TomAiello

Read the last few posts in this thread. The folks with that funky psychedelic skull logo are your locals. They ought to be able to teach you about tar, feathers, metallica and BASE--not necessarily in that order. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Depends... Do you have a Metallica shirt? -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

There are some older hotels with weekly rates down by the hospital (it's quite a way from the bridge, though). There's also a campground out by the freeway (again, a bit far from the bridge). -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

You know what? I've got better things to do than babysit this thread right now. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Let's avoid speculation on this. There are still people who could face charges over this, and internet supposition about what might or might not have happened is unlikely to be helpful. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

I prefer the slider down/off openings on the Blackjack. If I were going to be doing very low freefalls (sub 200'), I'd probably go with the BJ over the Flik for that reason. Above 200' (freefall) I think it's close enough that you ought to select the canopy based on other criteria. In my opinion the unvented Flik has noticeably worse openings than the Ace (unvented Blackjack). So be sure you are comparing the vented versions of the canopy (Flik vtec/Blackjack). If you are going with an unvented canopy, I'd go with the Ace for sure. But I'm going to assume you're considering the vented versions of both airfoils. I think the 5 control line version of the Flik is too swoopy, and the toggle stroke seems very short. It's hard to sink in, because the difference between a tight sink and a stall is pretty short (in terms of toggle stroke). If you are going to want to do steep accuracy approaches into tight landing areas, I'd either go with the Blackjack, or get a 4 line Flik, but I'd recommend not going with the 5 control line variation of the Flik. I like the ZP foreskin option on the BJ/Ace quite a bit better than the full ZP topskin on the Flik. I think it's much easier to pack neatly (and hence get better results at opening). If you want ZP on the topskin (primarily for long term durability and maintenance of flare in the 250+ jumps range), I'd go with the BJ over the Flik. The Flik appears to have slightly better glide ratio. If you are planning on going low and trying to reach remote landing areas regularly, I'd consider the Flik for this reason. The difference isn't huge, though, so if this is your deciding criteria, I'd be surprised. The BJ has a higher top speed. This can be useful when penetrating wind. Some people don't like it, as they prefer a slower canopy overall after popping the toggles. I prefer to have the speed available when I want it, but you'll have to make your own decisions. Overall? I'd say I prefer the BJ, but that's likely as a result of having spent far more time under it. Can you tell us what caused you to narrow your search to these 2 canopies (and rule out, for example, Troll MDV or Rock Dragon)? -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

In my opinion, the Flik has a slightly better glide angle, and noticeably flatter trim. That means that when unvented, the Ace (i.e. unvented Blackjack) has significantly cleaner inflation than the (unvented) Flik. The control line attachment points for both canopies have changed over time, and I think that number of control lines (4 or 5) is a selectable option on the Flik. Blackjacks, to my knowledge, only come in a 5 line version. But since the Flik/FOX airfoil was originally designed as a 4 line canopy and the Ace/Blackjack airfoil was originally designed as a 5 line canopy, that probably makes sense. The Blackjack has significantly longer lines than the Flik (since the previous [Mojo/FOX] generation, the manufacturers moved in opposite directions on line length, with CR going with longer lines and BR/Apex going with shorter lines). This doesn't appear to translate into anything meaningful in terms of canopy flight or openings, but I mention it because in my opinion it's much easier to do a good McConkey with the Flik than the Ace/BJ (because it's easier to maintain line tension with the shorter lines). edit to add: The BJ/Ace has a noticeably higher top speed, a characteristic that I personally find quite useful, but which I know some other jumpers don't like. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

I think it's going to depend quite a bit on the shape of the wall and the wind conditions. I'm assuming that we're talking about the situation where the nose is pinned against the wall, but you are still under a (mostly) inflated canopy, which is sliding down the wall. Not the situation that either previous poster has discussed (namely an imminent strike that you are trying to avoid and a hang up). If you have a vertical wall, and lots of space under you, you may find that risers work best. But if the wall is underhung, or there is a wind pushing you into the wall, I'm guessing you're going to find toggles a better option. I once escaped this situation (nose into an underhung object) by using toggles--after trying unsuccessfully to use risers to bring the canopy around. What I found was that the riser turn was trying to spin the whole canopy around flat (brakes were still stowed) and that just kept the nose pinned against the object. When I popped the toggles, I was able to deflect one side of the canopy further down, which changed the angle at which the canopy was meeting the wall, essentially allowing the top skin (which previously had just bunched up aft of the nose) to dip down and slide across the surface of the object to make the turn. Note that my thoughts on this are pretty preliminary because (a) I've only been in this situation for real once, and (b) it happened at night, I struck the object twice in the downward direction during the correction, and (c) things were happening pretty fast. What I can say for certain is that a serious attempt at riser correction was unsuccessful, and a toggle turn got me off the object. Take it with some salt. I can't think of a way to test this safely, and I think it's going to work different for every set of object topography and wind conditions. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

I'd love to see that, too. I think it would also cut down on the one liner personal replies we see cluttering the forums. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

I'd have to say that's not my impression at all. "Almost identical in design" is a pretty strong statement. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

All, This is likely to be something of a media circus. Please refrain from posting speculation regarding the actual mechanics of the jump, as such posts have been quoted in the press before. Thanks! -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

CNN Report here. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

The only time I've been able to tell a real difference in flight is between a very large (48) PC and no PC at all (direct bag). Truthfully, I think BASE canopies are probably big enough that the effect of canopy distortion on the flight and flare are going to be pretty minimal. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

I think perhaps you overestimate the "division" of the wingsuit world into "camps". At least I hope you do. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

I used VLC to play it on my Mac. Windows Media Player (Mac Version) wouldn't play it. VLC is a free download. WMP sucks. Where can I get this VLC you speak of? -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

By removing the bag, I was able to freepack a 290 into an accuracy rig originally intended for a 252. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

I wonder at what point you decide you're in a "wingsuit" and not a "tracking suit"? Tracking pants are probably not a wingsuit. What about tracking pants and jacket? What about a prodigy, which is essentially a 2 piece tracking suit with wings that still allows you to grab the risers at opening? The lines start to look blurry, I think. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

I note that you are posting from a dial up number in Auckland, New Zealand. I think this one is just too silly to continue. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

I've seen a similar strategy used to test brake settings (except it just involved moving the fingertrap at the top of the lower control line, and tacking it in place). Results were good, and it wasn't too hard to change out. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

It's pretty easy to search the user directory. Click Who's Online at the top of the page. Then click View Member Directory. Now put in a search term, for example JTHolmes. Select from the Search Results. And you can find the person you are looking for. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

I've heard the same thing, firsthand, from an extremely authoritative source. I admit that I spent some time playing with my pins today, though. (cue skinflicka for witty comment here...) -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Dude, if you turn that caps lock off your posts will come across as a lot less confrontational. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

I would say you already do.... Sam, play nice. The whole point of communicating on safety issues is to get people to change potentially unsafe practices. Slamming people after they've already learned something quite useful is really going to be counterproductive. Consider this my nice warning speech. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

The most organized jumping is around Stavanger. Check the web site here. Definitely go there first, so that you can meet people who could help you find other exits. No where else is so easy for a first time visitor (longer hikes, less people to show you where the exits are, no shuttle service, etc). -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Most modern helmets are designed to break in an impact. It's the same principle as crumple zones in an automobile body. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com