Ouch...sometimes "zero flare" actually means that

[jerry81 10]

In retrospect, this was kinda stupid, really, but since I usually fly an Impulse 135 I didn't think a Sabre [email protected] would be a problem.

It actually wouldn't have been, except for the fact that the guy I borrowed it from was not one of those who exaggerate when they say "It's beat to shit and has no flare at all". Still, I'm happy to report I was right believing I can land it without hurting myself. Although the ground has never rushed up at me that fast before (at least not without some front riser input), I didn't panic and started my flare at what I felt was the right time for the no wind conditions, got dirty and walked away with a small stain on what would otherwise have been a great first birdman jump.

The only bruised thing now is my ego...I don't know if the landing could have gone any better (I tried flaring a few times up in the air and while it did slow me down, it seemed to have very little effect on my angle...no levelling off, no noticeable swinging forward), but I combined two new things on one jump (wingsuit and main canopy), something I knew before was bad juju. I should have insisted on jumping with the Impulse (even the wingsuit manual advises a canopy you're used to for your first flight), but I thought I'd rather try a square, just in case I get a funky opening. I should have payed more attention to the fact the owner has 50lbs less than me and says the landings are hard. I guess I shouldn't even be writing this since I'll probably get way more flames than constructive replies (if any can be written at all), but still I thought I'd share.
Learning hurts!

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[Unutsch 0]

so wtf if you put a stain on a (your???) birdman suit, as long as you're ok and ready and willing to soar the skyes for another 200 years?

Check out the site of the Fallen Angels FreeflY Organisation:
http://www.padliangeli.org

[grega 0]

Huh i won't say anything. It looks like you know now that it was a dumb thing to do.

I just hope that you realised that you're not pro canopy pilot just yet after all

Now please stop doing stupid things and concentrate on what's really important... FREEFLY

p.s. How was the birdman?

"George just lucky i guess!"

[jerry81 10]

Ohh...someone cares. Thanks guys!
The wingsuit rocked, but I'd need a few more jumps just to get used to the feeling.

As for my piloting skills- it's pretty clear to me there's still lots to learn, but I'd really like to see an experienced pilot land this same canopy at the same wl with the same straight-in approach and then hear his comments on where I screwed up. Too bad there aren't that many around.

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[lazyfrog 0]

flame, flame (feeling burnt enough?? )
wow,
FLAME, I wanna live forever, I wanna learn how to fly, HIGH !
could be the words for a song couldn't it ??
well, now you have some good advice for newbies on wigsuits. I wondered what canopy I will jump for my first wingsuit jump, between my Saphire2 139, my Sabre1 150, and a Spectre 135 which I never flew... gotta try this one before jumping the suit.
hope you really liked the suit and will continue flying high

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Fumer tue, péter pue
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ourson #10, Mosquito Uno, CBT 579

[grega 0]

Huh i don't think there is such canopy pilot in Slovenia.

But i guess most of the advices you'd get would be:
get away from that canopy it's too old and too porosive to land softly. unles you'd do a high performance landing. but as you said, there aren't many good canopy pilots around.

And about Uros, well he's simply brainless (just kidding)

p.s. Wait a couple of years or a little more, and i'll try it, if i won't kill myself swooping before

"George just lucky i guess!"

[Alambic 0]

How do you say that uin english? "If you re not smart you've got to be tough", that s it? Seems you were tough enough...

Alambic