ianmdrennan

And that's why I said WE want to police the world. They DO ask for money though, as do we from other countries.

Emphasis mine. We really can't have it both ways. Besides, not giving a shit what the rest of the WORLD thinks is: 1) Short sighted 2) What got us into this mess in the first place 3) Our current foreign policy (which clearly isn't working). edit: Don't misconstrue this as me thinking the world should vote , I'm just commenting on not being flippant about caring what they think. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Quoted for emphasis. I say that in all my classes. Performance Designs Factory Team

Don't you ever get bored with saying the same thing over and over again?

Oh yeah! Looking good

I don't think the word 'respect' and Sarah Palin go hand in hand, regardless of the context Performance Designs Factory Team

http://blog.newsweek.com/blogs/stumper/archive/2008/10/21/in-which-sarah-palin-displays-the-latest-in-donkey-fashion.aspx HA! Performance Designs Factory Team

Performance Designs Factory Team

Hey now! I'll be there!

*sigh* Mike......nevermind, it's pretty clear this is a waste of my time. You just keep on trucking and feeling like the mods are out to get ya. (rhymes with 'You betcha!" ) Performance Designs Factory Team

Typically only by disgruntled posters Performance Designs Factory Team

Comments like this irk me. Next thing you'll be telling us that Paul runs around with Ayers Performance Designs Factory Team

burn! Frankly though, I'm not surprised one little bit on these things we're finding out about Palin. I can't help but be compare this to some of the televangelist types out there crying "homosexuality is wrong" only to be found with a male escort themselves. Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Ok, defensive much You seem to have taken my post as some sort of personal attack. Not the intention at all. Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

And how many spectators watched that (non-skydivers), and even had a clue as to what was going on? As it stands, it's really difficult for non-skydivers watch a swoop meet to understand the ins and outs of accuracy. The above as I understand it proposal makes it worse IMO, and more complicated. Generally speaking, the most complex solutions, are often the least viable ones. Don't get me wrong, I'm definitely open to changing this for the better, and I agree that the Speed seperation should be somehow greater, I just don't know if this is the right direction (based on what I understand of your post). Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

I think you're mistaken if you believe you can get all the knowledge you need from a single class. While I've never attended any of Lugi's classes, I can say from my own experience both as a teacher, and a student, that you simply cannot cram years of knowledge into a single day, week, or even a month. It's pretty common for people to formulate better questions, and ideas, as they experiment with things they've been exposed to more. Agreed. I'm not sure why you feel this wasn't done here. The concepts I teach, regardless of canopy size, remain the same. They're abstract ideas who's implementation differs slightly from wing to wing, but conceptually what the pilot is trying to achieve, and should identify, stays the same. I disagree. Now I'm not saying they should be learning 450's under that size wing, but I believe the pilot can gain a solid foundation at that loading, or lighter. You're focusing on the implementation, not the concept. The idea is that the pilot lets the wing recover as much as is efficient before performing input. That time will differ according to loading, canopy type and size, as well as speed. Personally I don't believe in being on the front risers after the turn is completed, but there are many different styles, each with their own pro's and con's - I've seen pilots have success with the majority of them (long as they're good concepts). Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Morris, I'm not sure I agree on changing the percentage system. we need to keep scoring simple, and fair, to keep spectators interested AND to keep the rules understandable. Introducing physics isn't going to accomplish that IMO. The percentage system is designed to allow a competitor to compare themselves to the best rounds of the day. Since conditions change, I believe this system accurately, and fairly, represents that. Finally, I'm surprised that there's no mention of the weight issues brought up at US Nationals. Currently a pilot cannot be a single OUNCE over their weigh in weight. This creates massive safety concerns, particularly in competitors who cannot strip off weight (the larger boys) who have to be so careful not to get disqualified that they're scared to even drink water throughout the day. Not to mention that if a competitor gets wet, there is no avenue for them other than to use a different rig altogether to avoid weight disqualification. I think the above is far more important than refining the scoring system. Blues bro! See you in SA :) Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Yeah that sounds like the material breakdown issue. If the canopy is 9 months old it's almost certainly the old material as I believe they have only just started using the new replacement material (in the last month or so). Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

This sounds similar to the sail material issue other pilots were having (talk to Frost for specifics) where it started to break down. I had heard they had changed sail material type because of it. Is this the new material? RDS damage USUALLY occurs in the form of line burn, or razor like cuts along the top skin, specifically near the tail. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Happy birthday HH Performance Designs Factory Team

Sergey, Not sure when the last time you bought gear was, but the JVX is 3+ grand too. I'm not sure what the Velo retails for these days, but it's not far behind. High performance canopies are expensive, no matter whom you buy them from. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

... hopefully will lead that fresh new jumper onto the righteous path towards Canopy Piloting Greatness... And me? well, I am browsing classifieds now for a used Spectre 150... They don't make those in 'Communist'

Well, thanks to this thread I just put my order in for some swoop pants. So far, the service I've received has been top notch and I'm very happy. Looking forward to getting the product

The Sensei has been in development for a number of years. I remember Mike Swanson jumping one as early as 2003. I'm not sure what Brian's production plans for it are, but it's a 7 cell x-braced canopy. Someone who has one can comment on the flight characteristics, but my understanding is that its 'velocity-like'. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

That's great to hear. I'm sure the community will be interested in your findings. Glad you're liking it so far