Loaded Tennis Ball for RW Practice?

[Floats18 0]

Hey -

I've seen freeflyers play with a tennis ball on the way down, can RW junkies use one too? I'm thinking about when you're doing solo jumps you could RW around a stationary point. I'm pretty green so people might do this already, but I have yet to see it. How do I make one?

--- and give them wings so they may fly free forever

DiverDriver in Training

[rehmwa 2]

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I'm pretty green .... How do I make one?

It's been done, you could check on the FF page for how they make it. It's just a matter of loading the right amount of lead for the target fall rate. Some kind of tail.

These guys only do it (typ) I thought if there was a VERY skilled FFer there to make sure they don't "drop the ball".

So normal cliche "be careful" cautions apply. Lead at 120 MPH hitting a building or person would be a crappy way for you to meet a lot new, interesting pissed off people.

...
Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[dgskydive 0]

DZ's in popluated areas will not let you take one up. If you don't catch it, it can fall on a house or worse person.

Dom

[GQ_jumper 4]

It is a good idea though if you have no one to jump with, you can still work on a lot of RW skills with a tool like that. But like Dom said there are a lot of restrictions with something like that.

History does not long entrust the care of freedom to the weak or the timid.
--Dwight D. Eisenhower

[Ron 10]

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It is a good idea though if you have no one to jump with, you can still work on a lot of RW skills with a tool like that. But like Dom said there are a lot of restrictions with something like that.

Its not really a good idea at all.

On most FF jumps they have a "Ball Master" that is a VERY experienced jumper. His job is to make sure that it is not lost.

You could just jump with the guy instead of having him around to catch the ball.

So if you wanted to use this by yourself to learn RW skills....Chances are that if you were good enough to be safe enough to use one....You don't need one to work on skills.

"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

[dgskydive 0]

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So if you wanted to use this by yourself to learn RW skills....Chances are that if you were good enough to be safe enough to use one....You don't need one to work on skills.

That is true. You guys know I don't like agreeing with Ron, so stop asking questions the he and I agree on please.

Ron see you in a few weeks.

Dom

[Floats18 0]

I appreciate the concerns, I definately wouldn't want to meet the guy that the ball falls on.

My DZ right now is not in a very populated area... My principal concern would be hitting the hangers/ aircraft because it is a grass strip surrounded by corn. indiana sucks.

I guess the only thing to do is jump with real live people... Damn!

--- and give them wings so they may fly free forever

DiverDriver in Training

[dgskydive 0]

No worries. Ron said it best if you can fly with the ball you won't need it for rw.

One sure fire way to see if you can fall straight down other then jumping with good people is to hit the tunnel if ya can. The walls will let ya know real quick if you are falling straight down or not.

Dom

[Ron 10]

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Ron see you in a few weeks

I would not bet on that

In fact I will put money on it.

"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

[dgskydive 0]

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I would not bet on that

DAmn did I piss ya off that bad? It was only a joke! Your advice is good some of the time.

Dom

[Ron 10]

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DAmn did I piss ya off that bad? It was only a joke!

Nah, you are one of the folks I'd like to hang with.....Just not gonna happen.

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Your advice is good some of the time.

Well, then my good to bad ratio is still ahead of yours

"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

[dgskydive 0]

Dom

[BillyVance 34]

I've had a few RW jumps with a weighted tennis ball. It had a corduroy/nylon type of streamer and roughly a pound of ball bearings filled up inside. It was loads of fun, but we made sure we were over the woods next to the DZ in case someone failed to secure the ball before break-off or deployment, or dropped it on deployment.

As some people said, not every DZ will allow it.

"Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban

[TFFTM 1]

You might consider this as an alternative to you own design.

http://www.vladiball.com/pages/1/index.htm

Has a backup system in case you lose it but like the site says
"3) To use the deployment system ONLY as a backup. To keep this product in a positive eye to all communities, every effort should be made to retrieve the ball before 4000ft (1200m)."

BSBD
Home of the Alabama Gang

[blithedj 0]

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You might consider this as an alternative to you own design.

http://www.vladiball.com/pages/1/index.htm

Has a backup system in case you lose it but like the site says
"3) To use the deployment system ONLY as a backup. To keep this product in a positive eye to all communities, every effort should be made to retrieve the ball before 4000ft (1200m)."

I'm confused about what this 'backup' deployment system is. Does it dump the shot inside if you reach a designated altitude? If so, does the shot dump at exactly 4,000 or does it dump lower? Is this any safer other than the ball being made by someone who knows ball-flying much better?

[TFFTM 1]

Without getting into too much detail... (the on-line manuals of the site do a much better job)

A pin is retracted at approx ~4K (uses a bladder) this opens the column and the shots escapes. Theory is small shot will not fall fast enough to cause harm. This is why the site warns against being above the ball.
The split unit then flutters down to earth without the weight of the lead.
To me its safer than a loaded tennis ball, especially for beginners.
I

BSBD
Home of the Alabama Gang