freeflynick

I'm jealous!! Wish I could get up and try some new stuff. As you can see from my xray I won't be jumping for a while - had an oops at bridge day. Hope Florida is good to you!! Hobbes: "How come we play 'War' and not 'Peace'?" Calvin: "Too few role models."

Nice exit!! Get yourself another chick and try it in a 3-way......I took this pic of freaks at Skydive Houston pulling off a sweet one! (Nice one cG, Chris & Chris!) Hobbes: "How come we play 'War' and not 'Peace'?" Calvin: "Too few role models."

Hi Junky! I wanted to thank you on an awsome thread - there's some priceless info coming out of this. Its great for me as a temporary arm-chair freeflier (an unfortunate incident at Bridge Day!). I've been looking at getting some serious freefly coaching going at Skydive Houston but need to get my own flying sorted out first, so I'm using this time off to allow me to mentally get into better flying habits and think about new techniques, and your info (and the others who are contributing) is helping me achieve this. So THANKS, and keep it up!! CHEERS! Nick Hobbes: "How come we play 'War' and not 'Peace'?" Calvin: "Too few role models."

I was one of the injured folks. I feel bad for being one of the negative stats for this AMAZING event, sorry guys!!! Mine is a fractured heel, and I know there was one other guy there (Hope you heal soon, John!) who had the same injury. Mine was the result of a crosswind landing that wasn't handled well. I missed the call about swirling winds coz of 2 video cameras in my face, and when it came down to it I screwed up by not PLFing and reaching out with my left foot, which came down hard on one of the larger, flat rocks near the waters edge, which was very unforgiving! Still waiting to get the MRI scan to show the full damage, but I'm out of jumping for a while, for sure! But the 2 jumps I got in (my first 2 BASE jumps) were something that I will never forget, an amazing experience. FYI - I was jumping a Vision with a Fox 225 (I weigh about 170 nekid, so slightly on the small side), so no probs with the equipment, the problem was no PLF.......a bigger canopy may have helped, but I doubt it. A BIG thanks to everyone who helped me post-damage, the ground crew in the LZ were all fantastic. Cheers!!! FYI - protective gear worn included helmet, knee pads and high-top safety boots. I hate to think what my foot and leg would look like if I had been wearing tennis shoes!!! Hobbes: "How come we play 'War' and not 'Peace'?" Calvin: "Too few role models."

Hey Roosel!! Less of the big nose stuff, m'kay!!! I'm here under freeflynick. I'm sitting here at work with my feet on the desk, as usual, but this time I'm doing it coz the doc told me to! I shattered my heel on my second jump at Bridge Day!....ooops!! PLF YOU FOOL P.L.F.!!!! Did all those round jumps at Strirling teach me nothing!??? Later...... Hobbes: "How come we play 'War' and not 'Peace'?" Calvin: "Too few role models."

I use 2 teflon cables instead of a curved closing pin. Two yellow teflon coated pins are used to prevent the cable from kinking or pulling throught through the grommet if the loop is tight. Yes, it will wear your closing loop fast, but when was the last time you were charged for a closing loop, and if you were, a beer will usually cover the cost! The advantages are: - It will be far more difficult to push out the pin in the plane or during a freefall collision etc. - Should you have bride line come loose in freefall, there is that much more distance that your pin has to pulled before you have a premature opening and possibly a horse-shoe. I have put about 500 jumps on my current teflon pins and they are in great condition. No kinking (and I like a tight loop as much as anyone!), no wear, and more importantly, no pre-mees and/or horseshoes! You have to make sure you have enough loose bridle between your pin and your bag as if this is too tight it can cause a container lock. I have never come across a rig that doesnt have enough bridle there, but your packing method may need to be changed slightly to lengthen that loose bridle slighty. Also, there is the possibility that if your cable cracks, the metal cable might be pulled out of the yellow teflon leaving the teflon in the loop causing a container lock, but regular inspection would avoid this (plus, when the wire is out, a reasonalby tight loop may well pull the coating thru the grommet and the first thing you would notice is when you go to close your rig and find silver there instead of yello!) I recommend this, but I ain't no rigger, so speak to one of them first!! Hobbes: "How come we play 'War' and not 'Peace'?" Calvin: "Too few role models."

I also use the 2 teflon pin system on my main, but with only one closing loop. I also do not use the mod for an in-plane pull as the teflon cable is flexible enough to handle this. 2 things to be carefull of - if the teflon coating cracks, etc. you may have the situation where the cable will pull out leaving the teflon coating holding your container closed. Also, there must be enough loose bridle above the pin (between the pin and the bag) to allow the extra length of the pin to be extracted. Too short a bridle will result in a pilot-chute in tow. I am big on this sytem......the chances having your pin pushed/kncked out in the plane or by a hard freefall dock/collision is greatly reduced. You do get some weird looks when you ask for a pin-check though!! Hobbes: "How come we play 'War' and not 'Peace'?" Calvin: "Too few role models."

There seems to be a "Craig" at most dropzones......usually friendly but quiet, blending in, but doing a great deal of work that often goes un-noticed, but which contributes greatly to the smooth running of a DZ. Craig was a fun and friendly asset to Skydive Houston and it will be difficult to find someone to fill his dusty, hard working shoes......... Remember that behind the black clouds are blue skies and sunshine........ Hobbes: "How come we play 'War' and not 'Peace'?" Calvin: "Too few role models."

I have heard great things about the Hurricane, but not such great things about their manufacturer - Chute Shop. I have tried to contact them with questions but get no reply and have heard that getting equipment from them can take a lifetime. Does anyone have any info on the canopy itself, Chute Shop, or the best/cheapest/safest way to buy one of these canopies? Thanks Folks!! Hobbes: "How come we play 'War' and not 'Peace'?" Calvin: "Too few role models."