ianmdrennan

yeppers

Probably feels a lot like dodging canopies in freefall

anywhere from 8-10 minutes...depending how much I'm chatting

I'd jump something like that after working down to it, simply to prove to myself that I could do it and for the experience of jumping it. Would I jump something like that regularly? No, I enjoy distance and horizontal speed way too much . I don't necessarily think there's anything wrong with a qualified pilot jumping something like that, but I can't imagine it being worth it for too long. Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

No not at all. If you have a laptop with an IR port, or access to one (an IR part) you can go to their website and upgrade your software from there. Just follow the instructions carefully and you'll be fine. Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

nice man. Glad it's working for ya. Once you've gotten that canopy down with risering techniques, just think how much fun a x-braced is going to be. Nice and slow. Be safe. Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

I totally agree. Just watch that you don't get surprised or caught off guard (i.e collision) by traffic behind you. Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Thanks for passing along the info. It's awesome to hear that Precision will be posting up more information on the line sets, looking for wear, etc. I hope this is something that more manufacturers do. Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

This most definately does not apply to brake lines as I've seen, firsthand, Precisions HMA snap before my Vectran (which is in bad shape and has just been replaced. I'm damn lucky mine hadn't broken yet) Maybe overall lineset lifetime, but brake snaps are what can kill. Did Precision talk about brake lines as well? Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Slower is definately better and if done correctly (you can do it too flat) will eat up more altitude than a whipping turn. The goal is to distort your wing as little as possible (efficient) while achieving a dive to gather speed. Whipping it too much causes massive distortion and doesn't generate nearly as much speed as a good carving turn. Of course too long a carve with too little dive will give you just as poor results. It's hard to find that middle ground, but when you do, you'll see a significant increase in your distance. Be safe. Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

I asked the same question at the SKNE Red bull comp. I was doing 180's and having a difficult time being as consistant as I was at my home dz (visual references and such). The answer I got was altitude control. There are a lot of factors that come into play when entering a course. The 270 doesn't really give you any more speed than a well executed 180, but the 180 leaves little room for altitude adjustment (too high or low) instead you're pretty much going to be high or low if you want to make it through the gate. With the 270 you break the turn down into 90 markers and speed up/slow down your carve based on your altitude at each marker. The 270 requires a lot of practise to be "on the line". It's a lot harder than a 180 and requires a different approach. Something I'm still working on, but getting better at. I have noticed a SIGNIFICANT improvement in my ability to be consistant in altitude since switching though. Hope that gives you some direction. Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Just remember that your injuries or worse, if any, don't only affect you. They affect those around you and the sport in general. Not saying what you should or shouldn't jump - just saying that it's not only about you. Just be safe, and listen to what Scott says. He may just have some good advice. Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

I've had mine for 3 years and been very happy with the container. Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Hey, The New England Freefly scrambes are going to be held in CPI (CT) this weekend so we'll be up there on Sat and then back to Jumptown on Sunday if the weather plays along. Hope I won't miss ya. Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Look at the statistics. MOST of them are low(er) jump numbers avoiding obstacles or trying high performance turns. It's rare to see +1000 (current) having these types of accidents. Not saying it doesn't happen to experienced pilots (obviously it does). I see no more reason to upsize than not to skydive anymore. Each bring with them their own dangers, that the pilot/skydiver accepts. Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Dunno man, closest I know of is Cross Keys NJ...but next time you feel like doing a jump somewhere different come up to Jumptown. It's always good to see new faces. Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Tommy Pics From the Sugar Gliderz weekend. Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Wind does not affect hook height at all, but density altitude (temperature related and not to be confused with MSL) will most definately do that. I ask the pilots are various points of the day what the density altitude is and adjust my height accordingly. Sorry I can't give you any info on the Blade though. Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

experienced freeflyer all the way. You'll learn faster, they'll (hopefully) help you more and with a bit of luck you'll get some vid from the whole deal. Remember, freeflying brings with it far greater dangers (faster closing distance for example) than rw for those learning. Stay WELL WITHIN your limits - jump with those who can teach, as well as avoid, you. Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

It's really quite sick

Wise choice on changing them at 200 rather than 300 - the brake line snap I mentioned had a little over 300 - that's too close a safety margin for my liking. Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

It's been recommened that brake lines are replaced every 200 jumps (they're cheap and worth not having break on landing), at least for vectran - I believe HMA follows similar lifespans but am not 100% sure. The main lines (for vectran) should be every 400 jumps but what you really need to be looking for is "pitting". Check the sides of the lines and look for little burs sticking out the side (broken fibres) those are you indicators for replacement. We had a xaos brake line snap on opening about 2 weeks ago. So if you're not sure call Precision and ask them what to look for. Rather safe than sorry. It baffles me how the manufacturers aren't letting information out there on what to look for. It's very difficult to find pictures and examples of what to look for and it's quite frustrating. Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

PM'ed ya. Banter put to rest. Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Never I said I was. Then again, you never considered you may not be either. That is my exact opinion of you. Interesting how YOU want to FORCE YOUR opinion on cypress users on OTHERS. I don't ever recall belittling someones point of view because they had less jumps than me. Someone's getting too defensive to think clearly. I love the way you think I'm a know it all simply because I think having a cypress for unforeseen circumstances is a good idea. You have stated over and over again that you are able to keep yourself out of those circumstances...so I ask again, why is it you have one if you're so good at that? Me too. Oddly enough your name has come up as a know it all (and troll) when it comes to this topic. Guess others may have a different view than you. Normally no. As of late, in this topic, yes. My aTTitude? Come on Ron. I use to think you were reasonable. Now you just sound like a child who's been backed into a corner and is lashing out. This topic has been beaten to death. Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Seriously, you've become quite a joke. Go back and read, or if you need lessons let me know. Till then, I can only laugh at you. Performance Designs Factory Team