elton01

Just thought I'd share the moment of head casting. Did it tonight in the kitchen, with a large dropsheet to keep the better half in a good mood. It must have worked as she volunteered to soak the bandages while my buddy applied then cut the cast free. It came out really well. Using The111's advice I made sure he put 5 reference marks around the circumfrence before cutting. I'm hoping to share a step by step update as I progress. Hopefully some of you will make use of it, or will point me in better directions if you see me making an error. I was piqued when I saw the threads started by freefalle and the111. I now have an obssesive urge to build a Wes Rich style CCM. Thanks guys just one more thing to add to the equipment list.

One thing to keep in mind guys, You have to use the Microsoft "WET" transfer tool to move your settings from XP to 7. The "easy transfer wizard" that comes with 7 does not recognize your "files and settings transfer wizard" that comes with XP. Ask me how I know that and I'll tell you a tale of woe when I transferred all of my XP data to a hard drive, only to find out that 7 couldn't see it. So off to Microsoft tech help and the "WET" solution. Worked like a charm. I'm using Power Director 8 on my machine, and it flies along in Windows 7. Couldn't compare to Vista, as I didn't own it, but it is a huge improvement over what I saw on XP.

Hey guys, I know this is an old thread. I probably should leave it closed, but just in case anyone was wondering "did they ever have a definitive fix for the SR11 HDD conversion to SSD?", well yes there is one. If you go to: http://www.activemp.com/SSD/solid-state-drives.htm and look at the: SaberTooth ZX 1.8-inch PATA ZIF This gives a drop in replacement for the 60GB HDD. You order the 64GB version and it will drop in place of the original drive. All you need to do is format and it works like the original, except uses less power. It gives a huge recording time; 476 minutes of HQHD and completes a beautiful setup for a skydiving platform. I've put this in the altitude chamber at work and run it thru ESS (Environmental Stress Screening) and vibe profiles while recording. Flawless. Examples of what it has seen has been 12000 ft at 60 degrees C, then ramped down to 3 degrees C at 15000 ft. I've had no issues at all. *Keep in mind this is not my primary use camera and it was given to me by the mother in law for this conversion. If you decide to do this, make sure you have backup in case you fry your SR11* Now that I've completed this, I'm going to use the SR as my jump camera, and keep the CX500 as a family camcorder.

Whatever you decide to buy, try to get something with the large ring (type 8 riser). You can always put on a set of type 17 mini risers on the larger ring, but you can't put on a set of type 8 risers on a mini ring. I'm 300 lbs out the door, and I'm going to try the mini risers so I'm able to pull the slider down on my Xfire2, but if I see that the rings are deforming at all, or my risers are trash after a couple of hundred jumps, then I'm secure in the knowledge I can always put on a set of type 8 risers and carry on. Even if I can't put the slider down. You might already be aware of this, if so, then disregard

Hmmm, I just bought two Vector III containers (with all the trimmings on each), a Crossfire II and Smart 190, Gas helmet and Altitrack from Chuting Star. They came back with not just the quickest quote, but the best price out of the following. Chuting Star Rigs and Things Paragear Square1 Sunshine Factory I was a little dissapointed with Sunshine factory as they didn't even respond to my request for a quote. I guess 8000+ in sales just isn't worth the time. Anyhow, J and Mike at Chuting Star are first rate with making sure that you are answered quickly and they seem extremely driven to make sure that you get the attention you deserve. Doesn't hurt that their reputation proceeds them on DZ.com and everyone has nothing but first rate things to say. I'm in Ottawa, Canada, and even though there are a lot of closer places to buy gear, I dont' think that I could find a better deal than what J quoted me and certainly couldn't get any better service. Two thumbs up for Chuting Star.

Hmm, Go to http://www.shga.com/forum/phpBB2/search.php?search_author=nitrochute Here he is on a hang glider site selling reserve repacks as an FAA certified rigger. He's using the name "nitrochute". I finally got through to an automatic answering service on his phone. I've left a message telling him to address these issues that I and others have with him. If he does so, I'm more than willing to retract my statements, if he doesn't , oh well, maybe these will make someone else think twice about dealing with him.

Well, It's official.... Allan Mack of the following address(see below email) is now considered a scammer in my books. Over 5 weeks of waiting for a pilot chute and this PR!*K has not gotten back to me. I've given him every chance to explain, to give a rough estimate on time to completion, to sending back my payment. NOTHING. He seems to have disappeared off the face of the earth. Here is our email trail with his address. He uses the name Shawn Mack in his email. That should have given me warning. (The email also shows an Ohio reference, yet the payment went to California.. Another warning sign that I should have heeded). ANYHOW, if anyone knows this piece of SH&T, let him know that I'll be looking for him at any dropzone I may visit in California for the rest of my jumping days. I've tried calling the number, but I didn't get an answer, it just rang with no pickup. Hopeless. ----- Original Message ----- > > From: "shawn mack" > > To: > > Sent: Saturday, July 11, 2009 1:25 PM > > Subject: Re: Dropzone.com Classifieds - Response to > your > > Ad > > > > > > > > yes it is brand new ,never used.my addy is; > > c. allan mack > > 38544 33 rd st east > > palmdale ca 93550 > > 661 839 7577 > > thanks i will be watchin for the mail.

Yeah, I don't think Allen is scamming or anything. I just wanted to give him a friendly reminder that I need this done so I can install it and jump. If I don't hear from him by Monday evening then it will be a rush order to Para-gear to ship a PC to NY. At that point though I'd want a refund for my PC payment to Allen, which just turns out to be a headache for all concerned. So, if anyone can get a hold of Allen, either get him to email me, or call. Thanks, Elton

Hi all, Does anyone know how to get in touch with Allen Mack. (He's selling collapsible pilotchutes under the DZ.com name "chutebuilder"). I've purchased a collapsible PC from him and was hoping to get it before I left for a boogie on Aug. 7th. I've tried to email him but I haven't gotten an answer and I'm hoping he's just been out jumping and hasn't had a chance to return my email. If anyone has a telephone number for him, or knows if he's at a DZ, that would be an immense help. Thanks all, Elton

Thanks for the recommendations Aggie. I do have a line on a Vengeance 170, which is why I asked. I am going to do the canopy progression that Davelapeka had recommeded, and I will get a canopy coach to go over the finer points with me as you have suggested. I was going to do a number of jumps on the student gear just to get myself re-aquainted with the sport,but it does make more sense to try and drop sizes progressively, rather than 25 jumps on a 280, than down to a 170-190. The worst thing is that I know better. I would be the first one to tell somone to take downsizing slowly, but I don't even take my own advice. One nice thing about the weight, I fly quite stable

I don't disagree with what you're saying at all Dave, which is why I'm passing on this and will look for a 170-190 range canopy. I'll also try to get in the canopy progression that you recommended so that it isn't a shock to realize I don't have the skill set that I thought I did. I may have snapped at Lee for his response, but in all retrospect, I dont' think I was wrong in doing so. If he had taken the approach you had or Aggie, I would have been quite happy to have listened to him. I don't mind constructive criticism, it helps someone get past issues and could possible save them from making an error which could prove fatal. What I don't like is condescension from some wanna be skygod who was probably shitting his diapers about the time I did my first jump out the back of a C-130. I'm not a skygod, hell, I'm probably not even a good jumper by a lot of peoples standards, but I'm not a newbie and the fact that I do inquire and appreciate the response of my fellow jumpers does indicate that I'm not reckless or lacking common sense. Much unlike Lee's response. I don't know if you're a friend of Lee's or not. If so, sorry to have offended you, and I do appreciate the advice both you and Aggie have offered.

What I'm looking for is something that will give me 1. A decent opening (Think 7 cell soft ..don't mind if I have to roll the nose to acheive). 2. Can be harness steered during openings without the need to go to rears all the time (Heatwave was horrible for this) 3. When in brakes or on rears a good glide (For the long spot) 4. Can be flown straight in, or if wanting to push it, a long recovery arc so that I can do a high 180 progressive front riser turn and not worry about coming out before I'm ready. (This will be done once I'm current and comfortable with my skills) 5. Long control range (from about ears to middle of waist). 6. Strong flare in the bottom of the control range. (Right up until the feet touch down) 7. Quick turns with high AOA (angle of attack) OK (hand in hand with long recovery arc). The problem I face Aggie is that I know what canopies would work that are brand new in the market. The Pulse, Fusion, Pilot, Crossfire etc. etc. are all great canopies that would fit the bill. But as someone else put it, I'm shopping in the gutter range. No new canopy for me. I look at what's out there and try to find something that will get me back in the air for the least amount of moolah. Most people want the new gear, I'm looking for someone else's cast offs. Most of the time the sub $600 market is exactly that. The canopies are damaged, need lines immediately, or are of questionable airworthiness. What I need is someone who has a canopy with about 300-400 jumps and is downsizing from a 170 Stilleto or that level and is going to a Velocity or Katana, and just wants to unload a decent canopy. That was the case with the Z-PO. It is in very good condition and is completely jump ready. It's also in the sub $300 dollar range. BUT, not worth my life. So, I'll keep looking and hope to find that elusive Stilletto, Crossfire or other light elliptical in the 170-190 range that someone just wants to get out the door. I'll also make sure to come back here and get opinions on whatever I'm looking at. Which leads me to my next question. What is your feelings on the Vengeance 170?

Hi Aggie, Not really looking for anything in particular, what I was after was nothing more than a report from someone who had flown the Z-PO at a wingloading of 2.1 safely. I would like to get their perspective on such things as you're asking me (turn rate, altitude loss in hard turns, glide rates, opening characteristics, straight in approaches in wind, no wind straight in approaches, front riser pressures, swoop characteristics (if I ever wanted to do such a thing after regaining some of the old skills). In short, I was hoping to see WHAT could be done under this particular canopy at a high wing load). This was the whole drive behind getting informed people to tell me what I could expect from this canopy in that load scenario. After Dave asked some good questions I came to the realization that having been out for two years, as much as I think I still have the skills that I did when I was actively jumping, I may in fact find that I've lost some of them to the degree it could prove unsafe. I was hoping that this canopy at high wingloads could still be flown in safely without necessarily performing a high speed swoop to get the drive for an effective flare. My Heatwave 150 could be flown in and landed very nicely with no wind-straight in approaches. I merely wondered if the Z-PO could do the same. My goal was to find a canopy that could be flown at a higher wingloading and still be flown conservatively if required. A contradiction in terms to be sure, but not necessarily unacheviable, but not with this canopy. I've got my answer, and will look at getting something either newer, or bigger.

Well RiggerLee, your limited use of the English language and spelling tell me all I need to know, and the short answer is this, some punk who thinks he's the next answer to Jesus on the dropzone. Good luck with that. Davelepka, you're questions and answers show that you actually have some experience with this and are interested in helping me keep my fat a$$ safe. Thank you for your concern, and I will probably pass on this canopy after having thought about what you've said. The whole reason I came on was to get this sort of insight from those who are current and may have a better idea than me what could be suitable. Having always jumped a 150 for over 13 years, you forget that they are not always a 1 to 1 substitution, and I don't feel heavy. To answer your question, yes, I've been out now for two years. My wife and I had the little one and I wanted to take a break. I most certainly am not current, and will be jumping some student gear for the next 10-15 jumps just to get the feeling back, and to see what I've forgotton. RiggerLee, if you haven't got constructive things to add, or do not realize that someone ahead of you said all the right things, crawl back in your hole and leave the grown ups to talk shop.

Hey all, Anyone here load a Strong Z-PO 150 with about 310 lbs. If so, give me your feedback on flight handling. I got rid of a Heatwave 150 two years ago and am looking to put together a cheap rig for fun. Won't be swooping, just straight in and putting it down. I know it's older, but I'm just wondering if the flight envelope is acceptable at that loading, or if it becomes a rocket with no flare available at the end because it's just not able to fly that much s&*t on the bottom. Thanks