rainman

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Posts posted by rainman

  1. I will *try* to make this description brief:

    When I read the forums I usually start with the oldest unread thread, using the 'previous thread' button to go to a newer thread.

    Although the URL hints at displaying the first unread message of a thread, this only seems to work for threads that occupy less than one page.

    In other words, it would IMHO be nice if the 'previous thread' button on multi-page threads jumps to the last page.

    This would save bandwidth and would make reading the forums even more enjoyable for me!
    Rainman

  2. If I understand your post correctly, then I'd say yes, you can. It's being done on the Swoop 2 DVD (and perhaps Swoop 1) as well.

    It looks very spectacular and more than a bit scary IMHO. Then again, they're going to be skimming the ground at 60+ MPH mere seconds later, so the added risk is probably negligible :P

    Edited to add: What AggieDave said...I'll watch though ;)

    HTH,

    Ramon

  3. When I either forget my Protrack or when it doesn't log a jump due to too little freefall time, I just update the total number of jumps and/or freefall time in the menu.

    I don't have my Protrack or the manual here, so I can't tell you exactly how it's done, but it can be done on the Protrack itself.

    Edited to add: You would want to do the above before the next jump...

    HTH, Ramon :)

  5. Quote

    The positive leverage device sure can be abused [...]

    I've used a Pack Boy only a handful of times [...]



    I think I get what you're saying, but for clarification purposes: a packboy (5 inch steel 'needle' with 15 inch of suspension line attached to it) is not considered a positive leverage device, is it?

    In other words: do you think a packboy increases the risk of damaging your rig?

    I really like the packboy because the pullup cords rip my delicate programmer hands to shreds. [:/]
    Rainman

  7. Quote


    1. Don't jump with rings on.
    2. If you must, then wear gloves.



    Not trying to negate your good advice, but in my First Aid course I learned that even a totally unrelated injury (e.g. broken leg) could cause your hands/fingers to swell up rapidly, and the EMTs/paramedics (I can never get those American terms right) will actually cut your ring off your finger in those cases to prevent nasty damage to your finger.

    That's why I decided I won't even wear my wedding ring while jumping.

    Ramon

  8. Quote

    I don't want to die.


    Ditto that! I think I've heard it said that skydiving is a celebration of life, not a wish to die...

    Quote

    But if it happens, I would be bothered in those last seconds mostly by the idea that I made my friends and family have to go through the grieving process.


    The thought of putting my whuffo wife through that is what keeps me safe on good days. On bad days it's what makes me question my wish to skydive..
    Rainman

  11. I'm not sure whether this belongs here or in swooping & canopy control, but here goes:

    I was having a discussion with a friend, both of us being non-swoopers, with him being more experienced than me.

    His statement: Swoopers start their final turn lower in high winds, because the recovery is faster (i.e. takes less altitude).

    Me: *stutter* moving airmass, no difference *cough* parachute doesn't know about wind *confused look*

    What I'm trying to say is that his statement sounds like a myth to me, much like parachutes having a tendency to turn downwind, but I can't provide a coherent reasoning behind this.

    Any informed opinions on this?
    Rainman

  12. Quote

    best solution ever LASER your eyes



    I prefer my night lenses over lasering anytime!

    Many people think it's an April Fool joke, but IMHO night lenses are the best thing since sliced bread!

    I wear contact lenses for at least six hours every night and my vision was better than 100% when I had my eyes tested yesterday. (I'm only a simple programmer, don't ask me how you can have more than 100%...)

    No glasses, no lenses, no problems during skydiving!!!!:)
    Rainman

  13. I have a bungy collapsible pilot on my rig that can be 'cocked' as well.

    I find it a bit hard to describe, but the bungy is attached to the bridle 3-4 inches from the bottom (mesh) of the pilot. Right next to the pilot attachment there's a tiny pouch on the bridle into which I can pull the knot in the bungy cord where it attaches to the bridle. This effectively lets out the pilot apex enough to make sure it is uncollapsed.

    For me this gets rid of any delays on subterminal openings, and since I've made this a standard part of my packing routine, I feel I'm properly prepared should I ever pack/jump a rig with a kill line pc.

    Ramon
    Rainman

  16. Quote


    yeap, nothing better than closing everything and seeing you forgot that :S



    I have a bungee-collapsible pilot chute, which doesn't *need* to be cocked (I always do it anyway).

    Just for fun I sometimes make a show of picking it up while packing, dropping it to the floor (collapsed), then look satisfied and say 'That'll do just fine.' Scary thing is I have seen some raised eyebrows but nobody actually commented on this. Maybe they've got me figured out ;)
    Rainman

  17. From the Rigging Innovations site:
    Quote


    The canopy opens with the reliability of a ramair, but flies with a lift/drag coefficient which is more closely related to its round shaped cousins



    With my extremely limited knowledge of round parachutes, it sounds like this canopy combines the worst properties of rounds and squares....:S;)

    Edited to correct spelling mistake
    Rainman

  21. I heard this too, and although I was also surprised to hear that a twisted line is weaker, it is really easy to demonstrate.

    If you take about a 4-inch part of one of your lines and hold it between your thumbs and indexfingers, then twist it a couple of times, you will see that when you pull it taut about half the fibers are stretched, and half the fibers are loose. Obviously the load on the line is now only supported by the fibers that are taut.

    Disclaimer: I'm not a rigger or an instructor, but I was shown this and it makes a lot of sense to me.
    Rainman

  24. In the Netherlands we have an inspection and repack cycle of six months for skydiving reserves.

    This was changed very recently, it used to be three months.

    As far as I know this change was initiated completely by the skydiving department of the Royal Dutch association for aviation (KNVvL).
    The skydiving department of KNVvL can be reached by Email at [email protected].

    You can read this in the Dutch BSR's, found at BVR 2003 but unfortunately this document is in Dutch only.

    Edited to provide more information about the governing body.
    Rainman