RichM

Makes no difference. Can they swoop and be in the same piece of sky at break off? Are they altitude aware. Can they track like a mofo. And then the really big one, how much experience do they have with 100 other canopies in the air and flying under canopy safely and predictably. The question however is a really good one as it is probably happening now and will only increase Rich M

If there were only two of you, why did the both of you not track perpendicular to jump run? Even if you're facing up and down jump run during the dive, that doesn't mean you need to turn 180 and track at the end of the dive. You could both turn 90 degrees instead. This is not intended as a flame, but if the track was a normal 5 second track and 2 groups got close wasn't the problem was inadequate separation? We had something similar today, 2 flat groups on break track away from the centre and 1 from each group come uncomfortable close. The separation had been declared by jump master as 12 seconds, and the individual concerned on the second group (I was on the first but not the near miss) confirmed they the separation was correct. This individual is an experienced skydiver and very safety conscious. Our problem was (probably) caused by an unexpected increase in windspeed at the top resulting the 12 seconds separation of the previous jump not being adequate for this jump. Rich M

Another good point. The control stroke on the rears is very short, even on a 'good' canopy. Something like 6 or 8 inches until the stall. My crossfire 1 starts to stall after about 3 inches of rear riser input. As you said the key here is to always find out the stall characteristics at a safe altitude and not wait until 10ft off the deck. Rich M

A true gentleman, always laughing, always happy. You will be missed my friend. Rich M

The problem you describe with not being able to get the air out is a genuine issue. You pack the rig with a long closing loop that is nice and tight, but the rig doesnt get jumped for 2 weeks. In those 2 weeks the pressure on the canopy forces the air out. The next time the rig gets jumped the closing loop is now loose and there is a risk of premature. If that premature happens in the aircraft with the door open there is a chance the resulting mess will pull the plane out of the air and kill everyone. Thats a worst case scenario but it is a real risk. I hope that helps Rich M

I and a mate both fly Crossfire 1s of different sizes and ages, and they both take 1100ft from PC throw to fully inflated. Beautifully soft with the slider staying up for quite a while and very gentle inflation. I've got some new lines coming, it will be interesting to see if this changes. Rich M

Very nice, and the first picture looks like Mars! Rich M

http://www.break.com/video/skydiver-lands-in-moving-car-2535523 I assume this is old news? But that is an amazing move, well done! Rich M

My bad. I was a BI instructing RAPS students at a well known UK DZ. Gear checks prior to emplaning are mandatory for all skydivers. Another skydiver gave me the once over and simply suggested I re-route my chest strap. I looked down and sure enough it wasn't done up properly. I think I am uber careful, I taught people, and yet I still made a mistake. Gear checks are mandatory in the UK prior to emplaning and we have to sign for those we have checked, 'tis a good thing I think :) Its not fool proof, but it takes next to no time and it helps. Rich M

Do you think some of the volume that was meant for the main was eaten up by the reserve? Actually I guess my real question is was the closing loop tight or dangerously loose with the main & reserve packed? Rich M

Definitely scam. Poor grammar, poor spelling. And whats the point of giving his pick agent his phone number of his phone doesnt work offshore. Dont fall for it Rich M

Is the closing loop too long or is the main too big for the container? Rich M

Immersing it in hydroflouric acid. Very stupid question I'm a little drunk so please take everything with a pinch of salt ;) Rich M

Hi, I'm flying over to spend a few days at Skydive Perris in Jan. Could anyone recommend places to stay over there? Cheers, Rich Rich M

The video is now private and I can't view it? Rich M

How exactly would that help if the chief instructor wouldn't let her use it? Depends on one's assumptions. Instructors instruct & control students. She's apparently not a student any more. So he may be chief of nothing at all when it comes to power over her canopy choices. She can tell him to go stuff himself. But in practice, you may be right, someone like that probably has other powers at the DZ and may have a say over what people get to jump, for better or for worse... This is the CCI, and in the UK their word is law Rich M

For the 107 are you riding double fronts down to 680' and initiating the turn at 680'? The ground shadow suggests additional information - it look like you let up the riser at 180deg so do you finish the last 90deg on harness? And then it seems you are on rear risers as you complete the 270deg. Thanks for the vids, I enjoyed them. Rich M

Is true but defeats the objective of trying achieve forward movement over the ground into strong winds. A pull on the brakes will slow the canopy in the air and so increase the backward speed over the ground. The subsequent pull on the front risers while it will cause the canopy to speed up a little if she can deflect it, will not make the ground lost by applying the brakes. I am only talking here about the student canopy loaded at 0.65, other canopies have different characteristics. Rich M

Statistically most people die in their sleep, clearly a sleeping is a ridiculously dangerous activity that should be banned urgently Rich M

Edited "I got a deal on a car, and wonder if it is a nice deal. The full car is from 2001 and got ~200 miles. The full car has a service history and the last service was 3 months ago. The seller wants $36000 for the full car. It sounds like a good deal for me, but since it is my first buy, i would be sure to not say yes to a bad deal. " Kinda depends what the car is and what options are fitted. It's probably the same for skydiving gear... Rich M

I'm about to order a pair of prescription Wiley X goggles. I've gone for these even though they are stupidly expensive because I have a very narrow face and so my options are often very limited. But I will also be wearing an open face as I will have a camera and the DZ I jump requires a cutaway system on the helmet. I haven't spoken tothe CCI about Brians video proposal for cut aways on full face helmets, but that requires a manual action to actally remove the helmet so may not be acceptable where I jump. Rich M

Hey there *I think* the point is that if you try to learn too much from this site you may be at risk. A 1st time AFF student should look up and if the parachute isn't big & square then cut it away and get the reserve out. No thinking, just as automatic as it can be taught. Later on after x hundred jumps and y cut aways you may start to learn variations on that. But if you have a malfunction on your first jump (ridiculously unlikely but it does happen) there is a risk you will be trying to remember what x said about dealing with that malfunction in a thread here rather than chopping the parachute and getting the reserve out *at a safe height*. Its an interesting sport where knowledge is king, but it needs to be proportionate in some cases to experience to be safe. Stay safe, have fun Rich Rich M

I'm getting a lot of "Digital signature does not match" when trying to upload results. This has only happened in the last couple of weeks. Anyone else having these problems? I have 2 comps with folding as a background service. Cheers Rich M

I stopped contributing due to working away from home. However. back now on a new (much faster) system, and about to add 2 more to the home network. Rich M