Jethers203

So, I jumped my setup Saturday and Sunday. Saturday: Went to 10,000' and took it down to 8,000' to test the bag and extra weight in freefall. All went well, but the opening was a little snappy. After checking connections and cutaway system, I deployed the flag by lowering the 10 lbs of lead shot attached to the bottom of the leading edge. It was apparent right away that the weight was not sufficient. I hooked my feet behind the top connection and put some forward pressure on it. This helped a lot and I could feel what the flag was doing a lot better. It flew great in breaks and deep breaks, but not so much in full flight. My Spectre 190 at 1.33 is a bit too fast for this setup. I chose to land on an asphault road bordering the landing area in order to limit the dirt exposure to the flag. I setup on final 150+ yards out and took it straight it. Landing was smooth. Sunday: Went to 5,000' and opened right out the door. Checked connections and deployed the flag. I added 5 lbs (6,000 BB's) to the middle of the flag and could tell the difference right away. It flew a lot smoother in breaks and very smooth in deep breaks. Full flight was still a bit too fast. I landed near the peas in the landing area this time. Landing was smooth. Attached are a few pics. Cloudy ones from Saturday and sunny ones from Sunday. I still intend to put the weight in 2" tubular nylon along the leading edge. Any feedback is appreciated. Clint

That's awesome info Phree. Thanks.

Hey Walt, I missed your comment until now. Thanks a lot for the offer. I'm down and I will PM you shortly. Clint

That's good info. Until then, the ground crew needs to be on their game. Thanks.

Thanks for the comments. The 12 X 18 is a standard size flag, but I guess most people prefer the longer length. It's the same proportion as your 10 X 15 and 20 X 30. I'll hopefully get some pics of it in the air this weekend.

Thanks for the info. I received the flag today and it looks good.

Thanks for your comment. I am looking into exchanging it. Clint

Walt, Thanks again for your time on the phone. Take care. Clint

Hi Airtwardo, I was just researching some things on here and had a few quick questions for you. I am rigging up a 12' x 18' (216 sq ft.) flag to start practicing with for future DEMOs. 1) What are your thoughts about the flag's dimensions? I've heard some say that it is too rectangular. 2) My exit weight will be 253 lbs on a 190 Spectre. Loading the canopy at 1.33. What are your thoughts on the loading? I will fly in breaks as much as possible and limit any turns I do. Thanks in advance for your help. Clint

Dpreguy, Quick question. Any reason why I wouldn't want to use 2" tubular nylon with the shot on one or both side of the leading edge? Thanks again. Clint

Dpreguy, Thank you for your advice. I will definitely ex the hard weight and stick to soft scuba or lead shot. I will also stick to the lead shot bag at the bottom until I can put the weight on the leading edge as you described. Thanks for the construction tips as well. I thought my dimensions were pretty standard. It's 3x bigger than a 4x6 flag. I will look it over before using it. It would be nice to have a flag made from ZP or F111. Any idea where to get one? Thanks again. Clint

Thanks again for your advice. The flag I ordered is Nylon and definitely not ZP. The canopy I was going to use is a Spectre 190 loaded at 1.3 factoring in the total weight but not drag. Now you have me thinking that it will be too much drag and not enough canopy. Thoughts? Thank you again. Clint

Thanks for the info. Cool picture.

The flag has a pretty sturdy leading edge described by: "The header is made of a canvas/duck material with rope reinforcement sewn in. The flag has two metal thimbles and one brass grommet for attaching to your flagpole" I may just simplify my design and do the soft scuba weights at the bottom, but reinforce the leading edge with 550 as a back up. I liked the hard weights because they can be attached easily and I don't see them breaking. The soft weights would work in a bag on the bottom end. Thanks for your comments. Clint

Thanks for the comment. I have not seen soft scuba weights other than ankle weights that are only 1 lb or so and wrapped in neoprene. I'm open to alternatives. The weights I plan to use will be covered with material, but it will be hard to make them soft.

Good Afternoon, I am waiting on delivery of a larger flag to rig up and start making practice jumps for DEMO's. I have done flag jumps in the past, but this will be the largest one yet. I will be rigging it with the help of two riggers. The flag I ordered is 12' x 18' and weighs 8 lbs. I have read it will take less weight if spread across the leading edge rather than at the bottom. Can anyone give me a rough idea as to the weight needed for the flag to fly best? I was thinking a combination of 3 and 5 lbs spread every 3' from the center down. Maybe 3 lbs at 6', 3 lbs at 9', and 5 lbs at 12' as an example. The weights I am planning to use are scuba diving weights like this: https://www.austinsdiving.com/sea-pearls/sea-pearls-vinyl-coated-lace-thru-lead-weight-6204?gclid=COHgn_SCl80CFRMlgQodhigDoA This will be sewn to the leading edge of the flag as a primary attachment to my rig via a riser and cutaway system: http://www.amazon.com/Hammock-Straps-Portable-Camping-Hammocks/dp/B01CBU71LC?ie=UTF8&keywords=webbing%20attachments&qid=1465338989&ref_=sr_1_46&refinements=p_85%3A2470955011&rps=1&sr=8-46 This is the flag: http://www.amazon.com/Premium-American-Flag-12x18-Commercial/dp/B014V6Y07M?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00 I will use both the hammock strap and flags metal thimble as the primary and secondary point of attachment to a riser with cutaway system. The weights will be attached to the loops on the hammock strap in 2 places. Any thoughts on the weight or setup would be appreciated. Thank you in advance. Clint

I just film tandems and love my jacket. I got it from Flite Suit. http://www.flitesuit.com/camerawing.html The thing I like about it is the versatility. For smaller passengers I can wear freefly pants, for medium sized passengers - jeans, for larger passengers - shorts. Summer time, you can't beat jumping in shorts. It's easy to put on, take off, and significantly cheaper. My wings attach with RSL shackels and I attach them to either the legstrap hardware or a pair of slinks that is wrapped around my legstrap webbing. Depending on the size of the passenger, this makes the wing tighter or looser. Anyway, just my thoughts.

I would have one on the tail side of the door. Holding onto the door edge, how a videographer does with a tandem. The other 2 on the step and one on the strut (all the way out). Or, one in door, step, and strut. Should work.

Mike, Maybe I wasn't clear in my 1st post. I would have the black box with 2 mounting plates on it. One on the side and one on the bottom. The camera would be secured with the thumb screw from the bottom at all times. The camera would be in normal upright position at all times. I would have 2 flatlocks on my Optik. One on the side and one on top. When not shooting stills on top, I could disconnect the box from the side and move it to the top. My biggest question is if sidemounting the box with the flatlock would b a bad idea or what problems would exist? Thanks. Clint

Quick question regarding side mounting with the Cookie Black Box for Cx-100. Could I use the Flatlock mounted to the side of my Optik and the base plate on the side of the box? Would like to also have a base plate on the bottom of the box and a flatlock on top of helmet so I can easily switch from side to top mounted. I normally top mount a still camera, but when not shooting stills, would like video up top. Thanks for the tips. Clint

Was wondering the same thing. Are people using SD HQ for tandems? Or what? Thanks.

Reading the points on NLE has kind of opened my eyes too. I have been thinking whether or not to buy a new dvd hdd recorder for $300-500 for the DZ. What would you recommend instead for NLE? What computer / laptop? Any specific one? What does the Sony Vegas software run?

I recently organized an ash dive for a 16 year old girl who passed away of cancer. One thing she wanted to do before she died was Skydive, but she became to ill before we could make it happen. While in the hospital, she wrote a children's book (which we took in the plane with us) and designed orange (her favorite color) bracelets that say "Twice As Strong" on them. Everyone on the jump wore one. Her family gave us some ashes to spread, so I made them a video to show them what we did with them. Below is the video. Quality is kind of low, but let me know what you think. http://www.bestrealestate.com/vid/Video/videoplayer.html Here is a link with some more info on her: http://www.elpasowildfirevbc.com/-1_Twice_as_Strong.html http://www.elpasowildfirevbc.com/uploads/Lone_Star_Volleyball_-_Margaret_Hussmann_Story.pdf Clint D-24352

It really depends on the DZ. I worked at one that paid $42 for doing a DVD and $37 for a VHS. I was responsible for doing the editing and did this while I paid a packer ($5) to pack my canopy. That DZ took my stills and put them on Shutterfly and the customer could buy them from there, with me getting most the profit. This DZ charged about $90 for DVD At the DZ I jump at now, I make $20 for doing a DVD and $20 for the stills. I give the customer the option of stills up front. If they agree, I take my camera on the jump, if not, I save my neck. This DZ charges $40 for DVD. I also pay a packer (if available) to pack for me while I edit. Hope that helps. Clint D-24352

So, what is everyone using then? If not a new one, then what make and model? Anyone?