webracer

You think that's hard, Try picking out a new freefly suit for an experience skydiver... Uugh! Troy I am now free to exercise my downward mobility.

Chris, I am proud to have you at my home DZ, and even more proud that my home DZ values your input. Please keep it up working for all our safety. Your efforts do not go unnoticed. Aircraft safety is of prime importance, as without it, we would'nt be able to even participate in our sport. I feel aircraft maintenance (proper and at the highest standards) pays off in the end. I learn a lot everytime you post in your area of expertise, keep it up! Troy I am now free to exercise my downward mobility.

Sangiro, Can you transfer this to an article (with Derek's permission), that way it would be an easy reference and get it's time on the homepage. It would also be easier to access in the future. Troy Troy I am now free to exercise my downward mobility.

Here's what I do: I approach the person, and if I don't know them, I introduce myself. I ask them if they were aware of the problem (whatever it is) Today for instance, I met a jumper that did not leave enough separation at exit and opened 50 yards from me (I was on a 4-way sit). He realized that situation, so we discussed most of the scenarios that could lead to such a situation. The conversation was very civil, and public, but unless you were eavesdropping, it would have looked just like two jumpers debriefing a jump. I don't really get angry at stuff like this because it serves no purpose. If it continues to happen, I start to get perturbed. In this sport shit happens, we do the best we can to prevent it. Part of prevention is learning. People rarely are open to learn when someone is yelling at them. Sunshine, If I'd have seen this happen, I would have stepped in, and I'm surprised somebody didn't. You did the right thing. Troy Troy I am now free to exercise my downward mobility.

Chris, I'm glad to have you on our side. Most jumpers just assume the planes are safe, and that the DZOs "must" comply with the FAA, when in fact many things may be overlooked. It is back to the "it can't happen to me (us) mentality. We as skydivers know that mentality is deadly, but when it comes to aircraft, that is exactly the position taken. So many of us assume the danger only starts when we leave the door. Keep on them, for all of us! Troy I am now free to exercise my downward mobility.

Dude, The IP55 is perfect for skydiving. It is small and easy to mount. It has a LANC port and works with the cameye. It accepts 30mm lenses (like the diamond .30). I just broke mine and sent it into sony for repair, buying another to make up the downtime. The only pitfall is that you cannot firewire to any miniDV camera. You can analog through RCA or SVideo. You can also firewire to movieshaker and output to miniDV to share (what I do). It is an excellent camera and already 5 folks at my DZ are using it. I broke mine by "dropping" it, and accept the consequences. My TRV would have broken as well under the same circumstances. I love my IP55! Troy Troy I am now free to exercise my downward mobility.

Generally these days we are establishing landing direction in the plane, (whenever there could be doubt). This works about 90%. I am not sure if it is people that don't listen, can't steer their canopy, won't make a 45 deg. correction on final, or what. Usually those crossing the landing direction are doing so by 45 degrees more or less. Slowly we are correcting this, but I am sure this will never be 100%. We do land a bit crosswind where the landing area requires it (triangulated), but we are mostly into the wind. We only set a downwind final when ground winds are 0-3mph or so (negligible) (again because of the triangle and those going long). Set up a system for your particular DZ and landing area, keep to it and set the example, it has an impact. We had a swoop club meet where the course was setup about 110 degrees off the windline (cross/downwind). This had a positive impact on the low-timers watching because they saw that not only can you land like this, you can do so accurately. They saw the canopies crabbing all the way through the course and still not hitting the blades. Many people commented during that event that they learned something about not having to be directly into the wind to land safely and accurately. It was a positive for landing safety training. Troy Troy I am now free to exercise my downward mobility.

I wanna jump it too! Troy I am now free to exercise my downward mobility.

Glad to have you aboard. Keep up the pace and you'll be at 100 before you know it. Currency is everything in this sport. From here, each jump gets better and better! Troy Troy I am now free to exercise my downward mobility.

I don't think it would have to be much, if any larger. Look at the vibrators put in cellphone batteries, they hardly affect the size. I think I could feel it, but if'n I couldn't, I can still see the ground (provided I'm not on my head). I think it would work, but don't know if there is enough market for it. Troy I am now free to exercise my downward mobility.

Since Alti-2 reads this, I have a suggestion. I would like this as a vibration alarm instead of audible, that way I could sew a window in my glove (on the back of my hand), and use the visual and alarm modes. I currently have Altimaster IIs on each rig at r.h. leg harness, Pro Dytters in each helmet, and Protrack on my ankle for logging. I do not wear a bulky altimeter on my hand. I always wear gloves though, and sewing a window in would be awesome. Otherwise I'll stick with my current setup. Troy Troy I am now free to exercise my downward mobility.

I have done an intentional cutaway recently on a skyhook rig. It had a local main, and a PD176 for the intentional reserve. I didn't ask what the belly reserve was, but it was basically a vector reserve container with cypres, and probably filled with a 176 as well. The reserve did have a 3-ring, and the handles were not too difficult to get at if you had to use them (but quite different from a regular sport rig). I also thought that racer had a few intentional rigs that sport jumpers could rent/use if they go to FL. This intentional cutaway is my only cutaway (knock on wood), although I have had a few close calls. I put the main (spinetto) into a spin and cutaway at about 2500 AGL. The skyhook was fast, very fast. Opened straight and on heading, no line twists. I packed the reserve before and after my jump for the priveledge of jumping it. Troy I am now free to exercise my downward mobility.

TSA= Thousands Standing Around Yeah, the TSA sucks, They couldn't save an aircraft(or the lives of the passengers) if their lives depended on it. I refuse to take my shoes off-(f-them, let them do their job). Good for you to fight them, for all of us...don't give up! Let us know what happens Troy Troy I am now free to exercise my downward mobility.

Oxygen is the best (IMO). I have three, they rock, and are more solid on my head than Z1s. replacement lenses are not the best though, and are not formed like the original. I replace the lens on my primary A3 (about every 100 jumps (twice/year). Lucky I'm freeflying alot (with an openface) or I would be changing it more often. The lens life is a bit short, but the helmet fit and performance is worth it. Troy I am now free to exercise my downward mobility.

Good advice from Blahr, Get your dz (or rigger) to middle the transaction(if it is a shipping transaction) which protects you and the seller. Get the rig inspected before you buy, you then have all the info to make a responsible decision (at least with regards to equipment condition). Troy I am now free to exercise my downward mobility.

two jumps should not be a problem, but best will be for you to have it checked out by a rigger you trust, which may cost you a repack, but will ease your mind. If your rigger gives it the ok, buy it. Troy I am now free to exercise my downward mobility.

Dude, That fellow has been misinformed or is missing something. Articulation is an advance overall, and definitely not a safety issue. Troy I am now free to exercise my downward mobility.

1000', when my dytter chimes in. That's when the helmet comes off too. Troy I am now free to exercise my downward mobility.

Maybe this explains why Morris IL (Skydive Illinois) was recently shut down. The airport told them to get out (according to my sources). It's the same kinda government control as with speed limits and seatbelts. The government isn't saying you can't, just if you do you'll get no money. Troy I am now free to exercise my downward mobility.

Well Gee, they should tell all the top freeflyers of the world, since 99% of them are using fully articulated rigs. Look at the pictures. If the rig fits right, chest rings or not, it will be safe freeflying at any speed (with regards to coming off your shoulders). Troy I am now free to exercise my downward mobility.

Cmon, do you have any real basis for the following statement? \ Try again. Troy Troy I am now free to exercise my downward mobility.

ahh grasshopper...that is the question Maybe the tandem dummy is in back, not in front. Troy Troy I am now free to exercise my downward mobility.

Get the chest rings. I feel they allow proper articulation geometry. They also allow you to bring in your main liftwebs so they come over your shoulder parallel (much better for your shoulders). They bring your handles into better position as well. Instead of your main liftwebs curving down to the laterals, they form a ~30degree angle at the chest ring and go straight. IMO they are worth every penny, even though they will not likely add (much if any) to resale value. Troy Troy I am now free to exercise my downward mobility.

Back in the day, we used to use actual monkeys' fists (dried & formed of course) instead of puds. It became inconvenient to continue harvesting fists from monkeys when someone actually came up with the present day "monkey fist" which felt much like the original (if it was prepared right). With the original you also had to worry about a weak wrist for the attachment point, and with the new ones that worry has been all but eliminated. GO SYNTHETIC! Troy I am now free to exercise my downward mobility.

Skydiving... about 1500. BASE... about 200 (in a sitfly (albeit a horrible one)). Troy I am now free to exercise my downward mobility.