robellis

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After phoning around, the 22-55mm lens isn't imported for the UK. However, I can probably order the lens from B&H and deliver it to Skydive Deland for when I get there in March. The speed of the lens is f4-5.6, will this matter for freefall photography?

Ah, crap. Gaffers on my nice new toy. Well, it'll make me look like a pro if nothing else :-) n9

By "Flare Turn" do you mean when you carve along the ground during a swoop? If so, it's achieved by letting up on one toggle *slightly* when you are in full swoop - similar to a flat turn up high. If you aren't swooping long though - dont do it. If you don't get a long enough swoop, carving will leave you without the time to rectify the turn, ensuring that you land badly. You have to do everything real smooth. It ain't fun landing in a turn - and this is essentially what you are doing - the likelyhood is that you'll twist an ankle because you can't run it out. Have fun! n9

Thanks for the responses. The zoom lens I'm looking at in GBP£110, and the body £170. I'm happy paying that amount for the lens and body, especially if it will perform on the ground and in the air. Assuming that the 28mm will do the job well, does it make a difference if I use the 28-105 zoom? Are there issues with holding the lens still (i.e. the zoom is built to move, so will it)?

The micron is a fantastic rig. It's deeper than wider and looks great - especially if you have a larger back as it looks tiny. The inclined bracing makes me feel very secure. IMHO when you get to the top end of the containers, i.e. the Vector, Mirage & Javelin they are all pretty much the same. Fancy bits like "Oetiker Clamps" will not make a difference to day to day flying! If you're a heavy chap though and jump 210+ canopies, then the Javalin lateral things are great. The most important safety components (imo & don flame retardent jumpsuit) are NO RSL, Cypres, leg strap connectors, flush hacky, aerodynamic pin protectors, cushion pads and a correctly fitting main/reserve. Anyone wanna add to that list of essentials? Just don't even bother mentioning the cypres though, I'm bored of that one now! I spend most of my time in Deland, so Mirage and Vector's are the main choices (although Jimmy Tranter jumps a Racer I believe). Although I prefer the look of a Mirage, I jump Vector simply down to thier customer service and *much* larger development facility. I don't believe Mirage have a need to be so expensive compared to the Vector. Hth, n9

What about people that concentrate on head up flying? Before I got into head down I participated in several larger head up groups and had a good, safe time organised by very well known freefliers.

180 checks are great if you plan to dump in a sit. If like the rest of us, you wanna 'monster swoop' (as Pat Works calls it) your way outa there first, then a 360 barrel roll is a pretty good idea when you belly out! Back tracking is cool, but remember, when you begin, you don't fly particularly far on your back - you also can't see the formation due to your body attitude. If you do back track, just make sure you can see where everyone is going first. It may look cool of video, not so good when you turn to dump and realise someone is either chasing you doing the same thing or right below you. n9 aka Rob

Langar boogie was awsome last year - 10 way freefly going on, tracking every sunset load. With the isntructors there (who regularly organise at other EU DZ boogies) you are sure to have a great time. Should be tubes, streamers and lots of video there this time. Oh and more beer than ever from Chuckles (www.chucklesbar.co.uk). Everyone is welcome at this cool DZ. And any Hinton ppl who want some cheap jump tickets, I still have a few left over from the Multiplane event in August 01. Rob

Skreamer - hehe. I was lucky in my first year - made some money due to a buyout and I couldn't think of a better thing to spend it on than freefly. Worth every penny :-) My kids are looking pretty shabby today though - again, only joking- I'm 25, I don't think I'm allowed to have kids yet. n9

much better

Thanks for bringing me down to earth (pun intended)! It's because I'm a freeflyer isn't it! You belly people are always trying to a make a big thing about it! I have to admit that the community feeling is greatly enhanced when you have a common emeny (the plane, it's slow climb rate, 10k only if you're lucky and Farmer McNasty)! In consideration, it is a great place to jump, and they have now bought a NOMAD (16 seat turbine). It still retains that community spirit but without the politics of a bigger DZ, I certainly feel more 'at home' there and certainly less anonymous. I miss it to be honest - if it just wasn't twice the distance to Langar! I wouldn't consider that you are being spoiled by jumping where there are good facilities! However, there is something eminantly appealing about jumping at a small DZ. You get time to talk to ppl on the plane, everyone seems to be always helping you out, making you tea, teaching you stuff in their spare time which is invaluable when you are learning. In fact thinking about it, I wouldn't be where I am now without that small community -I know people with over 250 jumps and haven't really learned how to pack, let alone getting their certificate. I don't feel that students at a larger DZ may have the same attention as I may have had. Becides, I'm just bitching about my first years jumping and the fact that it took me 200 jumps to get my FF1&FF2 :-) In appreciation, Rob btw, is that cessna thing one of them radio controlled ones? I've seen them with their tiny little RC skydivers, they're kooky ;-)

Yeah Langar's awsome. It's like the UK's only commercial all-weather dropzone :-) I was a student at Cambridge UK (North London PC) and I was brought up on a full-time islander on a grass runway. Only Deland opened my eyes to the real skydive! I was jumping at Langar over Christmas, and although snow was on the ground we were still jumping the Caravan. Now that the LET is here and the UK finally seems to be starting summer (susshh don't jinx it) we are set to have some awsome jumps. Hey FallDown, I'll be around the weekend inc Friday day. Black with blue top Jumpbubble jumpsuit, with blue Vector 3 rig. Kinda chubby :-) Come and say hi. Maybe I could convert you to the evil aspirations of Freefly! Anyone from Langar into Freefly(tm) on here? Rob

My names Rob Ellis, from Birmingham UK. I currently run a software business developing software for recruitment agencies called RecruitSpace.

Hey! Nice boots. Kinda kinky. ahem.

I believe George Pilkingon, the UK owner of Cool and Groovy, is developing a new product. The Evo2000 is an excellent digi audible and is more than a match for the more expensive Pro-track. I don't know his phone number, but I believe you can send email to [email protected].

I've jumped them, and they are as good as any other of the cheaper rigs out there. One thing that does concern me is that there was a recent thread on uk.rec.skydiving saying that several people have been waiting on extremely long waiting lists which was making people nervous about the stability of PDF. The other wierd thing about them is that they have inverted 3-ring circus. This is where the risers are over the circus so that you only see the largest of the rings. I am told that this makes it more difficult to cut away when spinning on your back - that you have to push the rings up - eeek! As for the look, the reason they look smaller is because the main and reserve are packed like cubes, rather than the vector's method of a triangle for the reserve and a cube for the main which makes it look pear shaped. However, if you have broad shoulders, the Vector looks awsome becuase it is only 10" across at the top below the 350M! It doesn't get any smaller, even with the Micron. Rob

The Sabre is a REALLY OLD design! It's been around for donkeys years. The spectre is a much newer design and lightly tapered (slightly eliptical). This is the reason that the spectre, although it is a 7 cell, performs better than the 9-cell sabre. The main difference I have found (IMO) between a 7 cell and a 9 cell is that the 7 cell can be pushed to a limit, and then stops - it's all round more safe. That is not to say that the spectre can't kill you quickly! The spectre opens in about 800-1000 feet and is the smoothest canopy I have ever flown. Turns are super snappy and the glide is awsome. I load mine at 1.4 and it is enough to scare you on landings! If you have over 100 jumps in the last 6 months, I would recommend around a 1.2 loading. Your estimate of a 135 is good if you stay current. The so called Sabre-2 (due then end of the summer) is a replacement, with a more tapered planform (shape when viewed from above). I am unsure about how the sabre will be marketed in relation to the spectre (how much better than the spectre can you get?). If you are buying new, I wouldn't even blink at the Sabre. In addition, the market is saturated with second hand Sabres making buying a new one not exactly economical in the long run. Finding a good Spectre that ppl are willing to part with is simply a bitch. Hope this helps / sparks controvosy with sabre owners :-) Rob

I'm from the UK, and I jump the PC9. Much smaller than the PC110, and a damn sight cheaper as well. It also has USB port so I don't need to buy a firewire card for my computer, or the cable. Using the memory stick, I can transfer a 60-second MPEG video direct to my hard disk without having to use any video editing software, whch is nice for easy integration into a website. I have a Kenko 0.42 lens and a step up ring to change from .30 diameter to .37. which seems to work just fine. Rob ps. I have wierd spasms in my right hand.

Hey mixer taps rock! Langar is probably the better of the drivable DZ's near to London - about 1.5 hrs from M25. It has a TurboLet 410, Cessna GC, Porter and a couple of Cessna's hanging about. Jumping occurs most summer days, but not too many freeflyers tho. It's my local too :-) Look forward to meeting you. Rob

I have bought a DCR-PC6 for general freefly flight-recorder use. I have been informed that a .42 is a good size as is a .5 for more normal operations. I was pushed towards the Kenko range, but the PC6 has a 30mm diameter/thread whereas the Kenko lenses I've found are 37mm - suitable for the PC110 but not the PC5/6. Anyone have any sugestions on lens type/quality/cost.

I film tandems all of the time in sit with your regular camera suit (i.e. big wings) and with no booties. I find that filming in a flat position very limiting due to the restricted movement of the neck to look up. Even Norm Kent films flat formations in a sit - remember that 10-way star he did, where he was in sit, rotating inside the star to film the faces of the flyers? As for position, I find all that I really alter is to lean forward a bit more, so that the wings can inflate and slow you down. I then use my arms and legs to counter the small backslide you'll get.

In the UK in order even to make your first solo FF descent, you must have a number of flat-flying skills equivalent to Category 9 (i.e. everything but the first 3-way). What's the rules for the US? Does any1 have any comments on this ruling?

Hey man, that caravan at Langar is way cool. Just wish the flatflyers wouldn't insist on listening to Celine Dion or Abba on the way to altitude! Damn, I wish there were more freelyers at Langar :-) Rob

The '7' jumps you mention are not the same as 7 levels. Although you've jumped 8 times, you are still on the 4th level which incurs the Level 4 cost every rejump. Some DZ's charge just the cost of your jump ticket, plus however many instructors you are taking with you. hth Rob