TomAiello

I moved this posting here from the BASE forum. I figured everyone ought to share these photos. Plus, I'm a mean, hard-nosed kind of guy, and I was trying to keep the long string of one liners and sexual innuendo in the talk back forum, where it belongs... -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

In the interests of keeping this thread from devolving into a long series of off topic one liners, I have moved the full set of Leading Edge photos into the Talk Back forum. Sorry to ruin the fun. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Sorry, I guess that should have been "Where is the capitol of Canada?" This engrish so hard for me... -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

I made my first jumps on a PD235 7 cell main. According to the guys who taught me, the main and reserve were manufactured the same at that point. I don't know if that's the case, and since I moved on to real BASE gear around 20 jumps, I never bothered to find out. Anyway, a few thoughts on that canopy, many of which ought to apply to yours. 1) It had two smallish crossports (BASE canopies have three--and they are bigger, or extended). This gave it less consistent openings than a BASE canopy should have. Pressurization was slow, and often acompanied by weird pressure waves. 2) Time to secondary (full) pressurization was definitely far greater than on a standard BASE canopy. 3) Riser responsiveness early in the inflation sequence was non-existent. The canopy had to get full inflation and begin moving forward before I could get it to turn on a riser. This led to at least one very scary moment, when I nearly (5 or 6 feet) clipped a wall in a national park on my 15th jump. 4) It had a weak flare, probably because the canopy was quite old. That probably won't apply to whatever canopy you are considering. 5) The stabilizers were a bit big, and the tail symmetry was odd, making it far harder to pack than a BASE canopy. 6) The topskin tabs were set up for standard skydiving flat packs (not pro-stacks), making packing a bit harder, especially at first (not sure how they are on the reserves, though). 7) The bridle attachment point was not reinforced as much as a BASE canopy's (with a reserve I guess you'd be retrofitting a bridle attachment--I'm not sure how easy that is, since the bridle attachment should be built into the canopy reinforcement). 8) Canopy coloring was not as packing friendly as a BASE canopy (aren't most reserves all one color? I'd hate to mistake the center cell while packing). Do you know what kinds of jumps he is doing on them? It sounds like a good setup for terminal jumps with high deployments. I personally wouldn't jump a skydiving reserve on a slider down object. But, it would probably take imminent threat of arrest or injury to get me to take one off any object at all. They may open with better heading and faster than a skydiving canopy, but I doubt they are going to compare with any BASE canopy in either of these areas. A skydiving reserve is designed with different parameters than a BASE canopy (for example, no one tries to reduce pack volume on BASE canopies, and no skydiving reserve is designed for slider down openings). I'd recommend getting real BASE gear. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

You are correct sir. The other major city is Bobo Dialaso. For some reason, those names just stick in my head. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

There must be a reason we're using mesh sliders. Probably Not Work Safe, depending on where you work. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Last I heard, Lee was having some kind of difficulty with his machines, and had suspended production and gone jumping instead. I heard he's back home, now, but I don't know if he's started sewing again or not. Actually, it was this photo that got me. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

What's the capitol of Burkina Faso? -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

When I was in college, I lived with three other guys, in a house largely decorated with maps. We were all fairly knowledgeable about world affairs, we were all honors students, one of us was studying Political Science, and one was studying International Relations. One day, I saw an article in the New York Times (we got that, the Economist, and Newsweek--and they all got read by everyone religiously). The article was along similar lines. As I recall, the tag line was "despite near revolution in the world's most populous nation, U.S. schoolchildren can't even identify the capitol of China..." Duh, Beijing, you know, where that guy is standing in front of the row of tanks... My inital reaction was much like yours. Amazement. Disgust. Disdain. Then one of my roommates grabbed National Geographic, which had printed the quiz given to the schoolchildren. All four of us took the simple, five question quiz. Our total score: 0/20. We all got exactly zero of five points on the quiz. How? The rules of the quiz. Here's how it worked: There are five questions, increasing in difficulty from easiest to hardest. Answer the first. If you are correct, proceed to question 2. if not, you score Zero. If you answer question 2 correctly, proceed to question 3, if not, you score 1--and so on. Here are the questions from the quiz: 1) What is the capitol of Canada? 2) What is the capitol of the United Kingdom? 3) What is the capitol of Australia? 4) What is the capitol of France? 5) What is the capitol of China? Remember, if you don't get the easy question (number 1) right, you don't get to proceed to the rest of them, and score zero. Pop quiz, hot shot--how many people at DZ.com scored zero? What was your score? How many people "knew" the capitol of China for purposes of this quiz (and how many actually knew it for real)? When was the last time that news of global significance took place in Ottawa (no offense to the Canucks here, but it has to be a really slow news day in California for news from Canada to get noticed--it's just too nice, peaceful and friendly up there). Tell the truth. What was your score? Still think we're surrounded by Dumbasses? "There are lies, damn lies, and statistics." - Mark Twain -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

There's a somewhat famous investment story about that. As I recall, the punch line was that one of the defunct companies (it was a railroad, I believe) was repurchased by a larger competitor, and suddenly the old certificates (which had been used to wallpaper a study) became quite valuable. The company finance guys came out, stamped the investor's wall "cancelled" and paid him off more than the original value of the shares. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

An IRA (Individual Retirement Account) is an accounting designation, referring to assets held with certain tax advantages. You can own mutual funds, individual stocks, bonds, or a number of other assets with IRA funds. The most popular retirement strategy is to use IRA, 401(k) or 403(b) [403(b) is just a 401(k) for government employees] money to purchase fairly aggressive mutual funds (so, mostly stock based, often with an emphasis on "growth" stocks), and hold them over the long term. If you can set up a 401(k) or 403(b) account, it's usually a bit better than an IRA (higher contribution limits, similar tax advantages, payroll deduction contributions, can be started with zero capital in hand). Most medium to large employers have 401(k) programs. A typical "textbook" example would be to contribute 10% of your pre-tax income to a 401(k) account, then divide the contributions evenly between 2-4 different mutual funds (usually managed by the same umbrella company--that's just the way 401(k)'s usually work). For example, you might split your contributions between an Aggressive Growth fund, an International or Global fund, and a Contra fund. Sorry, I just realized this is sounding like a lecture. I'm flashing back to the years I spent TAing Investments and Personal Finance. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

As a general rule, the time to buy an equity (stock) is when it is in the basement. That way, you can ride it up and sell at the top. If I were you, I'd stick money into something like a money market account, then wait for what you think is the bottom of the stock market. Then buy stocks. Do it right, and you should get a nice long ride up. Do it wrong and you'll get what 75% of investors in America have gotten over the last few years. Buy low, sell high. Things look pretty low right now--it could be a good time to buy. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Bill, can you explain why this is the case? -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

While browsing around looking for some technical information, it occured to me that most people here are unaware of the BLiNC Technical Archives. The archives are a great technical resource, and Mick has done a good job of filtering out the standard BASE Board nonsense. If you are getting into BASE (or just want more technical info for any reason), it's a great place to start. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

My GPS measures altitude as well, so I've never thought to match it up to the Protrack. I was only really interested in the whole flight averages, though. Is there a big difference between the altitude readings on the GPS and the Protrack? -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

First things first: Are you in touch with the local (Denver area) jumpers? Contacting them for some guidance (and to keep you out of trouble on the home objects) would be a very good idea. If you don't know who they are, email or PM me, and I can provide some contact info for a few of them (some of them are a bit more reticent). This is not really a problem in BASE. More experienced jumpers do tend to upsize slightly, but you can pretty much keep your gear until it wears out. I'm still using the (admittedly badly worn and patched) FOX 265 I started on, if only for high bust loads and water landings. These are my opinions only. Ask around, as lots of other people will have different views. There are quite a few Vertigo jumpers in your area who will probably disagree with me. I prefer the CR course, as well as the CR canopies. I'd go with CR. Here are a few thoughts: CR: 1) The Ace is a less swoopy canopy than a Dagger, and hence less likely to get a beginner into trouble. 2) CR has a more professional first jump course than Vertigo. This is my opinion based on watching the CR, BR and Vertigo courses running within the same week last year in Idaho. I've heard that Morpheus runs an excellent FJC, but I have never been around it. Vertigo: 1) They are closer to you, which may provide better after sale customer support. 2) It would be a good way to get to know them, which will provide a valuable contact once you start jumping the slider down cliffs near home. Plus, they're supercool people--I wish I knew them better. In my opinion, a beginner ought to go with a Velcro container. Pin rigs can be closed improperly, especially when you are learning to pack. If you do end up going with a CR velcro rig, get the "loose" fit, as the tighter Perigees have historically had problems staying closed before exit. This is not necessarily the case. Velcro rigs have worked well for terminal jumps for years. A tuck flap velcro rig (like the Perigee II or Reactor 4) should be fine for pretty much anything other than a wingsuit flight. I've taken my Vision to fifteen seconds regularly, with no problems. Also, the Warlock has had some problems with prematures on wingsuit flights, so be sure that if you are ordering a Warlock for terminal, you get the "wingsuit mod" pin cover flap. As a beginner, you should be doing hand held jumps for a bit, and those are simpler, and less stressful, with a velcro rig. Here are a few references to check out, as well: My article on Dropzone.com. You've probably already seen that. Poll on pin v. velcro first rig from BLiNC. Pin v. Velcro thread from BLiNC. Yet another poll on velcro v. pins for general purpose (not beginner) BASE. Another Velcro v. Pin for beginners thread. Warlock pin cover stiffener and premature information. Advice on new gear selection. Wow, that's a lot of information. I hope it doesn't swamp you, and you find at least some of it helpful. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Hey, I didn't create it. Thank Sangiro for that. I'm just trying to lend him a hand. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Hi Craig, How tall are you? Free fall times like that are pretty impressive, considering the exit weight. What kinds of forward speeds are you managing? I've talked with several people who think that heavier jumpers can achieve the same glide angles, but will move faster in both (down and forward) directions. I'm sure you read Lukas' thoughts on the matter, but I will reproduce them (edited for brevity and to eliminate names) below for reference (and anyone else who hasn't seen them). Damn, I miss that guy. Does anyone have any thoughts on flying for speed, instead of hang time? Do you think it's flight style, body shape, or a bit of both? -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

My most important consideration is the gear itself. I guess that means "selection". I'm very picky about my gear, and that means that I generally have to buy from three or four places to get exactly the right components for a rig (not counting the custom stuff). Gear manufacturers/dealers pretty much hate me... Oh, wait, were you talking about skydiving gear? I dunno, i haven't bought any of that for two years. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Some of us are sitting up waiting for the last shift to go home at our favorite set of smoke stacks. I've only got three more hours to kill... -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

I'm with everyone who said "Vanilla" of one flavor or another. Maybe it's just the boring, stay at home part of me--makes me feel like she's been baking cookies all day or something. But, whatever is, it sure works. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Thomas, Anyone is welcome here who follows the Forum Rules. Note that the forum rules include not making personal attacks, and sticking to the topics of topical forums such as The BASE Zone. I will not permit this forum to devolve into political bickering or personal attacks. Please also read the suggestions for good forum etiquette, and keep in mind that I will also ask you to follow standard BASE etiquette (no site naming, for example). PM or email me if you want additional clarification. Welcome to the forums. Please consider the impact of your words before posting. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Cajones, can you elaborate on this? I don't see how the track speed is going to be different at opening. Once you've hit terminal, how long does it take to reach maximum speed? -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

That's why I posted. I figured that this non-object thread was a good way to explain BASE site naming etiquette without actually worrying about real sites.

That's a pretty serious misconception. Modern BASE jumpers virtually all use mesh sliders exclusively. There are very few experienced modern BASE jumpers who use sail sliders for BASE, even at terminal (I think I can count them on one hand). One of them is a major gear manufacturer, however, so many beginners take his advice, and start out with a sail slider, then stop using it after their first big wall trip, when they realize that there is a reason no one else uses them. Also, at least one fatality this year may have been contributed to by the use of a sail slider (hence losing us one of those less than five sail slider jumpers). Sail sliders tend to create inconsistent openings, often compromising heading or creating weird snivels. I have a reputation in the BASE world for tracking like a brick anvil (actually, I believe the phrase I hear most often is "tracking like a goat--an athletic goat--but still a goat"). I don't think that's going to be the answer. The canopy is built to handle those openings, sure. But what about the human body underneath it? I know that my Blackjack (bottom skin inlets, ZP topskin) opens way harder than my Stiletto. I'm wondering if the BASE canopies are so much more consistent that they eliminate the very top part of the curve (where the openings are so hard as to be injurious). Perhaps BASE jumpers expect a harder opening, so they are braced for it? Maybe skydivers expecting a softer opening get taken by surprise when they get slammed? I don't really have any good ideas on this. I just know that I've never heard of a BASE jumper being seriously injured by a hard opening. Sore necks, sure. Back pain, sure. Seeing stars, very occasionally. But knocked unconscious? I don't know. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com