pjc

QuoteWe did a pull test and I believe it was right at 3-5lbs to pull the pin (Way lower than the max of 12lbs iirc). reply] I don't know if we measure different in the UK to the US but our max pull is 22lb's and this must be tested and written on the repack form on every repack. I personally would not be comfortable jumping with a reserve pull force of 3lb's as I would consider that the pin would be too easy to dislodge. Maybe you lot are just a bit limp wristed

I heard somewhere that you're more likely to hit a bird on the way to the dz than actually jumping

Hi Darren, My Bro is type 1 so I know the restrictions that you face. In a nutshell, if you are under 40 - you sign a self declaration of fitness to paracute. If you are over 40 a doctor must sign you off. On the self dec you are signing to say you do not have diabetes so technically you cannot sign. So your only chance is the doctor. In the docs notes it states that diabetes will "normally" make a candidate unfit although there are some exceptions. www.bpa.org.uk/forms/docs/Form%20114%20-%20Declaration%20of%20Fitness.pdf I would speak to John Carter the BPA doctor. Alternatively, I think the view on diabetes is more relaxed in the States, so maybe you could do a course there and get a USPA licence and jump in Spain (Lots of brits do this as they are fed up with BPA regs and weather so they head off to spain 1 weekend a month and cram a bunch of jumps in

Thanks for the input everyone - No takers for every 200 jumps yet then??

Mirage recommend 200-400 jumps but this seems over-excessive. Mine are approaching 400 and on close inspection there is no sign of wear whatsoever. Anyone change them at 200?? Anyone go over 1000??

ATC isn't a problem as such if you are not dropping from or through controlled airspace - Plenty of open FIR in Shropshire

Got what I needed - Thanks Tom

Hi All, I am giving a general talk on skydiving next week and I am having trouble finding a few basic facts on the 400 way - Exit altitude, number of a/c (5 c130's wasn't it?) etc. Anyway, I am sure this information must be out there but dz.com & google searches have not come up with the goods yet (or the wt 06 site!?!) Any help greatly appreciated... Paul.

AFAIK it's NZAS. It's approx 2 yrs old and has ~400 jumps Do Icarus still make canopies in Spain?

So it's not just a 1 off then, looks like this could be a weak point on Icarus Canopies. I think I'll get some reinforcement stitching put on all 4 stops!

Anyone come across a slider stop on a crossfire (metal disc thingies) coming unstitched and causing bad openings? My 139 (400 jumps) started getting bad openings just before a linetwist chop 5-6 months ago (this could well have been the cause), I've been getting nasty openings on 9 out of 10 jumps since then. A rigger has just spotted the slider stop being unstitched and floating about in it's pocket this weekend - a few stiches and I'm getting nice on-heading openings again.... most of the time If anyone else is getting dodgy openings on a crossfire, it is worth a quick check that all the stops are all still stitched in place.

Yeah - get more jumps first - But since you asked - fwiw, my choice would be the x-fire 2 over the stilletto as it has better openings and a longer recovery arc. I can't comment on the Springo though as I haven't jumped one.

Yes - To Mount a 400D. I've done it now! Only had one set of holes to re-fibreglass

Just about to let loose with the drill on my Cookie MXV to install a flatlock. Has anyone got any hints as to how to get the forward/back position right so the camera is framing ok in the vertical plane. I don't want to end up using loads of spacer washers or packing under the front/back of the camera. Thanks Paul

Out of interest - what size container and reserve ?(also is there an aad?) I've had a pilot 150 in a Mirage G4/M4 with a PDR 163 (although this was a little on the loose side) and I reckon it would go into my M1 at a squeeze (with PDR 143) both rigs are/were Cypres fitted.

How do you know he's a little person??

The problem is that the optional deice system on caravans is not designed or approved for flight into known iceing, it is a 'get out of jail' system however it does give pilots flying illegally into icing conditions the confidence to try and fly through or climb out of trouble. This trap has caused the demise of many cessna caravans in the commercial (cargo) world - but may not have anything to do with this incident.

Thanks for all the input everyone

Thanks for info... Mccordia, I did search but wanted a bit more info on Phantom as 1st suit. Hey Zoter, I'd like to take you up on your offer if you don't mind. Are you up to anything on Sunday??

Buying a 1st suit and I am currently favouring the PF Phantom but I am unable to get hold of a demo suit. I would appreciate if anyone can give me any good or bad feedback on this as a 1st suit before I part with the cash... Thanks!!

I was 37 but I videoed my eldest son on his 1st tandem at 15 yrs 3 weeks ago>>> http://www.pauljcooper.co.uk/videos/karlstandem.wmv

Ha - I got that but didn't think much of it as I'm in Abu Dhabi airport and I just got this when I tried to get on www.basejumper.org......... Lots of Arabic followed by - We apologize the site you are attempting to visit has been blocked due to its content being inconsistent with the religious, cultural, political and moral values of the United Arab Emirates. If you think this site should not be blocked, please visit the Feedback Form available on our website. Site Blocked

As JM responsibilities are often allocated at many dz's by someone shouting, "hey XXXXXX can you JM this one" as the load is walking out, this just about leaves time to sort out the exit order. No way can you check and be held responsible for all A lic jumpers on that load to have had their AAD's visually checked. If that was the case I think there would be a lack of people willing to put themselves forward to JM.

www.cloudflyer.com make a wristwrap for the viso! I got one & it works perfectly!!

OK - This is not BS! Last weekend, my PC1000e had this exact problem (with error code 31:40 I think) I tried resetting the camera and drying out moisture - no difference, I thought it was dead... Then I searched the web and came across a forum where a guy that used to work in a sony repair shop said they used to cure this by holding the camera in one hand and smacking it hard with the other hand on the cassette side door. Lots of people responded saying they had done this and it worked. So I did it to my camera - instant cure!!!!