davelepka

***one of my friends who will out fly many of my instructors and he only has 200 jumps..I trust him in the air more than most, but on here (to some people) doesn't know jack shit. --------------------------------------------------------- Watch who you trust in the air. Remember, as good as you may think he is, he still only has 200 jumps, and only have 25. There are worlds of skill and information out there the both of you haven't even considered. I need 50 or so jumps with somebody before I really 'trust' them in the air. That even goes the AFF I's at the DZ I work at when I was new to the staff.

***or was forced to make a hard turn, would I have had a potential mess on my hands? ================================== To start, what happened to you, if you have a collapsable PC is usually not a problem, and landing it was a fine idea. Something to think about, for next tine, or any 'questionable' situation, is if you were open at 3, and doing your controlability check, really wring the thing out. Full flare to an impending stall, and hard turns in either direction, while looking at the canopy for any 'weirdness'. I'm guessing you've done this with a good canopy, and seen what the canopy looks like, so you can identify any differences during your test. The idea is to really investigate the problem between 3k and 2k, so if you see trouble, you can still cut it away. If it checks out, THEN take it easy under your desicion altitude, with the knowledge that you should be able to fully fly the canopy if you have to. The easy landing in the student area was a good idea.

So I read the thread, and while it's sliding toward the 'cobalts are shitty canopies' end, I have to know, who's the fucking retard that thought it was OK for a guy with 132 total jumps, with only a portion of them being in the last two years (and the balance being so long ago they don't mean crap anymore) buy ANY canopy loaded at 1.4+, let alone a Cobalt. You 'WILL' get coaching? The difference between that and I 'DID' get coaching is monumental. Even if you plan to get coaching, you have not done it yet, and your good intentions will not help you if get into trouble. Understand that the choices you are making are contrary to popular opinion, and you are putting yourself at undue risk. Addtionally, if the "ladder injury' that put you out of skydiving for many years has any residual effects that could inhibit your ability to heal from injury, you could be putting yourself at risk for lifelong disability.

Interesting poll. What's also interesting is the newer jumpers who will go make one skydive to stay current. While they may meet the minimum qualifications for being 'current' I would hardly describe them as such. I agree with your observation that the currentcy requirements are short for the lower licenses in order to have them repeat some training. I think that the above scenario nullifies the intent of the currency requirements. As of this posting, the "go make a jump to saty curent" option has recieved the most votes. Again, interesting.

Yeah, the hard housings go in the risers, and help to reduce pull forces in some cutaway situations. It's a good idea to get them. At a light wingloading, it might not matter, but if you're ordering new, you might as well. Risers and toggles (velcroless) are around $100 and you can get them in a short time. If your existing risers are in good shape, you could sell them on your DZ. Even if you got only $20 for them, it's 20% of the cost of new risers.

You need shorter risers. See how far you are from reaching your slider, then subtract that number of inches from your existing risers, that should be the length you should order. It's common for ladies and short guys to jump shorty risers. It will make your rig safer, and you'll be more comfortable under canopy.

***I would be loading this 210 at just under 1.1:1 which was close to where I was with the Hornet 230 before I lost 12 pounds. But the Pilot is smaller and more aggressive. And it is not a damn Stilletto or Katana or whatever else I have no business having overhead. Do I want to swoop? Boy do I ever. Do I want to go Head Down? Without Question. Do I want to do Crew? Damn skippy. Do I want to fly camera? Tell me where to point. Do I want to fly Bird-Man? You bet your bloomin' ass! So when will I start? When someone I know has nothing but my safety at heart, who has the experience and knowledge, and who I know won't tell me what they think I want to hear, says it is okay to start. ==================================== So I made an earlier post saying that the attitude of experienced jumpers can go a long way toward forming the attitude of newer jumpers. Some posts agreed with this idea, while others have said it won't work. So far, all have agreed that the post quoted above was on the money, and that this guy has the right idea. So where did it come from? It came from the people at his home DZ. How do I know for sure? It's also my home DZ. I have clearly shown that I am in favor of a slow and regulated canopy progression. For that matter, I am in favor of a slow and regulated skydiving progression (although I think freeflying is OK without belly flying, but thats just me). Even with this attitude, the attitude of the maganement (Tim and Sherry Butcher) even strikes me a overly conservative from time to time. I would have put this guy on a 210 at 1.1 to 1 with no problem, but Sherry says 230, and 230 it is. I've seen this sort of thing over and over, and as much as I think it's going a little too far, the fact is, the program is working. Last season, I cannot recall a single serious injury, and there may have been one amulance ride (I'm not sure, it may have been zero). We have graduated around 30 students from the A license program each year for at least the last three years, so our 'experienced' jumpers are a new, and un-experienced group. Still, we manage to make it through the season without injuries, and in truth, without many close calls. This is becasue these jumpers are taught from day one to take it slow, and that, in time, the skills and abilities will come. The interesting thing about it is, that those skills seem to come quicker to those who follow that program because they are open to instruction and advice, and approach things in an intelligent manner. How about a jumper on a graduation dive (jump #21) doing a 10 point 4 way. Sure it was three AFF instructors, but the newbie flew her slot, and earned every point. This sort of thing happens ALL THE TIME at our DZ. The program is sound, and it produces results. Yes, I am showing freefall accomplishments, when canopy control and landings are a more important area to focus on. I don't really have anything to say becasue ALL of the jumpers are jumping canopies which are within thier abilities, and downsizing is closely monitored. In addition to the right equipment, we have a standing appointment with Scott Miller for AT LEAST one canopy course each season, and for the last few years it has been two. These are booked solid for three days, and we have jumpers from 20 to 500 jumps participating, and many jumpers will take the course multiple times. Yes, the DZO, Sherry, happens to be a USPA regional director, and on the safety and training committe, but as we all know, the USPA has yet to officially implement any measures to modernize canopy training. Yet this hasn't stopped her from taking control of her 'world' and running it in a responsible way that reflects the needs of modern day skydiving. Furthermore, this is not a new attitude for her and Tim, this is the basis on which they built thier DZ, and the success of it is unquestionable. I am all for small canopies, and swooping and evrything esle that makes skydiving as fun and diverse as it is, FOR THOSE WHO ARE READY. The definition of 'ready' is what needs to be examined (as in erring on the conservative side when a judgement call is needed), and the support of this conservative attitude needs to be apparent and vocalized by the 'cool' guys. It does work. It will work.

***I don't care how much tunnel time someone has, 50 jumps is still only 50 deployments. There's a lot more to jumping camera than getting the shot. =================================== Besides, who the hell is shooting video in the tunnel? How does whatever you do in the tunnel make you ready for video? There's way more than getting the shot, and that in itself is a tricky proposition.

***What will it take to get people to slow down, breathe, think, learn, and enjoy? ===================================== A miracle? A message from god? A valium? Am I close? Here's a problem: This is skydiving, and it attracts people who want to jump out of a plane. Confident, athletic, fearless. These are the qualities that bring people to the DZ, but these are also the qualities that cause people to push the limits. Not everyone who jumps fits this profile, but most of the overly aggresive jumpers you are reffering to do. The real problem is that the culture of skydiving doesn't really discourage this. There are some taboos in place that most will heed, but in general, higher performance is rewarded and repsected in this sport. The trouble with this is the line between an experienced jumper safely pushing the envelope and a newer jumper pushing their own envelope is a blurry one. We do discourage some things; willfully downwinding a landing through a crowded landing area will get you some dirty looks, and some harsh words. This is why people don't readily do this. Tossing your PC out the door of the plane will get you loads of shit if you live long enough to hear it, and when was the last time you saw somebody do that? Canopies and camera helmets have changed quite a bit in the last ten years. I started shooting video when mini DV cams were not around. My fellow jumpers wanted nothing to do with the full size camera and helmet I was jumping with, so I always shot the video. Once the mini Dv cams came around, everyone wanted one, and quite a few actually bought them. It opened the idea up to many jumpers who would never consider video with full size camera. Cross braced canopies didn't even exist not too long ago, and swooping was not a sport, just something for the highly experienced jumpers. When the X-braced canpoies arrived, the previous HP canopies now seemed less HP, which is silly, because the Stiletto didn't change at all, but now it looked 'tame'. The more swoopers people saw, the more it was accepted, and the more info got out (via, I don't know, maybe the interent) the more people discounted it as common place, and some precived a reduced level of danger. The basic idea is the the culture and the training in skydiving have not kept pace with the technology. It needs to stop being 'cool' to jump a small canopy. If jumpers were to voice neagtive attitudes, and refuse to jump with someone with too aggresive a WL, maybe newbies would more cafefully consdier their canopies. If it was common knowledge that you need 300 or 400 jumps to be safe with a camera, and that a jumper who wanted to ignore this would not be able to find anyone to jump with, they would drop the camera, as they would have no one to film. These changes cannot happen overnight, but the sooner the attitudes change, the sooner the changes in the culture can begin. Skydiving is tons of fun, and can be done with a good degree of safety, provided that people play by the rules. The more experience you have, the more those rules will open up to you. The caveat to this is that the more experience you have, the more respect you have for the rules, and they become less crucial as the jumper will typically make good choices, rules not-withstanding. The trick is getting the newbies to follow the rules.

Here's an interesting point. The danger is not soley that of an equipment related problem at deployment or in a cutaway. The real danger, the one that concerns me more often than not is the danger to other jumpers. With shooting video being the first thing on their mind (and thats what new video guys do. It's in an effort to produce some nice footage to show how 'good' or how 'cool' they are, or how wrong all the jumpers are who think they shouldn't have a camera are), basic safety concerns are not the first thing on their mind. Tunnel vision kicks in, and they can't see beyond their own ignorance. Take the video of the two freeflyers, with one being on his first camera jump, and the other on one of his first times in front of the camera ( I would name names and places, but there are more than a handful of these videos out there). The jump looks OK for the most part. It starts to seem a little long, then the video catches a glimpse of a reserve pilot chute shooting past the one guys feet (they were head down) just before teh video is jolted a halt by a high speed reserve deployment, with a 'no time to even unstow the brakes' landing. Both jumpers were so focused on the camera, they flew head down right into a dual Cypres fire. Thank god for Cypres. As an experienced camera flyer, I would say that my mind wanders from the 'job' of shooting a video at least ten times every jump. Maybe I'm eyeballing the background looking at the spot, or maybe I'm looking at who I'm shooting, and their equipment. One time I felt my shoe come untied, and the extra wind in my shoe caught my attention. You have to able to multi-task like this to be safe with a camera. If you can't, you can't safely shoot video, it's just not possible. What do you tell this guy? Who knows. Your guess is as good as mine. Keep clear of this guy in the sky for sure.

***But for me, priority number one is to look out for myself. =============================== Your attitude sucks. It also demonstrates your lack of experience and foresight. Other's gear issues can quickly become your issues. Deployments in the plane or on the step. Thats trouble for everyone. Anyone on your skydive with a gear issue can quickly become a very personal problem for you. The checks needed to avoid the above situations (eyeballing pilot chutes and ripcord handles, looking for exposed bridle or open pin cover flaps) are so close to a complete visual gear check, why not take a look at the rest of the rig? Addtionally, is it that much trouble to give a visual once-over to every rig in the plane to possibly avoid an injury to a fellow jumper? If you're not concered about anyone but yourself, consider that an accident usually brings the DZ to halt with ambulances and helicopters showing up. That'll ruin your day at the DZ anytime.

***There is still a company that will let you demo for free Atair aerospace, the guys that make the cobalt canopy. ---------------------------------------------------- I could kick you in the nuts for free, but that doesn't make it a good deal.

***More distance is needed from the subject so it takes a little longer to complete but it has a nice dynamic look to it. -------------------------------------- Side benefit: It's harder for your subject to kick you in the nuts.

***Am i the only one who thinks the trend towards wider and wider wide angle lenses is just leading to crappier and crappier video? ------------------------------------------------------- Nope. The freeflyers have made the ultra wide lenses popualr because you need them to film inside a freefly jump. Why an outside guy would use an ultra wide lens is anyone's guess. My guess is that those guys are hacks, and need the 'help' you get from an extra wide lens (less noticable shake, and easier to frame). I've been narrowing up my lenses for the last couple years, and the footage is much cleaner. I think Greg Gasson and some others are shooting with no lens. It's tougher, but the results are worth it.

***That said, Dave's response was way wrong, or rather his delivery of the message. Dave wants to have a positive impact on young fresh jumpers and sours them with a negative message. ---------------------------------------------- Your first point is your opinion, next time, state it as such. Second, you don't know me or what I want. My response adopted the tone of the post I was replying to. His first post was innocent engough, and I replied with a due amount of 'sugar". His reply to the response was a different matter, and I replied in kind. Study the issue you are commenting on before doing so, especially when taking it upon yourself to represent me, my views, or my ways.

I said that people with your attitude, as expressed in you response to my original post , were better off not on the DZ. And yes I have seen those people go in ambulances (the very reason the DZ is better off without people with that attitude). Use your head. Consider your limitations, and your lack of experiecne. Just because it works today, don't count on things going well tomorrow.

I'm the 'shocking 'guy. Read the complete thread. I stand behind what I said, and the context in which it was said.

Well it's pretty generally accepted that 100 jumps is early to start shooting video, and for reference, 68 jumps experience gives ZERO room to speak regarding the safety of what you're doing. Much like the jumper who tries his buddies canopy which he knows is too small or too aggresive, and when one or two jumps, on a nice day, in good weather goes well, he goes out and buys the same canopy for himself. The day he encounters a less than ideal situation, he realizes the folly of his ways. Your overall skydiving experience isn't enough to have prepared you for the unsual circumsatnces you may encounter by adding a camera to your head. I don't care who you are, or how good you think you are. You don't even know how much you have to learn. I have thousnads of jumps, and last season I leared more than the season before. It's your ignorance and your arrognace that are going to do you in. Much like anyone who's spent more than a few years on a DZ, I've seen your type come and go. Some go on their own, and some go in an ambulance, the good part is that they just go. As far as your question goes, reach into your bag seemingly infinite knowledge and figure it our for yourself.

You're talking about stowing it at the canopy as a final step to a pack job (just before wrapping the tail). The original purpose was to hold the slider up in the canopy for an extra second during the opening. This would help to slow the opening of some of the old F-111 canopies. It's not popular anymore because the canopy manufacturers have learned to make canopies that open well without the need for that. Although, I do know some people who do just that with a modern canopy, but wouldn't you know it, they are mostly older (like the idea) themselves. Nowadays, if you say 'stow a slider' most people think of what you do to your slider after opening, down at the connector links. Collapsing your slider at the links keeps them from flapping and making all kind of noise, eliminates excess wear on your lines, and helps to reduce drag for HP canopy pilots.

I'm not sure what you're saying here. A repost with some caps and punctuation would help. If your profile is correct, and you're asking about or currently shooting video, I know what response you're going to get. You're not going to like it.

None, Freefall photographers provide footage of freefall. If you did want to go to the trouble to video or photo exits and landings of static line, you could make some money for sure.

***if you have flown 3000 hrs after your initial training to get your licence before one of these things occur you are much farther away from being trained how to handle it. "What did that guy say 5 years ago that I should in this situation?" =================================== It's called recurrent training. Good pilots will persue training well beyond earning their rartings. It's what makes them good pilots.

To shame. That puts the rest of us to shame. (I'm still shaking my head in disbelief)

Here's a semi related question. If reducing drag is a high proirity (which is a great idea. It's like making racecars lighter instead of more powerful) what is your take on an RDS? Does it warrant the extra effort? Even if it was just in competition?

***The snaps are attached to webbing and then sewn to the riser ================================= That does solve the issue I had with the idea. What about the 'keep it simple' principal? Wouldn't propery spaced and properly maintained keepers work just as well? I have way too many jumps on my current risers without any keeper replacement or premature toggle release.