SPAWNmaster

Are you kidding me? Why aren't you posting 'eeffffing skydiving!' after every skydiving injury? +1

something to think about is how you will load your suit -- similar to loading a canopy...higher wingloading = higher speed. you may not float like a butterfly when you start gliding but you'll probably haul ass in the right suit :D edit to add: and with good flying style + body position ;)

ask your local rigger. get involved. much more satisfying.

Thanks! I'll try that out. As far as 10.4 java updates, they only go up to Java 5 :/ Edit to add: Houdah works great, thanks much!

I have a WTB-201 but have a Mac. what's a good software similar to TimeMachineX that can do the same? I can't find a mac version of that software yet and would love to use GPX2SRT in conjunction with other applications. EDIT TO ADD: I've tried Paralog Desktop for Mac but it requires a version of Java that only Mac OSX 5 (Leopard) has. Thanks

if all you're looking for are big grabs, you can pick up a pair from any BASE manufacturer...I think www.apexbase.com sells 35 the pair for EZ grabs.

1) I don't claim to be anything, but I do like to skydive and try to keep my risk level within my comfort zone. 2) I kind of had a feeling I couldn't get away posting a "hey what a great day" thread without the regular dz.com bullshit. 3) some say I have a good head on my shoulders and some talent, haven't had anyone comment on my progression in real life as unsafe but what do I know -- I'm just trying to stay alive, while pursuing various disciplines to the best of my ability. 4) 14 months, and I'm actually a pretty "casual" skydiver. -Maybe this thread should be locked before it turns into a carbon copy of every other argument on this site.

Going to follow up on this since it may help newbies (or perhaps instructors). A year later that book had me extremely well prepared. I flew through AFF up to A license in about 2 weeks (as sometimes happens...not necessarily a good thing of course)- But Poynter's book was an outstanding resource that kept me well informed and ahead of the curve as a student. The main advantage as I see it, is that I increased my basic understanding of skydiving so that I was less overwhelmed by the things I had to pick up during student-through-A training and thus able to focus more on new information.

GTi, What a great day that was this weekend...could really feel the forward speed with more wind rushing from the front and over me than from under...an amazing feeling.

Just thought I'd post this tidbit- Made it out to a local DZ today and had an absolute blast with my suit! Maybe the warmer weather, cool crowd, or something else but my wingsuit flights were just so much more enjoyable than they have been all winter! I feel like today in particular I'm really starting to that sweet spot down. I've been just jumping solo the past 20 jumps trying to nail my max flight position for speed and today I could totally feel the wind and felt like a rocket! Just felt like sharing! -new bird

thanks for the input guys!

If you slim out your packjob and then go take a piss before putting it in the bag, if it doesn't breathe at all when you get back it's made out of that older stuff. You'll find it to be wayyy less slippery than ZP and just plain manageable.

Hi there, Just contemplating recently as I've started to fly...why is the wingsuit type of pull not taught to skydiving students? It seems to me that it's symmetrical and more intuitive than a standard pull (bringing one arm over your head often caused me to spin a bit at pull time earlier in my career). Another positive side is that if everyone pulled like this there would be more distance when tracking from a formation. I don't claim to be any more knowledgable than the next guy nor am I an instructor- just wondering about this. Any ideas why this isn't being adopted?

beautiful flight, and thank you translator

I have a Triathlon 160 made out of that older south african zp....such a blessing...i get up to go for a piss in the middle of my packjob and the sucker is still waiting for me exactly as i left it...very little breathing, its unbelievable! as far as packing, regular propack positioning the nose but no rolling or tucking in. ~600ft openings.

Yup, in the tradition of being romantically cheesy, I've proposed to my girlfriend today, on valentine's day! She said yes, of course! :D Took her out this morning to our favorite state park and we went to a beautiful waterfall in complete isolation. I told her I had something for her and had her close her eyes. When she opened them I was down on one knee with a ring in front of her and said "Shelby, will you marry me?". And she said yes. Just thought I'd post up the good news on my part! :) :) -Andrew

love 'em! their mad fun...especially from lower altitudes...nothing like a short little ground rush before a slow opening.

I wish I had known that people I would meet will get broken and/or die. Not trying to be pessimistic, just wish i had taken the sport a little more seriously up front. This does apply a lot towards BASE but there is some crossover...you will meet some people and eventually find out they went in or got broken.

Congrats man! sounds like me...so here's wishing you a safe and awesome time while you continue in the sport! BSBD

it feels similar to sleep apnea and waking up with that feeling that you aren't getting enough breath.

woah, good info! coincides pefectly with what happened to me the other night. luckily i am slowly getting more and more adapted. was checking out 3200m high ruins earlier today in the sun and managed. just seems to be harder at night! but every day im feeling better and better. I think I may be leaving soon to sea level which will be nice..but if not will be certainly leaving on the 1st. it's a family trip... in any case, havent had to use oxygen since that first night...am managing my breathing with meditative techniques and maintaining my composure. i think my mood and how/what im eating is affecting my tolerance as well.

Hey guys...figured I'd post an update. Firstly i'm still alive...although the altitude is still a major pain in the ass. I made it to Machu Picchu on only 4 hours of sleep between 2 days...so very cracked out but I did it. Finally caught up on sleep this morning and i'm here in Cusco for another 4 days or so. I have been drinking "te de coca" or the coca mate they have here...everyone drinks it and its like pretty popular but it keeps me up since it has caffeine in it (and coca leaf for that matter). well...just hoping to finish the trip successfully before I head to the beach at Lima :D. peace guys! and thanks for the replies!

hey man you should join us at Finger Lakes Skydiving...it's like an hour from your location! I live in Ithaca and go up there all the time. For now it's closed for the season but we have a good time. There are freefliers, wingsuiters, belly rw, all kinds of stuff going on up there so feel free to make it home. check out this video compilation i made for hte end of the year (all fingerlakes stuff): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESo9fGUKzuE

Hey guys...on my way to Machu Picchu and after a long day of flying and very cracked out from lack of sleep and being here at 11800ft in Cuzco, Peru...I'm in the lobby of the hotel using oxygen. Couldn't sleep...felt like I can't breathe...feeling hypoxic...just figured I'd vent here. Anyone ever suffer a similar predicament?

To the OP: The bottom line is most dropzones if you get to know people will turn a blind eye as long as you have decent jump numbers and good head on your shoulders (assuming you want to do something that requires a higher license). Even more dropzones will let you do someting if you are simply license-qualified...so not necessarily having the license letter but having water training, jump numbers, 2 night jumps, etc (depending on the rating you're going for).