pms07

Thanks Trunk!

Thanks Spot, I'm kind of in over my head with this stuff beyond putting in the SD card, turn it on, work through the menus and other fairly easy stuff. I need to follow-up on Trunk's webpage anyway cause he's doing lots of good work testing and figuring out solutions for skydiving application. BTW, I wanted to learn some video editing and had several different programs to work with. Saw your book on Amazon for working with Sony Vegas and so downloaded a copy to my Kindle. Well worth the $, very helpful and Sony has become my video editing program. Nice work!

Go Pro question: Can I operate 2 GP2s with either of the two remotes I have? I updated the Cineform software, firmware on both GP Hero2s, and firmware on both wifi bacpacs. First remote works fine, 2nd will not connect...

I use that mount and it works fine. I've been using it for several months with no problems. My Phantom X is also easily removable with one hand, either right or left, even with wingsuit arms still zipped. So, I am not too concerned about the lack of a cutaway system...

I don't think you will find a better, easier or cheaper solution than Flysight. Comes with free software but the extra $ for Paralog is worth it if you really want to get into the data. FLysight is about $250, and I can't remember exactly but think Paralog is something like 60euros, plus 10euros for a single logger interface license.

No. Tony's site also describes the R Bird as "for the advanced wingsuit pilot" and that should answer your question. I don't think you'll find any responsible wingsuit coach that recommmends the R Bird for a FFC...

Awesome boogie, dropzone and people. Congratulations to all!

Jarno, Yes, PM was the base for all the jumps I was on including the 27-way submitted to USPA. I thought I said that in my earlier post but maybe I was not clear. Pat

I can't answer your specific question because I don't spend a lot of time in the SCM...and I've never even digitally overlayed the grid on a jpeg in photoshop or other software. So, I have not seen a definition but really, I don't know. Here's what I do know; 1.I attended an awesome wingsuit event at Summerfest with a great team and organizers. The jumps were fun and we improved on every one. We had a great time and all indications were that the formation submitted met the USPA requirements for a state record. That's a nice bonus to what was a great event! 2. I've seen no evidence to make me question the honor, integrity or competence of anyone involved in the event, judges or the the USPA competition committee. 3. Putting aside grievances and dealing with each other respectfully, even when you disagree, would be a great way to further our discipline. Not pointed at anyone in particular but this internet commando attack stuff we see in multiple threads is not helping our discipline. John; Are you coming to Skydive Milwaukee? I arrived early afternooon and the Skyvan is here. The Caravan was flying until the rain started about 3pm today. Pat

First, if something submitted to USPA for a record was not correct or follow the standards, it needs to be corrected. If there are concerns then JM's idea about using the jury system like we do at Nationals seems a reasonable suggestion. Second, who said "the guy in row 2 is leading the flock"? There is only one "guy" in row 2 and he doesn''t recall anything other than PM leading...

"B" license and 75 jumps minimum seems a very reasonable guide. Consider currency, past performance and type of jumping the potential rider has been doing also. USPA allows a "B" license holder (50 jumps minimum) to do night jumps. Given that, I see no reason 75 jumps is not sufficient for wingsuit rodeo. No regulation needed of course...and I don't believe anyone has called for that. The SEWS manual has what seems a very good briefing for doing wingsuit rodeos. Others have said it as well but worth repeating; DSE has done wingsuiting a considerable service by making their instructional materials available at no cost.

+1

Yes, you are missing looking at where you are going and the people you could actually track into. Do you focus your attention behind you while driving down the interstate at 90mph? Look (mostly) in the direction you are traveling and where the greatest risk of collision exists...

5.samadhi; many do make wingsuit jumps with docks, I did some last weekend. And nothing others are doing differently stops you from doing docked formations...or from choosing other directions in wingsuiting such as small ways, acro, performance solos, backflying, etc. Do whatever you enjoy and LTD... Why flying wingsuits "the same as every other discipline in skydiving..." is a logical reason for how we should fly escapes me however. Maybe spending less time trying to explain hand holding to your girlfriend would be helpful...

What's the problem with more education? I don't understand the anger and hostility towards the concept of teaching people how to safely fly wingsuits. I don't believe there is anyone that has a problem with more education. Nor is there hostility towards teaching people how to fly safely. That is really just a strawman arguement. No one, to my knowledge at least, is opposed to safety or education. Rather, there are other ways to appoach the issue besides the proposal that is/was before the USPA. Some of us have made suggestions to USPA with that in mind. And many still believe USPA needs to consider the broader question about implementing ratings for teaching advanced disciplines to experienced skydivers. Regardless, I believe a proactive USPA educational program directed at wingsuiters, potential wingsuiters, DZOs, S&TAs, and pilots, is clearly needed. I would prefer a education vice regulation approach first but if the only option USPA is seriously considering is this WSI proposal, then so be it.

Is that Sky Knights in East Troy? I am interested and am from Wisconsin...although have not lived there since 1978. Made 6 jumps in Superior Sunday however so maybe that qualifies me for resident recurrency... Can you provide any detail? Who is organizing, camera, etc?

Rich; On behalf of the wingsuit community, thank you for your efforts, those of the sub-committee, and to the entire Board for continuing to support the wingsuit discipline. It's unfortunate there are divisions within our community but so it is frequently with difficult or controversial issues. Meanwhile, wingsuiters are not quite as divided as it might appear. Hundreds of wingsuiters, if not thousands, fly the skies each and every weekend, all mostly without arguing about ratings, grids or tail strikes, and without angry email, personal attacks or accusations of lining our pockets. The111 is correct; both sides of this disagreement have legitimate points to consider and likely have much the same goals in mind for the community. Why consensus building and teamwork appears so difficult is beyond my understanding…but there are many of us that want to work towards that. There are others that have stayed out of the debate because of the sometimes angry tone. And most will likely accept whatever decision the USPA makes and continue to move forward. I was unaware of the tail strike numbers you mention and they are alarming. I would like to know more. If there were 12 tail strikes in the U.S. during 2011 (and I do not doubt your words…), or 15 adding the 3 unreported, or one reported every 27 days, then some action/education is clearly in order. Getting the details out to the wingsuit community would seem an important first step in addressing the issue. As you know I have mixed feelings about the proposal the USPA was considering. At the same time I applaud DSE for disseminating his instructional program freely to the wingsuit community. I believe that is a great service! And if the best solution to tail strikes (or other problems) is a rating program and mandatory FFC, then so be it. Meanwhile, I would encourage USPA to continue looking at the broader implications of moving in this direction. Again, thank you for your outstanding effort on behalf of the wingsuit community!

The wingsuit instructor proposal that was put before the Board is very professional and widely respected in our community. But some believe there is a more fundamental question that should be asked of the membership prior to implementing such a program. That is something like; "do you want the USPA to implement mandatory instructor rating programs for advanced skydiving disciplines?" Some see a logical extension of the current initiative is for USPA to look at implementing ratings for other experienced skydiver activities such as "bigway instructors", 'swoop instructors", "camera instructors", "down sizing instructors", "CRW instructors", "freefly instructors", etc. To be fair, I don't believe there are any efforts in that direction currently but perhaps the broader question put to the membership would help guide the Board on whether or not USPA should persue this course.

airtwardo; I don't think the AFF and tandem comparisons are very compelling. In those programs we are not teaching licensed skydivers with a minimum of 200 jumps. Rather we are teaching basic students. Much different... If we are to have rated instructors for specialized equipment I suggest we start with high performance canopies/performance landings as that is an area where we clearly have a problem. Then add CRW to the list, style and accuracy, etc, as many skydiving activities use specialized equipment. I was attending USPA Board meetings when we implented the PRO rating. The purpose had little to do with smoke and flags (specialized equipment) at the time...rather accuracy skills were the primary issue I remember. I was involved in the AFF implementation also and earned the USPA rating the first year of the program (1982). The USPA program is what made AFF mainstream…I just don’t see much similarity to AFF in 1981-82 to where we are with wingsuits in 2012. I provided the USPA sub-committee with input. Briefly that included; we have a basic standardized wingsuit FFC syllabus (it's in the SIM). That should be greatly expanded as a starting point…using widely gathered input from the community. We need a significant educational effort for S&TAs, DZOs and jump pilots to better understand wingsuit flight patterns and jump run issues, deconflicting airspace, airspeed and tailstrike issues, etc. Handouts or video educational materials, or seminars, would be very useful in that effort. We also need to help DZOs better understand the differences in the size and performance of various size/model wingsuits...and which are appropriate at what experience level. A chart or similar product that shows common models and performance characteristics might be useful. I don’t run a wingsuit school, sell wingsuits, or coach a FFC. Nor do I intend to anytime in the foreseeable future. So, if USPA decides to implement a program based on the current proposal there is little impact to me personally. I have also seen the wingsuit program that DSE runs and it is very professional and thorough. If the USPA does approve this proposal I would probably go through the instructor rating course just to expand my knowledge. I just don’t believe implementing this program right now is a decision the USPA has fully considered or gathered input on. I do appreciate that the USPA has spent so much time and effort in helping the wingsuit discipline mature. Bottomline; I don't believe we have consensus in the community on what a uniform or universally accepted FFC would look like. Nor do I believe the USPA has gathered all the input to make that decision. In fact wingsuiting is rapidly evolving and there isn't a "certain way" as you suggest.

Curious; why do you think wingsuiting, taught to licensed skyfivers, needs an instructor rating program? What is the compelling argument for a wingsuiting rating program, in particular compared to other disciplines such as CRW or swooping? I do fly wingsuits and am an old guy also. Likewise, I bellieve taking one's time to be safe and do it right are a good thing. Meeting a wufffo that somehow had gotten access to a wingsuit seems less a than compelling reason for a rating program, however... I am not inherently opposed to a rating program but believe USPA's first instinct should be to educate rather than regulate. I also think USPA's current focus is too narrow; essentially, do you support a wingsuit rating or doing nothing. There are many alternatives in the educational realm and some of us have made suggestions in that direction.

In addition a new state record this was a really awesome event overall! Super leadership by Taya and Purple Mike, flawless video coverage by Skwrl and Hoover, and a really fun team to fly with. We also had a great learning environment with visible progress pretty much every jump. My thanks to all that made this event happen. As a bonus, I was there for "Skwrl in tow" and Sherpa adventure dives that you really had to experience to fully appreciate...

My experiences with the above companies/manufacturers have been equally terrific. I'd only add Chutingstar to that list. Agreed! The only reason this dealer was not on my original list was because my first purchases from them were this year and I have 20-25 years experience with the others I listed. No issues and a joy to deal with Chutingstar regardless, and they have a great reputation far and wide. I would not hesitate to recommend them. Which raises an important point. Get to know gear dealers, manufacturers and DZOs as best you can. Learn who you can trust, who stands behind their products and what they say. Alternatively, you can try to save a couple of $ and spend your money with those that inspire less customer confidence; your choice. There are reasons the phrase "caveat emptor" apllies to skydiving...

Lack of good judgement?

That DZO comment seems absurd to me and I've done multiple actual cutaways with capewells; I say BS. I also think choosing to jump with handles under the wingsuit is a really bad idea...for fairly obvious reasons... Curious though, can someone explain how that would violate the TSO of the rig being worn? I don't get that part of the discussion.

My experience with customer service in the skydiving community is much different than yours. As an example, I've recieved outstanding service from the following and have been buying gear from each for many many years; Rigging Innovations Performance Designs L&B Square1 ParaGear And I can also name others that I deal with less frequently or only more recently. Maybe you are dealing with the wrong people...