ianmdrennan

We'd love to have you there (looks like that one's gonna be big

Liz came to our last giveback weekend. We have 2 more scheduled for this year. If you're interested PM me your email addy and I'll add you to the distribution list (this goes for anyone). As a sidenote we found that the coaches ended up rotating through the groups more instead of being allocated to a particular tier for the day. Basically we adjust the program for the number of participants and the skill levels we need to cater for. Experienced jumpers, Jon Pinyon was organizing bigger stuff and Atnomati (sp?) all weekend and will be at future camps as well so there's plenty to go around for everyone Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

I'd like to request that you and jumpchick come down to Thomaston for some organizing. We need an experienced group to show us how to most effectively do it Performance Designs Factory Team

No one's saying don't help them in ways you can. In fact the only reason I posted was I saw fundraiser proceeds suddenly wanting to be redirected from people who had no choice, to individuals who made a choice. If you want to hold a fundraiser for Jerry and Kevin, go right ahead. Those who support your cause will contribute (and rightly so). What irritated me was the sudden desire to reallocate funds. Bottom line is, in the current context, by doing so one group is being "punished" for the actions of another. It isn't right. edit: Helping out isn't paying their bills. Take Jerry, if I thought he was going to end up on the street, I'd do what I could to help him. But there's no way in hell I'm footing the bill for anyone elses hospital bills. I'll help them where they NEED it, but I won't hand them stuff on a silver platter either (I realize neither of them are asking for this btw, it's just a general statement). Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Mark, I understand your compassion, and I think it has great intentions, but I don't believe it's our job to bail people out of situations they placed themselves in. Both jumpers had been warned not to do something, both jumpers went ahead and did it anyway. This doesn't make them bad people or people that we should turn our back on, but at the same time I don't believe it's our responsibility to put their needs above something more worthy. Ultimately I believe part of their accepting responsibility for their actions is taking responsibility for them. I know it sounds cold (it's not something I like writing) but think about it. These weren't incidents where shit just happened. BOTH jumpers made a concious choice to do something after being told not to. This is probably a discussion best left for the speakers corner or over a beer though. You know me, you know I like Jerry (and wish him a speedy recovery). Writing this isn't nice, but that doesn't make it not true. Feel free to drop me a PM so we can continue this without polluting your boogie thread with something negative) Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Mark, I don't mean any offence to Kevin or Jerry, but giving the money to people JFTC who are victims of circumstance is far more noble than giving money to jumpers who were victims of their own ego. I truely am sorry that Jerry and Kevin got hurt, but both of them have had warnings. JFTC, well there's something people have no control over. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

If that smacktard comes back with a bullet in his ass it's going to be joined by my shoe. Tell him to keep his ass outta trouble while he's there. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

The new USPA sims have some good drills to go through. Other drills would be a riser turn of 180 or more followed by a "save your life flare". Start learning how much/little you can put in, how fast/slow you can put in the input and how the wing reacts to each scenario. Also I'd suggest getting all your drill practice done above 2000 feet. Lower than that you should be focusing on your setup/approach/holding area and not spiralling around getting in other peoples way. It also gives you a greater margin of safety should something go wrong that requires a cutaway or fixing. One of the BEST things you can do right now that'll start helping you immediately to get ready for swooping is flying consistant, clear patterns. Get your accuracy down using those. Also focus on smooth flight. Swooping is about efficiently generating as much energy as you can and then holding on to it as long as you can. The best way to do this is smoothly and efficiently. Good pattern technique will help when it comes time to start setting down your swoop at a specific point. Spending time mastering the slower (ground) speed aspects of your canopy flight will ultimately speed up your results. Oh, and take a CC course as soon as you can. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Yeah, got a chance to ride my friends CBR 954 RR. What a nice bike. Way too much for my skill level though. I couldn't believe how fast bikes have gotten. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

what a homo Feel better now

Beaut of a bike. Nice

tease Performance Designs Factory Team

There it is. That sums it up. Now, lets say I biffed in on a regular swoop. Say I just screwed up and bailed off my rears onto my toggles too late from a lower turn and skipped along the ground. With the speeds we're doing that could very easily result in a broken "insert here" or worse. Should I be flamed, well I guess that's debatable. Instead I'd look at it that no matter who you are (or think you are) it can happen to you. Now, alternatively if I'd tried some stupid stunt without any planning or practicing and something went wrong, then flame away. Anyone can (and does) make mistakes in this sport. Sometimes we get away with it, sometimes we don't. That, however, is no excuse for not adhering to reasonable safety measures. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Great, thanks for the info! Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL That is freaking hilarious!!! Anyone who's had to deal with Chute Shop service will know exactly what you mean Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Not my decision hard deck no. However if I was in a world of shit after a collision under canopy low to the ground (think Todd from Skydive Eloy) I'd probably feel a lot more comfy (note that doesn't mean comfortable, just more) than having no skyhook. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Mike, Just to confirm are you sure the swoop meet is Sun and not Sat? Just trying to schedule practice, etc. Thanks. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Yes you were. I hope you fly a canopy better than you read. ps: I never did see a post about what size/canopy you were trying to get. I assume it was a Katana from Kolla's post. So you're quick to through around accusations, but not so quick to offer up all the details. Funny how that works. Performance Designs Factory Team

Umm, sorry to burst your bubble but it's more like 5 - 100. No one's saying you don't have a right to complain. I think (at least from my standpoint) that people are more bothered on HOW you went about it. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Most pilots know a little. If you want to do HP stuff it is your responsibility to know as much as you can. Don't get me wrong we're all always learning, but you have to make a lot more than just a little effort. It's also worth noting that jumpers who do HP stuff, ready or not, feel comfortable under their wing. Often that comfort is misplaced. I would disagree with this. Start off with what Johnny talked about. Then going through all the drills up high, numerous times, then starting with double fronts and moving from there. Johnny hit the nail on the head though. If you can do the stuff well and safe(er), slow, then you'll not do it well and safe(er) fast. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Yes. I originally started because of a skydiving injury to my back that was bothering me. I needed to strengthen the muscles. Now I do it as part of my lifestyle but it has helped me immensely with my endurance in regards to skydiving. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Absolutely, 100% positively true. High wind, low wind, I start my hook at the same height. Granted a SUDDEN decrease or increase in airspeed will cause either a high or low approach but I don't jump in conditions like that intentionally. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

If they had the same attitude I doubt it'd be any different. I can think of at least 1 thread where a well liked dot.commer posted something way outta line and got reamed for it. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

I'd stick with Firefly. Kurupee tend to be too baggy and I know of a number of people who have had issues with the suit and stitching. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Hey Johnny, Thanks for the info. I guess I'm still confused on whether or not these two companies are seperate or one is a subdivision of another. NZ aero lists Icarus products but Icarus does not list NZ Daedalus line. I guess in the end it doesn't matter, but I'm finding the branding confusing. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team