dbattman

Sheesh- talk about an insecurity problem. You'd think with all the beer over there they wouldn't have ANY problem taking a leak.

I get to spend two weeks in the lovely warm climate of Toronto (Richmond Hill) in Feb. PM me to meet for a beer some evening.

Here's the clicky link. Go down about 2/3. http://www.aerodynamics.com/Ground_Zero/PAGES/xaos21.htm

From the PA website on the Xaos canopy. Perhaps it is time to begin searching for a new material, at least for control lines. I know several people who would agree- they're out in the waiting room.

Cross-post from Bytch in the 'Incidents' forum. Good info to have. If HMA is so volatile and unpredictable with regards to failure, is it used on lots of canopies out there or just for a select few of the 'Dodge-Vipers'? I could see some applications in high-performance swoop competition to try and get a little bit more out of the canopy, but the average skydiver that I know can't afford to pay for a reline several times per year on their fun-canopy. I guess it would be application-specific? Here's some information on various line types that I received from Simon at Icarus. --- Vectran, Spectra and HMA VECTRAN Advantages: Will maintain its trim qualities over the life of the line-set. Disadvantages: Will wear faster than Spectra and will require replacement at around 500-700 jumps on the suspension lines and 250-400 jumps on the lower control lines. SPECTRA Advantages: High wear resistance. Lines will last 1000 jumps+. Disadvantages: Will loose its trim qualities RADICALLY. As an indication, a Spectra line set with 500 jumps will have control line shrinkage of between 5" & 8", the outboard A lines will have shrunk 3" to 5" and the trim across the span is likely to be out by 2" to 4". The canopies performance will start to become effected in only 100 jumps. As a result, Spectra is not recommended on high performance canopies. The line set will need replacing at least as frequently, or more frequently than Vectran due to shrinkage. Note: This is not an issue on low performance canopies. HMA Advantages: Same trim advantages as Vectran. Has a smaller diameter than Vectran offering less drag. (Note: if the canopy is direct lined like the XAOS, there is NO drag reduction due to the additional suspension lines). Disadvantages: Will wear faster than Vectran and have a life expectancy of 200-400 jumps. WILL BREAK WITHOUT WARNING. ICARUS WILL NOT BUILD PRODUCTION CANOPIES WITH HMA FOR THIS REASON. --- pull & flare, lisa My website is boring I am the Bytch, and the rest of you are not. (apologies to Bruno for stealing the tag line...)

OK- here's where a little but of my ignorance comes in (I'm still flying a Falcon). Tell me if I've got this wrong. HP canopies are sensitive to changes in trim, so line shrinkage and creep is a problem over time. Therefore, use the inelastic high-tensile lines. As an added benefit, the lines can now be thinner due to their high strength. So, the thin control lines are passing through the riser areas and rubbing on the links or the rings or the slidder grommets. I'll have to take a look at some other canopies, but is there an external, protective sheath around the control lines for protection?

The rigger is coming back from USPA and will do an inspection over the weekend. I don't know if he has any plans to take or post pictures, but I can put in a request.

Who can post a little info on Vectran/HMA lines and their history of wearing from the inside out? We have an experienced swooper in ICU due to a suprise steering line snap on landing (see incidents). What I am interested in is how these lines wear and what warning signs should be looked for as they age. If what I understand is correct, there have been several cases of steering lines wearing from the inside-out and snapping when they are under the most stess (i.e. landing phase). If this is the case with Vectran lines, why use them for control inputs over something that might be a little thicker, but more reliable? More info is appreciated from those in the know. EDIT- the steering lines were HMA, not vectran.

I keep my mouth shut, my lips sealed, and my hands clasped behind my back. If they go for the reserve pin, then I ask them to wait a moment while I explain why that's a bad idea. Otherwise, don't offer anything in the way of information.

63% don't wear hearing protection. In about 10 years I'm going to start a killer business marketing 'Go Fast' hearing aids to skydivers. I'll be rich, Rich, RICH! MUHAHAHAHAHAHA!

I ran across this on the internet. Anyone know what this is? They seem to certify most dropzones in the country as 'safe' except the ones that compete with Cedartown. Here's the clicky-link

I did static line at a USPA club DZ. FJC was only about $160 and additional S/L and student jumps were only $35. Total to A (5 on the rope and 20 freefall) about $1K.

I see them in drug stores and similar places but they're rather expensive- $2+ for a few pairs. Your gear store might sell them for $0.25 (like Skycat) or you could ask around- some jumpers might have extras. They should be comfortable in your ears- some of them are like sticking a piece of plastic in there. The yellow foam EAR plugs are good. My preference is for the ones that have a cord- they don't get lost as easily. The higher the noise reduction the better- probably no less than 26 db, but some go as high as 30+ db.

I have some of the earplugs on a cord. I tie it to the zipper on my jumpsuit and take the earplugs out and tuck them inside on jumprun. Works great.

Just curious. I wear 'em since I work with some old-timers that are literally deaf as a post and I don't want to end up the same way. Think about it- 8 cessna loads a week at 30 min each is 4 hours of high noise exposure.

Click for great tits

Bosom-enhancing dance

Nice response Grav! I especially like the part of posting Delta's position to the entire online skydiving community.

All I said was that we need to be cautious when we discuss the technical details. If you TELL them it has an explosive device that fires a sharp cutting implement that severs the nylon loop, yes you are screwed. If you use one of my answers you will simply explain that if it senses you are falling too fast it has a small relesase on the closing loop that deploys the reserve. And yes, I have had issues with my rig before. They were resolved by going to the checkpoint super. You just happened to get a few that weren't up to speed on this. I'm just careful about how I explain things and thought I should mention that.

We all need to be careful how we handle this as individuals. If TSA starts asking you questions at the airport, watch what you say and how you explain the AAD. Some key words in this situation would be 'pyrotechnic', 'fire', 'cutter', and 'sever'. But, once again I went through two TSA airports yesterday and had no issues.

Copy that baby and pass it out so others can go 'damn- guess I shouldn't try that.' Of course, the fact that I'm a rubernecker had absolutely NO influence on my answer.

This sounds like a communication/information issue at the airport. My rig has been pawed over by TSA at the checkpoint and at the gate and they have never denied me access.

COBRA is for portability from one job or policy to another. It's somewhere in the neighborhood of (total premium cost)*1.15, so unless you have something that your currently undergoing treatment for you probably won't need that. Call your local Blue Cross office and ask for information about their Accident/Hospitalization coverage. I had a $500 deductible policy when I was 26 and it cost me about $60/month. Exclusions were 'illegal activity and acts of war' so unless you smuggling drugs by aerial delivery it shouldn't be an issue.

Chest strap cozies $75 each Picture frame for the group shot $8 Shadow box for the cozies $10 Wrapping paper $2 Ticket home 50,000 skymiles Seeing Mom cry when she sees the pictures and personal notes, followed by a hug Indescribable Thanks to everyone at Perris and across the country that made this possible.

Dude, that rocks! Back on the horse- giddyup!