shveddy

What sort of control does a skydiving canopy lack, and what design characteristics on speedwings give you the control you need? Thanks.

A 17 year old Sabre that needs a lineset in 100 jumps or so isn't worth 700 bucks. The more you know...

I recently demo'd a Blade 2 and began to consider the rumored Skydive Lodi policy (past, i believe) of putting students on small wingsuits. A friend of mine who learned to skydive at Lodi was apparently flying an X-Bird by the time he finished his license and when he moved to the Colorado area downsized to an R-Bird (most would call this a very smart choice considering the pace of flocks these days as he was only 126 pounds). Now I'm not asking to debate whether this actually happened at Skydive Lodi but I'd like to discuss it here as an option in itself. So, here's the question--at a dropzone using an AFP-style program where the student will do 2-3 tandems and then 15-18 jumps with at least 1 instructor, what do you other instructors think about using a Phantom 2 as the student's jumpsuit? The benefits, as far as I can tell, include increased freefall time during which the student can more effectively learn good body position, the ability to correct a long spot, and the increase in business flying a wingsuit during student progression will bring a dropzone. Let's face it, that's all students want to get into as quickly as possible anyway. The obvious downsides include the potential for nasty flatspins, instabilities during flight or the opening sequence, obstruction of deployment by wing fabric and of course, excessive arm fatigue. Sure, wingsuiting is considered to be an advanced discipline but if we make sure to take extra time to instruct our students on body position and relaxation, I think the benefits outweigh the dangers. Besides, we'll be sure to put them on small suits, perhaps even a prodigy if you're that much of a prude. What about the transition training needed for someone who begins flying a wingsuit very early in their career? Would they be more conservative and heads-up about wingsuit flight? That same friend described his speculative take on the late Roger Nelson's philosophy--give a 14 year old a Piper Cub and they'll wreck it. Give that same kid a Skyvan and ok... he'll probably wreck it too. BUT, give him a Boeing 747 and there wont be a scratch on it. Why you ask, its simple: because he has auto-pilot. (Now again I'm not sure if Roger Nelson really felt this way, I'd just like to discuss how this sits with the other instructors out there.) Thanks for voting and posting. Blue skies... Aaron

As did I.

Giant concrete cone strapped to your feet. It'll break the surface tension of the water like a bullet, and the weight distribution will make sure you go in feet first.

clicky

Will There Be Enough Water

Why the heck did the one dude deploy for the other dude?

My sabre 170 had a slider with grommets that didn't go over my mirage risers (they have the thicker handles). My Sabre 150 has grommets that fit over them. So apparently there are different sized grommets. Check your's against someone else's.

Longer legwing, anyone know/notice anything else?

Yes, very much so kidding. Completely content with 90's on my Sabre 150; completely unqualified to give any serious advice.

Its simple just multiply the degrees of rotation by the golden ratio, then subtract your canopy size. So for a 135 sized canopy doing a 270 degree hook turn... (270*1.618)-135=301.84 feet. Most usually round up to 302 though.

I tried this on a really steep hill a while back. Got the canopy above my head, started running, and when the really steep part came up, I ran off it. Problem is the canopy wasn't in full flight yet (couldn't support all my weight), so when I tried to get airborn before it was ready it dropped me ten feet or so. An embarrassing tumble in front of a gathered crowd ensued. Basically make sure the canopy picks you up off the ground and choose a place that allows ample slope before the cliff to allow you to be in full flight before the cliff comes. Otherwise you might slam into the cliff.

Hang gliding... http://www.wisconsinhanggliding.com/ Let me know if you work something out, I'd drive out to make a jump.

4.74 lbs/sqft clicky Anyone know what luigi loaded his 37 at?

That's exactly what I'm doing and I don't believe ego is involved. I know that this sort of suit and the associated increase in performance is something I would like to pursue, and I also know that this is a good deal that currently fits my budget. I'm quite experienced in these two areas (my finances and my interests), however I'm honestly looking for your input on your area of expertise (high performance wingsuits and the associated risks). Very aware of this, which is why I'm trying to find out if its dangerous or not.

I think the link's broken, but I've already seen that video. It's definitely one of the factors I'm considering and why I'm asking.

There aren't that many wingsuiters where I jump, those that have a wingsuit have wingsuits analagous to my phantom I. So in terms of flocking, there isn't much of a point for me to upgrade, though backvents would be nice. Basically, I want to have a high performance wingsuit to make long (distance and time) flights around big clouds when they come out in the spring and Summer. There's a certain S-bird for sale at the moment that's within my budget. Here's why I want it: -long flights (as mentioned) -Zipper rigging. This is very important since I'll often just fill a tandem load on a cessna (video, tandem pair and me) and I've switched between wingsuit and normal free fall at least three times in a day before (I know the 2z has zippers, but it's a few hundred bucks more, and it doesn't seem to have the expense justifying increase in performance of the S-bird) -This is fairly minor, but I like the idea of the slippery sleeve thingies. Why I wouldn't get it: -if people think it is dangerous to make the switch I'll keep the phantom around, and probably fly it whenever I"m flocking because I do like the feeling of having to fly it rather than hang in it, but its worth it to me to have the extra suit lying around in case of cumulonimbus (or maybe not, in which case I'll sell it for a reasonable loss and learn a valuable lesson). Again, unless its excessively dangerous... You say Phantom to X-bird is a bad idea, what about phantom to S-bird(I'm looking at an S-bird)? As I understand it, a phantom and an R-bird are in a similar class, and an S-bird is the next step up. Is that right? (it's hard to tell based on the relatively non-existent tonysuits wingsuit website)

Right, so now that I've used the search function, let me rephrase my question. clicky This thread from 2006 seems to more or less agree that 50 to 100 jumps on a beginner to intermediate suit is enough experience to jump any of the big suits on the market. It also agrees that you should consider what kind of flying you want to do (performance, flocking, base etc...). So has anything changed since suits like the X-Bird, S-Bird, V3 et. al. have been introduced? A lot has changed since 2006. To me, it seems like this represents a whole new class in terms of performance, as well as the potential for complications due to the greater size and pressurization. But what do I know, I've never flown any of the bigger suits (thinking about getting an S-bird or similar for when I have 70 to 80 jumps; I currently have like 35 ws jumps on a phantom I).

I'll do nothing at all, a dare is merely a challenge for you to defend your honor and prove yourself; show you've got a pair. Besides, I thought this is a competition. I should charge you a pull up chord or something for using my multicolor design genius. A lot of thought went into that last design, if you use it, I expect to be rewarded accordingly!

This is me 250ish jumps and 14 months ago: http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=3252025;#3252025 If you want to skydive, forget about Eloy. Like other said, unless you have a good job, won the lottery or have a recently deceased rich uncle or something, it's nigh impossible to afford their services. Find a non profit club someplace around where you live (To give you an idea of what I mean by "around where you live", I drive 3 hours to skydive Wissota) and learn through static line or IAD (instructor assited deployment). I've spent about 7-8 grand to get to where I'm at now. Here's the breakdown: 750 for an A license at skydive Wissota - great place if you live anywhere near it, almost worthwhile to move to Wisconsin for a summer if you're serious about it. Not only do you get the cheapest A license in the States, but you get completely unwarranted and generous personal attention (coaching) from world record holders who just want to further the sport. There are other places that offer similar deals (albeit without MB kicking your ass to get your shit together and get on the next load), do you're homework and find them. 1800 for all my gear - study gear so you know when a deal comes up in the classifieds and haggle hard; I could turn around and sell my equiptment for at least 2500 right now and that's after putting 200 jumps on it. There are good deals out there, you just need to be persistent, patient and smart about it. Also, I'd actually recommend taking out a loan for this one. No matter how bad the interest rate is, I can guarantee it'll be cheaper than paying ~15 bucks a jump for rental gear. If had I rented for all the jumps I've made on my own gear, it would have cost me 3000 bucks (200 jumps * 15 dollars). Even just 20 jumps on rental gear would cost at least 300, that's around five years of interest on most 2000 dollar loans. 4000 for jumps after my a license (approx) - it's only 15 bucks to jump at Wissota, but I've traveled all over the place and probably spent an average of 20 bucks per jump over 200 or so jumps. This however can be as much or as little as you like. If I wouldn't have gotten addicted and had to do 200 a year, this figure could easily be 1500 bucks and I'd still be happy as hell. 500 for gas - it's often a three hour drive. 400 for beer - you'll have to buy a case every time you do something for the first time, it's a tradition and it's not fair to the students/novices who, by definition, are doing stuff for the first time all the time. Still, pay your dues. oh yea, 375 for a wingsuit Your situation will vary depending on where you go and how that dropzone runs. But the point is, it's totally doable. Save up for static line instruction over the Winter, take a loan out for gear, and then your only skydiving expenses are jump tickets, gas and beer. Hell just by giving up cable TV, you've just saved like 360 dollars for the year. That's around 18 jumps. Eat out less, buy used textbooks and go easier on the gas pedal. That's at least 30 more. Get the picture... Point is, you'll find ways to feed the addiction. After start-up costs, it's actually a remarkably cheap sport considering what you are doing. You'll be a real student skydiver, stealing toilette paper and shopping at goodwill just so you can afford one more jump in no time. One last thing, be prepared to spend an insane amount of time at the dropzone. It's more of a commitment than you think, of course there are worse things to do with your time. Good luck!

The last one isn't meant to be taken seriously. Nonetheless, I dare you, do it!.

Bandit jump in northern France. Around 400 hot air balloons to fly by on the way down. It was a free jump too (met some really nice people who helped me out).

From now on I will purposely and actively avoid buying Subaru products for the rest of my life. Who's with me?

Took a pro-track on a wingsuit jump today. Apparently I deployed at 9000 and had a 0mph average descent rate. Does the Visio handle wingsuit flying better than that? (thinking about getting one) Thanks