ikenever

I have to second Blair's opinion on the Pilot. I too use a Pilot 168 with my S3. Aerodyne deserves a nod on this all-arounder.

Not mandatory but smart. Either will run you through the border check point easier. If they don't like your looks you will be searched... So be careful about what you bring with you.

I'll be there! B.J. Alexander

Manbird what is Kapollapalooza? When and where?

Does anyone have a preference between the Forerunner and the Foretrex?

Perry, I never took the opportunity to comment on your ability to teach flying even though you spoke no Russian. The way you did it was impressive. You didn't ask for compensation. You could have made a ton of money but you chose to make it easier for new comers to join the flock. 25 new birds in 2 days with 3 suits! Not to mention winning one of the first gold medals in the first ever wing suit competition. Congratulations, you deserve it! B.J.

Jim, Sorry I missed you on Saturday. Caught the cold of a life time at the Birdman competition in Moscow Russia. Next time you plan on visiting Richland Skysports let Larry know ahead of time. B.J. Alexander [email protected]

Can you make it a couple days earlier? Say May 22-24? That's Saturday thru Monday...

So far 4 from Florida, 1 from Tennessee, 1 from Idaho and 2 from Washington and some from Russia. Others have tentatively signed on...

I too have an interest in flying the Bird suit in Iceland. More info please!

Any time of the year is a good time for a Bird-Man Boogie. Imagination and a little hard work will help you organize a fun event. I am currently working on the Red Star Bird-Man Boogie in Stupino Russia scheduled for May 22-24. There we'll have 3 one round events (Hawk,Honker and the Roller Pigeon). The events are short and designed to have fun but yet won't eat up the entire boogie. There will be 9 medals awarded in three places for the three events.(1 for overall champion based on a point system) This will give everyone the opportunity to take home some hardware. Keeping the friendly competition short and sweet will leave plenty of time to flock big and little ways not to mention jump the different array of Russian aircraft. I hope this info gives you a little thought on what you would like to do. Remember to deliver what you promise. Good luck!

If you would like to go, secure a room with the rest of the group from the US. We will be staying at a nice location overlooking the Oka River located 20 minutes from the dz. At times we fly the MI-8 back to the hotel to jump in or land the helicopter 100' from the main entrance. Or we take the shuttle bus. Your choice!

AN-26 tail gate, AN-2, 2~MI-8, 2~MI-2, LI-2 (Russian DC3) LET 410, YAK-52 (inverted) Come join: Chris Martin -Precision Aerodynamics Jari Kuosma -Bird-Man Inc. Kolla Kolbeinsdottir - Performance Designs Egon Sussman -Relative Workshop Justin Thornton -Mirage Systems [email protected]

Some day we (bird people) will be competing in the World Meet. Maybe then the finger will point to the best. Until then, our best are the aggressive fliers and innovators of new equipment, safety training and those teaching us how to be the cleanest wing possible. Credit goes to that individual. When you speak, your imagination is taking a break. Break is over!

Fred the S&TA / operater, Makes everyone feel welcome and was very accomodating. I would recommend stopping in if you wish to jump as you pass through during your travels. B.J. Alexander Kennewick, WA.

My skydiving group found this drop zone as having a safety concerned Chief and staff that is also accomodating and friendly to eveyone. Kolomna is a nice place to skydive. Will be happy to return soon for another visit. B.J. Alexander USA

I have noticed that my response and the replies to this particular subject have been viewed by many people. Education is important to us all when it comes to our safety at our sport. As a Rigger, I am committed and legally bound to follow the manufacturers instructions and recommendations when it comes to my work and my personal equipment. Birdman International recommends against pullout style pilot chutes. That is the advice that all of us should follow. My intent was not to favor one over the other nor cloud the issue. This is an open forum for discussion. I have successfully deployed my main canopy over 6000 times with a pullout pilot chute without incident. I am trying to further educate myself on the subject due to some comments made in this forum. I had currently modified my Vector III to a B.O.C to accept a throwout pilot chute with a 9 foot bridle for my Birdman flights. B.J. Alexander

Alex, The distance between the pud handle and pilot chute base is 6". If you deploy with a lazy or half hearted pull/throw a hesitation is probable. It is indeed good advice for you to follow the manufacturers instructions and recommendations as stated by Birdman International. Thank you for your reply. B.J. Alexander

Kevin, I have manufactured a ZP pilot chute with a 9 foot bridle to use with my Vector III for Birdman jumps as recommended by the manufacturer. I am still confused on the main D bag doing strange things during a pilot chute hesitation. Did someone tell you that the bag flys out of the container with little or no resistance? The 12 different containers that I have owned over the last 28 years have staged bag extraction only after the pilot chute snatched it from my back. I am interested in seeing the backup data on the test results conducted by Birdman if and when it becomes available. Please read the first line of my reply again. Thanks B.J. Alexander

Education or opinion? I have read the replies to pullout with Birdman suit. First as a reply to the short bridle quote, bridles can be manufactured at any length for pullout pilot chutes kill line or not. Opinions have been stated on one pilot chute or another being caught in a burble. Do we honestly think this? A pilot chute is a pilot chute. When you throw the B.O.C type, it is inverted (handle is sewn to the apex. When you pull and throw the pullout style, it is already upright and ready to inflate. There is a burble behind you reguardless of which design you chose. That burble is a phenome down draft that occurs on your back as you are face down to Earth. That down draft makes it difficult for your 5 to 12 lbs. canopy to hop or get sucked off your back. The 2 ounce pilot chute will surely be more eager to leave your back than your main canopy. I have been jumping a pullout pilot chute since 1977 with zero hesitations. Maybe because of an aggressive pull at dump time. As far as the handle location and whether or not it is easy to grab and pull, remember both are usually located in the exact same spot as one another! One thing to think about is that your reserve container is open as your reserve pilot chute is looking for that clean air if you get my point B.J. Alexander