ianmdrennan

I have over 1000 on my Vortex 2 and the d-bag is still in great shape. I'm about to replace the risers for the first time (because the guide ring has some corrosion) and the BOC spandex pouch is getting replaced. Other than that the rigs in fine condition. If you take care of your gear it should last well over 1000 jumps. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

hmm, I'm not entirely sold on the idea of more drag for big people. It's been my experience that the more drag you have, the harder it is to get your legs where they need to be. Since I've tightened my suit up (granted I'm not a big guy) I have a BOATLOAD more range than I did with my baggier suit. YMMV. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

I'll take a stab at that while we wait for SM1 to reply. I think the swoop meets (like the FLCPA) and others popping up are a great place to up your skills as a canopy pilot. Events should follow IPC rules and courses with minimal deviation. The great thing about the FLCPA is that no qualification is required, just turn up and register in the class you feel is appropriate for where you are as a pilot and go from there. Honestly, I doubt I'd have qualified for the PST if I hadn't run the course a number of times in the FLCPA (it's the speed round course) so the great thing was that it wasn't the first time doing it. Before you enter the competitions I believe you need to be able to at least hit 10 ft high gates at your home dz with some regularity, and most important safety. When the competition is on and the pressures on you're going to make mistakes and obsessing over hitting gates in a competition when you're not able to do so in a "comfy" environment can be hazardous to your health and get you disqualified. Set up a a course (pst has all the specs) at your home dz and get used to running it, then start moving the gates (it's amazing how many visual references you begin to rely on without realizing it) and see if you can still run them successfully. Attending competitions will allow you to surround yourself with people interested in learning more, as well as having access (both visually and with questions) to some of the best pilots in the world. A lot of it is accepting that you're going to get your ass handed to you with alarming regularity but putting yourself in the situation to learn. I'm sure there's a lot more to add, but hopefully this at least covers some basics. Hope to see you on the tour soon. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Volo on a Velo Woohoo, how you liking the switch from the XAOS, and when are you going to join us for some more FLCPA rounds??? Blues Bro. Can't wait to see you again in October. Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Ok, where is the real Jeffrey and what have you done with him? Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Sorry dude, but I can't say I agree. While I am opposed to the war, if I had joined the military I must expect that I can be shipped off, even if it's something I don't believe in. That is a risk you accept if you join the military. Did Bush kill her son? No. Her son's decision to join the military killed him. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

LOL - yes, I'll enjoy bribing you while I can

It's a good tool but you're relying on it if you NEED it to do a performance landing safely and that's not a good thing. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Thats cause Afrikaaners can't read.....

Sept 11 united this country in a way I, as a foreigner, was blown away by. I've never seen anything like it and I was impressed. The subsequent war in Iraq has succeeded in destroying that unity in a way I've never seen either. The unity was short lived, the division appears much more rife. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Call 'em and ask. If you're comfy with the 21" risers now then keep 'em. You like swooping too, so the longer the better. I have one on mine, but I don't own a voodoo. Try not having one at first. If you find you need it later a rigger can easily (for under 5 bucks) sow the 2 tabs you need on. That's what I did. The pilot chute still has to lift the bag out of the container and off your back. Pilot chute size should be the same as if you were using a throw out IMO. Hope this helps. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Once again I agree. I'd hate to have a popularity contest sway somebodies opinion on a safety topic either way (and yes I believe it would happen). I'd rather it just judged as much as possible on facts. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Bill Booth's thoughts on a pull out system Enjoy the new rig, regardless of what you decide. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Yeah, I agree. Performance Designs Factory Team

oof, cold

That is pretty unusual for PD. Not sure how they're doing after the hurricane but I know a couple of times my email bounced back during this whole hurricane thing so they may never have gotten your request. Try give them a call if you don't hear from them shortly. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

I'm not doing a group hug Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

I look forward to it

Actually I read the whole thread, your attitude still comes across the that way. I agree. Likewise, if all you took away from my post was the "Ron part" then you're doing yourself a disservice. As I said before, the choices are yours. I hope you make the ones that make you the best pilot you can be, but if you don't, I don't mind having less competition at the swoop meets - they're tough enough already

Please report to the loft at Zhills immediately for your beating. We can only deal with one Ron at a time. Bad! Bad man! I hang my head in shame...... I'll take the beating though Please call Paul Rossouw a dutchman for me and tell him I'll see him in Deland next week

I'm going to sound like Ron here, but you are not "special", you are not above the "norm". Learning the basics lays a solid foundation for moving forward more quickly. If you have a crummy foundation you'll only end up paying for it later. Best case you have to go and spend 2x the amount of jumps "unlearning" bad habits you've picked up. The slower you go in the beginning and focus on basic flight, the faster you'll be able to progress later. The inverse is also true, whereas the faster you go now, the slower you'll go later. Adding additional speed right now is going the latter route. Focusing the techniques you're learning about accuracy and canopy flight without the additional speed is the former. Either way it's your choice, it all depends on how good a pilot you really want to be. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Yep, she's quite capable of laughing at herself and not being afraid of what people think of her. Admirable qualities I believe. Ever watch any documentaries on her? I had similar views as yourself until I listened to her speak. She's definately no girly-girl thats for sure, but I'm quite sure she's of above average intellegence. See part about laughing at one's self. Yeah it's pretty amusing actually. Never saw her show, but my wife and I find her amusing (definately not our favorite actress/comedian) but she's capable of getting laughs. I agree with Jeffrey on this one. I think she'd be great for the part. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Most definately, a given at any new DZ, but even more important at a MSL so drastically different from my home. I'll have to make it out to CO sometime for some jumpy jumpy

It'd be a unique experience that's for sure

Yeah I hear ya. I've always said if I had a couple of grand to waste (yeah right!) I'd get a 75 or something teeny for purely the WOOOT factor. Of course that isn't going to happen anytime soon so I try and stick with choices that allow me to be competitive (other than suckage piloting ) and still enjoyable for everyday jumping. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team