T_C

The only impact-rated skydiving helmet I'm aware of is the ICE from Tonfly - I'm about to buy one. Having tried ski helmets myself, I wouldn't advise it - they cup a large amount of air in a belly-to-earth position, let alone HU. There are also issues with audibles - even in the headphone inserts, you'd struggle to hear one. Skydiving helmets are nothing but shiny camera mounts, available in various colours. They do zip to protect the brain from concussive forces. As ever, skydivers would rather look cool than be safe. Traumatic brain injuries are for life, not just for christmas.

I'm just about to order one. I've tried ski helmets/pro-tecs in the past & the main issue was drag when in boxman/flaring from a track. I'll put up with the price for something impact rated & engineered for skydiving airspeeds.

Almost seems intentional, huh?

Anybody have any more info/impressions of the Airwolf? Comparison to Leia/VK? Hybrid vs. standard ZP versions?

Maybe I was unclear, sorry. The recovery arc is longer than that of the crossfire 2 - says it on the tin. What I meant to say is, with the same turn technique, heights must be increased for the xf3, as it dives more in general.

If you swoop it & really get the canopy diving, the recovery arc is significantly longer than the crossfire 2. Not really aimed at you, just wanting to point it out for anyone who has been swooping the XF2 & is trying the 3. Turn heights are WAY higher.

Jumped Safire 2 & 3 multiple times last weekend while helping out on a canopy course. I did 6 or 7 jumps on the Safire 3 (169 & 149). All openings were subterminal - comparably soft & easily controlled. The Safire 3 seems to be trimmed a little steeper in full flight than the Saf2, though not as steep as a sabre 2. Front riser pressure is significantly lighter on saf3 & builds much slower. The saf3 is more responsive to harness input. Control stroke is long & predictable - there's plenty of warning before it stalls & a plenty of flare power. Altogether a really nice canopy. I think those used to the Safire 2 will find the biggest differences in front riser pressure, harness inputs & increased flare power.

Sorry, my bad.

Plenty of us started HP landings on the Sabre 2 & IMO a correctly sized ( in terms of your experience) S2 is more suitable than a Stiletto. If you're making your way through the flight-1 syllabus, your coaches are absolutely the best people to answer these questions. They have seen you fly & very few people will be as familiar with the full range of PD canopies. Always be wary of Internet advice - solicited or otherwise...

A helmet that offers some real protection would be good. Not a $500 camera mount with a chincup. Something certified to ski/paraglide/mountaineering standards.

My comparison/review here: http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=4832723;#4832723 Many threads, same questions...

I got a chance to put 11 jumps on the XF3 109 loaded at 1.95. I fly a XF2 109. Openings were excellent - comfortable & consistent (both subterminal & terminal). Snivel was slightly longer than my XF2. In flight, the control range was very similar to the XF2 - long & predictable with plenty of notice before the stall point. Front riser pressure is lighter than XF2 & doesn't build as fast. Harness turns were significantly easier with XF3 & there was significantly more bottom-end lift when flaring. XF3 dives significantly more than it's predecessor. With the same turn mechanics, I had to move my 90 height up by around 160ft. I found it also had more power on the rears. Sorry OP, I know you asked for a review rather than a direct comparison, but I thought others might find it useful.

IMO you should treat the onesies like a small wingsuit. Probably not a great idea to go with a small elliptical. How many two-piece tracking suit jumps do you have skydiving? Any on the KA?

I'm no BPA fanboy & I dislike the nature of sticker-collecting for qualifications, but something had to be done about 50 & 60 jump wonders wanting to 'run some mad angles' because all the big deals are at it. It will be monetised or not, depending on DZ & coach - slot coaching is still alive & well in some places. It's a devil & the deep-blue sea situation: the BPA will be hounded for incidents & damned for regulations. I don't like regulations, but there are too many idiots in this sport to avoid them entirely. For the 'it should be up to the DZO/CCI' crowd: Yeah, in principal, I agree. It would work in a small club environment, but a busy DZ with a high number of visiting jumpers? Not going to work. In response to the OP: The weather sucks a lot of the time, but you can learn a significant amount from experienced jumpers/instructors who are more than willing to chat or run seminars on weather weekends. The governing body is far from perfect, but any jumper who's been around for a while & traveled will be able to tell you - none of them are. You will find a number of the most committed sport jumpers in the world, plenty of wind tunnels (if that's your thing) & Some very inclusive dropzones. Have fun & sorry about the government.

Rear riser input will cause a canopy to plane out, but not lose much forward speed - you're altering the trim with input to C & D lines. Excessive input will lead to an abrupt stall. Take a canopy course, understanding the effects (& limitations) of inputs is pretty important in situations like this. Good job on walking away.