freeatlast

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Everything posted by freeatlast

  1. freeatlast
    Does anyone use this student gear at their DZ ??? I was wondering how they found it ??? (I know just opened the container and there it was !!!) Cheers
  2. freeatlast
    It bent with about 8lbs of pressure on it ... It was so bent we couldn't turn it the final 90 to see if it would break !!! - does this mean I'm paying for the replacement of my faulty pin ??? It just adds to the hurt !!! - I was supposed to be heading off for europe in 3 days with my rig and now I haven't got a rig that works AND I might have to foot the bill too ... But I guess its better to find out this way than the alternative !!!
  3. freeatlast
    Thanks Tom for the clarification ... I just wanted to be sure before someone suddenly tells me I need a re-pack when I'm thinking my gear's ok ... It could be frustrating waiting for a re-pack when everyone else is out jumping !!! James
  4. freeatlast
    As it has been said already this test needs doing and there seems little benefit to anyone to sue the manufacturers (unless there's a major incident / fatality and the manufacturers KNEW ABOUT THE PROBLEM BUT DID NOTHING, then I'd sue)!!! Speaking as someone whose pin just failed the test - it's a pain but I'm alive and hopefully going to stay that way !!! It's just a shame I'm off to Europe and I won't have my rig with me now ... Still I'm heading for the sun !!!
  5. freeatlast
    A question - In todays Gear Regulations for visiting Parachutists article it states :- Does this mean that from now on (once I've got a new reserve pin that is !!!) if I want to jump my Javelin rig (which is fully TSO'd) in the states I have to now ensure the 120 day repack plus ensure it has a riggers seal - something not normally done where I have my reserve re-packs (- in the UK / NZ). It looks like I'll have to get my reserve re-packed each time I visit if my repack doesn't bear a riggers seal. - Sorry to ask but I just want to be sure of the rules ... Many thanks James
  6. freeatlast
    I have a Javelin Odyssey manufactured within the dates specified (although it could have been any rig affected). As I am currently in New Zealand my rig was grounded by the local DZ immediately until a test could be carried out, which I feel was sensible. The test was carried out today and my reserve pin failed. Who now pays for my replacement pin / postage etc ??? It is a shame because I'm leaving for europe in 3 days and am travelling for 6 weeks. It looks like I'll be jumping hire rigs (at my own expense no doubt) until I can return to NZ to sort things out. A shame when I already own a nice new rig !!! I am glad that this problem has been reported and action taken - I wouldn't like to think what may have happened if my pin failed when needed !!!
  7. freeatlast
    Many flights (both internal US and International) and no problems - I generally carry it on my back through security etc ... Used to put it in a bag, but I had more problems with the size of my bag than I do just wearing it like a backpack !!!
  8. freeatlast
    I took seven flights in a recent three month period across america and have made at least a further dozen international flights in the last 12 -18 months. Initially I carried my rig in a big cabin bag but had a couple of discussions with the airport staff because the bag was large compared to some of the overhead locker space. For the last 8 or 9 flights I have carried my rig onto the plane like a back-pack without a single query apart from the occasional "that's a fantastic backpack man - how much did it cost ???" - the TSA guy was surprised at my reply !!! I have witnessed my checked bags being thrown around by several porters during these flights and have been much happier to have my rig in my hand where I can see it's looked after - that way it looks after me !!! James
  9. freeatlast
    Hey Jasmin I hope you're feeling better. Your mother said "stay away from cars and boys" and it looks like she was right !!! But don't change - being good would be boring
  10. freeatlast
    Hi there I've had a FFx for about a year now and have found that the helmet has been very comfortable. As others have already said, getting to the camera can be a pain, but it seems to be very safe in terms of being "snag-free" - almost nothing to snag a riser on !!! We tried a PC101 with a diamond 0.3 in the helmet last year and couldn't see the helmet in the video ... As I mentioned, it is worth considering how often you want to access the camera because it's pretty awkward if you want to review every jump. In fact I've now got 2 camera helmets - a cookie "monster" with a d-box for videoing tandems (which I'm learning to do at the moment) and my FFX for gen freeflying ... Ps It's good to ask questions (usually !!) James
  11. freeatlast
    Hi Spencer As it has already been pointed out, I presume you're not videoing tandems after 60 odd jumps. But if you want to buy a helmet now so you can video tandems etc later here's my humble opinion:- I have a 2K composites FFx (and I'm based in Taupo for the next few weeks if you want to see one). If you need to take the camera in and out a lot (to view the footage after each jump) then it can be a pain. It's easier to access the video camera when it's in a d-box if you need to download or view the footage. I have also just bought a Cookie camera helmet with a D box which is made in OZ. This helmet is much better for tandem use. Plus it's made in Oz and is quite reasonably priced ... Drop me a PM or an email at freeatlastemail@yahoo.com if you want to come and see the helmets ... blue skies James
  12. freeatlast
    Hi there I've just got a cookie helmet too with a D box for my PC101. If the batteries you mention are ANY BIGGER than the standard battery then I'm pretty certain it won't fit as the box is really tight !!! But the helmets rock - and the chincups with the strap fitting into it is a real snag-free idea ;-)
  13. freeatlast
    I must say as well, I had a similar situation, 2 busted protracks in 12 months and they sent me a new one FOC .... This company sets the standards for customer service, I will only use their products ...
  14. freeatlast
    I bought a PC101 before heading off travelling round the world ... It broke within 3 weeks of setting off despite all good care ... I think it must have been a faulty model ... I had to send it home with a buddy and buy a new one in the US as I wasn't going to be in one place long enough to get the repair done !!! I don't know about US warranties but they repaired it free of charge in the Uk ....
  15. freeatlast
    No I wouldn't jump with someone who I knew was high ... In fact I'd do my best not to be on the same load ... Canopy collisions hurt !!!! It's possible that I've been on a load where someone was high, but if I knew that they were I'd try to get off the load ... If it was something I REALLY WANTED TO DO ... I'd try to get them taken off the load - Why should I miss out because of their POOR ATTITUDE ??? If someone wants to take something privately in the evening that's their choice but taking something at a time when it potentially endangers everyone on the load then its another matter .... And in my opinion shouldn't be tolerated ...
  16. freeatlast

    FFX

    freeatlast reviewed admin's gear in Helmets

    I have had one of these helmets since June 2002 and have to say that it absolutely rocks. The shell is so smooth and snag-free that there seems very little chance of a line catching. It feels very comfortable to wear and I've had no problems with it. It is quite expensive as it's made in the UK, but well worth it in my opinion. If it could be fitted with a cut-away system then it would be as safe as anything I've seen - I understand that they're working on it at the moment. Obviously I am new at camera flying (I only have a 100 jumps or so with the helmet). But almost everyone who has seen this helmet seems to like it as well including the two-tone paint job !!!
  17. freeatlast
    The 25 year old tourist was an AFF student just graduating ... I didn't see the landing but it sounds like a bad landing ... He was having an operation last night ... I'm waiting to hear about his recovery ... Let's hope he recovers and carries on jumping ... I know he has been so excited about doing his AFF and qualifying ... BUT HE DEFINATELY WASN'T DOING A HOOKTURN ... BSBD ...
  18. freeatlast
    Hey Trevor I'm glad you made the check-in ... Thanks for doing the fire-wire before you left ... The boogie was a blast ... The best views I've ever seen and a really good vibe ... everyone was just into jumping and having fun - very definately a "quality boogie"
  19. freeatlast
    Mwaaaahaaahaaahaaa
  20. freeatlast
    What ??? You have pictures of sjkydiving sheep ???? I've seen skydiving boobies but not sheep !!!
  21. freeatlast
    Hey I'm glad you got your new rig too ... but at least if it starts to snow, then it's almost SNOWBOARD SEASON ... Colorado rocks for boarding
  22. freeatlast
    Oops !!! I knew I should have taken precautions ... Now how do I get that off the container (nothing in the Javelin handbook about that one !!!)
  23. freeatlast
    I've got a Sabre 2 170 and a PD160 reserve inside
  24. freeatlast
    I'll have tosave up for the Da Kine now ... Yes, she cost a small fortune, but I think she's worth it ... Sometimes there are things that just have to be done ... Now I just have to move to hawaii
  25. freeatlast
    They matched it to my Tony Suits pants ... I have to confess !!! They went and asked nicely for some fabric then they made it as a special ... How's that for customer service ??? I have to say it does look good ... just wish I could fly well enough to do it justice ... but that comes with time ;-) And it will look good on my travels ... If you see it .. say hi