darkwing

A cruiselite will not flare remotely like a Sabre or a Triathlon. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

I try to log after every jump. One of the best skydiving things I ever did was log my jumps. After 30 years it gets very interesting to go over old log books. You can never write too much about a jump. It is hard to know what will be significant to you 20 years from now. My website is the result of a recent decision to go over all of my logbooks, and summarize some interesting facts. It also brought back some wonderful memories. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

You will find some regional favorites and a lot of personal differences. At my place the current favorite is Michigan suits. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

First and foremost you must be able to use E thread, for which I use #18 or #20 needles. I use B thread for some suspension line work, and a smaller needed is fine for that. For lots of casual rigging a sturdy household sewing machine, straight stitch, zig-zag and forward/reverse is fine. My next level of desire would be for a 308 stitch (double-throw zig-zag). A good industrial-strength straight stitch machine with a walking foot is nice too, but if I have only one machine, I still prefer the versatile household model. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

I have a few jumps on a new Cruiselite XL and I don't think you should expect much out of the flare, even if the porosity is good. How much do you weigh? -- Jeff My Skydiving History

I'd like to hear some philosophies about exit design for pick-up loads, at boogies for example. My own views have evolved into one of "don't chunk exits." Rather let everyone fly. Fewer funnels, and fewer off-heading bases. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

Glad you lived. What kind of container, and were you able to figure out more specifically why the container opened? Having just shortened the loop I'd wonder if the knot was correctly tied. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

The Sabre2 is a very different canopy from a Sabre. It is also much zoomier than a Spectre. Personally, as a spectre jumper, I'd strongly recommend one for you over a Sabre2. I don't know your weight or skills though, so I couldn't say what size to go for. While there are quite a few happy Sabre2 owners, there are also a large number who aren't very happy with the openings. There is no point in getting into it this thread, so look here -- Jeff My Skydiving History

There used to be a couple of books, with lots of formations sorted by number of participants. A while ago I tried to locate them, as I organie a lot, and wanted a resource for dive planning, especially with non-standard numbers of jumpers. It is very handy to be able to look up formations for an 11-way, or a 7-way... Unfortunately, I think the books are no longer available. I'd buy them in a heartbeat if they were. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

If the manufacturer specifies that a Master rigger cannot do something, then I think that is binding. Doesn't PD require certain levels of canopy damage (reserves) to be sent to the factory? I think I mostly agree with your "bedsheet" notion, except that a senior rigger could do "minor repairs." -- Jeff My Skydiving History

I don't think I've ever seen it. Maybe check with Bally Ribbon Mills -- Jeff My Skydiving History

I second the "bonehead Havok" suggestion. Great with glasses. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

I've got lots of round jumps, round reserves too. Lots of reasons not to get one, few, if any, to get one. The main points have been covered above. Just adding my voice to the melee. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

Skykat has always done good for me. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

actually it refers to their "First" rig I believe. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

I don't see why the companies should disclose their algorithms. Do you expect the car company to disclose the algorithms of their electronic engine controls? They work hard to develop them and they shouldn't be or feel compelled to give them away. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

regardless of whether you flat or pro pack, it is mostly a matter of practice, and avoiding distraction. One can flat pack essentially as fast as pro packing if you are proficient. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

I too feel your pain. I got axed in the selection process to be an astronaut because of a "chronic" problem that I had exactly once, several years prior. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

a figure-8 and an overhand. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

very, very rare. No, make that very, very, very rare. While you may get a couple of "I heard that..." If you want statistics in the sense of "one double total per 1,755,213 jumps" I'm pretty confident you won't get it. We'll you may get it, but it won't be reliable. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

I understand that freefly god Max Cohn will be there. I will to, but I'm not a god (at least when I'm on my medication). We'll post more info as it becomes available, but keep an eye on the BSA website. I hope, no, I expect, to see you there. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

Last year a friend washed his dirty main in oxy-clean and was very happy with the results. I withhold judgement as I don't have enough data. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

This has always been an issue of honor. As a competitor I have always counted on the honor of those I compete against. This current issue is no different than if you get the draw and go someplace to practice out of an airplane. The line is drawn as to what constitutes honorable behavior. I happen to agree with this decision. It is probably impossible to stop cheaters if they choose to cheat, although it is almost always true that they will get caught, and suffer the consequences. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

I have over 500 jumps on my Bonehead Havok. Sometimes I open it up, sometimes I don't. There are visibility tradeoffs either way. I do prefer the extra protection of having it down though. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

I seriously doubt that the Golden Knights "endorse" products from anyone. Although they may privately tell you they like/dislike something. -- Jeff My Skydiving History