lifewithoutanet

This has always been one of my faves. -C.

Actually, you're right, it is. I was referring to a Senator's general representation of state over district, though. Still funny to me that it was only covered by the media in his district and nowhere else. -C.

Hey, guys. Let's all back up a second here... This is a state senator, introducing legislation for his state, not the nation. Certainly, there is the risk of precedent being set, but Google around a little bit. I caught this article a couple of days ago and in that time, the Brooklyn Graphic is the only rag that's covering it. Brooklyn. Some 150 miles away from the senator's home turf of Albany. He didn't even rate locally. Search the senator's website and you'll find a single press release, dated Jan 18th. It took the "press" a good 20 days to pick it up. Just how important do you think this is to him? He really couldn't give a freefalling fuck. Somewhere, some junior-level staffer sits paid to watch/read the news and key on topics where somewhere, there's a bit of demographic that might be thinking "there oughtta be a law 'gainst that". And you all know that there are people who think that. S/he then determines how newsworthy a piece it is and whether or not "the old man" should bother championing a cause and getting some press over it. One rag, three weeks later, not picked up by the AP. I'd like to congratulate that junior-level staffer on a job well done. Jeb was busted. Tons of national coverage. Jeb went to court. A little national coverage. Jeb got off. Less coverage. It's fizzled. It's dead. The story is over. Why resucitate it? Doing nothing is not laying down, it's not conforming. Doing nothing obvious is generally what we do. Go quietly into the good night and jump again. When we're noticed, we've failed--although we all know that when we've been seen on a jump, those who see it see something astonishing and beautiful. Writing a bunch of letters will only serve to show "how many of those crazy lunatics are really out there", in the senator's own words. Write letters and someone has to read them. If someone has to read them, they're taking time away from passing other meaningless, publicity driven legislation, or raising funds to get re-elected. The flip side... I don't know how closely state legislation resembles congressional legislation, but if there are any similarities, this won't stand on its own. It will be a rider on another, larger, more important bill. And THAT is the real problem. Still, this isn't the end of the world. -C.

Amen. Good boots, too. I "Heckered" a few weekends ago while towing in the desert. Collapse on a small speed glider at 40' after it crept right on takeoff. It began to reinflate just as I hit and probably helped a little, but not as much as my Impact Jacket, fullface mtn bike helmet and mountaineering boots. I PLFd to the best of my ability, but took a solid hit to my back and head after my hip. Actually bounced into the air and rolled forward. When I sat up, I felt no pain (and immediately started looking for the compound fracture I couldn't feel, yet). All I did, though, was break a big toe on my left foot, bruise the left heel and severely bruise the right heel. Crutches for a week. I'd like to thank Dianese, Giro and La Sportiva. Another good point. It takes at least 3 people to tow properly: pilot, driver, winch operator. If not for my friend on the winch who cut tension, I would likely have locked out before the collapse. I was reaching to cutaway, but had enough other shit to worry about. -C.

Careful on that towing setup of yours. Most towing occurs with a tensioned system that pays out more line between takeoff and cutaway. A fixed length is begging for trouble. In this case, you might have been better served by that big BASE canopy of yours, as smaller wings will be more twitchy and prone to twisting up or spinning off the line of flight. Ever downplaned w/ a truck? -C.

Doesn't matter to us, Tenacious B. Your friends all know how Balls to The Wall you are. -C.

I tend to agree with you but want to add some qualifying points/thoughts. It's my belief that on lower/sub-terminal S/U jumps, the dimensions of the slider itself play a substanially higher role than the actual material (large or small mesh). This is because the slider's dimensions dictate how much of the bottomskin is exposed on deployment. A larger slider at subterminal speeds will provide for faster bottom skin inflation by exposing more of the bottomskin vs a smaller slider being more constrictive and exposing less. I'm not certain how this would shift as you approach terminal freefall speeds. -C.

I bought a used Pfaff 138 from a friend, then sold it to another friend when the FAA made a grave error and gave him a rigger's ticket. I then picked up a Pfaff 1132 hobby machine to hone my skills, do general repairs and mock-ups. I'm starting to look around for another industrial machine for some other projects. Curious to know what everyone's using now vs. what they've used before and any opinions (positive or negative) of makes/models on which they've got a bit of experience. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Info on whether you bought your machines new or used, and info about replacement parts a plus. Thanks. -C.

I'd say that's two strong points against making yourself a 'distributor' of this footage. I know Yuri was pretty adamant about not putting this out there for the general populace. I knew someone who had it, and instead of getting it from them, I went to Yuri. He specifically asked me not to distribute it, and I know he's said the same to others. If someone asks me for it, they won't get it...regardless of who they are or how much I trust them. It's not mine. If someone needs to see it, it's one thing to show it to them. If they need a copy, they can do the work themselves and get it from the source (which apparently would be more than just Yuri). -C.

Yes, folks...it's true... I reign supreme over the pillow-fighing, hot-oil wrestling, and foxy-boxing ladies of the world. Thought I could keep it secret, but Abbie ruined the surprise for everyone. So, if it's hookers and blow you want, see Magot. If it's live, girl on girl action, come to me and I'll get it for you. Back on subject... Congrats Ray and Kristy. We did what we could to postpone little AG Aiello's entry into the world last year, but failed miserably. We made up for it this year. Know this...if you BASE jump and concieve around April, your spawn will be born on Jan 16th if we have anything to do with it. -C.

Congrats to you guys. Beware your bachelor party, Russel. The planning has already begun. -C.

BING-fuckin'-GO. I've been watching this thread with equal parts rage and fury over some of the BS I've read, but that hits the nail on the head. -C.

Canopy Strength Credit: Martin Tilley- Asylum Designs / Adam Filippino- Consolidated Rigging

It's called a Nano and it's made by Gin (http://www.gingliders.com). It's paragliding's entry into relative flying w/ Mother Earth. I just picked up a 12 m^2 one and am taking it for its maiden flight this weekend. It's a sweet design, all around. The risers incorporate an adjustable system to change the angle of attack and it comes w/ a Gin Yeti harness. -C.

I support the Multi in principle and theory for "mid"-terminal to terminal deployments, but think that complications can arise from subterminal use, especially when a crosswind is present. In low airspeed deployments, a crosswind can have an inordinate influence on the deployment. A crosswind places significant directional (horizontal) force on your PC when compared the actual subterminal (vertical) delay forces. As a result--with a Multi--the crosswind side of your canopy is exposed to more air, pressurizes faster than the other side and in the end, your canopy has the potential to spin up on you accordingly. Personally, I don't use the Multi on pure, subterminal jumps for a number of reasons: 1.) I wouldn't jump a low B w/ a crosswind in the first place (makes the Multi irrelevant...I don't jump B's in wind) 2.) I'd prefer to jump freestanders by making the crosswind a tailwind 3.) In the case that I was on a low object whose LZ dictated which side I'd exit and therefore dictate how I'd take the wind, I wouldn't want to worry about the Multi in the first place. The Multi was designed to prevent center-cell stripping, which is largely an issue on higher-speed deployments. In that case, low jumps are not what the Multi was designed for. Why use it on those subterminal jumps? -C.

And of course we all know that BASE jumps go according to plan, as intended, all the time. That river is surrounded by rocks, trees, spectators, vehicles, traintracks. Plenty of things to ruin your day. I'm all for personal freedom and choices, but I don't think that argument holds much merit. -C.

Hey, man. For those of us who weren't there, could you tell us a little more of your story and about your jumps? -C.

Marty covered me w/ a loaner Mojo for last year's KL event, too. While we're on it, Todd rushed a repair to my Fox at the last minute before Apex went on vacation last summer, as well. Good service all around. -C.

From what I've heard, yours is big, black, detachable and normally carried by Brandy... So you should have no excuses, Ray. -C.

Adam, You were one of the good ones and someone I looked forward to running into at Kjerag and KL this year and again and again on trips in the future. Listening to and watching you recount your slip-kick exit from Stieg's (sp?) Nest at camp in Lyseboten this past heliboogie was classic-scary. Condolences to your wife, family and mates. Fly free. -C.

I have no problems reaching the BOC on my V1, but I have absolutely no intention of using the BOC for wingsuit BASE. I prefer the leg pouch. More info on the leg pouch can be found in Appendix C of the V2 owners manual, but basically the shrivel flap is designed to keep the bridle in place until deployment. It's a shrivel flap instead of plain velcro to prevent hang ups, as you'll likely be deploying w/ a great deal of forward speed. I'm w/ Hector on this...you should start using the leg pouch now to build familiarity. -C. Edit: PS I have absolutely ZERO wingsuit BASE experience.

$1.37!?!?! Mother-fcuk I miss those days!!!!! -C.

The little guy even looks like Space!!! -C.

Yeah. Don't forget you're a right cunt and you never study or prepare yourself for anything. -C. PS Your rope rigging skills suck, too.

Hey, Matt. I can understand the fixed leg straps, but why the chest? Why not have two lengths of webbing on either lift web and tie them together using a water-knot or follow back figure eight? -C.