evan85

The Jedei is a fully-elliptical canopy that is not intended for beginners or even intermediate jumpers. You should almost certainly not be flying a Jedei (or any other fully-elliptical canopy) with only 70 jumps. Talk to your instructors at your local DZ. The Pilot you've been flying is what known as a "lightly-elliptical" or "semi-elliptical" canopy -- it's just slightly more elliptical than a perfect rectangle but is still generally rectangular in shape. You should probably be sticking to a canopy like that -- Pilot, Sabre2, Safire2 (others as well but these seem to be the most popular) -- for now. * * * A little more info... The Jedei is a canopy designed by Brian Germain and sold by his company Big Air Sportz. The Jedei is no longer in production, but Brian still makes canopies that are similar to it (for example, http://www.bigairsportz.com/samurai.php). From what I understand, the biggest draw to the Jedei over other fully-elliptical canopies (like the Katana, Crossfire, or Stiletto) is that the Jedei has airlocks (http://www.bigairsportz.com/airlocks.php). Many people swear by them -- in fact, you may be able to get good money for your Jedei from someone who is interested in one. Based on the fact that you've been using a Pilot 168 as rental gear, it's likely that by the time you'd be ready for a fully-elliptical canopy like the Jedei, you'll be flying something much smaller than a 170 (meaning it's probably not worth it for you to hold onto it to fly later).

No problem. I ordered mine last December and it was delivered in April. FYI, I asked RI about this and they told me that the double-tab version (like the one NPower has) is the "old" version, and the single-tab version that only tucks into the side flap but not the BOC is the "new version". Interesting. Did they happen to mention what prompted the switch to a single-tab version? They said there was a concern that the double-tab version could make for a hard pull that would result in a total mal and a reserve ride. (They didn't say they'd gotten reports of this happening or anything like that, just that they were concerned and made the switch for that reason.)

No problem. I ordered mine last December and it was delivered in April. FYI, I asked RI about this and they told me that the double-tab version (like the one NPower has) is the "old" version, and the single-tab version that only tucks into the side flap but not the BOC is the "new version".

Thanks! When did you get your curv? I have a friend with one and his ff handle looks very different (only 1 small tab, only on 1 side of the handle). He just got his this summer. Thanks!

I agree based on the marketing language from the FB post. But hard to know what is "mere puffery" vs. technical information when they haven't posted a packing manual or any other information...

New info posted today on Mirage's FB page. Wonder how it works given the portion I've bolded below... ============== Daily update re status of MIRAGE'S TRAP SYSTEM® (RSL Mard): Delivery times without the Trap System approx 8 weeks. Delivery times with the Trap System approx 13 weeks. - The Trap System is a $250 option. - The Trap System is currently not available for retro-fit on used rigs. It is unknown if it will be available later. - Pre-orders for the Trap System are now being accepted. - Pre-orders require payment and are assigned first production slots. - Orders for the Trap System will be accepted without payment, but will be scheduled after pre-orders. - Pre-orders may be cancelled prior to production if desired. - If a pre-order is changed from with the Trap option to without the Trap option, there will be no order change fee. - If a pre-order is cancelled prior to production, payment will be refunded in full, minus a $150 order cancellation fee. Details will continue to be posted over the next few days and weeks. Packing instructions and product photos are also in process. It is Mirage's commitment to its customers to be able to make an informed decision prior to taking delivery. Why have we announced it before all marketing materials are available? This has been a large project with many aspects. Once we knew that it was a 'go', we didn't want to continue taking customer's orders for non-mard rigs knowing that many of those customers wanted a mard. We preferred those customers to be able to order a mard-equipped rig with a slightly longer delivery time. The Trap System® is unlike any other MARD system on the market. It's a totally different approach. The Trap System® is not attached to the reserve in any way, until you cutaway and the RSL is used. It's a true 'non-interference' system. Since there is no connection between the RSL and your reserve bridle, this means that there is nothing that must disconnect for a normal reserve deployment. If you pull the ripcord, or your AAD fires, the reserve pilot chute and bridle will deploy your reserve quickly and reliably, without hesitation and without interference from the Trap System. Until you cutaway you, and your reserve, won't know it's there! Only when you cutaway, does the Trap System® RSL engage to trap and withdraw the reserve bridle, turning your main canopy into a very large pilot chute. We would like to thank all of our customers and dealers for their ongoing support. We strive to build the best Harness and Container System available and we couldn't do it without you!

Thanks. I don't have a curv (yet), just trying to see what it would look like . So the ff handle has a normal tuck-tab and that goes into the rig like it would on any other rig--that is to say, there's space under where the flap is where you can tuck it?

Anyone have a picture of the Voodoo Curv freefly handle/pud? I'm trying to picture how that works with their "stowage flap" (shown below with normal hackey handle). Thanks! [inline 6542.jpg]

I'm currently jumping a Safire2 149 in my Mirage G4.1 M4, which is listed as "soft" on Mirage's container sizing guide. My reserve is a Smart 160, which is listed as "optimal" (i.e. fairly tight). Even though the 149 is listed as "soft," I still have a fair bit of distance to shorten my closing loop (probably a good inch). Can I fit a Safire2 139, or even 129 in this container? Thanks!

Any word on the official Alti-2 version of this? I feel like back in May or June they said "almost ready, coming soon!" I've been holding off on making a homemade version with an ACE or sweatband or something but it's been so long...

I just happened to look at the Plexus site and saw some information about the FIDO paratelemetry system they use to track and locate cutaway Plexus mains. (http://www.plexustandem.com/products/fido.html) For folks who jump at a dropzone using Plexus tandems (I do), is it possible to obtain and install such a system on my own main canopy? Would the Plexus system be able to track it? What would the cost be? It seems this is a great option--much better than the little bluetooth doodads that people talk about but only work up to 150m or some such. Even non-Plexus dropzones could get the tracking device and offer that as a service for their jumpers. Anyone have any details on this and whether it could be retrofitted on a sport rig?

No worries! The manual appears to still have info on the old split-bag design, which can be confusing.

1. Center locking stow 2. Two outboard locking stows 3. Outboard non-locking stows -- Zig-zag between "rails", starting closer to the locking stows and going toward the center non-locking stow. You may need to add rubber bands depending on how big you make your loops. I think I have 3-4 on each of the "rails". 4. One center non-locking stow -- the idea of this one is to get the bag a little more speed off the tray before it gets to the outboard stows, which could potentially rock/spin the bag. Because this one is right in the middle it's less likely to do that as it releases at a slower speed.

This was also my understanding -- don't cutaway unless in a downplane. Biplane or side-by-side: don't release toggles, steer dominant canopy with rears, etc.

Without comment on the merits of the application of the law, "burglary" in New York (and many other states) does not require theft. From New York Penal Code Article 140:

I'm starting to see them. A local jumper who tried and tried to get her custom-fit container to where it was comfortable / safe for her when she freeflies finally added a belly band and she's been very happy with it. I saw another woman when I was down in Perris recently who had a belly band for freefly as well. So, there's at least a few folks (besides the swoopers, who use them for a different reason) who are bringing them back. Forgive my ignorance, but I'm not sure I see how a belly band would help with wandering leg straps (or falling out of legstraps on a premature sit-fly opening). Could someone explain this?

Thanks for sharing. Can you explain what you mean by a 'tension knot on your left riser'? Do you mean that the brake line was knotted around the riser such that you couldn't use the left toggle? That appears to be the case based on your explanation of using the riser only on the left side.

Yes. Almost all (maybe all?) LCD screens suffer from this problem. I switched from polarized to unpolarized sunglasses while skydiving for the same reason.

(Not necessarily in reply to NWFlyer but you mention the same point others did.) I think the issue here is that a true two-pronged approach is necessary. RSLs and AADs shouldn't necessarily be mandatory, but I think we should be strongly encouraging their use as backup devices. At the same time, we should be doing exactly as NWFlyer says and be much more active in mentoring etc. regarding altitude awareness. Compare it to driving. How many people say "we should stop telling people to wear seatbelts, what's important is that we learn to be better drivers!" By enforcing this false dichotomy we're missing the point. We should equip ourselves with whatever tools we have at our disposal to enhance our safety. At the same time, we should teach better habits and help people learn better altitude awareness and to respect their hard decks. Both parts are important--perhaps not equally, but even then, we should not be disparaging one in favor of the other.

Thanks. Well-taken, but I'm not sure I agree. Re #1, I already unstow my brakes before I go to loosen my cheststrap, so I don't think that's applicable. I think this comment goes more to the order, not whether it's ok to release toggles after unstowing them to open the chest strap. Re #2, that's a fair point, but I'm quite proficient at doing my cheststrap very fast, and always have the ability to use harness/rear riser input if for some reason something happened during those 2 seconds that required input. Furthermore, if there was something about to happen, I've just made a fairly big input that makes my flight pattern less predictable. Isn't that the opposite of what I want?

The lesson is, even when you do everything right...

Some friends and I had a discussion about this last weekend at the DZ. I wonder what others think. The discussion went as follows: we do all sorts of things without holding on to control inputs. For example, even in your steps here (not calling you out, just using this as an example) you stow your slider while not holding on to any control inputs. Why does that change significantly after your release your brakes? I mean, I understand the obvious -- you're going faster. But if something were to become an issue while stowing your slider, presumably you'd reach up and grab a handful of rear riser. Why couldn't I do the same with my toggles unstowed? For me personally -- this is the short version, obviously I do traffic etc. checks -- I stow my slider, release my brakes, drop them, loosen my chest strap, and then get my hands in the toggles again. From that point on I generally don't take my hands out of the toggles, but I don't see a serious problem in doing so as long as (a) you're plenty high up (i.e. not even close to pattern-entry altitude), (b) whatever you're doing, you're still watching for traffic etc., and (c) you can easily get the toggles again (or grab some rear riser) when necessary. So I guess my question is this: is "don't drop your toggles ever except for in an emergency" really a big deal? Do people loosen their chest straps etc. with their toggles in their hands (for those of us who release brakes before loosening chest strap)?

I don't think he's saying you shouldn't loosen the chest strap -- he's saying do it after you release your brakes. I agree. The idea is to make sure as best you can that you won't have to cut away before loosening the chest strap (e.g., what if one brake releases and the other won't release?), which could cause for a very difficult time trying to find your handles while executing EPs.

Please understand that basic SAT problems, like the other basic physics concepts you linked to earlier, rely on motion in a vacuum for the purpose of being easier to understand. We do not skydive in a vacuum, but rather in an atmosphere where aerodynamic drag forces act upon us. You cite to wikipedia to support your position; let's see what wikipedia says about freefall: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_fall In Newtonian physics, free fall is any motion of a body where its weight is the only force acting upon it. . . . The term "free fall" is often used more loosely than in the strict sense defined above. Thus, falling through an atmosphere without a deployed parachute, or lifting device, is also often referred to as free fall. The aerodynamic drag forces in such situations prevent them from producing full weightlessness, and thus a skydiver's "free fall" after reaching terminal velocity produces the sensation of the body's weight being supported on a cushion of air.

I'm not saying you're wrong, because I don't know Allen Silver (or anything about him). But the PDF of the report is online. Nothing is out of context. It is worth noting, however, that the report itself is not written by Mr. Silver, but rather a Wilbert J. Robinson. The report states that "an examination was performed by Inspector Robinson, San Jose FSDO and Allen Silver, FAA Master Rigger..." and then goes on to state the findings of that examination. That section begins "We began the inspection..." http://cbssanfran.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/faa-report.pdf