ianmdrennan

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Everything posted by ianmdrennan

  1. ianmdrennan
    Regardless of the desire to swoop, or not, Accuracy canopies are entirely different beasts to modern day 'regular' canopies - they are an exception to the rule. The technique described by the OP will bleed off speed quickly, but will (more often than not) result in a worse landing than could be achieved with proper technique. Introducing late flight cycles with erratic movements only makes the pilot's job harder. Ian Performance Designs Factory Team
  2. ianmdrennan
    John Stewart is 'da man'
  3. ianmdrennan
    So true. Unfortunately the Republicans weren't able to stop the fanatacism from the Dems when it came to HC. Absolutely, I totally agree that the Dem's shouldn't have gone unfettered. However, the Republican party (imo) totally dropped the ball on HC too. They were so hell bent on saying No to everything, that they missed the opportunity to have good solid input. The Dems, took the opportunity to exploit that on the other end too by simply pushing ahead. Ian Performance Designs Factory Team
  4. ianmdrennan
    Dont think I missed it You just got called on it and you dont like it *sigh*, no. But I do recognize that attempting to discuss items with a fanatic, from either side, is a futile event. So it's a waste of my energy (not directed at you GravityMaster). Performance Designs Factory Team
  5. ianmdrennan
    As usual, you missed the point of the post. Performance Designs Factory Team
  6. ianmdrennan
    Yes and No. It's great to have a party of opposition to make sure ideas get filtered and aren't extreme either way. It's equally ineffective, though, (in comparison to a party that has free reins) to have a party of "NO" based entirely on defiance - which, during the HC debate, the Republican party largely was. Ian Performance Designs Factory Team
  7. ianmdrennan
    Apparently, the vicious personal attacks made against GW Bush for 8 years were justified in your opinion, though? Give me a break. I agree. Whatever I may think of GWB as a President, the 'left' cannot deny they were brutal with PA's on him. Sadly, this is what American politics has been reduced to - not who can best present their policies, but rather who can best demonize/discredit (valid or not) their opponent. Ian Performance Designs Factory Team
  8. ianmdrennan
    Bob, The team has been giving regular updates on the Facebook page, and posting them here - including the cable strike information. As always, we will continue to give information as it becomes available to us - we're doing the best we can to keep everyone informed. Ian Performance Designs Factory Team
  9. ianmdrennan
    Our company's healthcare costs have been rising in excess of 17% per annum (which is why we keep switching HC providers). There is no noticeable change for next year. I just dont see how Obamacare can be blamed. HC was a racket before Obama, and will continue to be afterwards. At least, now, people cant be denied coverage. Performance Designs Factory Team
  10. ianmdrennan
    Got it - so as long as someone doesn't agree with your definition of America, they're unpatriotic. Performance Designs Factory Team
  11. ianmdrennan
    Feel free to personally disregard the 'usual blather'. For others it's useful, and good, information to relay. Performance Designs Factory Team
  12. ianmdrennan
    I thought i'd be this one
  13. ianmdrennan
    Update: Performance Designs Factory Team
  14. ianmdrennan
    Muscle memory. From a deployment point of view, it makes no difference at that point. Really just fostering a good habit - that extra second or two it *could* take to realize your reserve isn't deploying could be the difference in life or death. Ian Performance Designs Factory Team
  15. ianmdrennan
    Do your ep's, always. Never assume the RSL, or skyhook will work. Even if it DOES work, continue with your ep's pull the handles anyway. Cutting away and not pulling the reserve handle is, imo, unacceptable. Ian Performance Designs Factory Team
  16. ianmdrennan
    Just to be clear, Brian was not 'in the corner'. He did not have enough altitude to clear a ridge while flying straight and level (there are multiple ridges) on a speed flying run, and made a decision to seek an alternate landing area. Lets keep this thread to Shannon please. Ian Performance Designs Factory Team
  17. ianmdrennan
    Not true, there's a SAA pilot in Atlanta who owns a South African food store, and imports it
  18. ianmdrennan
    Having lived, and spent time in BOTH places - the similarities in mentalities aren't all that different. Racism, is racism - regardless of nationalities - and the 'deep south' isn't all that different than SA in a lot of ways. Performance Designs Factory Team
  19. ianmdrennan
    I did
  20. ianmdrennan
    If any of you are interested in following the trip, we are doing daily blogs here: http://www.thepdblog.com/ Enjoy
  21. ianmdrennan
    To play devils advocate; I know of one S&TA that was tossed off a DZ (with video support) for being a safety hazard in multiple instances. A different S&TA passively participated in an event that ultimately let to a fatality. Counting on a USPA appointee doesn't offer any fundamental security. If there is to be a mandated course to pass people off for HP canopies or high wingloadings, it would require a consistent evaluative process vs an opinion. Agreed. I'm sure there are many S&TA's out there who are good, but I've known more than one that was a danger to themselves and everyone else. Being a S&TA doesn't make someone an authority on canopy flight (or anything for that matter). Ian Performance Designs Factory Team
  22. ianmdrennan
    Personally, I don't consider that a PA. However, I don't moderate this forum so it doesn't matter anyway
  23. ianmdrennan
    Bummer I'm going to miss this one Performance Designs Factory Team
  24. ianmdrennan
    But I'm pretty sure you wouldn't be overly upset if any of the bibles were baneed. We've been over this ground before. I said it then, I'll say it again, "No to book banning. No to book burning." That includes them all; yes, bibles too. Ironically, I'll also defend your right to burn them if you wish for the reasons of protest. But I'll think you're wrong for doing so. I know, that confuses some people . . . pity. +1 to Quade. Performance Designs Factory Team
  25. ianmdrennan
    Sadly this happens. Generally there are a few things that this can be attributed to: 1) No matter who you are, it only takes 1 mistake. 2) As your experience grows so does your confidence. This gives some jumpers a false sense of security, complacency sets in, and a mistakes/poor judgement happens. 3) As your experience grows, so does your desire to (as safely as you can) push boundaries. The sport is not without risk and we all calculate our risk each and every jump we do. Sometimes, in pushing that boundary you push too far, and there's no going back. Of course, there are a myriad of other things that could happen, but that's a first pass at the statement. Ian Performance Designs Factory Team