rob

Original post mentioned: http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=4840534#4840534

If anyone does have experience with these I'd like to hear from them. I was going to get a pair, but realised that the frames wouldn't be flexible and fit to my face. I suppose if you had the right physiognomy they'd be perfect.

I've recently gone from a 240 F111 to a 150 Sabre via a Beta 180 (160lb exit weight). I've found that my landings and accuracy have improved markedly since downsizing onto a ZP canopy. I'm thinking that the improved responsiveness means the landings aren't so 'vague'/mushy as they can be on a bigger F111 canopy and set up is easier, and the extra speed provides more energy for a decent flare. That said, I wouldn't want to go any smaller for some time.

We aren't strictly *prevented* from downloading them directly - its still possible - its just not a matter of clicking on a link, which restricts access for those who can't work it out. I'd be interested to know who is the 'true owner' of the naked RW video.. its been doing the rounds for at least 5 years.

I'm on dial-up (please don't tell me to get broadband.. I just can't). I'm a little irritated that to see the videos in the video vault, I can't just download them, then come back and watch them later on, and keep them to show friends etc. You are restricted to using it as 'streaming video' - which doesn't work for me. I'd grudgingly accept that copyrighted material may be protected in this way, but I know that at least some of the videos hosted there are not the intellectual property of dropzone.com, so fail to see why access to this content needs to be so tightly controlled.

On my AFF stage 9 I experienced some line twists, which is the first time I've experienced them, even with some interesting 360+ turning during deployment previously. The difference in this case was that my canopy was assymetrical and started to spin, and I soon I could see the ground wizzing past while contemplating my canopy and the twists in my lines. Yes, a reasonably common occurence and a familiar scenario when considering low speed malfuctions, but not from the first person perspective! As the turn became a spin I was contemplating the potential necessity of using my yellow handle, but I managed to get the twists out faster than they were occurring.. this time. Believe it or not, there is a point to this... The strange thing was that when I caught up with my instructor, instead of the trouble I expected to get in to for not cutting away, he just commented that I had some twists and had a bit of a laugh, implying that they happen all the time. I know that TWISTS occur frequently, and are simple to deal with, but twists with breaks/lines caught in such a way as to induce a turn and 'flat' spin...? Is that common? I hope not! Although I'd be afraid to suggest it to my instuctor, I'm thinking he can't have seen what actually happened...

Gday - Like most of us, I like a nice big killer skydiving image. My particular fetish is an image in which the sky (clouds, sea, light, horizon) is a big part of the picture. I also like specy exit shots (like the image last month of the Mars competition winner). The whole point to this is that I can't find any of a decent resolution that I can use as my computer's background. By decent res I'm talking 1200x1600 minimum. I realise there are copyright issues, so I'm asking if there are any budding photographers out there who would like to make a donation to my private (or public, if desired) collection. I'm happy to host the pictures on my website if you'd like (including higher res versions). If you're feeling very proud of your work, or just kind, please email me at [email protected]. Cheers.

http://www.dropzone.com/gear/Detailed/143.html Check it out

Hi all - I have a puzzle. I've just done my stage 4 AFF jump, with no probs (apart from a bit of a 360 at the end :P) and a standup landing. All was good, till I noticed during packing the backs of both of my hands were scratched and bleeding. The only explanation we could think of was in reaching up to grab the risers during deployment that they were rubbed by the risers. As I said, I did a 360 during deployment without line twists (mainly because I grabbed the risers I'm thinking). The jump was with one JM. Has anyone else experienced this? Any other ideas?

It finally sunk in - despite being told over and over by my instructors - that I was focussing to much on my arms and letting my arch and legs go. I'm ok for stage 5, though I'm not sure I'm ready, but at least its a big improvement! I also found not just watching the JM out in front but maintaining total eye contact as much as possible was a great help. All this I was told to do, but it is taking a few goes to put it all together. I'm out of the rut now, even if I'm far from perfect. Thanks to all for the tips. Ok for stage five

Sweet.. thanks for the link. I've been looking for somewhere like that.. cheers.

Thanks for the tip, though I've done it to death. My instructors say what I'm doing on the ground is fine, its just in the air that it goes to poo. n I've been practicing anyway, to get it to be automatic when I'm up there. I'm still not convinced I'm not doing something wrong. Do you 'lean' towards your target? or are you more like a plane - i.e. spine totally straight (horizontal, head to ass axis)? Anyway, we'll see... I'll have another go on the weekend. I'm more detirmined to be a skydiver than to have money... whats the point of money anyway, other than to help you jump?

I'm in Australia, which doesn't have a single wind tunnel, otherwise I'd be there. To go to a wind tunnel I'd have to go to a Malaysian fun park, or to America or Paris (I'm sure there are others). I'd love to go to Orlando.. and will do if I have to. I'm detirmined to do this. Thanks to everyone for taking the time and effort to reply. I imagine it is difficult to really take seriously something so trivial once you're experienced. Cheers. Rob

My instructor says just that - its easy, relax, use the broomstick technique, let the air turn you, don't try to hard, don't overthink it. All this sounds fine, and I understand the priciples all to well. However, in the air it doesn't work. On the table I have gravity and the table keeping my hips level, but in the air as soon as I try to turn, my hips turn but my upper body hardly moves, which drops on leg and elevates the other (its much measier than that). I know once I get it (if I ever do) I'll say "thats so easy.. what was the problem", which makes it all the more frustrating. I really don't want to give up, but I don't want to throw good money after bad either. Where am I? I'm in Coffs Harbour at the moment - a great place by the way. Rather than saying "turn up at 9 an we'll see", they book you into a time to jump, so there's much less hanging about.