base935

I understand that ZP has a calenderizing coating impregnated that breaks down, causing more air to pass through, reducing its advantages. However, how significantly is F111 deteriorated by jumping into fresh, clean water? How is dacron's shrinkage in water? The canopy will be dried in the shade immediately, and not jumped wet. Gravity Research Institute

Just curious where I can get the paperwork to submit to the FAA, to exit an aircraft in violation of FARs regarding parachute equipment? Can I get a much simpler exemption, now that precident has been set, to jump a non-TSO container with a single parachute system? Gravity Research Institute

I would think that your local Scuba diving shop would have some solutions Gravity Research Institute

I'm in the final stages of building a ~1100sqft (~24'x48') USA flag, and have put the most difficult until the end. The blue field will be roughly 2.5 bolts tall, 12' or so, 18' long. The diameter of the stars will be 17" (4/5 stripe height), but looking for advice on how to best sew the white stars so that they will be visible from both sides. Sew the stars on with edges seamed, then cut the blue out with 1/2"ish allowance, then fold that back over? x50 Meticulous, repetitive, frustrating, etc. Gravity Research Institute

I've had Gatorz for 12+ years, and the pair that I had for the last 5 years cracked on the back of a tandems head. I've tried calling, left messages, and tried calling some more. No call backs from voicemails, and simply no answer at any of the extensions, to the point it's become a game that can't be won. I don't need customer service from my sunglass company, but when my expensive eye protection breaks from light knocks, it sure would be nice to simply have the company answer their phone. Who can recommend a solid pair of skydiving sunglasses? Gravity Research Institute

I know its not a WS, and I've never been into RW. But, would adding RW-style booties help, and get even more with the PF PowerTrack suit? Gravity Research Institute

reg-u-lar [reg-yuh-ler] –adjective 1. usual; normal; customary: to put something in its regular place. 2. evenly or uniformly arranged; symmetrical: regular teeth. 3. characterized by fixed principle, uniform procedure, etc.: regular income. 4. recurring at fixed times; periodic: regular bus departures; regular meals. 5. rhythmical: regular breathing. 6. occurring with normal frequency, as menses or bowel movements. Definition #6 works pretty well to clarify, and reduce the chances of a misunderstanding. I just jumped our 2,200 sqft flag for the third straight day. I consider that regularly jumped. I want to see some pics of the 7,800 sqft flag flying, and learn a little more on some of the seemingly insurmountable challenges that are presented. Gravity Research Institute

Just curious what the square footages of the largest flags regularly jumped is? Gravity Research Institute

Yes, and precisely why the Red Bull stunt from the last year or two has nothing on the jump from 1982. Gravity Research Institute

Heck yea, imsparticus! Wayne Allwood is my new hero, but if he is still in Oz, he might have to wait for me to buy him a beer. THANKS AGAIN!!! Gravity Research Institute

I've been looking and looking, but can't find any details. I downloaded a video years back from skydivingmovies.com, in which a jumper, perhaps in the 80's, jumped out of a helicopter, with smoke, and landed on a SpaceNeedle/CN Tower style structure, perhaps in Canada. Then, cutaway, hopped off and deployed his reserve. Landed in a park with people walking their dogs. Simply smirking. Got to find the clip, it was the most incredible video I've seen. And potentially buy that jumper a beer. Thanks guys, 935 Gravity Research Institute

Yea, all those $7,500 skydive rigs are really going to attract a new generation of skydivers with $35-40 jump tickets. Enjoy! Gravity Research Institute

Yes, and again you fail. That CFR says nothing prohibiting a single harness/single container parachute. Thanks though... Gravity Research Institute

Ah, the ignorance from those who don't know what is outside skydiving/Parachutist magazine. I don't need a reserve, thanks anyways. I just don't need a main. Guess we should ask the highly-experienced FAA Inspectors with thousands of jumps about their lawyerese opinions or interpretations of existing laws from the 1940s. Haha, how long, and how much energy did it take to get the reserve date moved to 180 days, and they still didn't write it correctly... BTW, I can't imagine skydiving is going to exist for the common man in 5 years... Think ahead... Gravity Research Institute

Even if you have no interest in gaining the experience that I have gathered by jumping fixed objects hundreds of times, with a single harness/single container system, built in my basement- that's cool. However, other than the apparent legality of jumping these systems out of an aircraft- what is the objection if a group of highly experienced jumpers, designing and testing this equipment in a remote area of private property, with the proper ATC radio calls, and paramedics at the ready, just in case? It is, after all, my life, and even if you don't understand the pushing of the envelope of parachute technology, there are others that do. And you should be grateful that there are jumpers that are willing to take (percieved) additional risks, to make the gear that you choose to jump, safer. Gravity Research Institute

I agree with boyd38off. And I would love to hear other opinions concerning this. That's what makes dropzone.com such an excellent resource for all of us that love parachutes! The wording is even more clear than I imagined. When reading this, it specifies that you can't let someone exit with a single harness/dual parachute system, unless it's TSO'd, 120 days, etc... It doesn't necessarily say that you can't let someone out unless they have the 1/2 system. What about the 1/1, the way it reads? In a nutshell, what this states is that a pilot cannot allow anyone to exit an airplane with a two canopy, one parachute system, unless it complies with the TSO/120days/etc. It does not prohibit a pilot to drop someone with an "unapproved" single canopy/single harness system. Sec. 105.43 Use of single-harness, dual-parachute systems. No person may conduct a parachute operation using a single-harness, dual-parachute system, and no pilot in command of an aircraft may allow any person to conduct a parachute operation from that aircraft using a single-harness, dual-parachute system, unless that system has at least one main parachute, one approved reserve parachute, and one approved single person harness and container that are packed as follows: (a) The main parachute must have been packed within 120 days before the date of its use of a certificated parachute rigger, the person making the next jump with that parachute, or a non-certificated person under the direct supervision of a certification parachute rigger. (b) The reserve parachute must have been packed by a certificated parachute rigger-- (1) Within 120 days before the date of its use, if its canopy, shroud, and harness are composed exclusively of nylon, rayon, or similar synthetic fiber or material that is substantially resistant to damage from mold, mildew, and other fungi, and other rotting agents propagated in a moist environment; or (2) Within 60 days before the date of its use, if it is composed of any amount of silk, pongee, or other natural fiber, or material not specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this section. (c) If installed, the automatic activation device must be maintained in accordance with manufacturer instructions for that automatic activation device. Just like if you have an AAD, it has to be maintained. It is illegal if it is expired by one day, and the pilot could face actions due to this. And on a side note, jumping without a reserve would be foolish, when your main is a small, twitchy, unpredictable opening, cross-braced swoop machine. At that point, you are jumping a reserve, and if that fun canopy opens, its a bonus. A fixed-object system is essentially your reserve. With both systems, if the reserve fails, you have the rest of your life to deal with it. I'm looking for anyone to post the exact FAR that would prohibit the single harness/single paracute system. I do not endanger my life unnecessarily, and I personally feel that wiht the right conditions, a single harness/single canopy system is FAR more reliable and "safe" than the skydiving systems that many of you are familiar with. Gravity Research Institute

Round two of the Westcliffe Boogie is coming October 6, come celebrate the end of summer, and set some world record swoops at 8,600ft! Because of the altitude, the swoop competition will be invite only. PM for details. Gravity Research Institute

For what its worth, when I had a couple hundred skydives, I had a cutaway on my Stiletto 120, and when the Tempo 120 opened, it had a significant turn, can't remember what direction. In fact, I remember thinking that if I had a second reserve, I would have cut that first reserve away. Sold it for $400, bought a PDR for $650- it was very well spent money for sure... Gravity Research Institute

I really hate to sound like this, but what are you going to do to help? Fly in with your jedi skills, to a super unstable pair, the tandem who is incredibly unpredictable, and just twist off the line that is attached to a 5 foot drogue at 150+ mph? Without getting your own head snapped off? And that's if your good buddies with the TI and know that he would want the problems complicated by you potentially getting involved. Step back and think about what you are about to get into... Gravity Research Institute

I like stuff... Do you like stuff? Gravity Research Institute

A big shout out to all that made the drive out the beautiful Westcliffe, Colorado boogie. We had some rad swoops into the mountain ranch at 8,600ft, hucked some fun ways, and drank a lot of beer Saturday night. We're having another boogie this fall, bigger and better with helicopters landing in the pasture, and the swoop meet is going to be off the hook! Guns, beer, girls, and parachutes... Gravity Research Institute

I think you should have sex with BASE935. That would help... Lots of sex... Gravity Research Institute

Interesting. I can't imagine how you are correct. Especially if you are jumping a non-vented canopy. If you take a short delay, which was the discussed situation (lets assume a 1 sec delay- 16fps down, 20fps forward, roughly 45 degrees), the relative wind vector will be from behind, coming from your feet to head. As opposed to the head to toe, eg. nose towards tail. You don't think that air rushing into the nose would increase the speed of opening relative to air rushing past the tail, past the nose, until the overhanging nose gets to scoop some of the air that is "relatively" outflowing past the nose? And yes, everything causes lineovers. But I would assume that all things being equal, air blowing hard from the tail lines of the canopy towards the nose would have a much higher incidence of lineovers than the nose inflating first, which is exactly what the tailgate is supposed to promote. It is the tail lines that are most likely to cause a lineover, btw. Deployment position is different than the relative wind that the wind will react to once it hits the air. I am very interested to hear your rationale in why a tailwind would open the same as a headwind. Since the canopy is opening, and inflating, at only the nose. (non-vented, and to a lesser degree vented.). And how lines that are getting blown towards the nose can't create a problem on opening. Kind of makes me wonder if it would make a difference according to your thinking, if you were on the Prine with 20+ winds, whether you floated it or just hucked it normal. Same thing, same opening, no difference at all? Gravity Research Institute

Summary: With "enough" winds between the wires, a guyed tower is a relatively safe object. With a simple diagram, you would understand that the angle of the wind is constant, and the distance from the wires is increasing with every moment. You get the thrust from your jump away from the tower, wind drift in freefall away, wind drift once the canopy opens, and even some subterminal track if its tall enough. With a 180, you're in the same situation as when you get a bad spot at the dz, and no matter how hard you try, pointing back at the lz, you can't make it. Without winds, you are jumping not only something as "unsafe" as a building or underhung cliff (things hanging off the A), but you are jumping a notch. With the B or E, you have 180deg of "freedom", 90 each direction. With the windless A, anything more than a 60deg offheading, and you will be screwed without immediate input. And you're right, the wires aren't walls. They're worse. What is that going to do when you hit it with your neck or body, halfway up your lines in flight, or tear your canopy in half on guywire. You aren't always guaranteed a jump when you show up at your local slider down cliff, sometimes you will have to walk away from your building after staying up all night, and might even get winded off the Prine. It sucks, but you might have to climb down from a tower, asking here what you already know is the right decision won't make it any safer. BTW, if the winds are between the wires, but blowing harder than you want, and are still going to go, consider some things. Strong tailwinds are going to slow your opening, air isn't getting forced into the open nose cell. You might want to practice your handheld action, you're increasing the chances of having the bridle wrapping around arms or body. Head high will also be better than head low. And if you still have to go, you also might want to consider climbing a little higher and getting a little more delay time. If the winds are strong, and not perfectly between, consider a little push off into the wind, and keep in your mind that when the canopy opens "perfect", there is a better direction to turn back into the wind for landing. That is if you still insist on going. That should be enough loose generalizations for one post, have a great jump. Choose your own level of danger. Gravity Research Institute

I can't believe that the people on dz.com don't have real friends, who have other friends, who have friends, etc, who can steer you to the people who are locals. If you went to the Perrine for your FJC, or made buddies with TomA, you should know someone within 1,000 miles of the next place you are taking a weekend trip with your rig, or at least have a name of someone how can guide you to the next buddy of a buddy. Its called REFERENCES and CONTACTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't even keep track of the jumpers in my own town who think they are qualified to teach other jumpers here. And then those come back from the Perrine! The internet and this board isn't the solution to all of BASEs problems, keep the personal network active, off the internet! Gravity Research Institute