DocPop

I am looking forward to finding out this season. I have a intentional cutaway rig I can use and an old Velo 90 which the owner is happy for me to chop. Happy days! "The ground does not care who you are. It will always be tougher than the human behind the controls." ~ CanuckInUSA

Some interesting answers. I don't really know what I meant by "flies big" but that was the terminology I heard. To summarize what has been written here, it sounds like the Velocity is very stable esp. at low speeds, slightly less twitchy (or responsive) and with more bottom end flare than a comparably-sized Katana.. ....BUT.... it loses an incredible amount of altitude in a turn. "The ground does not care who you are. It will always be tougher than the human behind the controls." ~ CanuckInUSA

Well, I'm guessing that the first jump would be a nice landing after a big turn starting around 700', followed by the realization that he may not want to land it without a turn and may not have the time or altitude to plan and execute a turn after an actual cutaway. At least his first jump on the 99 wouldn't be after a low chop. I'd rather lose a sale than lose a customer. FWIW, 160lbs and a wing loading of about 1.5 on a reserve gave me a decent rate of 1500fpm with deployment brakes set, and ~2000 with with them released. 1500fpm is 17mph and 2000fpm is 22mph for everyone else. Was that on a zero wind day? What reserve and size was it? The wind conditions have no effect on descent rate. "The ground does not care who you are. It will always be tougher than the human behind the controls." ~ CanuckInUSA

I can't speak for Elsinore as I have never been there, but I hear it is a VERY friendly DZ. But at my home DZ jumpers are welcome to hang out if they are injured or can't jump for some reason. If you are going, two ways to make your time useful would be: 1. Learn to pack 2. Watch lots of landings. If possible watch them with an instructor who can talk you through what people are doing right and wrong. It is not a substitute for actually doing them, but you may find it useful. All the best. D "The ground does not care who you are. It will always be tougher than the human behind the controls." ~ CanuckInUSA

That's not a 100% safe answer either though. Metal D-handles are easier to dislodge on climb-out leaving you with a possible reserve over the tail situation. There is always a compromise somewhere where gear is concerned. I would offer that dislodging the ripcord handle is more operator error than a weakness of design...and I kinda LIKE the idea of a reserve handle the comes out 'easier' when I want it to. Agreed. But it should stay put otherwise. "The ground does not care who you are. It will always be tougher than the human behind the controls." ~ CanuckInUSA

At a guess, I would say that I jump with much lower experience people than you do. I am not sure about the third one being on climb-out as it may have been in freefall. I agree that it is not a good record. "The ground does not care who you are. It will always be tougher than the human behind the controls." ~ CanuckInUSA

I have seen at least 2 (possibly 3) metal D-handles dislodged on climb-out. None of them (fortunately) resulted in a reserve deployment - but the risk is there. "The ground does not care who you are. It will always be tougher than the human behind the controls." ~ CanuckInUSA

That's not a 100% safe answer either though. Metal D-handles are easier to dislodge on climb-out leaving you with a possible reserve over the tail situation. There is always a compromise somewhere where gear is concerned. "The ground does not care who you are. It will always be tougher than the human behind the controls." ~ CanuckInUSA

Given the constraints of; ~USPA can't/won't do a damn thing due to: >Lack of motivation >Lack of budget >No desire to create 'rules' or programs for advanced skydivers How would you suggest improving resources? You're invited to write a program (a few of us have, but USPA isn't interested). Maybe you can get the general membership to participate. It seems to me that between the SIM, BSRs and the existence of S&TAs there is a system already in place for managing camera flying, wingsuits, canopy selection and any of the other things that commonly get discussed regarding low time jumpers and risky activities. What is lacking is action. If these activities are occurring commonly then surely it means that the enforcers (DZOs and S&TAs) are not enforcing the recommendations. Of course no S&TA or DZO can see everything that goes on, but I am pointing out that the system is in place. "The ground does not care who you are. It will always be tougher than the human behind the controls." ~ CanuckInUSA

Haha - no, Sir! It was just a question asked out of curiosity. The mind wanders during the Midwest winter! "The ground does not care who you are. It will always be tougher than the human behind the controls." ~ CanuckInUSA

My opinion is that this is spurious reason for disconnecting an RSL. If you have time/altitude to get stable after a cutaway, then you have MORE time to deal with reserve linetwists if you use an RSL because you are not in freefall. My hard deck is 2,000'. If I pass through that altitude with an unresolved mal, I am going to cutaway - even if I only have half a linetwist left. I like to deploy the main at around 4,000'. "The ground does not care who you are. It will always be tougher than the human behind the controls." ~ CanuckInUSA

And where exactly are you going to get a Velocity 69? To the OP - just ignore him. "The ground does not care who you are. It will always be tougher than the human behind the controls." ~ CanuckInUSA

Hey GP Please don't rush your recovery - it could lead to a much longer time out of the sky in the long run. I think DSE's idea of some tunnel time would be a much more sensible way for you spend your time and money until you heal fully and time in the tunnel is not wasted. You could even get some future AFF levels nailed before you even get in the sky! Heal fast. "The ground does not care who you are. It will always be tougher than the human behind the controls." ~ CanuckInUSA

That's interesting. FYI, from the PD website, aspect ratios are as follows: Katana 120 2.74:1 Velocity 120 2.71:1 Stiletto 120 2.68:1 I am sure that someone will weigh in to say that the Velo likes to be loaded and that's a fair comment, but I was really looking for a theoretical comparison between same-size canopies. "The ground does not care who you are. It will always be tougher than the human behind the controls." ~ CanuckInUSA

I have heard this said before and I was wondering: (a) if it's really true, and (b) why this might be true as they have more or less the same aspect ratio (is the Velo less elliptical?). For example, if the same person flew a Katana 120 and a Velocity 120, would they really feel like the Katana was a more responsive canopy? "The ground does not care who you are. It will always be tougher than the human behind the controls." ~ CanuckInUSA

Do you think that students/non-license holders should not be permitted to post on dz.com? This is a serious question because I can see your point about well-intentioned internet advice derailing the instruction process. "The ground does not care who you are. It will always be tougher than the human behind the controls." ~ CanuckInUSA

I thought it was Serge Betsen. "The ground does not care who you are. It will always be tougher than the human behind the controls." ~ CanuckInUSA

Thanks for your answer, your points on EPs are well taken as is your advice on starting with something small and working on flying well enough to capture the image before adding a stills camera or going near tandems. "The ground does not care who you are. It will always be tougher than the human behind the controls." ~ CanuckInUSA

Hell no!! Not at the DZ. You'll wake up with no eyebrows and a penis drawn on your forehead. "The ground does not care who you are. It will always be tougher than the human behind the controls." ~ CanuckInUSA

Even on skyhook? "The ground does not care who you are. It will always be tougher than the human behind the controls." ~ CanuckInUSA

It is nearly impossible to teach someone to flare correctly on the internet, but it will come with experience. A flare is not an all-or-nothing event. As you gain experience you will find that as you start your flare you will be able to evaluate the effect it is having. From there you can decide to speed up, slow down or even stop the flare. It is a sort of "feedback loop". It has to be like this because no two flares are ever identical. It depends on various parameters including airspeed, density altitude, canopy type etc... In short, with experience you will learn to flare at a more appropriate height and also to recognize when a flare is too high earlier on so you can stop it before you have used all your toggle range. In the meantime, feet and knees together and PLF! Also, try to get video of every landing and get a debrief from your instructor. Video debriefs ROCK! Good luck. Heal fast. Edited to add: Do lots of practice flares under canopy. I do them every jump and it does help. Don't forget to clear your airspace when you do this. "The ground does not care who you are. It will always be tougher than the human behind the controls." ~ CanuckInUSA

I just spoke to Juan Meyer and he recommended the Drift Stealth. I really like the look of that one. I no think that's the direction I will go. Shit, this is confusing! "The ground does not care who you are. It will always be tougher than the human behind the controls." ~ CanuckInUSA

Or maybe even this: "A 170 should be absolutely the smallest reserve I should consider." "The ground does not care who you are. It will always be tougher than the human behind the controls." ~ CanuckInUSA

I might think about a GoPro. I have no preconceived ideas or snobbery about photography so the self-esteem thing means nothing to me if the stills turn out to be useable. Thanks again for your advice. "The ground does not care who you are. It will always be tougher than the human behind the controls." ~ CanuckInUSA

done "The ground does not care who you are. It will always be tougher than the human behind the controls." ~ CanuckInUSA