parachutist

I got in two jumps today with this hybrid bridle. Hopefully more next week. So far so good *fingers crossed* Chris

Thanks. No, usually when I want to call a rigger to ask something or say something, it's near impossible to figure out whoever it is on the data card and locate that person. That's one of the reasons I put up this post... I figured I could get that message to some people at least. Location listed on the data card didn't give me a good place to start (three characters), the name was not very readable, and it was a far away state where I don't know anyone. There are 16 pack jobs shown on the data card, by two riggers. I don't know if it was like this since first assembly, or if the other rigger maybe took it apart and washed it or something, then reassembled it this way. It's frustrating

That's FJC material. Everybody knows it, has been taught it, but when things go to crap fast they block it out? Chris

So I have this new Lightning with 0 holes in the top skin, and I'd like to keep it that way if possible (Like everyone else, I know). I was thinking: Spectra bridles don't burn the top skin, but they are too thin to protect any CRW dogs who might get wrapped in them. So what about running the 900 lb Dacron bridle up through a piece of 725 Spectra, in attempt to get the best of both worlds? [inline lightning_bridle_dacron_spectra.jpg] Figured I'd ask if anyone's tried it before I jump in... Maybe somebody else tested this idea out already. Any results? blue skies, Chris

Many of you know this already. In fact I learned a lot from several of you who may read this, however there are new riggers out there who may not realize the necessity of checking this on every pack job, so I hope this can help somewhere. It's a PITA sometimes because the rings are tacked down, limiting your view. But it's important to look at both sides of the soft link. That's the only way to be sure it's assembled correctly. Here are some pics of a reserve riser from a rig that showed up in my loft recently. The Before and After pics look very similar when only looking at one side of the ring. The ring needed to be pulled out and flipped over to see it was assembled wrong. Before [inline soft_links_DV_before_1.jpg] After [inline soft_links_DV_after_1.jpg] Before [inline soft_links_DV_before_2.jpg] After [inline soft_links_DV_after_2b.jpg]

If somebody shows up at a new DZ and says "that's me on the video, the one wearing a WS and a mask you can't see through"... What exactly are you saying this video is good for? Manifest doesn't need to spend time sorting through someone's claims. The videos/etc were only fluff anyway. As I said earlier the logbook could be bypassed with a phone call to verify experience. There was only one requirement that couldn't be bypassed: interview with the plane owner. An interview wasn't scheduled, and it was bad timing so it didn't work out. For most people that would be the end of it: Oh well, maybe I'll plan better next time. That's why I was laughing while watching the video blog Jhonathan made after he left. He seemed to be moaning very similar to the guy he'd been making fun of just weeks before. "my shoe laaaaaaccceee" ... "I can't fly my wiiiingsuuuuit".

What about the possible scenario where the interviewee has more WS experience than the interviewer? No one in the office has much experience flying a WS, so that scenario occurs most every time. It's all observational experience from being around Wingsuits on the DZ, talking with them, reading about them, flying with them on the plane, etc. Not really. It's just two people talking to make sure they understand each other. You shouldn't be surprised by this mentality. It's much like riding a motorbike in town: You should assume everyone is trying to kill you. They want to run you over. They don't really, but that's how it can appear when a truck is moving into your lane. I just follow the local rules. I didn't create them, but I can understand and support them.

For those who predated the FFC, the personal interview can suffice. Answer a few questions to verify you know what you're doing, and to convince the plane owner you will be kind to it.

The deal was you needed approval from one person who wasn't available. Nobody else was able to do it, even though they wanted to. In your video blog you didn't seem very entertained. I was a little entertained because recently I'd seen your parody about the man crying over an untied shoe, and now it seemed you yourself were upset over something just as minor, and telling the world about how you'd been discriminated. Oh well. In any case it's all on topic, because it's an indication that more DZs are putting up fences to screen out WS problems. You never did elaborate about the strict rules you were suggesting to Bill. What would those be?

It's just funny that you're acting like log book is some new concept. Again, you have your opinion, and restating it in caps doesn't make it any more valid :p

Youtube probably wouldn't have been good for Jeb. Cliff strike is similar to tail strike.

We can usually go around the lack of a log book by calling the last DZ you jumped at to verify you're current, instead of needing a log book. However add in a WS and more is required, like a personal interview. For all I know 5800 of your 6300 jumps could have been tandems. A log book would have your FFC signed and dated, as well as other details about your jumps.

AFFI course is first thing that comes to mind, aside from showing up at a new DZ where nobody knows you. Tandem rating too.

What is interesting about that position is the person who hit the tail would have passed every step of the checklist you have in place. I'm not sure he would've passed all those. Are you sure he went through a FFC? All I know is this jumper was local, jumping skyboards until he got those banned, then just started into WS. Also sitting exit has been required for all WS after this TS. The seated exit would've prevented it too. Yep, everyone does sometimes. I just call before going to a new DZ, asking what they'll require

No, they just need to know and follow the instructions in the SB. They could have also been checking to make sure the AAD got powered up at the DZ. We've had two cases of AADs firing because the owners jumped at one DZ, then drove up the coast to jump here without power cycling the AAD. Usually that won't happen with a Cypres because they'd probably be jumping different days, but it's a habit to check that when people drive here from out of town.

btw, I thought the signs were a good idea, just not The Answer. Reminders are always good to have around

I'm not feeling enlightened, Jhonathan. What I see is someone who's bewildered about the basics of going to a new DZ. You didn't have a real log book, so you tried to create new ways around it. Unfortunately electronic altimeters are in no way tied directly to you. Next you're complaining about what we call a "Gear Check". If there's an SB out on part of your gear, yes we'll check to make sure your equipment complies. In addition to that, you could have scheduled an appointment at a time when the DZO would be in town. Happenstance timing doesn't work so well. Once upon a time, a turbine aircraft was grounded for weeks after a tail strike by a WS. The owner of the aircraft decided the best way to protect his awesome plane was to verify any future Ws'ers himself. It's pretty simple. What strict rules/regulations did you suggest to Bill?

It's the only can out there right now, other than "Put signs on the plane and around the DZ". I don't have too much faith in that one

In the not-too-distant past... maybe 3 months ago... you stopped by our DZ and you didn't like our WS rules. One of the most basic rules: You must have a log book. You were made aware of these rules before you even drove to our DZ, but you didn't produce a log book. We also require personal approval from the DZO. He asks you some questions, checks you out to make him confident you won't wreck the airplane, etc. Our DZO was out of town that day. You filmed a video on your way home, saying you'd been wrongly discriminated against as a wingsuiter, and you shared that with FB. Because you had been made aware of these rules before you came here, and you didn't bother to schedule an appointment with the DZO or bring a log book, I don't believe a word you're saying about trying to convince Lodi to use strict rules. Maybe if you had a USPA license with WS license/rating/whatever listed in plain view, manifest attendants everywhere would be able to give you a thumbs-up, knowing that you were ready to fly at their DZ. At this point, however, all DZ's must create their own hoops for WS'ers to jump through, or create walls that WS'ers can't go through in order to satisfy their concerns. I hope that works for you. Eventually you may run out of new playgrounds, unless some quality WS training gets standardized and broadly accepted by DZOs. In USA the only way I'd expect that broad acceptance would be as part of the USPA licensing system.

Agreed. Problem solved at the local level. Sorted. More like Problem diverted to a different local area. Mr Problem goes off thinking he always has bad luck with winds. Next DZ for this guy, and problem still hasn't been sorted.

I like the 200 requirement. HC is a distraction that shouldn't be added when the TI's learning the ropes. Canopy flight is where I think the distraction matters most, so the more canopies in the air simultaneously, the more experience required. The 100 requirement might be ok for 2-3 tandems in the air, but not for a twin otter DZ, imo. Chris

I'd love to have that main in my shop to dismantle it and learn what PD is doing with its cutting edge canopy. How's it built, where's it reinforced, what's the shape. So I wouldn't rule out someone from the industry being involved a bit

Home engineering works great for some applications. When you're doing hundreds or thousands of paid handcam jumps, though, it's good to have the right tool. Some benefits include: Much lower snag risk, wide base for stable camera, so it doesn't bobble around in freefall, rounded back so it's not a block (once again bobbling around at 120mph), instant access to cards, easy-push rubber buttons, easy access to the glass lens cover, so you can clean it on the ride to altitude, holes in place for the microphones, so you get quality sound instead of muffled low freq

Here are a few pics [inline 20130508_112844_resized.jpg] [inline 20130508_112900_resized.jpg] [inline 20130508_112950_resized.jpg]

This one? http://www.chutingstar.com/media/catalog/product/cache/3/image/1000x1000/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/w/d/wdual8.jpg I have a final version here with a clear plastic housing and better buttons/doors. I'll post some pics of that in a few. Chutingstar received several of these finished products a week ago, but most of those were pre-sold... There may be one left. That small lot was the first batch and I wanted to verify they worked 100% before ordering large quantities... so in another couple weeks there should be more available. Chris