EMBer

I used to fly a 149 Safire loaded 1.2:1. I flew it from jump #100 to 350 or thereabouts. It seemed to take forever to learn how to land it (frustrating, as a noncurrent mechanically-assisted pilot I thought I knew a thing or two about landings!). I found a 2-stage flare to be most effective... it seems to be the kind of canopy that doesn't need a lot of forward speed to maintain effective flight control. So, I would bring the toggles down to just below shoulder height for a second or two and then bury them into a full stop. About 25 jumps before I moved on (didn't know I'd fall for a 135 Stiletto), I got the Safire relined. Holy tamole!... handled completely differently! I didn't need the 2-stroke flare at all... and the flare point was much more shallow on the toggles. Is your new canopy really new or pre-owned? If used, how many jumps? At the very least, you might want to discuss shortening the brake lines w/ your rigger (I'd read a post a year or so ago cautioning against wrapping the lines around your hands, but I don't recall exactly why... help me out, readers, as I'd like to understand any safety issues here). BTW, I'm going through the same learning curve w/ the Stiletto that you are now w/ the Safire!

"And it is amazing how much help the newer teams get from the more skilled teams. It's like a world they share...even has it's own language !" You got it sister!... this is THE most amazing thing about this sport-- the camaraderie, the time/energy that more advanced teams put into fostering newbie teams, the opportunity to train w/ world champions who wear no sense of entitlement... It is truly a system of begets-- great flying ability and spirit of generosity/sharing in one "generation" of skydivers begets the same behaviour in the next... and so on. What a great thing to be a part of... "gratitude" only begins to describe the feeling.

Just did this w/ a light grey one: First let it dry. Then brush w/ a dry scrub brush like you would if it were just dirt. That was enough for mine, I was suprised to find out. I was counselled by a packer that if it doesn't come out, use a mild hand soap like ivory w/ the scrub brush... I'd wet and soap the whole pad so you don't have spotting.

I've used both: vest and belt. Gotta say that weid14's earlier comment about cg being in the center w/ belt (vs vest, where weight is off center) is on the money. Makes a difference in center-point turns. Also, had a feeling of dragging weight around w/ the vest, even going for short distances btwn points. It was harder to keep good range w/ chest (like to have it high vs flat) and my back even felt more tired w/ vest than w/ belt. Now I'm pretty much only using the belt for tunnel work. I like my Dejablue, but I've tried Leadbelly and, for my structure, found it more comfortable... only on the ground (and ride to alti) really, since it makes no difference in the air!

10 team jumps, 1 sunset FF (oops, this is the RW section... ok to mention the dark side here?!?)... oh yea, and 1 case of beer (beer line miscalculation on jump #1) I'm on a newly formed AA team, so we're still working out the basics... like those 14 exits (they launch great, but just as we break the cheaters and go for the block, levels get funky). Love launching 13 and that block turns really sweet on the hill! We were all so calm and smiling... it's amazing how much that makes a difference (... in skydiving as in life ;o). Really looking forward to MASL Meet #1 this coming weekend!... Hope the weather holds.

I use an Oxygn A3... it doesn't have the latch described in one of the posts. I had to wear glasses w/ it once when I lost a contact (not while skydiving) and it was ok... a little pressure on the nose from contact w/ the visor, but I have wider plastic frames. Changing visors is a no-brainer (you just need a really tiny hex wrench)... and I should know, I've changed four times or so in the past year and a half because it took me a while (and +$30 a pop) to learn the value of a padded helmet case (doh!). The rubber piping at the top does have a tendency to wear and lose its adhesion to the plexi... two things: you can superglue it back on... and, to deter that in the first place (yea, it took me a while to learn this trick, too, dohdoh!), spray a litte silicone on the top piping and voila, it opens/closes nicely/easily and preserves wear on the piping. Factory Diver suggests that you try on the glasses w/ their helmet to make sure it fits. I have a friend who wears a shaped eyeglass frame under his w/ no problem. You might contact SkySystems (they put out Oxygn, Factory Diver, NVertigo...) and ask their advice. Take care of that noggin :o)

Hey Stace-- How's the team action going? Ana youa knowa whata meana ;o)! What's up in May... you heading up to the keys?

Hey Marsupial!...Great to see you round the keys this weekend (with the ever-patient head at hand ;o). Glad OhhhhJetstreeeeam!'s camp was a good one (despite Sun's rain)... they've been great mentors to rookies like me :o) Here's my former teammate Eric's email ([email protected])... just in case he might want to team up for some 4-way this year....