ianmdrennan

Yep lack of sleep will do that to me I think I'll just crawl into bed now Blue ones, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

meh...more cells, more lines, more drag. I know it's a prototype (which is cool unto itself even if it did fly like crap - not saying it does btw). I wouldn't get excited just yet, I'm sure there are lots of goofy designs out there, each bringing their own set of drawbacks to the table. I'll wait for a finished product that starts beating the crap out of everything else out there before I get all excited. And yes...I'm raining on the parade Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Not true. I've yet to be on a load where intentional downwinders weren't announced - yes I know it does happen - but I've been on FAR, FAR more loads where the landing direction was established prior to take off because of light and variable conditions only to be met by some smart ass saying "I'm landing into the wind no matter what" and hence another DANGEROUS flag chaser is born. It has been my experience (and once again I realize this is only my experience and others mileage may vary) but oftentimes experienced (read: good) swoopers have some of the best patterns, and are very good about announcing (and aborting if necessary) unorthordox landing directions. Blue ones, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

I have had ZERO issues with the neptune for some time now. The only issue that I am aware of anyone experiencing are some errors (sporadic) with extended freefall logging times when doing Hop n' Pops (and the folks @ alti-2 continue to refine and work hard at this). The jump is registered but the freefall time may be incorrect. I have just upgraded a local crew dogs neptune and am interested in seeing if the 2.1.2 revision helps tweak this. Other than that there are no issues that I am aware of and I've been using my neptune as a visual for quite a while now. Another jumper has been using his as an audible and has no complaints at all. He's been very happy with the unit. Hope this helps. Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Speaking of which...does anyone know if Freeflydrew ever got pied for his 1000th in Eloy? I know I did and there's no way I'm letting him off the hook that easily Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Yep. Of course a lot depends on the dz and the "normal" wind conditions. For example in Jumptown MA (my old dz) there is now a bi-directional only landing direction in the experienced area for space reasons (landing direction is set prior to takeoff). Fortunately they offer a student landing area for those who don't want to follow the direction set for the load where there is plenty of space to land into the wind. It's not a perfect system (none are because we can't exactly enforce it mid-air), but it works for that DZ and the situations they have to deal with. Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

I've said it before and I'll say it again....I'd rather have the entire load land downwind and slide in on their butts than have canopies criss crossing one another on landing. Canopy collisions suck. Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

This is freaking hilarious Video here Blue ones, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Roger that! So Chris - coming down in June for the Anniversary festival? Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Maybe (I have no idea how old you are), but your choices have kept you around too. There's definately something to be said for that

No worries, I knew exactly what you were getting at. Didn't mean to pick apart your terminology (I notice sometimes we all get wrapped up in the technicalities instead of the real problem) but wanted to point out that "tapered" comes in varying degrees to newer jumpers who read this, and that it isn't necessarily the "big bad evil" it's sometimes made out to be. Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Your spectre is tapered. It's just to a lesser degree than say a stiletto. I sometimes think the word "elliptical" conjurs images of a dangerous wing. I don't always believe this is the case, but it'd be nice to hear a manufacturers view on this. Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

See you Sat Chris. Looking forward to getting some nice Freaky Flying going - should be fun with plenty of peeps! Blue skies Ian ps: Thanks for the lift. Car's running ok now, no more problems so far, but I'm still taking it to the dealer to have the fuel system checked out! Performance Designs Factory Team

I've always kinda liked that system. I'd rather have a whole load of downwinders than someone flying "into" traffic on final. I loved landing in the experienced area in Eloy - 2 directions (either one way or the other) and follow the first person down

Well there's the first problem...... Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Hi Bill, Thanks, that was exactly my point. Why would anyone choose to deploy low enough to still find themselves in freefall at 1000 ft? Sure it CAN be done, but why the hell would they WANT to...there are just too many things that could go wrong? If I remember correctly wasn't one of your "laws of skydiving" that the day you pulled low, was the day things were going to go wrong (paraphrased)? Blue skies Ian ps: Thanks for the throw out pilot chute, 3 rings, etc, etc

Me 2, just with no necessary cutaways at that alt My point was safer (not impossible), you cannot possibly argue that being under a reserve at 700ft was safer than if you'd given yourself more altitude to deal with the situation and be in the saddle under the reserve higher. I don't trust my cypres to do crap - should I ever need it I HOPE it will function as designed, but trust it to work...no. You know I agree with you on this one Fair enough. I haven't jumped at every dz in the country so it was an assumption. Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Sounds like you're doing a good job. The question I'd encourage you to ask is "Why do I want to downsize? What will I get that I cannot get from my current canopy?" If you have valid answers and your instructors (AND you) feel your choices are within your limits, then yahoo - have fun and be safe. I have found that some people just want to downsize for the sake of downsizing, without putting any real thought into the "Why" question (and I'm not implying you by any means). Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

I'm very interested to see how it flys compared to the other x-braces out there. Is it's distance as competitive, is it better, is it worse? All these things will be answered in time I'm sure. I think I'd rather see companies try and be innovative and fail (relative term, I'm sure they always learn sometime) than not try at all. It'll be interesting to see how it performs over the next few months. Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

First let me clear up some assumptions. My entire post was about PLACING YOURSELF INTENTIONALLY in situations that require actions at those altitudes. I am perfectly capable of handling them, however I chose to try and avoid them. Just like I'm perfectly capable of dumping my main regularly at 1000 even though I know it's not a good idea. No, I'm saying putting yourself in a position where you're at 1000 feet without a reserve above your head isn't a smart thing to do. If you find yourself there, maybe you should reconsider either your pull altitude, altitude awareness or your ability to handle the situation quickly. It's pretty ludicrous to suggest that doing nothing is better than getting it above your head. Let's try stay within the bounds of realism here. Hmm been there, done that (and you'll see me do a practice drill every load too). I prefer having more altitude to deal with issues. I've only had 2 mals - 1 spinning, 1 bag lock. Both cases I was open above 1500. Funny, you may read it that way. How do you know I haven't been there? I have, I'm still here, please don't make assumptions about what situations I have been in, in return I'll offer you the same respect. Once again, if you read the thread you'll notice we're talking about intentionally doing something at a particular altitude. I don't remember saying that vertical seperation was bad - just pulling low repeatedly. That was the whole point of the discussion. You're entitled to do whatever makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. If you want to dump @ 1000 feet every time - go right ahead. Just don't expect me to. Now, once again. Feel free to PM and continue this further, but can we please keep the thread about the fatality (Yes I know I'm as guilty about this as everyone else). EDIT: Cleaned up the post. Also I want to mention that I realize certain dives like really big ways, and some others I haven't thought of I'm sure may require lower than "normal" pulling altitudes, I'm just saying I prefer them as the exception, not the norm. Performance Designs Factory Team

Hi Katie, My wife has the exact same problem on her sabre2. We thought about lengthening the brake lines, but she's learning high performance landings and there's already a little bit of tail deflection when she pulls both front risers down. She cannot stall hers without taking a wrap as well. I wonder how much loading plays a part in this? Hope to see you in Monroe this weekend. Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

I've never heard of it happening. I do hear of people who don't even take their cypres out for comps, get totally soaked, and don't have any problems. Not for the faint of heart though IMO

Oh hell yes! Wow, now I've never heard of that happening. What reserve was it? Is that damage that you'd need to worry about or is it cosmetic only? Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Just pack it and jump it. I found the canopy dried out quickly with the air flowing over it. Not normally enough for the canopy to dry on the ground. Mine was soaked (as a few other competitors). I didn't notice any significant difference in the way the canopy flew. Someone did tell me once that they thought the HMA and Vectrans lifespan was reduced with getting the lines wet, but I don't know if that's fact or fiction. What did suck was doing the hop n pops in wet cloths (brrr!) Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Only if you haven't been observing good horizontal seperation. I'd like to see you dump a x-braced loaded about 2.1 @ 2000 feet, have premature break fire turn violent and see if you still think it's safer (note: It's do-able for sure, but we're talking about what is safe(r)) than giving yourself an extra 1000 feet. Ever had a bag lock? There's 1000 feet right there. You REALLY want to be pulling your reserve @ 1000 feet? Times change, equipment changes and what's considered safe changes. I see no reason to continuously pull at the MINIMUM recommended altitude. Skydives used to be from 9000 feet (sometimes lower), nowdays with *most* dz's in the US at least going to 13500 it just doesn't make any sense to me. EDIT: Lets take this to PM's or another thread so we can keep this thread on track