far. Being from the same DZ I know how hard the times have been the last few years. I had my liscenses just in time before the sh*t hit the fan. You goin to make it out the Crowely one of these days? If you're not living on the edge; you're taking up too much room!

1800' w/ 25+ knot winds. We we traveled 4 hrs for some beach jumps and got hit with some weather, so we decided to jump. the spot was over a thick neighborhood of beach cabins and powerlines. There were no other options but to land on the beach. I barely mad it back to the beach. My buddy jumped a Xaos 108 on the same jump with a 4 sec delay. Needless to say he had a very short canopy ride. But all went well and I'm glad i did it. If you're not living on the edge; you're taking up too much room!

Depending on the size group, If a formation funnels you should have some ideal where you are vertically within the group. i.e. - low man, middle of group, or on top. Then you should react accordingly. You should be able to tell whether more people or below you or above you. Depending on the situation, barrel rolls can be useful if done right. A good look over both shoulders after imediatley starting your track should give you a good head count with both big and small ways. There are different ways of broadening your view other than barrel rolling. You look behind you by looking under your body. This can be be improved by slightly leaning right and left, thus exposing more sky for a quick view. Also, doing this while looking up and over your shoulder aloows you to see above you more. One important rule I was always taught is that the low man has the right a way. So, after keeping track of those that are visible make sure your sapce is clear below you and give a big wave, pull, then get your head on a swivel. tj If you're not living on the edge; you're taking up too much room!

I did my five static line jumps out of a Cessna 206 with a rear cargo door exit. Except there was no door. I had to ride from take-off up to 4500' w/ no door and I was sitting right next to the edge. Needless to say I was scared sh*tless. After 600 jumps I still get nervous when the door is open, but not while sitting next to it as much there being a few people in between me and the door. I am more or less scared of not being in control. Once I'm at the door i'm still nervous but not as bad. I do have a fear of edges, and also love doing the things that scare the hell out of me. Can't wait to BASE jump, its going to scare the hell out of me and i'll love it. If you're not living on the edge; you're taking up too much room!

I own a Cobalt 120 and have previously flown a Nitro 150, Batwing 135, Cobalt 150 and Stilleto 120. The cobalt is by far my favorite. My w/l is a 1.62, and have done double fronts and 90s on it so far. It plains out well on rears and has a powerful flare when transitioning to toggles. When packed right, the opening are great, but the opening do eat up more altitude than I'm used to. I just pull a little higher to compensate. Front riser pressure is average and the rears are fun to play with. You can't for better fabric to pack with. Its definitely a great transition canopy and wish they still were in production. All in all a great elliptcal canopy.

The sky hook system is definatley innovative, but if there is a canopy collision I think I would want a little more seperation. Whatever happened to the ole' trusty left hand? Use it or lose it. Plus a little freefall and ground rush after a cutaway is good stuff! If you're not living on the edge; you're taking up too much room!

Your forgetting about Infinity. They are comfortable, secure, and affordable. -tj [If your not living on the edge, than your taking up too much room.] If you're not living on the edge; you're taking up too much room!