johnny1488

From what Bll Nooth told me he would not put a Y-strap on sigma harnesses until the faa forced him too, and his design would not load until a student had left the harness. If I Have someone who I am afriad might get theur legs high on opening (ie fat chicks or flexible girls) O rotate head high after drouge release and or hook their legs. I have never had anyone even close to coming out of a harness because I do my harnesses by the book. Johnny --"This ain't no book club, we're all gonna die!" Mike Rome

He should be doing a live feed webcam dance marathon to keep the support going. Scary Johnny --"This ain't no book club, we're all gonna die!" Mike Rome

Wanted to vote but had a hanging chad. Word to voting to avoid the 3 time loser. Johnny --"This ain't no book club, we're all gonna die!" Mike Rome

Icarus canopies havent been made in the USA since 2001 or so. The vast majority of Icarus canopies are made in Spain. Johnny --"This ain't no book club, we're all gonna die!" Mike Rome

The quality coming out of spain is second to none. If you are in north america or europe and go to a dealer, they are going to get the canopy from spain. Johnny --"This ain't no book club, we're all gonna die!" Mike Rome

Learn to have fun with it. 778 tandems last year. About 750 so far this year. I'm very close to having more tandems than sport jumps, and I have a lot of fun with them. Smile while you jump and find new ways to challenge yourself. Im looking forward to winter to start skiing, but also look forward to another full time season next year. PS, I also take december to early march off from jumping, unless its really nice. Johnny --"This ain't no book club, we're all gonna die!" Mike Rome

The way I fold my drouge, I grab the 1 inch tape on the handle, never the ball. I jumped a whole weekend with no handle cause we coundln't find an extra, with no problem. Johnny --"This ain't no book club, we're all gonna die!" Mike Rome

Is that belly band pretty standard with the eclipse? Or is that just a soft bellied chick with the stuff sinking in. Thats also why I dont like to monster the laterals, It makes the belly band tighter. Johnny --"This ain't no book club, we're all gonna die!" Mike Rome

I dont de-arch because I am lazy, I de-arch because I have more surface area in the wind and therefore fly my tandems better. I also control their side movement better, dont have to monster the laterals, and can release them easier. Not directed at you, but arching TI's how does arching your own body effect the tandem when the student is de-arched or kicking or fetal. Your body isnt really in the wind, is it? Johnny --"This ain't no book club, we're all gonna die!" Mike Rome

I do not gorilla the laterals. We have stradle benches, so I drop my knees and snug the laterals, but thats all. I see some guys have the students help wrench the laterals. Not sure what it does for the instructor, but Im pretty sure it makes it harder for them to arch. For me the laterals just keep us together, th uppers are for attaching us to the canopy. I use my knees to keep the student from swimming under me. Also it makes it much easier for me to pop the lower laterals. Johnny --"This ain't no book club, we're all gonna die!" Mike Rome

Cause I don't. Are you an archer or no? Johnny --"This ain't no book club, we're all gonna die!" Mike Rome

Cool story. http://www.forbestraveler.com/adventure/scenic-skydives-story.html Johnny --"This ain't no book club, we're all gonna die!" Mike Rome

Because on my personal jumps, its just my life, so I choose not to use an rsl. I jump video and a highly loaded elliptical canopy. And stability should not be an issue. I feel I am safer without one (for myself.) On tandems, its my passengers life I am responsible for, not just mine. Where stability is an issue after cutaway, like on tandems and students, i believe an rsl is a must. On experienced jumpers, its a matter of preference and being comfortable with your gear. Johnny --"This ain't no book club, we're all gonna die!" Mike Rome

So the unstable reserve deployment double fatality from a while back is an acceptable outcome, then? Johnny --"This ain't no book club, we're all gonna die!" Mike Rome

Complicated? You're saying a sigma with a colloins lanyard is more complicated than a strong system? How does a Collins Laynyard effect or complicate the way you operate the rig? Im not saying other systems dont work, but don't try to convince yourself they are better. Look at malfunction trees. Like I said, I am not sold on the skyhook and sport rigs, I think it dumbs down jumpers and makes them take more risks. But on tandems where stability is always a concern, its awesome. Tandem jumping is not just another skydive where you can bring in your personal preference. You need to do what is safest for the passenger. And if you think there is more risk from a quick reserve deployment than an unstable one, you should probably check your ego at the door. Johnny --"This ain't no book club, we're all gonna die!" Mike Rome

We had a strong tandem instructor bring a rig onto my dz a while ago for a comercial shoot (he was only strong rated) and he took a sigma rated instructor up on a jump, and when they landed she swore she would never go up in that harness again. I didnt jump it, but she swears its not the same, as far as comfort that is. The harness was brand new. He also laughed at how we all looked at him like a leper for having a strong. After sitting down with him and looking at both rigs side to side, he is now scared of his strong and no longer wants to jump it and wants his sigma rating. A bit overstated, but was very impressed with the sigma and its superior design and functionality. Johnny --"This ain't no book club, we're all gonna die!" Mike Rome

I think RSL's are a must on tandems. Where stability is an issue after a cutaway, rsl is the best option. People are dead from not having an rsl on tandems. Are people dead from having an rsl? It solves way more problems than it causes, (on a tandem) It also gives you a way to deploy the reserve on the right side (Im only ever jumped sigmas) Keep your gear in check, and tell me a situation that your going to get a horseshoe with any regularity? Bad body position from potato chipping? Tandem masters fault. It's a game of numbers, you will have more cutaways and more problems from that from no rsl than you will have horseshoes. I am not a fan of rsl's for anything beyond students, its personal preference then, but you are responsible for another human life on a tandem, and taking personal preference over safety in that sceniaro is irresponsible. I speak only from my experience with sigmas, I have not nor will I jump other tandem rigs, so if they tell you to disconnect the rsl to solve another problem, thats retarded. Johnny --"This ain't no book club, we're all gonna die!" Mike Rome

Except for the fact that the strong harnesses slip. And they're atached to a strong. But yeah, the same. Johnny --"This ain't no book club, we're all gonna die!" Mike Rome

Funny how whiny girls get their panties in a bunch when they don't get ice for their drinks, i mean swollen head, i mean, whatever. One less crazy. Boo hoo Johnny --"This ain't no book club, we're all gonna die!" Mike Rome

So.... by not your cup of tea, was that all the instructors who had tons of time for you in the shop talking about your progression? And by your former instructors, do you mean Marius? Who is now here fulltime? Or did you find someone who might not give you all the attention you think you deserve, and you now feel a bashing fit coming on. Good luck where ever you land. Anyone who wants to give the ranch a shot will either have a killer time, or will leave crying. We dont pull punches. Johnny --"This ain't no book club, we're all gonna die!" Mike Rome

Since Wyat died last year, Icarus USA has been pretty much non existant. Email Hector and complain (not directed at Lead, just anyone in general. Johnny --"This ain't no book club, we're all gonna die!" Mike Rome

But you can get an optimum 99!!! Johnny --"This ain't no book club, we're all gonna die!" Mike Rome

when did you season start pizzle? Johnny --"This ain't no book club, we're all gonna die!" Mike Rome

Just wondering how full timers around the country hold up. If you are a full time instructor, how did you do this year? I started may 1st because of an injury and wound ip with 778 tandems ( and 3 coach jumps). Season ended in mid november here in NY. I packed all the tandems myself. How bout others? Johnny --"This ain't no book club, we're all gonna die!" Mike Rome

I have the student put a seatbelt on before take off and show them how it works (stupid but necessary) and tell them to take it off at 1000ft. I remind them to but I make them responsible. I hook up the top left connector anytime the door is open at any altitude. If you have to get out, I have been instructed the top left is the one. Get out, wrap your right arm around the student to stabilize them and deploy the reserve with your free left. Lowers are a waste of time in my opinion. You cant control your student with a lower just connected even if its tight. with the upper you can wrestle them (relatively) better and with the left you can deploy your reserve. And I will get out at any altitude with the reserve if death is assured by staying in the plane. Johnny --"This ain't no book club, we're all gonna die!" Mike Rome