drenaline 0 #26 June 11, 2002 QuoteI don't. Not because she isn't right, but more because I am a difficult person.I like the 190 option cause first of all he is not 100% sure of his exit weights he says "180 or so", he might need weights if he want to try RW with heavier people (there is no reason to brake your back arching when you can use weights) and he has the chances of making a lot of downsizing.I talk by experience, I said that my weight was something and I forgot to add my gear, weight belt and christmas parties; now cause of the mistake am flying a HP wingload 1.2 with no chances of changing canopy (am broke, and very broke), I fly with no fun (don't even blink from when I open until I land) and on one occation I bumped my butt so hard that still hurts (it was 5 months ago) and not to mention how many PLF I've been doing, my rig was black and now is brown from a lot of rolling on the floor landings.I learned my lesson about wingload, people don't make my mistake, it hurts! (sincerely does)"Life is full of danger, so why be afraid?"drenaline Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
drenaline 0 #27 June 11, 2002 Read my preview post.I recommend from experience, that you get a wingload of 0.9 or 1.0, don't go for the 1.1 yet, make sure of your exit weight (your own jumpsuit + gear + helmet + extras (you need weight belt?)). If you really weight 180 then get yourself a 190 ZP, remember you can gain weight (happened to me, damn parties "Life is full of danger, so why be afraid?"drenaline Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GrumpySmurf 0 #28 June 11, 2002 My (not so humble and fairly inexperienced) opinion - with several of these, a definite yes - these techniques may just save your life someday when some s.o.b. 100-200 jump wonder swoop 'master' cuts you off on final - better to learn them on a slow blimp under controlled conditions than having to do them for the first time in an emergency and pray you don't kill yourself. *shrug* (though my jury is still out on the 'high performance landing' suggestion - though I see the validity in it - be comfortable with pushing your current size to the edge of it's performance envelope before downsizing). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 2,991 #29 June 11, 2002 >Do you think this applies equally to someone with 19 jumps, not yet off student>status, but probably working down from that Raven4 down to a 1.0 wingloading?Definitely. Most of that stuff is in the ISP in one form or another. Some things (like body turns) you can't do under a large canopy. Other things (double front approaches) are almost comically easy to do with a larger canopy, although it doesn't give you too much in the way of a planeout.As I said in an earlier thread, a good 'first' canopy is something around .8 or 1.0 to 1. If you weigh 210 lbs, you can use a manta for a while. If you weigh 130 lbs, it would behoove you to start learning to fly on a smaller canopy, like a Sabre 170.In addition, it should go without saying that you should get instruction before doing the above. The above list is not "how to fly a high performance canopy" - it's what you need to know before you downsize.-bill von Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Scoby 0 #30 June 11, 2002 OK, I guess I'm going to come out to Perris and take the classes. I need to get my A license first (mostly just the packing class at this point). I did a tandem at Perris and was impressed, but I didn't want to do AFF at such a big DZ. All-day rental for $65 is extremely tempting, though, as that is reasonably cheap on a per-jump basis. I really want to jump out of the skyvan!I guess my plan now is to get my A license, then immediately take canopy control classes. After that, I'll probably do a tour of the other local DZs. Then I'll head back to my dropzone before they start to miss me. Well, there goes all my disposable income for the next while...If 190 is the right size for me, then I'll stop right there. I'm not going to let my ego get in the way of safety. However, 170 would be 1.05 for me, so that's my goal for a first canopy. I'd like to get a few hundred jumps out of anything I spend oodles of moolah on. :) Is a Hornet an appropriate first canopy, after canopy control classes and a bunch more rental jumps? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Scoby 0 #31 June 11, 2002 Well, I'm about 155 lbs soaking wet. How much should I add for gear, weights, etc.? I just assumed 25 lbs or so. I didn't really give thought to gaining weight, though. I used to be a tubby bastard, so I imagine it could happen again if I drink too much beer. So maybe I should be thinking a used 190 and a container that can accomodate a 170 later on? I certainly don't want to be scaring myself on a regular basis!I should probably take the canopy control class first and then worry about what kind of canopy to get. This is probably all very premature, but reading about various canopies is so much fun. It's like all the car magazines full of machines I can't afford to drive yet... It's like dreaming of presents as a kid when it's still September... It's pretty frustrating...What I can (and should) think about getting now is a jumpsuit, helmet, and altimeter. I'd also like a Protrack, as I'd like more accurate logs. I'm torn between RW and FF suits, full-face and open-face helmets, and wrist or chest altimeter... So many choices, so little money... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jimbo 0 #32 June 11, 2002 QuoteI should probably take the canopy control class first and then worry about what kind of canopy to get.That's a great idea. You'll learn more in 5 jumps with those guys than you will in 50 or even 100 by yourself. Money well spent if you ask me.QuoteSo many choices, so little money...Welcome to skydiving.-Jim Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
drenaline 0 #33 June 12, 2002 Quoteso I imagine it could happen again if I drink too much beer.You will...Welcome to Skydiving!QuoteI'm torn between RW and FF suits, full-face and open-face helmets, and wrist or chest altimeter... So many choices, so little money...A lot of people wont like what I'll recommend here but here it goes: Go for new RW suit (new cause it will give you an exact tight fit, RW cause you first have to learn your belly before anything else and it may take you from 100 to 200 jumps); a good open face, you can use it for RW and FF and anything else even camera in the future (but gotta tell you that the close face boomerang looks great); wrist altimeter cause the chest altimeter can easily get in a burble if you do some sitfly (read that in the SIM dunno how right it is); and for the protrack there is no hurry, first get your altitude awareness before using one."Life is full of danger, so why be afraid?"drenaline Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Scoby 0 #34 June 12, 2002 QuoteA lot of people wont like what I'll recommend here but here it goes: Go for new RW suit (new cause it will give you an exact tight fit, RW cause you first have to learn your belly before anything else and it may take you from 100 to 200 jumps); a good open face, you can use it for RW and FF and anything else even camera in the future (but gotta tell you that the close face boomerang looks great); wrist altimeter cause the chest altimeter can easily get in a burble if you do some sitfly (read that in the SIM dunno how right it is); and for the protrack there is no hurry, first get your altitude awareness before using one.RW suit it is, I guess. Are grippers important? I've been leaning towards an open-face helmet, like the Mindwarp, so that's cool. My only concern with a hand-mounted altimeter is reading it while tracking and under canopy with my hands on the toggles. As for the Protrack, what I want it for is the logging of the jumps. The dytter aspect is not as important for me at this point.Anyway, thanks for the advice! I guess I need to order the jumpsuit soon. Then altimeter and helmet. I'll wait a bit on the Protrack, if for no other reason than cost. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
drenaline 0 #35 June 13, 2002 I had trouble reading the altimeter while tracking but when I track I usually start at 4k and do it for 4-6 seconds then look around and open. I usually don't look at my altimeter while under canopy, last look I give to the altimeter is at 1K, then the rest of the ride is altitude awareness and works like a charm."Life is full of danger, so why be afraid?"drenaline Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 30 #36 June 13, 2002 QuoteAs for the Protrack, what I want it for is the logging of the jumps. The dytter aspect is not as important for me at this point.So you'd rather spend the $200 (or whatever it is these days) for the toy features rather then he life saving features?If money's tight, I'd look at a used Dytter (not a Pro Dytter or Pro Track, just a good old Dytter), while still getting a good visual alti as a 1st.RemsterMuff 914 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Scoby 0 #37 June 13, 2002 QuoteSo you'd rather spend the $200 (or whatever it is these days) for the toy features rather then he life saving features?If money's tight, I'd look at a used Dytter (not a Pro Dytter or Pro Track, just a good old Dytter), while still getting a good visual alti as a 1st.I'm sorry if I was unclear. I didn't intend for that to come off the way that you understood it. What I meant was that I don't want to get in the habit of depending on the dytter. While I certainly will appreciate the warning if I manage to lose altitude awareness, I want to depend on my regular altimeter to know when to break and pull. On the other hand, I would really like to be able to log my dives so I can write it all down at the end of the day. To me, that will be worth the extra money over time. I really appreciate all the information and advice! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
drenaline 0 #38 June 14, 2002 QuoteI want to depend on my regular altimeter to know when to break and pullBetter double check what you said. Depend on your altitude awareness with the ground, remember altimeter can fail cause its a machine made by man. When you look at the altimeter you should also look at the floor and judge if its right what you are reading (i.e. Altimeter 7k and in your visual to earth you can read your car license plate, conclution: altimeter busted, better pull before going splat or firing my AAD).Here is a thought, you may want to consult this one with the Instructors, but I think that having an audible might bother your altitude awareness, maybe quade or bill von can say yes or no to what I just said, ask them."Life is full of danger, so why be afraid?"drenaline Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Scoby 0 #39 June 14, 2002 QuoteBetter double check what you said. Depend on your altitude awareness with the ground, remember altimeter can fail cause its a machine made by man. Very good point! Are there any exercises I can do to create greater altitude awareness, or is it an experience thing?QuoteHere is a thought, you may want to consult this one with the Instructors, but I think that having an audible might bother your altitude awareness, maybe quade or bill von can say yes or no to what I just said, ask them.I'll talk to the instructors at my DZ. I certainly don't want to start out with any bad habits. If an audible is a bad idea now, then I can certainly wait until later. Thanks! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
drenaline 0 #40 June 14, 2002 QuoteAre there any exercises I can do to create greater altitude awareness, or is it an experience thing?jump! "Life is full of danger, so why be afraid?"drenaline Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
