ianmdrennan

Well I jumped without one for a number of years. That been said how much do you think your life is worth? I try to look at my cypress as $1200 that I hope I never have to cash in on. Accidents happen in freefall. Hopefully they'll never happen to you, but should one occur....well...would you like to risk it? If you can scrape the cash together, there really is no reason not to get one in my opinion. Blue skies, be safe. Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

here, here!! It really can mess with your landings when all those visual references change, so I agree that it's a good tool to help overcome that. Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

There is no magic number. Skycat and I have different beliefs on small canopies for woman, but that aside this is really something that you should take up with your instructors. I know it's not the answer you're looking for, but your question should be: "What would be the next canopy for me at my current skill level" and should be posed to those at your DZ who know your flying capability. NONE of us here, who have no idea of your flying, can answer that question. Eventually you will probably be able to work down to the canopy size you desire, but it takes time and work on your part to prepare yourself for that canopy. Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

At the Red Bull meet in NE this year a fair number of them were using those alti watches. As mentioned previously it's just a gauge, density alti and things make the canopy perform differently so I wouldn't rely on it. I use the neptune and have been VERY happy with the results. Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

So don't buy one. I'm happy with mine, and one could say the same about HMA

Agreed. Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Juane, Thanks. Sometimes things get lost in text so I appreciate you clearing up the issue. See you this weekend (Dave Brown hybrids). Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

I have not been able to pull my risers down enough to give me tail deflection and buckling. My lines tighten up but do not deflect the tail. Now if you're able to pull your risers down to your knees then kudo's but that doesn't pass the reasonable test. Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Ok, I don't want to open old wounds but lets get some things straight. You weren't clear, there were at least 2 other canopies coming in on finals when you did you 3 360's and stopped at tree top level. Right of way does not mean you get to do whatever you want. Regardless I know you learned from this experience so let's put that one aside. And it's a very valid point . See my post in the Arizona fatality to see what I think about canopies that spiral down into the pattern and how it can screw up everyone because of their inconsideration. I appreciate the compliment. I just want everyone to have a safe enjoyable skydive, as does everyone else. Yes we do have to look after one another. Umm....I don't think you've ever seen me "botch" a swoop attempt. In fact, touch wood, I haven't botched a landing (well..except 1 this sat when fell over on sat

Juane, I'm not sure of the jumper you are referring to or the incident for that matter, but you were approached on at least one other occasion because of errattic landing patterns. Are you sure this isn't what the jumper was trying to relay? It's hard to avoid someone if you have no idea where they are going next - I'd opt for landing somewhere else, but the jumper may not have had enough altitude for that - given our surrounding obstacles. As for your suggestion on moving the HP's somewhere else. We are working on that but until we find a solution we all need to learn to live together. That means both HP and NON hp pilots flying a consitant, considerate pattern and HP pilots knowing when to say no to a performance landing. I'm glad you've decided to make Orange your home. We're happy to have you so try not to let this dampen your view. Instead bring your concerns to manifest so that they can direct you to the appropriate people to deal with the issue. It's a club, we all have a say so make sure you exercise that right. Blue skies, see you this weekend. Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

yeah I've kept it to myself. I believe you can request access to it through their website though. Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Rhino is correct. Something else to check though is the length of your brake lines. Often they are too short and can signifcantly reduce your speed and the stability (when front risering) of the canopy. Test them out by (above 2000 feet and in clear airspace) pulling down one riser as far as you can (toggle still in hand, obviously) and checking that there is no tail deflection. Normally you can feel this by the canopy "bucking". Just something else to check. Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Don't forget. We need flat and free flyers. Everyone welcome. Hope to see you there. Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Yeah I know (now) that 1.8 is outdated. Funny thing is that until I got the updater link from Roger I couldn't find the latest software on their site. Am I missing something? Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Kevin, Thanks for the response. Roger emailed me last night (I must say I'm very impressed with their customer service so far) and pretty much said the same as you. I am running 1.8 (didn't see any updates on their website), but he sent me a beta link for getting the newer version, which I will be doing today or sometime this week. Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Kev, See my post re my neptune resetting. Any similarities in the jumps? Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

More feedback on the neptune. This weekend I did a demo into a landing area 1000 ft higher than the dz and a 20 min plane flight. Just before take off I used the dz offset to set the elevation 1000 feet higher. The altitude display showed -1.0 as expected. After take off the neptune went into "plane" mode and the pilot leveled out at about 1100 feet above the take off point (alti read 0.1 as this point as expected). Within 10 mins (my guess is around 5 but I'm saying 10 to be safe) the neptune reset itself to the take off ground altitude (-1000) so when the pilot climbed again the read out was 1000 feet lower than expected. I know I could have used the neptune in manual mode (and will do so next time) but I was surprised it reset itself so quickly. Anyone else experienced this? Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

1. Low 180 degree turn into the ground. 2. Heatwave 135 3. 1.2 4. Skymaster 290, cruiselite 210 (1 jump), zp 150 (about 50 jumps), Heatwave 135 5. at the time 123 (was on heatwave from 90 jumps). 6. Compressed vertabrae, torn intercostal muscles, torn spinal muscles. 7. Dr visit. 8. 2 weeks. Was jumping WAAAAY before I should have been (In a lot of pain I might add) - obviously not the brightest thing I've done. Biggest contributing factors: 1. Jumping something I wasn't ready for. 2. NO knowledgeable high performance canopy pilots at the dz so poor technique was learned (whipping toggle 180 one way followed by the other direction 180 toggle). 3. My ego. Friend of mine a year and a half later: 1. Low 180 into the ground. 2. Bladerunner 135 3. 1.4 4. Skymaster 290, cruiselite 210, zp 150, bladerunner 135 5. About 250. 6. Amnesia. Mild brain damage. Significant loss of short term memory and broken femur. 7. Unknown - but a lengthy stay in hospital. 8. 1.5 - 2 years. Did a few more jumps and hasn't jumped since. Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

every jump I did with brett willard a month or so ago he was wearing his i-pod. Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

really helps getting dialed in faster (switching from 96 to 84). Also helps when going to different dz's and the visual references change. It's just a guide, nothing more, but it makes my life easier. Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

never seen 'em so I can't say. But your description makes me think of the old "Training wheels" Tony Sit suit. Had converstations with the Gliderz and Alchemy and both feel freefly suits are going for tighter with less drag, much like RW did years ago. Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

You little bastard!!! What size? I'm busy working on selling mine for an 84 which I've been jumping a bit. That combined with the neptune = 270 heaven

I'd hardly define losing 74sq feet as a perfectly good main - perspective....it's all about perspective (I mean, think of that in percentage of wing). I have little doubt that most here would, at 40 jumps and being placed in the same situation, have done the same thing. ok...and? I feel like this debate has reached the end of it's usefullness. There's no doubt that both sides have valid points, once again it's all up to the individual in the situation. I doubt he is questioning his actions as much as this forum is. Time to move on methinks

Yeah you could say that

No just my discussion 2 weeks ago at our dz with Marylou Laughlin the northeast regional director. Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team