Zlew

With the biggest effort being non-flaming. If you choose to not jump an RSL and are educated as to why/ why not I think that is just fine. I jump a lot of video, did shit tons of research and do not wear an RSL on one rig (but do have a skyhook on the other...but that's another story). I appreciate that you pointed out that the odds say (drastically) that you are much more likely to be saved by an RSL than hurt by it. I wish I remember the link the the uspa study showing the number of fatalities that would have been non issues with an RSL vs the number of RSL related problems). For me the biggest RSL issue is the way it causes reserve PC/Bag/etc. to come up under arms/necks/ and past heads when cutting away from a fast spinning mal on your back. Please note, this is only an issue for me due to the mains I jump and the fact I have a camera helmet on. If not for both of these factors I would have an RSL. I recommend an RSL for almost everyone. Most of the reasons you gave, IMO, are kinda long shots and really rare. I haven't heard of a broken riser since they started re-enforcing them when the mini risers became "cool" 15-20years ago. Plus many modern rigs have a Collins lanyard to make it a non issue if it does. Things like RSL's snagging or keeping your main attached to you are almost unheard of also. If you don't want to have one, more power to you. this is a big boy sport and you get to make your own decisions. Act fast...don't get sucked into the basement fighting a mal, and you should be fine.

Be careful there. That changed at some point 10-12 years ago. For example- when the stiletto first came out the "max" was 1.3 to 1 (as I remember). Back then going a size or two smaller was no big deal, but things have changed a bit. They changed to the multi tiered wing loading recommendations, and the new max is almost 1.8. Going 2 sizes smaller in that situation probably wouldn't be a good idea. edit-spellloooo

So you knew your expectations were too high, but hoped for something anyway. You didn't get it, so now use the net to declair their service is "average" and you have boycotted the company for future purchase. I'm sorry your new to you gear didn't work out, but I don't think this is being fair to L&B. Their warranty is 12 months. Like any manufacture there is a point of no return where things cannot be fixed/repaired. It sucks to be the guy who bought the new toy and now has a brick, but that isn't their fault, and doesn't mean they don't have countless stories of going well above and beyond for the sake of customer service. They have gone above and beyond expectations for me twice, and I still think their service is a great example for the industry.

Can't be sure based on the video, but from his notes, and what I can put together, I think his cypres fired by speed, not altitude. If he chopped around 800, he had to accelerate for a period of time from whatever speed he was spinning at to 78, and then cypres would have fired. He thinks cypres fired around 600 feet, may have been lower and it was also sub terminal which can take longer to get to line stretch and make for a slower opening.

It might have been close, but in theory he was probably slightly sub terminal when the cypres fired (it fires when you accelerate to 78 in that situation as I remember). That might account for the slower opening. I'm glad he shared the video, and I hope others learn from it. Now- on with the 200 replies about how he should have done this, or shouldn't have done that.

Key to your question/ flaw in the logic is this- shorter recovery arcs don't allow for correction closer to the ground, as much as they make you start your turn/dive closer to the ground giving you less time and altitude to save your life if things dont go to plan. When I started in the late 90's, the Swoopers (surfers back then) were usually jumping short recovery arc canopies like Stilettos and Batwings. At that time, the evolution of swooping was going from the "toggle monkey" toggle hook turn folks who were doing very aggressive turns very low to the ground, to the carving front riser folks who were using front riser turns starting much higher and building more speed. The toggle monkeys got the "ohhhh---ahhhs" from the crowds of whuffos who usually though someone was about to die. Their swoops were shorter, and their chances of leaving in a chopper or bag were much higher. The riser guys were out swooping them and doing it much more safely by building speed over a higher altitude and not having to comit to a very radical dive low to the ground. They have more time to get out of the corner, and getting out was usually less of an issue because they were not paralell to the ground at 100 feet like the toggle guys. The next evolution of swooping took this a few steps further by using wings that dive harder/longer and moving the starting altitudes up even further. There are other benefits to speeed/distance to the wings, but one of them is allowing to start thing higher. So to answer your question- Yes you can swoop a short arc canopy, it has been done for a long time. IMO it is not safer because the shorter the arc, the lower you have to initiate the turn and the less room for error/correction you have. Get coaching if you can. Be safe. Keep your femur inside your leg.

I can't speak to new/first time jumpers, but for me time is much slower in freefall. I shoot a lot of video, and it amazes me sometimes when I compare the video to what I experience in freefall. Often I find myself in freefall thinking, oh man, we just lost 7-10 seconds on that because someone went low, slid out etc. But then I watch the video and the entire event took 2-3 seconds. I've had openings that took SO LONG that I couldn't wait to show someone the video... and the video seems just as long as any other video (even though it seemed like it took 10 seconds). It is very common for it to seem like it takes twice as long for someone to get in, key a point, rebuild a funnel, or close a piece as it actually does. I know to expect it, but it still surprises me how different my perception of how long something took, and how quickly it actually happened.

Just confirmed mine is for replacement cost (whoohoo!). It is a % of my total personal property coverage, and is more than enough to cover all my gear.

Hi Bruno- With the adapter, does the Hypeye work? Do you have a link to the multi cable? I really like the idea of the BOSS...and I am starting to research the cx430 (looks like it also does not have the half moon port).

Sooo... the OP pointed out that I made the mistake of failing basic reading comprehension (maybe reading completion?), and didn't note that he was specifically asking about insurance without using homeowners/renters. Sorry OP! Still think there is good info for people out there who might not know about insurance they already have, or maybe a good reason to get something like renters insurance if you don't have it. I will check to see if mine is replacement or depreciated cost. Thanks! Z

I agree. Obviously you need a high level of skill, training/coaching, proficiency and respect for the wing to consider flying xbraced. However, the idea that you aren't worthy or are wasting your time unless you intend to load it off the wing loading chart, do 450+ turns, or have squeezed every ounce out of a non cross braced wing is a bit grandiose.

Talk to you agent to make sure you understand (and they understand) the situation. For me, my homeowners had 10% of my "personal property" covered off site. So I ended up bumping my overall property coverage up to make sure the 10% would cover my gear. I'm sure other policies are different.

:) that's kinda funny. Should add- proof of hairy chest, ability to do a manly grunt on command, fear of bro-hugs, and general "macho" status to be "worthy" of jumping an x-brace.

You may already have it. Most homeowners and renters insurance has a provision for personal property that is "off premiss". This covers pretty much anything you own that is lost/stolen etc. outside of your house. It is subject to your deductible, but you can work around that. I actually just changed my homeowners insurance and increased my personal property off premiss coverage, and had my deductible lowered from 1000 to 500. I now have enough to cover all my gear if the dz burns down with my gear in the locker...recover a chopped camera helmet/canopy, or cover the difference if teh airline loses my rig (they usually only pay about 500 tops for lost luggage).

haha... I wrote a reply and ended up not posting it. I jump a lighter loaded velo (under 2.0) and usually only do 90's or so these days.... so my perspective is a little different than most who jump velos and post in here. Couldn't figure out how to articulate my thoughts and not get totally torched by everyone on here :)

"All of your money today, and half of your money for the rest of your life." Flabby

Is "Ralph" still in business? I haven't seen the Call Ralph ads in a while. For used gear, he was the guy!

If you are headed to the US, there are a few DZ's known for good year round jumping. People/teams come from all over the world to places like DeLand and Eloy (skydive arizona) to train. I think Eloy gets something like 330 jumpable days a year.... I'm sure there are other places (Sebastian, ZHills? Perris Valley?)_ but if I was wanting to accomplish what you are talking about below, I'd head to Florida or Arizona.

Demo. In 11 years some of the wings are still very similar, and a few are different from what was available at that time. If you can get you hands on a few different sizes/models you will be able to pretty quickly figure out what you like...and what you are ready for.

Cliff's Notes- Inside the airplane you are exposed to noise at moderate to high levels for extended periods of time (some say this is the most damaging type of noise). In freefall, decibel levels are above what is recommended for hearing protection. I know some of the older posts have the actual decibel numbers. Bottom line, if you jump often, it is a good idea to protect your hearing in the plane/freefall.

That's one of the reasons I do the exit that I do now (leaving with them, not leading them). A good visible exit count is fantastic when you can get one, but it isn't always possible. More and more teams give the count from Inside Center, and depending on what they are launching it can be very difficult if not impossible to see the shakes or the count. With my current team, and my team from last year, most of their exits, I just see Outside Center and Tails butts sticking out the door. Everything and everyone else is inside the plane. You also run the risk of "ready set no" leaving you in freefall looking up at your team poised beautiful on the plane. Leaving at the same time allows you to forget about the count all together. Just go when they go.

I bought the surefires, and I like them, but don't jump them anymore. The problem I have with them is really due to the camera helmet that I jump, and probably wouldn't really be an issue for most jumpers. My helmet is intentionally very snug (most camera helmets are), and with my ears after making several jumps in a day the way my helmet pushes on the plugs started to get annoying. So the standard soft plugs seem to work best for me, but I'd recommend the surefires to anyone who doesn't have their ears clamped into their helmet.

also, zooming in will increase shake. Try walking around looking through binoculars, the more you zoom in the more any movement will be amplified in the image.

Some good info for sure. Caravans are very different IMO. More prop blast for sure, and on the caravan I jump, the step is significantly closer to the door (making it harder to get back for the best exit frame). If he is going to stick with the leading exit (which is fine), the timing and getting back on top of them tips about tracking up and not leaving too early is really important. It is very easy to miss grips (get busts!) in the transition (when you are looking at the side of their rigs). I would really focus on the shake in the camera. Check your mount to the helmet, the box or whatever he is using to attach the camera to the camera, and the camera itself for the right settings/zoom/ firm lens etc. Also make sure the helmet fits snugly, and focus on keeping your head steady. Overall, not bad! keep working on it and you will be fine!