Maksimsf

Time will tell. There are factory test jumpers and there are ones that willing to pay $2k+ to be them :)

PD Specte, Triathlon, NZ/Icarus Omega and Omni, Skylark Skipper, Aerotech Cheyenne.. that is 6 types of 7 cell modern canopies that cost from $1400-$2000 brand new that I can just name out of my head, and he chooses Raven? Seriously - I jumped Soviet Para Commander UT-15 back in the days - I really liked that steep approach and fast 360 turns, brutal openings back then was normal since pull altitude was around 600-700 meters (~2000 Ft), but I didn't buy that canopy when I went back into skydiving 2 years ago. If your dad dead set on Raven - be creative, buy him a used Spectre, Tri, Omega ect secretly for Xmass and just let him jump that few times and see what he has to say after that. I'm pretty sure you love your dad and spending ~$1000 may save his life or makes him last longer - it's worth it...

My first canopy that I jumped after rental was F111 PD-260 with may be 20 jumps on it that I got free. I was getting slammers doing hop and pops . We installed huge tandem slider - sub terminal opening was ok after that, but terminal was still bad. Another option was to reline it with Dacron to slow the slider down a little bit, but it's not worth it. I got rid of it and got a Spectre.

I just checked their web-site. Yeah, even FYB can't beat that prices...

Bought a set of tube stows from a large reputable vendor. I broke 3 of the yellow ones withing my first 2 pack jobs. Black ones are still there, but there is no way I'm wasting another $10 on that.

That source and the best source at the same time would be your instructor/coach or any experienced jumper (1000+ jumps). All you need is a case of descent beer or two after the sunset load.

that sounds pretty arbitrary to me... get over it I would say it different - there are features that you will need to be able to jump your AFF. To the OP - My first HC was Mirage RTS with AAD window and Student BOC and that was when I had 70 jumps. AAD window was actually a big plus for me and BOC was replaced right when I got it. You may buy a used student rig and jump it after your AFF as long as you want, but keep in mind that in order to buy a "used student gear" - you have to buy it from DZO or from another jumper like you (good luck with that ) Also all the peoples that was on the jump with you will be half way packed before you even get to the ground :). In my particular case student rig was a "go" due to my size. After I put about 70 jumps on rentals (280/260/240/230) I was absolutely sure what am I looking for when it was time to buy. I do get your point on sharing stuff, but only helmets/suits, I agree - these things are nasty. If money is not a problem - go for it man

noob question here: What is BM classic compared to GTI?

Not on the market for safire2/xfire just yet, but lets think about this another way: Its not what canopy you are getting -its who you paying for it... Taking in consideration recent events icaruscanopies.aero will not get my business any time soon.

Wiki: "The Guinness Book of World Records states that the 45-year production run for the An-2 was for a time the longest ever, for any aircraft, but it was recently exceeded by the Lockheed C-130 Hercules"...

Didn't asked PF, but I'm sure they don't have a demo sized for me :(

Thanks guys, good info. I'm a 6'3 260 Lbs exit weight, and just started flying my GTI. In order for me to progress properly I would like to move to P2/P3 after putting few dozens jumps on GTI, but since there is no available used suits that will fit me - I have to order brand new and then struggle selling it when I'm ready to up size. So I'm thinking about Havok/G3 as my next suit.

We all know how to figure out our canopies WL and manufacturers may recommend what needs to be flown for student, intermediate, experienced and badass, but what about WS? For Example: Shadow 3 - ease of flight 3 stars / Vampire 5 - ease of flight 3 stars

1.28? My Spectre 230 scare shit out of me at 1.1 in no wind, DZ is at sea level. Take your current canopy downwind and decide after that....

Got my package from Chutingstar today. Breather and zip tie in the bag... How do I install that breather properly?

I have ~2500 jumps on my Icarus Omni 183.5. I just ordered a new one from NZ Aerosports. They still make them, however they don't market them because "The Omni is not really a current design." That is sad. I know at least 8 peoples that jump Spectre including myself and that is not "current" design either I was considering going Omni, but resale value will not be as good as Spectre.

The US government are a bunch of assholes, but compared to Australia it is MUCH less of a beige cardigan-wearing nannyocracy. I love Australia, I've lived here almost 1/3 of my life, but the abundance of cowardice in the form of overregulation of every conceivable thing drives me batshit fucking crazy. http://iloveskydiving.org/view/videos/friday-freakout-wingsuit-flying-accidents/ Regulate my ass I bet you never jumped in Russia

If you can track stable, keep your heading and be safe in general 50 jumps is good enough as per experienced trackers and WS flyers at my DZ. Keep in mind that tracking suit cost almost the same as WS and you'll not have as much fun doing TS compared to WS unless you going to start BASE... That's what I've been told ad it does make sense to me now.

Couple of moth ago some one stole a rig from PDFT member. May be PD told them that they will not replace it, so they decided to run a raffle to get their guy a new rig. That does look like charity to me I personally very skeptical to any raffles if I don't see tickets being pulled out of the jar.

"Legendary Soviet Antonov An-2, which will be equipped with American engine made by Honeywell, will once again manufactured after a nearly 40 years hiatus, said in an interview with RIA Novosti chairman of the organization "Voluntary Assistance to the Army and Navy" (DOSAAF) Retired Colonel-General Sergey Maev" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4lMo5xSIUY

Jumping is not a problem, but packing... Your sweat is going to be all over your canopy. I got really bad headache this weekend, never again. Not fun at all, unless you do high pull and stay in half breaks...

If you will start avoiding DZ's only cuz some one stole something there someday - you may run out of any "good" DZ's pretty soon. Shit gets stolen all the time. large DZ's have a lot of visiting jumpers. Last time I checked skydivers aren't Saint's, but regular peoples and some of us are shitty peoples...

Is it possible? I wasn't able to find any video or stills. Not a WS birdeo, just regular belly with 2 peoples on top.

to stay at what WL? 1.24

I'm glad my mom isn't on this board... She would say it's better not to skydive :)