ianmdrennan

So it looks like Intermediates have Speed and Compulsary rounds, correct? No free rounds? These are the only moves?? Seem like they're pretty basic: 6-3.2: RANDOMS INTERMEDIATE A. FF-11. Star 1. Both performers are in a face-down orientation. 2. The performers demonstrate a two-handed, hand-to-hand grip facing each other with each performer’s right hand in a grip with the other performer’s left hand. B. FF-12. Spock 1. One performer is in a head-up orientation, and the other performer is in a head-down orientation with both facing each other. 2. The performer in the head-down orientation takes a single hand grip on the top of the head of the other performer. C. FF-13. Sit Knee Dock 1. Both performers are in a head-up orientation facing each other. 2. One performer performs a two-foot dock on the upper legs of the other performer so that the right foot is on the left upper leg and the left foot is on the right upper leg. D. FF-14. Joker 1. One performer is in a head-up orientation, and the other performer is in a head-down orientation. 2. A single hand-to-hand grip is taken between the two performers. E. FF-15. Sit Hand-to-Foot Grip 1. Both performers are in a head-up orientation. 2. One performer demonstrates a controlled handto- foot grip. F. FF-16. Tracking Hand Grip 1. Both performers are in a tracking orientation with the front of the torso towards the ground and the head pointing in the direction of flight. 2. A single hand-to-hand grip is taken between the two performers. Just want to make sure we're not missing something here. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Our team is a planning on attending nationals this year. We've never attended before so we were wondering what the format for the intermediate FF teams competition was (# rounds and round types) and what moves are required. If anyone who did intermediate last year or can help us out has any information we'd really appreciate it. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

It just gets me giddy thinking about all the new cool toys and how we can use them skydiving

Not at all. I've used one for every jump since late 2003. If it fails (as ANY alti can do), my eyes still work. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Phree, Not entirely sure, but yes I'd imagine the pack volume would go up. Of course who knows what materials they plan on using when they start getting serious about the technology so it's anybodies guess at this point. As for the bracing, it was described to me by Ian Bobo as "penta-chamber". It's kinda hard to visualize it so I'm excited to see a pic. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Sorry Dave, I know they are working on them though. Hang in there Performance Designs Factory Team

I don't want Ari anywhere near my Nads, that's your job!!! Yeah I spoke to Ian and Chris about the reserve and the zbrace. I'm really interested in seeing pics of the zbrace if you have some...hint hint hint

Anyone get a chance to look at the 2 new PD canopies at the PIA? Anyone got any info on them or pics? Any other canopy manufacturers have cool new goodies? Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Heh, no worries, I didn't take it that way. I just think some of us have differing opinions on what we expect or understand the manufacturers responsibility to be. I certainly don't take this as a right or wrong issue Stay safe. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Sparky, I don't take that as a statement saying "Hey if it doesn't work and we find out why, we're not going to bother fixing it unless you pay for it". I accept the risks if I plowed in because of a defect on my rig (much as I'd really rather not have that happen ). However, should that happen, I also expect the manufacturer to take the steps to try and prevent it happening again to someone else. If they have a bad design, they need to fix it IMO. Recalls in the automotive industry are normally because of a number of malfunctions caused by the same components. When they do a recall it's because they found something wrong with the product they initially released and take active steps to prevent it happening again by replacing/repairing the component. That's all I expect from the manufacturers in any industry. As a software engineer it's expected of me regularly. We release a product, bugs are found, we fix them in that version at no cost to our customers. If they want NEW features, well then....they pay up just like everyone else Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

I know us South Africans are guilty of a lot of things, but accusing us of having culture is just plain low If you ever end up in the Atlanta area, drop me a PM. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Really, I seem to remember some models of Raven reserves blowing up. Guess that's not defective in your opinion. My point is that if it's something for the rig/main/reserve to be better/prettier/etc then sure, buyer pays up. If it's a defective/danger issue then the manufacturer should pay up. Yeah I did. I don't remember it saying if we build something that ends up killing a bunch of people because of bad design that they don't have to fix it. You may be refering to a specific bulletin, I am not. I'm talking about defect related SB's. Ha, seriously. There's a difference between cheap and expecting the product to deliver what it "promises" (couldn't think of a better word but I'd like to hope you get my meaning). Ever bought a new car? If you have and the tranny broke after you had it for 2000 miles, I bet you'd get it replaced under warranty. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Vehicle manufacturers do it all the time for safety and defect issues. Why should a skydiving manufacturer be exempt from repairing defective gear? Curious on why you feel a manufacturer shouldn't be responsible for the quality of their product? Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Agreed, but at the dz in question it's applicable. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

It sounds like the swooper was in the wrong. While the first person down sets the landing direction, that doesn't give the swooper carte blanche to swoop down seconds before you touch down in the opposite direction and then yell foul! It's a little give and take on both sides. Swoopers need to be considerate AND PLAN for slower traffic, while slower traffic needs to fly considerate, consistent patterns to help descending traffic make the right decisions. That includes flying reasonably tight patterns. A nice clear pattern that turns you onto final a half mile up the landing area is no good either. Finally GOOD swoopers know when to bail. Part of being a faster canopy pilot is taking note of all the traffic around and planning/reacting accordingly. Sometimes you just can't swoop so knowing when to say No is crutial. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Old school or not it is now viewed as an inconsiderate practice. Like swooping, it should be done outside of the main landing area whenever possible. As for the time in the sport, yep, you definately have a lot of time and that's respectible. Times change, however, and as the sport grows and introduces new things we learn and adapt. Just cause it's the way you've always done it, doesn't mean it's the way to keep doing it. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Doesn't matter as you're setting the "first person down" again in a new area. Flying a consistent, clear pattern will help those behind you know what you're doing. A lot of this can be cleared up with good dz policies and plans or predetermined landing directions for light and variable days. At our dz on light and variable days the landing direction is announced and called on the plane. If you have similar procedures then I'd follow that direction. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Just think...Katie, Brandy and yourself will likely all do your 1000 this year. Looking forward to watching you all progress as you train. This will be a good year indeed for talent at Skydive Atlanta.

Land in an alternate area in the same direction (essentially setting their own first person down) to avoid confusion. The problem is that you don't know what 2-8 plan on doing and worse, you have no idea what 10-x (assuming you're 9) are setting up for. Hence my suggestion above. When it's a cluster fuck I go somewhere else. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

500+ All fun jumps. Still breathing and nothing broken so no complaints

Great band, still love them. New album coming this year I believe. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Gonna have another swoop meet Chris? Edit: Nevermind, I see Hansie is on top of that. Wahoo, see ya there. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Glad you liked it. I've started dumping footage from this past year to make another vid. I must admit though, I'm struggling to be motivated as I just seem to have no down time. Stay tuned, I'll post it up as soon as I get it all done (at this rate it looks like march time frame ). Stay safe. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

I'm grinning like the Cheshire Cat

It's about 76 miles from Atlanta. Monroe is about 55 miles and the farm is about 60+ miles. From the middle of Atlanta it takes the fastest to go to Monroe, then SDA next and finally The Farm (that drive sucks from the city). While we'd LOVE to have you at SDA I think Monroe or The Farm are your best bets for being north of the city. Most likely Monroe for distance. All 3 are great dz's though and you'll have a good time no matter where you go. Blues!! Ian Performance Designs Factory Team