jmfreefly

Ah.. Jimbo gets the prize.. According to this US PTO filing, it is done in the following manner: 12. P&R SET: For activating the device, the user presses and releases subsequently the set button a number of times. The release operation is taken into account only if released for at least 2 seconds. 13. 3.times.>2sec?: In this step, there is checked if the set button has been pressed three times at least 2 seconds. If no, the routine goes back to the IDLE state 11. 14. 3.times.>5sec?: If the set button has been pressed for more than 2 seconds, there is checked if the set button has been pressed three times for at least 5 seconds. 15. DEF: If the set button has been pressed three times for more than 5 seconds, this means the user wishes to modify the default settings of the device. In this step, the user can select the jump mode and set the real time clock. The jump mode can be set to "student", "professional" or "tandem". The jump modes will determine the default theoretical dive data with which the measured pressure readings will be compared with for determining the theoretical remaining free fall time...

I asked the same question of Jo while I was signing up for the Beta program (before the whole Airtec cutter issue), and Jo said that it is changed at startup. He didn't give any more details, but the way he described it is that it has safeguards to protect it from being changed easy. (In a similar safeguard as how Cypress is protected from turning the unit off accidentally) I just got word from AAD that the orginal beta candidates can get them if they signed up before July1. alright! 'No, just wait. It will be shipped in 4-5 weeks by our DeLand office. Thanks again for your patience, Karel'

Sweet, thanks for the info.

Yes, sometimes I am late. To Monkey: Sometimes it is because I find it pointless to sit at the tarmac for 15 min waiting for the plane to land and taxi. Sometimes it is making sure I dont do something stupid like -forgetting my goggles- or double checking my closing pin so I don't have a -premature in a sit-, like some primate I know. But mostly it is because manfiest puts me on a load with a 5 minute call while I am still dubbing. To Paul: Ok, you got me with that pic. I took an extra 2 seconds to re-check the camera. Cut me maybe 1 inch of slack. Double checking a camera setting on my first belly mount/still camera jump/tracking dive, while the others are climbing out is not such a big deal. I know holding on in that raging prop blast was tiring you out. All so you could look like a knucklehead on our Red White and Blue jump on the 4th.

Yes, I talked quite extensively with both the guy who jumped my rig, and his girlfriend, who packed it. Both say they didnt lengthen the loop. I am not sure whether to believe them, or to just assume they are trying to say the same story. Ultimately, I will never know, and it really doesnt matter at this point. And I said something earlier to him about packing the rig himself (that I wasn't real sure about her packing the rig, as she seemed not fully up to speed about packing in general). I agree with everything you say about checking your own stuff after the packer. I am (unfairly) called out at our dz as the last one to the plane, but often it is because I am double checking my gear (do I have it and is it right).

Hey, yeah, bkdice. She is a hottie! (And I hear she has a very cool boyfriend too. Not very modest though.. ) ha!

EXCEPT that I have to now keep track of the dang thing along with all the other piles of parts I have (anybody need used dbags and PCs??? I got a bunch). The other bummer is that my W7 and W5 are different reserve sizes (and different pop tops), so the only thing I could use in the case for my W5 bag being lost is the PC. Besides.. I bet I will chuck my handles and need new ones anyway... (positive thinking, right?)

I agree with you, king air tails require significant respect. WRT/ hitting the tail, remember the Skydive Suffolk death not too long ago. Navy Seal, lots of jumps, CRW dog. Hit the tail without a helmet. http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?do=post_view_flat;post=144392;page=1;mh=-1;;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC As for the PAC750xl, it looks like a workhorse of a jumpship. Because it is a single engine, and low operating costs, it (based on their propoganda at least) out classes other jump planes in profit/load and load minimums for break evens. Last I heard, they still were going through a joint certification CFA (?) and FAA.. dont think FAA has certified it yet. Joint certification I believe is to help streamline the cert process (FAA has been under fire for their slowness), but using tests/info/research/etc. from other countires certifications.

I believe that rig on ebay is the rig that my rigger just bought. Using it as part of his Master Training / Exam. From what he said, the EMTs cut the crap out of it in places that it didnt need to be cut. Fellow jumper at DZ femured and told those around him (through his pain) to take off his legstraps before the ambulance arrived so they wouldnt cut it. That is some heads up thinking..

I inspected the closing loop, and it looks almost twice as long as I remember it being. I will double check this once I get the rig back from getting repacked. ALSO, my freebag/PC/poptop showed up at the dz the next weekend. Someone found it in their yard.. and I am assuming it was that day or the next.. since we had rain and I see no signs of being in the rain. However, it is impossible to tell, and I couldnt speak to them. Any thoughts on integrity testing a PC? Pisser is that I already got the replacement parts that Friday (very quick turnaround by Sunrise.. kudos). :-\ DOUBLE ALSO.. Inspected my rig with my rigger, and found that the left reserve flap has had the first few stitches damaged where it meets the 'bottom' near the bottom reserve flap. Surmizing that it was the terminal opening that caused it. Pics coming tonight, and fwding on to sunrise.. j

As quoted by Paige from Sunrise Rigging International for the reason Wings has it stated right left in their manual: " In the past, the spring loaded p/c method of deployment required that you close the container bottom top right left so for consistency's sake, we simply recommend that way to close all of our rigs. Thanks, Paige " But your sketch made me think a bit. However, almost all of the mfgs flaps are curved there.. so I don't see a high chance of that actually holding upon deployment. As for the Javelin, I used to have an older OJ (97 I think), and to keep the flap secure during sitfly, I had a spandex keeper installed on the underside of the top flap (the one with the grommet). In order to stow the bridle correctly, and use the keeper, the bridle had to split the right and left flaps -- thus it had to be closed left, right. Most Jav owners I know split the flaps with the bridle also.

Flexvisions all the way. I usually tape the holes to reduce wind. They do fog, but easy enough to stick on your head and pull down at the last second.

I have heard that same story about pull outs from various people. Not very uncommon. This is a little bit more uncommon.. eh? And yes, I was theorizing the pull-up cause, but in truth, I just don't see it.. that closing loop would have to be VERY loose to let the friction of the pull up pull the pin through.. I will have to play with some scenarios to see if it is even feasible.

I have heard of complications b/c of CYPRESS, but I cant remember the outcome... And the problem was an 'improperly use' issue. [ aircraft dropped below dropzone elevation, unbenownst to the jumper ] As for GI Joe.. hey man.. he is a bad mofo.. I don't mess with him..

Three points: 1) No, you can not deduce from the picture that the closing loop is too long. The pic was taken with the reserve out of the reserve tray, and this does loosen up the flaps. I haven't done anything further with the rig (including insepecting the loop out of the container). When I will do, I will follow up with what I find. 2) As far as -I- remember, both Javelins and Mirages close left, right. I would guess that Javs and Mirages make up a higher percentage than other rigs, but that is a moot point. Packer was probably used to the jumper's javelin. In truth, I have packed my rig left, right. And as far as I can see it makes not one iota of a difference. However, SRI does say right, left. 3) As I mentioned, the packer was 'not quite yet a jumper'.. what I didn't mention is that she was a very low-time packer also. And yes, Dan is right, it was the jumper's girlfriend, which is a double bummer for him. It also makes me a tiny bit wary of the jumper 'protecting' his girlfriend if it was her fault. Ultimately that just hinders the learning process for her if it was a mistake. Honestly, I would rather it be a packing error, as it is easy to explain, and simple to correct. I don't like having to feel like I have a fragile object on my back, as I would be yelling at everyone on the plane 'dont touch my rig! dont touch my rig!' I have a lot of respect for my gear, and do my best to reduce the amount of 'touching/bumping/etc' that happens to it, but I can't eliminate it entirely. j

Yep. He was really bummed about pitching my sh!t, and the fact that he doesnt have much money at all, but I kept saying "hey, I would rather have you here, and not have to go to a funeral". Funny (not really) thing is, he was refraining from jumping his gear because he was worried about a pillow cutaway on his rig. I guess a rigger had 'built' the pillow because he didn't have one available from Sunpath before he left the west coast. Several riggers looked at it, and couldn't comment on it unless they unstitched it and looked at the construction of it. So, good thing (in some ways) that it was my gear he had the malfunction on, not to have to test that pillow in real life emergency. His ribs hurt pretty bad from the terminal reserve ride too.

I second the wings. Best bang for the buck I have found, and a great container overall. Just got my new one, with cut in laterals, and they are very nice. Keeps the rig in place throughout freefall, any attitude. The VSE rigs never really fit me right, but then again, I never had one custom constructed. Heard lots of good things about them. G4's are very nice.. high on the comfort scale, but also high on the dollar scale. Similarly priced G4s are 20%-35% higher than the wings) if I remember my research correctly.

The unit is also a bit smaller, which makes a tad of difference in smaller rigs. two other features: It keeps track of the days until next service.. and warns you automatically when it draws near. It can display ther serial number of the unit on the LCD (without opening the unit and checking). Any good rigger should write it on your pack card, but this is an additional benefit. BTW, I think the cutter itself is also water resistant, not just the case.

Yes, in my post I identify that I keep my closing loops tight (and this was my rig he was jumping). "However, on my rig, I keep my closing loops pretty dang tight." How much tension in lbs.? Um.. I never have used a scale on it.. it is enough to make your hands red with a pull up. And enough that the packers grumble about it. As for 'leaning up against stuff', I cant say, since I wasnt on the load, and the jumper did not mention anything about it when questioned. However, this caravan doesn't have too many places to lean against stuff (but there are a few). But, if that was the case, then it would have had to happen between pin check and exit.. Usual course of business is to have this checked just prior to jump run. And most jumpers I know are on their knees at that point and not leaning against things. The caravan -does- have straddle benches, which are sort of a pain.. having the tandems slide down one often makes the people on the other lean away to let them by.. maybe that is an opportunity to affect the pin.. but I tend to doubt it.

Just my .2 cents: I have jumped a handful of cobolts, and I understand why people say that Cobolts 'fly' bigger.. In my opinion, they are mostly saying they have a strong flare, with generally 'bigger flying' characteristics. However, I have found that when you push the Cobolt, it will show its true size (hard hooks or unexpected low turns). It is the unexpected low turns that will bite someone who is unsure of the canopy when they first downsize. Done in a respectful, eyes-open manner, any downsizing can be successful. But not understanding the canopy performs in emergencies (or how you react in emergencies) can mean bad things. Good article by Scott Miller (deland canopy school) for reference about 'unexpected low turns' and how to 'train' for them www.performancedesigns.com/docs/98_low.pdf Well written, and a read for every jumper.

My new Wings container gave me the same worry, even though they used the same measurements from my first. After 20-30 jumps, it has 'loosened up a bit' and fits much much better. The container was stiff as H3ll when I first got it, and the long riser covers need some flexibility before the rig will hug you the way it needs to. From what I have seen of the G3vs.G4, this is probably a similar issue. If the top of the rig doesnt sit close to your back, and the riser covers don't have any curve, then I think the rig will feel like the MLW is too small. Once the initial stiffness leaves, my guess is it would fit better. j

Hey everyone. We had a malfunction this weekend at our DZ that I had not seen before (although I am sure it has happened). I figured I would post a pic and some text about it -- there are some lessons learned that didn't strike me until I thought about it for a while. Unfortunately, this happend to a fellow jumper who was borrowing one of my rigs. Lost my freebag and handles, and he is strapped for cash. Big bummer. This, btw, is pretty third handish. I talked at length with the jumper, though, so I think I got it right. Anyway. He had his not-quite-yet-a-jumper packing the rig, but he essentially wasn't watching the packjob (as recounted by another packer). He gets on the load. Flight to altitude. Before jumprun, gets a pin check (there is a bit of confusion about who it was that pin checked him, but best recounts are that the tandem master he was videoing checked him). I had seen him getting pin checks on more than one of the earlier loads. He climbs out, Tandem gets in the door. (BTW, this is a grand caravan, no step). Upon exit, jumper claimed to have 'hit or snagged something'. On his video, you see him spin hard to the right, but it doesn't happen until you see part of the underside of the plane. (He is shooting with a .42 lens, so it is hard to judge distances,etc.) Jumper says that he 'felt somthing flapping/not right' after that. Video uneventful. Tandem pulls. He backslides away, waves, and pitches. He feels the PC inflate, but doesnt feel the container open. He reaches back 'to see if he can fix it' but instantly realizes it is a lost cause. He cuts away, and deploys the reserve (high speed). Because he is frantic (at this point), his body position is less than optimal, and opens in a line twist. Subsequently to get out of the line twist, he instinctively drops the handles. Upon inspection on the ground, this pic is what we found. It shows the pin pushed all the way through the closing loop, so the loop is around the webbing that attaches the pin to the bridle. Analyzing this, we thought of 2 major root causes: 1) possibly a packing error 2) pushing the pin through either on the plane, or on exit. Because the consensus was that he got a pin check, it is hard to immediately say it was #1. However, on my rig, I keep my closing loops pretty dang tight. It would have had to been a fairly loose loop (maybe the jumper had loosened the loop?), and the impact force would have had to have been at a 'perfect' angle to push the pin all the way through. The fact that the pins are curved, generally make the pin turn versus push further in. We tried on the ground to replicate this possibility, but we couldnt do it (with the reserve out). Anyway, my own personal lessons learned are: 1) pin checks are -always- a good idea. I usually check my own by feel when not wearing gloves. During the fall and winter, I get another jumper to give me a pin check. 2) Do your best to try to keep your rig off of snag points. It is very very easy to lean up against the plane to relax. But, it is not just your reserve pin that you have to worry about. 3) Know your packers 4) I make my own closing loops, and I generally make the fingertrapped loop pretty small, but usually wide enough for a pullup to go through. Unfortunately, this is also enough to let the head of the pin go through also. So, I am going to re-do my closing loops, ensuring that the loop is small enough to prevent this from happening again. Anybody else have thoughts? j

I have jumped all three. I own a Nitron 108 (one of the first produced in the US), and a crossfire 115 (original, built 'post fix'). Here is my opinion (and only my opinion). Diablo -- dont like them. way too twitchy for me. It harness turned way too easily. Dont like the flare.. heck, they are 7 cells, and I like to swoop. Being a camera guy for tandems, I need glide to get back from nuckleheads taking too long in the door. But, if you like super quick turns, and like 7 cells, this might be the canopy for you. (Jumped a friends canopy in their rig which was not a perfect fit for me, so that might have amplified my dislikings) Cobolts - they are ok. Not a huge fan of them. I put maybe 20 jumps on a 105 demo, at the same time I was demoing a 119 crossfire ,and the crossfire won out. The recovery arc was weird for me, and I never really got the sweet openings they claimed (certainly compared to the crossfire). Nitron - Bought one during the Ground Zero intro deal. Developed a love/hate relationship for a while with this canopy. It smacked me so hard one time that I had to quit jumping for 2 weeks because of my neck (stills and video on a dang Ash jump, no less.. ugh). I bitched to precision and they said 'Oh yeah, we revised the slider spec.. we will send you a new one..' duh.. would have been nice if you TOLD me that without me complaining. Got new slider, and changed the packing style a tiny bit (double stow non-locking stows with small rubberbands), and it is a whole different ballgame, opening wise. Old slider was tiny, with SS grommets (heavy and slick) and the slider would shoot down the lines quick. New slider is bigger and non-ss grommets, and doesnt drop as quick.. Nitrons (or any HMA-lined canopy my suspicion is) are prone to bad line dump.. so preventing that is key. As for the canopy itself.. it is great.. long surfs, lots of flare.. the ears seam to work great (fly to a stop.. lots of low speed flare), and I -can- just stop the canopy into the wind holding up high for pattern to clear. I can float with 170s easily. I would have said that the recovery arc is long, but now that I think about it, it isn't that long.. but, it is much easier to keep in a dive than my crossfire, which is what I like about it. I demoed a crossfire 2, and it is nice, but not as easy to front riser as the nitron.. and not as good slow speed flare. Anyway.. I like flying my Nitron a lot, and I would probably do it again.. almost a toss up between it and a crossfire 2. The others are further back in my list.

Yes, there can be a difference.. but probably not exactly the way in which one might think. I have heard that Atair (and possibly other mfg) send out their canopies slightly 'out of trim' with microline. over the first x jumps, the lines shirnk and the canopy goes 'in trim'. If Icarus does this same sort of thing ***** (which I have no idea if they do..) ***** and uses an out of trim spec, but puts vectran lines on it, then it would never 'go into trim' because vectran doesnt really shrink like microline. Therefore, the canopy would stay out of trim, and -could- be a cause or compounding factor for bad openings. Again, this is purely conjecture as to the cause. But, if you didnt want vectran, and they sent you vectran, I would take it up with the mfg. Icarus has given me pretty good customer support, except for the whole Crossfire issue (which pissed me off). On a side note, I thought Icarus didnt use microline anymore..

I just got my new Wings, with the cut corners, and after two weekends of jumping it (no wingsuit jumps yet), I have to say I get much better openings. Much more on heading. I own two wings now, and my older one had been prone to hanging up a bit sometimes, even in non-wingsuit jumps. That is why my new one has cut corners. I am glad I got them. I am going to have my rigger alter my older wings to destitch the corners. That being said, it is slightly more of a pain in the butt to pack, as it requires a few extra pokes and prods to keep the lines and bag inside the flaps before you get the pin in. If the canopy is properly sized for the rig, it shouldnt be a problem.. if not, good luck!