ianmdrennan

Michael, Talk to Tyler, Dan, Junior, Noah or any other good swooper at ASC. They should all be able to start you on the right track (a lot of which has been mentioned here already). Just down the road at The Farm you have another group of swoopers to talk to (Hans, Brian McNenney on occasion, Paul Roussow, hell even Shimmel , etc). As mentioned you have a good deal of resources in your area, please don't be shy or scared to use them. Also, feel free to approach me at any time should you catch me around the GA area. These things are far better dealt with face to face than over the internet. Looking forward to meeting you soon. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

While I agree with the seperation of landings I just want to point out that the above statement is untrue most of the time in my experience. How many pilots jumping 'regular' canopies do you see on level, landing at the same time on any given weekend.....typically MOST of them. Want to see it get even worse go to a boogie. Want to see it on a bizarre level, go to a big way. While not always possible to land at different times, it's not uncommon to see landing 'spurts' where there are a bunch of people landing at once followed by 20 seconds of nothing, and then repeated. That 20 seconds of nothing, if used correctly, can really help landing congestion. Seperation is everyone's issue. It's highlighted by higher closing speeds but to believe that it's only a swooper/non-swooper issue is folly IMO. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

I hadn't changed either in the comp, it was just my first comp using them. I'd been practicing 450's on my 90 for about 2 months or so. I just received the 84 and didn't have many jumps at all to get used to it so it really became a combination of factors. Ultimately I decided that the best place to learn what areas need work is a competition so I decided to just bite the bullet and see how it all panned out. Without a doubt I learned a bunch (as usual in comps) and I'm excited to go and practice/work on some areas that obviously need improvement

Chuck, for sure. I knew for a fact I could score far better doing my usual turn on my usual canopy. That said I'm trying to continue to push myself as a pilot and I feel this is another step towards that goal. Unfortunately I realize that my comp scoring will likely suffer for a while still but I believe the payoff will be worth it. While I want to do well in comps, pushing myself is more important to me so if that means suffering a bit, I'll take it (grudgingly ) Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Shit dude, EVERYONE beat the new moderator. Guess you can't be on your game all the time Sucking this hard is painful Performance Designs Factory Team

hehehe, no shit. A new smaller canopy and a new turn do not a good competition mix make Oh well, had to cut my teeth on them sometime Of course, on the bright side, I have no-where to go but up on the next comp Blues! Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Hehehe....although it was my worst competition score ever (ouch) and got the living crap kicked out of me, I still had a great time. Thanks a bunch to everyone who put so much hard work into making this all happen.

For those interested, 8 competitors got to do the 2nd distance round today. The remainder will get to do theirs early tomorrow morning and then we move on to speed, za and long jump. The forecast looks much better than today. Blues. Performance Designs Factory Team

A well thought out post and you bring valid points. I think the purpose of this forum is to continue to educate ourselves in the canopy piloting arena (swoop or otherwise). To do so we have to accept that sometimes we're going to hear things we don't want to when people question our choices. As abrasive as it may come across sometimes, I believe most people have others safety at heart. Unfortunately, as you note, we have limited knowledge of the people involved...what their skill is, etc. With that in mind you'll find that most people err on the side of caution.....not a bad thing I think. Additionally, while people come here (and I'd like to see if continue) for advise and questions, most (if not all) can be answered face to face at the dz. My guess is a lot of the inflamatory posts are because the people are fishing for the answers they want...not the answers they already have. Still, I'd encourage people to continue voicing their questions and concerns. Both have a valid place in this forum. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Ummm, incorrect. There are no alternatives at the DZ he is talking about. It's a long dz/airport but it's not very wide. The WORST you will have to face there is a cross wind landing and even then those are rare at best. The winds don't blow that way predominately. Our first jumpers do just fine in those conditions.....no reason for anyone else to have an issue with them. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Ok, unfortunately it seems this thread has run it's course and is no longer constructive in any way. Lets just move on. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Just a side note, but I'd like to point out that a LOT of the issues we're discussing here can be avoided with proper attention to levels. If we all do our part and give each other enough room vertically (think how many times there are 5 or more canopies about to touch down) a lot of these things become moot points. IMO ALL PILOTS should be actively flying their vertical and horizontal seperation from opening until landing. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Actually I've jumped a Original XF 139, XF2 119, XF2 109, ST 135, ST 120, ST 107, KA 107, KA 89, Blade 97, FX 119 and FX 104 of the canopies you've mentioned. I have not jumped a triathlon or mamba. Just trying to lay down some info on what I've jumped so hopefully it lends some credibility to what I'm suggesting here. Now, I want to be clear before I address your post that I am NOT advocating a Stiletto over a XF2 but what concerns me is what I believe to be misinformation that the XF2 is suitable for anyone. That is what I plan on addressing in this post: A ST flies flatter than a XF2. The ST is more 'nippy' in the sky at the same loading and while the xf2 starts to turn slower, once going it can really crank around the turns with FAR more altitude loss than the ST. And how exactly would you define in over your head then? No one plans on pounding in. What happens when the pilot is cut off or has to land in a back yard or has a spinner and loses way more altitude than they expected? Hell a super experienced pilot just died in Eloy after making a radical avoidence manuever. No matter what you think, the XF2 really is a high performance canopy - ask Johnny. True that loading speeds everything up. False if you think it's the only factor and ignore size, planform and a myriad of other factors. With the right experience and skill, sure. The XF2 is in the same category of canopy as the Blade, Mamba and Katana. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

If you judge your ability to handle a canopy simply by 'landing it' you're going to get way over your head really quickly. Smaller and HP canopies require so much more attention from opening until landing in regards to closing rates, altitude loss, pattern entry, levels, etc that landing is a small part of the equation. Albeit it's the part people notice the most but it's not the only thing to consider when changing planforms and size. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Personally I believe that they are doing themselves a disservice by doing so, UNLESS there is an obstacle ahead and they must get down faster. Otherwise they'd be better off flying straight as they originally planned and then seeing where they land vs where they wanted to land. Adjusting their pattern on the next jump accordingly. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

That's 2 threads you totally dismiss other pilots advice. While I happen to believe that using all the tools as an AID is a good thing, I firmly believe that a proper progression foundation (double fronts, 90s) doesn't need a digital alti, but rather a good mentor and good training. As turns get greater and the starting altitude gets higher and higher, judging the altitude becomes harder and harder for the initiation of the turn - therein lies the usefulness of a digital alti...however, it's still my eyes I use during the turn. I highly suggest you train those as well and don't put all your faith in a device but instead use it as a guide, giving you clues on what to do next. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

So far I see no dribble in this thread. At 310 jumps I wouldn't recommend a XF2 to this jumper anyway, regardless of loading. There are better canopies to be on at this stage of the progression (Safire2, Sabre2, etc) Not true. I know people who've had spinning XF2 cutaways. That, of course, does not mean it doesnt fly well in linetwists. Most canopies do as long as the pilot has kept the harness input level. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Hey all, Lets try and keep this on track and not turn it into a manufacturer vs manufacturer thread. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Glad you like it! I'd be surprised if there's not a comp in CO next year so I'll definitely be there then. Other than that it'd be nice to come and train there for a weekend so you tell me what time of year has the best weather?

you're right about the Sabre2/CF2 class comparision, my intention was the Safire2/Sabre2 comparision and have edited my quote appropriately. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Photo by Tara S. This weekend. Performance Designs Factory Team

In your opinion edited to remove the crossfire part, my bad on including it Performance Designs Factory Team

Personally I would highly recommend against dropping to a sub 100 canopy at this point. I think, the KA is a pretty damn good choice - particularly for lighter people who can benefit from the lighter front riser pressure. Now, whether or not the KA is within your skill level, or what size is appropriate, I cannot answer but I caution you to not go below 100 sq ft - just yet. I've seen a KA 107 loaded at barely 1.3 do some really, really good and fast swoops. That said you can swoop a Safire2, Sabre2, etc, etc so I would chose the canopy with the characteristics, price and company support that fits you best. As always, demo, demo, demo and seek coaching from qualified pilots. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Whatever manufacturer you chose to go with, I'd suggest a digital readout in units vs an analog display (alti-track). For L&B you would probably be most interested in the Optima as an audible or the Viso as a visual. Or The neptune from Alti-2, which performs both functions. Personally I like both functions (I have an audible in the helmet and a visual on the wrist). If I had to chose, it'd be the visual though. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

This has been discussed numerous times in the swooping forum, please feel free to search that forum and post any questions you may have regarding the topic there. Lets keep this thread about the incident please. Thanks! Blues, Ian edit: Here is a starting point