fcajump

1. What percentage of the PEP rigs that you repack/maintain have a square canopy in them? A: 0 2. Have you never packed a PEP with a square canopy in it? A: yes, but for PIA prep/talk only. 3. Do you ever recommend a square canopy to your PEP owning customers? A: rarely, but I have very few pilot-customers with jump experience. Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

(years ago) The heavier students convinced me to get a new main for my personal rig... I was having more fun flying a SET-400 with full load than I was flying my ragged out F111. JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

The second case, newer 3-closing/full stow diaper was an option for packing the Strong 26' LoPo/Mid-lite in a container that did not have container line stows as part of its packing procedure. In the Strong Paracushion up to the present day, the 3-stow diaper is used with lines split to use only the left side to close the diaper and all the rest stowed in the container. The diaper/canopy can be used in either type of packing method, dependent upon the needs of the container. Where we see the problem is when people use all lines to close the diaper and then stow the remaining lines in the container. This will cause great trouble. JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Said it before, say it again... DZ.COM needs a "Like" button... Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

I know that things can be different in the air than on the table, but when I unpack a Type II (1/2 line locked diaper) system, I want to see all the full line stows in the pack release before the diaper. If not, you need to use fresher/snugger bands on the diaper. Failure of this diaper stowage design is the deployment equivalent of bag strip for a ram-air canopy. Canopy (opening) is exposed to the air and starting to inflate prior to line stretch. Either a very hard opening and/or lines knotting on whatever they want to as they flail around... Either way, your gonna have a bad day. JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Been there, seen that... from an older rigger whom was known to disregard the manual and "knew better" than the mfg. (my DPRE and I had a chat...) Walk on road, hm? Walk left side, safe. Walk right side, safe. Walk middle, sooner or later get squish just like grape. Here, rigging , same thing. Either you full diaper stow "yes" or full diaper stow "no." You full stow "guess so," sooner or later get squish just like grape. All lines on diaper (in an appropriate container) - safe. 1/2 lines closing diaper, all lines in container) - safe. all lines closing diaper, all lines in container - squish. JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

I agree. So why doesn't the BSR allow for tandem flybys when permissions are granted and planning is performed? Ah yes, they aren't qualified to make that decision...right? ***I do not believe that tandem students should be subjected to the added risks, and solo students are (IMHO) not qualified to evaluate the risks and requirements of being involved in a close fly-by. Are tandem students qualified to evaluate the risks of having a video flyer present? How about a handcam on the TIs wrist? Why do we allow tandem students to consent to adding some risks to their jump, but not others? What makes a qualified video flyer in proximity to a tandem any different than a qualified wingsuit flyer? The answer, I believe, is that outside video and handcams drive revenues. Money talks. If the USPA applied this rule to any revenue-generating activity the DZs would be up in arms. Wingsuiters however, have a very poor lobby in the USPA. FWIW - I'm not in favor of handcams, but that's a topic for another discussion. Outside video, in addition to its financial and entertainment value to the student, is also very useful as a teaching aide. So we permit it with minimums, qualifications and coordination with the TI. There is (or is intended to be) a very low speed delta between the Tandem and Vidiot. To me (and I'm open to new opinions) this is closer (at least in closure rate) of saying that the vidiot can start out 5 seconds behind and get the dramatic footage as he passes us in an angle dive... Finally, while there are certainly very skilled wings out there, there are also many whose skills are more wishful thinking. (YES I know, the same can be said for vidiots and we do have that problem too... but again, the closure rate is a big difference IMHO) This is proximity flying with a moving target where mistakes endanger the other individuals... and no, I don't think T-students are qualified to make an informed decision to take on that unnecessary risk without benefit to their jump. JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

The is absolutely no reason that a wingsuiter needs to get within 500ft of anyone under canopy without pre-jump flight-planning and permission from all involved. I do not believe that tandem students should be subjected to the added risks, and solo students are (IMHO) not qualified to evaluate the risks and requirements of being involved in a close fly-by. No offense to birdmen, but I don't like surprises especially when I perceive a risk to my health/well-being. Just my $.02 JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

I am hoping that his posting was along the lines of "You won't believe what I found..." rather than "it'll be fine for a while yet..." JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

https://www.facebook.com/1547151512187291/photos/a.1547181705517605.1073741829.1547151512187291/1729802000588907/?type=3 -clicky- Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Look nice... what (if anything specific) do you wear for your top? JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

So how was that split-tail 5-cell to fly?? Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Years ago I asked Ted about the system and he showed me a mock-up of the system, but I got the impression he didn't have anything more than that on hand. PM me if/when you get the risers, I'd like to see the complete functional set. JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Other's will have better answers than I... my largest being 6'x10', but I have picked up a few points that my be useful... The weight I needed varied quite a bit based on: - flag/fabric type and construction... both varied the amount of drag the weight had to overcome. (the weight of the flag itself helps, but usually at a greater cost in drag). - canopy speed changes the equation a lot as well. The higher the speed, the greater the weight needed to keep the same/equivalent suspended angle/bow. A final note given me about big flag (haven't had the chance to test this yet...) many report that the big flags fly much better/straighter when the weigh is integrated along the leading edge (think a multi-compartment tube of lead shot sewn to that edge) rather than a large weight at the bottom. As always, flying flags is a completely different type of canopy flight and should be treated as its own discipline with all the thought/consideration and focus on the new safety issues that come with it. Blue Skies / Colorful Flags, JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

For myself, I got the Strong rating because at the time there really were only two options (Strong and Vector) and RWS/UPT required that you have an instructor (SL or AFF) rating prior to taking the TI course. Having none, and no real desire for either, I went the Strong route. I did however have to take the BIC (for those that remember it), as it was a new requirement. But got the brand new USPA TI rating when the Strong TI was completed. JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

With apologies to the OP, this was too good a question to leave floundering with what quickly became apparent as too limited a list of options... So, what ratings do you hold? In the comments it would also be interesting to know: What do you actively use? Is the choice of what ratings dictated by where you work, or do you choose where to work based on the ratings you have/rigs you like? Did I miss a brand?... yep, likely... don't know them all, but this might give a better representation. Blue Skies (or, I guess "Bleu Skies" for our Atom jumpers ) JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

D@MNN!!! Moderator - please kill this thread. I swear I configured it for multiple options, but it didn't take. I'll repost as such, but this one needs to die. JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

With apologies to the OP, this was too good a question to leave floundering with what quickly became apparent as too limited a list of options... So, what ratings do you hold? In the comments it would also be interesting to know: What do you actively use? Is the choice of what ratings dictated by where you work, or do you choose where to work based on the ratings you have/rigs you like? Did I miss a brand?... yep, likely... don't know them all, but this might give a better representation. Blue Skies (or, I guess "Bleu Skies" for our Atom jumpers ) JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

I'd rather pack a round than a ram-air reserve any day... JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Again, that depends on what is going on before the jump... I've spent 30min all under 1000' on a scenic flight. If the pilot is burning to get you up for a jump (as mine did), no problem. But a scenic flight with a jump a the end could be a real problem. Just sayin', JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

And on a typical day at the DZ (where the LZ is in the same location) this "set-it and forget-it" approach works well for 99% of the people 99% of the time. But like anything new(er than Terry ) you must know more about them than just that, or the 1% of the time will catch you. (and I'm as potentially guilty as the next well-informed guy... glad the OP started this discussion...) Unfortunately, each electronic altimeter type device will have its own auto-zero behavior and thresholds. Since its what most of you have on your rig... anyone know (without looking) how the Cypres-2 knows if its to be in 'on-a-jump' mode?? "The more they overthink the plumbing, the easier it is to stop up the drain." -Scotty- JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Wow, thanks for that. Another reason I'll stick to analog. Me and Jerry may be the last ones. One of the reasons I still have a chest-mount analog... I just wish they read the same in freefall... (same in the plane, same under canopy and on the ground, but 1k' different in ff ) JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

You too will cross the threshold into old age. Best of luck when you get there, Jerry Baumchen “Old age, in short…One day, perhaps, it will happen to you…if you are lucky….” As to the original question - yes, a digital altimeter (audio/visual/AAD) could be susceptible to thinking it is still (or back) on the ground with a simple barometric change. Hold an any one altitude long enough and I suspect all of them would unless/until they determine that they are in flight mode (for those that do). Climb slow enough and it may not get to that mode either. BUT, the behavior/thresholds are going to be different based on the programming of each brand/make/model/update-rev. (at which point anecdotal discussion will not give you your best answers) If you are concerned about your specific equipment, ask the manufacturer about it and what climb/hold parameters would be a problem. If you're going for a balloon jump and the pilots climbs out smartly and simply ascends til jump time, there should be no problem. If you're going for a long balloon flight/excursion with a jump at the end, then you may have issues. For your visual altimeter, I would read up on whether you can readjust it in flight. If so, check against the balloon pilot's alt. You could also borrow an analog alt from the local DZ as backup... My bigger concern would be to ensure my AAD behavior was compatible with the intended flight profile. (should be, but check) They're a lot of fun, wish I was going. JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Yep... very different situation than your initial post implied. JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

But if, as seems to be normal in the US, you only have 4-6 hours on one day before your first AFF/SL jump, there is only so much a student can be expected to absorb during the class. Each approach has its advantages, but with the choice on class length comes choices as to what the student can be expected to remember. JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...