flashpipe

Perfect, just needed the right search term. Thanks!

Recently got a GoPro fusion and am looking for helmet mount options and it sounds like 10" is the optimal distance for wingsuiting as far as stitching and visibility. Anyone know of any 10" extensions on the market? Most of the other folks I've talked to have made their own but I thought I'd check first. Anyone have a DIY version that works well that they're willing to share with the group?

Is there any sort of cutaway system for the Kiss? If not, do you know if they have future plans for one? Thanks!

Darrin jumped at several different DZs, but I believe he got his start, and most of his jumps, were at WNY Skydiving. (www.wnyskydiving.com)

dthames, Can you point me towards the Excel macro from Hellis?? I've been scouring the threads and his posts, but can't find it in here anywhere and want to put some YouTube videos up with the overlays. Thanks!!

Terry, love the pink mohawk...I'll have to show her that :)

Yep, I told her it would add a little bulk. I've got very low pile fur, so it will be pretty minimal. Also, if I just put it on one side, I can remove it if she decides she doesn't like it.

So, I've got a customer who REALLY likes pink. Going to make her some hot pink toggles and she requested hot pink, FUZZY, dive loops. Glad to make her whatever she wants, but I'm wondering about the safety considerations of slippery, fuzzy dive loops. Would hate to have her drop one as she front risers in to land. She's not a big swooper, and she's a good jumper, so I'm not too concerned, but I'm thinking it might be a better idea to just put the pink fur on the front of the loop (for appearances) and have the back of the loop just be the nylon. Input? :)

I'll be down in Z-Hills at the beginning of April to take the AFF course and would love to take the PFC Coach course while I'm down there if there's a PFC-E in the area. Have about 200 jumps on my Birdman classic and about 20 (and counting) on my PF Ghost 3. Thanks!

Thanks to everyone for the great replies. This was actually for a rigging customer who had requested the inserts for his rig and his wife's. I don't actually use the inserts on my rig. I just cut the ends of the cables so there's only about 2" of stowed cable in the sleeve and I keep them cleaned and lubricated. Anyway, I put his inserts in (tacked them in well), and told her that they just didn't fit into her existing risers and that they were probably overkill for both of their rigs since neither of them jump high performance canopies. But, if she really wants them, she could get new risers because almost all new risers have the inserts now. Thanks again for all the helpful input! Blue skies, Brian

I've got a Mirage with a set of risers that don't currently have hard housings. I bought a set of hard housings from ParaGear and they're about 1 1/2" longer than the sleeve. I've seen some systems where the housing extend below the sleeve (like http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=37405;t=search_engine), but this seems like a bit much. They're still about 1" from the 3 ring. Is it fine to go ahead and use them as long as they're tacked into the sleeve well? Should the end be tacked to the riser as well? If not, is there any way to cut the cable housing shorter and add the ferrule back or cap the end? Thanks!

Vertifly, Just out of curiosity, why are you getting out of the sport? You mentioned that you'll be out for the next 18 years or so? Having kids? :)

This is an old thread...would be interesting to see how/if the songs have changed. I returned to the sport last year after 5 years off and started doing video again this year...for the most part, we're still using the same songs we were when I was out there last time. :) Any new suggestions?

Grant, Thanks, I'll certainly check with them. I'm a software/website developer for work, so I'll ask about the group rating as well. I've contacted several insurance companies, but, generally, as soon as I mention skydiving, they seem to get confused or don't know how to "classify" things to provide a quote. Was bummed about the Mutual of Omaha AD&D plan because it was perfect and I haven't found anything else similar. Seems like, in this age of "extreme" activities and the popularity of skydiving that someone would be able to provide quality, intelligent information. One of the insurance companies asked me questions about passing batons and doing skydiving "stunts" or relative work...Seems like life insurance is stuck in the 70s. Thanks!

I'm getting ready to start jumping again after a 5 year break (jumped 15 years before that) and need to be sure I get insurance coverage. I currently have a 15-year, $250k plan that has a skydiving exclusion. I found a perfect AD&D plan through Mutual of Omaha for $30/mo. that would provide $200k coverage for accidental skydiving death, but it's not available in NY! Anyone out there have an insurance company they would recommend for skydiving life insurance, or know of an AD&D plan that covers skydiving and is available in NY?? Thanks!!

Shah, Back in Oct. my wife of 6 years (10 together, with 2 young kids) suddenly told me our personalities just weren't compatible and she wanted a divorce. She was sleeping with someone else within 3 weeks of me moving out and, at first, the emotions and betrayal were overwhelming, but, it gets better with time. Every day is easier. I see the kids all the time and my time with them is better, "quality" time where I can focus entirely on them. I'm looking forward to getting my life going again. Focusing on myself, getting my confidence, happiness and enjoyment of life back! If you need someone else to make you happy, you'll never have what it takes to make someone else happy. Life is an amazing thing. LIVE IT!! I'm sooo looking forward to getting back in the air and jumping again. I stopped 5 years ago at her request and, even though we're almost divorced, she's already asked me to not start jumping again (for the sake of the kids), but, at this point, that's MY decision and I am aware of the risks, but am also aware of the fact that I want my kids to know that they should pursue what they love and that they can do anything they want. Blue skies...

JimmyT! Thanks for the kind words and thoughts. The support of my family and friends through all of this has amazed me and made me realize that life will go on, things will get better, and I've got LOTS of amazing people around me. Looking forward to getting back in the air and jumping with all you guys again! Thanks!

Well, here we are, 2 years later. It's now been 5 years since I skydived and I've spent many warm summer days looking up at the sky and watching planes go by. Last month my wife told me she wanted a divorce, she has already found a new boyfriend and is moving on. Not too upset about that. There's been lots of controlling behavior, and not skydiving wasn't the only thing she was asking of me and, part of me is relieved that I no longer have to try to work so hard to be who she wants me to be instead of who I was when we met. We're dealing with the break-up as rationally and fairly as we can, mostly because I refuse to be drawn into a big fight that will only hurt the kids, so, I moved out of the house until she figures out what she wants. I’m seeing the kids every day and taking them every weekend for now, while she’s going out with her new boyfriend. Once we get the separation agreement in place (next week), I’ll start working on re-building my life and am looking forward to jumping again! I sold all my gear 2 years ago, but have already had several of my buddies offer me their second rigs to use until I can get my own gear again. I’ve got to get my insurance set up, have to make sure I can afford to jump between child support, mortgage (once she buys a different house and I move back into our place) and time. My first priority, of course, is spending time with the kids, but, I can shoot video to help supplement my jumping and will only go out when I don’t have them. Maybe I should have put my foot down 2 years ago, but, at least at this point, the final divorce decision was hers and she’s the one with the new boyfriend, so, hopefully that will keep her from trying to screw me over any more and life will go on. Looking forward to that first exit and having all my troubles blow away in the 120 mph wind!!

Such a great guy! What a loss to CRW, the skydiving community and humanity in general. Please let us know where we can send condolences... Blue skies forever Buzz...

Well, after all these conversations, all the research into insurance, all the decisions we made, my wife finally told me last night that she has such anxiety every time she thinks about me jumping again while we have kids that are so dependent on me that she gets panic attacks. So, I tried to reason with her, explain the relative safety of the sport (again), but she wasn't willing to listen. Other than going to get counseling, I'm not sure I have any options, so, I think I'll hold off another year and re-visit this again when the kids get a little older...maybe I'll look into kite surfing... Thanks, and get some freefall for me!!!!

Thanks for the tip!! I'll check in on that for sure!!

Thanks to you all for the excellent input!! My wife and I have had many discussions about this and we have decided that, at least for now, I'll go ahead and get all the insurance I can and jump as safely as possible, making all my decisions knowing that my family depends on me and also supports me in my decision. I'm sure the extra cost and reduced time jumping (compared to my previous jumping) will make me re-evaluate my decision every year when the insurance premium comes up again, and I'll have to see how many camera jumps I can make to offset those costs and see how much jumping keeps me away from spending time with the family. Nothing is more important to me than my wife and kids, but they are aware of how much I love skydiving (I'm always teased at the DZ about how much I smile in the air) and it's wonderful to know that my happiness is important enough to them for them to trust my decision. Thanks again!!!!

I've been jumping for 15 years, shooting video, am a senior rigger, have 1500 jumps and competed for 4 years at the Nationals on a CRW team. Three years ago I got married and had kids. I've got a 1-year old and a 3-year old. Two years ago I broke an A line on opening, the canopy seemed to fly okay, so I landed it and ended with an L1 compression fracture. I haven't jumped since then, but am thinking about getting back into it. My wife and family have LOTS of concerns and are telling me that anyone would tell me that it's an unacceptable risk to take. I'm in the process of getting life insurance coverage and AD&D coverage so that I should be covered financially, but was wondering what some of you think about skydiving, safety and parenting... I know when it comes down to it, it's my decision to make, but I'm interested in what other skydivers think... Thanks!!