BASE864

Blue skies, Skip. I enjoyed seeing and talking with you at the various boogies in the Midwest - most recently at Dollar Daze - and one's all the way back to the old Kingman days. Thanks for being such a great person. Fly free, my friend. Later, BASE864

Wed night 8/26 right? I'll be at the beer truck Wed. afternoon - 9/2 Later, BASE864

Damn it! Are you saying more than one base jumper named JJ running around out there? Later, BASE864

I'm not a local, but I've seen some doable walls on my many visits there. Later, BASE864

If this is true, then don't be like the guy in this picture - he put the bag of peanuts in his cargo pocket - and the monkey went after it - several times! Another monkey stole a can of soda and bit it open to drink it. Yes, the monkies there were quite aggressive - but nothing a swift kick couldn't solve. All-in-all, the Batu Caves were very much worth the cab ride out there. China town was okay - espeically if want to buy software for $5.00 or a nice Tag or Rolex for a few dollars. The skywalk on Petronas was cool too. Later, BASE864

Fly free Johnny. Donk and I will lick a beard in your honor next year at Bridge Day! Later, BASE864

Yes - Johnny will be missed. If there's a better way for a fellow skydiver and base jumper to leave this world, I can't think of one. Donk and I will have to lick a beard in his honor next year at Bridge Day. I'll never forgot the look on Johnny's face when we did that a couple of years ago.... Fly Free Johnny. Later, BASE864

Yeah, I don't know who it is either, but when I flipped to that page in the mag, I new instantly where it was. Once you've been there, you never forget that view and hoping you make it to that big circle.... Later, BASE864

Check out this month's Beat this Caption picture contest in Maxim magazine..... Clicky Later, BASE864

I bought my Flick 322 unvented (non V-TEC) and PCA'd it off a popular pre-bridge day object. I ened up cracking my tailbone because the canopy didn't have enough time to get flying and I landed hard on my ass. I got it vented and then did the same jump next year. There was a world of difference. Check out a video comparison on skydivingmovies.com I didn't put enough jumps on the non-vented version to notice a difference in forward speed. However, I think because the vented canopy starts flying faster, you would also start flying foward quicker. I wouldn't consider buying a non-vented canopy ever again - unless it was only going to be in a terminal rig. Because I fly a large canopy - I need it open and flying as fast as possible. The vents allow for this. Later, BASE864

I tried to carry on my base rig on a flight to SLC. The arrogant TSA dude wouldn't let me and said parachutes weren't allowed as carry on. He first tried to open my rig up and I asked him not to do that. When I asked for his supervisor - he got all cocky and said I would miss my flight while waiting for him to get to the gate (yes, I was killing time in the bar...). So, I headed back the the ticket counter and just checked it. The ticket agent said he was wrong and it was the pilot's decision, not the TSA's, as to whether it could be carried on or not. Funny thing is, the TSA dude let my pretty blond friend carry her rig on. Her rig went through x-ray right before mine. I guess he just didn't like my smile (or lack of). Since then I just check it as I don't need them trying to throw what little weight around they think they have and trying to ruin my day. Later, BASE864

Yep - I'd just as soon be slider off instead of slider down too. Removing the slider definately calls for a repack. If the location dictates slider down, then I'll remove it. If the location has variable objects - like Bridge Day or the potatoe bridge, then I'll leave it on and move it up or down. Later, BASE864

I think some of it depends on the object too. While at Bridge Day, I've taken my SU pack job and pulled the slider down, expecting to jump another object in the area. Then when the winds weren't right, I put the slider back up in prep. for jumping on Saturday. But Bridge Day is one of the few objects where heading performance wasn't crucial to me. Had it been a different object, I would have repacked when putting the slider back up. I ususally don't sweat going from SU to SD without repacking. But going the other way, I would repack. Later, BASE864

That makes some sense - but I guess I was never worried about having that 'perfect mushroom' - at least while jumping anyway. Finding it aftward is a different story.... And I faithfully use my limited edition purple Triax T-Stake when packing outside. But, the only way I can use it my living room is to open a beer.... Later, BASE864

So what am I missing? I have never even seen someone use a pull-up cord or clamp to help pack a PC. What is it used for? Why do you need it? I don't get it. Granted, I don't have a whole lot of jumps, but with the exception of about 4 PCA'd jumps, I've gone stowed on every other one. I've never even thought of using an 'aid' to help stow my PC. I'm not trying to stir the pot, just understand what others are doing that they need said 'aid' to help stow their PC. I do use clamps when packing. They are accounted for (counted) after the packjob is complete and my clamps are put away in my bag. Later, BASE864

Magot - have you been hittin' my cough syrup again? That's one funny story! Later, BASE864

I've always heard 230' - which I would think is from the catwalk to the trail. I haven't been up there when anyone had a rangefinder though. I found out the hard way that big canopy fliers need vents that low. (i.e. cracked tailbone) Later, BASE864

Jason makes Donk and I work too hard. So we can't ever make it out to get in the picture. Oh well.... How many of the same people were on each end of the picture again this year? Later, BASE864

Thanks for showing those of us that didn't know your father what his heart was truly made of. What a man he was - so much love, so much passion and so much courage! Thank you so much for sharing that with us. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Later, BASE864

Jimmy, too bad we didn't get our first shotgun race on video since we never got to do that rematch. That footage of you getting tased was hilarious. Can't wait to see your edit. Later, BASE864

There's a nice shot of your 3 way on the Sports Illustrated site as reported in this thread. At least I think it's you... It's photo number 8. I'm guessing that's not your 1st jump though as your canopy is different then the video I have of that jump. Later, BASE864

I have the 5th line on my FLiK 322 and found that it does cause it to stall easier. I found that out the hard way while landing in deep brakes - as I flared for landing, I ending up falling backwards. Now I know where that point is and and aware of it if shooting an LZ in brakes. I should probably take the 5th line off, but I have put enough skydives on the canopy and am now comfortable with the control range. Later, BASE864

Get a good sized fanny pack to throw it all in - then you have one place where you can keep everything you neeed - clamps, pull-up cords, tail-gates, rubber bands, tent stakes and perhaps even your mesh slider. Don't forget to thrown in a couple of punching balls (aka balloons) as you never now when you might get to talk to God. Wha Wha Wha Of course don't forget your Triax T-Stake! I use clamps as they make my pack job neater, and easier for me to handle. That, thus reduces gear fear. However, I have packed at BD with no clamps and found from the pictures that the pack job opened very ugly, but more or less on heading none the less... Later, BASE864

Nobody mentioned the issue of large canopies on low objects. What someone else might freefall (

I too fly a vented 322. My $0.02 is to go larger. Given my weight, if I would have had option to get something bigger than the 322, I would have. However, the 322 does me well. Regardless of what you size you end up with - make sure it is vented (V-TEC). I think that is a must for the big canopies if you are jumping anything remotely low on a regular basis. As others have said in the thread - the bigger canopies do take longer to get inflated and flying and also require a bigger PC. Meaning - when your buddy jumps a 38" on his 260 you should consider a bigger PC on your 322. There's more fabric to pull off your back and the bigger PC is necessary. Later, BASE864