pjc

What about us dark sidies??? is it worth going or is it mainly an RW event now?... I assume there must be a few FFers if Babylon are going??

Thanks for the info, I've been watching both lapalisse-aero.com & espaceboogie.com for the last few weeks and they both say full info soon but theres only a couple of weeks to go now! So I guess its going to be quite a low key affair with just the skyvan then.... Anyone know any different? Edit to add - Just found out there will be a Twin Otter there too!!

Supposed to be 15-18 August but apart from that there doesn't seem to be much info available. Can anyone tell me more??

I agree with seatbelts in general. But the seatbelts on some of the planes I've been in, especially when you have to sit on the floor and clip something to the MLW - coupled with the door arrangement..... Lets just say I wouldn't want to have to get out in a hurry in the case of an engine or cabin fire on the ground...

I am learning to swoop on a pilot 150 loaded at 1.4. I am typically doing 135 front risers from 300 feet. I usually need to hold a tiny bit of double fronts for a second or 2 after coming out of the turn to keep the canopy from planing out too early. It seems to be an ideal setup for learning and I am getting enough speed and long enough swoops to keep my interest levels going for the time being. I don't think it is a bad canopy to start swooping on at all. Also, none of the coaches I have trained with have suggested otherwise My next canopy though will probably be a change to somthing like a xfire 150 in a few 100 jumps rather than a downsize.

I was taught (and have heard elsewhere) that a bi-plane (1 in front of the other) if stable should be steered gently on the brakes of the dominant canopy (although I now agree risers may be better) BUT if they are side by side and the risers are clear then disconnect rsl (if you've got one) and chop the main. I believe the thinking is that a side by side is much more likely to develop into a downplane than one in front of the other.

I jumped my P150 for the 1st time this weekend also

Isn't that just a tracking dive??

Can't wait, I'm gonna grease myself up for the first pack job to prolong the pleasure

Just got my new Pilot 150 this morning, it was ordered 3 months ago but that was the time quoted with the order so I wouldn't sweat it!!

Aha... I've always just set zoom to infinity and focus to manual. What you are saying is that a .3 zoomed in a bit and focus set to manual at that point is similsr to a .4 - .5 in which case, the .3 would give you greater flexibility and you don't need to carry a load of lenses about to do different stuff...... right?

I'm comparing a .5 to a .3 I have only used the liquid5 which is .45 and I find spot on for my jump numbers. The Liquid3 is actually .29, I have tried one on my camera and you would need to keep very close to the subject for them not to appear small and insignificant in the vid!! I don't know how the dragon .3 (as jasonRose is considering) compares to the liquid3, Although I have heard there are significant differences between .3 and .5 from one manufacture and .3 and .5 from another. I still think any .3 lens is too wide angle for someone starting out. I would be interested to hear what others think....

You will be much better off with a 0.5 lens as a new camera flyer. The Liquid lens (0.45ish) on the pc1000 is the nutz!!

Thats Arsenal for those that don't know!!!!

I recommend you try a pilot, perfect openings, predictable turns, easy to land.. I've had a 188, currently jump a 168 at 1.2 : 1 (and getting nice 90 FR performance(ish) landings or mellow straight in's)and I have a 150 on order. I am a fan!!

Hey Zoter, I went back in March (over there for work supposedly ) Did 3 days with Pip and got FF2 (whatever that counts for!!) Its a hard life eh!!

If its any consolation, at least we (UK) don't have to go through pages & pages & pages of disclaimers every time we turn up at a new dz to jump. Last time I was in the US I was told that one large dz actually videos you watching a safety video and signing all the disclaimers to prove it was actually you that signed I hope it doesn't get that way over here!!! I do feel though that if we want to check our own gear then we should be able to! Rather than having to have someone you may not even know jiggle your pins about, pulling your bridle out then slapping you on the back while asking where your hook knife is!!

Hot, Humid, High are all bad for flying (or good, depends how you look at it . Basically all of these conditions will make your canopy fly faster and flare less effectively (and the jump-plane will need a lot more runway!!)

As sealing of reserves isn't required in the UK, if a rigger seals a reserve packjob on my rig, could I remove the seal if I wanted to?? PJ

Hey Zipp0, What do you think about rsl's??

Me... I'd pull it completely (& keep it) and then go silver (no messing). Wasn't that pic also on the cover of last months BPA Skydive Mag?

Its Friday

http://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=845&ArticleID=1347943

I flew past Sibson within 5 miles today at around 1PM. Didn't see any smoke and I heard another plane call Wittering who was returning to Sibson so hopefully it's not too bad. Doesn't sound good on the report though. Anyone got more info yet

Different DZ's seem to have differing views on this. I'm not saying where this pic was taken though...