kellja2001

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Posts posted by kellja2001

  2. <-- No experience.

    I was learning to pack tandems this weekend (read, I don't have a flipping clue what I'm talking about).

    Half of the instructors I spoke to liked their rigs to be flat packed, the other half preferred them to be pro-packed.

    Those who preferred pro-packing tended to be of the opinion that "Flat packing tandems is for fools". Those who preferred them to be flat-packed didn't seem to have a strong opinion the other way.

  4. Quote

    1994, 44th week, 1st of the week



    And the metaphorical cookie has been one!

    Jeez, I can't believe people actually know that! It took me flipping ages and countless e-mails/phonecalls to find a rigger who knew how to decipher that!

    :P

    Loving the pics so far, especially 5 'o' clock :o!

  5. Ok, so I was reading a few threads about "Post your mirage" and "Post your micron" and I thought, what about all those guys who don't have a mirage or a micron? Yeah, sure, someone who owns a javelin should post something about that too, but this one is for SST Racers!

    Woo! Go team! :P

    http://www.mediafire.com/?4plxjd79wxjtl

    Anyone who can tell me the DOM of this container (I'll take to the nearest week ;)) wins a [metaphorical] cookie, as it took me freaking ages to work out how Jump Shack's Serial Numbers worked!

    I know now, but I'm not telling :P

  6. Well, one of my main canopies is a 20 year old Fury 220 with (now) 89 jumps on it.

    It still doesn't flare, not that it ever did, but is safe. Certainly not "uber mega death trap kill-you-the-instant-you-pull".

    Had it checked by a rigger of course etc. etc. it still has lots of jumps left in it.

    Hell, people look at it and laugh, and it doesn't smell great (not contaminated, just smells like my granddad), but damn, it works!

  8. Quote

    Quote

    ...but rather with who's packing it, how they're doing it, their body position on deployment, and how much care they take of their equipment.



    So you think the packers bodyposition on your deployment could make it unreliable.
    Or how the packer takes care of their pullup cords.

    I dont think i have heard that one before.


    My packer should be ready to pack my rig the instant I land, which means they should be on their knees, the moment I deploy, ready to pick up my main!

    If they're not, I shout at them, so they pack badly for me! Hence... this argument is ridiculous.

    I'm going to stop there and concede I wrote that badly :P Its the jumper's body position that makes the difference :D

    I do condone the ironing of pullup cords though. You extend their useable life massively! Also wash them if they smell, or look dirty. Just don't tumble dry them, as they get frayed. :P

  9. I don't think its so much to do with the canopy, but rather with who's packing it, how they're doing it, their body position on deployment, and how much care they take of their equipment.

    Sorry, did I open a tin of worms?

    :P

  10. Quote

    What difference would take make?



    I like to know the kit I'm jumping (and I thought I did, but clearly I didn't :S) and if someone asks me, I want to be able to confidently tell them what it is.

    Quote

    The classic sizes listed for the Ravens are 181, 218, 249, and 282, for the I, II, III, IV.

    With your posting that it could be 218 and it could be a Raven III, either one or the other might be correct.

    If the name/model of the canopy is correct, the size would classically be 249.

    If the 218 size is correct, that would be a Raven II.



    Aha! Cheers! Its definitely a Raven 3 (I remember from when it was packed), so its a 249 then! Thanks!

    Quote

    Is the packing data card not clear?



    No. Not at all, given as the original was thrown away or lost, or something like that, and the new one (~10 months old) only lists it as a "Raven III" and the serial number...

  11. Ok, so until 30 minutes ago, I was under the impression my main is a 220, and my reserve a 218.

    I've just heard someone say that my reserve is actually a 235 (not that I'm complaining, I'll take the extra square foot any day of the week!).

    Does anyone know how I can work this out?

    The canopy is a Raven III reserve, DOM 1994.

    It doesn't say on the warning label, or on the branding on the stabilizers.

    I'd rather not wait until my next Repack is due if at all possible!

    Any help is appreciated!

    Cheers guys ;)

    J

  12. Quote

    So who owns the rest? Did you guys divide it up by cells? You own 3 cells, the school owns the other 4 or 6?:D



    Ha!

    I actually own the stabilizers, cross-port vents and the warning label. The school owns the rest :P

    (Oh, its definitely a 7-cell btw ;))

  13. Just to close out this thread (not that I think anyone is reading it anymore, but rather for my own benefit):

    The Fury 220 simply had the center A & B lines direct, without cascades, from the risers to the canopy. The Centre A's are also bright red B|

    The bridle is 9 foot (hey! that's awesome for wingsuiting ;)) and the pilot chute is not collapsible.

    There is not a mesh slider / pilot chute retract system / tail pocket for stowing lines for bagless deployments.

    I've got it in a 1994 SST Racer, with a Raven III reserve (also '94).

    I've also treated the rig to a brand new CYPRES 2 (2-pin).

    How much did all this cost me?

    £35 ($55) plus £50 ($80) for the reserve repack ;) although, I should stress, the CYPRES 2 and most of the main canopy belong to my University (although I'm the only one who uses them :))

  14. Quote

    Excuse me, what is this thread about?!!! Shouldn't it be in Bonfire?



    Good spot on the innuendo ;)

    Quote

    How did you arrive at those conclusions? The first true are definitely not true, I doubt the last will be.



    Personal experience.

    I'm not necessarily saying my experience is correct, and you make a very valid point that it depends on the manufacturer.

    This is exactly the sort of questioning I'm looking for, to see if my judgement has been affected by my own, limited experience.

  15. Ok, so a lot of facts I'm asking for here will be based on personal experience, and I entirely understand everyone's is different. I appreciate your opinion, because it helps me make an informed choice for my University club rig!

    As I understand it, the pros and cons for each BOC Pilot Chute Extractor are as follows, but anything else anyone can think of will be gratefully recieved (!):

    Plastic:
    Pros:
    Lightweight - reduces chance of knotted pilot chute/bridle
    Large - can be located/pulled easily
    Solid - won't go soft

    Cons:
    Bulky
    Risk of floating handle

    Freefly:
    Pros:
    Lightweight - reduces chance of knotted pilot chute/bridle
    Additional bridle protection
    Secures in, preventing floating handle

    Cons:
    Small, can be (more) difficult to find, especially in the cold
    Requires two-action pull (down, then out)
    Becomes "squidgy" (soft) after a few hundred jumps

    Hackey:
    Pros:
    Large - can be located/pulled easily
    Solid - won't go soft

    Cons:
    Risk of floating handle
    Highest probability of knotted bridle / pilot chute due to weight (in my experience anyway - I've seen 2)

  17. At the end of the day, you'll be absolutely delighted with whichever one you get.

    Personally, I went for the Vector 3, as I felt the "upwards" pin protection was far better in the plane than the "downwards" pin protection the Javelin uses.

    I know Javelin now offer the Skyhook, but that was another reason I went for the Vector 3.

    One thing that surprised me is just how good the magnetic risers on the Vector 3 are. Occasionally, they can be irritating if you've just landed, and one of your lines gets wrapped between them, just as they "magnet" shut, but that's a rare, and preventable occurrence to say the least!

    I will soon be ordering a Javelin Odyssey for my University Skydiving Club - the reason being that the DZ we use uses them, thus facilitating the minimizing of packing errors/additional training required etc. (In the UK, you need to be signed off to pack the equipment you're jumping - not sure if its the same in the USA (but of course, you're a UK jumper, so you know this :D)).

    I've never jumped an Infinity, but am told they're solid rigs ;)

    One thing I never thought of, but have enjoyed, is I find changing the closing loop on my V3 far easier than it was on the Javelins (I don't have to take the bag out of the container to do it), so I feel more inclined to do this before "that next jump" rather than after!

    I use my Vector 3 for freeflying, flatflying, wingsuiting (and hopefully soon, instructing as well ;)) its been phenomenal so far :D

  19. Quote

    The Square One store at Elsinore had some. Dunno if they still do. Give Purple P a call...



    Rubber Stamps are in their 2008/2009 catalogue - page 167, although I picked the catalogue up at Square 2.

    Quote

    RW - Large Stamp --> $2.95
    RW - Small Stamp --> $2.95
    RW - 2-Stamp Set (Large + Small) --> $4.95

    FF - Sitflyer 3-Stamp Set --> $5.95
    FF - Head-down 3-Stamp Set --> $5.95

    Canopy - Large Stamp --> $2.95
    Canopy - Small Stamp --> $2.95
    Canopy - 2-Stamp Set (Large + Small) --> $4.95

    Wingsuit Stamp --> $2.95

    Ink Pad --> $2.00



    Hope that's useful!

  21. Quote

    On my 75th jump, I was using a rental 220 Manta because my Sabre2 190 (1.0 loading) was having a reserve repack. On final, for some stupid reason, I flared a bit high. For some even stupider reason, I let up on the toggles. I let out an "oh shit" that my girlfriend heard from the picnic bench and PLF'ed the shit out of the landing.

    I haven't flared high like that since I was on student status. Thankfully I was under the 220 Manta. It might not have been so pretty under my Sabre2 190.



    Sorry, hate to interject, but I thought the Manta only came in a 290?

    I know this isn't the main point of your story - but if I'm correct, it does question the facts you're presenting (!)

    If I'm wrong, please, its possible* I've made a mistake, let me know!

    (Perhaps you mean a Raider 220, the same model as the Manta (Flight Concept's 9-Cell) but in the 220 size?)

    * Read as: More than likely :P

  22. Quote

    You said you have test jumped many canopies like this one. What canopies were those?

    When was this particular canopy actually made?

    A substantial number of my early jumps were made on Django Pegasus, Glide Path Fury, and Paraflight Cruiselite canopies in mid to late 80s. (Django became Glide Path became Flight Concepts.)

    These are all 7 cell "F111" fabric canopies.

    Compare them to any 7 cell ZP canopy and they will likely come up short.

    So I wonder what you have jumped and if it is really as like this canopy as you might think.



    I've been lucky enough to have the chance to jump 2 different Fury 220s, and have a handful of jumps on a Spectre as well. I know the F111 isn't going to last as long as ZP, and its not as responsive / fun, but that's not where my concerns lie ;) I also have about 10 jumps on a F111 9-cell, but can't for the life of me remember what it was (maybe a PD 210?), but I'm not going to compare the 7-cell to the 9-cell.

    This particular canopy has a DOM of "Early 90s", which makes it older than the other Fury's I've jumped, but less jumps. As we've already ascertained, I'm going to have my rigger inspect it first.

    Quote

    I would double check about the retractable pilot chute as the photo provided on the item certainly seems to show a retracted pilot chute!

    Now I don't know how difficult it is to convert this (it may just simply be a case of removing the pilot chute and reconnecting it outside of the rings) but I'm sure someone will be able to advise!



    Don't worry Sam, I've checked this with him, I also noticed on the photo about the pilot chute, which is making me a little nervous. I'm going to have a look at it before I do anything.

    J

  23. Top answer!

    Thanks!

    Its a Flight Concepts 7-Cell Classic (Fury 220). Yes, I know there are arguments for paying extra money and going for something made this millennium, but its a great canopy, has some life left in it, and honestly, the deal is too good to pass up, particularly for someone in my financial position.

    It doesn't have a collapsible pilot chute, and certainly doesn't have those metal rings on the top-skin that I've seen (where the kill-line routes). Obviously, since it doesn't have a kill-line, this isn't exposed, just a normal bridle.

    I will ask about the tail pockets / mesh slider, but it sounds like its been used for "recreational CReW" rather than "Display CReW".

    I will be looking to have my rigger inspect it, I'm just dipping my toe in a little before I make the 200 mile trip to see it!

    Thanks again for a top answer, and so fast as well!

    Blue skies ;)

    J

  24. Hey all!

    Sorry, one of those questions from a discipline I know nothing about.

    Long story short, I'm trying to buy a canopy. I've test-jumped a lot of this type of canopy, and enjoy it.

    The seller tells me the "two main front lines run straight from Riser to canopy and do not have any other lines connecting to them, allowing you to slide top to bottom without getting snagged".

    Right, so I get the impression from this statement that he hasn't jumped for a while.

    This sounds to me (in my limited experience / knowledge) that there is no cascade on the centre lines?

    1) Does that mean the canopy cannot be deployed at terminal?

    2) How will this affect the in-flight characteristics?

    3) How will this affect the packing characteristics?

    4) Is it worth me avoiding buying this canopy for this reason, or will it suit my needs with just minor adjustments to my knowledge?

    Any help would be massively appreciated!

    Blue skies!

    J

  25. http://www.justgiving.com/Susie-Finnis

    Hey there all!

    Firstly, can I say thanks for looking.

    Myself and a group of my "University Buddies" will be cycling from Brussels (that's in Belgium, Europe) to London (UK, Europe) for charity this summer.

    Now, this isn't one of those "Tandem Skydive" things, where I raise £5000 and get a free train ticket to Belgium.

    All administrative costs (including train tickets, bicycles, maintenance, food, drink, hotels etc. etc.) are paid for by us. Every penny you donate goes to the charity.

    So, what is the charity?

    Right To Play (http://www.students4righttoplay.org.uk/)

    Right to Play are a global charity who have very similar goals to those of Sport Relief, starting at a grass-roots level, building awareness of safe-sex, community, disease, HIV/AIDS, promoting healthy living, developing understanding, tolerance and co-operation.

    In a society where conflict is rife, these qualities are crucial for youths to build a brighter, sustainable future free of violence, crime and war.

    Please, please, please, from the bottom of my heart, help make a difference for these children, and improve their world.

    Any amount is appreciated, even if it is just pennies. It is easy to donate, and I will literally love you (platonically) forever if you do!

    http://www.justgiving.com/Susie-Finnis

    An absolutely massive thankyou in advance for your kind, generous donation.

    Blue skies everyone!

    XxX

    Jase