crazydiver

I've got two odysseys you can try on...I think we're about the same size...6 ft. tall 185 pounds...you're just more ripped than me! Cheers, Travis

That's 2 threads you totally dismiss other pilots advice. While I happen to believe that using all the tools as an AID is a good thing, I firmly believe that a proper progression foundation (double fronts, 90s) doesn't need a digital alti, but rather a good mentor and good training. As turns get greater and the starting altitude gets higher and higher, judging the altitude becomes harder and harder for the initiation of the turn - therein lies the usefulness of a digital alti...however, it's still my eyes I use during the turn. I highly suggest you train those as well and don't put all your faith in a device but instead use it as a guide, giving you clues on what to do next. Blues, Ian Said so well, Ian. Of course it's in our best interest to use the best and most accurate tools, but for gosh sake...its crazy to rely on that one little altitude device. What happens when a swooper finds his or herself without a workin altimeter...its a safe choice to decide not to swoop on that jump, but a safe swoop can still be accomplished with a well trained set of eyes. Machines can work correctly, read inaccurately, or become completely inoperable. Never a good choice to rely on the altimeter as the only device. You're a voice of reason, Ian. Cheers, Travis

I've owned four different javelins/odysseys from the old style Javelin to the newest style of Odyssey which I have now. Reserve closing and packing is easy and straight forward for your rigger (if it looks shitty, its your riggers fault...same goes for mirages, vectors, wings, and others...just because the PC is under all the flaps doesn't mean its easier to make look good). I have seen some Mirage reserve pin covers RUINED over time due to improper bulk placement and forcing the flap to permanently curve. Harness is super comfortable...bar none. The early javelin I owned didn't have as secure main and reserve pin protection, but if you are buying new...they are super secure and will never come open in freefall. I like having the reserve PC pop-top partially exposed rather than under all the flaps like other rigs. Harness is PLENTY strong...other manufacturers (such as mirage) heavily overbuild their harnesses. This is not a bad thing at all, but unnecessary with modern gear and canopies. My personal favorite containers are Odysseys, Mirages, and Infinities. Everything else on the market is just fine, those three are simply my preferences. I will, however, generally not recommend Wings for their reserve system. They have very weak PC springs. I've also pulled Wings reserves and had the spring actually invert (turn upside down)...this is not something I like to see when pulling a reserve. Wings are also very tricky to get to look good when packing the reserve. Jav's are super nice rigs and extremely comfortable. Enjoy. Cheers, Travis

that is not true, If you can't do it without a digital alti, then you shouldnt be doing it at all. So true! Cheers, Travis

not sure I understand. Cheers, Travis

Pachelbel is not a pop artist. Cheers, Travis

I broke my back at about 300 jumps. Similar size and design of parachute. Just throwin that out there. Cheers, Travis

The commemorative stuff and milestone stuff is always cool to me. I once had the opportunity to be on a guy's 666th skydive which was planned as a 6 point 6 way to fit the occasion. Cheers, Travis

Super nice guy. Superb work. Not so fast in my experiences. Cheers, Travis

Oh sure, Townsend. Post that right after I posted... Cheers, Travis

Velocity 90 loaded at ~2.3 lbs/sq. ft. turn: 270 degrees -5 seconds from input to plane out -begin with single riser input and quickly wrap the turn around with harness -begin turn at ~700 feet turn: 450 degrees -8 seconds from input to plane out -mostly harness turn the entire dive with increasing turn rate throughout and one good "wrap" around through the last 90-180 -begin turn at ~850 feet Velocity 96...similar turns, initiation altitude ~30-50ft. lower Cheers, Travis

Good choice stepping back to the 139 and taking it slow. Get some coaching...it will help you learn tremendously. Also, the higher wingloading on the 120 should not limit you on making it back from a long spot as long as the proper technique is used. I've been on some ridiculously long spots doing tandem videos over the last couple years and have been on sub-100 sq ft. canopies for a couple years and have had no spot that would have been easier to get back from with a larger canopy. In fact, going into the wind you actually have an advantage with the higher loaded canopy. Cheers, Travis

Be careful sir. That is a fast turn rate and a low altitude to be turning from for that wingloading and degree of turn. A proper turn on a crossfire should be longer in my opinion. Cheers, Travis

Why couldn't you fly on your belly without an RW suit? Half the people who use RW suits don't even get the full potential out of the booties. FYI...I haven't worn an RW suit nor a suit with booties in over 2000 jumps and often do RW jumps and plenty of video and AFF jumps. RW suits are definetly useful for competition and hardcore belly flying, but useless for many disciplines. Don't feel forced to be constrained only to that suit. THe range you have in a FF suit is much more as well. Plus with FF suits, you don't have to wear spandex... Cheers, Travis

Whats going to be the procedure for adjusting the sight primarily? Seems tricky to get it all lined up before mounting it. How are you by the way? Jumping much still? Cheers, Travis

Here we go again... Cheers, Travis

Why would that matter? Fingertrapping is still a good idea. Cheers, Travis

Sweet photo, Ian. When are you coming back to rock CO? Cheers, Travis

As much as it pains me to say it...I think I like the colors of your canopy...

so does that mean that you would make the situation worse for the unhooked tandem passenger.. shove him out of the way, knocking him out the door, just so you can get out yourself... Dude...relax. Cheers, Travis

Common problem with spectra. It just needs re-fingertrapped. And the person above was correct...no such thing as a fingertrap that is not tight enough. Fingertraps become loose when no pressure is applied to the line...they become tight when tension is applied. Theoretically, every finger trap on the canopy would hold without any sewing if tension was constantly applied to it..but tension is not always applied...so they must be sewn or bartacked. Don't worry. Take it to a rigger and they can re finger trap it in seconds. Cheers, Travis

Correct me if I'm wrong, but why would the manufacturer of the Dolphin not understand the "finer points" of pilot chute design...Mike Fury is on your "pilot chute privy" list Cheers, Travis

I guess I meant to say wider "proportionately." Since the width does not increase, but the height, essentially the proportions are "wider." Cheers, Travis

Some of the containers you could be seeing may be the "s" series. All the mirage containers can be an "s" series when produced. It simply stands for short and keeps the same pack volumes, but makes it shorter and wider than the regular version. For example...a very common small Mirage is the MXS...as opposed to the regular MX. They both hold the same canopies, but the MXS is shorter and wider in order to accomodate shorter or short torsoed people. Cheers, Travis

No kidding. I can't believe that someone from our community once again sat there and spouted off bull. The student didn't seem to be doing too bad until the pull sequence. "the skydive went bad about five seconds out the door..." bull. Cheers, Travis