TomAiello
-
Content
12,507 -
Joined
-
Last visited
-
Days Won
2 -
Feedback
0%
Everything posted by TomAiello
-
MDV on the center cell. Stane had it at Bridge Day. Very good idea, in my opinion, as the center cell ought to catch air first. I believe he had also reduced the size of the outside valves, to promote center cell first inflation, which he thought improved heading. This is all from my memory of conversation and packing with him at Yuri's. As with all my memories (particularly, for some reason, those involving Yuri) it may be hazy. I'd ask Stane directly if you want more information. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com
-
Here it is. Note that this is a couple years old, and isn't quite how I'd do it now. For example, I really like the "two loops" (one tight, one loose) method Karen described, above, and it's not even mentioned here. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com
-
Can you provide a link to any discussion on that forum that might give information about where to send donations? Thanks! -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com
-
You always risk some PC damage. You have to try to adjust PC hang location to the specific anchor point (and snag hazards). I wrote up a "how to static line" bit a while ago. It's on another computer, but I'll see if I can find it and post it this afternoon. Or maybe DexterBASE still has it floating around? -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com
-
Short answer: I think it's the best thing going right now for that. Be sure to switch out the loops for the low stuff. I don't have time for the long answer. Maybe later... -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com
-
That's basically what I've done. You could probably also route out the bottom, then go back up the pins, as long as you didn't pinch the bridle in the bottom flap. I haven't done that, though. Sure. That's why they call it overlooking. I really don't have enough data to analyze it very well. In other words, I don't know what can be overlooked, because I haven't had that problem yet. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com
-
Ok. I think the time has come for this thread to end. I do think we've had some valuable communication here. I also feel like there might be some improvement in parts of the Carolina situation as a result. I have some additional thoughts on this, from an outsiders perspective, that I'll PM/email to relevant parties. Please, talk to each other, guys. Communication doesn't solve all problems, but it helps most of them. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com
-
He did PM me, well before posting this. I was just too lazy to get off my butt and answer him. Here's some thoughts: 1) I'd leave the pin flap of the Gargoyle closed for every jump. The "crossover" style pin cover flap used on the Gargoyle puts no tension on either the pin or bridle, as far as I can tell. I have no concerns at all that leaving the flap closed could cause any sort of hesitation. I believe the idea of opening the flap is a habit developed by jumpers using other (and earlier to market) rigs with the "wrap around" style of pin cover flap. With some of these rigs, the flap closed tight enough to put pressure on pins and/or bridle, so some of the manufacturers recommended opening the pin flap at low altitude. This is not an issue with the Gargoyle, but jumpers habits are hard to break, so we still see people opening "crossover" style pin flaps. My experience, with my particular Gargoyle (which is a pretty early one) was that if I left the pin flap open, I could create a noticeable increase in required opening force on the top pin under some very few special circumstances. Basically, you'd have to have flailed the exit on a go and throw for this to matter (and essentially pitched on your side). But if the pin was pointed to the side (in the classic "smile" or "frown" that some people prefer for whatever reason), and the bridle pulled taut to that same side, I measured (on a table) increases in pin tension to over 30 pounds. I reported this to the manufacturer at the time, and I also made several other comments about the rig (for example, I hated the first riser cover design). I have noticed that Morpheus has addressed all my other issues (in fact, had done so almost immediately), and continues to make improvements to the rig. I very much doubt that a current Gargoyle would experience this problem (although I have not had a chance to test a newer Gargoyle to know for certain). 2) I have been routing my Gargoyle bridle out the middle (middle-top-bottom) for several hundred jumps now with no problems. I was originally shown this method by Douggs, who also reported good results with it. I feel that it is well enough field-proven (by many jumpers, myself among them) to recommend this routing. It avoids the annoying bridle flap at the top, as well as guaranteeing that you cannot trap the bridle in the top flap and create a pin lock malfunction. Note that I have not tested this routing with a "wrap around" style pin flap, and would not recommend it for that style of rig at this point (because I'd have some concern about the bridle binding inside the sharp bend of the pin cover flap). 3) I have also routed the bridle middle-bottom-top for hand held jumps. I have only done this a very limited number of times (less than 10), but so far have had good results. I don't feel that I have sufficient experience with the method to recommend it. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com
-
Talking in person has always, in my experience, been superior to posting on the internet. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com
-
\ Yes. No doubt. I'd get a 260ish or 280ish canopy. Personally, if it was me, I'd pick the larger (280ish) size. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com
-
If it breaks off, will it fall on your head and hurt? Or fall through your canopy and damage it (or knock it off heading?)? Serious stuff to think about. I'd take a long piece of 1" tubular webbing (about 40 cents a foot a climbing shop), and tie it to a more solid anchor further back. Then static line off of that. You might want to tie it up into a "take along" static line, depending on how much webbing you have to use (obviously, you don't want a 40' tail hanging off you). I'd definitely try to get it back afterward, if you don't take it along. But I'd take leaving it there (and potential damage to site access) over dropping a heavy anchor through my canopy/body. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com
-
To quote Faber: Ouch! My eyes are screaming! -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com
-
Hmmm. So work with me on though process. I ought to be able to get a very fast opening if I used a very small canopy (like a skydiving reserve size). Will that thing be landable in those altitudes? In other words, could I potentially freefall 150' (with no object strike potential, so no off-heading worries) into a good landing area, on a regular basis? What do you think? Do you think the microlines contribute to a faster opening without a slider? -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com
-
I'd strongly recommend reading the Wingsuit BASE guidelines posted here. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com
-
If we could get some of their knowledge over here, it would revolutionize BASE. We ought to be able to get open canopies in 100 feet. That's pretty revolutionary. Imagine freefalling from 100 fott objects. What special things were you doing to the canopy to get it open so fast? Can you share any of them? -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com
-
I have video of a succesful line mod save and subsequent good landing from a 330' span. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com
-
It's theoretically dependent on wingloading. But in practice, it seems to me to be most dependent on skill of the pilot. I've seen very good wingsuit pilots who are getting significant forward motion at 3 seconds. Personally, it takes me more like 6-7 seconds. I think that's one of those questions that can only be answered by each person, for themslves. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com
-
I'd love to see it. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com
-
Mountain bikes are cool, too, if you are into that. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com
-
Cool. My attribution was mostly so that folks would know this was something that I got elsewhere. I'll stock up my film cannisters.. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com
-
In my opinion, this is due to inadequate preparation. Landing a canopy on risers (downwind, and into bad landing areas, if necessary) ought to be considered a prerequisite BASE skill. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com
-
This is obviously a highly controversial thread, with lots of feelings running high. I'm not going to let it degenerate into name calling. eb66to77 BASE813 Please take some time and read the Forum Rules. In relevant part: I'll give you each 7 days to read and digest them. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com
-
They can pretty much be exited anywhere. You just climb through the structure and go when you want. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com