mbondvegas

You can adjust the firing altitude of a Vigil II. See the manual and "altitude correction".

200 or maybe a 182

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John, Why not convert your 2 sided RSL to a Collins Lanyard instead?

I am not sure what a Collins Lanyard is. Every time I talk to Booth he defines it differently. All I know is that it is part of an RSL system, which doesn't work when experiencing a bag lock and you are on you back. See: http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=4155226;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;;page=unread#unread

I am sure that it is not a cross connector and that the “maled” main will loose necessary drag with an asymmetrical cutaway.

I will be happy to compare Safety records. The Racer Tandem has over 5 Million jumps on it in the last 20 years and we have had one mis-rigged tandem and one RSL sport incident where the manual was not followed. There have been several other incidents where it was mis-used but without tragic results. A total of 4 of 5 total user errors out of 5 million jumps. No system failures!

That's a good record! Fair enough. Question: If one unhooks one side of the RSL on a racer as I think it says you can do on page 9, does it still function. Sorry, don't own a racer, but from my looking at the manual, it looks like unhooking one side would totally disable the RSL...which is fine...just making sure I understand.

BTW, I have owned a Firebolt and wish I still had it. Best openings EVER! Been looking for a good used one for a while now! I have flown Sabre2's, Pilots. Safire2's, Tri's Spectre's and find the Firebolt the best of the bunch, but at your $2,100 new price...I just can't bite the bullet and there are so few used one's on the market. I think the Firebolt is overlooked because of people's prejudice regarding the uniqueness of the Racer. I would not consider the Racer the best of the bunch for the sport rig market, but it seems to be as good as any tandem rig...if not better according to some accounts. BUT the Firebolt is first class. If it had a PD label...it would surely be the best selling canopy in the US.

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Is the double sided RSL configuration the only configuration available for a Racer Tandem with RSL?

The Tandem is the same as the Sport rigs.
See:http://www.jumpshack.com/download/RacerOwnersManualOctober2003.pdf

On page 9 you will find:
The cross connector/reserve lanyard may be optionally assembled to a single riser. This assembly method is preferred by some operators as it eliminates the cross connector feature. However, this method does make the system sensitive to the connected side. If the connected side of the main releases first a main reserve entanglement could occur, as with other systems.

John, Why not convert your 2 sided RSL to a Collins Lanyard instead?

BSBD Fonz!!!

It was truly a pleasure to know you. I loved listening to your stories and hearing you teach students.

The picture of your 70's area wingsuit is classic and should be in a frame in the DZ hangar.

You lived it!!!! Fly free!

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To toss the idea of a standad aside, and let everyone choose their own thing is dumb.

I couldn't disagree more! The reason is of course, who knows what is going on better then the person using the equipment. If I pulled every time at 3 and had an average of 700 ft opening then why wouldn't I bump up the AAD activation. For me however the 750' mark is totally OK. Knowledge is power and we must continually adjust minimum opening altitudes to our own comfort zone and equipment performance.

+1 No need to set new rules for all....just let people choose. The 2K minimum container opening alt....has worked just fine for years. For those (most) who open higher...setting their AAD to +300 offset is an option.

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Reserve pilot chute hesitation is a good reason to raise the minimum deployment altitude 500 feet so that the AAD firing altitudes can be raised slightly. As usual, Bill Booth is on the cutting edge and we should be listening to him. Another second may have made a difference in this one. Very sorry to hear about this accident.

No need to change the BSR...just adjust your own minimum opening ALT and adjust your VIGIL's offset by say 300+. It would then open at ~1050. THat extra 300+ is HUGE.

Don't change the rules for everyone...just your own if you are concerned.

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That is a great point as well. Thanks for pointing it out.
Personally, I hope this issue will be addressed and resolved in a timely manner, so everyone will be able to move on and have fun skydiving safely.

Why don't all manufacturers place the AAD cutter under the freebag like on the Javelin?

Thanks guys for the helpful comments.

I'm going to demo another Sabre2 and Safire2. The last time I demo'd was a long time ago.

For anyone who has enough experience to know...what is the key differences between the Safire 2 and Sabre 2

Sabre 2? Safire2? Pilot? Other?

I have flown the ones above and loved them all. I like the pilot for general use, but I understand it has a short recovery arc that is not great for swooping. The Sabre 2 seemed "swoopy" but darn it if those openings didn't bug me. The Safire was not very memorable...maybe somewhere between the pilot and sabre2?

I will demo again before droping the $, but I want some other peoples thoughts...what about other canopies? Nitro? Rage? etc?

Don't tell me to use the search or to not swoop,etc. I'm just interested in what the current thoughts are on what would be a reasonable canopy to learn basic swoop skills on.

Yes, I know the one you currently own is a good one to start with...

But what if you are were buying a new canopy and eventually want to learn to swoop.

I guess I am asking...what moderately conservative canopy has a reasonably long recovery arc and moderate to lighter front riser pressure?

+1

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But then again, why is the owner selling if its making money?

Hmm...he will probably walk away with a LARGE LTCapGain....

Beaches...babes...and margaritas?

Or mabye to roll it into another start-up venture...to hopefully turn that one into an established and profitable business...sell it for a gain...and repeat!

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Starts 1 January 2012

True. And it will probably be repealed (or at least amended) before then.

If it is not repealed/amended, it will at least not apply for most skydiving gear purchases or purchases from Staples, Best Buy, etc...as most of you probably pay for such purchases with your Debit or Credit Card.

Credit and Debit Card purchases will be exempt from this new rule.
http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=225029,00.html
http://money.cnn.com/2010/07/09/smallbusiness/irs_1099_flood/index.htm

Disclaimer: This is not tax or legal advice. You should consult your own Attorney or Tax Advisor.

A gun, a dead zebra, tons of natty ice cans, xbox, a drill, some boots and a christmas tree in October...you gotta' be single!

Anyone ever experimented with sewing padding into a DBag so that a smaller canopy would fit well into a larger container and DBag?

FYI:
I'm not planning on doing this anytime soon...but in theory...it would seem to be a possibility.

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Hmm.....opening of the video says "world record." According to whom? Did Guinnes ratify it? Did BASE-A ratify it? Is it official? Whose record is it?
Very cool jump, but without ratification...it's meaningless, right?
Otherwise, nicely produced piece for a meaningless jump.

I know you're joking...but this one is easy...because it is factual....it is the tallest building BASE jump...a simple record to define and prove.

70 geeks "flying" "close" to each other in the sky is a bit more fuzzy.

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So are you saying that broken 2a sheething from a flip through 3 ring does not happen?

What the heck is a "Flip Through 3 Ring"?

Mach 1 and Phantom. They both are great suits....even if my Phantom isn't a "2" and my Mach 1 isn't "Super".

Agreed! Personally, I do not see any advantage of having microline on big non-swooping canopies. It's just " fashion "

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Was able to chase down the UPS package today, glad to receive my Blade.

Cool suit DSE! If you dont return it...bring it down to Mesquite and we'll fly!

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My first thought:
56 jumps, knows nothing about equipment? Bought off the internet and then asks for advice?

My thoughts exactly!

To the OP: I am seriously not trying to be an ass, but at 56 jumps you should know a few things about gear! Scary to have that many jumps and not have a clue about gear.

As far as buying something without having a clue about its usefulness...that is a whole other problem unrelated to skydiving.

Edited to add: Hold up! I just looked at your profile and you have a B license are a Pilot and an Academic....yet have not fully versed yourself in the details of gear after 56 jumps...this makes no since.

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I'm looking to purchase a new container (I'm tall and scrawny) for my first rig, and stuff it with used things. I'm leaving towards Wings.

I'm planning to get into wingsuiting as soon as I have the jumps to do it (hopefully by the end of this season.) Wings offers their wingsuit mods at no charge when ordering new.

I know I'll pick up a "normal" length bridle if I do order it with the mod. Otherwise, is there any downside/danger to having a wingsuit modified rig when its not being used for wingsuiting?

thanks

I have noticed none, and I would say that the longer bridle is the most important mod, but you can always get it later.

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Yea, the lines were bumblefucked.

Main would even open.
a "clean" step through should really be no big deal but my right side was twisted around the left.

You should post that video! That was an ugly step through! Be sure to slow it down at the part when the bridle hits you in the face!


Oh...but back on topic. I think that would be a cool tradition!

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That something we havent done this year (2008) yet.
a Hit and chug. at the next boogie we will.

Which is The Sweet Heart Boogie February 15, 16, & 17.

I've got it blocked out on my Calendar!!!

It's going to be fun!!

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I totally missed jeremy's 1200th jump by 3 minutes.

Smack that bitch up for me...and K8 too, just for good measure.

And please tire of our plane a little early rather than a little late...we miss it!

Blues,
Dave

I think I heard we were keeping it for the summer too...