Miami

So far the paperwork errors have only been in our favor...the business that owned the house did not list the washer/dryer in the listing but my realtor put them in the contract (they looked to be about 10 years old but functional). They didn't notice and when they cleared the minimal furnishings out they also took the W/D...they got called on it and instead or bringing back the old ones they replaced them with brand new ones! Miami

No kidding on the Lowe's...the wife already has plenty of plans for paint, refinishing, shelving, etc... This one is a 1985 townhouse, and not a single low flow toilet in sight! Otherwise I'd be stuck in the same boat... Good call on the keys, I've had that happen before and it sucks having to wait for someone to come out and let you in! Miami

So don't treat this like a waiver at a new dz? Miami

So I'm a few hours out from heading over to my realtor's office to sign the paperwork to close on my first house and I'm getting that kinda cool antsy/nervous/excited feeling... Anyone have interesting stories from their first time buying a home? Miami

That would only be true if other rigs used the same reserve PC or spring. A 44 magnum round fired through a cardboard box has a lot more energy than a .22 fired through a hole in the box. Without a doubt! Some of those reserve PCs have such a huge beefy spring it's a wonder they don't fall past you like an anvil after firing the reserve! My racer though...nice light little spring that hardly has to do any work to fire to the end of the bridle, then lots of drag to get the bag off the canopy in a hurry. Miami

That's how I'm jumping mine right now, although the camera is completely covered by neoprene so it has some protection. That is a slick setup...Terry makes some pretty damn cool stuff. Miami

Are you at all worried about your remote switch on your still getting struck by a riser with it set up like that? Miami

Now that is our winner for sure! In reality though no container it going to affect how fast the reserve opens (considering normal deployments of course)...that is left to the design and packing of the canopy itself. What a container can affect is how fast the reserve bag gets off the canopy to allow it to open. The racer has no flaps for the reserve pc to push through so it should therefore carry more momentum on the launch...making it faster. Miami

I had roughly 65 packjobs and 3 saves before I got someplace I could be tested. Miami

I have a pair of cheap in ear headphones that were actually still audible in freefall while at a low volume...about the same volume as I listen at when I run. In general I liken wearing music on a jump to wearing video...you have an added distraction that can cause complication. The times I have worn music on a jump (maybe a half dozen times total, mostly on the occasional tandem), I wear it the same as when I'm pedaling...in one ear only and at a volume that is comfortable on the ground. Miami

Maybe Dave can help us out here. There is a point beyond which performance deteriorates and more WL is counterproductive. There was some discussion about this a while back, but I haven't seen anything about it in over a year. Of course there are new canopies and new theories, like wearing weights with a larger canopy to get wingload with some actual wing as well. So at what point does wingloading degrade performance ? Better for what? Counterproductive to what? Are we assuming, and really this is just a rhetorical question, that everyone who swoops is trying to set a new distance record...either personal or world record? Miami

Agreed...I have 2 FireFly two piece camera suits (one super baggy, one very little baggy) and an extra pair of pants for tandems (extra cordura layer on butt and knees)...excellent construction and they fly like a dream! I have 3 one piece tony camera suits as well, and I do like them but they did tend to come apart a little easier (knees wore through quicker, wings started to tear out at the lower attachment points, cuffs separated at the wrists, etc.). Maybe I was less experienced then at keeping my suits in good condition, but the FireFly's are definitely more robust, and to me they just fly better! Miami

I've seen setups with the schumacher articulating clamp in the center of the forehead and the users had the option of putting the ringsight over either eye. I'm sure it is possible to put the sight on the left, but it would take a bit of careful mounting to make sure you were not getting any of it in frame. Mounting it on the right and having the post come all the way across to the left just seems like you would have too much stuff out there to catch something you don't want caught. Miami

I should have pointed that out as well...I'm 6'4" and jump everything on top out of anything from C-17's down to C-182's without problem. It is definitely about getting used to how much less clearance you have and staying low and aware, then any setup will work. Miami

You can get a Kryten from 2KComposites to allow you to do a front mounted still and side mounted video. I think it would feel very off balance on the ground but it freefall it is essentially weightless so should fly just like any other helmet. Not sure how the weight distributed like that would affect your neck on opening...will have to ponder that one for a bit... Miami

Even if the weather is bad you can come out and bitch about it with the rest of us... Didn't make up to West Point this past weekend, except to drop off a rig. Trying to get the house in order so that when we close on the new place the actual move will be smooth and painless. You should bring you video out if you do come out...I'd like to see it again. It always interests me to see who comes back and keeps jumping, especially if I had a hand in their tandem! Miami

Haha, nice to know someone likes my work! I'll be out this weekend but probably off and on for the next few weeks...closing on a house at the end of the month so busy with packing and getting ready to move. Who knows though, maybe I'll end up as your instructor for a jump or two. Miami

It's at the Suffolk Executive Airport...on the south side of town off of 13/32. Miami

Azimuth with a 20D and TRV70, both Schumacher quickshoed on. Internal ringsight mount also by Schumacher. All thats left to add is an external flash. Miami

As a matter of fact there is! First is that is how it is pictured in the Wings owners manual. Second, tightening the left side first allows it to be pulled tighter since the right side is not yet under tension from the pull up cord. From the looks of the closed rig picture that should help with how asymmetrical the tops of the side flaps hit the main flap. A tightening of the pull up might be in order as well, but I'd rather make that call after seeing the change in closing sequence. I would guess that since the same amount of material is going under the flap the bulge should be the same, but I could be wrong. I would still like to see it closed the other way first though. Agreed about the bridle...less that is out the better! Not only does it keep things flat and neat, it helps to keep the pin from being pushed out should you be leaning and/or rubbing the back of your main container against anything. Thanks for asking. Miami

Change the order you are closing the flaps...left first, then right. Miami

Hmm, those are both very unusual (at least from anything else I've heard or experienced with them). For the first problem, does the hex screw freely turn in the plate? If not it should, but I have come across a couple that don't. It's an easy fix if it doesn't, just overtighten the screw with it only in the plate (not attached to a camera)...it will strip off the last bit of threading on the screw so that it will move freely...then you can make sure it is a tight fit on the camera. For the second problem, where does it seem loose? Between the base plate and the camera plate? And how much movement is there? Mine don't seem to move at all so I wonder if it is just a fluke? If it seems like it is too much movement or the screw keeps giving you trouble let me know and I'll replace it.

Check out www.competitionhelmets.com, they make them for most video and still cameras. Looking at mine it looks like they use 2mm neoprene so it's pretty thin, but still very effective. I don't use mine in a box though, just the neoprene. Hope this helps! Miami

But there is nothing in that one about the new updates with CS3... Miami

Anyone played with it yet? Just finished downloading the beta but curious if anyone has already explored it and found anything interesting... Miami