Mark4

Rather than be a test jumper for that ski helmet, I would spend $50 on a Protec, which does have crash padding, certification if you get the right version and years of proven skydiving compatibility. "Featuring a HDPE or ABS shell lined with EPS Foam and Compression Moulded Padding, stainless steel hardware and soft tubular webbing. Certification: CE EN 1078 / CPSC 1203" Full faces are nice in colder weather and a good idea if you are doing competition FS but otherwise largely a fashion statement. Get the full cut version and it's relatively easy to cut a hole for an audible which is likely to be another upcoming purchase

IMO, if there is only one aircraft flying then you should be able account for all the canopies and create enough vertical separation whatever order you get out. The issue with Eloy is that it's pretty usual for multiple aircraft to be flying. Even with flat flyers out first, people out of the following aircraft are likely to catch and overtake the stragglers from the previous load. Your solution will exacerbate that problem by decreasing the time separation between loads.

Assuming your profile is correct, if I was you I would go for the Optimum because I wouldn't want to load my reserve at 1.7+ It looks like you live in Florida, so why don't you get up to Deland and you can demo them (hooked up as a main) for $40 each? http://www.performancedesigns.com/sport-demos/ ... or you can get them shipped for $95 each. I have demoed both the PDR 126 and the Optimum 126 and I have one of each. I'm ok with either as a reserve, they land ok but IMO they are not like a decent ZP main. http://blog.performancedesigns.com/9-things-you-should-know-about-pds-demo-program/

See here regarding BPA insurance http://www.bpa.org.uk/member/insurance-and-travel/ Specifically "3.BPA insurance cover for non-UK residents and/or citizens performing activities outside the UK applies only at a BPA Affiliated Parachute Training Organisation or as part of a BPA-Registered Display Team." I read that as non-uk residents are covered but only at UK (or BPA) dropzones. One further point is if you are the EU (and not UK resident) I believe the BPA have to recognize equivalent insurance, so if you already have local cover it may apply.

Well technically the UK is in Europe

It has a pretty distinctive tag on it (3rd picture on ebay). If anyone knows where that was issued, might be worth contacting the DZ.

I happen to have an original manual from my Hornet DOM 25-01-2002. See attachment. Can't really help on the slider size as I don't have the canopy at the moment.

Well the analysts don't always get it right http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2093796/Emily-Bunting-Leigh-Van-Bryan-UK-tourists-arrested-destroy-America-Twitter-jokes.html

PD consider it a malfunction as per the article here. http://www.performancedesigns.com/docs/ControlSysMalf.pdf From the article "A misrouted steering line, entangled steering line, or any other type of problem involving the control system may severely limit your ability to control the canopy and should be considered a serious, life-threatening malfunction." Too many people have died by not dealing with this type of malfunction, hence the article from PD. IMO there was nothing wrong with chopping this. For me it would depend on how much brake was applied, the right toggle is definitely not up against the ring. Personally, I would fly my canopy on rears but not with one brake partly applied. Glad you raised this though, it’s a good reminder to everyone not to be complacent on opening.

Here are the BPA requirements. http://www.bpa.org.uk/forms/download/104/pdf At 40 you need a doctor's signoff but it can be for up to 10 years. From 50 a doctor can sign you off for up to 3 years.

BPA Web link http://www.bpa.org.uk/member/insurance--travel

Hi Kemal, See attached pics, Mainly black rig with purple is a DNKY (mine) All purple rig is a RSK1 Blue/grey rig (the other Jav) I think is a TJNK Bear in I'm slightly taller than the blue rig owner and the purple rig owner is a slim girl with a short body and long legs. The MLW on my rig is 3in longer than the all purple rig. You can see how my rig is narrower than the TJNK but not shorter. The RSK1 is same width as mine but shorter.

Yes point on the cat, so on the close of the 13, OC does a 90 turn and the G is right there. The exit was standard G then that was thrown away with the alternate G for the rest of the dive.

We were going to take an alternate G, i.e the one that's right there with Tail and Point switched, then the long move back to a standard 8. Its seemed ok on the creepers as long as you choose the heading for the 8 carefully. Unfortunately due to the great British weather we didn't actually get to round 6, the comp was called on 4 rounds.

You can not use these categories in that way as they vary with the canopy. IMO this makes the "buckets" as advertised by PD and Aerodyne about as useful as a chocolate teapot! Let's assume I'm an Advanced kinda guy, that would mean I could jump A Sabre 2 loaded at 1.0 http://www.performancedesigns.com/products.asp?product=sa A Pilot loaded at 1.3 http://www.flyaerodyne.com/fly/products/pilotSelector.asp A Katana loaded at 1.35 http://www.performancedesigns.com/products.asp?product=ka A Mamba loaded at 1.8 http://www.flyaerodyne.com/fly/products/mambaSelector.asp Hmmm, anyone spot a problem here?

I have a DNKY manufactured Feb 06 and it is exactly as you describe. At that time it was not on the sizing chart at all and I only got it after phoning up Sunpath, so as far as I know the DNKY has always been that shape. They actually asked me how tall I was because the rig was longer as they had lengthen the reserve tray from the container is was based on to fit the PDR 126. I guess the lesson learned is to not expect all container models to scale linearly. (edit) Well the lesson for you anyway, as I'm really happy with the shape of mine :-)

The bit that's confusing is that there are 2 things on the same form. 1) Your self certification, valid up to 40, then valid for 2 years between 40-50 and then for 1 year over 50. 2) Doctor's certificate, not required below 40, valid for a max of 10 years between 40 and 50 and for a max of 3 years over 50. There doesn't seem to be any going rate. I turned 40 last year and initially my doctor was going to charge me £55. After looking me over he said he couldn't take £55 off me for doing nothing and refused to charge me anything at all.

Ok I’m afraid I’m with Seth on this one. I believe with the plane effectively travelling downwind in relation to the ground then the groups should be reversed. Here is another example: Wind speed at altitude 120mph, we will assume exactly halfway through the free fall winds drop to 0. Run in speed 60 mph FF skydiver leaves 30 sec after FS skydiver. We'll assume the FF takes 30 sec and the FS 1 min Distance travelled by FS skydiver 120mph*30sec/3600sec = 1 mile downwind Distance travelled by FF skydiver in plane (120mph-60mph)*30sec/360sec = 0.5 mile downwind Distance travelled by FF skydiver in free fall = 120mph*15sec/360sec = 0.5 mile downwind Total 1 mile downwind. BAHM! Is FS skydiver leaves 30 sec after FF skydiver then: Distance travelled by FS skydiver is 1.5 miles downwind (0.5 miles in plane, 1 mile in freefall) Distance travelled by FF skydiver is 0.5 miles downwind (0.5 miles in freefall) I know this ignores throw forward etc but that does not significantly change the maths. While this is hypothetical it is useful with respect to downwind run-ins… having said that, usually in the case of a true downwind run-in, the ground speed is so high the separation will be huge anyway. Mark.

Hi Steve, Congratulations you must be very proud. I'm sure on that day she will be the youngest BPA licensed skydiver. As for the all time youngest she might be 2nd to Pete Allum! http://www.skyleague.com/pages/profiles/profile.php?which=PeteAllum IMO there is no shame in that! Not jumping at Empuria by any chance are you? If you are, you should ask him.

I don’t think about it in terms of keeping the canopy inflated because if conditions are bad enough that I think the canopy might not stay inflated then I’m staying on the ground! I think more speed means more options because of the increased kinetic energy in the system. With a heavier loading, I need use up less of my control input to sort out a problem. However this only works if you are ahead of your canopy enough to understand what is happening and have time to deal with it. I would much rather fly my Crossfire at 1.7 loading than my Pilot at 1.5 loading in challenging conditions, but I wouldn’t go and jump a even heavier loaded canopy. While I would be confident in good conditions with a heavier loading, the reduced margin for error could be a problem in less perfect conditions. Having said all of that though, if the shit really hits the fan, I would prefer to have as bigger canopy as possible!

Get a demo Assuming your home DZ is correct your are only 350km from Empuria and it appears they have both sizes available for hire for 10EUR per day. http://www.skydiveempuriabrava.com/shop_programa_demo.php?id=2 BTW I have 450 jumps on a crossfire 2 at a 1.7 WL and for me its great. I'm not planning on downsizing anytime soon. I don't think it needs a 1.8 WL, I think people mean it still flys well with a 1.8 WL.

Hi, There is an intro to FS guide on the BPA website here http://www.bpa.org.uk/trainingmanuals.htm

Thanks for posting this. I don't have mine tacked down and the rings do come out occasionally. So far I have only thought of it as a wear issue and have preferred to have the flexibility to inspect / change components. I hadn't really though of the possible snag issue..... I think I'll go and get mine tacked.

Try this http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Faa_altimeter.JPG

Although I have carried my rig as hand luggage many times without issue, several airlines have a 6 Kg weight limit on hand luggage. I just got back from Perris, flying Virgin and on the way out of Heathrow they weighed my hand luggage. Luckily I had checked in both my rigs this time otherwise I'd have been screwed. Maybe I just got an overzealous check-in guy but if your hand luggage is overweight, its probably worth hiding it from the check-in staff