ianmdrennan

You keep ignoring that we're really only 20 or so years into anything close to what skydivers jump today. The loadings, the volume in any given landing area of jumpers, the volume of jumps capable in a short space of time, etc. Neither system is perfect, but FMD is far, far more likely to create confusion. It relies on some fundamentals that are flawed (IMO): 1) Assumes no-one is going to arrive at the 'setting' altitude at the same time. 2) It assumes everyone starts their pattern at a similar altitude. Or at the very least assumes that a jumper who starts their pattern at 1000 ft (which is student pattern altitudes), understands that the same pattern flown on a loaded canopy can start as much as 1000 feet higher. 3) Assumes some jumpers wont race down. Regardless of your position on FMD (and FWIW it appears to have had zero to do with the incident that raised the question) we can't say "It's been done for 50 years". Times have changed and it's folly not to realize that. Side Note: We have, to my knowledge, never taught FMD. It's hard to do when we spend so much time with our students in the classroom, pre-jump, discussing their intended landing patterns and positioning. Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

The problem is (and I've been thinking about this a lot for many years) is that it's not as simplistic as people think. Even if everyone flew perfect patterns and followed directions we still have the possibility for collision because of different leg lengths, altitudes, loadings, etc. There's things we can do to lower the risks, but overall it comes down to people being heads up, courteous, and flying pro-actively (identifying potential hazards early enough to remove them from the 'chain'). Very hard conversation to have over the internet btw

While changing the licensing program to reflect more canopy control is definitely overdue, I think #8 needs to be addressed as a top priority with consequences for the people who decide to swoop in the pattern. Does any dz actively take away privledges to jumpers who won't adhere to the rules? I've been to dz's before where staff members are the worst offenders! Does anyone know if statistics are available as to how many canopy collision incidents were caused by people swooping in the pattern? Andrea, I did some analysis years ago (about 3) of all documented worldwide collisions/fatalities. Of them, OVER 50% were NON-swoopers. If people focus on swooping in the pattern, they're missing the bigger picture of the problem. We as recently as a month ago saw 2 students collide. Now, Im not arguing that people swooping in the 'normal' pattern isn't a problem - it is, and shouldnt be done. But it's no-where near to the entire problem. I travel a lot, visiting lots of dz's throughout the country. I have to say, I see more close calls entirely unrelated to swooping and generally related to people having their heads firmly planted up their ass and oblivious to everything around them. Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Got to see this wing fly this weekend. Looks like a wing that performs well. It had some go-juice for sure, I was impressed. Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Could be a combination of my shitty internet connection (I'm in the boonies right now) and my less than stellar work computer

Locks up my computer each time I try and watch it. Chome/IE same result Performance Designs Factory Team

I've been trying to get of the island for a while now! :) Performance Designs Factory Team

They're both wrong

Gone, but not forgotten. Performance Designs Factory Team

I agree 100% Performance Designs Factory Team

Ok, by your logic: timothy mcveigh was a registered republican. Nice people. Seriously??!!??? Whackjobs are everywhere, in every party, in every walk of life...even on this site. Performance Designs Factory Team

I'm not saying your opinion is wrong, or that you're silly or anything, but when I read the above quoted section of your reply, I laughed. The only thing I could think was "I know you are, but what am I?" LOL - fair enough, you're right it does actually sound that way. I was attempting to address how ludicrous I thought the statement was and guess I got a little carried away

Yes, actually, I do know and hang out with some tea party members. No, I don't agree with their philosophy and yes, I've generally found them to fit the stereotype described in the article. I've always found spending time with people who don't think like me educational and interesting. It's forced me to reevaluate some ideas I've had and at other times has reinforced some ideas I have. My world isn't as black and white/me vs them/etc as yours appears to be. I enjoy the diversity. There are times though, rarely, when someone is SO far "out there" (on any side) that I can't really find anything in common with them and have a difficult time relating. There are a number of left and right posters here who fit into that category (and I'm not implying yourself here since I don't really recall your posting history). It's a pity, but that's life I guess. I really can only laugh at this statement. See above. I'm really not 'scared' of people who don't think like me. Seems, maybe you are? Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Seems reasonably accurate to me and members of the tea party I've come across. Not sure what the big deal is. To be fair, you could say this about ANY party. Same deal with the guy who got fired from NPR who expressed a 'far right' opinion. Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

I totally disagree. It's been, in my experience, at LEAST 1 downsize in my turn altitudes and flying style. Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

None, actually. But I'm sure hoping they'll be at the Zhills meet

Happened to me on my first jump and practice run at the SA WC 2009. Sucked, hard. That visor went bye bye asap. Performance Designs Factory Team

Enjoy http://www.thepdblog.com/pdblog/2011/03/flcpa-deland-meet-1-full-length-video.html Performance Designs Factory Team

http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/thu-march-3-2011/crisis-in-the-dairyland---for-richer-and-poorer---teachers-and-wall-street?xrs=share_fb Performance Designs Factory Team

Generally, yes. However there's always a risk when two are out. My comment was, primarily, commenting on deployment. Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

ANYTIME you have both canopies open at the same time (intentional or not) - all bets are off. Performance Designs Factory Team

The guy's a tool.....trust me, I know first hand Thanks to Skydive Radio, and everyone's positive responses. I enjoyed the segment, and hope you all got something good from it all. More coming, stay tuned. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Only because you like Obama. The thing is - i think you miss the irony. If it was AL Gore - and his green agenda, it might be funnier, but it is your bias that is affecting your humor receptors. See can't agree with you there. Not everyone has the same sense of humor. I support obama and found it funny, but its naive to think that everyone shares my sense of humor. you can't claim bias when you only post one example. Had you posted both a right and a left wing jab you may have had a stronger case against a poster who objected one over the other. Performance Designs Factory Team

I think it's funny

Clara and Eve look like the inverse of one another. Clara *seems* heavily tapered on the rear with more of a straight edge. Eve seems very tapered on the leading edge, but straight along the back. Very hard to tell with the camera distortion though (lens curvature I mean) Interesting characteristics on foxy - especially when a front riser is pulled Something about Clara's shape reminds me of a Diablo. Performance Designs Factory Team