snoworskate

I can't say enough good things about the WinX. I've put about 200 jumps on mine now and it is a dream. I think the openings are perfect. There is just enough time in the snivel to rock you back slowly, and by the time your feet are swinging down the parachute is open and flying. I've only had one line twist in those 200 jumps, and I spun out of it within 2 seconds. I've jumped big and small suits with it as well. As others have said, it is still a very fun parachute to fly. I'm no major swooper by any means, but I definitely enjoy a solid 90-180 on landing. I load my 135 a little over 1.6:1 and frequently have people come up to me after landing and say "Is that a 7 cell?!". It's amazing how much performance the parachute has when combined with the amazing openings. I say this at the DZ a lot - I wouldn't change a thing about the WinX. The openings are amazing and reliable, it's super fun to fly, and fully ZP. I bought mine new and plan to put >1,000 jumps on it. After that, I'll order another without hesitation!

Interesting observation. I hadn't thought about that so I went back through some video to see if I could spot that "sail" effect. I definitely didn't see it as pronounced as on your screenshot, and it's always felt very smooth to me. However, I'm 6'3" and I think being taller will help mitigate the container sticking out too far. I've also been sure to snug the laterals down big time (I personally don't like that they're adjustable). I do agree with your point about the PC. I think it's too big, but I've been able to mitigate that by packing so that the side flaps of the main container cover more of the PC pouch. I've done ~15 backfly jumps with it so far and haven't noticed any movement.

I have about 25 or so jumps on mine now (around 400 WS jumps total). Love it so far. The pull is so easy it feels like cheating. The main pack tray drops away so there is absolutely no resistance as the bag is removed. I've taken some rear-facing video and it's just ridiculous how easily and symmetrically the deployment occurs. Don't tell anyone , but I've also taken mine on a handful of freefall jumps and I haven't had any problems. The combo of the Aurora with an Atair WinX (or any wingsuit-specific canopy, I'm sure) means that I actually look forward to my deployments now.

Will it reduce the burble for the PC? Yea, I suppose so. Will it introduce a host of other problems, including wildly asymmetric body position, the possibility of flipping through your risers, and harder openings due to the pull angle of the inflating canopy? Also yes. Don't get me wrong - I've seen that video too and it's impressive. But no, that deployment method will not lead to better openings consistently. The burble issue can be essentially completed mitigated with proper gear choices (longer bridle, bigger PC) and good deployment technique.

Come to Colorado and I'll fly with you Kandace :) -Jack

To add to that, make sure your weight is more towards the front of the wingsuiter. I've had passengers that lean back and kind of sit on their heels but that will just stall the wing. I like to tell people to grab the shoulders of my rig and make sure they put a good portion of their weight near the shoulders.

Hey all, I am going to be in the south Berkeley area for 7 weeks from March 9 - April 24th for work. I am hoping to visit some local DZs but I won't have a car. Is there anyone in the area that would be willing to give me a lift? Even better if you want to do some wing suit flying together. I'm definitely willing to chip in on gas / jump tickets / beer. Let me know!

I think the issue with mine is that the vents are in the burble of my rig. I have a Vector 3 (not micron) with a 150 canopy so it is relatively large and lower on my back than most rigs. The leg will inflate if I backfly an exit but then lost pressurization when I settle out. I'm almost 100% sure it is a combination of my rig and my flying technique

This actually happens to me as well. I have some video I can email you for an example.

^ What he said. I wish someone had given me that good of a description when I was a student!

Haha did you really have non-skydivers trying to rent wingsuits? That is hilarious... but I guess not all that hard to believe

Thanks for all of the input everyone. You've given me a ton to think about.

Thanks for the advice everyone! You bring up a lot of good points and are probably right. I just don't have the experience to make it work right now. I also didn't think about how little you would actually jump if you were packing. Maybe after working for a year I'd have enough experience/money/time to make it happen in summer of 2013. Anyway, I appreciate the help! Blue skies

Fair enough, I appreciate the advice. I hope it doesn't sound like I'm taking it lightly. I know I am inexperienced and have a ton to learn, it just seems like an exciting opportunity and I am really interested to hear the pros and cons. I know I am certainly 100+ jumps away from shooting tandem video, and after reading the video forums I can tell that tandem masters do not jump with just anyone. I know it would take a lot of training. I have heard people say that working can take the fun out of jumping. I was hoping that it wouldn't within a year, but maybe that is not the case.

I definitely get what you are saying. I would say that my applications last year were way too ambitious and I will dial it back a notch for the next round of apps. Without trying to sound like a cocky a-hole, I have a pretty solid resume and I think it was my choice of top schools and complete lack of safety schools that bit me. I really should be able to get into lower-ranked schools next fall. I am definitely considering just getting a chemistry job for a year. That would be the safe choice. I am just exploring other options, because who doesn't want to take a year off and jump every day?

Hey everyone, I'm a frequent reader but rarely post. First of all, I know the 'Can I make a living skydiving?' question has come up a few times on these forums, and from what I have seen the typical answer is 'yes, if you are willing to work your butt off and live extremely inexpensively without retirement, benefits, etc'. Well, I'm not sure I could do that forever, but I'm hoping for some advice on how to do it for a year or so. I'll give you my situation: I'm graduating from college this May and was planning on attending grad school. Unfortunately, I didn't get accepted to the places I was hoping to go. My girlfriend got accepted to a couple places in CA though (Oakland area). So, its looking like I'll have a year off before I re-apply to grad school. I could definitely work a year before re-applying, but the jobs I could get with an undergraduate degree in chemistry would suck and pay ~35k. This is probably one of the only times in my life I could say 'screw it, I'll bum around for a year and enjoy life, then go back to the real world'. I have 227 jumps and a C license right now. I'm planning on getting my coach rating first thing this spring. My question is, if I really wanted to go for it, could I make a living skydiving if only for a year? I was thinking about going crazy in the spring and getting a tandem rating, but since it requires 3 years in the sport I don't think I'm eligible (also, do you have to hold a coach rating for a year?). I was also thinking I could get a video/stills set up and shoot tandems after I gain enough experience, and pack on the side. I have enough in the bank to get a couple hundred jumps and hopefully gain enough experience to start filming. I would probably have to move out to CA or something to do it year round, but that is a possibility because some of the schools I'm interested in are out there. Fortunately, I have the support of my family and girlfriend as long as I re-apply next fall. Is this a possibility or am I crazy? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Oh, and I will definitely ask around my home DZ for advice as well, but given that my home DZ is a small cessna DZ there is not too much activity there in the winter. Thanks and blue skies!

Very awesome