boinky

Michael, haven't we told you to stop having phone sex with the new pups? Elizabeth, you are SUCH a sweetie! Nina Nina Are we called "DAWGs" because we stick our noses up people's butts? (RIP Buzz) Yep, you're a postwhore-billyvance

Hey, there WAS a reason I only told 2 people. Besides, Chris told me I shouldn't celebrate until I hit 1000. Nina Nina Are we called "DAWGs" because we stick our noses up people's butts? (RIP Buzz) Yep, you're a postwhore-billyvance

I also had a great time in Chester this past weekend. Everyone there was very nice. While I was there to help in any way needed, I was there to learn also. I have A LOT to learn! It was so wonderful to see how enthused and determined everyone was at the camp. It reminds me of me, as I get excited by the simplest things (thanks for the "assistant T-shirt, Elizabeth & Frank). On one jump, we were doing rotations and James got two docks. The joy on his face when he talked about it afterwards was priceless. And Randy, what have we learned about celebrating our stand up landings before we get into the hangar? I loved helping everyone pack their canopies. It was nice to know that I have an invaluable asset! I hope everyone who attended the camp will consider doing more CRW in the future. We need more folks to cross over to the Dark Side. Nina Tharp Nina Are we called "DAWGs" because we stick our noses up people's butts? (RIP Buzz) Yep, you're a postwhore-billyvance

You know, I'm pretty sure they told you that there were other ways to become a TOADSUCKER, right? You know, you should have done it, or at least talked to someone on the ground so that they would do this for you on the next jump. When Chris Warnock and I are jumping together, after our hard deck for new docks, he keeps me a little longer, weaving around, spiraling, etc. He waves bye and slings me off the end. It's greater than any roller coaster I've ever been on. Hmmm.....Was I not enough help to you this weekend? I'm sure it's something you won't soon forget. I know I enjoyed it immensely. Thanks for a great time! Nina Nina Are we called "DAWGs" because we stick our noses up people's butts? (RIP Buzz) Yep, you're a postwhore-billyvance

Although she is DEFINITELY not my type, I voted for Wendy. We damned CRWDOGS have to stick together, you know! If we don't, our formations will go to shit fast. GO WENDY! GO WENDY! GO WENDY! GO WENDY! Nina Nina Are we called "DAWGs" because we stick our noses up people's butts? (RIP Buzz) Yep, you're a postwhore-billyvance

In this day and age, it's human nature to tell everything and everyone about a bad experience, but not about a good one. I want to tell a good one for a change. A very good friend of mine suggested that I look into buying a Dolphin. He told me that they were fast, affordable and easy to re-sell. To my pleasant surprise, they don't just come in black anymore. In addition to the colored dolphin and a colored cutaway handle, you can actually order up to four flaps in various color options. It's not hard to acquire the phone number to the company, which happens to be Altico. Mike Furry has to be the kindest man alive. I explained all of the issues I had with my current container. We discussed my height, weight, canopy sizes and seeing as I do CRW, what I required the new container to do/not do for me. He made suggestions on what to order and how to do it. How many owners of a company will personally spend time talking to a prospective customer? Mr. Furry also told me that if I was not happy, they would do everything they could to fix my issues and if nothing worked, they would agree to return my purchase price. This man really cares about his product and customer satisfaction. There are a couple of great new features offered on this container. There is a pocket that stores your pilot chute bridle and velcros shut. This is great for freeflyers and reduces the chance of a premature opening from something getting pulled by the wind. The tuck tabs are now a free option. Secure fitting, wide and keep the risers completely covered and safe. Only nine days after I faxed in my order, I received my new container, drop shipped to me. I can't guarantee everyone will get theirs in the same short time, but they do advertise 2-3 weeks in most cases. Before you spend thousands of dollars and wait up to six months on a container, consider a Dolphin. It's fast, friendly and affordable. Nina Tharp

Why thank you, kind sir. Obviously, I'm quite proud of my choice. Much to the consternation of my CRW coach here in Georgia, and although I realize the total color coordination doesn't make me a better canopy pilot, I am just a happier person when things look good. If I am happy, then hopefully it will show in my flying skills. I think now that I have put the word out that you can get color combinations on a new Dolphin, instead of solid black, there will be a lot more people looking into buying one of these instead of a more expensive option. Nina Nina Are we called "DAWGs" because we stick our noses up people's butts? (RIP Buzz) Yep, you're a postwhore-billyvance

You mean the "Nina" boogie? There is no way I copied you. You didn't discuss a new canopy while we were there and I ordered mine in October. Believe me, if I hadn't finally done it then, Chris and Wendy were probably going to choke me, as I'm sure they were both quite tired of looking at colored pieces of paper and discussing the options. I received it in January. The Puerto Rico boogie wasn't until February and I already had mine then. So THERE! thbbbbb..... But we are totally digressing here. We are SUPPOSED to be talking about what an awesome, gorgeous container my new Dolphin is. Can you say that about yours? I think not. Nina Nina Are we called "DAWGs" because we stick our noses up people's butts? (RIP Buzz) Yep, you're a postwhore-billyvance

So when did YOU get YOUR canopy anyway? Nina Are we called "DAWGs" because we stick our noses up people's butts? (RIP Buzz) Yep, you're a postwhore-billyvance

Jealousy? Nah. While the outside of the canopies might be the same and I couldn't find a better person to be like, the likeness stops there (remember, all of my ribs are neon). In my opinion, my completed gear is the most awesome looking rig in existence. Besides green would never work for CRW. Can you imagine finding THAT in the woods? Hey, I'll be happy to pack for you in CSS! Nina Nina Are we called "DAWGs" because we stick our noses up people's butts? (RIP Buzz) Yep, you're a postwhore-billyvance

Hey, that's dudette to you, young man. OK...here goes. Chuck Brown...eat your heart out. Notice the totally matching accessories. Almost every single item on the rig has either royal blue or neon yellow on it. The canopy inside is also royal blue and neon yellow, with a royal blue mesh slider. The PC is a 34" neon yellow and a royal blue kill cone. And of course, we can't forget the lovely matching royal blue and neon yellow shoestrings that Bubbles gave me. Nina Tharp Nina Are we called "DAWGs" because we stick our noses up people's butts? (RIP Buzz) Yep, you're a postwhore-billyvance

Ah yes....I've heard about this. But GREAT NEWS! Once again, Mike Furry listened to his customers. The closing flap not only folds under the other three flaps of the container, but has the velcro to hold it there. Easily replaceable down the road. For you freeflyers, he has also added a small "pocket" that runs from the closing pin all the way down the bridle side of the container to stow the pilot chute bridle and avoid a premature opening because the wind pulled the bridle out. It is a pretty deep pocket and it velcros shut and is a standard item on the new Dolphin. But more GREAT news! That really smart friend of mine also suggested that I buy tuck tabs for the risers. These used to be $40 add-ons, but now they are free if you ask for them. These tabs are very nice too. Large, wide and only 1 piece of plastic on the end that tucks. I have CRW risers, complete with huge brake toggles and 2-1's. They would not fit in my previous container and I had to leave the riser flaps open and the risers were always falling off of my shoulders. Although technically it doesn't matter when you are doing CRW, I am a neat-freak about my gear and this problem was truly annoying, as I was constantly putting them back onto my shoulders before exit. I need to be worrying about other things on the ride up, like my flying skills (or lack thereof) . I thought I might have to have a velcro loop added to keep the risers on my shoulders, but to my pleasure, if you turn the brake toggles around, the flaps close completely over and close very nicely. Plus, because there is only that small piece of plastic in the tuck part, I don't have to worry about stretching anything out of shape, so that it will still fit my RW canopy. Mike Furry hasn't created a new name for this new version of his container. The old one was called Dolphin 2000. We discussed the possibility of his calling the new one Dolphin 2004, but I don't know whether he will or not. I will try to post a couple of pictures of my new Dolphin, complete with matching, completely contained risers. While I realize that not every container will be for everyone, as my previous container proves, and I may end up having more "issues" down the road, at the moment I am content. My old problems are solved and very affordably. There are a lot of changes in the pricing. The container's manufacturers suggested retail price has gone up from $988 to $1145, but most dealers will cut you some sort of deal. The tuck tabs, some color options (like a colored dolphin emblem on top of a colored flap) and some matching colored cut-away handles are now free, or have a changed price. You would want to make sure of the exact pricing, as even some of the retailers are unaware of the new pricing changes. Nina Tharp Nina Are we called "DAWGs" because we stick our noses up people's butts? (RIP Buzz) Yep, you're a postwhore-billyvance

In this day and age, it's human nature to tell everything and everyone about a bad experience, but not about a good one. I want to tell a good one for a change. I have a container that was made brand new especially for me, but just wasn't working out. I sent it back to the manufacturer, along with my complaints. The company suggested that I downsize my main and my reserve, to supposedly help in my issues, which I did, and then they rebuilt the container again. It didn't help the problems. Unfortunately, I have had many things go wrong to make me dislike this container. A very good friend of mine suggested that I look into buying a Dolphin. He told me that they were fast, affordable and easy to re-sell. Being a freak about matching gear, I sort of poo-poo'd the idea, as solid black was very unappealing to me. I stalled for several months in deciding. After another bad weeked with my current container, I finally couldn't stand it any more. It's not hard to acquire the phone number to the company, which happens to be Altico. It goes straight to his company, which is attached to his home. Mike Furry has to be the kindest man alive. On Monday, we talked for about an hour. I explained all of the issues I had with my current container. We discussed my height, weight, canopy sizes and seeing as I do CRW, what I required the new container to do/not do for me. He made suggestions on what to order and how to do it. How many owners of a company will personally spend time talking to a prospective customer? He also told me that if I was not happy, they would do everything they could to fix my issues and if nothing worked, they would agree to return my purchase price. This man really cares about his product and customer satisfaction. He can not sell straight to a buyer, but suggested several companies who would be happy to sell it to me. I called one of those companies that same day. They offered me a very fair price. To my pleasant surprise, they don't just come in black anymore. In addition to the colored dolphin, and a colored cutaway handle, you can actually order up to four flaps in various color options. I downloaded an order form and faxed it on the next afternoon. We agreed to have the order drop shipped to me, to speed up delivery times. On Thursday afternoon, only nine days after I faxed in my order, I received my new container. I didn't order a plain black container, but HAD to have all four colored flaps. I DID pick what was considered a "STOCK" color option, but chose a colored dolphin emblem and a colored cutaway handle also. I used my new Dolphin this past Sunday. No more issues! Plus, the leg straps were so comfortable, I couldn't even tell I was wearing them. I can't guarantee everyone will get theirs in the same short time, but they do advertise 2-3 weeks in most cases. Before you spend thousands of dollars and wait up to six months on a container, consider a Dolphin. It's fast, friendly and affordable. Nina Tharp Nina Are we called "DAWGs" because we stick our noses up people's butts? (RIP Buzz) Yep, you're a postwhore-billyvance

I'm happy to report that I DO actually have to stoop in an Otter. I had the most wonderful learning experience in Lake Wales, not to mention an awesome time, too. CRWdogs have to be the greatest, most caring teachers on the face of the earth. Either that, or they just like to make us "newbie suckwads" look bad when we screw up. Either way, I had a lot of valuable instruction and learned a lot of important big-way lessons. I can't wait to work on them in Moss Point. By the way, back to the original reason for this thread....soft openings. I had some decent openings from the Otter and a couple of rough ones from the Casa, so perhaps the plane suggestion is a good one. I tried to keep the pack job as tight as possible, but no nose rolling. Kirk also stressed body position, so my semi-success could have something to do with my concentrated attempt at keeping my body upright. I didn't try the unstowed brakes, as the openings weren't hard enough to warrant. Perhaps down the road. Nina Nina Are we called "DAWGs" because we stick our noses up people's butts? (RIP Buzz) Yep, you're a postwhore-billyvance

Damn....THAT was COLD, Bill. That's TWO...... You can't hide out in Sebastian forever, you know. Nina Are we called "DAWGs" because we stick our noses up people's butts? (RIP Buzz) Yep, you're a postwhore-billyvance

Sorry darlin'. I still have no clue what you're talking about. But if you're trying to make fun of me, that's ok...I'll get you back in Moss Point. Now if you're calling me a spoiled brat...then the shoe fits. There's only person who can get me to jump from a Cessna and I plan to keep it that way. Can we say claustrophobia? Nina Nina Are we called "DAWGs" because we stick our noses up people's butts? (RIP Buzz) Yep, you're a postwhore-billyvance

Shhh.....we're using it my way for effect. I don't want to send anyone to the moon. I can't jump with them there, now can I? They CAN still jump if they have a busted lip, though. I can't? Durn...Let me re-think what I am going to do to Bill then. Nina Nina Are we called "DAWGs" because we stick our noses up people's butts? (RIP Buzz) Yep, you're a postwhore-billyvance

__________________________________________________ Bill, "One of these days. One of these days...POW, Right in the kisser!!! Not sure exactly what a C182 is, but I'm thinking it's in the Cessna line. And since I have a serious aversion to those, we're gonna' let Wendy win the shortest person competition!! Nina Nina Are we called "DAWGs" because we stick our noses up people's butts? (RIP Buzz) Yep, you're a postwhore-billyvance

Being allowed to be there for the world record was absolutely one of the greatest times I've ever had! I'll let you know about the other two things. I'll bet I can and I hope I will. Nina Nina Are we called "DAWGs" because we stick our noses up people's butts? (RIP Buzz) Yep, you're a postwhore-billyvance

Since I'm already packed for the camp in Lake Wales the normal way, and they fly an Otter, I'm gonna' jump this pack job before I change anything. This way, I can see if there is any truth to the plane differences opinion. If I'm still seeing stars on the ground, then I know there are some competent CRWdogs who will be there who can help me try some of these other ideas. HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA. ROFLMAO. Bob, you've obviously not met me yet. As short as I am, the tail is ALWAYS on the ground, no matter what size canopy I pack or how I pack it. By the way, rest assured, I would never try this with another canopy. Of course, I rarely do RW, but when I do, the openings are so much softer than my Lightning, that it actually makes me appreciate them more. No changes in packing needed there. Speaking of freefallers, there have been a few times I've done hop-n-pops with my Lightning at my DZ and they are still in the plane watching when I exit. When they get down, they come up to me and ask me if my openings are always like that. No matter how hard I might have been slammed upon opening, I innocently look at them and ask, "Like What?" Seeing as they already think I'm insane for going to the dark side, I can't reinforce their opinions and let 'em think CRW has any bad points, now can I? Thanks, Nina Nina Are we called "DAWGs" because we stick our noses up people's butts? (RIP Buzz) Yep, you're a postwhore-billyvance

Thanks Bob, Russ and Wendy for the brake unstowed suggestions. I'll try this. I can see having problems forcing myself NOT to set the brakes though. Just doesn't seem normal. Oh wait, I'm doing CRW, people don't think I'm normal anyway, do they? Has anyone seen any heading or line twist issues from doing this? How much extra altitude do you loose from the slower opening? How much slower is it, anyway? I am looking for minimal softening...not maximum snivel. Nina Nina Are we called "DAWGs" because we stick our noses up people's butts? (RIP Buzz) Yep, you're a postwhore-billyvance

****************************************** Bill, Bill, Bill.....there are certain things that a lady never tells and a gentleman never repeats. We wouldn't want to get anyone excited here, now would we? I don't even want to imagine the sexual implications running through some people's minds right about now. My excitement is most definitely caused by the thrill of doing CRW...that' all. Yup...that's my story and I'm sticking to it. Nina Nina Are we called "DAWGs" because we stick our noses up people's butts? (RIP Buzz) Yep, you're a postwhore-billyvance

Thanks Jeni. Now we all know who's PUP I am , so no names are necessary. I'm pretty sure he always has the pilot cut the engines before our exit. It has been mentioned to me that part of my hard openings could be caused because we use a King Air at our DZ. I don't think he is having the same problems as I am, though, so I don't know how valid an argument this is. My body position on exit is good and I pull almost immediately out of the door. I was reading some of the old postings, as was suggested by doing a search on "hard openings." There was one thread that talked about large pilot chutes causing issues. My pilot chute is fairly large, especially for the size of the canopy I am using. It is the same size as the PC's that the men's 8-way team uses, though....and I've heard that some of them use the same size canopy as me. I will try the rolling the nose and end cell suggestions. I'll wait 'til I hear more on the opinions of the unstowed brakes before I try that, though. Color me chicken. Thanks bunches, Nina Nina Are we called "DAWGs" because we stick our noses up people's butts? (RIP Buzz) Yep, you're a postwhore-billyvance

I love you, Michael. Only you could describe things so vividly. It's not the "blue thighs" that I am concerned about. There's not a time that I have jumped that I haven't ended up with a bruise somewhere. It is the jarring of the brain that I worry about. On one of my openings this past weekend, my head was still swimming after I was on the ground. With my limited talent, I need as much of my wits about me as possible. I'm sure the other jumpers in the formation will appreciate it. I realize that I need an "instant canopy" in this discipline....I'd just like it to happen a little softer. See you in Lake Wales. Nina Nina Are we called "DAWGs" because we stick our noses up people's butts? (RIP Buzz) Yep, you're a postwhore-billyvance

Hi All. I need some experienced CRWdog advice. I have a brand new Lightning 126 with a tailpocket. Approximately 30 jumps on it. The openings are, shall we say, brisk, harsh, bone rattling? I believe you get the idea. I'm looking for as many different options as possible to help soften the openings a tiny bit. I am not willing to put it in a bag, but I am open to trying any other reasonable suggestions. I will be at the CRW Big Way camp this weekend in Lake Wales. Feel free to post ideas here or offer ideas while we are there. Thanks. Nina Tharp Nina Are we called "DAWGs" because we stick our noses up people's butts? (RIP Buzz) Yep, you're a postwhore-billyvance