DSE

It might "look silly" but it provides the most stable camera platform possible that can be configured for all sorts of needs ranging from RED cameras, lights, or competition rigs where two (sometimes three) cameras are used. I don't see the CCM format going away anytime soon, although I do agree that the very small cameras do fit on anything, and that their owners generally don't care about quality video.

I'm flattered. I'm sure it's the helmet.

This is an older clip that was recently repurposed. http://prophotoblog.ca/tipsandtricks/lens-tips-shooting-brilliant-video/ Hope it helps some of you understand focal length relevance. To others, it'll be boring and old news.

last month. It's still one of the front-page stories here on DZ.com

I expected the ARTICLE to go viral. Not the pic of just the helmet. It's been pretty funny, the number of places that have contacted me wondering if it's real. Even had an offer to do a low-level talk show over skype (not interested). Yeah, it's weird, wild, and stupid, but it served a very valid purpose. I guess I was too focused on the purpose vs the wild. otherwise, I'd have taken some wacky pix.

wow. just "wow." Should I be honored or embarrassed? Flattered or frightened? Frankenlens sure has made the rounds... To the neck comment, it wasn't at all hard on the neck. My RED is harder, and jumping big lights harder still. This rig didn't weigh much more than a normal DSLR/video rig. The issue was torque, not weight.

your question is likely regional. Some lenses are more prone than others, but the region makes a difference too. I recommend you put it in a ziplock bag when you take it outside and allow it to come to ambient temp before you take it out of the bag (assuming you're in a high humidity area). If the lens is consistent in fogging, I'd stop jumping it simply out of fear of mold. This is a huge problem with lenses coming from south eastern us and gulf states.

Get rid of the knobs on the knuckles. That's one of the first things necessary. Hopefully you're not also jumping a mattress suit? Lessee... ~full-face helmet ~several snag points ~very low experience What could possibly go wrong here? Now toss in a mattress, and it's a sure-fire guarantee everything will go rite.

Looking closely at the picture, note that the pax GoPro is mounted on a home-made rig that appears to be an altimeter wrist mount modified for the camera. Could it really be that the DZ would provide this camera for a student?

I can think of one dead guy, one paraplegic, and at least three tib/fibs that have said exactly the same thing, one of them just before he got on a plane. It's like hearing a guy say "I've done this XXX number of times and never gotten hurt. That wingloading at your jump numbers is an accident that hasn't happened yet, if indeed your numbers are real. Pray that your bucket of experience (500+ jumps for that wingloading) fills up before your bucket of luck runs out.

A 1.6 W/L at 80 jumps? That's a much bigger concern than the placarded weight. Why are you jumping such a high wingloading? (assuming your jump numbers are correct).

What Jarno said. There is a reason it's called a "Death-Bar extension." http://www.chutingstar.com/skydive/gopro-death-bar-extension I'd suggest doing a number of jumps with something short (like perhaps a couple knuckle kits) before moving to a longer, more high-risk mount. A cutaway is a must.

So, it doesn't explicitly state dropping cars out of a plane is allowed, nor does it prohibit it. It talks about "parachute operations" defining that as the performance of all activity for the purpose of, or in support of, a parachute jump or a parachute drop. This parachute operation can involve, but is not limited to, the following persons: parachutist, parachutist in command and passenger in tandem parachute operations, drop zone or owner or operator, jump master, certificated parachute rigger, or pilot. If it's "not limited to" the given list, does that mean it can involve additional persons, or additional objects (persons and non-persons such as vehicles)? It seems a bit open to say "not limited to" - surely there must be some control on this, say, by some sort of USPA approval process, or is it down to DZO discretion? And if the DZO drops the ball and authorise something silly, the USPA will then come down on them after the fact (such as in Travis Pastrana's case)? Aw Bill, it was fun poking at him with a stick. . . We all know he's pretty harmless.

The USPA can't directly waive the FARs. Exiting an aircraft in a non-emergency without a dual parachute rig attached to your body is a violation of the FARs. I suspect you're referring to Travis Pastrana, and yes he was banned from USPA dropzones for a year. That doesn't mean he didn't jump during that time period. USPA/BPA cannot stop you from skydiving. I'd suggest you read a bit more from your skydiving manuals; it's all in there.

They're not sanctioned. They don't need to be. Where in the FARS does it talk about sanctioning? The vehicles are dropped over private land, with permission from the land owners (in the couple of events where the DZO doesn't own the land). Obviously the DZO is good with it, he's allowing these props to be loaded into his aircraft. Who would be responsible for sanctioning these professionally executed stunts? Most of the stunts you're talking about are just that; "stunts." Having been involved in a few of the ones you've listed, they're all well-planned, rehearsed, and all have been executed without incident. You're missing quite a number of really great stunts, BTW. The only thing that needs sanctioning is an exhibition/demo jump, and that's something you'll learn about when you've got enough experience to know the right questions to ask. Whether you could execute the same stunts performed at Taft, Eloy, or Elsinore while in the UK....that's likely an entirely different question. Perhaps ring up the Queen, get her take on it.

Like these? The student did a great job helping out. It is worth mentioning that the mainside did well getting away from her frontside. It's not a place I'd want to be with a PC out. The first AFF fatality (so I'm told) occurred when an instructor was in front of a deploying student. The student's feet kicked up into the instructor's chin breaking her neck, killing her on landing. John Mitchell may have better info, as I believe he was jumping at Cedar Valley UT when this occurred. John?

yep. a couple of times now. Once was when my zips caught on the sleeve of my sweat shirt. Second was when my zip gathered up enough of my skin that I couldn't quickly clear it and of course, I was low (which was probably why I was unzipping so fast in the first place.

Feature Enhancements: New video modes 1080p SuperView™ 60 fps and 1080p SuperView 50 fps Auto Low Light settings for new video modes 1080p SuperView 60 fps and 1080p SuperView 50 fps New Auto Low Light settings for higher frame rate video modes, including 960p100 fps, 720p120 fps, 720p100 fps and 720p SuperView 100 fps Changes the Auto Low Light mode default setting to “On” New advanced Protune™ controls for Color, ISO Limit, Sharpness and Exposure Changes the Protune default settings for Color to "GoPro Color" and Sharpness to "High" old software versions: HD3.11.01.04 Wi-Fi version: 4.0.26.0 release date: 10/01/2013 The bolded features above are valuable for skydiving. Be sure you follow directions well (charged battery, etc) because it is possible to brick the camera (albeit not easy to do).

Be aware that some DZs will not allow the Argus to be jumped there. Be certain your home DZ will allow. If you buy used, you can find the exact value for a CYPRES here: http://www.cypres-usa.com/usedcypres.asp Vigils are close to the same value. There is nothing wrong with a used/pre-owned AAD. A couple of mine were purchased used from DZ.com ads. Be sure you know who you're purchasing from either by name or validated reputation. A couple of years ago a number of hot (and modified) AADs were out there for sale; one person was injured. Caveat Emptor. You might also verify that your rig manufacturer supports X vs Y brand. There is also the Mars M2 available, but not all rig manufacturers support them.

I believe it was the legend Mike McGowan who once said "If you can't fly like Joe F Jennings, you're gonna wear wings." Most camera pro's wear wings. If not for providing support with lighter tandems/subjects, then for providing a support for knee-deep, head up flying and significantly greater range. They also allow for a more stable platform. One thing that irks me is seeing tandem video from a flier wearing a freefly suit that is indeed in place, but bouncing all over the map to STAY in place.

If you like the GoPro form factor, you'll absolutely love and appreciate the upgrade from the Hero 2 to the Hero 3+black. Worth the cost? depends on what you're doing. The Hero 2 has very good video for what it is, and at cost...it's unbelievable.

And when great souls die, after a period peace blooms, slowly and always irregularly. Spaces fill with a kind of soothing electric vibration. Our senses, restored, never to be the same, whisper to us. They existed. They existed. We can be. Be and be better. For they existed. Maya Angelou

So I am bit intrigued about this, Spot. Did you talk to the USPA President? Did you get any information about the accident? yes Did you talk to anyone involved with the investigations? Did you get any information about the accident? yes Did you call the BOD member in question? Did you get any information about the accident? Yes What 'disgruntled BOD member' sent out an email? and what did it say?. I've already answered in a private email response to your private email inquiry. Someone else may be able to provide a more in-depth response.

It does crop the image, like any other stab system will. This is why gyros are superior. Couple a gyro with internal stab, and it's bliss. However, the imager also oversamples. No pixels are harmed nor killed in the processing of a smooth image. Sharpness is *always* reduced with stab systems, but resolution is not. In post, resolution is always lost, because in post you're only working with the existing pixels, not pixels coming from over/edge sample. FOV does suffer from minor issues when using Steadyshot, but that's also why Sony limits its use to only one FOV (JVC is the same).

first question, how much non-wingsuit RW have you done? Were you taught to approach from a side angle, slowing, restarting, slowing and entering your slot? Start/coast/stop/start is a valuable skill, and aids in navigation awareness. What you're bringing up isn't at all new yet very important, and given the number of fatal collisions of late it's worth talking about some more. I lost my left-ear hearing (almost would have rather lost my life given my career) due to a stoner newbie being out of control on a vertical slot. Thanks for sharing!