Floater

Just as a guess, I would say that the higher you load your main, the faster it would turn in a hard spiral giving you a higher g-force (which would increase your apparent weight). This would give you more long term stress than just opening shock and could shorten the lifespan of the mini risers. Like I said though, that's just a guess. Lee

Just guessing here but, from what I've seen, most DZs don't bother with having you join USPA until you are close to getting your A license due to the high dropout rate. I know that out of my class of 9, I'm the only one still jumping. Lee

ok, while we're (kinda) on the subject. what are the current requirements for s/l jumpmaster?

Yeah James, I'm not in that big of a hurry to downsize. Just kinda thinkin what I'm going to do for the summer. Once it starts warming up I'll probably brave the pond but, I.m not in a hurry for swimming lessons. Also, if I do decide to downsize, I would rather not try to sell my current main after it's been in the water a couple times. I'm not really seriously considering the Saber 2. I did think about the cobalt but, I'm not sure if I want to downsize to an elliptical at 1.3 this early in the game. Lee

Ok, I'm sitting here bored and musing over what type of canopy I'll get when I start thinking of downsizing this summer. Right now I'm jumping a Hornet 170 at about 1.2 and I'm thinking about either a Safire 149 or Saber 2 150. Any other suggestions? I'll probably start demoing in 4 months if I think I'm ready to downsize but, I just want to narrow the field down a bit on what to demo. Lee

I've found that on the Hornet it really doesn't matter what you do with the nose, it opens fine. I've rolled it, stuffed it, and just left it open and haven't really notice a difference. I normally pro pack but, when I get a chance I want to get someone to show me how to psycho pack since I'm stuffin a 170 into a container sized for a 150. Lee

From recent experience, I'd say go with a throw out. I just bought a new (to me) rig that is set up as a pull out. My third jump on it was almost a hard pull. I was able to reach back with both hands after the first attempt and finally get it out. I have never had any problems with a throw out so, I left my rig at the DZ so it can be converted. I just feel that you are more likely to pack a hard pull than pack a mal with a throw out. Just for info, I didn't go low on that jump. I still had the pc out by the time my Dytter was hitting 3000 ft. Lee

How sad. If I had stayed in Texas, I would get great jump weather but, I didn't make enough money to jump. Now I live in Seattle, have enough money but, the weather SUCKS. Life's kinda funny like that.

I would say go with the hornet. I tried a triathalon 190 while I was still jumping a silhouette 190 and the performance difference was dramatic. I almost felt like I had jumped back up to a 290 student rig. To make a long story short, I think you'll get bored with a tri a lot sooner than you would with a hornet of the same size and then you're stuck looking for a new main to spice things up again. Lee

Mmmmmm! Beer!

Edited by floater on 6/19/01 02:04 AM.

Thanx for the info. I'm going to email Sunpath just to get the final answer.

Ok, I'm trying to put together my first rig. I've found someone at the DZ with a javelin j2 for sale. The only problem is, I'm looking to start with a Hornet 170 main. The Sunpath website shows that a j2 will hold a safire 149 that has a pack volume of 408cu/in. The hornet has a pack volume of 375. Actually, every specific canopy that they list has a larger volume that the hornet. Does anyone think I'll have a problem if try to match them up? Lee

Yeah, but it was still only good enough to qualify you for second in the pond swooping crash contest. Tim still wins with one dead airblade. Lee

Here's another question. I'm about to buy my first rig and the container I'm buying is a javeline with a pull out. What can I look forward to if I convert to throw out? Price range and time.

Stress?? What stress.. I don't see any stress here.

AAAAARRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!! I'm so damn sick of the Cypress debate. We can't seem to go a month without it popping up. If you'll only jump with a cypress fine, if you don't want to jump with one, that's ok too. JUST QUIT FEELING THE NEED TO TELL EVERYONE ABOUT YOUR PERSONAL OPINION ON THE MATTER. Face facts, not everyone is going to agree on the subject so there's no point in beating a dead horse. Same goes for the RSL debate. Just jump with (or without) the safety gear you feel comfortable with and quit trying to make people that don't use the same equipment feel like they're second class jumpers because they are not just like you. Just my thoughts.

Try PDs' website. They have a PDF article on flying dual squares. www.performancedesigns.com/articles.html

Only one cutaway at Kapowsin on Saturday but, it was an intentional. Low clouds prevented everything except hop-n-pops from the c-182 although they did a really cool emergency exit drill form the twin otter from about 4000 ft. All 20 jumpers out in less than 20 secs. I was watching from the ground and it looked like a military combat drop. They also shot video of it from from the 182 which was very cool.

Yeah, I'm fairly new. Jusrt started jumping last October. Finally got my license 3 weeks ago. If you see me you'll know who I am. Tall and lanky as Tom Carter always says. Lee

I work nights so, the quake woke me up in Bellevue. No damage though. Thanks for the info on Kapowsin. See ya for safety day.

A Cypress is set off by an increase in pressure, not a decrease.