USA1775

On 5/23/2019 at 5:02 PM, DougH said:

OK I will be that asshole, 280 is big bro! Even if you can pull off the equipment aspect it will make it harder to do the fun group aspects of skydiving.

I know you are 6-4, and when you are tall the pounds add up, but how do you carry the 280? I am wondering if you are carrying extra weight you can lose, or if you have over interests like power lifting/body building that are a big factor in the weight?

I am a midget in comparison at 5'6 but I carry a lot of weight on my frame relative to my size due to my build and weight lifting. I always have to balance wanting to have easier skydives with my friends against the desire to put on a bunch of weight to make lifting easier (and for vanity).  

Thanks for the reply, I need to lose 50LBs thats for sure.

On 5/23/2019 at 4:16 PM, mark said:

UPT, Mirage, and Jumpshack are all C23b manufacturers, i.e. no TSO weight or speed limits.  Sunpath Javelins are currently certified for 300 pounds and 170 knots.  The newest RI rigs are certified for 325 pounds and 150 knots.

PD makes tandem reserves and military reserves certified for much higher weights than typical solo civilian applications.  These require more altitude for opening, so other altitudes (opening, malfunction decision, AAD activation) need to be adjusted upward.  Tandem reserves are readily available, and PD military reserves occasionally find their way to the civilian market.

--Mark

 

Thanks for your reply Mark.

On 5/23/2019 at 9:57 AM, RiggerLee said:

Over the years I saw a number of canopies and harnesses damaged on hard openings with larger people. The amount of energy that has to be absorbed goes up with weight but it also goes up with the square of the speed. Falling even just a bit faster makes a big difference. But it's not as simple as that. Fill time of the canopy goes down with faster speeds. That's part of the reason that high altitude openings are so brutal. True air speed and volume fill rate go way up and make a disproportionate change in the opening shock. That's why a preme at a higher altitude is so dangerous especially if you are free flying or sit flying. Snatch force also goes up with airspeed causing more load on bags and canopies. the higher forces combined with heavier canopies are a good set up for line dump and staging problems. It's easier to break rubber bands with the higher load and a heavier canopy to pull against that will resist acceleration longer. Also bags are wider on larger rigs which with older bag designs means more line in between the stows trying to pull them lose. Right now I'm working almost exclusively with recovery systems dealing with 1000-2000 lb loads and the next air frame will be some where north of 7000 lb. All these things become more exaggerated, it's been interesting. 

 

You are going to want large canopies. Don't be afraid to go big. Large canopies fly so nice and you have the weight to drive them. You'll make it back from spots that no one can fly from. The opening issues are why I recommend an  Optimum. It actually opens a bit slower then other reserves. That sounds like a strange thing to say about a reserve at least in a positive context. With the higher speeds that we are seeing these days I actually see advantages in it. It also seems to be more tolerant of higher speed openings. I know a couple of people that demoed them and made a point of opening them at high speeds from head down dives with no deceleration. I think they have a wider speed envelope then other reserve canopies. You're going to want a slow opening main to begin with but you might also think about having it lined with dacron line. I know it sounds strange, old school, but it does improve the openings. I don't really buy the "line stretch" theory but it's got other things going for it. There is a lot more friction on the slider. It sounds like a small thing but I think it makes a big difference in when the canopy becomes dominant over the slider and starts to push it down and how fast it pushes it down. They also have a lot more bulk and friction on rubber bands so you get better staging on the canopy deployment. That alone can be a life saver, literally. I've seen people killed by hard openings. A slightly larger or domed or flagged slider can be a good idea. Even if you don't seem to need it on normal openings it might save you on the anomalous hard one. But one change I would strongly suggest you make is to consider getting a "Speed Bag" from Jump Shack. Basically every line stow on the bag is a locking stow, they are a bit closer together, less line between them, and there are more of them then on a normal bag. It's about the most line dump resistant design out there. It's a bit harder to pack but you get used to it. Double wrap your bands. You'll break a lot of them but it's worth it. Just buy a big bag of them and keep them in a zip lock.

And welcome back.

 

Lee

Thanks for your reply Lee.

On 5/22/2019 at 8:55 PM, Elpnor said:

How much did you weigh when you jumped last vs now?  A problem big guys have is the equipment is not really meant for us.  Faster fall rates with more force make hard openings more likely.  I highly recommend a domed slider.  PD made me one and it made a huge difference in my snappy openings.  I'm 6 8, 260, and feel your pain.  

I was about 240 now UGH! I could lose 50lbs and that would help.

On 5/22/2019 at 11:31 AM, skybytch said:

Like Lee said, it may be difficult to find what you need used.  Like little females, you are outside the "norm" for sport skydiving gear.  If you are looking for used, don't stop at the classifieds.  Try some gear stores.  Some do sell used gear.

But first I'd suggest going to your local dz and getting current - on their rental/student gear - before buying anything.  

Thanks for the reply

On 5/22/2019 at 11:31 AM, skybytch said:

Like Lee said, it may be difficult to find what you need used.  Like little females, you are outside the "norm" for sport skydiving gear.  If you are looking for used, don't stop at the classifieds.  Try some gear stores.  Some do sell used gear.

But first I'd suggest going to your local dz and getting current - on their rental/student gear - before buying anything.  

Hey Thanks man, will do..

I am looking for large complete set of gear, I sold my rig years ago and want to start jumping again, I am 7 jumps short of 600.

I am 6-4. 280 lbs, I had a 300sf main, no problem, but a container for my size is what I need, any leads or hints anyone?