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You will also find that by loosening the chest strap you allow your canopy to take its intended shape rather than be cinched down. This helps the canopy fly and flare better, especially at lighter wing loadings and when in turbulance. It also allows you to engage your harness when flying around (After also allowing you to be able to sit in your harness more by bringing the leg straps forward a little). I started loosening my chest strap on my second canopy (Sabre 2 150) loaded at 1.2 and the difference was very noticeably better!! IMO it's one of those things where you just simply have to do it the once and then you'll wonder why you was ever worried about it. ie. Remember when you used to let your slider flap about after opening? Then you started collapsing it and it was no big deal....

To VB, that's not me by the way in the Foxy vid! I have had to chop 2 Velos though, both with skyhook. But nothing anywhere near to Foxy! If you want to talk about (unintentional) chops though speak to Brian Vacher, at last count he was on 23! To DocProp, Team Heat, a group of UK Army experienced canopy pilots, have done a lot of intentional Velo cutaways. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FZ4XPvfcxs My only claim to a bit of minor fame is that I once static lined a Velo 96 (in a size 200 student rig). And I may possibly have been the first ever to do so.... That was fun!

Virgin Burner, go do one will ya. This forum has been quite interesting and Doc Pop has approached this matter correctly. Lets leave it at that please so we can discuss this without someone having a flame fest. To quote Matt "I am not one of the canopy police, because you want to is a valid reason" DocPop, whilst I agree so far with the course of this thread, I do also believe that what you desire to experience is not entirely out of the range of possibilities. Firstly, I do not wish to validate your request at all. What you plan to do in one jump is a bad idea and you have come to the right conclusion. However I would be interested to hear what the general consensus would be in order to make this happen? If at all possible? What would it take and what would be a sensible plan to achieve this? I mean, does it really boil down to experience? Is this achievable at all? Can someone with 200 jumps handle this? What about 500 jumps? First, see this video which will give you an idea of how things could pan out...... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WD9oy73c5Ns&feature=related p.s. Don't flame me, this has been interesting and I'm in it for the discussion. It's been a long winter and talking about flying Velos is all I got at the mo!

This has been an entertaining thread and whilst I do not know Shah269 from Adam, I must assume he is a nice guy as no-one here has dared to mention the Elephant in the room....... So here goes.... First, here is my disclaimer (as you did also). This is not personal in any way:- Shah269, You look a bit overweight. From your photo and your listed wingloading I'd say you were close to 13st. How on earth are you going to get a girl who meets your requirements when you appear not to meet them yourself?

I just purchased these and they are excellent. (On recommendation from this forum). http://www.surefire.com/EP3-Sonic-Defenders I have some custom made fully moulded earplugs which I use for the tunnel (The green leopard ones above) but recently I've been wondering just how effective they are. (These are the second pair I've owned). After a while they get looser and you can tell they are helping but definitely not as effective. Also, I've worked in heavy industry all my life and my last 2 annual hearing tests have now started to show a significant decline (I am only 36). So I have a vested interest to really start looking after my hearing. Well, these new EP3 ones are extremely soft and comfortable (They seem even better than the custom pair), but more importantly they get in there real tight and stay in there so you really feel they are working. Gonna see how I get on with these now.

[email]This is a no flaming zone!!! Learning only. Do you add any extra length to your brake lines? I am on a Velo 90 at 2.25 and I find that stock Velos require at least another 2". I use slightly longer risers, 23" inch and then you definitely will need more brake length. My last line set after discussion with PD was +3" on the brake lines. PD told me that Comp Velos will come with longer brakelines than standard Velos anyway. PD also remarked that most of their PD team have +6" on their Comp Velos. I believe he meant that was +6" in relation to a stock Velo. Sticking with stock Velos though, reason I mention it is that having that bit extra just helps keep the tail that bit looser during swoops and seems to help squeeze out all that a Velo has to offer when in full brakes. I find it just takes that twitchy edge away as well when you are in full brakes. Helps with any burbles as you don't have to be so maxed out when flying slow. And despite the added brake length I can still fully stall my wing. If you haven't made any adjustments to brake length/riser length then it's definitely worth experimenting with. Velos have so much to offer! I picked most of this up during swoop comps and canopy flocking with other Velos. (Although I only swoop for fun at the mo!) Just exchanging stories here, but the burble I remember the most was when I followed in another Swooper through the gates. I went in a little too soon after them although IMO should have been well OK. But as I planed out to go through the gates the canopy hit the burble and one side stalled very slightly, it was enough to sideslide my canopy off the line and I had to abort the gates. Was very sudden and scary but no mistaking the effect of the burble. And definitely the burble as I was in no input planing out. It was like someone shoved me to one side very quickly! P.s. Stunning scenery, where in Norway?

Just playing devils advocate here..... But are you sure you didn't just stall the left side of your canopy through too much toggle input? Does the video start with you on full brakes? Or do you transition from full flight into full brakes? It looks like you were on full brakes but still sidesliding left so as to arrive behind your friend. Therefore, there would have been slightly more input on the left toggle, perhaps past the stall point. Which, whilst your airspeed was initially high, is OK, (either because you transitioned from full speed quite quickly into full brakes). But then as the airspeed bleeds off very quickly, you may have stalled the left side of your canopy yourself. Not saying you didn't experience any burble from the canopy in front of you, but perhaps the maneuver you carried out previous also contributed just as much to the situation as the burble did. Just something to think about as even the poster above remarks that was still some distance behind. Maybe Aggie or someone just as experienced could comment further. In fairness though I was not there and I've surmised/deduced a bit too much from your video me thinks. Blue Skies (and Velo flight above 2.1 rocks!!)

nothing "advanced" about them....

To be fair that isn't just end cell closure...on the first opening it's 2 end cells closed on the left and about 1 &1/2 on the right so it's not that good really. However, I do 100% agree that there's nothing at all for you to moan at Icarus about!! On that first opening you let a load moan out as if it was a hard opening but all I can see is a very soft snivelly on heading opening. Albeit with some slightly excessive end cell closure. Yes the slider does stay up a bit but I've seen bad packjobs do this as well. Thus I would put money on it that considering you don't know how to stow your excess steering line I could safely say that your packing may leave a lot to be desired. Perhaps before you moan off at Icarus you should take your canopy to an experienced jumper and ask him to show you how to pack it better. Also, something for the other posters on DZ.com:- If you freeze the first opening you can get a good look at his risers and the toggle setting. Something looks off here. He has his toggle set on a popper and the eyelet for the steering line setting is above the ring. I would hazard a guess that these risers are a little flakey and that the toggle setting is a little off. Can someone take a look and see what they think please??

Just seen that they now have a european dealer:- http://www.airsoft-sports.com/store/index.php/cat/c125_Pyro-Spec--Effects.html Have fun!

It will be ace for wingsuiting. I'll send you some pictures later of the set up if you want. I made a battery and switch to fire it and I use plastic guttering pipe on the outlet of the smoke cannister as a vent to funnell the smoke. Works superb. I attach the smoke cannister to my foot facing back and connect the switch to my leg. I did a lot of fun stuff last year with it to see how it performed. I wanted to get away from all the problems associated with the military smoke. I think it's a great solution but I'm blowing my trumpet a bit here! I posted some to Norway for a trip I was on and picked it up out there. I believe it's ok to post but you'd have to check with them.

In the UK I use the 150 second smoke from this company. http://www.tlsfx.co.uk/s-9-smoke.aspx I know you are not in the UK but perhaps it may give you an idea of what to look for in Switzerland. It's paintballing smoke so is less toxic, does not burn too hot (as in you can hold it if you wanted to), does not eject hot rocks, and does not stain. And comes in many, many colours. I use the 150 second smoke which also comes with electronic firing if you want. The cannister has 2 wires which you can connect to a home made battery/switch and then fire it whenever you like. I use the 150 second smoke and fire it when I'm on the step and not in the plane which keeps the pilot happy. The 150 smoke is long enough to last through free fall and canopy. It's thick enough to be seen if jumping flat, it's a bit wispy if head down or in sit. But it's awesome under canopy. If you just want it for canopy then get the lesser burn time. Plus with the electronic firing you can fire it under canopy whenever you want. I have not tried the twin vent high density. That's only 30 seconds though. What I do for more smoke is put one on each foot. I've even had 2 on one foot. You get some staining on your jumpsuit but it all washes out no problem. Be warned military smoke is very expensive, toxic, very hot, may spontaneously combust or set fire to your leg, ejects hot rocks which will burn through anything and permanently stains everything it touches! p.s. Do a search as this has been discussed before

I think you may be onto something here... I've been convinced for a long while that this is exactly what is happening when you book flights with Easyjet and Ryanair!

Donation made. Hope to see Dubai for myself one day soon as well! Here's to Chris and Dubai 2011!

My Bad.... The Bonfire Sit back, relax and vent yer angst! This is the place for non-skydiving related discussions. Seems the perfect petejones45 free haven, seeing that as an Internet Skydiving Master he cannot post in a non skydiving related forum......Cue evil laugh, WHA HA HA HA HAA......

Just thought I'd let all the petejones45 fans know a new thread has been started asking "who is the real petejone45?". http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=4005408;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;;page=unread#unread If anyone would like to share please check it out Thanks p.s. The new thread has been declared a petejones45 free thread, sorry Pete.

C'mon, I know he's a Legend but lets stick to the truth...... I've just read from another of his posts that he seems to be very good at pricing second hand Sabre 2 canopies, very interesting.... So does anyone actually know him? Can anyone confirm if this is his myspace page? http://www.myspace.com/whitepinerecordings

Hi, this thread is a petejones45 free thread. Petejones45 is not allowed to post in this thread. I was just wondering if anyone knew petejones45 and could tell me what he's really like? Even over here in the UK were are wondering? So, definitely no personal attacks on petejones45 please, but if anyone has some heartwarming stories they would like to share that could give us an insight into the real petejones45 please do so. I can start things off if you like...... I've read from his posts that he does chores for the elderly and shovels snow for them. That's nice of him.

Choosing to purchase a new container is the least of your worries when it comes to purchasing new gear. This is due, pretty much to all the new containers being very, very good. Leaving IMO not a lot to choose between them baring luxury options and personal colour choices. Vector, Javelin, Mirage, Icon, Wings, Voodoo, Velocity, TSE etc, etc.... So really it all boils down to cost, waiting time, customer service. (Assuming a correct measurement and a correct fit). And whether or not you choose to listen to whatever rumours, hearsay and other rubbish people generally spout whenever they justify their container choice against others. I for one have a Vector Micron, I have also owned TSE, Wings and a Javelin. They were all excellent! Whenever I get asked as to what container to choose I say exactly as I've just posted. They are all good!

Every day's a learning day! Thanks. For the record though, I don't agree with Pete. He's just being pedantic, IMO. He should listen more and approach this discussion as Andy9o8 recommends. Someone asked for a picture and when it was posted Pete jumped straight in with a stupid comment and is now trying to backpeddle from it by trying to show others far more experienced than him, how clever he thinks he is. Again, there is no hard evidence of that, only simply how his postings come across in the e-world. (As do mine, probably).

Just a quickie, but before we continue this topic can we just read the following sentence.... "I would advise you to visit GCSE.com," said the English teacher. "It offers some great advice." That is all, thanks, please continue...

I recently dislocated my right shoulder and I am now back jumping. I can't really speculate as to what is happening with your muscle but I can offer a few alternative scenarios and some background info perhaps on shoulder dislocations which I think may be related. (Not sure what you know already so sorry if this is sucking eggs) As you also probably know after suffering a dislocation you are very highly likely to do it again, hence why you needed the surgery originally. Also you need to be very specific with your weight training/exercises in order to target only your rotator cuffs. Thus keeping them strong so as to prevent further recurrences. Also bear in mind that once you have strong rotator cuffs, then if you overdo any other muscle groups around the shoulder (pecs and back), this will in turn actually make the rotator cuffs weaker in comparison. Having said all that, If you have previously suffered a shoulder dislocation then….. The worst position to put your arm/shoulder into is exactly the Boxman arched position and the same again when under canopy. Also doing this quickly is BAD!!! I think the Docs call this external rotation. But whatever they call it, doing the box man and having your arms above your head when using canopy toggles is the worst possible situation for your shoulder. And the further back behind your head you put your arm the worse it is. So an extreme box man with hands past the ears will do that, so will hands releasing your toggles under canopy. But what I found to be the worst was hands on rears when opening. And…also the pull being BOC is not good either. So basically everything required to carry out a skydive is not good at all. Hanging from anything on exit is very bad as well!!! So picture your skydive, You hang off the rails (and struts?) for exit, spend the entire freefall arched, reach for the pull, hands on rears, hands in toggles, fly around, then perhaps a swoop landing on your front risers. So when you land your shoulder and arm has been through the works. Then the next thing you do is pack! So basically skydiving is very hard on a recovered/recovering dislocated shoulder. If I overdo it I find the first sign will be a sore and very weak bicep. (Same after playing Squash too long). Then anything after that is being taken by your shoulder, neck and elbow joint, so not good. If you do overdo it further, then weakness will be sustained for a period. But this is generally muscle fatigue and can be improved with good exercise regimes. I’ve not felt any muscles popping or moving around incorrectly. Certainly what you describe could be any sort of muscle strain/pull. If you have pulled a muscle in your upper arm as you say, then this will make your arm very weak. Performing any of the above skydiving moves will be difficult. If you are jumping with a muscle bad enough to cause weakness then your shoulder could be taking more strain then you really want. Especially with its history. Therefore…. You also say “I had an immensely painful sensation in my right upper arm. When the canopy opened I could not bring my arm up past 90 degrees. I then felt a 'pop' (as if the muscle slid back into place), and though it was sore, had my full range of motion back, though my strength was diminished” Are you sure 100% it is muscle? It may have started out as a pulled muscle in the upper arm. But a weakened arm will put more strain on your shoulder and what you are describing now sounds a lot like a shoulder sublaxation. (Especially if you heard a pop when it went back in) Google this but it’s a partial dislocation that then resets. Leaving you with a very weakened arm/shoulder and you would not have been able to raise your arm above 90 degrees as you say, until it resets, "pops" back in. This leaves you very prone to further sublaxations and very likely a full dislocation again. I also found that when I originally dislocated my shoulder the pain was all in my upper arm. I thought I'd bust my arm and it didn't even occur to me it was my shoulder. However saying that, tendons can also make a pop when they snap. (Especially your Archilles tendon. That one certainly will make a noise). But any tendon damage in your arm will be sustained and obvious and require time to recover (and surgery). Leaving you weak all the time. A shoulder sublaxation will reset, you will recover quickly but it will keep happening and possibly/probably worse every time. Also having to keep reseting sublaxations can cause further damage, nerve damage. You may have suffered a sublaxtion which reset itself, this is not uncommon, however, if you have a sublaxation that won't reset then they suggest you don't even try yourself as done badly it can be a lot more grief in the long term. Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional in any way whatsoever and my post is purely the ramblings of my own mind and experiences. Nothing more. Probably much less though.

You just want to sniff the seat. That's called "Snurging" (from the Viz Profanisaurus)

Pie-ing does happen over here, but usually after hours on DZ's and usually more so for birthdays. I've delivered 3 pies and recieved 1 myself! (All for/from Skydivers on their birthdays). However I do believe the tradition was picked up initially while out in the states..... I do love a good pie-ing. The one I delivered was to my girlfriend on her 24th and it was in front of her parents!! haha. Classic.

Your biggest problem was taking your girlfriend to a jewellers and letting her pick out a ring. Fact of the matter is that asking a girl to marry you should still be one of lifes surprises. Pick a nice place, with all your close friends and the surprise goes a long, long way. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ud4eLOzSTfU (please make clicky) That goes way further than an expensive ring. It's a surprise where the man buys the ring for them and she gets what she's given. Plus it should be handed back should anything go wrong as well. That being said it's the thought that counts so any genuine girl should be more than happy that you've asked them to marry you regardless of the value of the ring.