sid

This really is a good post, we were talking about this the other day. I don't arch hard out the door, more neutral so that I can compensate for whatever the student is doing and keep the camera in a good position. During droguefall I'm again kinda neutral and then arch if I need to - the Racer system is balanced almost dead center (as opposed to the Vector 2's we have here also which fly you a little head down) so I find raising my legs can give me a lot more control if they decide not to arch....... Pete Draper, Just because my life plan is written on the back of a Hooter's Napkin, it's still a life plan.... right?

Thanks RL - love youmissyoumeanitreally! Pete Draper, Just because my life plan is written on the back of a Hooter's Napkin, it's still a life plan.... right?

It's still here (although it's been sold just not collected yet) and you're right we can't jump out of it...... you know unless there's an emergency situation that demands a bail out - it also takes 50 gallons an hour to operate and probably the same amount in oil! It's a nice lawn ornament though.......... Pete Draper, Just because my life plan is written on the back of a Hooter's Napkin, it's still a life plan.... right?

That suit would have been made by Airwear by Wendy... she made my first three jumpsuits and my ex's jumpsuit. They were some of the best around. Wendy was (I think) in North Carolina and was going to open Skydive Cape Fear but disappeared off the map. I hope she's okay as she's a wonderful person, but I don't think she makes suits anymore (however you have a GREAT product there). I'm in the North East but I don't know who would alter that for you, I'd try calling Terry Pike at Aero Tech in DeLand http://www.aerotechproducts.com/ Pete Draper, Just because my life plan is written on the back of a Hooter's Napkin, it's still a life plan.... right?

YEP! THAT Dude! Pete Draper, Just because my life plan is written on the back of a Hooter's Napkin, it's still a life plan.... right?

it's amazing how ideas germinate, I've been using this for a couple of seasons now...... Pete Draper, Just because my life plan is written on the back of a Hooter's Napkin, it's still a life plan.... right?

Jerry, I've never seen a canopy with this feature before (but that doesn't mean much) - I pro-packed it for the jump and didn't even notice.. it was only when Dude flat packed it and I saw him scratching his head that we went back to the video and noticed this feature. Pete Draper, Just because my life plan is written on the back of a Hooter's Napkin, it's still a life plan.... right?

I was testing it for a jumper who is going to test it out for himself on Friday. If he doesn't want it I'll get back to you........ Pete Draper, Just because my life plan is written on the back of a Hooter's Napkin, it's still a life plan.... right?

I could see where it might lend a little extra rigidity to the canopy ends, I wonder why the design feature wasn't applied to the end cells though....... Pete Draper, Just because my life plan is written on the back of a Hooter's Napkin, it's still a life plan.... right?

Jimmy, I didn't split the slider, I was just glad that it opened to be honest..... there's a video of the jump here http://myspace.com/sidsrigging it handled really well, turned in place, sunk well and didn't hurt me Pete Draper, Just because my life plan is written on the back of a Hooter's Napkin, it's still a life plan.... right?

Out of interest, what exactly is the purpose of the three chambers in cells 2 & 6? to confuse the customer that I was testing it for who was trying to flat pack it seriously though I've jumped a bunch'o'7 cell accuracy canopies before and I didn't notice any difference in handling, this would have made a nice base canopy too, it turned on a dime with almost no altitude loss and was impossible to stall...... thanks for all the input everyone...... Pete Draper, Just because my life plan is written on the back of a Hooter's Napkin, it's still a life plan.... right?

that may well be how it started out.... it was manufactured by Quantum in 1990 (I think Bill Gargano?) but the label doesn't say the size (it handles like a 240?) and I was curious about the triple cells on 2 & 6.......... Pete Draper, Just because my life plan is written on the back of a Hooter's Napkin, it's still a life plan.... right?

I put a test jump on a 1990 accuracy canopy the other day and the Poynter's info seems a little fuzzy, or not completely compatible with the label. Anyone have any info or experience with Quantum Parachute products...... see the vidcap attached Pete Draper, Just because my life plan is written on the back of a Hooter's Napkin, it's still a life plan.... right?

I have no interest in getting my AFF/I rating (but HUGE kudos to you) however I got my Tandem rating at age 51 and have done 400 since (I turn 54 in a couple of weeks, no pressies people, please) Pete Draper, Just because my life plan is written on the back of a Hooter's Napkin, it's still a life plan.... right?

I did buy my own tandem system, I bought the Racer 2K3 tandem with their propriety reserve and a FireBolt 350 main. The only other main that I've jumped that compares is the Sigma main so if I had to replace the FireBolt I'd consider that as an option. NOTICE I SAID THAT "I've Jumped" - it came with a cypres that expires in 15 months and I'll be replacing that with a vigil for 2 functions (like JP said, logging is one) and the ability to switch it between Tandem/Student and solo status. Pete Draper, Just because my life plan is written on the back of a Hooter's Napkin, it's still a life plan.... right?

It was about a DZO who's: A: Grounded in the past "glory" of the sport B: Can't manage his bidnez (if the packers are taking up too much of the floor space - MOVE THEM you idiot) C: Is missing out on income (if there is a demand for packers, make the packers charge $1 more and you keep it - it's called a concession) there are DZ's that won't evolve with the sport and they'll be considered "quaint" and their DZO's will be considered "cranky" Pete Draper, Just because my life plan is written on the back of a Hooter's Napkin, it's still a life plan.... right?

read the write up and reviews of the FireBolt http://www.jumpshack.com/default.asp?CategoryID=FireBolt Pete Draper, Just because my life plan is written on the back of a Hooter's Napkin, it's still a life plan.... right?

I have to be careful what I say here because I'm listed as a manufacturer contact for Jump Shack, but the main reason I decided to consult for them was that when researching gear in my early jump days the location of the Racer (and Teardrop) pins between the jumper's back and the rig seemed the most obvious place. A pin on the outside of the rig seemed, to me, to be very vulnerable to unusual forces as well as creating some damage to the flaps after a lot of pressure from laying on the floor of the airplane, pressing it against the back of a plane (depending on what aircraft is in use) as well as allowing for the occasional premature reserve deployment in the plane (eh Bill? ) . It really sounds like the aerobatics created enough force between your body and the seat to bend the pin (although you would have had to put a SIGNIFICANT bend in it to prevent you pulling, it could certainly have weakened the strength of the pin and should have been replaced immediately upon discovery). If your pin is on the outside of the container make sure that it is seated properly prior to every jump (a good pin check) and don't slide around in the plane. It all boils down to being aware of the rig on your back and treating it as though it could save your life..... because guess what? It's your only chance once you leave the door.... Pete Draper, Just because my life plan is written on the back of a Hooter's Napkin, it's still a life plan.... right?

I use lead shot (reloading supplies from a sporting store) it comes in 25 lb (I think) bags and I sew a protective bag around it because the bags it comes in WILL spill. Keeps even tandem rigs in place (and I've packed a lot of'em). It doesn't just stop you moving along the packing area floor it also helps keep the risers symetrical and even. Remember, packin's easy! Pete Draper, Just because my life plan is written on the back of a Hooter's Napkin, it's still a life plan.... right?

C'mon Kevin! That could NEVER happen Pete Draper, Just because my life plan is written on the back of a Hooter's Napkin, it's still a life plan.... right?

this one's pretty good http://www.usairnet.com/cgi-bin/Winds/Aloft.cgi?location=SYR&Submit=Get+Forecast&hour=12&course=azimuth of course it's bookmarked to Syracuse there but you can back out of it Pete Draper, Just because my life plan is written on the back of a Hooter's Napkin, it's still a life plan.... right?

Now that's an endorsement that would work for me. to be honest that dog loves everyone but there is a deal on the jumpshack website http://www.jumpshack.com/webcatalog/default.asp?SectionID=System that is without an AAD but they'll get you one ps: I do (sometimes) work for Jump Shack and the dog tolerates me...... Pete Draper, Just because my life plan is written on the back of a Hooter's Napkin, it's still a life plan.... right?

try this also http://sidsrigging.com/articles/greed.htm Pete Draper, Just because my life plan is written on the back of a Hooter's Napkin, it's still a life plan.... right?

on most harness container systems the bag is designed to "rotate out" of the main container as part of the deployment sequence. When you deploy you are starting a sequence of events designed to slow you down dramatically and without bodily injury. Part of that is the rotation of the bag out of the container (if you look at the bottom of the container you will see that it is "boxed" or sewn to create a place for the main bag to rest). edited to add ('cause I really wasn't fully awake) - this feature is also a safety function. Should the main pin become dislodged the bag "should" require positive force from the pilot chute in order to leave the container (helping to minimize a nasty malfunction). Hope this helps.... Pete Draper, Just because my life plan is written on the back of a Hooter's Napkin, it's still a life plan.... right?

I started Tandems wearing a Gath with an audible on the outside. A riser sliced it (my brand new Optima, first jump) in two, having realized that could have been my ear (oh yeah, thanks L&B also) I vowed never to do tandems without a hat of some kind. I switched to a frap because of space considerations as most of my tandems are out of a C182. There really is a difference AND the audible is on the inside now........ Pete Draper, Just because my life plan is written on the back of a Hooter's Napkin, it's still a life plan.... right?