base570

I would have to say that the lighter jumper (how much lighter?) on your DBS will be more prone to stalls and unpredictable openings simply because of the fact that canopies need that suspended weight (correct suspended weight!) below them to function properly. To little or too much and they start to act eradically. The lighter jumper making jumps on a canopy that is larger will have to set the brakes at a shallower setting (steeper glide angle) to "ram-air" faster into the canopy in order for it to pressurize and be more controllable quicker. This results in more of an undesirable forward surge. If that jumper uses the DBS, then as it tries to pressurize (gulps air) the wing loading doesn't remain constant and the flatter angle of attack (slower forward speed) will hinder the "ram-air" characteristics that cause these funny deceleration devices to fly. That being said I also believe that the new vented, valved, etc. canopies don't require a DBS and are less likely to stall on opening because the initial air is coming from the bottom and not the front. That means it doesn't need forward speed to pressurize like normal "ram-airs" Bottom line is... jump the proper wing loading with the right brake setting and don't let people borrow your rig. It might end up being more hassle and danger than it is worth. Plus what happens if your buddy gets busted with your gear?? Is he paying for it? Just my thoughts, which could always be wrong 570

I think we are talking two different things here. You say baggy suits but the discussion was on swoop cords. Not evertone should have the same material for their jumpsuits, I agree with that , but swoop cords are teaching the wrong technics. (please read my response to Kallend). I think you are wrong in your assumption that heavy and light people can't adjust their fall rates and fly with each other, they can, they just haven't leaned the proper technics... yet. I believe that speed is your friend in skydiving, it allows for more crisp, controlled movements, but the fall rate should be more of a middle ground between blazingly fast and super slow, but leaning more towards the fast side. That way everyone (fast and slow fallers) are working to keep everything on level. Weid14 and AggieDave had a few good thoughts too. Jason ps-are you wearing 12 lbs. on freefly jumps?? Your profile indicates that freeflying are your two main disciplines... so what's with the SanDiegoRW name??

No, I don't. Swoop cords, to me, teach people the wrong way to alter their fall rate. They have ingrained into everyones heads that you slow your fall rate by grabbing air with your arms and upper body... which is not an effective way at all. In my opinion someone weighing 245 or whatever should have a different material for their suits and have it a bit more baggy for more drag and learn how to "anticipate" fall rate changes quickly. Also, the first order of business should be to do what AggieDave suggested... get qualified coaching. Heavy people just like floaty people need to learn to fly their boddies and adjust their body positions to fall relative to the formations BEFORE they start claiming that the formation isn't falling the way they want. Everyone is quick to place the blame on "other jumpers" but really what is needed is for those people to turn it around and look at their own performance, and improve themselves first. Jason Oh yeah, you also mentioned that they whould be useful for stopping on a dime after a long dive to a formation... again swoop cords have a minimal effect compared to what you can do with your lower body or a different body position.

14lbs?!?! How light are you? I usually only need 4-6lbs to keep up. I'm 5'10" and pretty skinny. Ken 145 with no gear.

Screeech!!! Let me back up and say that... I totally agree that faster (down) is way better than having a floaty fall-rate. Having done 4 way for the better part of 6 or 7 years, and previously being a floaty bastard, I know the importance of falling fast. So yes, I'll agree, make them come down to you. Weights, beer, pizza... whatever it takes Jason PS I always wear 14 lbs. when doing 4 way and I've found them to be no hinderance in any other dives, in fact, I would rather have them to not. Pus it makes my canopy fly faster

Glad to see your back in the saddle Faber. Now you can spend more time jumping instead on spending it on the net! Don't forget to take some pics. of that "A" we talked about a while back and send them to me so maybe I can help ya out. Peace, Jason

I believe swoop cords are useless. If you want to fall at the same speed as the floaty girls, change your body position not your suit. People try to use the suit excuse too much in my opinion, and don't really focus on the underlying issues, which is, body position and anticipation of the fall rates. The proper way to "gain" altitude on a formation is not with your arms and upper body as swoop cords suggest but with your lower spine, pelvis and legs. You'll be more pleased with your flying if you work on this instead of forking out money on an unnecessary alteration on your suit. Just mt thoughts... Jason I'd like some of that Rageahol, it's sounds good

Actually... 6 stories at approx. 10ft per floor =60feet. Falling 60 feet takes just under 2 seconds, which will have you falling at a little over 30mph. Which is a lot different than 50mph! Landing a wingsuit, I think, can be done right now with the technolgy we have. It will take a lot of practice and training and a lot of balls, but I think it's possible. It's all about finding the "proper" LZ and knowing your normal angle of attack. I would give it a try if the right team was assembled and the funding was in place (it wouldn't be a cheap jump if done right). Of course don't forget my small fee of 1 Beellion dollars! Muwah ha ha If you want to know more of the details on how I think this could be done let me know... Jason

yes that is craaazy!! So how high did the rubber band ball bounce?? 570

I bow to your superior climbing ability. I have climbed 250-300 in 5-7 minutes on more than a few occasions, but there is no way I could keep up that pace through a tall climb like that. Even though 40FPM is really fast it still isn't as nice as a 100FPM elevator. Naked BASE 15

Don't you mean a "Sweet Bee"?

Hey Kate, I talked to a bunch of people at the Carolina League meet this weekend and more than a couple are very interested in attending. They are trying to get as much info as possible before committing... just like skydivers, huh?! Do you know if there will be any RV hookups? How much space is available in the "dorms"? What are the costs?? interested parties... BASE570 "big way" Lane HoneyBee Maaarrty Karen Ottobond PJ Killa Captain Pablo possibly a few more. Thanks for any info, Jason

Hey Kate, the flyer says tethered balloon rides... does this mean low altitude jumps?!?!?! From what I've gathered you can't go too high with a tether. I've done numerous 500ft balloon jumps that were tethered, but it seemed going any higher woulds be more problematic than it was worth. Just wondering... Jason

I went out to the Patterson School in October to hang out with Bill and his lovely wife for a day, and let me just say that theirs and the schools hospitality was outstanding. The facilities are great, the people are cool, and the scenery will be great from the sky (didn't get to make a skydive but I'm guessing It'll be sweet since it's near the mountains). I was planning to be able to make it out there for the festival; hang with friends, eat some great food, make a skydive or two (maybe even a BASE jump!!). Should be fun.. hope my schedule stays clear. Jason M.

I just "eyeball" it on most slider-up jumps (200 or so) especially terminal jumps. I have found it to be the best and most accurate way for me. Ground rush rocks!! Others that I know watch the lights on "A"'s, watch the horizon, or count. It's all about what works best for you. On my slider-down jumps (200 or so )I almost always do some sort of internal counting in my head. Audibles, I believe, are a way to get you killed in BASE. They just aren't as accurate as we need them to be. Peace Naked BASE #15

don't try it unless you have done a bunch of test jumps and calculations to be sure you have a chance of survival. (whatever percentage your comfy with). Then remember that if you alter your track, even just a tiny bit, from 'perfect' your going to hit the talus and die. From your profile I can tell that you are NOT ready to accept the risks of BASE jumping, you haven't even explored skydiving yet, and the risks involved with that. Take it slow and learn as much as possible before hucking yourself off something. Skydiving is fun too!! 570

Faber, I like the new PC design but I think your going to have inflation issues with a large child like that attached. I would suggest a smaller child... maybe in the 0-6 month range. Oh and going stowed is out of the question. I would hate to have that dreaded malfunction; the breech. 570 have you been back to your "A" and gotten pictures yet?

Ahhh..... Bullshit! excuse me 570

Don't think of it as getting "busted", I think it's great that you are asking questions and trying to learn as much as possible. Most people don't. Just remember that on your quest for knowledge, be sure to get many opinions from many sources, weigh them out in your mind and then make your own judgements as to what seems the most safe, logical and right way for you. Jason PS... getting "Busted" sounds like what happens when people fly their canopies into the ground.

Just wondering the costs involved with getting this rating. Suits, class, jumps, travel, etc. When and where are classes held? What all is involved? Jason

Not so... DMT is the most powerful halucinogen known to man.

Hi Allison, I would say to definitely take it slow and try to seek the advive of someone who knows what the hell they are talking about and not someone who just is trying to look cool with a small canopy (and there are many out there!) I'm sure your a little too new at CSS to have known Eric D. (RIP)but he was an outstanding canopy pilot who really understood parachutes and how they flew. He jumped large canopies all the time and would out swoop most, if not all of the so called "expert" canopy pilots at the DZ. He took the time to learn on bigger stuff and I believe it made him a much more "heads-up" canopy pilot when it came time for him to downsize. Not everyone at CSS has small canopies, I just think you are seeing the instructors and a handfull of experienced jumpers more because they jump more than anyone else. I'm not saying that there are not people at CSS that are jumping canopies that are way too small for them, because there are. (just watch a few loads and you'll be able to pick them out pretty easy). Most of the jumpers at CSS realize that they aren't current enough and don't have the experience or skill to jump really tiny canopies in a great LZ, let alone a hilly, non-flat, bumpy LZ like at CSS. Allison I realize that it looks cool to swoop a canopy but it takes years and years and many hundreds or even thousands of jumps to really learn how canopies fly and react in different situations. Your best bet is to learn to fly the crap out of the canopy you have then think about something different. Hell, my first 300 or so jumps were on a 220sf 7 cell with approx. the same wing loading as what you have now, and I tell you what... it saved my ass on more than one occasion and I think I learned way more about canopy flight on those jumps than a lot of people at our DZ will ever learn because they want to "be cool" and downsize too fast while not fully grasping basic canopy flight. This type of attitude will eventually come back to bite them, I think. So... now that I've rambled on for way too long I'll leave you with this; 1. Take it slow 2. learn and understand the basics fully then use that as your building blocks to go further. 3. Ask as many people as you can about it. (not just the swoopers, some might have a biased opinion) 4. when you think your ready to downsize, go and land off in a tight LZ a couple of times and see if you change your mind. 5. practice, practice, practice. Jason M. Be safe!! Have fun!!! skydiving is really fun but it's no fun when your in the hospital!!

I like how Scary Perry is advertising an ILLEGAL jump on his website... He's way cool...NOT! I really don't think it's very smart to tell the world where and when your making an illegal jump BEFORE you make it, but I guess if your looking to get arrested or impress people, it's all good, RIGHT??? 570

The finger is out but something had to have replaced it. maybe it was "armageddon" make any jumps this week? Just trying to keep tabs on you. There's a lot at stake in our little competition ya know. I've made a few. I think I'm up to 21 since we started, 389 total. I don't see 420 happening on 4/20 though This might help though... leroy turned me onto it, try it, go ahead... you'll like it PabloHoney Later, NakedBASE #15

Hey Dale, The number you gave me a couple of months ago never worked. I tried to call you many times but " the phone I called was not in service". Are you going to be coming to the boogie at CSS this week? I'll be there organizing. I can give you some pointers and hopefully get you off in the right direction with BASE. Remember BASE and skydiving are totally different animals. Skydiving can be a nice cute little fuzzy creature that would only bite you if you really piss it off... BASE on the other hand is a completly wild animal that WILL bite you, even if you treat it with great care and respect. The more time you take to learn about the animal the safer you'll be! Jason 570