TomAiello

Her name is reported as "Clair Nicholas" in the BLiNC thread, where there is also some other identifying information. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

All, We can discuss these things without resorting to personal attacks. HELLvetic, please consider yourself warned. It's possible to express your opinion of someone's actions, and provide examples, without using personal insults. If you must sling names, there is a thread over at BLiNC where you can do so, and it is linked earlier in this thread. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

I've split this off the "Boyfriend won't let me jump" thread. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Weird. The first thing I usually volunteer is how fast the forward speed can be. The next thing is usually the glide angle. I think that non-jumpers I have talked to have usually been more interested in "people are going a hundred miles an hour forward" kind of talk, rather than "people are making 5 minute skydives" kind of stuff. I generally thought that they found it easier to relate to a forward speed, especially because when I've volunteered, "it can make a skydive x minutes long" they've usually replied with "but I thought skydives were 10 to 15 minutes long anyway?" On the underlying point, I think you've got something there. Learning to fly in different ways is just as admirable a goal as getting the best glide angle. Perhaps a "wingsuit dolphin" rating? Or maybe numbers for those who can achieve a 3 to 1 glide ratio? It's all just silliness anyway. The best wingsuit pilot is the one who is having the most fun. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

This web site has multiple search functions that can easily answer those questions. Did you try searching this forum, or the user listings? Go here. Locations are often listed in the user profile. Some folks from various places have even posted other contact information. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Definitely go with the Chevy. Fords suck! Seriously, though. I'd also say your best bet is to find a used intermediate suit (GTi is probably the best bet, since there are the most of them out there), then fly it until you decide to trade up. By then, you'll hopefully have had a chance to fly with (and possible demo) other suits, so you can make a more informed decision for yourself. There are several competing manufacturers, and you can read all about why each of them is the best, and all the others are terrible, in various threads in this forum. Pretty much everyone thinks that whatever suit they have is the best. This may be a good viewpoint, since "best" in this context usually means that you are having the most fun with it, and it's hard to have fun in a suit you don't have. Bottom line: find something cheap, used, and intermediate, and use it to learn more so that you can make a better informed decision for yourself when the time comes to throw down the big bucks for a custom fit, high end suit. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

I think he ought to put it on eBay. I hear they're getting good money for slightly used souls over there. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Party on, Joe! Good to hear that you're out tearing it up. And I still owe you for getting me my BASE number. But that's the kind of debt that can't be repayed, so, in the words of someone else who once said this to me "I'm just going to have to keep on owing you." -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

I've never done a full moon cliff flock, but I will say that full moon cliff flights have some of the best visuals I've ever experienced. I wonder if adding other birds would add or detract from the experience? -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

When he made the first Sugarglider prototypes, Shaun Smith had a suit that included paddles for the hands, which he used to extend the wings. If I recall correctly, he abandoned the idea because the wings had become so large that they made flying very difficult. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Tim, Can you elaborate on when airlocks would help with turbulence? This may be something of a leading question, as I had a conversation with Scott Miller about it, and I'm not convinced that the airlocks would actually yield better performance in turbulent conditions. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Several prototypes have been built. None has yet reached production. The problems appear to fall into 2 major categories: 1) Inflation 2) Deflation By "inflation" I mean their are difficulties with subterminal inflation. I do not believe these are insurmountable. By "deflation" I mean that it is hard to get the canopy bagged after the jump in a timely fashion. This is a fairly big negative when landing a less than legal jump, especially when faced with active pursuit. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

A serious penchant for masochism is a major plus. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

There's a herd of Zebra living more or less wild on the California coast. They were brought in by WR Hearst in the early 1900's (if memory serves) and went native. More info here. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Not all FJC's are expensive. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Jason, Is it possible to rent the private property under the bridge, just for Bridge Day, to create a non-NPS landing area rented from another party? -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

If you jump the cruislite, definitely plan to land in the water. For rental gear, you might try calling Apex and see if they have anything available. There's also some free loaner gear floating around. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

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

Ostankino, in English. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Mark was coming out to Twin for my next (Labor Day) course. I'll never get to meet him, now. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

A big PC would work fine. Todd ought to be able to whip up a 72" PC for you in short order. Did you try google and ebay? I don't have time to dig around right now, but I'd think you could find something online. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

I've edited this thread to remove several personal attacks (and at least one post that was just in response to them--sorry about that). If Jeb can respond and stay within the forum rules, the rest of us can, too, guys. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Not really. Leaving aside what to do with the parachute (there are lots of different answers there, too), I, personally, will try to keep both feet together, knees bent, and try to absorb the impact shock with my legs as much as possible. I don't think anyone has enough experience in this arena to really have a definitive opinion. Maybe we need a "wall-strike-ulator" to practice. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

I don't know if it would work for your needs, but have you considered a Flik 322 ($1425)? Edit to add: Just throwing this out there, since it's in your size range, and I didn't see it on your list. I know the opening characteristics are very consistent, which is a plus, and the canopy is pretty docile, which is good at your experience level. Plus, if you don't thrash it too much, there's a fairly good resale market (for when you downsize), which isn't the case with most skydiving canopies that big. (Since a skydiver would have to be very large to want it, but I know several guys, like myself, who jump canopies in that size range at lighter body weights.) -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

It was removed after it degenerated badly. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com