BrianSGermain

The best advise I can give you is: Take a canopy course from Scott Miller or Myself. There is more to learn about this sport. Bravery is not what saves us but information. There is also a good book on the topic: The Parachute and its Pilot Rushing down to a small eliptical canopy following a long lay off does not sound remotely prudent. The ground is really hard, and death really permanent. Please don't fool yourself into thinking that this sport is safe. Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

Please don't get your canopy wet. If your swooping skills are not to the point where you can guarantee that you will end up dry, stay away from the pond. Water can shrink the tapes and disort your airfoil. This can change the opening characteristics, as well as the flight performance. Not to mention hitting the water at high speed can actually kill you... Pretend it's concrete. Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

There is no "E" at the end of Germain. The "I" makes it redundant... ;) Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

Brian Germain’s Canopy Seminar Schedule 2004 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: 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 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 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 "The Parachute and its Pilot" Update: April 16, 2004 April 17-18 Malone Parachute Club Plattsburgh, New York Contact: Rapper info@maloneparachuteclub.com 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 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, Tecumseh, Michigan 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 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

Most parachutes are designed to fly with 21 to 22 inch risers. If the risers are longer than that, you need to let the brakes out. If they are shorter, you need to shorten the brakes. Longer risers may increase the riser pressure, and it usually extends the recovery arc. As with all things relating to complex systems, the results are somewhat unpredictable due to the number of variables. Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

Who knows. Emulation is simply flattery. It is a great name... Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

Dude, you just HAD to bring that up... I was hoping that would just go away. The cat (Quincy) is doing great, and is the healthiest he has been in many years. (For those of you who are following: "As the Cat Turns".) 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 7th, 2004 April 10-11 Florida Skydiving Center Lake Wales, Florida Contact: Debbie (863) 678-1003 April 17-18 Malone Parachute Club Plattsburgh, New York Contact: Rapper info@maloneparachuteclub.com 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 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 12-13 Skydive Tecumseh, Tecumseh, Michigan Contact: Sporto (248) 790-0494 email: skysporto655@yahoo.com July 2,3,4 Skydive New England, Lebanon, Maine Canopy Camp and Big Air Competition www.skydivenewengland.com 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

It is in the works, but I am waiting to hear the verdict from Fred. The only question is where to do the class. It's kind of an outdoor boogie. I hope it works out, that is one of the best boogies in the world. Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

The Removable Deployment System can help reduce drag somewhat, but the difference is only noticible when everything else is done right. If you turn too low and have to dig out of the corner even just a bit, the induced drag due to the high angle of attack dwarfs any effects for an RDS, tight clothes or a close shave. Most swoopers should focus on learning to fly a clean approach, rather than looking to reduce drag from the system. The piloting will always matter most. Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

As always, I am at your service. Teaching canopy flight is my favorite thing. Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

I have the following philsophy about difficult research projects. It is based on the movie "Finding Nemo": "Keep on Swimming..." Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

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Brian Germain’s Canopy Seminar Schedule 2004 DATES ARE STILL AVAILABLE! To schedule a camp at your DZ, simply email: bgermain@bigairsportz.com April 10-11 Florida Skydiving Center Lake Wales, Florida Contact: Debbie (863) 678-1003 April 18-19 Malone Parachute Club Plattsburgh, New York Contact: Rapper 518 562-8508 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 Jun 5,6 Skydive New England, Lebanon, Maine SDNE Free fly Film festival Website: www.skydivenewengland.com Jun 12-13 Skydive Tecumseh, Tecumseh, Michigan Contact: Sporto (248) 790-0494 email: skysporto655@yahoo.com July 2,3,4 Skydive New England, Lebanon, Maine Canopy Camp and Big Air Competition www.skydivenewengland.com August 6-15 Seminar/Camp/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

I know everyone is interested in the flight characteristics of the Sensei. You all must remember that this is an ongoing project at this point. This means that I have many versions of the canopy in the air. What you have seen here and there may not be the final form of the canopy. I wish I could test the new designs in total secrecy, but that is not possible. This means that people will inevitably form opinions about the project before it is completed. Until I am granted access to the locations where the goverment is testing flying saucers, parachute R&D will have to deal with that... What I can say is, if the Sensei ends up with airlocks, it will pack bigger than a Velocity, about 5%. It will also cost more, which will limit the market. Only the most committed pilots will be willing to pay $2500 for a Signature-Series canopy built by the Designer himself. Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

That is still classified. It's really cool, and that is all I can tell you. Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

You would not loose your money on that bet. Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

I am testing the Sensei in both configurations, with and without airlocks. The advantage of marketing it without airlocks is the fact that PD could build it. I am dedicated to teaching canopy-flight classes, and running a factory would limit the amount of time I have for teaching. It will also cost much more if I have to build it. The canopy is fantastic either way. I am just concerned that the public perceives this project at an airlock cross-brace. I don't want to be accused of pulling a "bait and switch". The fat tail technology distinguishes it from other cross-braces, and makes it a better canopy. Ultimately, I will go with the design that works the best. I am not married to specific structures, just optimum performance. Regarding the question about 7 cell or 9 cell there is a reason. The nine cell has more line drag. I am striving to reduce drag as much as possible. When the goal is speed, why add lines? That was the whole concept of the cross-braced tricell design in the first place: aspect ratio of a nine-cell, with the line drag of a seven cell. A nine cell simply defeats the purpose. Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

Rather than advertizing on the forum, anyone interested in the book can PM me for more info on how to get one. Brian Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

I have doing my best to offer a "real canopy class". I have a list of the courses already on the schedule on the Big Air site. No product plugs, just the facts. If you are interested in getting me to come to your DZ, please PM me. I would love to come. Teaching these courses is my favorite thing in the world. Bri Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

Harness cross-connectors will significantly reduce the effects of harness input. In fact, short chest straps, tight harnesses, and short diagonals will all serve to limit the 3-ring offset capability. If the leg strap is sliding down to the knee during the harness turn, it was not sufficiently tightened. I pray that your friend heals quickly, and that this never happens again. I also hope that people continue to use harness input as part of their canopy flight skill-set. Sometimes it is the best and safest tool for the job. Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

You hit the heart of the issue, Line Drag. More lines means a less efficient wing at high speed. For example, I built a tricell cross-braced airlock canopy with external cross-bracing in the form of triple spansize cascaded lines. It was rigid and had nice slow-slight characteristics, but the surf was incredibly short. Once I completed the turn for landing, it was as if I had hit some sort of airbrakes, the thing just slowed down instantly. You see, efficiency is about drag reduction as much as it is a nice airfoild shape. Drag is the bottom of the fraction, and lift at the top. (L/D) Hope this helps. Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

So often I have people roll their eyes at me when I recommend that they stay with a larger canopy for the time being. Here is why I recommend this. We recommend staying with a lower wing-loading because it makes us feel superior, and we like looking down on lower-time jumpers. We worry that low-time jumpers, with their fresh perspective, will show us old-timers up. We just want to hold you back. Not really. Airspeed requires the responses of our "Learned Instincts". These are our unconscious responses, developed over time, that allow us to survive unnatural situations such as skydiving. If the "Innate Instincts" were enough to get us through such situations, we would not need any student training at all. You see, the problem does not occur until something is wrong or different from what we have planned. When that happens, the stress-response of our bodies shuts off our neo-cortical higher brain functions such as complex decision-making and long-term memory access. Therefore we do not have access to the newer ideas that we have acquired in the classroom, or in a few hundred jumps of experiences. Unprepared in our "Instincts" we apply inappropriate survival mechanisms such as freezing, and it kills us. Freezing is a very old process, built into our deep memory. Appropriate for situations involving the need to avoid a predator, such responses lead us to disaster in situations requiring involved decisions and complex behavior patterns. We can only hope to survive such situations by slowing down the music for a while, until these new behavior patterns can take root in the deeper realms of our consciousness'. So, if you choose to race down through the wing-loading charts faster than the experienced jumpers recommend, you are much more likely to meet a premature end of your skydiving career, and perhaps your life. The trouble is, many of us have come to the skydiving world with the unspoken acceptance that we have the "Right Stuff". We believe that, due to our performance in other situations, we can handle whatever circumstances are presented to us. The truth is, when the adrenalin surges, we are no longer that person. Our self-definition as a "competent survivor" is not accessible in the flow of the moment because we are simply not there. There is no time to be this person. There is only time for instincts. If the learned instincts are inappropriate, we will make the wrong choices, or no choices at all. I know this because I was you. I wanted a smaller parachute because I believe in ME. That concept is admirable and helpful in some circles, but not here. Restraint and Judgment are the most important survival skills of all. For these, we will be respected. With these, we will have a fighting chance of one day becoming great skydivers. Sincerely, Brian Germain Author The Parachute and its Pilot Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

The Sensei is a Competition Swoop canopy. It is designed to out-swoop everything on the market. I know that sounds like a tall order, and it is. That is why I have worked so long on it without making a dime on sales. I refuse to fall short of this goal. Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com