Hooknswoop

It is a real pic. He is wearing a harness attached to the rig w/ a cable. Hook

If you were near the door and the PC got out, while still belted in.......=BAD. I watched someone stand up that had routed the buckle (large end) of his seat belt through his reserve handle. He had dis-connected it, but failed to pull the buckle back through the handle. He was standing there one second and the next, he was gone. Hook

W/ 54 DC.comers at Eloy, how about a new DZ.com record? Hook

Right, I answered the original question. Which program is the best route to learn has a bearing on the original question, because they "may" continue and get their license. So we are discussing two differrent topics, I replied to both. Hook

And someone else has been watching "Pulp Fiction". Great movie. Hook

I agree, but the AFP grad (3 learning tandems, 17 supervised, and video'd) skydives w/ an instructor will have more freefall and canopy skills than an AFF or S/L grad. Hook

Ok I'm getting TG earplugs to hand out to all her tent neighbors.

A learning tandem. Meaning they wear an altimeter, do PHT's, w/o and pull, and fly the canopy. Hook

Hard candy or jump isn't a good idea for students to have in their mouth before a jump. I always make them spit out anything in their mouth before we get on the plane. Stuff that gets eaten before exit is OK, Tic Tacs, mints, etc. Wouldn't want them choking in freefall. How ironic would it to chock to death on a "Life Saver"? Hook

When you make a living jumping and it doubles the amount of time it takes me to pack, yep it is a big deal. Time is money. Hook

I replace a tube stow (1, not the whole set) about every 100-300 jumps. There are 9 tube stows to a pack. That's 900-2700 jumps one pack will last me, a a lot of time and aggavation saved by not having to dig out rubber bands and replace them. I pack quickly, 5 minutes-ish and if I had to stop and go to my bag and dig out a rubber band, remove the old one (sometimes a real pain), and install a new one, it would add considerable time to my packing. Tube stows work for me and save me lots of time and energy. Cost in the long run is probably fairly close, w/ tube stows saving time and energy. So for me, tube stows are the way to go. Hook

I've used tube stows for 7 years, 3k jumps, not oone problem with them. I really like not having to waste time changing rubber bands every pack job. Hook

I have packed a MR-181-M and a PD-176R into a J3 w/o a problem. The main should go too. It will be a tight rig though. I understand the "K" on the new sizes means the main container has been cut down by 1/2 an inch. Just what I heard. Hook

There are several things you can do to increase the chances of getting back to the landing area from a long spot. As soon as safely possible, turn using you rear risers to face the landing area. Don’t make a long spot worse by flying in the wrong direction while stowing your slider, loosing your chest strap, etc. Different canopies and even different wing loading react differently to techniques for increasing the glide. One method is to simply leave the brakes stowed, which allows the canopy to “float”, and steer with rear riser input or harness steer. Another is to release the brakes and pull down slightly on the rear risers, flatting the canopy and getting a longer glide. Sometimes, canopies will glide the most with the brakes set and the rear risers pulled down an inch or two. Experiment and determine what works best for your canopy and wing loading. Try to use harness steering to keep the canopy pointed back to the landing area as any toggle input adds drag and decrease you chances of making it back to the landing area. Reducing drag by pulling your legs up in front of you and collapsing your slider will help you cover more ground back to the drop zone. The faster the canopy, the more this will help. This is also where a collapsible pilot chute can help. Remember that landing at the drop zone is secondary to landing safely. If you are not absolutely sure you will make it back to the drop zone, select a safe alternate landing zone early and plan your approach. Jumpers pushing the limits of a long spot, determined to land back at the drop zone has been a factor in numerous landing injuries. When in doubt, land out. Hook

Great job putting the boogie together , Babe. Nice DZ and great people. We'll get it next year! Hook

He means the metal reserve handle. 3 words: Reserve Pillow Handle. Hook

A foreign jumper can jump foreign gear in the U.S. and are only subject to their home countries reserve inspection cycle, not the U.S's 120 cycle. Hook

Levin- Sorry to hear about this. Keep me posted, S/N #'s, exact items, etc. and I'll keep a look out for them. I would LOVE to be the one that catches the SOB. Derek

It makes my heart soar like a hawk when I hear about a former student applying their training and making good decisions. Wish they all would do that. Good job free. Hook

Number Canopy Canopy Wing of Jumps Model Size Loading* 514 Icarus Extreme VX 60 3.12 831 Icarus Extreme FX 70 2.67 2 Alpha 74 2.53 25 Icarus Extreme FX 79 2.37 1 Velocity 84 2.23 2 Icarus Crossfire II 89 2.10 68 Alpha 94 1.99 1 Samari 95 1.97 6 Stiletto 97 1.93 3 Batwing 98 1.91 1 Super Batwing 98 1.91 0 Heatwave 100 1.87 2 Icarus Crossfire 104 1.80 1 Stiletto 107 1.75 1 Icarus Crossfire II 108 1.73 1 Icarus Crossfire 109 1.72 7 MR-109-M 109 1.72 2 Icarus Alpha 115 1.63 2 Icarus Crossfire 116 1.61 1 Icarus Safire II 119 1.57 37 Stiletto 120 1.56 4 Viper 120 1.56 11 Triathlon 120 1.56 1 Space 2000 130 1.44 1 Icarus Crossfire 134 1.40 1 Batwing 134 1.40 1 Sabre 135 1.39 501 Monarch 135 1.39 2 Stiletto 135 1.39 2 PD-143R 143 1.31 1 Icarus Crossfire II 149 1.26 15 Sabre 150 1.25 8 Spectre 150 1.25 1 Icarus Omega 150 1.25 1 Triathlon 160 1.17 1 Icarus Safire 169 1.11 3 Sabre 170 1.10 1 Spectre 170 1.10 2 PD 170 1.10 61 Icarus Safire 189 0.99 2 Sabre 190 0.98 0 Clipper (No Top Skin) 195 0.96 1 Dragon 218 0.86 18 Raider 220 0.85 1 Fury 220R 220 0.85 4 Lazer 7 227 0.82 1 Strato-Cloud 230 0.81 11 Rascal 230 0.81 2 Sabre 230 0.81 2 PD 260 0.72 102 Star Trac I 265 0.71 - DC-5 270 0.69 3 Manta 288 0.65 2 Lazer 9 292 0.64 722 Icarus Tandem 365 Variable 23 PD-370 Tandem 370 Variable 2 TR-375A 375 Variable 3 PD-384 Tandem 384 Variable 49 PD-395 Tandem 394 Variable 5 Icarus Tandem 400 Variable 2 Strong Tandem 520 Variable 2 Para-Commander MK-1 ? - - Phantom 22' ? - - Security 26' ? - Hook

I just got a new Side-Winder from Sky Systems. Now for a camera. Suggestions? Besides the PC-1, what will fit? What size lens? .32 .45? Can you still get the PC-1 new? Thanks Hook

I went out and found an ACE Hardware and bought the Ace Pure Silicone Lubricant Bill Booth suggested. Great stuff, only way to go. Hook

Except reverse risers don't release well in a high speed mal where the jumper is still belly to earth, because the rings push against the reserve risers/harness/jumpers' shoulders and can't flip through. The problem of mini-risers breaking was resolved w/ re-inforcing, like Phree said. Hook

A few highlights: "In October 2001, the Javelin harness/container was retested in accordance with AS-8015B and is approved under TSO C-23d for: a maximum operating weight of 300 lbs and a maximum operating speed of 170 knots (198 mph or 330 kph)" The instructions for velcro-less toggles show leaving the excess steering line flapping in the breeze. "Cock the Kill Line Pilot Chute before placing the canopy in the main bag!" "SUN PATH HIGHLY RECOMMENDS THE "PRO PACK" FOR ALL RAM-AIR RESERVES PACKED INTO THE JAVELIN HARNESS/CONTAINER SYSTEM." "Suggested loop length for cypres [loop] closing after setting & stretching to be 2 1/8" " 5 pages covering the 3-ring operation and maintenance. "Sun Path does not recommend the use of "Reverse Risers" on Javelin Harness and Containers" Hook

Just replace the PC. The gum/adhesive on Rip Stop tape degrades the fabric stength over time. I have removed tape from a canopy and could tear the fabric like tissue paper. If your PC is torn, replace it, if your canopy is torn, get it properly patched. Don't use Rip Stop tape. Hook