robibird

.....so wrong !!!! (IMHO) It is always good to know what is going behind. The best way to know that is to see ( by your eyes, of course)!! ...to ketch the moment were the PC leaving off from your behind, you just need to bend your neck for fragment of a second. This is not hard and this can't really disturb the flight at all. My sugestion is : Try to see as much as you can. Eyes are one of the most accurate sensors we have

hi, First prototype of the BM suit were jumped by me on November 14th 1998. in Croatia. 5 jumps from L-410, altitude 4000m. Second type of prototype were jumped by Jari , Irene Hesling and me in March 1999. at Deland. Regards Robert Robert Pecnik [email protected] www.phoenix-fly.com

I have manual for that awesome canopy. UT -15 was the BEST round dport canopy ever. Have more than 100 jumps on them. It it is so much fun. E-mail me the address and I'll send you copy. It is easy to pack that round , just use the logic. sleve is made from nylon - yes , but you'll never find any burned spot on it. Regards Robi Robert Pecnik [email protected] www.phoenix-fly.com

zwei-pac, i ove godine se pjesaci gore , lijepa 30-35 minutna setnjica R. Robert Pecnik [email protected] www.phoenix-fly.com

well, they did it already!! device has the name HANGGLIDER. happy day to all Robert Pecnik [email protected] www.phoenix-fly.com

...no doubt that skyray is nice toy. One of the major disadvantages (among many other) to use Skyray for BASE is high stall speed that this toy has . This hard wing starts flying at 160-180 km/h. Therefore for BASE is not really suitable :( Regards robi Robert Pecnik [email protected] www.phoenix-fly.com

ha, haa, ha... Grega, I would trash all my suits and will start sale newspapers at the corrner if my ws would fly at 1:1.3 To get the 2.5 glide is very possible ( many of good WS flyers have that glide nowdays) Also, the results from some big walls BASE tracking obviously shows that 1:1 tracking happening too. 3:1 is also very easy to get , just pitch down , get the speed and then flare out. It will not last for long but it is nice feeling :)) R Robert Pecnik [email protected] www.phoenix-fly.com

WINGSUIT FLYING – AERODYNAMICAL BASICS Does wingsuit fly or it is just an aerodynamic drag that lowers its vertical speed? Well, wingsuit really flies, since available area is not enough to produce such a low vertical speeds and flat flight path. But, the only force available to propel the wingsuit through air is gravity. What wingsuit tries to do is to use the gravity induced vertical free fall and turn it into as horizontal flight as possible. The same principle applies as for gliders, hang gliders and even square parachutes everybody is familiar with. Wingsuit flies because it IS an AIRFOIL, just like aircraft wing, square canopy or Space Shuttle (actually, by its basic flying form and flying characteristics wingsuit is more comparable to space shuttle then to any other flying object). Wingsuit, like any airfoil, creates LIFT and DRAG. The better the ratio between lift and drag, the better flying body is. For a particular aerodynamic shape, this ratio between lift and drag varies with speed. There is a speed at which this ratio is the best, and this speed is usually 30 – 40 % higher than the stall speed (ask any glider pilot about minimum and best gliding speed, 90% of times the answer will be 55-65 km/h minimum speed and 80-90 km/h best gliding speed). Flying at the best gliding speed, the flying body will cover most distance for available height. Flying below or above that speed, the flying object will cover less distance for particular height. Every flying body has its minimum airspeed at which it will still generate enough lift to fly. Below that speed it looses lift and will stall (remember, square parachutes will also stall and lose lift. Forward speed in that case is close to zero, while vertical speed will more then double). The same goes for wingsuit. It requires speed to fly. But there is a question what is the best speed for the best glide in wingsuit. This is very complex question since wingsuit is not rigid airfoil. Every flyer flies differently, using slightly different arms, legs or body position. This means that every flyer is different airfoil. Add different pilot weight and size and different length of arms and legs and the issue gets even more complicated. This is why it also very difficult to measure minimum speed for the wingsuit. But there is general rule for any flying body. Ratio between effective wing area and weight of the flying body is known as wing loading. Most of skydivers are familiar with that term in relation with their canopies. The higher the wing loading is, the canopy will fly faster, but will also have higher stall speed. Today, square canopies are operated with wing loading between 0,5 and 3,0 lbs per square foot. Hang gliders have wing loading around 1,2 and 1,5 lbs/sqft, and their minimum airspeed is around 35 km/h (22 mph). Cessna aircrafts have in general wing loading of 20 lbs/sqft, and their minimum airspeed is 80 – 90 km/h (50 – 55 mph). Space Shuttle, with its short span wings and extremely high wing load, lands at more then 350 km/h (220 mph!!!). For average person size, wingsuit has wing area of 15 – 16 lbs/sqft, and the weight is 170 – 190 lbs. This gives us wing loading of 10,5 – 12,5 lbs/sqft, ten times higher then square canopy. Some basic math will tell us that for ten times bigger wing loading, the minimum airspeed will be roughly 3 times higher. This is consistent with measurements of wingsuit flights, where the best glide ratio was achieved at airspeeds of 130 km/h (75 mph). At that airspeed the vertical speed was 40 – 50 km/h, resulting in glide ratio between 2 and 2,5. You can go for lower vertical speed, but that will also result in significantly lower horizontal speed and poor glide ratio. Regarding attempts of landing the wingsuit, much bigger wing area will be needed to generate more lift and reduce minimum airspeed. But human body has definite shape, which is not suited for flight at all, and we'll need at least few million years of evolution effort to change it to more appropriate shape for wingsuit flying. That means that wingsuit potential for more lift is limited by human inadequate shape and available strength. The only option for more lift will be some kind of rigid wings, but we already have these. They are called airplanes. Also, if you are still thinking of landing the wingsuit, do one normal parachute jump, but when you open the canopy, try to position your body horizontally (can be done by hooking your feet around rear risers) and try to land small elliptical canopy in that position. After that painful experience, multiply pain and injuries by 9 (three times the speed = nine times the forces of impact = 9 times the consequences), and decide if you are willing to give it a try. Robert Pecnik [email protected] www.phoenix-fly.com

Nick, I will not hesitate to ask your wife why sleeping in the WS is not good idea ;) Robi PS say hi to her... Robert Pecnik [email protected] www.phoenix-fly.com

gardner, there is many ways to go in order to make good more stable PC. The problem is that PC will not be so much better to justify the production price. Also, whatever way you go, PC will be more complex, more sensitive on production error, heaver... Benefit would be very hard to notice and as the bottom line the ''keep it simple '' politics is by far best for BASE jumping To prove that you can have the Vented PC for example. PC vented or non vented or Z/P or 1-11.. All works good as long the user is mature enough to understand the sizing, how to properly attach the PC on bridle how to pack and throw... In short .. All PCs are good enough, all works and IMHO jumpers like to accuse PC for all kind of shit openings... Most of those openings PC was the last one to blame.. Especially on low slider off jumps. :) Robi Robert Pecnik [email protected] www.phoenix-fly.com

Tom, ''I've seen vented PC's hesitate on go and throw deployments far more often than unvented PC's. I'm wondering if there is some other cause?'' Your statement does not prove anything. I have seen cases were both were slow in pressurizing. Are you sure that both PC ( with and with out vent ) were from same material?! Same size?! Same weight?! Were launch same way?! Weather condition were the same ?! Wind?! Did you time the opening?! As you see, this are just few factors which have huge effect on ''testing'' the PC or any parachuting component. Opening process: First of all we should know that all round canopy openings are following the same principle. The ''dynamic pressurization. Most people were witnessed the big round canopies (military or sport ) opening. Starting with ''mushroom'' form first and after, bottom opening follows. (When the round is stretched the pressure around the canopy is lower than inside of the canopy which create the ''mushroom'' form.) Well, same happening with small or big rounds, same happening with vented apex or non vented apex. However, closing the apex by rubber band does not changing the basic principal of opening in round canopies. Yes, it opens slightly faster when the rubber band is placed on the top but also because there is no diaper on the bottom, which is primary reason, because the bottom of the canopy starting to open before the line stretch, ( we have similar issue with the square canopies it called ''line dump'').. Once we have full pressure under the canopy apex vent starting to have real purpose, not before. However, if this set up would be placed back to skydiving we would be for sure witness many line over and inverts. Same principle of openings is happening with PCs for BASE jumping or skydiving. Problem is that we can't really see that cause our eye is to inert to spot and recognize that process. ( In order to speed up the opening process on round canopies , best result so far were made by having the round made in Cross shape or made from many small parts with load of vents. Both you can see at combat aircraft brake chutes) Vents Apex: Vent on the apex job is to stabilize the PC once when is fully inflated ( pressurized) Vent has no real or noticeable effect on opening time nor effect during the process till the full pressurization. Best placement of the vent of the PC would be the top of the arc circle ( 1/4 diameter ). This can be made, but the cost would be much higher, while the PC would not be so much better to justify the price anyway. Centre line attachment: Purpose of having centre line attachment on round canopies is: a) to increase the surface of the canopy b) to increase the lift !!!!! ( interesting, This is the main idea behind the centre line on the round canopies, first time made on sport round canopies ) Well, with small PCs we only have to worry about the ''b''. PC for base has this to increase the surface. As the side effect centre line also increasing the opening time too, because once the pressure inside and outside of the canopy or PC is equal the exposed surface area is bigger and the drag is higher , resulting in faster final opening. IMHO most of the PCs with the vent on the apex has the center line to short. This void to oscillating again. Optimizing the length of the centre line is the main issue on nowadays PC with vent. Regards Robi Robert Pecnik [email protected] www.phoenix-fly.com

Also, and most importantly the vent may increase the chance of hesitation. Simply NOT TRUE. The PC has central line attacment which completly changing the dynamic of the opening. Physics of opening / in theory and practise / is completly diferend with or with out cental line. robi Robert Pecnik [email protected] www.phoenix-fly.com

again and again and again... 1. Gravity is our only engine. 2.Speed is our only friend ( because the max wing span we have is terribly small) GLIDE RATIO guys is the key and the only measure...not the free fall time. You can have big canopy w slow decent rate or small canopy w faster decent rate but the GLIDE RATIO can be the same. Smaller will penetrate wind better... this would be one of advantages of small canopies for example - same w WS. .....which means.. Two jumpers with the SAME weight and similar flying skill, were one is floaty and behind another who keeping the same level of flight with floaty guy, but flying faster forward means that the faster one has better glide ratio = covering more distance during the vertical decent. Hope this is easy to understand Floaty usually means lack of glide RoBi PS.Tom , If you ever will get the suit which will have slow decent and slow forward speed with the glide 1:2.5 ( for example ) let me know please.

Hi guys, I feel that I can give most accurate answer here. Two ways: 1. we can put patches, this will cost nothing. However it will not really look nice as properly made and attached logo. 2. we can make any logo but the price depends on complexity of the logo. The way we placing the logo is the same as on the canopies. For accurate estimation of the price I need to see the art work first. There is the possibilities like embroidery too but this is most expensive way... Regards Robi Robert Pecnik [email protected] www.phoenix-fly.com

I can understand their concern, but in order to avoid possible hesitation it is very important to place both pins in the middle of the loop. Also, pin orientation should be bottom to top. Regards Robert Pecnik [email protected] www.phoenix-fly.com

---------------------------------------------------------- .....to increase surface area and try to eliminate wingtip vortices. ---------------------------------------------------------- Vortex can't be eliminated, can be reduced :) Regards Robibird Robert Pecnik [email protected] www.phoenix-fly.com

Hi, I have made together with Neno one tandem jump were both of us were equipped wit Skyflyers. It has happened in July 2000. I was passenger and Neno was Tandem master. We jumped from 4000 m and we were falling at glide ratio 1:1 at the speed of 170 km/h. Neno pulled the drog chute at 1500m and soon after opened the main. Jump was fun and quite safe However , don't try unless you feel very confident in what you doing in the freefall Regards Robi Robert Pecnik [email protected] www.phoenix-fly.com

Rickfry59, This is the paraglider harness system which has also ( usually ) round reserve connected with the pulling rocket (makes extension of the round reserve faster) and the tick back protection ( usually made from few layers of foam - neoprene and kevlar cast. Purpose of that chair is to protect the pilot's back and especially lower back on emergency landings. So far that system kept many pilots away from wheelchair. ciao Robi Robert Pecnik [email protected] www.phoenix-fly.com

PD and others test this..... I believe enough to get approval. What you think how many jumpers / riggers / skydivers knows for how much, or how tight links has to be screwed in in order to hold good grip, but not to brake under the pressure. Believe me many people think ''more tight is better'' Well.... Personally I saw 5 cases were link blow up after being tight to much ( in skydiving though ] . Ahoj Robert Pecnik [email protected] www.phoenix-fly.com

GOING BACKWARDS . . . Bringing a bunch of cheesy skydiving stuff to BASE jumping isn't innovative. In fact, it should be the other way around, if skydivers used stronger, cleaner, less complicated gear not so many of them would be dying. Making gear smaller and lighter is all skydiving manufactures can do before they have to re-write the manuals, and in the case of TSO'd gear, go through the whole rigmarole, and spend the money, in the FAA shake and bake process. _________________________________________________ OK, so you say that skydiving community has to follow the BASE manufactures. Well, this is very interesting statement. If this would be the case, trough all this years we would still be jumping Strato-Clouds, Stratostar and other ''state of the art'' ram-air canopies, and for many years. Please explain me what is complicated in skydiving equipment?! TSO and other papers, '' law hassle'', etc. are here not because skydivers want them, it because of the overall legal system (and related aviation and skydiving regulations) most countries have. Luckily BASE manufacturers do not have to deal with that, and if they would they would not exist at all. Do not forget that BASE manufacturers actually benefited because skydiving equipment manufacturers learned how to meet those standards with the technology that is advancing every day. And don't forget that those standards and regulations are primarily dealing with safety issues of those people using that equipment. Also, have in mind that most of technology and know-how for skydiving equipment was simply transferred to the BASE equipment production. And thanks to that, all BASE equipment can easily comply with standards for skydiving equipment. _________________________________________________ BASE riggers and manufactures are not so encumbered and have always been free to dream, cut, and sew in the afternoon and then just go try it later that night. One of the reasons you are so comfortable jumping a single canopy system right now is we (not me in particular) figured out a long time ago if you build BASE gear to be simpler to use, cleaner in design, and let the function follow the form, then you just did away with about 99 reasons why you need a reserve in the first place. ______________________________________________ IMHO, BASE jumpers and riggers were those people who had passion and were brave enough to try to jump low object and smart enough to adjust their SKYDIVING gear in such way to survive the jump. With time, number of those people started to grow and only then those who had abilities and knowledge started with modifications of existing skydiving equipment, and finally, with production of BASE equipment. Actually, BASE was almost never a separate sport or activity; it had always kept close relations with skydiving. BASE jumping canopies (now talking about canopies) started to change recently, in last 5 years or so, pretty much because of competition among BASE manufactures and drastically increased interest in BASE. Five years ago it was absolutely normal to see some Pegasus, Ravens or similar 7 cell canopies. Nowadays this is considered as unacceptable, right? If you look to the BASE canopy in particular, you'll see that there were no major improvements in airfoils or shapes. I don't think that we have already found the best airfoil, shape or and best materials. Reasons are, IMHO, lack of money, small market and very, very conservative approach to BASE activities. I agree, it has to be a bit conservative, but to be strongly against some everything new that is coming in to the sport.... ? _______________________________________________ In addition, the one canopy you are BASE jumping is so tough you can hang a truck on it. Sure, I'll take a chance and jump my Stiletto once or twice without a reserve, when I'm getting paid for it. On the other hand I'll fun-a-way to my skydiving seven cell reserve because I know between me and my knife, no matter what happens, I'll most likely have something landable at the end. _______________________________________________ Well, we have trucks of different sizes, don't we? Standards, which skydiving equipment has to meet, are well known and as long as the new stuff does not meet those standards, specific canopy or rig will not be ready for sale. These are the reasons why I think that discussion about how strong something should be is completely irrelevant. It is all about technology and, for instance type of fold, strength of used materials, reinforcing systems and load distribution. I think that 99% of the new jumpers who came to the sport in last two years would refuse to jump some Ravens or Pegasus, even though those canopies were the best at their time and were able to hold the truck too. _________________________________________________ Once you go smaller (and less docile) and then break a line, split a seam, or blow a rib it's a whole new design and you are the test pilot. Plus BASE canopies still get stashed in the bushes and slammed in car doors and trunks. There aren't that many manicured lawns in the BASE world. Over the years I've been lucky enough to be around some of the brightest minds in gear manufacturing and believe me, you can't say they aren't innovative. In fact, we owe them a debt of gratitude for what they didn't bring to market. I remember Todd came up to me once and said, hey Nick, look at this, and then after he explained it to me, I was floored, this was it, this is the answer, and he smiled and said, not for a few years yet, buddy, keep it to yourself. _________________________________________________ Agree, I never said anything against those people. In contrary, they have and will always have my support. I can only applaud to those who invented the tail gate, multi, V-tec, MDV or Vented PC or many other things, but I am all for let people be creative and explore the limit. Why should we not try to introduce some performance of modern skydiving canopies in BASE? If we can do that with same or even increased safety level, BASE could only benefit from that. __________________________________________________ Cooler (and better) things are coming . . . ________________________________________________ Yes they are coming , but not from the Mars.... Regards Robibird Robert Pecnik [email protected] www.phoenix-fly.com

Guys, As I said....ONE DAY!!! Materials getting better and better every day and we are here to explore the way how to apply new technology to our lovely activity . I hope most of you will agree w me. regards and happy holidays to all Robi side note: I am jumping with permanent conected risers . No 3-ring , no D link = no fear to lose the canopy Robert Pecnik [email protected] www.phoenix-fly.com

hi, I agree with most of you about how the manufacturers has to approach to the items they build. They have to understand the subject as best is possible ( this was not the case in Performance Variable ) They made the BASE rig and they just put the whatever canopy in to the rig with the Type 17 risers in for making photo for web site ( they were in hurry to introduce product ) This shows that they are not really ''at home'' with the base jumping in general. This simple mistake actually made to them - the worst ever advertise. I am sure that they have sold maybe few rigs since they introduce the rig. Other subject is the future of the equipment: Slinks, microlines, small risers, smaller canopies... Well, why not one day!! Keeping stubborn approach is not good and it doesn't contributing developing in any area. Soon, I am sure, we will have smaller and lighter canopies. Also I believe that canopies and rigs will be designed for specific purpose in BASE jumping. Slider down: Big docile canopy almost accuracy canopy with good opening characteristics. WS: light and small canopy with good opening and deep brake fly characteristics Rigs: WS rigs will be lighter and smaller. However, it will take time for general BASE public to accept this toys , but I am sure it will happened. Well, I will always look for lighter equipment on some nasty and long hikes :) my 2 cents Robibird Robert Robert Pecnik [email protected] www.phoenix-fly.com

hi, The material we are using for Wing suit is West Mark-balloon'' US made material. Navy blue is very dark and it is not like corrdura or parapack navy blue. It is more dark. Royal blue is like usual royal blue. Regards Robert Robert Pecnik [email protected] www.phoenix-fly.com

Ahoj, As I know Asaf was in Chile and he came back already week ago. I have feeling that I know that the is back in fLorida right now.... Robibird Robert Pecnik [email protected] www.phoenix-fly.com

hi all, Canopy with Upper ZP surface providing: 1.better glide characteristics. 2.Durability of the canopy is much longer 3.Openings are more consistent ( less snivelling ) 4.Packing is little bit harder. 5. little harder openings ( easy to notice on terminal jumps ) 6. ZP does not contributing on heading performance. Regards RoBi Robert Pecnik [email protected] www.phoenix-fly.com