BrianSGermain

"I just recieved a copy of Brian Germain's new book called "The parachute and pilot". I took four hours to read and then slowly review each page of the book in detail. I highly recommend this book to ALL levels of canopy pilots. The book covers everything from aerodynamics to the psychological aspect of it all. Go get one..." Jim Slaton (www.canopypiloting.com) Actual Post: http://canopypiloting.tempwebpage.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?post=965;search_string=Brian;guest=7041#965 Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

Sorry about the kite delay. As you know, I don't build them personally, so delays sometimes happen. You will get it eventually. I am glad you enjoyed the book! Bri Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

I recommend high pressure water for containers, as found at the car wash (those big water guns). It works great, and doesn't require and detergents at all. As for soaking a canopy, try not to do it if you can avoid it. It won't weaken the canopy, but may change the opening or flight chaacteristics. I think you should jump the canopy out of an airplane a few times before using it for base again. Pull high and make sure it is OK. Smells will go away on their own. Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

Brian Germain’s Canopy Seminar Schedule 2004 Updated: May 7th, 2004 Believe it or not, dates are still available! email: bgermain@bigairsportz.com May 14-17 Skydive Stockholm in Gryttjom Contact: Ola Jameson Email: riks@sff.se May 21-23 Jyväskylä, 300 km north of Helsinki, Finland Contact: Jouni Email: jopocam@welho.com May 29-31 Copenhagen, Denmark Roskilde Airport Contact: Thomas '112' Nielsen 112@faldskaermsklubben.dk Jun 5,6 Skydive New England, Lebanon, Maine Advanced Flight Canopy Course Website: www.skydivenewengland.com 1 (800) UGO-JUMP Jun 26-27 Skydive Tecumseh, Michigan Canopy Course Contact: Sporto (248) 790-0494 email: skysporto655@yahoo.com July 2-July 4 Skydive Burnaby, Ontario Contact: Mike Pitt Www.skydiveburnaby.com e-mail pneumatic.sports@sympatico.ca 1(800) 693-JUMP (5867) (905) 899-1528 July 6,7th Frontier Skydivers, Niagara Falls Area, NY Canopy Flight Course Contact: Amber (716) 751-6170 July 9, 10, 11 Skydive New England, Lebanon, Maine Canopy Camp and Big Air Swoop Competition www.skydivenewengland.com 1 (800) UGO-JUMP July 17-18 Paradise Skydives, Vinton, Iowa Contact: Keith Paulsen (563) 349-1657 Email: freefall@gmtel.net website: Paradise-Skydives.com Hercules Boogie Lidkoping, Sweden Seminar/Organizing July 24- 31 www.herculesboogie.com August 6-15 Seminar/Coaching World Freefall Convention, Rantoul Illinois Website: www.freefall.com Sleep for 1 week straight, hopefully… Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

Brian Germain’s Canopy Seminar Schedule 2004 Updated: May 7th, 2004 May 14-17 Skydive Stockholm in Gryttjom Contact: Ola Jameson Email: riks@sff.se May 21-23 Jyväskylä, 300 km north of Helsinki, Finland Contact: Jouni Email: jopocam@welho.com May 29-31 Copenhagen, Denmark Roskilde Airport Contact: Thomas '112' Nielsen 112@faldskaermsklubben.dk Jun 5,6 Skydive New England, Lebanon, Maine Advanced Flight Canopy Course Website: www.skydivenewengland.com 1 (800) UGO-JUMP Jun 26-27 Skydive Tecumseh, Michigan Canopy Course Contact: Sporto (248) 790-0494 email: skysporto655@yahoo.com July 2-July 4 Skydive Burnaby, Ontario Contact: Mike Pitt Www.skydiveburnaby.com e-mail pneumatic.sports@sympatico.ca 1(800) 693-JUMP (5867) (905) 899-1528 July 6,7th Frontier Skydivers, Niagara Falls Area, NY Canopy Flight Course Contact: Amber (716) 751-6170 July 9, 10, 11 Skydive New England, Lebanon, Maine Canopy Camp and Big Air Swoop Competition www.skydivenewengland.com 1 (800) UGO-JUMP July 17-18 Paradise Skydives, Vinton, Iowa Contact: Keith Paulsen (563) 349-1657 Email: freefall@gmtel.net website: Paradise-Skydives.com Hercules Boogie Lidkoping, Sweden Seminar/Organizing July 24- 31 www.herculesboogie.com August 6-15 Seminar/Coaching World Freefall Convention, Rantoul Illinois Website: www.freefall.com Sleep for 1 week straight, hopefully… Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

Actually, the second printing is the fully edited version. I knew there were still some errors this time, but I felt the need to get it out there as quickly as possible. We also redrew the diagrams properly. As for the philosophical stuff, think of it as broccolli: it's good for you... Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

Actually, I have found even pre-shrunk type III will shrink up to 10% over time. I know the party line is that tapes don't shrink, but compelling empirical data suggests otherwise. It is a matter of the weave contacting. Although a single nylon fiber requires heat to change dimensionally, the collective synergy of woven goods exhibits a shrinking phenoninon. Just measure the leading edge tapes of your canopies when new, and compare them to old ones. QED Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

I hear ya. I am speaking of the gradual changes that become the difference between putting 1000 jumps on your canopy or 5000. These things are expensive, ya know? If you put a frog in a pot of cool water, and then put the pot on the stove (I know this is gross), the frog will stay in the water until it is cooked. The change is gradual, so the frog never notices. Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

Byron is trying to get something going. Contact Bonnie at Gravity Gear: bonnie@gravitygear.com Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

You can find ordering information on the site now. Sorry for the delay. Bri Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

I that particular chapter, I tried to objectively tell the story of the evolution of the parachute. One step in that process is airlocks. I do continue to believe in this design, but tried to remain factual and neutral in my representations and descriptions. That was a really hard thing to do, considering I believe so firmly in the safety implications. It's hard to keep my mouth shut when safety is on the line. Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

You are correct that shorter lines shorten the recovery arc. Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

Brian Germain’s Canopy Seminar Schedule 2004 Updated: May 5th, 2004 May 14-17 Skydive Stockholm in Gryttjom Contact: Ola Jameson Email: riks@sff.se May 21-23 Jyväskylä, 300 km north of Helsinki, Finland Contact: Jouni Email: jopocam@welho.com May 29-31 Copenhagen, Denmark Roskilde Airport Contact: Thomas '112' Nielsen 112@faldskaermsklubben.dk Jun 5,6 Skydive New England, Lebanon, Maine Advanced Canopy Course Website: www.skydivenewengland.com Jun 26-27 Skydive Tecumseh, Michigan Canopy Course Contact: Sporto (248) 790-0494 email: skysporto655@yahoo.com July 6,7th Frontier Skydivers, Niagara Falls Area, NY Canopy Flight Course Contact: Amber (716) 751-6170 July 9, 10, 11 Skydive New England, Lebanon, Maine Canopy Camp and Big Air Swoop Competition www.skydivenewengland.com July 17-18 Paradise Skydives, Vinton, Iowa Contact: Keith Paulsen (563) 349-1657 Email: freefall@gmtel.net website: Paradise-Skydives.com July 30-Aug 1 Skydive Burnaby, Ontario Contact: Mike Pitt www.skydiveburnaby.com e-mail pneumatic.sports@sympatico.ca August 6-15 Seminar/Coaching World Freefall Convention, Rantoul Illinois Website: www.freefall.com Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

Brian Germain’s Canopy Seminar Schedule 2004 Updated: April 29th, 2004 May 1,2 Skydive New England, Lebanon, Maine Contact: Mike Carpenter Website: www.skydivenewengland.com May 14-17 Stockholm, Sweden Contact: Ola Jameson Email: riks@sff.se May 21-23 Helsinki, Finland Contact: Jouni Email: jopocam@welho.com May 29-31 Copenhagen, Denmark Roskilde Airport Contact: Thomas '112' Nielsen 112@faldskaermsklubben.dk Jun 5,6 Skydive New England, Lebanon, Maine SDNE Free fly Film festival Website: www.skydivenewengland.com Jun 26-27 Skydive Tecumseh, Michigan Canopy Course Contact: Sporto (248) 790-0494 email: skysporto655@yahoo.com July 6,7th Frontier Skydivers, Niagara Falls Area, NY Canopy Flight Course Contact: Amber (716) 751-6170 July 9, 10, 11 Skydive New England, Lebanon, Maine Canopy Camp and Big Air Swoop Competition www.skydivenewengland.com July 17-18 Paradise Skydives, Vinton, Iowa Contact: Keith Paulsen (563) 349-1657 Email: freefall@gmtel.net website: Paradise-Skydives.com July 30-Aug 1 Skydive Burnaby, Ontario Contact: Mike Pitt www.skydiveburnaby.com e-mail pneumatic.sports@sympatico.ca August 6-15 Seminar/Coaching World Freefall Convention, Rantoul Illinois Website: www.freefall.com Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

Brian Germain’s Canopy Seminar Schedule 2004 Updated: April 29th, 2004 May 1,2 Skydive New England, Lebanon, Maine Contact: Mike Carpenter Website: www.skydivenewengland.com May 14-17 Stockholm, Sweden Contact: Ola Jameson Email: riks@sff.se May 21-23 Helsinki, Finland Contact: Jouni Email: jopocam@welho.com May 29-31 Copenhagen, Denmark Roskilde Airport Contact: Thomas '112' Nielsen 112@faldskaermsklubben.dk Jun 5,6 Skydive New England, Lebanon, Maine SDNE Free fly Film festival Website: www.skydivenewengland.com Jun 26-27 Skydive Tecumseh, Michigan Canopy Course Contact: Sporto (248) 790-0494 email: skysporto655@yahoo.com July 9, 10, 11 Skydive New England, Lebanon, Maine Canopy Camp and Big Air Swoop Competition www.skydivenewengland.com July 17-18 Paradise Skydives, Vinton, Iowa Contact: Keith Paulsen (563) 349-1657 Email: freefall@gmtel.net website: Paradise-Skydives.com July 30-Aug 1 Skydive Burnaby, Ontario Contact: Mike Pitt www.skydiveburnaby.com e-mail pneumatic.sports@sympatico.ca August 6-15 Seminar/Coaching World Freefall Convention, Rantoul Illinois Website: www.freefall.com Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

Brian Germain’s Canopy Seminar Schedule 2004 Updated: April 28th, 2004 May 1,2 Skydive New England, Lebanon, Maine Contact: Mike Carpenter Website: www.skydivenewengland.com May 8-9th Blue Sky Ranch Gardiner, New York Contact: Brian Germain (845) 876-3008 Email: bgermain@bigairsportz.com (tentative, pending sufficient interest) May 14-17 Stockholm, Sweden Contact: Ola Jameson Email: riks@sff.se May 21-23 Helsinki, Finland Contact: Jouni Email: jopocam@welho.com May 29-31 Copenhagen, Denmark Roskilde Airport Contact: Thomas '112' Nielsen 112@faldskaermsklubben.dk Jun 5,6 Skydive New England, Lebanon, Maine SDNE Free fly Film festival Website: www.skydivenewengland.com Jun 26-27 Skydive Tecumseh, Michigan Canopy Course Contact: Sporto (248) 790-0494 email: skysporto655@yahoo.com July 9, 10, 11 Skydive New England, Lebanon, Maine Canopy Camp and Big Air Swoop Competition www.skydivenewengland.com July 17-18 Paradise Skydives, Vinton, Iowa Contact: Keith Paulsen (563) 349-1657 Email: freefall@gmtel.net website: Paradise-Skydives.com July 30-Aug 1 Skydive Burnaby, Ontario Contact: Bill Backford Email: backford@golden.net (519) 653-7132 August 6-15 Seminar/Coaching World Freefall Convention, Rantoul Illinois Website: www.freefall.com Dates are still open, so email me to schedule a course at your DZ! bgermain@bigairsportz.com Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

Holding your slider in your mouth seriously compromises your field of vision, and limits how much you can turn your head. Velcroing it to your rig can cause a main-reserve entanglement. Tucking it under your chin can allow it to slip out and cover your face at an unopportune moment. We have friends that have DIED from all these mistakes. If we do not learn from the deaths of others, we deserve what we get. Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

Your main parachute should be attached to you by means of the three rings only. Increasing the number of attachment points decreases the chances of a successful cutaway. Why increase the risks? The performance gains from removing all slider drag are infinitesimal at best. Your body position matters more, and your approach even more than that. Focus on the variables that actually matter. Increasing your risks of a main-reserve entanglement for a variable that simply does not matter is not a smart choice in risk vs. payoff. I designed the slider draw-strings to reduce the drag of the slider so that we could swoop a little further, and to reduce the annoying flapping noise. Whether it is completely deflated or not is not an issue. If it is down all the way and is slack (spanwise) when the chest strap is loosened, it has no significant effect on the canopy's performance. "Slocks" or slider locks, when located at the bottom of the front risers, do hold the slider down all the way quite effectively. They accomplish this goal without increasing the risk of main-reserve entanglement. Think this though and you will see that hyper-focusing on inconsequential details is a waste of time better spent on learning how to actually fly your canopy better. I know this post is very direct, but I don't want to see any more of my friends bounce over silly things like their slider-stowing method... Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

I go where I am invited. These dates reflect locations that have contacted me and arranged for a trip. There are lots of dates still available, so possibilities still exist. Get something going, and I would love to come. Bri Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

Cute, very cute.... Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

I just wanted to invite those who have read the new book to share their input in this thread. Bri Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

Brian Germain’s Canopy Seminar Schedule 2004 Updated: April 28th, 2004 May 1,2 Skydive New England, Lebanon, Maine Contact: Mike Carpenter Website: www.skydivenewengland.com May 8-9th Blue Sky Ranch Gardiner, New York Contact: Brian Germain (845) 876-3008 Email: bgermain@bigairsportz.com (tentative, pending sufficient interest) May 14-17 Stockholm, Sweden Contact: Ola Jameson Email: riks@sff.se May 21-23 Helsinki, Finland Contact: Jouni Email: jopocam@welho.com May 29-31 Copenhagen, Denmark Roskilde Airport Contact: Thomas '112' Nielsen 112@faldskaermsklubben.dk Jun 5,6 Skydive New England, Lebanon, Maine SDNE Free fly Film festival Website: www.skydivenewengland.com Jun 26-27 Skydive Tecumseh, Michigan Canopy Course Contact: Sporto (248) 790-0494 email: skysporto655@yahoo.com July 9, 10, 11 Skydive New England, Lebanon, Maine Canopy Camp and Big Air Swoop Competition www.skydivenewengland.com July 17-18 Paradise Skydives, Vinton, Iowa Contact: Kevin Paulsen (563) 349-1657 Email: freefall@gmtel.net website: Paradise-Skydives.com July 30-Aug 1 Skydive Burnaby, Ontario Contact: Bill Backford Email: backford@golden.net (519) 653-7132 August 6-15 Seminar/Coaching World Freefall Convention, Rantoul Illinois Website: www.freefall.com Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

Brian Germain’s Canopy Seminar Schedule 2004 Updated: April 27th, 2004 May 1,2 Skydive New England, Lebanon, Maine Contact: Mike Carpenter Website: www.skydivenewengland.com May 8-9th Blue Sky Ranch Gardiner, New York Contact: Brian Germain (845) 876-3008 Email: bgermain@bigairsportz.com (tentative, pending sufficient interest) May 14-17 Stockholm, Sweden Contact: Ola Jameson Email: riks@sff.se May 21-23 Helsinki, Finland Contact: May 29-31 Copenhagen, Denmark Roskilde Airport Contact: Thomas '112' Nielsen 112@faldskaermsklubben.dk Jun 5,6 Skydive New England, Lebanon, Maine SDNE Free fly Film festival Website: www.skydivenewengland.com Jun 26-27 Skydive Tecumseh, Michigan Canopy Course Contact: Sporto (248) 790-0494 email: skysporto655@yahoo.com July 9, 10, 11 Skydive New England, Lebanon, Maine Canopy Camp and Big Air Swoop Competition www.skydivenewengland.com July 17-18 Paradise Skydives, Vinton, Iowa Contact: Jay Speckeen (319) 981-8448 Email: jay@paradise-skydives.com website: Paradise-Skydives.com July 30-Aug 1 Skydive Burnaby, Ontario Contact: Bill Backford Email: backford@golden.net (519) 653-7132 August 6-15 Seminar/Coaching World Freefall Convention, Rantoul Illinois Website: www.freefall.com Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

Thanks for the positive words, folks. I am really trying hard to hold to my committment to teaching flight as my highest priority. There is nothing that I enjoy more, so it isn't all that hard. Having classes filled with participants, rather than students, has made these experiences deeper and more fun for everyone. It is the people that make the course... Thanks for really "showing up" Bri Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

As with all things in life, you are all free to choose your own path. I am simply offering the truth that water is not good for your equipment. If you choose to get your stuff wet, I would be more than happy to build you another parachute. Please take what I am saying the way it was intended: I don't want my friends to get hurt, or follow a path that might lead them to a bum trip. That's all I am saying. Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com