DaVinciflies

Sorry buddy, don't get on a load when the ground winds are >14mph. It is that simple. Sometimes you don't get a choice which direction you need to land.

I believe Chris Gay had weights sewn into his backpad (don't know the make) for the CRW record (100-way?) in Florida.

Vectran, HMA, Dacron and Spectra (microline) all look quite different ask an experienced jumper or rigger to have a look and tell you. Additionally: http://www.skydivespaceland.com/parachute-line-type/

I'll never understand how people will jump equipment they don't understand and yet trust it to save their life..

Yes - really good series.

Am I an eye wear instructor? No, not got that rating yet. The OP asked for advice - I gave him some. Nobody is forcing him to take it. If you wish to continue this personal vendetta against me - again I suggest you either take it to PM or start your own thread. You add little to no value to these forums and quite frankly I am surprised you haven't been given a break for some of the idiotic things you have said. I doubt anyone is impressed by your spouting bullshit whilst hiding behind an internet persona.

My advice is from personal experience of misreading a Viso.

No, you really should not say any more. But if you have an issue with me, I suggest that you start a new thread to air your grievances instead of cluttering up existing threads where people are trying to have a sensible discussion.

If you look at the Chicago area which supports several DZs, then yes, there is probably enough business to go around. Skydive Houston is quite a way outside the city.

No, I am passing on knowledge from a mistake I made. The more you post, the less credible you become.

That's given more information on which to base your decision to chop it. Good stuff!

And you are still refusing to listen to numerous others with massively more experience than you who are saying: a) this was a perfectly well handled situation. b) you are in over your head with what you are trying to do in terms of landing techniques and equipment. The masses are speaking to you and they are saying "You're wrong, and you're wrong". You might want to consider this - and humbly take action other than defending yourself.

Is "ghetto rigged" the new PC term?

That's a very biased opinion. There are skydiving companies whose customer service is outstanding, including (but not limited to): - L&B - PD - Chutingstar - Velocity Sports Equipment ....in my experience.

I haven't read the whole thread, but in case it hasn't been mentioned - avoid polarized lenses if you plan to use an altimeter with an LCD display such as a Viso or Neptune.

Lost interest, Shah?

I agree. Women get all the job opportunities. Why are they specifically excluding men from these jobs?

Pies?

Shah Have you looked yet and had a thin about what is going on? It might be easier to look at a picture of canopy in flight where you can see the lines.

And if you're buying new the Pulse has the added advantage of being easier to pack than most new mains.

I do agree with most of what you say, Chuck, and I guess I was thinking about Bat Out Of Hell flying near the ground. I also agree with your perspective of only downsize if you have a valid reason, and the skills (valid does not include "I got this great deal on a small container but it will only hold a 99").

You are misquoting me. I never suggested that anyone has to fly like a bat out of hell, what I said was that BEFORE THEY DOWNSIZE people should fully explore the performance of their current wing, otherwise I agree, there is no need to downsize. Landing on rears is not dangerous, nor is it particularly hard, given the right training and practice and that involves starting with bigger, beginner canopies and not trying it for the first time when you get your first cross-brace. I put it in the same area as practicing downwind and crosswind landings - do it on a larger wing to start with and keep honing that skill with every change in canopy. Saying people don't need to downsize, while true in a lot of cases, doesn't stop them wanting to so lets at least equip them with some skills for when they do.

Actually it is possible to detect (both visually and by feel) a degree of mushiness before a rear riser stall - but you have to have pretty fine control to hold it on that "edge" without allowing a full stall.

You mean like PLFs? Or skydiving? It is perfectly possible to practice landing on rears without getting hurt. Would you not agree that someone should fully explore the performance envelope of their canopy before downsizing? Landing on rears is part of that exploration, in my opinion.

Hear hear! Cracking rack - although I think you might be Bee Bee, rather than Dee Dee!