dcgilbert

I am not a rigger, and certainly understand why a rigger would choose to follow the Airtec instruction about not using their loops with any other AAD. That being said, can someone please explain to me how Airtec can overrule the manufacturer of the Vigil? They explicitly state in their manual in the installation instructions (p. 9) that Cypres loop is perfectly acceptable to use with their cutter. Just curious about the legality, since it seems to me that AAD as the manufacturer has the final say.

Crap.... A coach is right. I remember several jumps with Toma taking me up when I had about 50 jumps to do drill dives. I still have fond memories of those jumps. I'll miss you Toma. May you smile down on us until we meet again. Dave

Man, that Tony video bring back memories. Still miss Frontier. I hope to make Batavia (or wherever the boogie is held this year). Thanks for posting that. Dave

Actually, I believe they're jumping the Cessna today. And per the mailing list about 30 minutes ago, a Cessna tomorrow as well..... A CESSNA CARAVAN Message from Jim Crouch is copied below: At the last minute I found a Cessna Caravan for this weekend. It is very EXPENSIVE to ferry so get out to the DZ and jump it A LOT! Thanks, GROUCHY Crouchy

I think you're referring to the risers VSE/Infinity makes. They use the same (or very similar) terminal end found on the three ring cable housings at the 'riser end.' Last boogie I was at, these were also the risers that PD was using on their demo canopies. D

Thanks, Was not thinking of the trailing edge inflating first.

I've had no problems with the Kroop's no-vent goggles. I'm currently using a Z-1 full face without any issues.

OK, don't the brake lines normally slow the slider down because as the outermost lines they are in contact with the slider? Since they are now outside the slider grommets, the rest of the line groups will get that friction. While I will grant you that the number of lines (and therefore the friction surface available) will be lower, I wouldn't expect that alone to make a large difference in the opening. As long as the brakes stay stowed properly through the opening, I'd expect something close to normal. When the brake lines are outside the grommets, I can even envision a scenario where the brake lines pinch the slider from the outside and prevent it from coming down properly as the line groups are tensioned on opening (not a good thing, but would slow the opening). Any riggers/manufacturers care to comment?

Hey Brandon- how 'bout you take him for a CREW jump for his hundredth

OK- first bit of advice- ASK. There is regular RW organizing going on for all levels. More details can be found here. They were organizing Sat. Having been at your jump numbers a few years back, I can assure you that these folks are willing to work with you. The signup days are supposed to be a bit more advanced and/or bigger way dives that may not be appropriate for lower experience levels, but the open days should be OK. Sat. was a bit different as some senior jumpers that had been at Orange for a while but have moved, been restationed, etc., for a few months were back to visit. There was also a coach rating course going on. So someone new could have gotten overlooked. But it sounds like Brandon already made you an offer. There are also also a few (6-8?) folks that got a license somewhat recently and are in the 50-100 jump range around. And most of the belly fliers I know there (including me) would jump with you. But just like you, we want to improve our skills as well. So there will be days with 8+ ways that we want to do those. But as you gain the skills, the organizers WILL get you into those when they feel it's safe and appropriate. Ultimately, it's your choice whether to return to Orange or go elsewhere. Dave

Yep, I've never jumped without one. Probably won't. After my ACL was rebuilt the conversation with my surgeon went something like this: Me: So Doc, how will I know when I don't need the brace anymore? Doc: Take it off and try it- if you blow the knee again, you needed it. Me: Uh, thanks Doc. Still wearing one after 12 years. I don't want to rehab it again. I just always wear a jumpsuit or a pair of pants that covers it. Snag points are my biggest worry on that thing.

I had the same problem shortly after getting a new Vigil last spring. It was not logging the number of jumps correctly and then I got a CTRL error and it shut down/refused to start. I had less than 20 jumps on it at the time. Called AAD Monday morning and they had me a new one in time for the unit to be swapped out the following Sat. I had to argue a bit and offer to pay shipping to get it overnighted to me for the weekend (the individual I talked to has since left the company), but they overnighted it and paid for shipping in the end. No problems since then.

I can get you a phone number for a rigger south of Rochester that I have from about 3 years ago. It was a bit over an hours drive for me from the Univ. of Rochester if I remember correctly. PM me if you want it. If you want someone a bit closer, you could try Dick Cordero at Rochester Skydivers. I have not even spoken to the man, and know little about him, but know some folks that have used him. Contact info is on the USPA Site below. http://www.uspa.org/dz/states/NY.htm#rochester Good luck

Yep, was dedfinately a trim issue. It was OK for the first 100-150 jumps, then started to whack me a bit. Still have the canopy and would have no problems jumping it now. Just wanted the original poster to be aware of the potential need to reline more often with both Dacron and spectra lines on the same canopy. I learned the hard way!

I jumped a hybrid Tri 190 for about 350 jumps. It was manufactured around '98 and used the Gelvenor (sp?) fabric, so it may be a bit different than the canopies made with the newer fabric Aerodyne is using. Mine also had a set of rings and some canvas on the top skin for the crew style retractable pilot chute which adds slightly to the bulk. I never used mine for anything other than a freefall rig. The canopy was fine at terminal, but did tend to open briskly. Part of this was due to the lineset that was on mine. It had the non-cascaded center lines, the center A lines were dacron and the rest were 825 (I think) spectra. This was not a good thing. The dacron stretched and the spectra shrank leading to some hard openings. The non-cascaded center lines themselves are ok, but make sure they are all of the same material. After another reline with cascaded spectra it opened fine most of the time. And I blame the packer (me) for those bad openings. That said it was a bit faster than my Spectre is . This was before Bushman's day; he was shocked to hear that the factory had relined the canopy with two differrent line materials when I talked to him in Tampa. But you might want to make sure that the lineset is all made of the same material before purchase. If it isn't, check (or have your rigger do it) the trim and expect it to go out of trim fast. I would personally reline it, but that is me. edit: OK, dragon2 was faster on the rings and topskin, but I'd still check on the lines

Only if you're referring to the after competition dinner!

I believe this (or a very similar model) comes with the Icon http://www.benchmade.com/products/product_detail.aspx?model=5

If work and the stars stay properly aligned I'll be there until Fri. evening. Looking forward to seeing the Frontier crowd again. Dave

1 reserve ride. Pilot chute in tow that resulted in two out on jump #216. ~350 currently. description here http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=1607621;search_string=dcgilbert;#1607621

Nope, haven't lost my camera screw. Of course, I don't jump camera. Just glad you found it so you could video our funnel

As of yesterday Dean will be team training next weekend, at least until Sun afternoon. Mike Perry and Dan Glanz will be organizing.

Alright, alright, I SHOULD be there if my boss cooperates and doesn't send me to NY. I'll even jump with you if we can get you on your belly like we did weegegirl. Dave

Hey Liz, As I presume I had the malfunction in question, I can tell you my thought process NOW, after having gone through it. I'd go straight to silver again. Going straight to silver buys you time to deal with a two out scenario. Expect it to happen and be ready to deal with it. I thought I was. Immediately after reserve deployment, I checked over my shoulder to see if my main was out. It wasn't. I relaxed a bit and put my ripcord in my jumpsuit. As I reached to for my toggles, I saw my main coming out of the bag behind me. The main risers were trailing me and clear of the reserve risers, so I chopped it. The right side cleared, the left hung up a bit. I could see the left side three rings and believe that my RSL hung up on the velcro. I hit the riser with my arm, and it cleared. (Please, if you want to have an RSL debate, search one of the numerous other threads on the subject and post there I'm keeping mine by the way.) The RSL is the one thing I would/will change and practice in my EP's. If I ever have another scenario where I have pitched my pilot chute and then pull silver, the first thing I'm doing after the reserve is flying (given time, of course) is disconnecting the RSL. I didn't this time and it made things a bit more exciting. Everything turned out OK, but I was fortunate. (Damn, I'm sweating reliving this.) As to the cause of the PC in tow, I still don't know. I pull the kill line so there's slack in it when I cock the PC, I checked and had color twice on the ground, had a gear check by another person before getting on the plane, and had it checked before the door opened. Ill be talking to Dean (my rigger) today to see if he found anything. That's my take. Hope it helps. If you want an earful on both sides of this debate at the DZ, talk to Rahmlo and Gelardi. Both have VERY strong opinions on this matter. Dave

Is that Scott and Meriah(sp?)? I got my license at Frontier. Freaky if this has happend TWICE.

Don't worry about that. You'll find plenty of people willing to jump with you at the DZ after you get your license.