achikin

Does anyone know exactly what that "powerband" is for?

As far as I know - they are aware of those patents and managed to find a workaround in their construction. There are actually two more tunnel manufacturers in Russia and at least one of them, Tornado, ships its tunnels worldwide, including Europe. But those are not closed-circuit.

T-105 vertical aerodynamic tunnel, Russian Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute, built 1941 http://www.tsagi.ru/experimental_base/adt-t-105/

AADs are mandatory in Russia nowadays. Of course you can find a "wild" DZ, where you can jump with any equipment you want.

The last picture shows two different labels from two different parachutes.

That statement about Poland is a little bit of speculation. Here is what has happened: One of Russian skydivers has bought a used PDR-176 for a relatively low price. Later he has become suspicious about it's coloring and further inspection has shown that the label has been reattached. He has contacted PD and they responded that PDR with this SN should be solid yellow. [Image]http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=146811;[/Image] [Image]http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=146812;[/Image] [Image]http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=146813;[/Image] Later one more guy has shown up, stating that he has bought PDR-126 from the same seller and it also has the signs of label reattachment. [Image]http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=146814;[/Image] [Image]http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=146815;[/Image] [Image]http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=146816;[/Image] [Image]http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=146817;[/Image] [Image]http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=146818;[/Image] Finally the third buyer showed up, providing pictures of a PDR-126 with a label replaced and SN identical to the second guy's PDR-126. [Image]http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=146819;[/Image] [Image]http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=146820;[/Image]

I would argue against choosing a canopy based on a single parameter. First of all those three you've mentioned(Sabre, Safire, Pilot) are very similar in there characteristics so "the best" means slightly better then competitors. Second - a good flare is a result of your flying skills more than of canopy construction if we're talking about those three, again. Being so focused on flaring capabilities can mean that you have flare problems and you're doing yourself a bad favor trying to eliminate those issues by choosing a more flare-forgiving parachute. Third - when you'll figure out the flare - you'll end up with a parachute which is good for, well, flaring, missing the other characteristics like getting from long spots, front riser pressure, turn performance and whatever. Lastly - canopy flying experience is a very subjective thing. Different people can give completely different opinions on the same parachute at the same WL, including flare performance. So better try out all of them and choose the one you'll find the best for you.

From my experience Magellan is less steeper than Saber 2. It's closer to Safire 2.

Good estimate from my experience. What helped me: pick a good coach, stick with him, train regularly, keep yourself fit. Also plan for some jumps with instructor - there are things that you'll never learn in a tunnel.

+1 for swimming pool. I find it very useful for increasing tunnel stamina.

This is not a completely fair comparsion: PDR is opened in a violent spin while OP is opened in a stable position.

This version has slides. Sweet!

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.maps.mytracks

Obviously this is not true. Local rules will have priority on non-USPA dropzone regardless to your membership.

Sorry, my bad. It is the same project, but not a franchise.

http://www.realfly.ru/eng/ - imo the best one. It is a Skyventure franchise, it's currently not working due to technical issues, but check it, may be it'll be open soon. Outside of the city. http://letarium.ru/en/index.html - the smallest and the cheapest one and the most busy though. 10-15 minutes walk from underground station. Very good for FF static training. http://aerotruba.ru/en/- I've never been there. Bedford franchise, good quality, outside of the city.

In Russia people sometimes do "hammer mod". Put your riser on it's edge(vertically) on a wooden surface and slam it with a wooden or plastic hammer. Not too hard. This would soften them a bit. I've been there. Just pulled harder and it's all gone in 10-15 jumps.

I wonder why the f*** Chutingstar still sells G3 with the old V1 visors? Mine seems ro be affected too and now I'm very far away from Chutingstar.

It is NOT a safety gear. Read a label carefuly :)

Bought a helmet from Chutingstar ~1 mounth ago. My visor is marked G2 V1.

No. It is not.

I've ordered similar ones from aliexpress.com for my G3. Even on product page photos they does not look very well crafted.

Are you planning to sell those cutaway chinstraps as a separate product? Would be a nice addition to my current helmets.

I have Skylark. Pretty good. Pretty cheap. Lots of cordura. Legs and hands are a little bit more bulky then on "pro" suits. I've bought it as my first all-round-sort-of-freefly suit and I'm going to wear it off before going for something more serious. There are some photos here .

Their sizing chart differs from the other manufacturers, sure. My second helmet is M size. My G3 is L. But it's quite accurate by itself. Yes, it fits quite tight - that's what I expect from a helmet. Bear in mind that foam will wear off and it'll become more loose in time.