mattjw916

it's less about the rig being "not freefly friendly" IMO and more that it's not maintained in a state that _keeps_ it freefly friendly... examples I've seen: tuck tabs so worn they aren't holding up against anything more than a light breeze, over-stuffed containers (main or reserve) that puts more pressure on the worn tabs which subsequently come open when people start tumbling (or simply funneling), worn out BOC pocket to the point a flapping hackey could work its way loose, riser covers that aren't doing their job, and on and on we go... I'm quite certain you're aware, but others with less experience might not be, that you can take a perfectly good rig and run it into the ground if you don't maintain it properly. there should be a general guideline (much like the old "borrowed gear = borrowed death") like "friends don't let friends freefly in rental gear" and that includes hucking random flips or some of those really bad attempts at backflying floating around on youtube NSCR-2376, SCR-15080

I saw the 50 page thread where people literally had a meltdown here after they did that... I was probably lost in a corn-field at the time. NSCR-2376, SCR-15080

what!!? no way, you need at least 5 or 6... and they all have to match! plus about 20 different t-shirts! RW, FF, tunnel, swoop shorts (who knew dudes could get away with wearing capri pants?), FF pants, and something thick for winter H&Ps when you're swooping into snow! NSCR-2376, SCR-15080

yeup and Lasik (and all the variations) is also another option if you're a candidate, have the cash, and are willing to wait to jump while your eyes heal properly NSCR-2376, SCR-15080

Sounds good; I'd jump it. NSCR-2376, SCR-15080

save your money then do them all at once... or sell a kidney... staying current is very important, especially when you're first starting out IMO NSCR-2376, SCR-15080

lots of people wear glasses under a full-face... make sure you try before you buy unless you want sore ears NSCR-2376, SCR-15080

well at least it's more interesting than a link to omniskore where you can watch a hundred different people dressed all in black playing patty-cake in the sky without any audio track and then have them slowly nod off when you try to explain what a stairstep-meeker-flake-donut-pod is NSCR-2376, SCR-15080

healthy diet that varies wildly, cardio of varying intensity, ephedrine, caffeine, reduce alcohol consumption to almost zero... about 25lbs down from my lifetime max now but lost some muscle along the way, oh well... no crazy/trendy diets here NSCR-2376, SCR-15080

http://youtu.be/WYqWbnoemJg NSCR-2376, SCR-15080

You mean you don't want to wear a full face and an RW suit with mega-booties for a beach jump!!? Now... where did I put my rainbow-colored frap-hat... NSCR-2376, SCR-15080

My older Nitron came that way... HMA suspension lines and upper control lines with Dacron lowers IIRC. It does make it slightly more difficult to pull the slider over the toggles than my previous one which I want to say had Vectran lowers. I have to find a picture of it to be sure though. NSCR-2376, SCR-15080

yeup, just get a G3... plus they are nice in the tunnel as well NSCR-2376, SCR-15080

This. Preferably someone that has measured for and/or ordered a lot of rigs before. Margie at Square2 did mine, it was absolutely perfect. NSCR-2376, SCR-15080

beer, when taken internally, is an approved remedy for those symptoms NSCR-2376, SCR-15080

:7:0 some night and fun-way RW NSCR-2376, SCR-15080

take your pick, he already said he didn't know and there wasn't video: PC not adequately pushed into BOC, worn out spandex on BOC pouch, too long closing loop, exposed bridle caught air, horseshoe, main pulled PC out on inflation, etc, etc, any or all of the above... some student and/or rental gear I've seen over the years is in a pretty sorry state for anything other than flat flying so plan accordingly... remember, especially if you aren't doing clean/controlled loops, your fall rate is going to increase substantially and basically you're now "freeflying" albeit in an uncontrolled manner... so you need "freefly friendly" gear that is well maintained or, as you just experienced, you can have a premature deployment which can break you, kill you, or just result in a good story for the bonfire... luckily you experienced the latter instead of the former... NSCR-2376, SCR-15080

honestly, all of them are good in my experience When you book the time, tell them exactly what you want to work on and that you want a dedicated coach for your flights (coaching is paid directly to the instructor separate from your block time). You will get a pre-briefing, discuss objectives ahead of time, etc. They have a "tape-delay" monitor that you can review your rotations on during the block time itself as well. Bring a USB memory stick and you can even download your entire flight when you're done. They will also do a video debrief after your flight is over. The instructor skill level is basically insane there, I wouldn't worry about getting your money's worth. They are there to teach skydivers to fly, not run whuffos through tunnels at a mall like an amusement park ride. NSCR-2376, SCR-15080

if you're serious about wanting to build your skills the drive to Perris will be more than worth it NSCR-2376, SCR-15080

I guess you've never heard about the old Micro Ravens then... This is a perfect example of "you don't what you don't know" about gear at this point. If you have money to plop down on a rig, you have money to fly south, get licensed, do tunnel, and actually learn to use the gear rather than just stare at it on the floor while the AAD slowly times out. No need to put the cart before the horse IMO. NSCR-2376, SCR-15080

I just hope it stayed away from the "juicy girls" in Songtan while it was there... NSCR-2376, SCR-15080

I have never worn any suit that let me move as freely as this in the tunnel, end of story. It's peerless. I have flown about 2 hours in this suit so far and have zero complaints. It's like skin once you slip into it. Only options I added were the magnetic flap and the M&M cut for maximum flexibility. I wouldn't jump this suit though, the fabric is just so soft and comfy I don't think it would hold up like the more robust materials found in Tony Suits or my Matter Freefly suit though when it comes to abrasion resistance, packing, sitting on the floor of airplanes, etc. For the tunnel though, it's perfect. The cost is high, but you're getting what you pay for. This is a complicated suit with tons of pieces to it, and if have a desire to do a lot of dynamic-style flying in all orientations, this really is the suit for you.

then go away and take your "appeals to emotion" invoking imagery of children with you (which isn't remotely relevant or accurate I might add) NSCR-2376, SCR-15080

oh man... more "tactical" gear... I can just feel my tiny HMA lines half-hitching around one of those ridges on the edge of the sole... but at least I'll go in with my cool shoe pinned to my face so it'll be the last thing I see NSCR-2376, SCR-15080

gotta roll full tactical in the tunnel... no more of those sissy Hollywood style flights... [inline mall_ninja.jpg] NSCR-2376, SCR-15080