linebckr83

100% agreed. I went thru the same steps and am finding that sitting is considerably easier now. Also, my dz is full of RW guys with only a couple FF'ers, so a solid RW base is nice to have when you don't want to miss out on the fun. I think that solid belly skills are a good thing to have (not necessarily required in my opinion) for aspects other than flying. I can now concentrate on what I'm working on because my level of calmess and awareness has increased just because of number of jumps. Also, of course belly flying is slower, so it allows more time to think about things that are happening. I had horrible altitude awareness worries when I started. Not having those distractions in your head helps stimulate your learning ability IMHO. "Are you coming to the party? Oh I'm coming, but I won't be there!" Flying Hellfish #828 Dudist #52

I love posts like this. Translation: "Find something to do with your time instead of......oh wait, the same thing I'm doing right now...hmm" "Are you coming to the party? Oh I'm coming, but I won't be there!" Flying Hellfish #828 Dudist #52

Oh ok. That makes sense. Anyone have an opinion of the reserve protector I accidently referred too? Just curious why they aren't seen more. "Are you coming to the party? Oh I'm coming, but I won't be there!" Flying Hellfish #828 Dudist #52

From a different thread, but never clarified or discussed, what is wrong with dynamic/cut corners? I don't know about other models, but my Icon has "dynamic corners" in the main pack tray that stem off of the bottom corners of the reserve. It's just a stiff piece of fabric designed to keep the lines from catching the bottom of the reserve tray. Again, im not sure what other companies define "dynamic" or "cut" corners, but they seem to be for the same objectives. I see the relative pros for them, but what about cons? "Are you coming to the party? Oh I'm coming, but I won't be there!" Flying Hellfish #828 Dudist #52

I ordered my new Icon in September, got it right on time, and have nothing but good things to say about it. I have a freefly handle too, but no holes as of yet. I've also seen them on Vectors and Javs so it seems more like an industry-wide problem. As for the customer service, I have not needed it yet so I cannot comment, but hopefully it gets straightened out soon "Are you coming to the party? Oh I'm coming, but I won't be there!" Flying Hellfish #828 Dudist #52

Were you there that weekend when us kansas folk came down? I didn't think I saw you. And yes it was freeeezing at night! Then again, those things were kinda cold at first too "Are you coming to the party? Oh I'm coming, but I won't be there!" Flying Hellfish #828 Dudist #52

Soooo you're saying we have this really weird connection now!? Better than nothin I suppose! "Are you coming to the party? Oh I'm coming, but I won't be there!" Flying Hellfish #828 Dudist #52

Geesh! I picked up after myself ok! Besides, how do you know it wasn't like 3 years ago? (FYI end of january sometime) I'm sure they've been cleaned since "Are you coming to the party? Oh I'm coming, but I won't be there!" Flying Hellfish #828 Dudist #52

On all those damn bean bags in the back lounge of Skydive Dallas.. Sorry! In an elevator (no not enough time) In the middle of the target circle since we don't have a pea gravel pit On a boat in the middle of the night and middle of the lake. Perfectly clear night. That was the best "Are you coming to the party? Oh I'm coming, but I won't be there!" Flying Hellfish #828 Dudist #52

I'll be the first to own up to being complacent. I was that "typical" newbie who thought since I had the huge number of 100 jumps I was something special. I took my helmet off early and unbuckled my seatbelt early. I think the point of "not knowing what you don't know" is HUGE. Now when I think about what I know now that I didn't then, I wonder about how much I don't know now. It's a humbling act. A lot of complacent people I know have the idea that "I only do 4-ways out of a cessna and fly a moderately loaded canopy". They think nothing can happen to them and therefore don't go out of their way to learn anything. These are the same people that lecture me on reading the incident reports "because those damn swoopers and VRW guys aren't around here". They say its a false representation on danger. But I don't read the incident reports to think to myself "Oh I'm not loaded 2:1 so I won't hook it in" or "Oh I have an AAD so I don't need to worry about that". Many people read them to reassure themselves that since they don't do certain things they are safe. I read them because shit happens and I'm still too inexperienced to think things through completely on my own. Turning low to get into the wind, attempting freefly maneveurs with a non-freefly friendly rig, wearing big gloves and jackets in the winter, etc etc seem like common sense to alot of us, but for us low experienced jumpers, it is all new and won't necessarily raise a red flag until it is brought up. I read the incident reports to hopefully learn from others. Maybe someday when the shit hits the fan I will be prepared because I read and thought about discussions on what to do in that situation. Too many people don't think it thru. One day a couple months ago, I randomly walked around our small dz engaging people in the conversation of "what would you do if". Its pretty alarming how many people don't know what they'll do with baglocks, lineovers, etc. You're right. It isn't about trying to convince yourself that you'll be safe forever. Its about adding more tools to the toolbox. You never know which one you'll need and when. "Are you coming to the party? Oh I'm coming, but I won't be there!" Flying Hellfish #828 Dudist #52

Originally I screwed a piece of string to the middle yellow piece since it's always on top when I solve it, with the other end looped on my left wrist in case I accidently dropped it. But I've realized I have a death grip on the thing in the air. Possibly part of my problem? Anyways, I appreciate the advice and will definitely listen. It's rare that I take it with me, but when I do I'll be sure to keep my priorities in line

My original plan was to repeat it at Couch Freaks this year. The extra time out of something other than a 182 would be beneficial. Eventually i was able to do about half of it in the 40-45 seconds from a cessna. So more time and maybe more tries would be the key. "Are you coming to the party? Oh I'm coming, but I won't be there!" Flying Hellfish #828 Dudist #52

No kidding! Last year I tried doing my Rubik's cube on a solo jump a couple times. Now I've done it thousands of times, and average about 30 sec. I can even do it REALLY drunk. I mean it takes absolutely no thought process anymore, kind of second nature. But the second out the door i just stared at it the whole jump. I had no idea where to even start. It was a really cool experiment and showed me how a mind works when overloaded like that. "Are you coming to the party? Oh I'm coming, but I won't be there!" Flying Hellfish #828 Dudist #52

I bought my Pilot 188 a few months ago and have put about 75 jumps on it. At a loading of about 1.28 / 1, it is responsive yet forgiving. I have done several high altitude hop n pops with it to really get used to different combinations of inputs. It can be extremely responsive for my skill level, which i love, but only when i want it to. Otherwise, its a great ride. The one somewhat difficult thing to get used to was the longer brake lines. They are longer to prevent buffeting of the tail when front riser inputs are applied since your hands are still in the toggles. This moves the optimum flaring positions lower in the stroke. It only takes a couple jumps to get used to, and is really appreciated when fronts are being used. The openings are awesome! I havent had a single "brisk" opening, and over 90% are straight on heading. On the other hand, it isn't terribly difficult to speed it up if necessary. Right now, it opens consistently in about 800-900 ft, and I'm not complaining. I've had 2 gear-damaging slammers and would be happy to never have to experience that again. Great all around canopy! I think it's a perfect 2nd or 3rd canopy in the progression of downsizing.

I ordered my Icon right after couch freaks this last year. It arrived right on time. First off, there are a couple really cool design features to this rig. The most noticable is the mini force riser system. Alot of people think it is a fake but they have alot of literature on their website about it. It really does reduce cutaway forces. Also, lines catching the bottom of the reserve tray is a common factor in linetwists, so they sewed an extra piece of material down there to keep the lines from catching here. Lastly, the reserve freebag has elastic half-cylinder keepers for the line stows. The lines freely pull out but are much cleaner to pack. The rig is very solid and well-built. Also, I love being under canopy now. In my older Vector 2 I just hung there, but the Icon is designed to sit you in the harness. It is a very comfortable position and ais optimum for good canopy control. When I first received it, the yoke felt a little tight on me, but I think it is because my last rig was so loose. It really fits like a glove! It really is comfortable on the ground, in the plane, in freefall, and under canopy. I am extremely impressed with it. A lot of problems other people report in forums and reviews seem to be addressed and solved on my rig. Thanks Aerodyne for listening to customers and striving to make better products!

The video of his (or possibly one of his) "chuteless" jump(s) is on the same episode as the big ramp-tricycle stunt too. First time I've seen the video. he downs a RedBull and says "I hope this stuff works!" and bails with only his shorts and a hip harness thingy. "Are you coming to the party? Oh I'm coming, but I won't be there!" Flying Hellfish #828 Dudist #52

1. Skydive Alabama, Cullman AL. 2. Start Skydiving, Lebanon Oh. 3. The Parachute Center, Lodi, CA 4. Kutztown PA. 5. Tennessee Skydiving, Tullahoma TN 6. Oklahoma Skydive Center, Cushing Ok. 7. Skydive the Point, West Point VA. 8. Eagle Flight Granbury Tx. (counting cuz it had been there for years) 9. Skydive Aggieland Bryan, TX 10. Skydive Kansas, Osage City KS. "Are you coming to the party? Oh I'm coming, but I won't be there!" Flying Hellfish #828 Dudist #52

I know most of us will be there thursday night or friday around noon. I'm not close to a free flyer but my brand spanking new rig just got assembled and I'll be flailin' all weekend! And yes, ill have beer "Are you coming to the party? Oh I'm coming, but I won't be there!" Flying Hellfish #828 Dudist #52

We have a group of about 10-15 from Kansas heading there too "Are you coming to the party? Oh I'm coming, but I won't be there!" Flying Hellfish #828 Dudist #52

Same here! My first canopy was a Spectre 210 and 95% of the openings were fantastic, except for those 2 horribly hard ones (1 that tore the canopy and the other tore my vector II). I since downsized to a Pilot 188 and have had 100% perfect openings. I'd say either of those choices would point you in a good direction. "Are you coming to the party? Oh I'm coming, but I won't be there!" Flying Hellfish #828 Dudist #52

Ok. I will rephrase it and say Most people do not remember most of the jump. "Are you coming to the party? Oh I'm coming, but I won't be there!" Flying Hellfish #828 Dudist #52

The last time I checked on this thread it was on page 6. And to be honest catching up on the whole ordeal has been one of the most annoying things I've done lately. I wanted to just jump to the end and give my $.02 but I don't want to repeat after someone else. I realize I've had a short career so far. I'm obviously not a TM. Hell i can't even freefly yet. My first jump was a a little over 2 years ago. It was a tandem at a certain dz. Do you know how much of it I remember? .......... Ya I remember little glipses of some clouds and a cameraman smiling at me. Then a sudden jerk and a quiet ride under a blue canopy. 6 months later I did my next jump. Yep, a tandem again. This time is was at my now home dz. I remember a little more, but not even close to everything. I have stills from the first jump and video from the second. So out of curiosity from this thread I went back and watched the video and looked at the pictures. Turns out, that first tandem was full of HD "tandem modern flying" and the drogue wasn't tossed until a few seconds before deployment. Watching the video closely, the TM was wearing an Eclipse rig. I don't know much about other tandem rigs, but I've packed several hundred Eclipse tandems (my home dz owns Eclipse's) and I KNOW that isn't a freefly friendly rig. Quite honestly it pisses me the F#@& off. Do you know how much of all that extra shit I remember? At the time, both jumps felt the exact same to me. I mean I just jumped out of a plane! Now with a few more under my belt, I realize things alot more. But back then, I had no idea what was going on. So why do it then? You can argue it all you want, but tandems are always dangerous jumps. In just over a year ive seen all kinds of videos and heard all kinds of stories of close calls with seemingly "normal tandem jumps". I agree with the experienced folk. Leave the damn tandems alone. The student (passenger) is counting on you to get them down safely. They are putting their life in your hands. And they sure as fuck won't know the difference between freeflying or belly flying when it's over. The unnecessary risk is pointless for so many reasons. Sure pushing the envelope is necessary for the sport. But do you remember seeing any tandems jump out in cars, or chase their rig out the door? No? I wonder why. Keep on pushing the limits for the experienced jumpers. Some great things have come from it! But damn, just give the tandem passenger the ride they want...a regular skydive. What if you're not willing to be bored during a regular droguefall? Simple. Quit jumping with tandems. Go freefly with your pals. And Sangi, we're pretty close on experience and no one expects us to know everything, far from it really. But gees, most questions you ask should be answered in your head with basic common sense as you type them out. When you get a rundown of a tandem rig maybe you'll understand why a little more. "Are you coming to the party? Oh I'm coming, but I won't be there!" Flying Hellfish #828 Dudist #52

Being just 20 years old, it wasn't long ago that I was in high school. Now i'm not claiming to be a mature guy by any means, but damn! I KNOW i acted differently 4 years ago. And I KNOW high school was, is, and always will be filled with drama just because of the ages it encompasses. Now a mature thing to do would be to thank all these people who took time and answered your question honestly and gave you ideas about the SIM, etc etc, instead of only posting to backlash at people you "dont like" or "are mean to you". Doing so you might get more positive feedback than you have so far.

Creating an account just to bash a dz and its owner? Real mature man. Hell you're probably an instructor or friend of one of the tandem mills hellbent on destroying what seems like a good dz. As for Sin City and Mesquite, I will be in Vegas for my first time in April for my 21st b-day. I have been following this thread because I would love to jump in Vegas when I'm there. "Are you coming to the party? Oh I'm coming, but I won't be there!" Flying Hellfish #828 Dudist #52

Absolutely thats a good thing. I can see why people tend to think the canopy does not go into the equation. The fact that weight is suspended from a wing makes it seem like its the only part affecting that wing's WL. Just have to remember, that like any aircraft, it is supporting itself as well. "Are you coming to the party? Oh I'm coming, but I won't be there!" Flying Hellfish #828 Dudist #52