mccordia

Both are agile suits, and in my experience (about 100 or so jumps on the final model of the Venom Power, about 20 or so on the V-Race) the Vampire Race has a bit of a steeper angle of attack and is more geared towards agility. It has a definite edge on the Venom Power in terms of speed and maneuverability. The Venom Power is slightly better in terms of glide, and (if wanted) can also handle slightly slower modes of flight (XRW etc) with ease. But also a monster for speed, and easy to swoop/dive etc. So roughly it breaks down to V-Race - Bit of a plus on agility V-Power - Bit of a plus on glide But both suits are already high end performance, and super easy to manouver and milk for speed, time or glide. Within the team at PF, half jumps/favours the V-Race while the other half sleeps with the Venom on. So its mostly depending on personal preference. If you're coming from a V4 / V5, the V-Race will for sure more fit the flying style you're used to. For me the Venom-Power is my weapon of choice. And awesome fun to fly... http://youtu.be/lDKfojXF4tg JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

So far Ive done 2500 wingsuit jumps on my Storm, and haven't had any issue with linetwists or cutaways. Super happy with the on-heading performance during openings. JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

Actually a small correction, suits for all normal size templates are only at a 4-6 week scedule for production right now. On the Havok Carve some of the bigger/odd sizes are taking a bit longer (like Elpnors) due to falling outside of normal templates (very tall, or bigger build) that havent been constructed yet. But all normal order placed now can expect shipping within 6 weeks. JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

We're at 12-14 week lead time, so your order should be close to shipping. Shoot me an email with your full name at [email protected] and coming monday Ill do a checkup. JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

When thinking of big suits, perhaps. But when looking at smaller wingsuits, a collapsed pull position thats held for a few seconds will create a smooth airflow around the body as well. And the size of the wing on beginner/intermediate sized suits is not an issue when pulling in collapsed state. And compared to the results from potential asymmetry that people with lower experience can encounter when going for a full flight pull, its for sure a more efficient pull position (collapsed). On bigger suits, a full flight pull becomes an easier option (as usually, though not always, that upsizing comes together with more experience as well). But for anything small/intermediate, a normal collapse will guarantee better symmetry. As to flying past people when deploying, perhaps separating 500 ft earlier and making sure that deploying bodies aren't that close to one and another is a safer option as well. But thats being a bit more being a comedian than safety nazi JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

For a skinny/tall European thats roughly chest-height vs total Chuck-size JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

Though for sure, building formations straight on line of flight is possible when using experience levels comparable to what FS and FF bigways demand, its far from ideal as it takes only one wrong turn to get into extremely dangerous situations. We saw one girl dive through a 40 something way in 2008 when an organizer put out a 2 plane load, with the base exiting first from the trailing plane. Though the blame was put on her actions by certain people, lack of briefing on dive build mechanics/approach and the actual diveplan itself where the main culprits (allong with the groups far exeeding experience levels in ambition). Making sure the LO always briefs every aspect of the dive, including approach is key. Whatever diveplan is designed, 90s or 180 degree turns to the DZ. Make sure everyone knows how and where to fly. And respects the direction of flight relative to the base. You also dont diverge from the driving direction on the highway in your car. As long as the direction you fly always matches the direction of the base, it prevents head-on/side-on collisions. JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

Thats why there's none for sale....they're all out there flying... JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

Try retrofitting the suit with tighter arms and a torso fit that cleanly hugs the body so it follows your every move....that 'funky' behaviour comes mostly from the suit not following the movement of the body on a 1 on 1 basis and sliding around as you turn one way or another. Theres a reason even freeflyers/tunnelflyers went for tighter and tighter suits for precision. JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

If you do want the full explanation, the injury or death preventing saves are more personal view than actual fact. Looking across the board, no single brand seems to be immume to injury or death. In recent accidents, squirel also frequently pops up. So those kind of quotes/statements are quite subjective. And there are quite a few people with negative experiences on your preferred suit feature as well, where the loose sleeve inverted (the bulging, often negative leading edge is quite visable in most videos) leading to armwing collapse and unexpectef tumbles and turns. I know Ive witnessed quite a few people fly like drunken drivers, having difficulty making the suit behave on heading, let alone on sharp turns. Perhaps not their 'style' in your view, but in a tighter fitting sleeve (have seen people modify the fit on the arms/body) it made a huge difference. A feature that may make reaching up slightly more positive, but creates sloppier flying characteristics, that can put a jumper in more dangers flying as well, doesnt look like a feature worth having. Theres sadly also quite a few examples on that side of the 'escape sleeve'. The focus PF has is on flying agility, clean turns and having suits that follow the movement of the body down to a single inch, for precision (similar to not having a ton of slack on your toggles on a canopy). Precision that can also keep you out of harms way on exits and flying. If you're buying a suit for flying, than making sure each design aspect fully guarantees the flying itself being sharpest/safest is our highest preference. And in our view, said feature adds a danger to flying, by introducing a seperation of suit and body in response thats far from wishfull. FYI, the PF venom feated stretching sleeve parts in the past. Hearing experiences of various people, seeing one jumper (in another brand) nearly impact due to the stretch material tearing and turning him into the cliff, and another one do unexpected backflying on exit due to inverted leading edge...it showed us it wasnt the direction we prefer to go. JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

In case such an error was made, the fix would have take 1-3 weeks to sort. Not 2-3 months. Its a shame such own assumptions are pushed as truth (from back in 2009/2010 when the P2 was made, vs the year 2014 we live in) without the actual experience of allowing the manufacturer the chance to fix it. Every manufacturer has its problems, especiay when selling higher volumes of suits. I know I hear equal amounts of bad mouthing, complaints about ill fits, rudeness in communication, inflation issues etc on 'the other one' from 'friends who had the same experience'. But is all that stuff about actual issues or just 'friends' pushing personal preference through badmouthing of products they dont prefer pushing. I put through about 150 or so orders for PF this past year without any problems, and even in rare cases of customer screw-up regarding measurements, a fitting solution was always provided. Which paints a way different picture from what some seem to try and promote (while flying and promoting other brands). Let the flying do the talking. Try various suits, see what you like. It sure beats the mid-evil tar and feather treatment based on hear-say and negative bs in effectiveness...that disguised brand wat stuff gets old... JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

Shadow JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

Chuck Blue is 'out' for a while, due to a broken ankle. So he isnt doing FFC's at the moment. But Ill give a shout, and see who's around for you guys! JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

Hi James, Jokes aside, the lead time should roughly be what it was around the time you ordered. For someone ordering now, thats about 12 to 14 weeks. But you ordered a while ago, so should be around the 8 to 10 weeks quoted around that time (or whatever was listed, its usually pretty accurate). It being a new suit/templates, there may be a small deviation, but the lead times are usually pretty accurate. Pricing is still not listed, as the suit is still in pre-order, to see what time goes into labour. But it should roughly be the same as the pricing for the 'old' Havok listed on the website, with an added $75 to $100 most likely. There is a lot more sewing that goes into the newer model. As soon as there are a double dozen suits finishes/delivered to customers, we'll have an actual pricing, and the full suit page and details will go up on the website. Also note that, though people may expect their suits in 3 weeks, the volume of suits ordered varies througout the year. So we try to find a balance in terms of number of workers needed (so we never need to lay anyone of). And we're still nowhere near some of the rig and canopy manufacturers, who are quite used to 3 to sometimes 9 month lead times. And depending on how busy things get with orders, that can be a reality. For orders made now, the lead time is around 10-12 weeks. But the 12-14 is staying on the safe side, as sometimes additional steps in the chain (people working through un-official 'dealers' etc) can add a few days. Expect the first finalized Havok Carves to hit the street in a short while, and a price announcement roughly start of next week. We're not a big evil microsoft coperation, but just a small company working hard to create amazing flying products for your enjoyment with a lot of enthusiasm. Hope that positive spirit shines through. JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

Maybe you just need to find less depressed/negative friends... JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

Yes...this is something that always happens when a new suit is announced. We had a tsunami of Carve orders come in, the moment the form went live. But the factory is ever expanding, and never laying anyone of in times of lower volume. The workers in the factory have been with Robi for a long, long time. Most of them from the Birdman days even. So all care and manpower is used to get the suits made asap. JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

About 12 to 14 weeks at the moment. Several people with normal Havok's already on order have been receiving Havok Carves the last few weeks. And every order made since the announcement is also currently in the queue/pending. Here's a bit of video on the Carve from Elsinore last week! YouTube JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

Neither hips or shoulders should be used. Close legwing, close 1 armwing, and simply wait for the roll to start. JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

Again...if you think about which surface does what, and which input generates what motion. You can do any exit, with only one arm wing, no armwings, or any type of turn of asymmetrical body position..and fully in control. Without the need to ever 'go instable' to learn to control those moves. One armwing - video With all this 'go unstable before going to a big suit' it would be nice if people thought more about the actual flying itself, and the control needed. A lot of the 'crazy acrobatics' people often mention, are (in my view) essential basics and survival tools for ANYONE serious about wingsuit flying or going to bigger wingsuits. If you 'go unstable' without understanding the input you gave, why is there even use to trying to learn how to get out of that. Focus your learning on the actual inputs themselves that make you move in each direction. JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

Wanna bet that even that can be done 'in control' if you understand the actual inputs? As to 'experiencing instability before upsizing'...NO! You dont. You need to be able to actually fly your body vs that fulltime planking exercise most people call training. Every good and experienced FS or FF jumper can tell you which input generates what turn or directional motion. Most wingsuit pilots talk about leaning and just doing this or that but lack an actual understanding on the subtle inputs needed to generate or counter motion on any given axis. Train more, get more assertive in your flying. Whats 'instability' to some, can be fun and awesome flying if you train it... JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

If you do it right, a controlled 360 degree spin, ending up on the same heading as you started.... Guys and girls...stop trying to 'get into a spin' and start working on getting the actual control you need to avoid it. Work on barrelrolls, frontloops, 360 degree spins, steep dives, steep turns etc etc. That's the exercise you need to help yourself in an actual unstable moment. JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

No it wont...that will just put you back on your belly real quick. Its not the flip or the legwing open during one that causes a spin. Its asymmetry in inputs, and after that, not doing the right thing to correct. JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

Dont try to get unstable, but learn to backfly, loop, flip, roll and twist through the sky. Learn to analyze what input and body position has what effect, and you wont get unstable and talk horror stories on spins etc. You'lll controll them and do them for fun. Headdown dives etc are all good fun, but if you really know and understand more agressive acrobatics, not anything you'll ever need as you'll know how to effectivly counter whatever turn or move you find yourself in. Regardless if your outlook is skydiving or base, becoming more agile and in control in any orientation is an important basis and mandatory skill. Much more important than 'planking' for a full jump in 1 body position (learning-wise). JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

Most of those posts are 'spare time' posts, talking about safety, acrobatics, teaching and flying. Though its also a job, the last 12 years of flying wingsuits is 99% love of the sport type stuff in terms of published materials, organized events etc. Never realized that was a negative thing... Its a shame the public bitching and gloating of the 1% of orders where there things didn't go as planned/hoped (be it spam, communication issues or an honest screwup) seems to be peoples main focus. Now even to the point of what I do in my spare time being an issue? If anyone has actual questions related to product or order issues, [email protected] is the address to use. JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?

Ill be putting some more detailed video stuff up later, but most of my recent videos show the suit ripping around the skies. The improvements in agility make it even sharper in transitions and steel angles then it already was. Ill have an extra carve with me at Elsinore in 2 weeks for those who want to try! JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete?