Dutton

A Katana will go exactly where you point it. Have fun.

I have a buddy that failed Level 4 9 times. He finally got himself unfucked after his instructor told him to take up bowling. Understand that on the ground body position doesn't really matter. If you want to turn around you can just twist your body and face the other way. Freefall is exactly opposite, you use small changes in a fixed body position to move. You just have to be able to be relaxed enough to be able to feel your body position and be able control freefall. That's the hurdle. Good Luck.

I've been training students using a VR simulator for over ten years. We have a unit at the Cleveland Skydiving Center. The owner of the DZ works for Systems Technology who designed the first practical VR simulator. It works great. I don't bother taking people up for CAT A jumps until they've spent an hour in the sim. There are two big advantages, increased confidence in dealing with malfunctions, which lowers the student's stress level on the actual jump; and the student can be taught to fly a pattern and land the parachute solo prior to having to actually do it. If anyone would like to try it out, you're welcome to. Hit me up. John

CheapRVliving on youtube has great videos on minimal vehicular camping. I've spent many a night in the back of my Element and a small dedicated trailer would be pussy retard shit to me. I suppose comfort is relative, though.

Climb performance is a function of excess power. There is no advantage to having another engine in this regard. For this reason, a high power single engine jump plane will always be cheaper to operate than a multi engine jump plane. I'm guessing that the 408 will be more than 12,500 lbs based on its cargo load capacity. That means a type rating and two pilots. Not a big deal for FedEx, but pretty expensive for a DZ. This thing hasn't even been built yet anyhow. Looks like you can fly a Dash 8 with the door removed. This one has an STC for an in air cargo door. https://www.globalair.com/aircraft-for-sale/ListingDetail/Dash-8-DHC-8?AdId=80729

I have found misrouted single sided RSL's quite a few times. People are capable of screwing anything up. Since you seem to be the type of guy who always has to have the last word, have at it.

I'm well aware of that fatality, it was a very good friend and former student of mine. I chose to not refer to it as it was a result of a rigging error that was very unusual. The dual sided RSL works if used properly. With well built risers, I think a single sided RSL is a better choice. Gear does evolve.

Good point, and worth considering. that would make a good topic for discussion. Injuries and fatalities tend to follow trends.

Nothing is perfect, or ever will be. In my opinion, simple and robust is best. Start with a properly trained skydiver. Give him properly built and maintained three ring release system (quality risers), add an RSL, deploy at a reasonable altitude and you address 99% of your problems. I think that we are creating new ways to kill ourselves by trying to design equipment that solves problems that are primarily caused by poor procedures and insufficient training. VR training equipment is the next big evolution in student training. The military has figured this out already. My home DZ used Racers with dual sided RSL's and round reserves for 20+ years without incident. Students were trained how to use the equipment, end of story.

You can get a used PR-143 for very little money. Just get one. Best value for your money.

I stopped wrapping the tail tightly a long time ago. I just bring the center cell seams together and lay the pack job down. I do this on all the different skydiving mains 9 cell, 7 cell and cross braced. They all open nice. Concentrate on keeping the slider all the way up and presented properly. That's the key. I jumped a Katana loaded at 2.0 for a few seasons and it opened nicely. John

Preferred Airparts has lots of stuff. (800) 433-0814

You should not be swooping.

If the parachute turns after it comes out of the bag, it won't make a difference. Is it out of trim?

Hate to ruin it for you, but Darth Vader gives Dumbledore the AIDS.