hparrish

I think there are two DZ's that are much closer to Asheville, than CSS or Raeford. Adrenaline Air Sports - A nice little Cesna DZ in Jonesville, NC. Really good vibes there and good people. Formerly the DZO of Smith Mountain Lake DZ. Skydive Carolina (Chester) - An Otter / Sometimes Casa DZ just south of Charlotte, in South Carolina. Mainly an RW DZ, but look up Benji Rogers for Freeflying. James is the DZM and a great guy. CSS and Raeford are the Big DZ's in North Carolina, but the two I mentioned are much closer from Asheville.

Not sure how serious you want to get with flying a camera. But keep the future in mind when you are selecting a helmet. This can help you prevent buying several camera helmets as your needs change. Look for something that has several camera mounting options, both side and top mounts, or just flattened platforms for future mounting. This is important if you want to fly both a stills camera and Mini DV camcorder. Think about where you want to mount your camera's. If your only jumping a cam corder you my want to go with a top mount, to balance the weight and remove the snap portential of a side mount. Research the cut away mechanism.........Few people think about this, but it's impotant. I saw someone at my DZ die because their lines wrapped around their ring site, and they had no cut away systm on their camera helmet. Think about options too.......Cam Eye, Ring Sites (I don't like them), space for 2 audible's, Full Face vs Open Face, Chin Strap vs Chin cup. There are allot of options out there, its a matter of preference and comfort. My choice was the Bonehead Optik. But my main discipline is freeflying, not Tandem photography. Hope this makes you think about things.

Challenge them to a swooping contest........When you completely crush them in speed, distance, accuracy, and style..........remind them that you are obviosly a better canopy pilot and that even thought they have 20,000 skydives. They should shut up and yield to your knowledge. A nice Dose of humble pie always seems to work. Of course if you get crushed, you may be eating that pie yourself.

To the contrary..........I think it speaks volumes about Jay's Talent to still be on top, even with all the competition. That makes his achievements all the more notable. It's easy to win if you have no competition.

Thank You........for taking our advice, even us A-Holes. Now go hook up with a Local respected Swooper, and learn from them on your Katana or even something a little more forgiving.

Perhaps the Chicago Dates can be changed???

Oh Yeah...........And I forgot........ Jason, I know your an old timer and everything. But have you been away from the sport so long now??? Everyone knows that Freefly Snobs are the new Sky Gods.

My bet is on Justin...I've seen some footage from Norway that makes me place my bet on him. Eugene...........I love you, You Crazy Fukin broken English typing Russian. But I don't think you'll beat Justin in tracking. So there, guess I'm first in the pool. $10.00 into the pool winner takes all.

Wow..........You've taught me my lesson. I'll yield to your overwhelming wisdom. Look his initial post came across a little cocky. Allot of the folks on this Forum are competitors or highly experienced. Yes it can be concluded based on jump numbers and wing loading alone he is not ready for a cross braced canopy. Nor has he come close to tapping into the Katana 135 he currently jumps. And I believe everyone who has responded has either seen enough injuries or fatalities, that match this guys description, that they are sick of this attitude. Some have even had the injuries themselves and remember when they had the same attitude. A simple search for the following would have easily answered his question: 1.) Velocity 2.) Down Sizing 3.) Katana Vs Velocity 4.) Switching to Cross Braced I think the fact that he has only 600 jumps and stated he was bored with an aggressive canopy like a Katana is what put people off. It put me off.

Perhaps folks can just research their question rather than asking the same old question.......over and over again. What you have outlined has been covered many, many, many, many, many, many, many, many, many, many, many, many,many times. It starts sounding like.......okay I've read your responses to everyone else..........BUT I'm SPECIAL...........What about me, will you endorse me?.......I'm a fast learner......I'm better than everyone else you have responded to before. If folks want advise perhaps they should take the time to research their question before posting. They're either being lazy or think they are better than others and want special consideration.

I'm beginning to like you more and more.

Okay that makes sense.......I was starting to think I'm just a pussy. with my 2.4.

Who is this Jason person??? I don't know if I know you. If I know you I certainly NEVER see you. You seem like a mythical creature to me. Someone who's there but isn't. I've heard the legend of McClure, but I've never jumped with him. Maybe once but I was a Freeflyer and he was a SkyGod RW Pissy Bee or something like that. So I hear, I've never really seen the guy recently or anything. I heard he got married and moved into a cave in the hills. I think Lisa is her name, but I never see her either. I think I used to know her too but it's been so long, I can't rember. Who are the McClure's????? I forgot...

Wow.......These are some really high wing loadings listed!!! For those with a wing loading over 2.8....what is your primary goal......speed or distance? I really can't see anything over 2.8 being very efficient for distance.

Not sure how proficient you are with HD yet......... But some techniques for slowing down in HD are: 1.) Push and spread your legs out harder, check video your legs may not be out as far as it feels like they are. 2.) Scoop air with your feet, don't point your toes. 3.) Switch between Regular and Daffy, Daffy is harder to figure out but will usually slow you down a little. 4.) You can do a quick little leg kick to slow you down or pop you back up. 5.) Not sure what your weight is, but a thicker suit with polycotton or parapack can help with fall rate issues, with bigger guys.

keep at it.............It won't happen over night. There is a big difference between being in the tunnel and having a coach hold you while you practice the position (daffy in this case), and actually doing it by yourself in the tunnel or sky. Also 10 Freefly jumps / attempts is hardly scratching the surface. I would expect it takes the average Freefly student 75-100 jumps to start seeing noticeable improvement. You must commit to Freeflying to progress at freeflying. Stick with coaching and solos to practice what you've learned and you will get better. If it was easy........everyone could do it in 10 jumps. Freeflying is not easy its hard to master, so you must commit and have realistic expectations.

Haven't heard from anyone at Paraclete XP Tunnel. Can someone who can make business decisions please PM me with some contact info?

I'd be careful with taking this attitude unless you reaaly have your shit together. This whole idea of "I'm too low" so "I'll just make my turn Faster", is a bad idea. It is why I have not jumped since August and why I had two ligaments in my knee replaced. If you're too low abort. You should know if you're too low before you start your turn. I knew I was too low and did it anyway. Now I'm watching from the sidelines.

The way I get the most speed out of my JVX is to start my approach in 1/2 to 3/4 brakes, slowly let up while transitioning to double fronts to start the dive. Add leg harness input and let up on the outside front riser to start the turn in the dive, and let it dive and build speed. I found this held the dive longer and built up much more speed than, starting my turn in full flight. I go to double rears SLOWLY as I'm coming out of my arc, into the gates. Starting my turn in full flight usually adds ALLOT of front riser pressure on my JVX. So much so that it sometimes pulled me out of my dive before I intended to do so. Yes the end of my swoop does sometimes feel mushy, but I attribute that more to flying to the end range of rears more than the desing impact of no stabalizers. I put about 100 jumps on a standard VX 96 before demoing and purchasing a JVX 99. I would say that I could build much more speed and distance with the JVX by far. Put about 175 jumps on the JVX so far.

The last time I did a 270 I aborted when I hit the water Normally though it was before the initiation.

I don't know if I agree with that. While Freeflying experience may be helpful.....Skysurfing is a completely different discipline. I have seen some very talented Freeflyers go back to student status when they strapped a board on their feet. I have also seen very talented Skysurfers that are not very good Freeflyers.

Me Too............I set up either way. Depending on whatever applies. It's good to practice both.

My Bet is it will be a JVX Pilot That should get this thread jumping.

Kirk are you in charge of the construction / business side of the new tunnel or both? I just sent an email to the email alias from your website, and addressed it to Tim. Anyway if someone could take a look at the email and let me know. I'm very anxious to start flying in the tunnel. It's been 9 months since my accident and I'm no where close to returning to skydiving. But the TUNNEL, well I'm ready for that. 2 Months is sooner than it sounds. Man am I gettin excited.

Not everyone is willing to share, but some people are. Not everyone is in the business end of Freeflying Photography. I have about an $4500 investment now that i just purchase a Nikon D-50 for Digital Stills. Until recently I only jumped a Sony DCR so I have nothing in Hi Res. If I had anything worth sharing, I would, provided my credentials were listed. I also have the experience and skill to take good shots of 2-Way to Big Way. No reason to get offended, it's just your preference to not give away photo's. But certainly not everyones opinion. Nor should anyone take offense with your stance.