ianmdrennan

We're paying 45 reg + 25 per jump. Not much more than anything else. Personally I'd rather take it and learn nothing than not take it and miss a chance to learn something I didn't know. Sorry it didn't work out for you. Will let you know how ours goes. Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Jess, Yes the class is full on the coaching side, but contact Diane Pond to put you on the reserve list. The seminars are free and open to all though. Please do attend on Saturday night - I'm sure you'll find it worthwhile. Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Hi, Difficult situation - always is. Generally I try and get the person 1 on 1 and ask them to how their dive went, etc to break the ice. Then I ask them about their landing procedure, how they planned it and executed it. Once they've described it to me I explain the situation they placed us in and suggest alternative approaches while trying to find something good about their procedure (not always easy I know). Discuss vertical as well as horizontal seperation. Encourage them to lurk about on brakes until they know where everyone is. With only four canopies in the sky there's really no excuse not being able to account for all of them. My 0.02 cents. Good luck and blue skies Ian ps: How's the weather in sunny S.A. I certainly do miss it sometimes. Performance Designs Factory Team

Doesn't matter if you agree with me. The FAA doesn't give a crap what any of us think....think thats going to stop them if we keep killing ourselves under canopy. FYI I jump a highly loaded canopy too so I'm not in the game of regulation, but am more interested in education. Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Yep - you're right. However, unfortunately we (society) have to deal with the repercussions of people hooking it in. But I guess you must know what you're doing when it comes to your canopy. Sad thing is - it only takes a couple of morons to ruin the "free society" and have it bogged down by rules because they didn't have the foresight to regulate themselves. Sure hope you aren't one of them. But like I said - maybe it doesn't apply to you....right? Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Actually I think aggie asked a reasonable question. Try not to be an ass with the comeback and answer it.....unless you have something to hide. Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Scott Miller is coming to Jumptown MA in early May - catering to ALL skill levels. The class filled up all 3 days in less than a few hours. I will be attending all three days to try soak up as much knowledge as possible. I plan on it for a number of reasons, but can be summed up as "To be the safest, most efficient, and farthest swooping canopy pilot I can be, as well as a source of reliable canopy control knowledge at the dropzone". Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

After looking around in the incident forum I hope we're all (including myself) paying attention to the alarming amount of canopy incidents. Please folks, lets try to keep it safe out there. I'd hate to read about any of you. Lets strive for serious education and self-regulation, before we end up with that privilage taken away. Blue skies and SAFE swoops. Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Chunky, Please give Jumptown, MA a call 800-890-JUMP and chat to Diane Pond. She'll be able to give you any info you need. Hope to see you there. Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

I was there....she rocked... great body position...super happy... Nuff said

Ron, Thanks. Unfortunately I can't take credit for "Wait until your skill catches up with your balls." as it was taken, with permission, from Jonny1488's post a while back (Wish I could say I came up with it

*scratches this DZ off the list of dz's to visit* Performance Designs Factory Team

Bravo. Nicely done. Which adobe video effect did you use to get the zig zag lines above and below the vid? Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Appreciate the effort. Still looking forward to it. Of course if I ever got the "Out of the blue" dvd it would help pass the time

My wife and I both LOVE our firefly suits(both full piece but I believe they makes the pants too) - not to mention the service was spectacular. Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying test everybody - but I do think that the issues are oftentimes glossed over. Personally if I know someone uses - I don't jump with them - it's pretty much that simple. Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Unless you're the only one on the plane and in the air you have other peoples lives in your hands. Think about it. Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Although I don't work in a skydiving related industry (Biotech) - part of the prehire process is a drug screen - fail - no job - simple as that. Welcome to the world of responsibility. Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

sooner the better :) Looking forward to it. Blue skies Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Not too sure on that one, I can see the point but there are other things to consider. Rather I'd suggest staying out of the way, but keeping yourself in a visible (if possible) position. That way everyone knows who is where come break off. There's nothing worse than tracking away from a formation knowing there were 4 people but only being able to find 3. Oh and one other thing. If it's more than a 2 way, and you can't be in or at least near the group - you shouldn't be on a dive that size. Just my thoughts, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

3 jumps was the last I heard - guy had 3 hours tunnel time before ever making a skydive. Unconfirmed though. Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

I can only laugh at your stupidity. I mean really, the fact that I chose to do something other than your precious surfing only enrages you. I'm actually glad that I have no idea how your infantile mind works. You are boring. Simple as that. Conversation ended. Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

I skated for 10 years and surfed for 7 surfing so this may blow your mind but I quit so could dedicate my time to skydiving. If you had any true understanding of "source" you'd realise that there's just as much as skill and lifestyle changing aspects involved in both sports. Of course nothing you've displayed here leads me to believe that you are capable of truely understanding anything. Troll somewhere else. Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Hey Kansas, Looks like you're thinking this through as much as possible, which is a great start. I can totally understand you wanting to get something that opens nicely, or at least better than the sabre, which most canopies do nowdays anyway...so the question becomes which is the most appropriate for yourself. Well as far as type goes, well that just depends on what you're looking for. You aren't necessarily tied in to ellipticals for good openings. My wife as a sabre2 and is EXTREMELY happy with it..great openings, awesome flare/swoop and very very little oversteer. The spectre is another great opener, but I'm assuming you're looking for something with a better swoop. On the elliptical side I hear nothing but good things about the Crossfire2 (I only jumped the CF1 and was impressed with it), and the stiletto is still a winner, although not competative IMHO with the newer canopies for swooping distance, but still a kick ass canopy. Also a cheaper alternative is the Heatwave. Nice openings, spectacular on the toggles and riser pressure but not as long a swoop although I hear the H-mod does wonders to make this a longer diving canopy. My advise would be to come up with a list of "must haves" then demo as many canopies as you can (most companies have great demo programs and demo the size you plan to buy) and cross the ones off the list that you didn't like. That leaves you with size and the everpresent wingloading debate. Once again that's up to you and the knowledgable swoopers at your local dz to help you with. If you're loading a 170 @ 1.5 then I calculate you at 255 out the door (correct me if I'm wrong). With that exit weight a 150 puts you @ 1.7 which is pretty highly loaded. My advice (and I tend to be conservative) would be to stick to the 170 and go for something like the Crossfire2(or equivalent), or at least a canopy with a good dive arc, you'll probably outswoop the majority of the jumpers at the local dz with that loading and wing size about you're head if done correctly. You can always load up that badboy later. Either way, the beauty of the sport is that you can make the decision that is best for yourself. Quick note to address point c. The principals of flight remain the same regardless of the size of your wing. If you're seriously interested in improving your knowledge of flying a wing, I'd recommend attending a canopy class (Team extreme and various others offer them) that cater to all levels and drill the instructor with any questions you have. Good luck, blue skies and safe swoops, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

One other thing. Few, if any, of us here know you or your flying ablilities. A wingloading of 1.5 is pretty good and you haven't made it clear what is pressing you to downsize? I'd venture a guess there's still plenty fun to be had @ 1.5 for a couple hundred jumps still with plenty of time to load it up higher. Just curious on whats motivating you to go smaller. Blue skies and safe swoops Ian Performance Designs Factory Team