beergood

Great vid Matt and love the Ramones.

Just being honest over 100 jumps my velo has opened more consistantly on heading and softer than the first 100 jumps on my katana. I load both of them at about 2 and heard that loading smaller Katana's over 2 would can cause problems with openings. However, I never got really slammed by the Kat but have about 3 times on my velo but all three times it was on heading. The oversteer I noticed early on during my first few jumps on the velo so yes your right its about technique. Come on a little pucker factor after not being current is great. Either way be safe and keep that femur intact!!!!

You guys can slam me if you like but I regret buying my Katana 107. I am 200lbs out the door and it opened like crap. Yes I had my rigger check the line trim. On the swoop I felt like it had very little or no low end at the end of my swoop. I let a friend of mine who jumps a velo 103 use my rig for the weekend to do back to backs same weight. The first thing he said is jump my velo and you will never want to jump the Katana ever again. He was right and is a pretty conservative jumper. It opened better flew better and I start my turns at the same height and it comes out of its dive at roughly the same height. The only thing I would say is there is more oversteer on the velo. To me the Katana is just a marketing tool to sell more canopies before someone goes to a velocity. Obviously in a line twist situation the velo will probably go to crap quicker but if your loading any eliptical up much they are all going to go to hell. I think a Velo 103 will fly as big if not bigger than a Katana 107 because of the distortion of the 9 cell when inflated. Less distortion with the cross bracing. Then again I could be totally wrong. Just a thought.

The other thing to look at is not all flyers have your experience. Tony you have been skydiving a very long time and have big jump numbers. Even a guy with 1000 jumps probably cant compare to your years of experience and how relaxed you are in the sky and dealing with issues. So all these things seem very simple to someone of your knowledge, experience, and jump numbers. To a guy that may have 200 wingsuit jumps and 500 jumps total its a WHOLE new ballpark. Same reason they make students jump RSL's etc. Just something to keep in mind with the wing release system and why I think many of the guys in here think the cable system when things are going really bad and wrong is an easier and better cut a way system. And to me how many people are really going from Freeflying, RW, Swooping to go do a WS jump. Not to mention I know in the FF world most are jumping ridiculously small canopies and almost all high performance. How many of the FF do you know that jump pilots, spectres, and sabres just not many.

mccordia whats the point of your post?

I think we learned quite a few things from the first distance challenge at FnD especially getting stuck judging it with Chuck and some others. First off you guys can fly a hell of a lot further than any of you thought. Second it sucks just looking up and trying to figure out who flew farther very subjective. Third endurance of the pilot as well as how many jumps they made that morning makes a big difference. I know Robi that morning made 1 first thing in the morning with Robert J to check what a good distance from the DZ would be. Then made the next two as part of the challenge. Everyone after the second jump complained how bad their arms were hurting. Jeff won and no one including Robi complained or said it was unfair. Good job Jeff. Fourth and MOST importantly they all had fun and congradulated each other and drank beer with each other after the jumping was over. So to the 3.5 competitors don't make any jumps until the first round of jumps. GPS equipment would be really nice!!! There is always room for improvement.

As usual great video but MUCH MORE Fing METAL this year. Does not get much heavier than TOOL. Nice job Matt. Come FF this summer we need help making us look good too. mmmmmm BEER.

You damn wingsuit guys are always getting in fights!!! Don't make me stir the pot. Especially you F111 .

Thats good to hear on the pond. Any word on them expanding it? Quiet is being nice as far as freeflying. There was plenty of RW and WS organizing all summer and plenty of FF locals as well.

Anyone else notice that FF this summer was dead at Z Hills and the swoop pond is empty. Two FF schools and nothing going on. Looks like its a RW and Wingsuit DZ now.

Did anyone else notice he forgot to mention the raffle and donation thats was made last memorial day? Its not like we as a community have not tried to give back in other means than tax money and frequenting local bars and restaurants

Awesome video Matt! Next time even more f ing METAL!!! Where the hell was Helmut was he too big of a puss to be in those big ways?

I checked with a friend that jumps the same size EXT and he jumps Velo 103 in both with PD 113 reserve. One rig is about 3 weeks old with brand new canopies in it. He said his 103 fits fine. We will see he offered to let me jump his rig next time we are both out at the DZ. I appreciate everyones input..

I pmd Chuck on this as well but its a Wings EXT built to fit a normal 120. My Katana 107 goes in easy so I guess its a look and see. From the sounds of it a 111 may be a bit tuff but the 103 might work. I was leaning twords the 103 but wanted your guys opinion due to most of you having alot more experience under the Velo wing.

Currently jumping a Kat 107 at about 200 out the door. Am curious what size Velocity would be best suitable for my weight? I am just a weekend swooper so want what will have the best opening and flight characteristics for my size. On that note those of you who have put jumps on both how would you compare the opening characteristics as well as differences in dive and recovery characteristics. mmmmmmm beer goood!!!!

Look I am going to be honest I don't want to compete I am not a hardcore swooper and it has nothing to do with money ego or anything. I jump a Katana and am just a weekend warrior thats out to have a great time with my friends nothing more. I was making a point that good ole Canuck asked a fair question and as soon as people answered they were labled pussy's etc. It seems to me as this specific discipline grows there may be a time when the organizers look at its structure and say hey it might be a good idea to have a seperate class for non crossbraced canopies. Lets just say that all you guys are right the people that dont want to compete dont because they suck, their pussys, their whatever if creating another class would bring out more pilots, and develope the sport further whats the harm? They would still be in the same competition and learning and watching the best. One point of my post was to show that a fair question was asked and as soon as there were answers the personal attacks or digs were on! By your post 5 out of 6 were all digs at me. BTW NASCAR is going to let me race my Civic next year! I am sponsered by the local Adult Book Store

This is the same argument with the same people saying quit being pussy's and go compete. Ok I think everyone gets your point that any one can compete and learn. I do not think the reason is money or embarrasment its about trying to compete on a level playing field and having fun nothing more. Maybe NASCAR should allow me and my Honda Civic to start racing I am sure I can learn alot and not finish last. Its like every other sport go to your local hockey rink and there are 3 or more levels for someone to play at. The same with soccer, football, basketball etc. Because it is more enjoyable to compete with people on your level. Just like its not as much fun to compete against people that are going to spank you ass its not fun to go and compete against people you know your going to destroy either. Funny how someone asks for an opinion and as soon as its given they are jumped on called couch potatos and pussys. I competed on a round and did not finish last. Thats great, good for you. That does not mean its not a good idea to change things from time to time maybe its time to look at a nine cell class seems like every damn manufacturer has the near beer of crossbrace canopies out.

If you look at everyones posts including mine we all said Jason does an incredible job as well as all the staff. Its a difficult event to pull off expecially this year with the jackasses from the NPS pulling stuff at the last minute. This was also the first year in at least the last 4 that there was not more than one ramp. I was curious if this might have been part of the reason the wait in line was alot longer than in previous years. Obviously trains, and wind lots of water landings made a difference as well. Once again Jason is a GREAT guy and does and INCREDIBLE job. I am glad you got 4 jumps in. That does not mean we cant learn something new from each event. Hell I did not make one jump last year and had a great time and would have done it again in a heart beat. So if I am a bitchy whiney ass I will get over and am sure Jason was not bothered or offended by anyone comments.

Jason and the crew do a phenominal job on BD. I spoke with some staff and they said they had more trains this year than ever which helped slow things down. However, the wait in line seemed a bit extreme and I heard lots of grumbling among those who attended in line. Just curious if anyone else was a bit frustrated? I wonder if having only one ramp could have had something to do with it. Please keep in mind this is far from a slam. I had a great time at BD, Jason and the staff do a great job. Just wondering if wait time could be improved?

For what your going to pay for that suit they better get back with you quick. They are really nice suits, well made but be ready to pay the piper!!! Good luck with your search and if you can afford it those guys are a great choice!!

He became friends with a Croatian parachute manufacturer, Robert Peschent (sic), as they base-jumped from the 800 metre (2,700 ft) cliff at Monte Brento, north of Milan. "I'd been hearing about the legendary French sky-diver Patrick De Gayardon. He'd been jumping off this cliff just two months earlier and I wanted to meet him, but he died before we had a chance." de Gayardon fell to his death while testing out a wingsuit he had designed. "I decided to try to make one, and I persuaded Peschent and Stane Kranjc, another parachute maker, to come aboard." Who is this Robert Peschent guy? I have heard of this other guy Robert Pecnik that might have been involved with building that first suit and a few after that. Great research and editing. Too funny spelling Robi's name wrong. However very entertaining pictures and article.

Who is this Robibird guy and what does he know about BASE!!!!

Ok guys without trying to be a total ass since fireflys statement does not hold water what courses do you suggest? I have seen this question before and as soon as someone says hey I thought this course was great people comeo out of the woodwork with the same arguments that you guys make. Which we all get and make since. However, should no one answer this guy? Both of you and Nick are respected and knowledgable so maybe you might suggest a course to this guy privately if you dont feel comfortable in public doing it

Hey can't we all get along and enjoy Papa John's AND Domino's in harmony? Why oh why must there be such a divide in the pizza eating community? HELL NO I AM NOT EATING THAT CARDBOARD DOMINO'S CRAP YOU EAT IT!!!! Haahahahhaha bawaawe. I wonder when this thread is going to locked or sent to the bonfire! Next we can argue thin crust vs thick crust! Pep vs Sausage. fly safe people and eat smart!

Your absolutely correct Chuck did make a nice compliment and voice his concern in a proper fashion. I just felt and evidently was wrong that after that people started pilling on. Just thought that there might be a better way of letting PF know about a possible issue than how it was handled. BM is doing a fine job with all their new suits and people are very happy with them in fact in a previous thread I complimented them on their fantastic customer service with the blown out S3. That is the kind of service that makes repeat customers and spreads the good word! Excellent Job Guys!! On another note Matt quit ordering that cardboard Domino's pizza 1 800 GO PAPA!!!! It will be there on time! hahaahhah