TomAiello

Having seen the previous Triax Bridge Day videos, I'd say they're worth the money. They've got real cameramen (you know, people with training and experience) using high quality equipment. That kind of stuff costs money. But you get to see a bunch of things that you didn't get to see in person, because they can have guys with cameras in several places at once. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Clicky. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Please check the BD Panoramic Photo thread. Let's try to keep the discussion there. Thanks! -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Apex rents them. Various people, including many on this forum, have loaned out rigs for the day. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

I heard that he was nearly busted the other day, and the cops are out looking for him. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Dropzone.com maintains an incident database for skydiving. I wonder if we could convince Sangiro to replicate the engine and create one for BASE? I think I'd prefer to see something linked to the List, though, rather than to DZ.com. Even then, we're only going to get a sampling of the accidents. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

If you write it, I'll xerox it and distribute. Seriously, though, I'll get it posted to the top of the forums. The top of page link sets seem to have disappeared, so it may have to wait for them to come back before it becomes more than a sticky at the top of the forum. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Many guy wire strikes are non-fatal, so it can be very hard to gather statistical data. Just a short while ago was the first time I heard a report of a freefall guy wire strike, but the incident took place some time ago. Word of non-fatal incididents necessarily travels slow because of jumpers desire to maintain a low profile. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Skydive Radio is also available as a podcast, for those among us who are as geeky as me. I've just grabbed it for my iPod, and I'll listen to it tomorrow, perhaps while hiking out. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

In my experience, the Rock Dragon (Andre's canopy) has a much steeper glide (i.e. less forward travel per altitude loss) than your Flik. I wouldn't rely on other people's experiences with dissimilar canopies when trying to estimate the glide ratio of your canopy in a "must have" situation. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

If I was the jumper who witnessed it, I'd probably try to keep an eye on them and land out with either the jumper or their main. I'm not sure that would be safe with a 9000ft reserve deployment. But if I thought it was, I'd probably just have dumped my main when I saw them go, and then stuck around with them. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Why do you need to pay in pounds? I've bought flights originating in the UK and paid in dollars. Do they do some kind of residency check or something? Regardless, I don't think you save much (if anything) by paying with a different currency. The airlines just convert their standard prices, pretty much. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

You might be better off to have him post, using his own name. I'm a bit worried by the fact that you have just admitted that you are attempting to gather people's stories about potentially illegal acts under a false identity. I'd strongly urge you to come clean with details of the project, who is involved, and what will be done with the information. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

I'm pretty sure they are already in touch. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

There's a thread each in each in the General Skydiving and Wingsuit forums. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Robert actually asked me to send him my measurements so he could make "American" sized demo suits. Apparently all the Phoenix Fly demos were built to European proportions, and whenever they sent them to the States no one could squeeze into them. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Weather in Eloy sucks during Christmas. That's why they have the DZ.com boogie then. Everyone on DZ.com is a big nerd, so it's ok if they all just sit inside on computers instead of jumping. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Pretty much like jumping off a building. In other words, you kind of have to experience it for yourself. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Maybe the photo was just taken from directly above it? -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Hmmm. Is it military? I noticed that I couldn't find an A that I know about, which is owned by the department of defense. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Wouldn't a protest of NPS policy also qualify as a "First Amendment Activity"? I can think of few things more directly covered by the intent of the First Amendment than a peaceful protest of government policy. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Also remember that a BASE canopy and a skydiving canopy like Nick's Viper may have variances in construction and deployment. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Posting for a friend who can't get onto the forum: -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

To add; Apparently the line and riser failure occured as a result of friction with the cable after the jumper began sliding down the guy wire. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

An unvented BASE canopy will flare similarly to one with valves (one way) but noticeably better than one with simple (two way) vents. So, Blackjack, Troll MDV or Apex canopy Vtec with covers, will all flare pretty much the same as the unvented version of those canopies (Ace, Troll, Apex canopy). Be aware that the presence or absence of a 5th upper control line will also make a noticeable difference to the flare, so you want to practice in whichever configuration you will start BASE with. If you are getting a separate canopy just to practice, why make it smaller? A smaller canopy will definitely be different from a larger one, but it will be closer than a skydiving canopy. Not really. If you bag the canopy and put a sail slider on it, it's going to be just fine, as far as getting "skydiving-like" openings. You'll find that opinions vary on which canopy you ought to get. I'd recommend sorting out a BASE mentor, and trying to get something they have experience with, since that will make it easier for them to help you. In Australia, that likely means you're looking to get a Flik, or a FOX (easier to find used). Fine. BASE canopies are built for slider down deployments. 200 terminal deployments aren't going to be an issue. You'll put noticeable wear on the F-111 fabric from UV (sunlight) spending all that time in the air, though. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com