Swanee

Just to follow up I have spoken to North American Aerodynamics (Kathy Martin was the person I spoke to) and I have a D-ring lipped slider on the way. They gave me 3 slider options (split, D ring, D ring lipped) and recommended the lipped as most suitable for my needs.

Thanks very much for all this info. I note that Para Gear has a "D ring slider with lip" for Parafoil in their catalog. This sounds very much like what you are talking about and sounds like the possible solution to my problem. I was getting suspicious that brake settings were not the problem. I really love jumping the foil, but the bad openings take a lot of the fun out of getting out low!

I am getting some great info here! What is a Russian Slider?

The lower control lines are one continuous length. I daisy chain them to set the brakes. There is no cat's eye. The toggles are set so that I can stall the canopy in flight at full arm extension. The brakes have been set as much as 18" above the toggle. Currently they are set at 12" above the toggle. A good idea to check the line trim. The canopy flies beautifully..it's just the openings!

Thanks for suggestion. Interestingly, it doesn't stall in flight if I pull the toggles down to the brake setting, even the old settings.

I have an old 252 foil, converted to split slider. For many jumps, the canopy has opened in a stall, and has given me quite a violent ride until I get the brakes off. I recently lengthened the brake settings by 4 inches, without much improvement, I have lengthened them by another 2 inches, and it still appears to be opening in a stall. Am I on the right track, or should I also be looking at something else?

1 rig is about 3 years old The other is a 19 year old Racer. I recently had my rigger give the Racer a complete check. It's perfectly airworthy.

I'm also 51 and live in Australia. Give Parachutes Australia a try as well. www.parachutesaustralia.com They can build a custom Talon 3, they manufacture Air Force reserves, and they can supply main canopies.

My second rig is an '84 Racer. Perfectly airworthy according to a recent rigger inspection. I would not, however, use it for freeflying!

The Malaysian tunnel is in the Genting Highlands resort/casino about 1 hour outside of Kuala Lumpur. I did some time in it at Christmas and felt it was underpowered Note: That was my first and only tunnel experience so I am not an expert.

In 1976--Chopped from a streamering Russian PC. Jerry Bird fore and aft gear with capewells. Round reserve of course. About 1400 jumps (and several reserve rides) since. Had about 120 jumps at the time. Swanee

no --Bimini is where they landed in "Cutaway" Swanee

I pyscho pack my Safire 1 simply because it is the manufacturer's recommendation. I would caution you strongly against going against any manufaturer's recommendation for packing. Advantages for me? quick, easy and easier to manage the ZP fabric when it's new.

I am interested in this. Am I correct that you had prescription lenses fitted in the Mongoose goggles? Can an optician do this?

How true--2 weeks ago in the plane a tandem passenger told me my head looked like a giant penis!

Hi Richard I am about the same weight as you, and have about 1500 jumps. I am also 50 years old. I don't think this weight alone will hinder you as there are plenty of other variables as well. I wouldn't venture an opinion on what gear you should jump. I do advise you to talk to your instructors. good luck!

I had a 19 year break. Before the break I did approx 1000 jumps, was an instructor, heavily involved in club work etc etc etc. I think I just burned out! Post break I just fun jump--no hassles. During the break I got financially sorted out, built a career and went to college.

Commando Skydivers located at Tooradin, Vistoria Australia is not far from the factory. We use a GA8 that has had skydiving mods fitted. Very popular with the jumpers, especially this time of year, when it's COLD!

50:23

No--downward Swanee

And yes, the 3-ring was part of the original Wonderhog. I had a very early Wonderhog (serial no 14 if I remember correctly). It had Capewells (and a throw away pilot chute) The reserve ripcord was a blast handle on the left hip! (not sure if this was original) Swanee

I wouldn't bother spending the money to covert it. My second rig has a pull out, and I love it. It's very easy getting the PUD (often called a bunny tail in Oz) and it's a positive feeling, as you are opening the pack directly, yourself.

Wasn't there also a 27ft "Russian" PC by Poineer? I recall that I had one in the middle '70s Swanee

Hi I have been checking out a device called Pak Safe which is also available in Australia through disposals stores. It's made for securing backpacks but looks like it would handle a rig as well. basically, it is a wire mesh bag which is secured to an object via a wire rope and padlock

I also have a Safire 1 (NZ made) but with the HooknSwoop (not Icarus) mod which greatly improved landings and made openings even softer. I often get a turn/dive to the left after opening. However, I think I got this before the mod as well. I am psycho packing. I was having problems with line twists but seemed to have solved that by stowing less line on the bag, and free-stowing more in the container. Swanee