Albatross

I go back to the wise quote from SkyBytch. No one ever died from a boring canopy. Jump something docile and easy to land in no winds, down wind, cross wind, up, down, in traffic. Then learn to make that baby sing. I can get some good speed and a decent swoop out of a spectre 170 loaded at 1.15:1. When you exausted all that. Then downsize. You may be boared while you figure out how to make the canopy preform but you will be safer in the long run. Chris

The Skydive U campus at Perris shut down about 1 year ago. The people are still here but the official school is gone. Chris

It is not a bad tool if you are having basic stablity problems but for more than that it is a waste. Chris

Come look me up when you get here either my teammates or I will be doing some LOing or sunset jumps. It is always nice to get some good 4-way in when you start. Chris Chris

Oh please launch an intact 8 way Cat or Donut? That would be some great video. Chris

I can't give the detail but I can tell you that when I have done it it has been 3 in 5 out with a point and tail and then a chunk in the middle, divers facing down the hill floaters up the hill. It really peels off the plane not like a 4way. If you really want the scoop try 8'99 airspeed's 8 way video. Chris

If you need some info try Skydive U. They are the formal experts on body flight. OR go to the tunnel. But make sure to get a suit, it will make a huge difference. Chris

Kate I love your attitdue. This was my gripe to begin with and I stand by it. I know that the attempts that hold just short hurt but if the plan is solid and the people are good it will build. You are right that the change is just that a change but this one seems to mess with the integrity of the rule. We have all seen formations that had level issues that held for 1-2 seconds and then fall apart. They are so much less of an accoplishment than the smooth ones that have help. I mean it wouldn't matter what criteria was put on the 300 way or the Woman's record. They were well planned, well executed and a testiment to the people involved. It just seems a shame if one that holds for say .5 seconds eclipses it because someone was strong enough to hold on or that even the concept of control is not mentioned. Just my 2 cents. I don't hate change just this one. Chris

I would like to add that this and the 300-way will be the last "real" records as per the new rule amendments that do not require that the formation hold for any length of time. You ladies and the people in Eloy put together some great dives. I will just be really sad if a 1 second catch of a grip as the person sinks out eclipses the beautiful work that you did. Chris

I am not shure I see what you want to do? I have never intentionally cheated a stairstep dimond. WHat would you gain. Chris

I have flown both and have close 600 jumps on the spectre 170. I have also flown the spectre in smaller and larger sizes. I have 50 or so jumps on various Tri. Both are good anopies for beginners. They are relatively docile and have good flare and are not touch to packing fluctuations. I personally do not like the Tri, it is a bit too docile for my taste. The turns are slow and gentile but too mushy for my taste. THe openning are quick and I have gotten slammed a few times. The spectre on the other hand is snappier in the turns and is fun to fly agressively (although the riser pressure is high). THe landings are great. The opennings are slow especially if you do anything to cover or hide the nose. Personally I like the 0.8-1.1 loaded spectre for novices through intermediates. Chris

People like all types of suits: Merlin, michigan, and so on. I think that most of the suits are good. As for bootie needs I always like good ridgid booties. I use my RW suit for coaching because I steal the time to feel my body and work on body position and feel. THat means that I need my suit. Chris

Sounds like the same stuff all around. Inside grippers are a must for serious 4-way or 8-way. I have heard mixed things about the double grippers. I don't like them (taking grips) but have never had a suit with them. I have a Tony suit and love it. The most important thing is to get good measurements. Fit is everything. I also like the FX bootie mod for the Bev suit and the Pro Comp for Merlin (my next suit). Chris

I agree with Ron at least in spirit. An AAD is like an airbag in your car. It is the back up for when a) you screw up b) you screw up c) shit happens. It is not a device to rely on. I saw one guy ride his cypress. He cut away a mal and waited until the cypress fired. I had 20 jumps and it scared the SH&* out of me. If you cypress fires and you haven't pulled the reserve, something hasn't broken, and you are conherent, you need t sit down and concider if this is the right sport for you or if you need more training. All that said this is the type of F-up that a cypress is perfect for. This guy should have changed one deployment factor at a time adn gradually gotten used to the new system. He made some bad decisions and some physical mistakes that the cypress saved him from. I don't depend on mine but it is nice to know that it is there in case I screw up big time. Chris

Canopy Nazi here. Dude unless you are like 100lbs out the door a Stilletto 135 is a dangerous move. At 60 jumps I would guess that sometimes you open in a less than stable body position and witht the Stilletto that is asking for a spinner that will cause you to CHOP. Also the Stilletto, while a great canopy, is most likely too agressive for you and can/will cause you pain when you try to land in less than ideal conditions. Talk to some more experienced people and some instructors and try and get a better recomendation for what you should jump. A spectre, a sabre2, maybe a Hornet or Triathalon loaded at ~1.0 would be a good idea for the next say 300-400 jumps. Bottom line if you can't do all of Bills canopy control tasks then don'y risk becoming a statistic. If you want a really good recomendation call Lisa at Square1 or talk to a conopy control coach. Chris

NO rummors. I have it straight from Melanie and Diane that the tunnel will be up and running in September. Airspeed is already booking tunnel time for an Airspeed camp. Chris

Both are great answers. In the begining you might wast to try to make a few jumps with a more experienced jumper and just work on the body position and getting a new feel for having you head up and and your legs out. If you can get to the tunnel DO it!! Chris

Yes they might but if you are going to have two grips you are going to have a grip plan and you might just as well have ahigh low grip plan and the single grip is more visable for judging. Chris

It just seems confusing to me. I like the square grippers, they really give a good grip but the second set sems like a bit too much Chris

SOrry just a generic response no gener implied, but it does sound like I struck a nerve Chris

No he was asking how to remember the numbers not the randoms every sill child knows the randoms Chris

Drinking games. Take 22 pieces of paper and draw every F()*) up have to drink. Chris

Actually it was only a week but it seem like forever. Chris

Like I said earlier, no woman I know would try to jump a canopy at 1.5+ at 50 jumps but there are several men who have and many more who have seriously concidered it. Why do you think that so many men die during their teenage years. We thik that we are unbreakable. Chris

Oh yeah the drinking games at Nats were great. Straight through and then with rotating slots. THAT was a good night Chris