DivingWombat

Generally speaking, they have a very qualified, nice and friendly support.

Was a bit a pain in the ass because 2 times my mails ended up in the spam folder.

On the negative side, I requested a demo canopy and did not receive an answer within over a month.
I sent an email to rob fischer but did not receive an answer about the demo issue.

katzas

OK--I am looking at buying either a used or new main, reserve, harness and container. Buying new is no problem--other than the sticker shock. Buying used--total new ball game. Harness and container size for my body AND for the canopies it could contain--a real jigsaw puzzle. My question is this. All things being equal (jumper weight, canopy type (i.e. Pilot) wind conditions, drop zone location) can you really, honestly say that a 210 sq ft canopy will behave significantly differently than a 190? The calculations of comparative wing loading given a 210 lb skydiver under both those canopies yield the following numbers. 210 canopy-- 1.0. 190 canopy--1.1. That's one tenth difference. Anybody have any real life experience with this?

While waiting for my rig, I put about 20 jumps on a Pilot 210. It was fun and easy.

When I got my own rig with the Pilot 188, things changed a bit. I have to add that I was jumping it at a DZ which is 1500 feet above the one I jumped the 210.

To say it in few words...one size smaller can be a big difference.
I think a WL of 1.0 - 1.1 is no big deal for most beginners. But in the range of 1.2 to 1.3/1.4 it can get pretty fast and dangerous.

Jump it and get your own picture.

"The calculations of comparative wing loading given a 210 lb skydiver " -->Skydiver only or comletely geared up???

FreeFallFiend

***
BTW: using this system with the spring outside the helmet can/will cause an addiditonal snag hazard.
http://www.chutingstar.com/skydive/bonehead-cutaway-chincup-kit

Actually I have this system, and for anyone looking for a complete helmet cutaway i would recommend it. It's very easy to install and use. Since the spring is compressed when installed it does not present any snag hazard.

Would you mind to post a picture? I tried to mount it like designed and there was a pretty big gap between the wahser and the helmet. I modified the setup and mounted the spring inside.

johnmatrix

What is so hard about BUYING an actual helmet with an actual cutaway system?
"Boo hoo, it costs money! WAAA! WAAA! All I have is this full face, GoPro 3, freefly suit, and entire set of skydiving gear, I can't afford another helmet! No wait - WAIT - I'll use a piece of string to address this potentially lethal problem and spend the rest of my money on a few jump tickets and cases of beer! YOLO lololololololOMG rofl"

A few minutes later we got the next example of being a dick adding no value.
Your post is not funny. If you don't like the idea, buy a cutaway system and be happy.

BTW: using this system with the spring outside the helmet can/will cause an addiditonal snag hazard.
http://www.chutingstar.com/skydive/bonehead-cutaway-chincup-kit

feuergnom

as you only start posts about yourself I think it is time you quit adding your name in the thread(s) title(s)

Brian adds value to the community with his posts and through many other channels. There are too many guys who just dick around and offer zero value.

I see absolutely no problem adding his name in the title.

Brian, I appreciate your idea and the time you put in this video!

shropshire

1100ft,
800ft
450ft

If you put in meters instead of ft, I might agree...

riggerrob

During that same time period 1985 to 1987, I attended several Dornier 228 boogies in Leutkirch, Bavaria, near Ulm in Southern Germany.
It seems that the local baron (?) was an avid sports flier, so he arranged for a Dornier 228 - from Dragon Air (?) a West German commuter airline to fly there once a month.
One time I remember the co-pilot trying to "help" us with extra altitude by taking us to something ike 19,000 feet above sea level. My student was hopelessly hypoxic, so I had to carry him the length of the cabin. I was puffing like a locomotive by the time I got to the door. Fortunately the freefall went pretty quickly, maybe 60 seconds - without a drogue. The most exciting part of the dive was falling between purple and orange cumulo nimbus clouds!

haha...hilarious! I like that short story!

Arvoitus

I use Brian Germains method to pack my PC which makes it near impossible to pack it if the PC hasn't been cocked.

+1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2d2SzRZvsQ&feature=youtube_gdata_player

???
Common sense is not common.

You don't agree on my posts and I don't agree on some posts in this thread.

Don't take my posts as advice. That was never the target. It is my personal belief based on my personal experience.

Youngsters in the sport with low jump numbers should stay away from posting at all because anything will be taken as wrong (and there will always be a way to misunderstand things).

Don't wonder when you see more and more guys not filling out their entire profile or filling in wrong jump numbers.

And yes, that waiting game with my chin pinned down to my chest worked very well on a Manta 288.
But maybe it wouldn't work on a Sabre2 170. Maybe, just maybe (maybe because I don't have the ample experience you know) this is a reason why it's more advisable to jump big ass canopies on the first 30-50 jumps.

I dislocated my should under a Navigator 220 on AFF L2 - by your reasoning that is not a suitable student canopy.

Depending on your weight, a 220 is not a suitable student canopy on AFF L2. But I guess you know that already.

I think "THE right student" can even safely fly a 170 stiletto or maybe even a 150 XF...until something unexpected happens.

I had a couple of linetwists (which is the topic of the thread) on big student canopies. Solution: Wait till it untwists by itself or maybe help a bit with some kicks.
Linetwists on a Pilot 190 were not that funny. It ate up almost 800 feet to get rid of them. Even on the 210 it was much more challenging than on a student canopy.

So, time to leave that thread and let the big boy give the answers.

normiss

So how long have you been instructing students on proper canopy selection and different flight characteristics of those canopies?

I see in which direction it goes...

On one end everyone tells the youngsters to be safe and on the other hand some recommend intermediate canopies for students in the 170sf range.

And NO I am not an instructor as you can see when you check my profile.

You all should drop a mail do PD and tell them to advertise a Sabre 2 as a student canopy.

Sure, if you hang a 100lb girl under a 170sf it might work pretty well.
On the other side I have seen a 140lb guy (student) breaking his leg 4 times under a 170sf S2. Was just a crosswind landing with some "wrong" input.

YMMV but I won't change my mind. A S2 is not a student canopy and can get pretty violent with some line twists. A stundent canopy in the 230-280 range will most probably fly level and won't dive.

cbassmnm

Check out this video of a line twist on a sabre 2 170. This can be regarded as a student canopy.

Wrong! A sabre 2 170 is far away from being a student canopy. I would load it around 1.4.

ChrisD

***I can't believe it. The guy who destorys everyone who just moves an inch away from any given rule or standard is writing several lines about not using a washer on a closing loop.

This little washer is about safety and a whole load could depend on it. You might reconsider your post...

At some point in time I'll take the time to state the obvious that many are overlooking at the moment. I'm more concerned about the mechanics of communication and the stereotypes that exsist about adjusting closing loops at the moment.

Here is just one post from 2004 from another that doesn't use a washer as well...

http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=1282288;search_string=main%20closing%20loop;#1282288

There is nothing new here.....
C

Thanks for the link.
My washer has no sharp edges. I replace my loop at around 30 jumps because it's worn anyway. I've never seen any damage coming from the (my) washer.

I strongly assume that the quality of the washers varies quite a lot. Otherwise we would hear more often about broken loops caused sharp washers.

I am more concerned about loops without enough tension and way too worn (50% of the webbing cut) loops still in use.

I can't believe it. The guy who destorys everyone who just moves an inch away from any given rule or standard is writing several lines about not using a washer on a closing loop.

This little washer is about safety and a whole load could depend on it. You might reconsider your post...

Air is non compressible? I would say that is just plain wrong.

If it would be true, you couldn't go scuba diving...or at least for a few seconds only ;)

If you loser would fill out your profile, we could see your WL, experience and so on.

There are too many "trolls" on the forums just trying to keep others busy.

I never said that I am "freaking awesome". But thanks for the flowers!

You can politely smoke my ass hair you tampon-sucker!

Peacefully yours, DivingWombat

ianmdrennan

******

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I am currently ordering a new rig and will be flying a Katana120 or a XFire119. I am ordering low drag risers with louie loops but have no idea what the ultimate riser length is? Any help would be appreciated thanx:)

read your post again and ask yourself if you would give advice to such a post?!??

fill out your profile, otherwise many think you are a fu... TROLL!

low drag riser on a 120...LMFAO!

I competed on a Velo 120 loaded around 2.35 and even earned my pro-card on that canopy. Would you have LMFAO at me or just said hi at the DZ?

Both?



not many guys go out the door at 280 pounds.

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I am currently ordering a new rig and will be flying a Katana120 or a XFire119. I am ordering low drag risers with louie loops but have no idea what the ultimate riser length is? Any help would be appreciated thanx:)

read your post again and ask yourself if you would give advice to such a post?!??

fill out your profile, otherwise many think you are a fu... TROLL!

low drag riser on a 120...LMFAO!

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Mirage G4 M5 Sabre2 210 PD 176r

My first rig - bit tight in the bag, but it worked out once i put some effort into packing. Loved the performance and learned it's flying characteristics for three solid years of soft landings before selling the system to a more novice jumper. Thinking back I suspect you will probably be just as happy no matter what canopy you choose;given their size and low WL they all aren't that different really...

Attaching some pictures i took before selling. Looks bit round along the edges and she would probably have looked better with a Sabre2 190 or pulse/spectre 210 in it.

Good luck!

Everytime I see a Mirage...damn this is a fat rig!

It's hard to hide a big ass canopy in any of the smaller containers considering all the fabric, do you imply there are other brands hiding it better?

It depends how the fabric gets distributed in a given container.

I think my current mirage G4 M1 looks ridiculously small on me, clinging on to my back like a little black beetle, barely noticeable

If you are happy, fine. I think there are differences between the rigs I've seen.
A tiny rig on a wide back always looks tiny

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Mirage G4 M5 Sabre2 210 PD 176r

My first rig - bit tight in the bag, but it worked out once i put some effort into packing. Loved the performance and learned it's flying characteristics for three solid years of soft landings before selling the system to a more novice jumper. Thinking back I suspect you will probably be just as happy no matter what canopy you choose;given their size and low WL they all aren't that different really...

Attaching some pictures i took before selling. Looks bit round along the edges and she would probably have looked better with a Sabre2 190 or pulse/spectre 210 in it.

Good luck!

Everytime I see a Mirage...damn this is a fat rig!

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Given that the 210zpx will pack about two sizes smaller

I wouldn't count on that much of a difference.

In my case it holds true.

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This post might be on a bit off topic but didn't want to start a completely new thread with a similar topic.

I am looking to buy my first rig - new. Yes, I am also one of those idiots that buys a new car instead of getting it used. I like to KNOW where my equipment has been.

I just wanted to run this by more experienced jumpers to see if my logic is correct...

I only recently got my A-licence (28 jumps) and have an exit weight of around 185. By the time a new rig gets to me I'll probably have 60 or more jumps.

I was thinking of getting a Mirage M5 container with a PD Optimum 193 reserve and a Pilot 210 ZPX main. This means that I could potentially downsize to Pilot 168 after a couple hundred jumps. Don't think that I'll ever be a swooper, and don't know if I'll ever downsize beyond a Pilot 168. In the event that I do I could buy a new rig to accommodate any future downsizes and then use the M5 as a dedicated wingsuit rig.

My two main questions are whether I'll get the Pilot 210 ZPX into the M5 with the PD 193 reserve and if it would be possible to use the M5 as a dedicated wingsuit rig in the future?

Hope this all makes sense, please forgive any ignorance and feel free to educate me.

Given that the 210zpx will pack about two sizes smaller, it will be a soft to normal fit.
Drop a mail to mirage...