Phil

Good choice and you're going to love it. Just take it easy the first time pull high and get to know the canopy somewhat better. Make a couple of flair exercise and get a feeling for the sweet spot. Going down from a 190 to a 170 you will notice a difference in turns and also in speed speed and again speed. You will loose a lot more alt. while turning so take it easy as you approach your landing spot. Just get to know this thing. Make some front riser turns - play with the brakes. You'll see, that thing seems to fly for ever. The glide is flat and perfect for a tiptoe landing. Wind or no wind doesn't matter. I'm jumping a Spectre and just ordered a new Sabre 2 for my other rig. I've been testing the Sabre 2 now for a while and I love it. So go out there and enjoy the ride and come back and let us know how it went. blue ones Phil

We have on of the best Free Flyers on our DZ and he organizes some workshops during week-ends. The group is usually as big as 10 people and he will fly and film all of them in sits, head-down, head-up or tacks. We pay him for the week-end about $60 for the workshop and it’s more than worth it. If you want you even can get a copy of the film material. I don’t mind paying him because he’s one of the best and will help you even in times, when you don’t are on one of his work-shops. He has his on Free flying school. Check it at www.xlr-8.ch and you will see what I’m going on about. But otherwise you’re right. If the guy can’t fly straight don’t bother. Blue ones Phil

The Deland version with wind tunnel and an AFF Program combined is probably the best bet. On one side you can learn a good arch and box position in the wind tunnel as well as the different moves without the stress of the freefall (yes I say stress, because let's be realistic senses overload occurred to all of us when we first jumped out of an airplane). So you get the extra airtime with the tunnel and get to work on the canopy after you already have a good feel about yourself in the air. Plus it's warmer around this time of the year in Florida than in NC. Fact is, the faster you feel secure in the air and hold a steady position while falling you can start focusing on other things. So get your air training in the tunnel and your canopy skills on the DZ. Good luck and enjoy and come back and let us know how it went. Blue ones Phil

Surrounded by mountains lakes and beautiful county-side you’ll find everything your could wish for at a DZ. Lot’s of loads great manifest team. You’re down packed and back up in no time. Great staff that is always wiling to give a hand when needed. Great Italian Food nearby and all around the area. Large landing zone and always enough wind for good landings. You’ll have people from all over the world jumping there and the after hours are just as fun as the jumping itself. You have to see it to get the feeling of it. Already the run up to 3500 m is a great experience by itself. Flying over mountain tops and mountain lakes will bring you in the mood. An other proof why birds sing – hell don’t we know why… Come and see it for yourself.

Just wondering as I’m jumping on different DZ (Switzerland, Austria) how many of your DZ have clear landing instructions like a left hand landing pattern. With this I mean downwind - base - final. Some of the DZ are using this approach but others its more like everyone to him/herself. I found the d –b-f version very helpful with a lot of air traffic and not much space on the ground. How is it at your home DZ? Blue ones Phil

You are below - you have the right of way. I've been trained to move away to the right if on collision course. Fast canopy should be given the airspace to land first. Don't take any shit from anybody. If they are above you - they have to watch out. The only time you want to be looking up is before you throw it out. I usually do a roll to make sure there is nobody above me. blue ones phil

with 33 jumps, what kind of license do you get in spain? just with the aff you don't get anywhere. looks like who ever let this bloke jump on that dz cared enough to ask the right questions. face it - with 33 jumps you're just getting warmed up and are nowhere close of pro status. who ever let this guy up should have taken the time to ask the right questions. to bad if a diver hits the ground and we come to find out that we could have prevented that by caring enough and doing our homework. I know, nobody want's to be a pain in the back, but who cares if it saves lives? blue ones phil

Bought my first Atom rig from my jumpmaster who but way over 1000 jumps on it. I took over and no matter what I do with it, it has never failed me so far. The finishing is great, the concept makes sense and it’s safe. Beginning from the pin protection to the risers to the line protection for the pilot chute. I ordered my new one last month and will keep my old one for injumps and back to back loads. There is no way I’ll give away my first rig. If you get a chance to try one – do it and you’ll see why this is a great rig. For all Europeans it’s also an good alternative to the US because of the USD being so damn high. The only shortfall is the waiting period for new rigs -up to 4 month and counting :-(

if you're in Europe, why don't you check out the Nitro from Germany. It's a crazy canopy that has the stuff for addiction. Blue skies Phil

Your friend should test some of the canopies and see what is the best for him. Yes buying a new/used one always means to take money in our hand and put it in someone else's pocket, so make this choice a good one. Make sure your friend understands the concept, that he should be able to fly his canopy under various conditions and feel safe doing it. The more radical the canopy - the smaller its error margin. I'm sure he's aware of that and so I guess also smart enough to be wise in his choice. blue ones phil

can anybody give me an address, where I can buy a Sony Camcorder (PC 9, 100, 110) in the States with the Pal standard instead of the NTSC? Thanks and blue skies Phil

With 175 lbs at the door, I’ve been testing a 150 Sabre2 under normal conditions. Light and steady winds but plenty of air traffic at the DZ. Openings are head on, soft and not to long as in comparison with a Spectre. The glide is flatter than a Spectre, it seems you’re flying for ever. Any turns are smooth and fast. You don’t loose as much alt like you do with a Spectre. Landing is a piece of cake. You can pull it down and park it or swoop it nice and easy. I never had the impression of getting stressed out. A clear input on either front or back risers or breaks gives you clear feet back. For somebody coming out of training a great canopy to start with. You an back it any way you want (or can – think a new zero P …) So for all the jumpers out there that are no longer novice in the sport and are looking for a good choice canopy that will last for a long time with a high and lasting fun factor here it is. As I just bought a new rig and wanted to keep the old one – I bought the Sabre 2 for it. In my old Rig I have a 150 Spectre. With just something over 100 jumps I play it safe and will have a lot of fun with both of them. Have fun