divegoddess

Tiny person here. I have a little bit of heft on this girl coming in at 5'4" and 107 lbs...but I've not experienced trouble flaring anything from 90s to canopies over 300 square feet....but I've been on the other side of this conversation for a decade. I'm no expert certainly- I am still learning- but I feel like my perspective is a bit different than most. I feel super lucky to have had opportunities to do canopy coaching and courses regularly throughout my time in the sport. Although I know not everyone has these opportunities present themselves regularly...I can't say enough how much Flight-1 has taught me about the tiniest details that make the biggest difference no matter what wing I am flying. If we can get through our student progression flaring much larger canopies....we can flare a 150. Just my opinion- Small people have it kind of tough when it comes to canopy flight. Tiny people are often put on smaller wings than most skydivers would fly while we are learning because we are chasing that 1 to 1 wing loading.When we make the same mistakes that most skydivers do while learning how to fly- the effects of our mistakes have a significantly higher impact due to the fact that a smaller wing- no matter what the wing loading is- will be more responsive and there is less margin for error than something with more square footage over our head. In my experience so far- tiny people will often find the level of performance they are looking for under a smaller wing...with a lighter wing loading than what most skydivers will see as normal for our experience level at the time. If flight-1 does courses near you seek out a professional canopy coach. This should help tremendously when deciding what the next step in her progression will be.

WOW- that photo of our rigging class just brought back some really nice memories- Jen was kind enough to pick me up from the air port when I traveled to DeWolfe's course. She seemed really cool and I very much looked up to her as a new rigger. Thank you Jen- may you rest in peace

http://vimeo.com/54289143

As a person with a small head, it's difficult to find a camera helmet that fits me with enough space to mount everything on top. I was pretty surprised to find that Tonfly makes this helmet in a size that fits my tiny head perfectly. It is lightweight, comfortable, quiet, and I notice very little shake on my video.The helmet feels very stable in freefall the weight of the cameras feels very balanced and I love that I don't have to crank the chincup so tight my face is squished. The only thing I had trouble with was taking it off- but after a few jumps it was no longer a problem. There is plenty of space for my audibles and I hear them perfectly. I really like the converter mounts- SUPER quick and easy to remove my still camera to replace the battery and put it back into place. It's the little things about this helmet that really make it awesome. The fact that the helmet comes with two sections already prepared for hypeyes and two sections prepared to run cables so that you can plug the helmet directly into the TV for debrief (and space in the padding so it won't dig into your melon),the extra plate so you can quickly change from one configuration to another,the screw for the adjustment of the chin cup angle, the cutaway system, the double audible ports. If you expect alot from your camera helmet there are so many things you can do with the 4X top (shark). In addition to all the neat stuff that comes with the helmet, Tonfly has loads of extra accessories such as a larger top plate, angled plates for your still camera, etc- I am without want as far as features on this thing. I am really happy I decided on this helmet- it is SO much nicer than what I was jumping before.

This is the best freefly helmet I've ever had. When I put this on my head it stays put. I can't even feel this helmet on my head while I am flying(unlike other helmets I've flown that try and lift off my head when I start picking up speed)so all there is to focus on....is flying. I really like the external audible port option. I hear all of my alerts very clearly. It's attractive,light ,comfortable,very nice quality for the price. Love it and I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a nice simple freefly helmet.

This suit is just amazing. Very very powerful flying surface. Accelerates very quickly and stops on a dime.....I just can't believe how efficient this suit is. It will very quickly make your bad habits apparent. For a skilled body pilot, this is the equivalent of the velocity for jump suits ;p Works great in the sky and in the tunnel. Its great to finally have a suit that does not inflate when I flip over on my back in the tunnel. Triple reinforced seams make this suit as durable as it is beautiful. I am quite impressed with the whole experience.The customer service was great and it was perfect out of the box. The fit is great, embroidery is very attractive and they matched the colors I requested perfectly. Money well spent with no regrets.

Of all the camera helmets I have ever flown this one takes the cake. The fit of this is simply amazing and that is usually my problem with helmets.From the first time I put this on it was a perfect fit like it was custom made for me. This helmet is so light and comfortable it's like a dream. Very easy to install/remove an audible, the liners feel great and are easily replacable. The chincup is very comfortable as well. I am surprised to say I have not one bad thing to say about these helmets.

yup Mike-Looking at your photo- our loft had a brand new wings container that did exactly the same thing. Interesting to hear that others have run across this as well.

tube stows for center locking stows- everything else gets "dacron" or "medium rubber bands" double stowed. If there is any doubt why not call UPT? I'm sure they would be happy to help you =)

These jump suits are fantastic. I've got about 300 jumps on mine and it's perfectly molded to my body. It's amazing and super powerful...though your quirky little bad habits you may have developed will quickly become apparent The construction of them is unbelievable as well as customer service. I can't say enough good things about them. I can't wait to take mine to nationals =)

It's getting closer! I'm bringing PD demos! I will be the chick with purple hair under the PD tent by the pond... Who else is coming???

hey thats ME! I'm glad you like my exit =)Inspiring people in three dimensions to try new things they haven't tried before has become my mission in life. My camera guy is really the one who made it look nice though. It's not as hard as one might think.....It took me about 500 jumps to be aware enough to realize where I was and stop the rotation on my head. But you can do this easily and stop on your belly or your back. If you are ever in DeLand I would be happy to jump with you. Rock Love

papa smurf PURPLE glitter please....wish I could come...but can you put some PURPLE in there for me? I don't know why but when I heard he wanted a glitter ash dive....my first thought was purple. DAVE- you were just the coolest guy...the voice from under the packing table when I would come to bother the riggers with questions. See you on the other side man.

After putting some jumps on this suit I am still surprised at just how powerful it is!You really have to fly your body well as any bad habits will be exaggerated a bit. Dealing with Tonflys customer service was awesome and the suit got here SO fast. The colors on the embroidery match my rig exactly and the construction of the suit exceeds my expectations. When I first put the suit on it felt very tight. After one jump I could feel it starting to break in. The more I jump it, the better it feels. Like freefly skin....a different feeling than conventional suits I've flown. This suit is great for jumping in the florida summer heat. I've taken it on bigway RW jumps, flown video, freefly, freestyle...I'm just blown away I can wear this suit for everything. Tonflys 618TS is like nothing I've ever flown before.Every jump I put on it makes me love it more =) Anyone who is really serious about flying your body will appreciate Tonflys suits on many levels. Worth every penny! I would recommend them to anyone.

there are people modding these up right now...I just bought one....however I am having trouble deciding the best setting for jumping......tryingthe bitswitch today....tongue switch didn't seem to work very well....anyone jumping one of these right now? It's awesome to have this on my helmet.... it seems to respond........really..........slowly.......and I'm not sure if it's the switch or the camera settings.....

Ive recently switched to a Katana wing. At first I felt the same way about the openings. I felt as though I was wrestling with the canopy for the entire deployment to keep it on a heading. I was also told not to try and steer through the opening....In general I think people tend to fear the unfamiliar. After almost 1000 jumps on a sabre 2 in the same size there was nothing about this canopy that was familiar. After I put 20 or so jumps on the wing I found the openings to be nothing short of an unstoppable force of awesomeness....after 100 jumps on the wing I am finding that the more I fly it the more I just love this wing. It's very responsive to harness and toggles, light front riser pressure, a nice recovery arc.....I've not felt this connected to a wing in my short skydiving carreer so far.....I'm really glad I gave it a chance and didn't cast it aside thnking I hated the openings. I had alot of people tell me I'd hate them! BUT now that I've gotten a bit more comfortable on the wing my openings are soft and on heading. I love my new Katana =) BTW I do not do anything to the nose. I make sure the nose is flaked nealty and I open the center cell up to encourage the canopy to inflate from the center out...but I NEVER roll,tuck, or do any sort of shoving....let the nose do it's job...don't hide it from the relative wind. with over 4000 jumps I am sure your body position is not the cause. You could just have an angry canopy. if you feel it is the canopy call PD.

its funny your should say that.....

me too =)

I have really been enjoying freestyle. I'm definitely not good enough for competition yet, but I have been able to get a lot of the moves you suggested I start with and a few others I came up with. me niether....but if everyone who didn't think they were gonna win...didn't go....we wouldn't have much of a competition would we. I'm hoping to learn alot and come back with a better routine next year =) It's a dying art! We need everyone we can get.

The dates are actually in the calendar here but it's labor day weekend September 4th to the 7th Come on out!

Tiffany Lamb =) LOVE her Awesome looks like there will be a good turnout this year. I can't wait.

It’s that time of year again, when the last days before the kids go back to school are upon us. The good folks over at Skydive New England feel that they would do you a grave disservice to send you off feeling healthy and rested. And so they have organized the fabulous Tiki Bar weekend! The ingredients for a bad ass boogie: •PERFORMANCE DESIGNS DEMOS •CASA •SUPER OTTER •HELICOPTER •KICK ASS ORGANIZERS •CRW CAMP Jump all day with, freefly record attempts, Big way’s, formation loads, load organizing, pond surfing and sunset tracking dives and more good stuff. Party all night at the tiki bar with live music, bonfire parties (like the old days), good people, and things you just don’t see every day! Stay for the burning of the bar

Saturday night John LeBlanc will be presenting a presentation on The Two Paths of Canopy Progression.....sorry about that.....

I am wondering what kind of turnout there will be at nationals this year. I unfortunately have not been able to train as i am short on earth monies.....but i am currently fundraising in hopes of competing anyway. I'm hoping flew-id will be there who else?

Hey everyone! This weekend (August 22nd and 23rd) PD is setting up camp at Skydive City Z-Hills. We will have demos available for all who would like to try. Saturday night John LeBlanc will be presenting a presentation on The Two Paths of Canopy Flight. This is a great source of information for skydivers of all levels. So please come out and join the fun at Skydive City Z-Hills. Look for the big PD tent =) We'll see you there.