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There is just something really special about flocking in the SDC area......

Brady played a key role in really getting my skydiving going. He was also a generous rigger who was happy to walk me through the details of my repacks. More than any of that he was a fun and caring friend. I will miss you Brady and I will try to keep in my heart your attitude to life and pass it on. Sorry I missed the memorial to hug friends. Simon

I too had a WONDERFUL time....SDC is very serious about making Wingsuiting a reality there EVERY weekend....it is going to become a summer weekend destination for flocking, and easy direct flight from most cities and Europe....come on out! Multiple otters, multiple bars, birdhouse team room with AC, camping, lake, the list goes on. Wicked Wingsuits will be keeping on hand inventory there also, so LOTS of suits to try and take home with you. Simon FWC #69

Your question and dilemma is shared among many new to the wingsuit discipline and it was the primary reason for us creating Wicked Wingsuits (WingsuitRental.com), a nationwide and soon to be global monthly rental service for wingsuits. The problems I saw were: Problem “Too small” - New wingsuiters were\are buying suits that they outgrew within 50 jumps. These suits could be appropriate long term solution for some but for others they quickly outgrow the choice. The cost to the customer is measured in both time and money. Money lost to buy and then sell at a loss on a used market and time in waiting for the custom suit and private sale. Problem “Too Big” - New wingsuiters were\are buying suits based on their long terms needs and not short term skills. Best examples of these included larger males buying an S Bird with very few wingsuit jumps. The suit was the right choice for the long term but the user MUST invest time on intermediate suits to gain the required experience. Again renting saves not only money but especially time. Proficiency can be gained over months on a rental progression model instead of multiple seasons on a buy\sell model. The program is certainly not intended to compete with local school and demo fleets. Instead it is aimed as a compliment to enable the new and excited wingsuiter who has received quality instruction on a beginner suit to immediately start logging flights and learning to fly their body, while deciding or waiting for their own personal suits. Wingsuit rental is not for everybody but it certainly appears to be helping many with their progressions saving time and money while promoting safety. I have models the clearly demonstrates it saves money for anybody that has to work through a range of models to get to their “long term suit” that will last them years in many situations. Simon

- $1000 over 6 months, $167 a month. Can be accrued. - Must be spent on wingsuit "airtime" which can include coaching or could be all personal slots. - The officers of Wicked Wingsuits, Inc determine the recipient. Might expand to include a winter award if there is enough interest. Will possibly be including a wingsuit for the award period from the WingsuitRental.com fleet. If you are interested in the program make mention of it here and based on repsonses we will decide how to develop it. It was a quickly conceived idea that I would like to see mature into something quite serious for the community. Simon

Wicked Wingsuits and Tony Wingsuits is very proud to have presented Ashley Marquardt with the 2011 Wicked Wingsuits Future Flocker Scholarship at Flock and Dock 7 this past weekend. Ashley was able to make immediate use of the award by making 9 wingsuit jumps at the event. Many of them coached by Jeff Nebelkopf. Her 50th wingsuit jump was a 12 way where she got to the slot quickly and then held it with with pride. Congratulations to Ashley who is soon moving to Skydive Carolina for the summer, we hope this helps you develop into the best wingsuiter you can be! More news in the Fall about applying for next years WWFFS. http://www.WickedWingsuits.com Simon

Wicked Wingsuits is proud to announce the creation of an annual scholarship. The Future Flocker Scholarship will award $1000 of wingsuit training jumps to the selected recipient. A single recipient will be chosen for each summer season. This seasons recipient has been chosen and it will be announced during Flock and Dock. Applications for next year (2012) will open in the Fall. Criteria for being a candidate for the award include (at time of application): - Have more than 5 but less than 50 wingsuit jumps - Show a passion for the discipline of wingsuiting - Demonstrate a commitment to developing well rounded skills in all areas of the discipline - Have a documented financial hardship One of our corporate principles is a social responsibility to give back to the skydiving community and to nurture the excitement of new wingsuiters. http://www.WickedWingsuits.com Simon

This will occupy just over 3 minutes of "work" for you....a little relaxation from last week. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTVi-BGUfGY Simon

You could get him a gift voucher to rent one and then see what he wants. http://wingsuitrental.com

Thanks to all. I just got back from Costco with a T2i, 18-55 & 70-300.....now to figure out what all of the buttons do and what those lends numbers even mean!

Howdy, I have +/-$1000 budget to buy a DSLR setup this week. It won't initially be used for skydiving but I would hope to use it in the future so it should be compatible with the sport...which I think means being able to use with a bite\blow switch. It must also use SD as opposed to another card format. - Use with switch cable - SD compatible - Around $1000 for body and starter lens I am confused as heck but I do know which one I am going to get if it doesn't become clear to me....I will keep it a secret for now to not influence the input. Thanks for your time. Simon

What is the perfect length then? Mine is 9.5 feet. Do you think it is the length or a combo of length and handle type? I wonder if it is a freak thing that could happen on any bridle length. I don't have answers here, just questions.

What was your concern regarding the biriddle length?

I borrowed a FlySight for a jump a few months ago on my R Bird. I didn't really know if the high tone was good or bad but I figured it out in the first 10 seconds. Even with that false start I got a personal record of 156 seconds on the R...an increase of good 8 seconds over my previous best. I ordered a FlySight and installed it in my helmet with a motorcycle speaker so I don't even have to think about it being there. It is mostly useless on my group jumps but when I go and do a solo I put it to use. Simon

Hi Craig, The S has more arm AND leg wing and the progression onto it should be respected. To put it into perspective I just ordered my own S Bird after putting in 300 flights on my R. I haven't yet mastered the S so I won't pretend I am an expert on it but it is a popular suit for the right pilot. Simon

We will be adding R & S Birds to the rental fleet over the next few months but by request only. Contact me if you are interested. Who knows...before long we will have an X2 & Apache in the fleet! Simon

Here is my most recent attempt at capturing the vibe of the event: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-E_lU-zwuY

Thanks for the good times, rewarding flocking and great team spirit! I am looking forward to the next excuse to get this group of folks together! Simon

This is what I did, a $20 pair of motor cycle speakers. I cut one of them off, put the other in the audible pocket and I forget about them....but I hear on the jump.

Thanks for that hint Jarno. I did a side by side in iMovie and uploaded to youtube using the 3D tags and it looks like a 3D movie now....except I need to make some glasses now to see if it really worked! How exciting!

Any news on the instructional material? I mounted 2 Contours to record left and right channels.......but I am struggling to figure out which approach I should take to edit them together! Any pointers would be appreciated....it appears my iMovie skills are not up to he task.

I have been trying the ContourGPS....without much luck in Wingsuiting, it never gets a good fix and then it turns out it isn't that interesting to watch either! It does have a much better rear door and still mode that the 1080P.

Here is a little video from the event...presented by the "winning" team.....

I whipped this together on the plane. I had a great time last week....a wonderful way to roll in the New Year, THANKS! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42b0pD_MAC8 We missed you Justin! Simon

I gaffer taped mine onto the back of my helmet and picked up some cheap motorcycle helmet headphones for 20 bucks. I cut one of them off and put the other in my audible pocket. The wire is all inside the helmet so I can easily grab it without forgetting the headphones. It is easy to feel the switch before exit and after opening.