ianmdrennan

LOL - well this is DZ.com after all Performance Designs Factory Team

No problem

True, but they are BOTH known to engage in deceptive business practices. There are plenty of things ASC has done outside of skyride. As for the people, so far everyone I've ever met from ASC has been really cool. They're just jumpers like everwhere else, I don't think people have a problem with them at all. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Wanna lick it out Yeah, I hope my didn't come off as an attack either. This just seems to be a good forum to discuss competitors concerns and gather input. In the end it's Chris's baby for sure but we all want these to be safe events. I know he reads these forums periodically so maybe some points will get him thinking about how to address some potential issues, sooner rather than later. In the end I still stand by my feelings that a 9 cell class is NOT NECESSARY, not do I believe it encourages the right kind of competition mindset. If anything it says to upcoming jumpers that you need a cross brace to be competitive, which is BS at best. If the upcoming competitors think they won't be competing against sponsored pilots with different linesets, rds systems, etc in the other categories they're mistaken. What would they want then..another class for them? Where does the line get drawn? It's never going to be 100% equal, people are experimenting with stuff all the time that'll give them the additional edge, that's part of the competition, if you can't accept it then don't compete. Blues, Ian Blues, Ian ps: Paul, where the hell were you for the Halloween festival? Performance Designs Factory Team

Agreed especially at lower wingloadings. I barely notice the difference between 1.0 and 1.3, however, the difference between 2.0 and 2.1 is quite noticeable. I don't think it's exponential, but the heavier the loading the more noticeable subtle changes are. Similarly the smaller the canopy the greater the difference, a 107 loaded at 1.1 flys quite differently to the 170 loaded at 1.1. Squeak, strap on a weight belt to play around with loading for a few jumps. It'll give you an idea of what changes you may expect to have. EDIT: I think the more noticeable effect will be from the smaller wing AND the increased loading. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

To me, this totally defeats the object of a competition system. If you can't hit a gate you shouldn't score, period. If you can't hit a gate or accept missing a gate safely, you aren't ready to compete yet. I am against the idea of yet other class with, yet again, no clear boundaries on what does and doesn't qualify you to compete in this category. These kind of things need to be well thought out, discussed and put up for review. Having a class, simply to get more competitors, whether qualified or not, is not the right way to go IMO. A qualified pilot, under a 9 cell can score WELL in every category that currently exists in the intermediate, and even the advanced groups. Those who think you need to WIN each round to win the competition are mistaken. Scoring decently, and not getting any verticals in each round is a sure fire way to place in the top 5. So having a class just for 9 cells is entirely unnecessary. Also, if you're entering the 9 cell category and genuinely think you can win it, you should be in the Intermediate group anyway. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Then you did yourself a disservice. It's actually not a canopy nazi post at all. It's a pretty well thought out topic on the impact a decision could have. Unfortunately most people in the category you're referring to aren't seeking education. They're looking for justification of their choices, big difference. Quite honestly, I've gotten to the point where I just don't have the patience anymore. I'm happy having less competition in the swooping events, it's tough enough already. If someone wants my help, they can ask for it. If they ask for it and they don't like what they hear, tough shit, I'm giving them the best I can. If the feel they can do better then go somewhere else, but I WILL NOT blow smoke up somebodies ass to make them feel justified or good about a decision that will hurt them (maybe not physically) in their progression. Same thing with freeflying. There's an easier way and there's a harder way. The one you pick is entirely up to you. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

you do left hand turns in a left hand pattern and a left 270? I'm lost here. Performance Designs Factory Team

it was my understanding that we were on the same page. Unless the sarcasm in my original reply was missed? Performance Designs Factory Team

What's my name and where the hell am I? Performance Designs Factory Team

Socially acceptable revolves around thoughts for that time period. This definition changes all the time as civilization changes. What was once acceptable, now isn't and so on. So steril parents shouldn't adopt either. I mean, nature took away their ability to procreate for a reason, right? Influence, yes. Control no. Hopefully your family, like you, have their own life experiences to base their opinions on. Not what YOU or anyone else wants them to believe. Trying to manipulate them into your way of thinking doesn't sound very nurturing to me. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

herpes? Performance Designs Factory Team

Yep, but remember a right 270 in a left handed pattern is a right 90 followed by a right 180 90's themselves aren't good to be doing right's in left patterns, BUT a right 180 in a left handed pattern is no different to a right 270 in a left handed pattern. Both turn you into oncoming traffic. Best advice....go play in an area where you can turn either way. Better to walk and learn

See what happens when I believe a republican Now, I'm just kidding here folks before anyone throws a hissy fit Performance Designs Factory Team

Whew. I'd already registered my land lines. I just thought this was something new in the works. Performance Designs Factory Team

Amen. Performance Designs Factory Team

I swear, if those fuckers call and waste our minutes I'll send them a goddamn bill. For gods sake, what is so hard to understand about not wanting to be bothered by these people???? Performance Designs Factory Team

Yeah that was video from Gary Harbird (he posts here occasionally) when he had a break fire on his 84 and was caught "napping"

Just FYI, I don't believe any that Drew listed are square. All are tapered to some degree. "Elliptical" isn't everything ya know, in fact some ultra high performance canopies aren't tapered much at all Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

I'll give you that for sure. PD haven't been too forthcoming with info about the larger Katana's other than "they're coming". What I DO KNOW is that when they release them (and they will) they will perform as expected of any PD product. We can hope they'll be out soon though

Well that just sucks I've said in other threads that I recommend, and so do some of the factory guys, a Sabre2 progression down to where you're loading it around 1.8, then to a katana of the same size down to the size velo you'd want and then a velo. I realize that this is an expensive path, and not one many people like to take, but it's the one I recommend. So, because you have no loading or currency info available, I'd have to err on the side of caution and say maybe a sabre2 135 (maybe 120 depending on your loading?) would be something to demo and look at? You can swoop those bastards quite far

Personally I thought the Katana kicked the crap outta the XF2 (and there's no need to deal with crappy customer service when you go PD). Neither is a canopy for inexperienced pilots though. Performance Designs Factory Team

You have a heatwave so the stilletto isn't going to be much different (I prefered my heatwave actually). The vengence isn't a great canopy for openings (lots of people have issues with them). I'd suggest you spend more time learning your current canopy personally. Any reason you don't want the heatwave anymore? Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

So far I've only had 1 chop from a spinning mal (Heatwave 120 when I was really inexperienced). On the velo I've not had a spinning problem at all and have had line twists maybe 2x on the 90 (1x on the 96). If I do 3 revs and I'm still not any better off (or damn close to being out of them), it's outta there. If it's like this I'm outta there immediately. My question to you....night jump....1700 feet? Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Still traumatized maybe? Performance Designs Factory Team