hparrish

Not many of them out there for sure. Basically the XFS is a Crossfire II with some modifications. Cross Bracing on the End Cells only and Hybrid Sail Material options for the topskin. I was considering getting one until I sold my second RIG. I jump a JVX and love it, but that is an entirely different wing. It is not a GL Canopy. If you want that get the GLX. I'm sure you'll be happy compared to a Crossfire II or Katana. If you get an XFS please post how you like it. Hey Just noticed you live in New Zealand.........why not take a weekend and go to the factory ???

To be Fair..........Nick Batsch fly's a JVX exclusively and both are at the same meet competing. Jay set the record on his Velo. I'm a JVX Pilot and hardcore advocate. But seriously.....do you really think its the canopy? My Air Jordans never got me Dunking either...

check out the Bonehead Optik as well.

I used to believe that anything smaller than 100 Square Feet was inefficient, and then came the cross braced canopies and everyone was blowin it out on 80 Sq Foot canopies. I agree with the fact that there is a point where a canopy is just too small to be efficient. I just don't think you can put a number on it for all folks. And I don't think its hard and fast, anything below 70 Square Feet. Anything smaller than an 80 for me would be like a 60 for a lot of you. It depends on the wing, the pilot's skill, and the wing loading.

I don't buy that argument. I've seen too many good canopy pilots, contradicting what you are saying.

Pure Speculation. I'm sure she is busy organizing the event.

I disagree............I think once you exceed a certain wing loading vs canopy size is what you really mean? I've seen some petite folks jump sub 70 square foot canopies, just fine.

Velo will have lower Front Riser Pressure than a VX or JVX. But I agree with early comment. What are you going to use the canopy for, and why is front riser pressure such an important factor?

Ooohhh Shit.......Are you serious ??? Theres a big difference between Smack Talk and Ego. I'm gonna stop now so folks don't declare me Vertifly's Bitch. But come on.......you guys are starting to sound like the media now.

I'm one of those guys who doesn't work in Skydiving, who coaches for free, and organizes for free. Well I used to before I had kids. And the point is.............that I think David does this too, when he can. He also happens to do coaching for a fee, probably when someone wants his dedicated time for an entire day or weekend. There's a big difference between spending an entire day / weekend coaching someone vs 1-2 jumps of free coaching. Also I've invested ALOT of time in teaching folks how to freefly only to watch them walk away from the discipline. That's really frustrating, knowing I spent that much time and expense on my own dime just to have someone flake out and declare FF to be too hard. Thats why today you'll see me traveling to events just for the sequentials and big ways rather than coaching anymore. It's time to focus on myself rathter than to the non-commital who want me to coach them for free. Kudos to those like David who still take the time.

Your one of those guys who can't lose right. One of those guys who just keeps pushing till the point is made. Someone who wont stop until someone agrees with you right. Why don't you just drop it and move on.

Wow.........What an arrogant A-Hole you are.

I'm pretty dialed in on my 270's and seem to get as much distance on them as anyone else at my DZ gets even on bigger turns. When did those who have moved on to 450's and 720's do so and why? I know the obvious answer is more speed but at what point is it a good idea. Ex....after 1000 270's???

I agree with Simon.......work on those lazy legs and feet. If you fly a daffy you can actually start using your front leg as a rudder, to control your heading. Other than your legs your form looks good from the torso and the position of your head and arms. Keep up the good work.

Great Responses to the poll, written responses, and feedback. I'm glad to see folks are talking about different techniques here too. Exactly what I was hoping to see in this thread. Please keep it going.

Thats pretty cool. Looks like a lot of fun.

What makes you say so ? This is not what I have said. Please quote my words if you feel that this was my words.. Yes. Wind doesnt affect the optimal initiation altitude. Wind however affects the planeout picture and may easily cause the pilot to keep the canopy diving longer/less. My second point also applies.......If you are only focusing on the turn and the flare (Plane out), and not focusing on where you are flying. then in my opinion you are fixating on a target. IE......The gates, ground, directly below you. There's more to swooping than your dive, turn, and flare. You should also know where you intend to fly and land. My point is that taget fixation.......especially on the pond or on a course; causese folks to go low more often than folks understand.

I agree with a lot of what yo have to say, here. But I'm not sure its practical for the USPA to have a Regional Resource that can respond to accident scenes. A more practical approach may be for USPA to develope a guide with how to respond to accidents and interface with emergency responders and investigators. Armed with that kind of knowledge each DZO could reach out to their local Fire & Police Departments and build a relationship and perhaps protocols for how they can work together. Perhaps Safety Day being and annual venue for such meetings. I've seen this at severl DZ's over the years.

I agree with this statement. The way I'm reading it........BMF is saying that Wind conditions actually impact the flight characteristics of a canopy and the pilot may be unaware of the impact of the wind. Where you are stating that Ground speed is impacting their judgement. Those are two completely different statements. My points more along this line are twofold: 1.) You should not be adjusting the altitude of your turn to compensate for wind conditions. It should be consistant regardless of Headwind, Crosswind, or Downwind landings. My 270's for example are always initiated at 800 ft, regardless of which direction I'm landing. 2.) Your primary focus should not be on a target such as gates, but further down the course where you intend to fly and ultimately land. If you have your turn and timing worked out you will hit the gates. you need to be focusing beyond where you are. Target fixation is why a lot of folks get hurt.

I don't think I feel this way at all...........I'm not following the logic either. Most of my landings are down wind, and it never causes me to be lower than into the wind or Zero Wind landings. Your sight picture should be ahead of where you are landing............not the ground. If you focus on the ground thats where your going to hit.

Nice Flying there. You'll truly try anything won't you?

I think the reason I prefer pulling down the rears is just what you hit upon here. I want that Bailout just in case I am low. I also recognize that the Toggles are a more reliable bailout than rears are. But I do recognize that both techniques are valuable. I'll still post my video and maybe folks can comment more on what they see. Thanks to all for your input.

Wow I remember this guy.........Think we jumped together at Lost Prarie maybe. One of them boogies. He was a layed back, chilled out kind of guy as I remember him. My thoughts go out to his family and friends.

Looks like you are pushing out, but only for a short amount of time. I tend to grip and pull down, almost flare with rears and ride them out for most of my swoop then hit the toggles to shut down. No Fancy Belly Mount Camera for me, but I'll try to get my landing footage posted.

Less Control, because the drag is increased so much you can't hold your arms or legs as wide for as long like a suit with less material. Certainly would impact fall rate on big ways, VRW, or Sequential stuff. And your ability to perform these disciplines efficiently. We used to control fall rate with excess fabric, now we control fall rate with skill and technique. Larger Folks (5'10 / 200 Lbs) may still need a little extra fabric to maintain a fall rate with a small person (5'2" / 100 Lbs).