TomAiello

I doubt that. I'd bet that had he made it he still would have gotten a slap on the wrist and a stern talking to from Jimmy or Marta. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

The best "Vision-like" rig is the Soft Cock. In my opinion, it's also the best velcro rig around today. But it's rare, as it's not a big commercial endeavor. Still, since you live in the Northwest, you might be able to talk Ray into making you one. Is there anybody out here that has jumped different rigs and has any opinion on existing velcro rigs? I'd love to hear your stories. I think I should at least be looking for the following features: In my opinion, the velcro on the shoulder is the important one. I wouldn't worry too much about the lower corner velcro. Also, be sure that it's the hook velcro on the rig, and the pile on the bridle (otherwise there is some small chance that the hook on the bridle could snag in the PC mesh briefly). -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

As far as I know, no one is offering them stock. You'll have to have one constructed, but it's really not hard. And who- although I realize this is a nearly impossible question to answer- makes the best vented pc? My opinion is that Asylum makes the best vented PC's. I like the "overhung" shape of the ZP, which I feel makes the PC profile more stable. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

If you did this, I'd think it would be better to allow coaches to put themselves into the database, rather than limiting it. Some full time coaches aren't all that good, and I've had coaching from part timers that was excellent. Reviews would sort out who was doing a good job. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Do you think it's necessary to attach the rubber bands to the tail pocket? What if you just used them to gather the lines, but left them hanging free? -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

I have sent some invitations for this course, and have one slot left. If you have already contacted me and not heard back, I'll let you know either way by Tuesday of next week. If you want to come but have not contacted me, please do so by Monday to be considered. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Most everyone abandoned that 5 or more years ago. The problem is that as the rubber bands "racetrack" and pop open, they wiggle the canopy as it moves to line stretch. During the move to line stretch, the canopy is very vulnerable, since it's not under tension. Even the slight impetus from the rubber bands going appears to create noticeable twisting as the bundle moves to line stretch. I'd recommend against using the old rubber band stows. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Have you considered putting flaps in the tailpocket, to separate the loops of line? -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Done. Interestingly, I've actually had more malfunctions caused by my gear checker at the exit (2) than potential malfunctions caught by the gear check (1). On two occasions, I've had my gear checker accidentally pop my pin, necesitating hasty re-closure of the rig at the exit point (here I stop and thumb my nose at Nik and Doug). On only one occasion has a gear check turned up something (here I stop and thank Bryan) potentially hazardous. I don't even trust myself. I always try to get a second pair of eyes to look over things. I tend to try for the best pair of eyes I can find, but in a pinch, I'll settle for almost anyone. I guess I'm just a sissy, but I really don't want to be the guy who went in because he didn't get his three rings checked at exit, and the canopy detached on opening. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Personally, I ask for a gear check before every jump. Not getting one is foolish, in my opinion. It's also my own fault if I don't. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

I'm splitting this off the "Robin Heid Injured" thread: I'm going to split this into a new thread to avoid repeating myself endlessly. Apex is a new company formed by the merger and re-organization of Basic Research and Vertigo. Partners in Apex are Todd Shoebotham, Marta Empinotti Pouchert, and Jimmy Pouchert. The merger was announced at the GoFast! Games. As far as I know, all former BR and Vertigo products will continue to be offered for the time being, with new products phased in as joint developments. I believe that Apex will also maintain both facilities (Perris, California and Moab, Utah). I have no more inside information regarding this than any of the other 100 odd folks who heard about this last weekend. It's probably best to direct inquiries to Todd, Marta or Jimmy. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

I'm going to split this into a new thread to avoid repeating myself endlessly. Apex is a new company formed by the merger and re-organization of Basic Research and Vertigo. Partners in Apex are Todd Shoebotham, Marta Empinotti Pouchert, and Jimmy Pouchert. The merger was announced at the GoFast! Games. As far as I know, all former BR and Vertigo products will continue to be offered for the time being, with new products phased in as joint developments. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Above, Outrager wrote: The Vertex 2 is a pin closed BASE container made by Apex (formerly Basic Research). A "standard" exit point gear check would not have revealed the canopy, and would probably not have shown the risers (although it's recommended to check 3 rings before exit, which would have). -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Best wishes and fast healing to Robin. I wanted to add that, in my opinion, choice of canopy was one of the major factors in this accident. For those of you reading this at home, please make BASE jumps only on BASE gear. A smallish, ZP skydiving canopy is not appropriate for a BASE jump. You may see some folks trying this, but remember that (a) the level of risk is exponentially higher, and (b) such jumps should only be attempted by people who are highly experienced both with the canopy and in BASE jumping. Heal well, Robin. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

I've heard that Marty is working on that kind of system. I'm not sure what stage it's in, though. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

They have to like you. Seriously. Being reliable and steady is always a plus. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

I've seen canopies colored like that. I can see some good theory there, but I'm not sure if it's ever been put to practical test. You might also consider getting the front third of the bottom skin done in a contrasting color. Seeing which way the canopy is flying is probably the first thing you want when looking up at it. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

In my opinion, a bridge is a better first jump object. It may also be important to consider the prior skills of the student. A student who has tons of skydiving experience (unfortunately these are rarer every day, it seems) may have more success with a terminal object (where their terminal air skills will have time to kick in and save them). A student with limited skydiving experience (say, less than 500 jumps) is almost always going to be safer off a bridge. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

I recommend you guys try to include TM. He's probably America's most experienced BASE jumper, and it sounded to me like he's got some fairly legitimate gripes about a tower that's right next to a place he calls home for several weeks a year. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

I'd guess that what you are seeing is the difference between using a riser to turn an already flying canopy, and using one to initiate a turn out of stall. When turning out of a stall, the "unstalling" portion of the canopy must reinflate before turning. This is obviously not the case with a turn from flight. This means that the "stall then turn" method uses less horizontal distance, but consumes more vertical altitude. When you say "lightning fast" are you referring to time used or distance used? Many people are fooled into thinking one turn or another is "faster" because they are only considering how many seconds the turn takes, rather than how many feet it uses. There are two important measurements in evaluating a turn: 1) Forward distance used: How many feet did you travel toward the object during your turn? 2) Vertical altitude used: How many feet did you travel toward the ground during the turn? Note that time (how many seconds did the turn use) is most definitely not one of the important factors. In fact, a turn that uses more time is generally easier to manage. Don't be fooled into thinking that a turn that uses less time is a better way to avoid object strike. In general, a riser turn (with brakes stowed--if you've unstowed the brakes already, you're probably better off to use them to turn) eats more vertical altitude and less horizontal distance. A toggle turn uses more horizontal distance and less vertical altitude. In crisis mode, horizontal distance is generally your most precious commodity, so risers are generally recommended. One last thought: pretty much the only way to really see how your turn technique works is off a bridge, with camera directly above pointing down. Of course, you could do this off another object, but poor technique there could have negative repercussions. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

I am uncertain. However, this forum is not my property. Nor is it yours. The gentleman who is nice enough to let us use it has laid out a few simple rules. "No personal attacks" is the first one. The ethics of BASE must interact with the community which is DZ.com. When they run afoul of this communities ethics, DZ.com rules prevail here. We have plenty of other places to talk. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Setting up other jumpers to get arrested is generally considered bad form. Increased security on objects due to your actions is usually viewed as something along these lines. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Someone with more than 12,000 posts who helps to moderate parts of this web site can hardly be called a troll. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

On a dead air exit, if you open the leg wing too quickly, it catches far more air than the arm wings and throws you into a head low position. This actually isn't too bad if it's a moderate one and you can fly out of it, but head low is _the_ position to avoid on a BASE jump. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Wrong sport. Besides, I bought absinth in the Czech Republic. Enough to share next time we meet. Dude. Bring some the next time you come over for a barbecue. And why wait for Norway? Plenty of stuff in our country to fly from... -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com