peggs82

Justin and Andrea have my perspective (which was the best I think)... POST IT!!!

Ed.... please get your facts straight before passing them along like correct information. As someone who has known you from BEFORE YOUR FIRST WINGSUIT JUMP, I thought you would have a little more integrity before bashing people who looked out for you and brought you into the discipline (specifically myself and jeff). Was this issue important enough for you to sling mud at your friends? My first point - I am not, and never have been, a Flock University Instructor. My name may appear on the Flock University website, but no where does it list me as a "Faculty Member". I consider my MENTOR and ONLY TEAM MATE to be Chuck Blue. The only wingsuit school I claim is Z-Flock Continuing on with that thought....neither is Taya Weiss, Jeff Nebelkopf, or Jeff Donahue part of Flock U. So 4 out of the 9 people involved with this project were NOT affiliated with Flock University. Are we friends? Yes. Have we worked together before? Yes. Did you like the 71 way? Guess what...its the same team! No one said the 71 way was a Flock University conspiracy to take over wingsuiting...we were just a bunch of people who wanted to do something great for wingsuiting. By no means was this a lovey "yes man" group. Many times I was personally offended by the heated discussions and arguments that went on. If you think this was a conspiracy to make Flock U the default trainers of the US, you are wrong wrong wrong. It was a bunch of people who care about safety and quality of coaching. Maybe our methodology and outlook on the issue differ from yours, but there is no reason to insinuate conspiracy and post FALSE information. I took part in this because we were ASKED by the BOD. When the Board asks for my participation in a discipline I care about, you better believe that I will take part in it. To pass up that offer is foolish. I care too much to let some no name twat who may have never even seen a wingsuit make the only proposal which may (however slim a chance) get passed. On all other discussion...talk to your RD's, email the BOD...thats the system. Myself and 9 other wingsuiters from the Boston area did just that this past weekend. Remember, this was ASKED for by a member of the BOD. If you don't like that idea, VOTE for people who reflect your thoughts. Just because you shout the loudest on an internet forum does not make you right nor does it necessarily make you the majority. If you care..pony up and by a plane ticket for Dallas TX this week. I just did.

Danny I love you

Ed - and everyone else who is interested.... I guess I will attempt to answer your questions about the suit a bit. As I've said all ready, I love love love this suit. I have a great deal of fun with it. It really is the closest to FLYING I've ever felt. -WARNING - The following statements are for QUALIFIED pilots to make informed decisions. If you have 4 wingsuit jumps, still read this and be informed, but don't assume that this is a suit for say... a beginner. Overall, compared to flying the XS, it is a much much much easier suit to fly. For those of you who have flown the XS, you will find your transition into this suit painless and wonderful. My biggest surprise was the disappearance of the "washy-ness" at slow speeds. It seems to fly a lot straighter (in slow flight), and I attribute that to cutting the un-necessary drag from the arm wings. Tony offered, and I accepted a more "swept back" arm wing, and it has made all the difference for my stamina during the long flights. (As a side note, my arms on my XS were almost 90 degrees...very tiring) Both float and forward speed are great. once I settle in, get a slight pitch to my body, I just feel the forward speed while watching everyone else fall way below and behind me. Its great. I feel that the suit is easier to fly on those long flights. I don't fight it as much when I am going for time. I'll admit I am a little sore today, but that is probably because I am a bit out of Wingsuit shape!! Concerning your direct questions ed about using it in flocks: It is a personal decision. Compared to flying an XS in a flock, I lovvvveee the X-Bird. I feel much less washy in the slow forward speeds...so that is good. The suit has great range. Will it be my choice for small weekend fun dives? Yes...Absolutely! Its great fun! I've jumped it more in 1 weekend than I ever did my XS. Its that fun and versatile! I cannot say right now (based on my limited experience with it) that I would take it on the upcoming bigways. As I have said MANY MANY MANY MANY MANY times on this forum, I rarely ever recommend a large suit for serious flocking. It is simply un-necessary for the average sized person to have the biggest suit out there. I prefer a suit that puts me in the middle of my range. Would I try to fly a 747 in a flock of Cessna 182's? No! Pick the right tool! I will continue to fly my Raptor (or maybe an R-Bird soon) for serious slot specific flying. Dress for success! Ed on Deployment - Well, I don't really know what to tell you here, Ed. The X-Bird is really not that huge of a step up (deployment wise) from a SM1. Deploying in a X-Bird, is really just a continuation of skills you should have mastered on your previous suit before deciding to "upsize". On all suits that "concern" me, I release my grippers, and quickly "flick" my wrists behind my wing....then proceed to pull. Practice deployments...and pulling higher are all good ideas on your first jump in the X-Bird. Good luck everyone! Its an amazing suit! Hope I didn't gloss over any questions...I just tried to respond rather quickly.

I'm the first one to reply to this statement??? Where are the DZ.com police? Guess I'm deputy tonight... Please please please be careful. 4 wingsuit jumps, then straight to the X-bird is a no shit progression. While it may have gone well for 9 jumps, it may not always. RESPECT that legwing. RESPECT the suit. Polish your skills... While it may not be flashy and cool, I would HIGHLY recommend that you take advantage of Tony's Intro while you save up for your X-Bird. Its a hell of a deal for a FUN suit. If an intro is too studenty...then hell...get a T-bird or R-Bird...but please RESPECT the X-Bird. At the end of the day, you'll have 2 great suits and the skills to fly them both, rather than a bad experience on a suit you may not be ready for. Not being a dick, just concerned for a new wingsuiter who may be ignorant to the difficulties big suits pose. Good luck!

I'll get a couple pics up tomorrow of the suit in flight. It is a monster...it is amazing...it is...AHHHHHHHH!!! Just ask any of the people around me this weekend...I've been obnoxiously in love with my X-Bird. Our break-offs are almost comical. The change in wind noise is just silly. I remember when the Mach1 and Super Mach1 "changed" the face of wingsuiting for many many people...well get ready...this is another one of those suits! Anxiously awaiting another day of jumping it!

I just made my first flight on my new X-Bird... I just had an orgasm...I'm not kidding Sustained 30's without trying. Me and J-Sho surfed some amazing clouds. Saw deploying canopies WAAAYYY below and I thought they were freeflyers. They were the rest of our WS group. We SMOKED them! I LOVE IT

Great video matt! But man..you really caught me off guard with that pic of Rob...wow, to be honest that was the first time I've looked at his picture since his accident. Really brought it all right back.....sigh.... But again...thanks Matt for making us wingsuiters look a lot cooler than we actually are

it got the new t-bird leg and an arm that's half way to the t-bird, a slow curve down to the hip. oh, and it has a gripper now too. PICTURES!!!!

Sorry for my late arrival to the thread. I have one of the original ZPX Pilot 96's out there. I've been flying it for almost a year now, so I am guessing that I have about the longest amount of time on this canopy...maybe 2nd longest now that I think of it. It was one of the test platforms out there. I would guess I have somewhere around 400+ jumps on the canopy by now. I have jumped it in many climates and many elevations. I was very blessed to have an identical Pilot 96 (standard ZP) right before it, so I had a great frame of mind for comparison! Both of them were/are flying the steeper line trim. First I will say that I love my pilot - love love love. So on to the questions.... 1. Wear - I've been regurly keeping my eyes on this, to give continual feedback to Bill at Aerodyne. Much like Les said, it looks and feels just like the day I got it. It looks like someone attached old lines to my new canopy 2. Fabric feel - Like most Aerodyne canopies, I find that fresh out of the bag they are far easier to pack than other brands ZP coating. The fabric has maintained that same feeling over its lifespan thus far. Colors seem bright and new as well. 3. Pack Volume - Noticeably smaller right away. On those days when it feels like your canopy packs smaller from the humidity, you will REALLY notice a difference! 4. Flight Characteristics - I notice no change to the flight characteristics. Openings remain predictable and consistent. Canopy feels solid. Smaller/lighter/thinner fabric feels the same....which is great! 5. Pen holes - Seriously people.....stop coming up to me asking if you can poke a hole in my canopy!!!!! To sum it up, I think that it is a fantastic fabric. The strength of the honey-comb pattern ALONE is reason enough to buy this option. Lower pack volume is also welcomed! I can be found in New England this summer. Anyone is welcome to come up and see me. PM me, and I will happily try to meet up with you, and you can see for yourself. I would love to help answer your questions! If you are interested (and qualified - it is a 96 after all ), you are welcome to test jump it as well!

My X-Bird will debut on the 4th of July! Can't wait now!!

I believe Justin is the one to ask about it.... Long and short is that he REALLY REALLY REALLY likes it!

Clearly not enough Responsible Phil!

I don't get it?? Someone flying a blade, who apparently has no business flying it. I mean, it is very very very bad. Like, "I have 12 jumps total...now I'm flying a wingsuit" bad. Is this your student? Who the hell allows this to go on after 2 repeat performances? Not brave...stupid. Another flying outside video, just asking for a nylon cocoon of death. If this is you, hang your head in shame. This "wingsuiter" displays erratic flying, inability to control heading, inability to remain stable, etc. The very very last place I would be is above and behind him. Where I would be is in the office of the S&TA or DZO, explaining why they should take away this clowns wingsuit. Both are headed for bad bad results. Seek help...seek instruction. This video is not interesting or cool. If either of them are your friends, you should really really tell them to cease wingsuiting until they get some common sense. Edit to add.... I happen to know someone who is on this very site, who happens to be a very good coach. His name is Jarno and he lives in your vicinity. Look him up before either of you die.

Because we CANT have a event without a LIST!!!

Yes...by sewing it shut and not using it on a normal skydive. If you insist on using it for BASE practice, hire a balloon. Like Jarno said, pulling is possible on any suit. Not comfortable? Pull higher. Still not comfortable? Get a smaller suit. I don't buy the BOC argument. BOC issues stem from loose, worn out elastic. BASE pouches come from exposed bridle snags. Even with velcro, 3-4 inches of exposed bridle is an unnecessary risk for the skydiving environment.

I had a chronic dislocation problem with my right arm. It all started on a skydive (luckily popping back in to allow a painful pull). A further injury a little later really worried me that I would be out of skydiving for a while. I was afraid to put the wingsuit back on. Thankfully for me, I found WS flying to be the least strenous on my weak shoulder. For the initial 4 or 5 months, you would not find me doing scary rolls or any intense flatspins, but I was in the air. I am happy to say now that (strength wise) I am 100%. I am sad to report, however, that the pain has never really gone away for me. I really recomend that you have a doctor make sure you did not tear anything which will not heal without his help (or else you'll end up like me...THE HORROR!!!!) Good luck!

Yeah thats what I'm guessing too, eh lauren? Moving sale?

Damn it...sorry i missed this danny...I would have loaned you something...hope you found a rig

Neither will my One Laptop Per Child GET IT TOGETHER MATT!!!!

Danny, I thought you were out of commission for a while???

Also, just wanted to add after reading Spots blog and watching the vid... Great to see all of you who participated out there challenging your comfort levels! To see people finally getting off their belly's, trying things that seem very intimidating....its just really fantastic. Good job Andrea...Good job Spot...(and I'll even say it) Good job Pink Mike for getting out there and doing it! There is so much more that we all can accomplish if we just try! This is growth we desperately need in wingsuiting! Bravo! I'm finally at the end of my business trip from hell, and will be returning to Florida on Sunday for 3 weeks of uninterrupted skydiving... Cant wait! To bad all you Flockers will have left

damn you and your fun! And yes...more than Andrea and 2 Serbians read your blog Spot

Dude... its worth droping out of school!!

not even a trailer/preview?