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Bingo. Bingo what?? You're way off on this. This blanket rule DOES NOT PROTECT THEM. Since when is a tandem canopy in a different category than a sport canopy according to the FAA? That's like saying a Cessna 172 has the right of way over a Pitts S2B. The Pitts is much more maneuveralbe but this rule doesn't apply because they are both the same category aircraft. They are both airplanes as opposed to rotorcraft, glider or lighter than air. The rules that might apply, since we would all be of the same "catagory", are: converging at the same altitude the aircraft to the right has the right of way. Also, if being overtaken from behind the aircraft being overtaken has the right away. An aircraft in distress has the right of way over all other aircraft regardless. An aircraft on final to land has the right of way as well. However, I don't think that any of these FAR's apply to parachute canopy flight. I don't remember where a parachute is included in any category. There is however a certain "right" though that i believe tandems should have. They should be given all the room they need. There is no reason to even be close to a tandem. On top of actually getting the passenger to the ground safely they could also potentially be dealing with distractions such as an uncomfortable passenger amongst others. The last thing they need is to worry about a sub 100 swooper taking them out. Or any other canopy for that matter. It has nothing to do with how "maneuverable" one canopy is over another. It's about turning your brain on. Just my opinion..but what do I know? I have less then 300 jumps therefore I have no "experience".

??????????? calm down. you people are too hung up on jump numbers. PLEASE READ: I AM SORRY IF I OFFENDED ANYBODY!!!!!!!

whatever....this is stupid.

you have no idea what i am talking about DougH. and i really don't appreciate the use of foul language. futhermore, it jeoprodizes your credibilty. if i come across as a spoiled brat so be it. however i am far from that description. i have realized that dropzone forums are not for me. i apologize if i have offended anybody. especially you lisa briggs.

skybytch, don't you have anything else to do other than make posts on dz.com? how many posts do you make that are NOT derogatory? it's like you get off being a cop or something by lessening the merit of the post. do you have some sort of badge? and as per PD it was 500 jumps. not 600. i just talked to them the other day about it.

I did not 'see' it. however i came across a reading or two somewhere where roger nelson was quoted as to why he thought the stiletto was a good student canopy and why he used it. i'll find it and post it back here soon.

Not all. Individual "skills" are subjective (we all think we're better than we really are), but quality instruction has a huge influence on pilot readiness. I prefer the combination of 3 (instruction, experience, skill--in that order), but to each their own. Well said and I agree.

wanna bet?

they used to say 500 then. now they really don't say. they are sending me a 190 demo in a few weeks and i have about 250 jumps. My canopy now is a safire 1 189 loaded at 1.2 and i have several jumps on a firebolt 182. however they insisted on sending me a sabre 2 in the same size first. i know skydive chicago used the bigger stiletto's for students with as little as 20 jumps. (yes, 20) whether they still do now or not i don't know. i'm sure it all depends on the specific canopy pilot.

you can buy a brand new sabre 2 170 today for less then that. In a stock color of course. PM me to find out where.

WOW....great information from all. Thanks for taking the time to read and respond.

Does anybody know if the design of the PD Stiletto has changed at all since it's introduction into the market. Or is it the same canopy now as it was then. And are there any idiosyncrasies one should be aware of? I appreciate any advice. Please use title case (not upper case) in the subject line. Thanks - slotperfect

Are there any little tricks to think of to help keep your hips forward and head back to keep from backsliding in a sit? I feel like it's right but when i look at the videos it's obvious my head is forward and my hips are back. i have a pretty good coach but i thought i would ask here for any further thoughts somebody may have

what is the process of "offsetting the lines"?

The risers have less than 100 jumps.

I recently bought a safire 189 DOM 2000 and had it relined right away by para-concepts. It has a built in turn to the right. I don't know what it did before because I didn't jump it before the new lineset. The steering lines and control lines from the toggles to the canopy are exactly even. I also have rechecked my legstraps to make sure i am hanging even in the harness......any ideas?

Richard Hazel is a great guy. I bought a few things from him. He is very trustworthy and wants his customers to be happy. If you buy it and don't like it you can send it back and will recieve a prompt refund no questions asked. I would not hesitate to do business with him again. g

PD puts out all of their demos with infinity risers. you can buy them direct from the manufacuter. they are about $125 and they all have the hard housings. www.velocityrigs.com

CReWLL.....why won't hookitt's method of stowing the excess strap help with slippage? it seems to me the basic physics of a lever effect would help tremendously. please explain why this would be in fact worse......thanks!

i communicated with this guy by email. he would ship the rig to my dropzone but not until he had $650. When I asked where he jumped he said he was retired from skydiving and had not jumped for awhile. Although he makes it look like he is from the US it turns out "by the way" he is in the UK travelling for a few months. This is a typical scam that I see in the hotel business on a regular basis. It is very obvious this is a SCAM.

OK man.....I've been exactly where you are. On my level 4 last July I reached back for the hacky and reached again and reached again and could not find it and then I was on my back. I had no choice but to deploy my reserve. OUCH! I can not count the number of times I drove to the dropzone but did not even make it to the parking lot or how many times when i did muster the courage to get out of the car, go up to altitude, took one look out the door and said no way and rode the plane back down. if you made it to level 6 you can do it. the worst part is the part you are stuck at. The best advice i can give you is just go do it! being scared is completely normal. just think of that feeling after you are out the door, and then on the ground. not too bad is it? in fact it's awesome. some type of meditation may help also. i don't mean the freaky kind of meditation but just concentrate on your breathing to clear your mind. i have over 100 jumps now but even now i still have to convince myself that the hacky is there and i can reach it. plus all of the other things that run through my mind that could go wrong. If it will help, PM me or email me and i will give you my phone number so you can talk to me. i will tell you all about it and also how great it feels to overcome such a monster. There is no reason to feel ashamed. Oh...and also...if anybody tells you they're not afraid there is either something wrong with them or they are BSing you. You are a human. You're not supposed to be jumping from a plane. It's called self preservation.

it is a bit different for a heavier muscular person than most others if you are trying to slow down your fall rate. most jumpers are well below 180lbs so there really isn't very much accurate information available. even lisa briggs article on dz.com. i am 220lbs as well and it took some time and many jumpsuits to find what works. what you want is a heavier or more stiff material on the outside. 4ply seems to be the best and it looks as good as supplex. heavy cotton or cordura would be slower but not very comfortable at all. i found that having the legs and arms lined with zero p helps alot as well. not only is it an extra layer but since the fabric is zero p the bernoulli effect is reallized. because of the airflow over the suit it creates a pressure differential and actually inflates a bit. not like a balloon but enough to make a noticable difference. also, because the zero p can be hot against your skin another inner lining is nice as well. this can be a lighter material like supplex or polycotton. the extra layer also lends a hand in slowing your fall rate as well. it should not fit like a skinny guys freefly suit. you need to have a bit of extra material especially in the arms and legs. i've been through 10 jumpsuits and found that this cofiguration slows my sit fly down to a reasonable rate that most people can keep up. if you are belly flying a bit of 'wing' or 'deep arms' are going to go along way to keep from going low as well. just remember you are heavier than a 'heavy' jumper for all practical purposes so keep it heavy AND layered. i hope this helps. i speak from experience and research. and being an engineer doesn't hurt either.

you guys are talking about maasai warriors and killing lions with your bare hands and shit. the closest thing we have to a lion are the ferrel cats running in the alley's. holy crap! the most interesting person i taught to pack is my girlfriend. yes, she is still interesting and no, i won't post her picture.

sounds like a pissing match to me. a cheap plastic hook knife cuts just as well as a metal or carbon fibre knife. any knife should however be preflighted along with the rest of your gear before every jump. i had an expensive carbon knife where the blade fell out mysteriously. and don't let my jump numbers fool you....i've been around the block a few times.

You are missing 122PM. A series 100 owned by DZO Paul Illingworth that is flying now at Skydive San Marcos between Austin and San Antonio. It is serial number 15. Believed to be the oldest otter flying today I think. It is however a badass plane with a pair of recent -27's hanging on a 200 series wing.