joni

Hi Yeyo!

There is no reason why being a small woman should keep you from flying a wingsuit! I'm only 4'11'' and I fly a wingsuit. It is not physically hard. I do do exercises especially during the winter to keep my arms strong. Sometimes I have to work harder to keep up or down with big boys if I am in a group, because the fall rates are so different from my natural fall rate which is what I am use to when flying by myself. which I do a lot. I would suggest trying to fly with someone else, if you have the option, in the beginning as much as possible so you learn to adjust to them from the start and you may not have this problem. I did not have the option. Wingsuit flight is so wonderful - you will love it!

Congrats Padraig!

Very, very nice! Thanks.

You need to have sufficient skydiving experience and skill to safely fly a wingsuit, as well as wingsuit appropriate gear. Refer to the USPA SIM section 6-9 for US minimum recommendations as well as the manufacturers sites. Also check previous posts in this forum such as the one at the beginning. http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=1950472;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;;page=unread#unread

1st jump courses will be available for qualified skydivers. There may even be more than one instructor

Couch Freaks is almost here and I have already heard from several wingsuit flyers who will be attending, the flock is growing fast and should be bigger than ever this year. So bring your wingsuits and lets fly. Fort Dodge, IA Aug 29 - Sept 3 http://www.couchfreaks.com/

Thank you to everyone for a wonderful time. While I wish the weather had been better and am sad that plane was not working for the record attempt, nothing stoped all the birds from flying. Scott and the others kept things moving and there were many great flocks from which I was able to learn lots of new flying skills, including the need to better protect my face. Howerer, I was most impressed by the wonderful people from all over the world and thank you so much for making me feel so at home. This adopted European looks froward to when she can return.

Glad you will be there again.I'm still fighting my way back from Cochstedt, sitting in an airport in the NY. I'll take the hot if the skies are clear.

Just a reminder - the boogie is this week! I have learned a lot at Cochstedt and can't wait to share it with the Midwest! Hope to see all the birds from last year and many new ones!

I'm packing now... the temps look more moderate than I am use to, 90F ( 32C) here - will it get that hot there? I am thinking 60's to 70'sF (16 to 24C) I leave the US for Europe in 2 days... Yeah!!

I might need a boost to get up there!

This is getting more interesting all the time. I'm a little scared to ask where I'll be sleeping.

Oh no! not "you" again ! How far away do I have to go to get rid of you so I can be in a picture? Its my turn! It will be nice see another rare US bird and a "way too familiar" face! Mini

Sorry, you won't be able to make it, as the whole event will be bigger this year and without the wedding. Hope to see you at something else :-).

I cannot tell for sure by the names. How many women competed this year?

Work...jobs... lucky profession migrating birds or just plain addicted??

Hi Scott, LSPC is my home DZ as well as the home DZ for the Skydive Radio guys, two of whom fly wingsuits, so I think we best support our local club in NE. You should consider NE next year, maybe the dates will not conflict with Skyfest. and even if they do in July Nebraska is a better place to be than Texas. Last year our bigest NE load was 8 but we had several more technical smaller flocks as well as quite a few 1st jump students. We have a lot more local birds with their own suits this year so it should be bigger and better. October? that is farther into the future than I can envision right now - who knows

Great photos James- wish I could have been there again this year - especially with the tailgates open on the helicopters! Good luck to everyone in the competition!

Just a reminder that LSPC's boogie is only about a month away. So plan on bringing your wingsuit and joining us. I will have just returned from the Cochstedt AN-72 event and will be ready to share what I learned there with the midwest or faraway birds. For those that have not yet been to this event, it is a great boogie that has steadily been getting bigger every year. The airport has a lots of landing area and there will camping and showers on site. This year we are going all out, so in addition to lots of skydives, the parties, people, food (Luau) and music are all going to be fantastic! It would be great to fill a plane with birdfolk!!!

I will be attending both Schaffen and Cochstedt, traveling from Schaffen to Cochstedt via Amsterdam and the Fly like a Brick tour. I will have a rental car and room for a passenger. Belgium to Netherlands after Schaffen 1 place available Netherlands to Cochstedt on July 3 1 place available I am arriving and leaving through Berlin, so will go to Berlin after Cochstedt, plans are currently vague but you can PM me if you are looking for transportation that way.

There will also be wingsuits at the boogie and we will be organizing flocks and formations for all skill levels!

So sorry someone got hurt. The canopy looks familiar.

It is special because there were actually 8 women in one place flying wingsuits in the same flock. Even at F&D or Stupino, I do not think there were that many women who were flying wingsuits, let alone on the same load. I think it is great!

I believe it is a Beech 99.