ianmdrennan

aahhhh you PLACED an order? PD won't answer those kinds of calls. You need to go through the dealer and all they'll tell you is the standard delivery time which I believe is about 10-12 weeks. It sucks having to wait, but the awesome canopy and service makes it all worthwhile

Really? Have you been in contact with Kolla - she's normally spectacular with her service. Try calling her if you don't have any luck with email. Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Actually the awareness you build is critical. Missy and Rook have substantial knowledge about FF and the most successful progression techniques....I wonder why people don't believe world champions? Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Angela, I think the problem is that often times, newer jumpers associate the ability to LAND a particular canopy with the skill to fly it. It's not the case. Yes landing is a big part of flying the canopy, but I believe that MOST people are capable of landing MUCH smaller canopies than they currently jump. What they ARE NOT capable of, is everything that goes along with it...increased speed of everything happening around you, split second decisions, etc, etc (you've heard it all before I'm sure). I know I could land a 75 most of the time, doesn't mean I should be jumping it and therein lies the difference. Just because you can LAND it, doesn't mean you're ready for it (nor do I actually want anything smaller but that's a whole different discussion). For sure, otherwise we wouldn't be debating this. It's just definately not as gray as you think it is right now. I think you catch hell more for your attitude than your progression....you often come across as abrasive as Ron does but with an inkling of the experience/knowledge (I'm not trying to insult you here). Try to relax a little (and this goes for Ron too, seeing as I'm naming names ) and I think people, while they may not agree with you, will respond better and, if you're lucky, take away something else to think about. Not true - by some maybe, but it's the minority. We don't have to agree with someone all the time. try and picture it from our shoes....we've come a long way the last few years (hell the last few months) on canopy awareness and progression. A lot of the experienced jumpers are not trying to "hold back a natural", we're just trying to prevent you making the same mistakes that we, and the lost friends over the years have made. It's very frustrating to know you could be doing something to HELP the other person become BETTER than us, but they won't take it "because they're different". There's so much to learn...we're all learning, so take it easy and soak it all in. Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

I use my neptune to help gauge the initiation of my turn. I use the same alt regardless of the wind speed. There have been many discussions regarding this just search and you'll find more info that you wanted. The jist of the conversation goes: As long as the wind speed isn't changing (ie gusty) the turn heights are identical. The canopy has no concept of the actual speed of the wind, only the speed of the wind flowing over it. Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Don't even get me started on you Kansasskydiver: As for the SQL part. SQL is SQL - there are normally some minor differences between each companies flavor (MySQL, T-SQL, PL-SQL,etc) but the basic concepts remain the same, as does much of the syntax. Normally the differences are in the creation/deletion of objects, cursors, etc. Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

I agree 100%. Performance Designs Factory Team

It's been discussed a couple of times (just search the swoop forum). He's fine, couple of bumps and bruises but was jumping the next day. Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

No problem Kelly. The reality is that people have and will make poor choices (myself included). We can only educate them on their choices and hope they realize the situation they're placing themselves in. After that, it's up to them they're adults and have to live with the consequences of their actions as minor or severe as they may be. Unfortunately, so do we See you this weekend? Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Actually we're fully aware of how he flys, unlike yourself. He isn't ready, but blows us off....but then again, everyone thinks they are....right Kaerock? I don't care how much tunnel time someone has, 50 jumps is still only 50 deployments. There's a lot more to jumping camera than getting the shot. Well that's cause you've never seen me on rollerskates...although you did see the whole "sock thing"...sorry you had to be subjected to that!! Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

It's already been addressed with the jumper in question, however, he doesn't really care what we think about his choice. Going back to what Aggie said, there's little we can do other than bring it up with the DZO and S&TA. From that point it's in their hands. Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

1:15:0 12 Sat - 3 Sun (Everyone was away for Easter ) Yep Travis, was a good weekend of training. As for the "zoo" tracking dive.....well Katie...we're just going to have to teach you to track faster

Cool...I went through the static line progression, although I don't see it done too much anymore in the US. It's your first static line. It's perfectly normal to have a bit of trouble in the beginning getting the arch down. Very normal to have line twists on static line. Don't let 'em bother you and just kick out like you've been taught. When I went through static line we hung from the 182 strut as well. The instructors had a smiley face on the wing that we were told to look at as long as we could while arching. This basically forced your body to bend in an arch and helped a lot. If they dont have it, just keep looking at the wing while going through your drills....it should have the same effect. Relax, have fun, and remember that it can take a little time (but normally less when you're relaxed). Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

yeah but they're doing static line. Static line exits in an arched "belly to earth" position. No dive exits that I'm aware of. Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

nee boet, dit sal nie nodig wees nie. Seriously, I was just wondering why you considered them a wiseass. I don't know the person or the context, but I'd assume that they genuinely thought they were giving you "new info"

That's a fact, how does it make them a wiseass? Rear riser "flare" normal landings (broken break, etc) are very different from high performance rear riser landings (hence the changeover from some of the top competitors). It's only easier if you stay on them till you land, if not the "pop" from the transition back to toggles is quite inefficient and tricky. Triples are fine, as are "normal". It's all about what you (the pilot) wants/needs. For a new jumper though, I'm not entirely sure triples are a good place to start. Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Awesome. Great job on doing the right thing in the circumstances you placed yourself in. Now...next time evaluate your landing spot continously. I find it much better when I'm on a long spot and not sure if I'm gonna make it back so set "waypoints" along the way. I set my way points in such a manner than I can turn back to the previous one if I'm not going to make it. You did a great job, now next time try not to need to

Sounds like that's the case if you had your demo with no problems. What makes me wonder is how the hell someone steals a demo canopy? Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Not anymore they aren't, here's an exerpt from a PM someone sent me regarding them trying to get a demo from Big Air: Granted the jumper didn't say how much the "down payment" was, but they decided against even demoing from Big Air. I know Brian cruises the forums a bit, so maybe he can elaborate or explain. Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

I used to love Jackie Chan movies. His fight sequences were spectacular (and done by him as most know) - now days he seems to be relying more and more on wirework and special effects...which I really don't like. Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Yep I did it. Personally I thought it was very informative, but like most things it's the attitude you go into it with that will determine it's value. Go in with an open mind, wanting to learn....and you'll learn a lot. He'll give a briefing, discuss the dive you're going to to. Then you'll go up and do the dive, along with the tasks for that dive. He'll video the landings, debrief those, and give you your next set of tasks. Enjoy. Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

It may have already been posted, but this makes an interesting read Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

I just watched it again last night, and I think it's an even better movie than I did at first. There are so many subtle hints in the trilogy there's a lot more to it I'm sure. For some reason I can't shake the feeling that Sati is more important that made blatently obvious. For example the film technique used when she's first introduced is almost biblical (White light with yellow glow around her body, looking down in a godlike way on Neo). Not to mention that she, according to the Oracles question and her response, made the sun rise at the end of the movie. Who knows...but it's fun speculating

I'm sick over the loss of innocent human life, regardless of their nationality. No-one "wins" a war...sometimes they are inevitable, but no-one wins. Really? Every single one of them? I guess America (or any other country for that matter) has never done anything cruel in wartime? Nothing happened in Korea or Vietnam? I seriously doubt that. I hope not, but it's now a part of life. We (america) are going to be a target as we have taken an "active stance". From a different perspective, we'd be considered terrorists though. Nothings as clear cut as it seems. You said it. It'll always be this way as long as there's intolerance, and I doubt that'll ever end. Performance Designs Factory Team

Nice post. Pretty much hit the nail on the head. Cara, we all know you talk out of your butt!! Speaking of which, when are you gonna come visit Katie and I? Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team