rjf98

Like you HAD to do those work jumps. That party is the most badest party in skydiving!!! Even after we move away we're comming back for that one. Great time, WILD women, and lots of new friends.

The members aren't really being penalized... while it may appear that way. The GM DZs are being rewarded for being GMs. Why should a DZ that voluntarily pays it's dues be cheated out of money it could make from the coaches course? Maybe I'm missing something... maybe there isn't a GM DZ within 300 miles or something. Perhaps then the class could petition USPA for some sort of waiver on this fee. The petition needs to come from the individual members taking the course, not the DZO that doesn't want to play. That fact is that the DZO stands to make more money by having more coaches. He stands to make money from having the course at his DZ. Since the coaches and the trainers all sport USPA credentials, don't you think USPA should support it's GM DZ program and toss back a bone to them before it allows some non GM DZ to take in the dough?

If you have a better way than the USPAs then start your own organization and licensing system. I don't want this to turn into a tit for tat between us, and I should probably be working right now anyway. It's not blackmail. Start your own association, come up with your own rules and regs, and license your own coaches. Take a look at the FF forum. There is talk there of a new FF license system, and the atmoshere Dolphin licenses aren't USPA, but are fairly well recognized. Maybe you could be the next big thing.

You follow "crap"? Why... could it be that maybe.. while I know it's not a popular opinion.. USPA DOES actually do something to benefit the sport and it's members? Could it be that they provide, through group member DZs, a level of comfort (for up jumpers) and known safety requirements (for beginners)? Just my crazy idea to support an organization that created a license system for our sport and its instructors. I am a licensed USPA instructor. I'm not the best skydiver.... not even at my DZ. I do provide a level of service that can be counted on. Not that someone else couldn't, it's just that my rating says I can. I think there recent interaction with the TSA should be mentioned here as well. If you believe in the USPA or not it really doesn't matter. All of that last paragraph isn't really what’s important. What is, is this "membership has its privileges." Don't ask me to pay for yours.

I don't know where you could get one used, but go to some of the major sites out there, a few of the big boys make military rigs. As far as not being able to jump your TSOd equipment. I highly doubt that someone would turn you down. You may want to bring all the paperwork when you go to a new DZ as they won't be familiar / comfortable with the setup.

I just want to say that this is going to be the second weekend on my new Infinity and I couldn't be happier. Colors are great, it's comfortable, and cool doesn't begin to describe it. I think this rig actually MAKES me a better skydiver.... Seriously though, this is the third rig I've owned, and it's the first one that was ever custom made for me. My only complaint was waiting an extra 3 weeks over stated delivery time. Now that I know Kelly's car is always in the shop, I'll just assume that he drives the things to UPS himself and that caused the delay Anyway, your sponsored athlete at the DZ explained that you were WAY in the hole on orders vs ability to produce, plus some repairs, and after seeing my rig and jumping it, I know why. This is a great container and the market share for infinity is only bound to increase. Thanks again Kelly for a first class product. It'll be nice to introduce myself at the Chick's Rock Boogie in a couple of weeks.

Here's a question for everyone talking about how wonderfull a customized faceplate is. How often do you look at your alti? What are you trying to get from it when you do? It's not that I'm not into style, if that were the case I certainly wouldn't be worried about colors in my jumpsuit, canopy, container etc etc. It just seems to me that in the case of a customized alti faceplate you are sacrificing style for function and that is dangerous.

Is Amazon's site screwed up? New was $40 and used is $190?!? I'm not even paying that much for textbooks. Surely if it's in that much of demand they would re-print.

Where is Laurenburg? Please excuse me for not knowing, but I'm from TX and currently out in CA and haven't heard of this DZ. I might be able to get a team of Marines together to go.

At least Eric knows to ask for an Aggies help with this one When I'm teaching in SoCal I always tell them that back home in Central TX where I'm from we tell students about one obstacle / landing situation that we don't need to teach out there. Bunch of cows in field... OK One cow in field...not cow... BULL!!! Missed seeing you on Saturday man. I think you knew I was going to be there and passed so that you wouldn't have to buy me that beer you keep telling people you owe me!

Does anyone else feel a little confused after reading those? Interesting that the Vigil doesn't rely on changes in ambient pressure alone, but rather on a theoretical calculation for how long a freefall should last. According to their patent the device should "become more accurate with each use". This to me sounds like a bunch of scientists who are working in a vaccume. Don't start yelling yet, I have already been slammed on a post so just slow down and hear me out. By claiming that the device adjust it's theoretical time for a jump based on previous jumps and then saying it becomes more accurate, aren't they needing to assume that each jump is essentially the same profile? What if I'm doing freeflying, then belly RW, then taking up a student on an AFF and REALLY going slow, or a hybrid and changing our fall rate throughout the dive? If I'm putting this into a student rig that will be changed between students with different weights and body types what happens to increased accuracy with each jump? If your dropping a dummy with a parachute attached time after time then sure, I see the device getting more accurate. Hey, I started this thread, and I still would rather have the new device, but are there any engineers or rocket scientist that can speak up regarding why Vigil thinks their system based on theoretical dive flows bounced off of real time data actually is better? In relation to the cutter I have to wonder though what kind they are using. Their patent says nothing about a cutter, but rather the controller for a cutter. I definetly don't have enough knowledge about the industry to know about that.

Yes, simply a miss type. That's what happens when your not concentrating and screwing around on the computer at work. I think that's probably why I got the not so nice response. I as first posted on this thread cut-a-way (red) pull reserve (silver).

In a post in the incident section. PC in tow jumper cut-a-way and pulled reserve. This is being questioned. While I wanted to post there, based on the rules for posting I think it is better talked about here. If main canopy deployment has initiated in ANY way (horseshoe, PC in tow, bag lock) the proper response is to treat as partial and cut-a-way and pull reserve.

I was reading an interesting thread regarding non-rated AFF-I's. I hope whoever posted on that claiming USPA was worthless and wished that the FAA would just take over reads this. At some point I want my riggers ticket, and I'm glad that they are certified by the FAA, but let's face it, government agencies are SLOW to respond to change. At least with USPA we can make up BSRs that are relevant. If we want USPA to be more than what it is then give them teeth otherwise be happy we're allowed to develop in this sport if we want to take personal risk outside of what is considered safe by our governing body (Throwout for students etc). BSRs are great, they help to cover a DZs behind by denoting what is a generally accepted guideline for safety, but are flexible enough to allow for rapid growth in technology or technique. Do you still want to be jumping rounds?

DUDE! I must really suck for them to not contact me I'm glad to hear some news on this company... I truly hope everything works out for them. If you get a hold of this "Jo" person again let her know that even in the throws of controversy they could keep interest by simply responding to e-mails. I just read some posts to a thread from Linda and this is almost like reverse sponsorship problem. I'm not asking for freebies, but they want me to try their product and promote it but won't even write to me Whatever, I should have a used cypress in a couple of days anyway.

I think your right...but what's not to like aren't we all a little of both Sheesh too many faces!

So... still no one has actually spoken to a person or knows that their e-mail has gotten through to an actual person. automatically generated e-mail if you ask me fax number but no voice I'm not saying their a fake, but I'm not sending my credit card information to a company that doesn't even take the time to send a personal response

I did do a little research on that, that wasn't even a Beta test unit. It was some initial research on their products, and the French guy was the test dummy. Supposedly they fixed it. Yes I realize I'm taking some chances by not waiting but we all do. I haven't jumped any form of AAD since I started skydiving. When cypress first came out they weren't proven yet, and that was NEW technology and use at the time. At least now the technology and equipment have not only been proven, but improved upon. Rich

Has anyone had any luck getting in contact with this company? I'm no one special, but I did identify myself as an AFF instructor at my local DZ with an interest to buy (not trying to bum a free one mind you) and they won't even e-mail me back. Competition is what this market needs and I'm willing to try this product now, not wait for 4 or five years to see what happens. I've sent them 3 e-mails and have nothing in my in-box to show for it. I'm still willing to give them the benefit of the doubt on customer service if I can at least talk to a real person at the company or e-mail a real person instead of the address on the web site. Rich

Has anyone actually gotten a reply from the company? I've sent 2 e-mails to them and haven't heard from them yet. I know it's only been 24 hours, but come on, I'm an American and I like to be talked to right away. If this is any indication of their customer service I'm buying a cypress. Problem is I'm all for competition and want to buy the Vigil.