wazdiver

Great article. I've had four cutaways in a tad over 600 jumps. 1st one 35 jumps in, spinning like crazy. The RSL popped the reserve way before I got to it. Spinning fast enough the reserve opened in line twists. 2nd. at 138 jumps. Line over the center, flying straight and level, not landable again, the rsl got to it before I did, still pulled the handle but it was already on the way out. Very smooth transition. 3rd, brake fire at 170 jumps or so on a very cold crappy day. Couldn't see the brake due to fogging on my face shield, turning rapidly but not spinning, cut it away. RSL beat me that0 time as well. 4th at 430 jumps under a 136 jedi. No rsl, no aad, canopy spun up due to brake fire, chopped it at 2100 feet and honestly don't even remember thinking about body position. I was looking at the handles and simply did it by muscle memory. That was a borrowed rig. Both of mine continue to have RSL's on them and I doubt there will come a time when they won't.

Door anxiety! It's perfectly natural. Jumping out of an airplane is the unnatural thing! You have to have perseverance I didn't start jumping till I was 55 had a background in law enforcement, defensive tactics instruction and firearms instruction. I did 6 level four jumps! I had all kinds of trouble relaxing in the air, I just wanted to beat the hell out of it and make it do what I wanted it to!! It doesn't work that way! I actually had hypnotherapy done to help me relax. I finally got it and now have my coach rating and am jumping a brand new system with a 139 crossfire 2 in it. I love this sport, but as a good friend, firefighter, army flight medic and one of my coaches told me, the day you go to get on the plane and you aren't at all nervous, don't get on the plane. Nerves keep us sharp, aware, and help keep us safe. Good luck and blue skies!!

After having started jumping a couple of wings containers, which were fine, I custom ordered a new Mirage G4-M2. It is absolutely amazing. So comfortable and a VERY response harness. I would recommend Mirage to anyone and intend to buy another this fall or next spring.

Great article and Melissa makes and documents several great points in flying any kind of camera. I also, however, agree that jump numbers aren't the end all when it comes to jumper competence. I didn't try to put a camera on a helmet until I had over 250 jumps. I now some that started at 75 and 100 jumps and others that I wouldn't trust with one at 500 jumps. Unfortunately, sans some sort of jumper judgement and common sense test, jump numbers are about the only way to put some sort of measurement on when some is ready.

I miss the old home page format and do not like the new classified format at all. Not all change is good.

I have owned my Alti-Track for two years now and have not had any issues with it what-so-ever. I've used it in all kinds of weather, rain ( at altitude ) and snow. All different temperatures from 22 degrees on the ground to 98 degrees on the ground, bright sunlight, night jumps and about everything in between. It has preformed flawlessly. It has never missed a jump, even a hop and pop from 2900 got tracked. I did have a problem loading my jump track software for it on a new computer with windows 7 and got in contact with L&B. Steffen e-mailed me back within minutes with the answers I needed and arranged to send me an update disc. They are a great company with great products.

I ended last season getting rid of a 168 pilot to purchase a new rig which came with a fusion 175. I got rid of the piece of junk VERY rapidly, demoed a Sabre 2, 150 and then settled on a Safire 2, 149 after demoing it. I absolutely love the canopy. Great fun to fly. I wing load it at 1:1.34 and it is simply a great canopy. The openings are soft and on heading. I have experienced just a bit of delayed end cell opening, but that has more to do with the way I pack it. It's glide ratio is much flatter than a Sabre 2 of the same size so getting back from long spots is much easier. It handles well in all sorts of conditions, has a quick recovery arc and a great flare. I would recommend this canopy to anyone as an intermediate to advanced canopy depending on wing loading.

I had acquired a Fusion 175 in a used system which I purchased this spring. Used as in the entire system, canopy included had a total of 27 jumps on it. I had been jumping a Pilot 168 so this was in the same class. The snivel was long and the canopy opened softly but immediately upon opening it would turn, a hard and immediate turn, to the right. This turn would be anywhere from 180 to 360 degrees. I first thought it was me or packing or container issues. I worked with an experienced jumper ( over 3,000 skydives ) who also happened to be a master rigger and we tried everything. He even jumped it and it did the same thing. I refused to continue jumping it and sold it. I had called the manufacturer and they wouldn't return my calls and refused to help in any way. It's a shame because once it straightened out it had great flight characteristics and a fantastic flare. However based on the off heading openings I would not recommend this canopy to anyone nor would I recommend Precision Aerodynamic Products. I have also jumped Sabre 2 170's and 150's and currently jump a Safire 2 149 which I absolutely love!

I am looking for input on the Fusion Canopy and off heading openings. I have flown Sabre 2, Spectre, Pulse and Pilot canopies and haven't experienced off heading openings like the Fusion gives me. I like the way it flies and it flares amazingly well. The problem is the openings. It makes a right turn immediately after opening and it does it no matter what I do. Any thoughts?

If all you are looking for is an audible than this is the one to have. It is very simple to use, easy to set and change and loud. Since I've started using it I wouldn't be without it.