erdnarob 1 #1 March 22, 2010 Back from Skydive Expo 2010 DeLand FL. 39 booths, 86 seminars, 6 parachute Manufacturers, 7 harness/container Manufacturers, 3 AAD Manufacturers, 4 altimeter Manufacturers, several makers of jumpsuits, camera lenses, helmets, hardware...etc, what a fair and a real success for a first. At UPT Vector booth, the first and the 50 000th rig of Bill Booth on display with more than 35 years between the two of them. Helmets from COOKIE, made of carbon fiber. Some model includes a lining containing ballistic gel cells, an amazing substance which is like a thick jello when you put slowly your finger through it but when hit with a hammer behaves like hard rubber. A superior protection and an incredible lightness. Basik Air Concept presenting its rig, the "SEVEN" . The main feature of that rig is that the free bag is also the reserve container and it is looking pretty (see the picture in attachment). Jérôme Bunker said that rig allows for a fast reserve deployment since there is almost no flap to be pushed by the pilot chute. I was told that the pilot chute of this rig is a champion by jumping way more than 5 feet high vertically at full bridle extension. A sure way to go through the burble and prevent a pilot chute hesitation. I have attended 12 seminars: John LeBlanc, always very interesting speaking about the factors of a good parachute landing. During an another seminar, John was explaining the 2 paths of canopy progression offered by his company, Performance Designs. A slow descent canopy progression path : Navigator, Silhouette, Spectre, Pulse and Stiletto and a fast descent canopy progression path : Navigator, Sabre 2, Katana and Velocity. Randy Ottinger's seminar on Aviation safety, Jim Crouch from USPA presenting "How to avoid canopy collisions"... all seminars very informative. The fact that this fair was organized on an airport/DZ was a good way to attract young jumpers and more generally was inviting skydivers from everywhere. I have got a real feeling of a good learning experience and the chance to speak to the several main characters of the skydiving equipment scene. Any comments from those who were there ?Learn from others mistakes, you will never live long enough to make them all. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lilchief 1 #2 March 22, 2010 The seven sounds interresting. But how would this expo compete with PIA? Seems much nicer to have it at a DZ close to the the factories then in a casino. You may see, fell talk with the different mfg and maybe try it out there and then. It also seemd to attract more civilian brands then at the PIA. Plus...Florida has several nice DZ' with facilities close by and mostly good wather. Why not? "Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been and there you long to return." - Da Vinci www.lilchief.no Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeatlast 0 #3 March 22, 2010 I felt the Expo went really well - despite the poor weather everyone seemed to have a good time and it seemed well organised. We were pretty busy on the Basik stand with lots of people coming to see our SEVEN container and our canopies. The feedback that we received from everyone - jumpers, Riggers etc was excellent! I would like to say a big THANKYOU to everyone who attended and to everyone who gave their time to make this event such a success!!! See you all at the next EXPO !!! James Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
psychoswooper 2 #4 March 22, 2010 Skydive EXPO was very awesome and everybody in my group of 5 hopes that it will happen again next year (if not sooner). Thanks to all the manufacturers and seminar speakers, organisers, etc. The only con of the whole event was Team Babylon not showing up for their Saturday morning seminar on freefly safety---IMHO this was very disrespectful to all the people who sat in the seminar room wondering where they were, and when & if they would arrive. Super Kudos, however to Noah from Skydive Chicago who was recruited to cover for them & had to wing it with no preparation. Thank You very much Noah. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
piisfish 140 #5 March 22, 2010 Quote The only con of the whole event was Team Babylon not showing up for their Saturday morning seminar on freefly safety---IMHO this was very disrespectful to all the people who sat in the seminar room wondering where they were, and when & if they would arrive.do you know what happened to them ?scissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
psychoswooper 2 #6 March 22, 2010 Explanation we got was that they "spaced it" "blew it" can't remember the exact terminology, but something along those lines. If that's true, I quess it's just a case of lack of professionalism. Maybe we got bad info & there was a good, legitimate cause, but we were not made aware of it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cambalectri 0 #7 March 23, 2010 Quote Quote I felt the Expo went really well - despite the poor weather everyone seemed to have a good time and it seemed well organised. We were pretty busy on the Basik stand with lots of people coming to see our SEVEN container and our canopies. The feedback that we received from everyone - jumpers, Riggers etc was excellent! I would like to say a big THANKYOU to everyone who attended and to everyone who gave their time to make this event such a success!!! See you all at the next EXPO !!! James I was at the Skydive Expo, in Deland, on Saturday, March the 13th, and I saw the SEVEN, by Basik Air Concept. I had the opportunity to talk with everyone at the stand and with Jerome Bunker . What can I say! The SEVEN, double-thick spacer foam padding, cordura freebag which is part of the reserve container, the low number of flaps, the attention to detail , the quality of workmanship , etc .... ... an awesome rig ! Kudos. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeatlast 0 #8 March 24, 2010 I was at the Skydive Expo, in Deland, on Saturday, March the 13th, and I saw the SEVEN, by Basik Air Concept. I had the opportunity to talk with everyone at the stand and with Jerome Bunker . What can I say! The SEVEN, double-thick spacer foam padding, cordura freebag which is part of the reserve container, the low number of flaps, the attention to detail , the quality of workmanship , etc .... ... an awesome rig ! Kudos. Well thank you - it was good to meet you too (and i'm pleased that you liked our rig) - we're very proud of the SEVEN Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
