Re: [AggieDave] Your canopy choices and downsize history
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...if you've known me for more then a few years, you've seen a change in attitude from wanting to push too far too fast to one of conservative canopy flight for learning and gradual progression.
I'll attest to that! Although I've only known Dave from these boards (Sorry we missed each other when I was down in TX for the POPS event last week, Dave - although I did ask Wendy to give you a hardy Scrumpot hello) - you can believe in whence he speaks!!
P.S. Dave - I still jump "only" a 170 (primarilly), and still find it amazing how many "punks" I can "outswoop" with it - as almost no-one it seems anymore, has the patience and dedication to much more fully learn, and TRULY PILOT their present canopies, before just "downsizing" as their primary method to gain "speed", and supposed swoop.
Glad to hear/see that you have now (even if in only hindsight) yourself seemed to learn this - and more importantly, are imparting that WISDOM now onto others! Like Wendy - I find myself now recently saying about you, and some of your posts in here too, that is what I wanna be when I "grow up". Although I doubt I ever will!
Thought I'd take this opportunity to say "hello". Blues, -Grant
I don''t feel I was too aggressive ( haven't hurt myself yet) Wouldn't do anything differently. I took Brian Germains canopy course and would recommend his course or any other course. I found that after getting my licence I was basically on my own and in order to further my skills and knowledge it was up to me to ask questions, watch other, take a canopy course. Know your canopy well and fully before you consider downsizing. Keep your ego in check, it could kill you.
Re: [frost] Your canopy choices and downsize history
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Jumps 0-44: Mostly Raven IV, 282sqft @ .9 or so.
Jumps 45-113: Fusion 210 @ 1.2ish. In retrospect, downsizing 70sqft, going from F-111 to ZP, and square to tapered all on the same jump wasn't brilliant, but turned out fine.
Jumps 114- onward, Fusion 190 @ 1.35ish.
(This post was edited by grue on Jun 3, 2008, 5:21 AM)
Currently have a Spectre 150 that I load at about 1.1. It's a good choice for my (lack of) ability and (major lack of) currency - slow enough that I can mistime the flare a bit and still land safely, fast enough that I can have fun with it in the air.
Re: [frost] Your canopy choices and downsize history
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SkyMaster 280 - 0-50 Skymaster 230 - 50-90 Skymaster (i think) 200 - 90-100 Pilot 188 - 100-present loading at 1.45 and not planning on going any further down the rung for atleast 500 more jumps... Injuries = 1 on the 230... clipped a concealed rock with foot and partially tore some ligaments in left knee (had previous L knee injury)
Re: [frost] Your canopy choices and downsize history
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Sabre2 190 @ .71- 1-28 jump Sabre2 170 @ .94- 28-210 jump Sabre2 150 @ 1.2- 210 to now
I am probably the slowest downsizer in history. I believe that to "earn the right to downsize" your canopy has to be holding you back and I have a very overprotective boyfriend!!!
(This post was edited by superwoman8433 on Jun 18, 2008, 1:34 PM)
Re: Your canopy choices and downsize history
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Please excuse my noob question.
Is everyone reporting their weight & therefore WL as exit weight?
I weigh 162 but I'm not sure what my exit weight is with my current rig. In fact, I'm not even sure what my exit weight was (for sure) on my student gear. My guess would be ~30lbs because it's pretty darn heavy (based on discussion with AFFI).
If we just assume (only for the moment) that my rig (infinity + PD 160 reserve) weighs 20 - 25 lbs (again, based on discussions with people at my DZ). That puts my WL on my current canopy at about .97.
I'm not ready right now to go something more aggressive, I'm thinking that'll I'll need to be landing very well and accurately for several more jumps. I am however interested in the seemingly common path of going to slightly over 1 WL at around 45/50 jumps.
I loaded all at around an exit weight of 180, have loaded some up to an exit weight of 220... Most sould say that my progression is definately fast, But the majority of my progression I was making Hop - N - Pops, lots of them at 13,000' Tandem videos pulling around 4,000' and around 150 other various other jumps (wingsuit, freefly, rw)
I'm not an official canopy coach but I do like doing high hop - n - pops with younger jumpers and working on various canopy skills.
Although I've only known Dave from these boards (Sorry we missed each other when I was down in TX for the POPS event last week, Dave - although I did ask Wendy to give you a hardy Scrumpot hello) - you can believe in whence he speaks!! 
Although I doubt I ever will! 
) 
