ianmdrennan

For a supposedly smart man, you sure do intentionally misinterpret and misdirect conversations a fair amount lately. Carry on.... Performance Designs Factory Team

Got my tickets for Monday

I was wondering about that. I don't think they'd count it as a cowboy cause doesn't that require one hand off the controls altogether? Why you little bitch..... Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

I jumped their gear for many years. I liked the gear. Since Louis Tommasso (sp?) has taken over the US dealings the service has improved significantly. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

More from this past weekend (thanks Ben Lusk!)....unfortunately none with the wingtip actually touching the water Guess we'll all have to go play on the water some more Blues! Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Because, more often than not "that guy" isn't the highest loaded, or even close. Not directed at Bill: If you're having to spiral to stay below the other canopies - you're that guy. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Happy b-day !! Performance Designs Factory Team

Cold man....just cold.... Will try out that order bro. Travel safe! Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Putting in an order for a set today - will let you know what I think when I get a chance to jump them. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

I'd like to jump a demo first before passing on my thoughts Now if you're asking my thoughts on Parachute Systems customer service....that I can respond to Blues

Well be safe out there Scott

And why aren't you stopping by to do so yourself Scott???? Performance Designs Factory Team

I might have to make a few trips up that way to play in this when it's built. It's still 2 hrs closer than Orlando! Performance Designs Factory Team

If a 79 found it's way to GA I'd put a few test jumps on it. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Flip, Thanks for the response. Like you I would like to see an approach to the issue that is grounded in a realistic approach to what really happens at a DZ on any given day/weekend. I do agree that we're all wanting to see the same result (safer airspace) but not necessarily in agreement on the details of how to do that. IMO they should not be allowed to land in it, or cross over it below 2000 feet PERIOD. Realistically if the jumper can make it to the HP area, they could have made it to a safer spot on the LZ (as the HP area is typically near the regular LZ). For example at The Farm we have 2 landing areas, one for HP and one for 'traditional'. Patterns are switched depending on the landing direction to ensure that traditional and HP patterns and flight paths do not cross or intersect. I am extremely resistant to the idea that a poorly planned approach from a regular jumper is allowed to come anywhere NEAR the HP zone. Hell, at the last PST there were tandems floating above the swoop pond, while the Airforce team was spiralling their accuracy canopies through the airspace below 2000 feet, DURING the meet WHILE competitors were in the air - totally unacceptable IMO. If we're going to seperate landing areas then traditional approach jumpers need to plan their descent better (which I believe they should do regardless of the area they land in) to avoid the HP area. Likewise, the HP pilots need to avoid the traditional area. There can't be conditional cases for the seperation to work. I can't go race a honda civic during the indy 500 for good reason - I don't see this as any different. Ultimately I still believe a large part of this problem is rooted in the mentality of a large segment of the jumping population and directly relates to the minimalistic (if downright lacking) requirements we have regarding canopy flight AND particularly who passes the knowledge on. Of every dz I've been to, without fail, the majority of the landing 'issues' stem from full time jumpers who don't feel they need any additional education on canopy flight. Some of these jumpers are traditional pilots, some are simply pilots who have access to HP wings but really dont understand the first thing about flying them (of course there are those in this group who DO actively expand their knowledge but my experience indicates they're a minority). These are the people TEACHING our next generation in many cases. I think that is the group we need to focus on. I still believe education is key. Hope this helps explain my concerns. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

John, I realize that, but if memory serves me correctly the original BSR discussions were saying that non-HP pilots could land in HP areas. IMO, this should not be allowed if we're truely interested in keeping our landing areas seperate, and safer. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Hopefully I articulate this well and without confusion as I suspect it could be misinterpreted..... While I do support seperate landing areas, I do think there's a potential hazard from non-swoopers entering the HP zone and visa versa. If you're going to have seperate zones then, IMO the HP zone is a no go for non HP pilots - this includes the vertical 'cone'. Allowing them to enter, and land, in that zone does increase the risk - probably more so because of the 'unexpected' intrusion. Conversley the HP pilot is expected to conform with the non-HP area if they make a choice to land in it. Non-hp pilots who end up in the HP zone because of bad planning should be dealt with just as severely as HP pilots who do HP landings in the non-hp area. Each piloting type zone rules need to be adhered to by the zone's participants. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Agreed. A lot of it was a serious stretch. I got about halfway through and got bored. Maybe I'll pick it up again later when I've got nothing better to do. Performance Designs Factory Team

Vladi Pesa said it best "There's a fine line between a hotdog and a weiner"

Another fun weekend at The Farm. Good times

Kallend and Vectracide, Knock it off. I'm not going to tolerate inflammatory posts on the bsr topic - from either side. Keep those opinions in the threads dedicated to the topic. Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

I haven't finished watching it yet and I'm sure there's plenty that'll be dismissable, but I figured some of this crew may enjoy watching it. It's 2 hrs long, which is also why I'm not done with it yet

Ideally, if the pilot has a good pattern, they'd simply imagine it on a piece of glass and then slide it so that their touchdown point is where they want to to be. The pattern itself, and the altitudes, would not change. Now if the pilot is still developing the pattern it's slightly more complicated but the basic principals stay the same - just the points over the ground, in relation to the target, for that day will differ but the pilot may be a lot more 'rough' in approaching their final. Regarding point 3. Typically, in most conditions 7-8 mph or less for a headwind - holding in brakes will typically make the pilot land even FURTHER past their target (especially no wind days). Additionally, if the pilot S-turns they will never really learn the glide slope of the canopy and how much ground they will cover - which in turn will prevent them from actually fixing the pattern points. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Glad you took over that job at my old DZ John. Thankfully The Farm mostly has their shit together and I don't need to do that stuff nearly as much as I used to. It sucks being the bad guy, but someone has to do it. I enjoy my trips to the dz more now that it's rarely necessary. It's funny though, how the very people you're trying to keep alive, feel nothing for slamming you behind your back. No good deed goes unpunished Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Happy Birthday VSG. Wishing you many more happy ones! Performance Designs Factory Team