TomAiello

And did you notice that it's all the greenies giving you links to on-line bondage supplies? Makes you wonder what's really going on here, doesn't it? -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Hey, where's my choices? I'm scared of them durned aeroplanes. I'm sticking to nice, safe towers, cliffs, buildings... And when I do get into a plane, I'm wearing one of them flying squirrel contraptions... -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Must jump Skyray...Must jump Skyray... I've even got a nice car-accessible cliff that I could fly it off. Must get to Europe and jump Skyray... -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Especially if your kid is a her--since cub scouts is for boys. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

OK, I've got a dilemma. I have, at the last minute, decided not to go to Eloy for Christmas (I found reasonable airfare to KL, so I'm off to jump buildings instead). However, I know that the DZ.com crowd is going to be low on wingsuits there, and I won't be using mine during that time. So, if anyone is either in the Phoenix area or going there, I could fedex my Classic II to you (I could send my Skyflyer, too, but I doubt anyone would want to try that one right away) so SkymonkeyOne could use it to train new folks. Anyone? -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

I haven't noticed any difference at all. I'm more used to a 9' bridle anyway, though, so your results may vary. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

I use one. I use a Garmin Etrex Vista, mounted on the top or back of my helmet (back of the helmet seems to work a little better). Yuri posted some good info on this on BLiNC a while back. I know that cpoxon is using one as well, so you might ask him. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Actually, I usually get mine here. Work Advisory: The page I linked to is probably work safe, but the site as a whole probably isn't. I guess it all depends on where you work. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

You can deliver mine personally. Say, Sunday? -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

We had a bit of discussion about this a while back. I highly recommend that anyone looking for some more information on this read Dwain's post at BLiNC. I'm pretty sure Dwain has forgotten more about BASE than I will ever know. If you've seen Beyond Extreme or Fistfull of F-111, he's the effeminate looking blonde Aussie surfer boy who apparently violates the laws of physics. Note that some of the advice Dwain gives (customizing DBS on BR canopies) goes against the manufacturer's recommendations. I am firmly convinced that Dwain is right, and BR is wrong. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

There are no fatalities on Beyond Extreme. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Here's a thought that might help you break this habit. I've sprained two fingers doing this, and I know a guy who actually broke his thumb grabbing his risers. Obviously you already know this, but I'd say you really want to break this habit, before it breaks (parts of) you. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Here's the phenomenon I've seen. Adam (CR) described it to me as "deployment stall" when I discussed it with him. The brakes are quite deep. You are deploying in a tailwind. As the canopy deploys, it "sees" the relative tailwind, and this reduces it's forward speed during inflation. The canopy's speed, relative to the (tail)wind is below the stall speed of the wing. The wing stalls, and becomes a "jellyfish", essentially sinking. The tailwind pushes the (partially inflated due to pressure on the bottomskin) canopy forward. Once the "jellyfish" begins moving forward, the relative tailwind is decreased (i.e. speed of the canopy relative to the airspeed increases). With increased airspeed, the canopy inflates, and begins to fly. Basically, the wind pushes the stalling canopy forward (and it falls), inducing a dive, which re-inflates the canopy. I've only seen this happen between five and ten times, so my knowledge of it is relatively thin. It is my understanding that a canopy with overly deep brakes (but not too deep) deployed in calm air can behave in a similar fashion. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

I've got an extra Classic II I'll try to get out there. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

In all seriousness (yes, I do recognize the humor here), it's probably better to have a camera around, especially if you are learning (or making mistakes). Lots of people think their aerials are great, but have no idea what they are really doing, and ingrain their bad habits long before they have a chance to see them on video. As in freeflying, I think that cameras have a real place in BASE aerial training. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Please read Forum Rule number 1. Please don't. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

I've added a few thoughts on deployment stall, which can be responsible for the downplane-on-opening phenomenon, to the discussion on BLiNC. A deeply braked canopy deployed in a tailwind may stall immediately, and dive to recover relative airspeed. While disconcerting, this is only really dangerous on low and/or advanced objects. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

I am not an expert on subterminal BASE aerobatics. My best advice on this subject is to go to the Australian BASE Association Site and download and read the Aerials in BASE article in the articles section. The article was written by Dwain Weston, who is the world's foremost expert on subterminal BASE Aerobatics. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Well, I'll either be in Eloy with the DZ.com crew, flying my wingsuit, or I'll be on the 20 way from those two tall buildings in Malaysia. Either way, it's looking like a pretty good new years... -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Quotethe day i am no longer scared, i will quit. fear keeps me sharp. Quote This may be the wisest thing I've heard in a long time. Props, Dan! -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

CrazyThomas, D-dOg, Back off guys. I don't want to start locking useful threads. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

One word answer: No. Short answer: If you are asking this question, a flat and stable exit will be safer for you. Discussion: While it may theoretically be possible to imagine a situation in which a rotational launch could be superior to a flat and stable exit, I would probably back off of any jump that required it. Unless you have world class aerobatic skills (so, unless you are an Australian with gender identification issues, or live in Southern California and can't stand white, or are one of maybe three other people on earth), you are extremely unlikely to encounter a situation in which attempting an aerial will make a jump safer. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

I believe Hookitt used to work manufacturing those rigs. You might try PM'ing him. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

This is a major misconception. Many people feel that Rob's insistence on a gainer launch with the wingsuit was a major factor in his fatality. Rotational launches definitely cost altitude in wingsuit flight. They look cool, they can be neat to do, but they definitely do not get you flying faster. I'll try to write more in this thread later, but I'm on d-dOg's P.O.S. dial-up, so I haven't much time. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

I've tried it from three different machines (Mac OS 10.2, IE 5; Win2k, IE 6) both logged in as me, and logged out (guest). I can't replicate the problem. That said, the thread has been edited a lot (by me and the original poster). Maybe that's part of the problem? -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com