darkwing

You make the mistake of thinking that just because nothing obvious has developed recently, that there hasn't been development. As others said, there were many variations tried back in the 1970's mostly, and lots of variations on sliders themselves. I know because I tried some of them. I think what we have is known as "mature technology." which is not to say that we shouldn't keep trying, but sliders are very simple devices, and they are an elegant solution to a complex problem. Note also that if you do too much designing of a canopy to optimize openings, it can interfere with how the canopy performs after it is opened. There are always design tradeoffs. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

Have fun. Shut up and jump. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

Israel IAI-101B Arava (But I'm ashamed to say I cheated. Let this be a warning to those of you who leave the N-number exposed.) -- Jeff My Skydiving History

Canopies don't scale well. You can't just take a canopy, double every measurement, and expect it to fly the same. The bigger change you make in its size, the more you have to tweak the design. At some point it is pretty much a different canopy. Lots of subtleties here. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

I too have had other people's kids pack for me. The kids were in the 14-16 year old range. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

It sounds to me like the recipient is rude. Even if I have something that is sold I'll respond to a message. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

I'd say it slightly differently. RW is generally used to mean on your belly, in groups. FF is any other body position, usually, but not necessarily in groups. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

Kites have suspended weight, and one suspension line. The string is the line, and you are the suspended weight. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

It depends (pretty much always the answer). Bull denim IS cotton. For any jumpsuit you address how much body the fabric needs to have. If you want lots of drag, you often use a heavier bodied fabric. From a durability perspective, I'd usually prefer a poly-cotton blend anyway. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

The answer is -- "It depends" On a LOT of things. See answer above. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

I didn't read him as defensive, just curious. I don't think you need to stand corrected. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

Visit the two or three nearest places, and pick the one you like the best. FInd them in the dropzones list here at dz.com -- Jeff My Skydiving History

Based on the dialog above, I see the signs of skydiving greatness in moto89 and skydiver88. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

Nothing is impervious to nasty spinning, even round canopies can do it. As to the cause... it happens. You need a longer lead-in on the video.... -- Jeff My Skydiving History

The scary thing is that I think the cow died of shame, before Pete blew it up. I think it wasn't in to interspecies "relationships." -- Jeff My Skydiving History

Here's a couple of ideas. I wonder if the Editor would consider putting (most) rejected articles on the web? Of course there would still be some editorial standards, but they would be very, very minimal. I'd be very interested in reading the rejections, to form my own opinion of the validity of the rejection. Call it "Parachutist Extra" Also, perhaps an external advisory board. Still, as I say above, I'm generally OK with Parachutist, and always have been. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

not all heads are the same. Best for you may not be best for others. Try them on if possible. Buy one. Ultimately, "shut up and jump." -- Jeff My Skydiving History

Let this be a reminder to everyone about gear funny business due to exit and funnel happenings. Similar incidents over the years is what made me evolve my post-opening check-- links, toggles, 3-rings, handles... -- Jeff My Skydiving History

I think there is one reason to pursue a riggers certificate -- that skydiving equipment interests you deeply. Becoming a rigger to save yourself money is not a good reason. I wouldn't want someone to pack my reserve unless they were riggers due to an intense interest in the technical aspects of gear. While there may be other reasons also, there needs to be at least that one reason. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

I read it all the time anyway. My guess is most of the people who whine about it would have trouble answering your question. Many would say "more boobies." -- Jeff My Skydiving History

The name of the first team I was ever on was inspired by this very question. This was in 1974 I think. The name, "Ickymessajelly" -- Jeff My Skydiving History

While I don't believe that was the question, Jeffy can weigh in on the details of some real groundbreaking questions about exits that he asked in the 4 way team briefing (4 way was out of Cessna 182's). One quetion was "could they ask the pilot for a certain flap configuration". We launched pretty much every formation in 4-way competition at the time. The aircraft was C-182s. Some decent teams launched a single formation and transitioned to the 1st point. Our exits certainly gave us an edge at the time, although jumping anything other than a C-182 removed some of our edge I think. The "Flap" issue was interesting. Being an unknown team from nowhere at the '78 Nationals, nobody paid attention to us (I considered it a plus). At the captains meeting prior to competition I asked if anyone objected if we wanted a notch of flaps for exit, and were we allowed to grip the leading edge of the flap. One guy I didn't know said he "would object only if we won." I guess we got the last laugh on that. The next year we won also, but it wasn't as big a surprise to everyone else. Judging was VERY different. Cats had to be straight for example. You couldn't get away with "cheating" on grips as you can today. The formations had to be pretty much carbon copies of what the diagrams in the competition manual look like, or else the judges would say it wasn't presented properly. Also, you had to know where the judges were on jump run, because you couldn't transition off the hill if the formation was edge-on to the judges. This explicitly entered our dive plan on each jump. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

Interesting. Often such things are a combination of jumper and pilot errors, but I can't tell in this situation. I hope someone who know the specifics here can tell us. I was in a Beech D-18 stall a long time ago, and 9 out of ten jumpers were bleeding afterwards. Do your part as a jumper to prevent it. Get a briefing from a seasoned jump pilot and your instructors. Edit to add: One thing we don't know is what the pilot said, if anything. Did he say to get out? My theory is do what the Pilot says. Uf you are outside, then probably let go. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

seems fine to me. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

Generally it is considered tacky to post a person's contact info out in the open like this. A pm would be better. If you have his permission to do so, that is different. -- Jeff My Skydiving History