HeatherB

Whoohoo, someone else experienced that whistling problem! I demoed a Z1 from the Sunshine Factory about 2 months ago and during the entire freefall there was this loud high-pitched whistling. (very distracting and annoying!) When I landed I joined the group and said "How the hell do people stand that loud whistling noise???" Everyone looked at me strangely. Well, anyhow, it turns out it was an old style Z1. On the old style, the visor sticks out on the sides a little, allowing air through...thus whistling. I looked at their new Z1's and the visor section is flush with the sides of the helmet, and viola, no whistling! So I bought the newer style Z1 and I love it. And no issues (so far?) with it coming open or fogging. Nice and quiet too...screw the whole wind against my face thing, it's cold! (for FL)

A tandem/IAD progression of sorts. Small cessna DZ. (Above the Poconos Skydivers in PA) 2 tandems 3 IAD's (you had to do at least 2) from 4 or 4.5 Freefall jumps (with one instructor with you) from 9 or 10 grand I only got through 10 of the freefall jumps and then I moved away. I wasn't techinically signed off, I still needed to show a good track. 6 months later I came to Z-hills, otherwise I would have stayed in PA and done the other 5 coach-type jumps and graduated that way.

I'm not about to speak for anyone else, but to me it looks like many people get their D licenses as a means to an end, not because they consider themselves a "Master." (thank god) By a means to an end I mean situations like getting your D so that you can compete at Nationals in CRW or in any of the open classes. And if anyone does actually consider themselves a "master" at 200 jumps (or 300, 500 etc) nowadays....how do you fit their ego in the plane? Sadly, I'm sure there are people out there like that. I know a few of them. I'm glad they did away with the "Master" denotation. Not only was it antiquated but it can imply a cockiness about the license-holder that typically isn't deserved. I will never consider myself a "master" skydiver, that doesn't mean I should never go for the highest license. blue skies! Heather

Here's a photo of a BOC pouch with an AFF left side deployment handle, in case any one is interested. I pulled up the flap along to top so you can see the cutaway cable. blue skies, Heather

We offer ZP or F-111 PC's, in various sizes. Often people request a certain size PC and so long as it's within reason and we do not believe it will cause problems (whether it is PC hesitation, PC's in tow, or hard openings) we will go ahead with the request. If no certain size is specified we will go by our charts. We've done our own testing and our recommendations should be taken into account. I do agree that a "standard size" PC that comes with all the sizes of a manufacturer's rigs isn't the way to go. That would certainly make production easier but we find it's better to have different size PC's for different size rigs. Dan, I'm honestly curious: Why exactly would a customer with, for example, a Cobalt 170 and a 28" ZP PC have brisk openings? (info taken from your website's FAQ) Every other canopy manufacturer we've talked to says a 28" ZP or 30" F-111 is fine for their 170's (or similar sized canopy). Why does the Cobalt require a smaller PC than other canopies do? No disrespect meant, I'm just curious. blue skies, Heather

We do offer "Birdman Options" on the Wings container. These options are the open corners on the main tray and also a longer bridle (106"). These options are free, all you need to do if you'd like them on a new Wings is to write "Birdman Options" in the Special Instructions box on our order form. No extra cost... Feel free to ask for only the longer bridle or only the open corners if that is what you prefer. I was browsing through this forum for the first time and just thought I'd post this info in case anyone was wondering.

I use DreamWeaver to update our website. Super easy to learn, and much much better than FrontPage! I've never had any issues with DreamWeaver. I wasn't trying to make a website from scratch with it though, so I don't know what that's like. I just update, add photos, add new pages, that kind of stuff. blue skies! Heather (www.skydivewings.com)

Landing a highly loaded canopy backwards could be plain nasty..... Also, if the person is uncomfortable at all about landing his/her canopy backwards, even if it's a light wingloading, then I say go ahead and chop. Better to chop and land your reserve than be scared silly and panicking while trying to land backwards safely. I don't consider a canopy that is flying backwards a "perfectly functioning canopy" per se. Even with my light wing-loading I would chop. I trust my reserve, my rig and my rigger. That's just my point of view... blue skies! Heather

I've heard plenty of stories about people chopping or landing canopies that are hooked up backwards, but all the stories I've ever heard involved the jumpers not taking a canopy out of its D-bag before hooking it up to a new rig. They just hooked up the risers and placed the D-bag with the canopy in it into the rig. I would imagine (and hope in a way) that almost all "backwards flying canopies" result from that scenario. blue skies, Heather

Where are all the other Irish-Mexicans??

Thanks! I must have been half-asleep when I updated the chart. I'll change that this morning... blue skies, Heather

We'll be posting the info on our website this week. There are a few modifications that we are making to all of our new Wings, and then there is the EXT Series as well. Blue skies! Heather

A PD 126R (or 135-M, etc) and a Cypres will fit in the W-4, W-5 and W-6 reserve trays as well as the W-7, W-8 and W-9 trays. We've had many riggers use this combination now and we have not received any complaints about it being difficult to pack. It also won't be so tight a fit that the reserve tray "encroaches" on the main tray. (It doesn't make it harder to fit the main in the rig) The same goes for any other reserve/container combinations on our sizing chart that say "tight." I own a W-6 now, with a PD126R, Cypres and a Lotus 136 main. It's a very nice combination. I prefer that size to my old W-8. blue skies! Heather

Thanks Dave. I try to keep an eye on all the threads but sometimes I miss a few. If anyone has posted a question but wants to email us directly you can write me at [email protected]. [email protected] is okay too. Rob and I have emailed back and forth. All is well. I'm short on time but I'll post our answers to his questions tomorrow in case anyone else was wondering. blue skies! Heather

That was definitely a fun night! Hans - I am speechless. You weren't quite as naked as some of the others but still! So, do you lose one article of clothing each Halloween?? Stacy didn't dress up, party pooper! But she can drink me under the table so she rocks anyhow

Best money spent fun-wise: balloon jump! $60 and it was worth every penny. When I become horribly rich (ha!) I'll do them every chance I have. Best money spent practical-wise: my Lotus (main canopy). My neck is very thankful that I got rid of my old canopy. Plus I love the airlocks. I regret a goggle purchase here and there, the ones that fell apart. That's about it though. My next investment will probably be a full-face even though I feel claustrophobic wearing them on the ground. I'm told you get used to it.... blue skies! Heather

They messed up a team name or two as well. The team that won the gold medal in 8-way Intermediate was Majikly Frosted Juggs, not just "Majikly Frosted"

We will be posting more info on our website within the next month or so, but yes, the new EXT series will be shown off at the PIA Symposium. And by the way, there is no price increase planned!

I'll explain it all soon!

the z-hills forecast partly cloudy, eighty-four it is fall at last! I loooooove fall and winter....yahoooo! blue skies, Heather

The online beer wheel: http://www.intox.com/wheel/drinkwheel.asp I have no alcohol tolerance myself. Often I feel the effects just after one drink...I'm a wuss. blue skies, Heather

Congratulations Hans!!

Hi John! You crack me up! Your rig is looking purty by the way. Or manly...whichever gender your rig is.

Yes, you can usually find a canopy or rig manufacturer's service bulletins on their website. It's all good stuff to know. And nope, I'm not a rigger! I just play one on TV! blue skies, Heather Sunrise Rigging PS: I'm the marketing person

One of the first things I would do if I were considering buying a used rig "blind" would be to find out the serial number of the rig. Then, I'd call or email the rig manufacturer and ask the following questions: 1. Date of manufacture? 2. Are there any service bulletins for this rig (rigs manufactured during that time frame)? 3. How well do you think this harness would fit me? (Give them all your measurements - height, weight, chest, waist, thigh, inseam, torso etc). 4. Would this harness need modifications to fit me properly? If so, what kinds and how much would the factory charge for those mods? (Then you can consider those costs into the price of the rig) 5. Compatible main and reserves for this size rig? (If you don't know already) Trying out the rig before you buy it is best of course, and always have used rigs checked out by a rigger before you jump them. Contacting the manufacturer about the rig might give you a little more info than the seller can give though. I personally do not mind helping someone figure out how well a used Wings will suit him/her. I imagine the other manufacturers don't mind either. blue skies! Heather Sunrise Rigging