jlkilpatrick

I have a Hornet 210, and it generally tries to kill me upon opening. (My brother has an identical canopy, and it's gentle as a lamb). I've tried every packing trick out there, and haven't gotten any kind of consistent results. Finally, I got some advice that worked. Make two things part of EVERY deployment. First, spend about five seconds "getting big" and slowing down in freefall. It takes about that long to really slow down. Second, as the canopy deploys, stick your butt way back and take the opening shock on the back of your thighs instead of the inner thighs at the crotch. You get a shock absorbing effect that takes a lot of the pain out of the equation. Good luck! Have Fun! Luke Don't just eat a hamburger, eat the HELL out of it! -Ivan Stang

That piece has been sitting on my desktop for over a year now. I occasionally re-read it before I go to the DZ. At my (low) experience level, I figure it's a good a thing, like practicing my emergency procedures. Thanks Skratch! And thanks again Sangiro, for DZ.com! Luke Don't just eat a hamburger, eat the HELL out of it! -Ivan Stang

My first, (and current), container is an Infinity. I had all the same choices that any buyer out there faces, and I did my homework like a good boy. Infinity came out on top. When I had a question, Kelly had an answer for me right away. Delivery was quick. The rig fits perfectly, (both me and the canopies), and looks great. The craftsmanship is just damn flawless. Can you tell that I like my rig? By the way, GraficO, that rig of yours in the ad looks so good that, after playing with endless schemes, I wound up using yours, except silver instead of white. Blues! Luke Don't just eat a hamburger, eat the HELL out of it! -Ivan Stang

It isn't always the pack job. My brother and I have nearly identical canopies, (Hornet 210s), made only a few months apart. His is a very nice, gentle opener. No need to roll the nose, regular PRO pack, etc. Mine, on the other hand, is out for blood. Psycho packing doesn't help in the least, (in fact, it makes the bruises bigger). Rolling the nose alone is iffy. It still whacked me about every other jump with just a nose roll. PISA suggested a domed slider. No help. Finally, I got the golden piece of advice. Heres how I got the damned thing to ease up on me. First, I roll the hell out of the nose. Each cell is rolled individually, and then they are rolled together sequentially from the outside in. Center cell is pulled out in front. Slider is quartered, pulled out more in front, and kept firmly down on the slider stops. Tail is rolled very tight. Stow bands are replaced at the first hint of wear, and are tight. Last, and most importantly, I spend at least 1000' at the bottom of the dive slowing down, which is that golden piece of advice I mentioned. Are my openings soft? Nope. Anybody else would call them brisk or even hard. What I get for my trouble is a nice, quick opening, that stops short of actually hurting, doesn't leave bruises anymore, and most importantly to me, is consistent. I know what to expect, and it's manageable. Yes, I plan to get a new canopy soon. I got my current one used, and very cheap. I don't plan to sell it to anyone. It's got a mean streak a mile wide. Have Fun! Luke

Since I have had no problems with my SportRX goggles, I haven't had any experience with their after-sale customer service. I was very pleased, however with their speedy shipment of my original order. I got an exam at a local eyeglass place, and ordered a pair of glasses with, (gasp), GLASS lenses. They almost didn't know what I meant. (I'm a carpenter, and glass is far more resistant to minor scratches from my everyday activities). I ordered from SportRX that same day, and had my goggles in hand before the local place managed to come up with an ordinary, albeit glass lensed, set of spectacles. The goggles are also a better grind for the prescription. I highly reccomend them to anyone needing prescription goggles! Have Fun! Luke Don't just eat a hamburger, eat the HELL out of it! -Ivan Stang

First: Congratulations on surviving. If your emergency procedures are on a bit of a hair trigger, well what the hell? I'd rather hear about an unnecessary cutaway from YOU than hear of a student injury of fatality from someone else. And don't be too embarassed about it. We've all heard student stories that send shivers up our spines. Second: If you're SURE that it was unnecessary, and entirely your fault, then I salute you for standing up and taking (financial) responsibility. Far too few people in this day take any responsibility for any of their actions. It's good to see someone who does. Having said that, though, I really don't care for a DZ policy that holds students accountable for lost/damaged equipment. That's a legitimate cost of doing business. Blue Skies! Luke -- "Don't knock on Deaths door. Ring the bell and run hide. He hates that!" -- Don't just eat a hamburger, eat the HELL out of it! -Ivan Stang

My older brother had talked about jumping for years, but never followed through with it. I decided to buy him a tandem as a present, and went with him and did a tandem myself to make sure he did it. I had never seriously considered jumping until a week before we went. About three seconds or so into freefall, I knew that I had blown all my near-term plans and budgetary considerations :) Turns out that just less than two years later, I'm working on getting a C license, and my brother is working on his B. Go figure! Blue Skies! Luke Don't just eat a hamburger, eat the HELL out of it! -Ivan Stang

I'm perfectly alright with their policy. This is an expensive sport, as anyone with a rig knows all too well, right? :) They are up front about it, and it's fundamentally a safety issue. Basically, if my rigger says my rig needs something, I'm not going to argue, I'm going to hand over the cash to make it right. I'll add that Chutingstar is my local rigging loft, and that Mike Gruwell (proprietor of the loft) took me on my first tandem jump. I trust the guy. Luke " Sometimes you de windshield, an' sometimes you de bug!" Don't just eat a hamburger, eat the HELL out of it! -Ivan Stang

I agree completely on wing loading being the operative factor. I jump a 210 Hornet at 1.2:1 The difference was dramatic, just as you describe, when I went to a collapsible PC. I've observed a distinct, though not really dramatic, difference in flight characteristics when collapsing and pulling down the slider, as well. I'd guess the collapsible PC added at least 30% more flare, and that's a conservative estimate. Blues! Luke Don't just eat a hamburger, eat the HELL out of it! -Ivan Stang

I'll third the Infinity. I just started jumping mine a couple of weeks ago, and it's brand new. Shipping time is about 5-6 weeks, and it's solid as a rock. If you haven't had a container built to fit you, you're in for a real treat! From what I've seen, anybody you ask will tell you that the container they bought is the best. Wings is quite popular, and it and the Infinity seem to be the best bang for the buck. Basically, if you get a custom made container, I'm pretty sure you'll love it! Blue Skies! Luke Don't just eat a hamburger, eat the HELL out of it! -Ivan Stang

I couldn't agree more on jumping with different instructors. Every instructor has a different perspective, and if you (as a student) listen, you will learn things from each of them that you wouldn't from another. The only time I got into real trouble as a student was when I tried to barrel roll as I deployed on (I think) AFF Lvl 4. I was jumping with Kevin Dusch, (Schotz), and as I saw the horizon start to get weird, I felt hands grab my sorry ass and PULL me down on my belly. I really didn't register at the time how bad a thing that was, (even though I had to repeat the Lvl. and had a thorough debrief), but I sure do now. Kevin, next time I run into you, You drink on me. Blues! Luke Don't just eat a hamburger, eat the HELL out of it! -Ivan Stang

I'm looking forward to getting my Infinity. I wouldn't have ordered it if I didn't think it was a great container. But I'll point out that delivery times do vary a bit. I ordered it on Dec. 6. That's almost nine weeks and I'm still waiting. Compared to other Mfgs shipping times, it's still early, though, so it's not like I'm suffering. The holidays, and then PIA both slowed things down some. which goes back to the original post. Things can happen to delay shipment. Having said all that, though, I'm close to snapping and attacking the next UPS truck I see! :) Blues! Luke

I've only jumped with two options: plain goggles, (squinting to see the @#$%^ windsock at 800 ft.), and prescription goggles, (from Sport RX) . I like the wind in my face, and I've had absolutely no problems with the RX goggles. They were about $115, as I recall. If I wore contacts, I'm sure I'd have looked at a full face helmet, but that poke-yourself-in-the-eye bit gives me the heebie jeebies :). Whichever way you decide to go, it'll to be better than doing without. Blues! Luke