rmahoney 0 #1 October 16, 2007 As a 30+ year pilot (but a <2 year skydiver), I had my first introduction to wing suit flying last week, and I must say I am completely hooked. I have flown aircraft from J-3’s to A-4’s to 767’s, but I have never had more pure joy of flight than in a wing suit. From a pilot’s perspective, it is powerful to note that your body itself – and the enabling equipment (wing suit) – becomes the aircraft. Every part of your head, torso, and extremeties becomes a lifting surface, as well as a control surface. Subtle and not-so-subtle changes in configuration and attitude affect flight. The old, familiar dreams of flight become a striking reality. Wind suit flying, like other skydiving disciplines, demands great care and respect, and those who think they can teach themselves truly have a fool for a student. Ask around, and find a competent wing suit instructor. Not only will you be safer, to yourself and those around you, but you will learn much more about how to fly. I have discovered the true joy of flight. It is wing suiting.ATP B-737, B757, B-767, L-188, FK-28, AMEL, Commercial Privileges ASEL, F/E Turbojet "Learning is not compulsory; neither is survival." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mccordia 74 #2 October 16, 2007 Quote Ask around, and find a competent wing suit instructor. Definately good advice...even though you do need to find an instructor that doesnt care about the actual 200 jump number safety recomendation too much hehe cheep joke.. Couldnt resist.. You went from falling to actual flying! Definately welcome to the flock!JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KrisFlyZ 0 #3 October 16, 2007 Quote ***You went from falling to actual flying! Definately welcome to the flock! You mean from really flying to falling to actually flying . Kris. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pendragon 1 #4 October 16, 2007 Quote cheep joke.. Have you been taking humour lessons from me? Flock on, chirpy! -- BASE #1182 Muff #3573 PFI #52; UK WSI #13 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LouDiamond 1 #5 October 16, 2007 Congrats, welcome to the flock and your new addiction "It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required" Some people dream about flying, I live my dream SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmahoney 0 #6 October 16, 2007 *** Somebody actually looked at my profile?? I will change it to reflect my actual number of jumps >200.....(can i count my ejection from a sick TA-4 in 1978 and my "landing" under a 28' conical canopy too?? Just wondering..(G) ) Flock on! RATP B-737, B757, B-767, L-188, FK-28, AMEL, Commercial Privileges ASEL, F/E Turbojet "Learning is not compulsory; neither is survival." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mccordia 74 #7 October 16, 2007 Quote *** Somebody actually looked at my profile?? I will change it to reflect my actual number of jumps >200.....(can i count my ejection from a sick TA-4 in 1978 and my "landing" under a 28' conical canopy too?? Just wondering..(G) ) Flock on! R I say it counts...! In 1978...man...I made my first flight that year....from my mothers lap into the cradle that isJC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VectorBoy 0 #8 October 16, 2007 Yes its a jump. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The111 1 #9 October 17, 2007 There was a guy posting in the bonfire once, a pilot with 6,000 skydives (but no wingsuit jumps). He was commenting on a video of a wingsuit flyer getting above the tail of a Skyvan on a highspeed exit. He said that based on his piloting experience that was impossible and it was an illusion because the pilot was diving the plane. I've heard many people make that same (very wrong) argument, but none with his experience. How on earth can you pilot planes and not know that speed equals life lift (nice typo)? You can build a plane with fucking two by fours for wings if you push it fast enough.www.WingsuitPhotos.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
normiss 803 #10 October 17, 2007 you shouldn't insult the F-4 Phantom like that...kept my dad working for a loooooong time. and that one backseat ride I got in one!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ScottGray 0 #11 October 17, 2007 Great post. Welcome to the flock.WSI-5 / PFI-51 / EGI-112 / S-Fly The Brothers Gray Wing Suit Academy Contact us for first flight and basic flocking courses at your DZ or boogie. www.thebrothersgray.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WhuffoNoMo 0 #12 October 17, 2007 benvenuto uccello! Was great flying with you (even if I had to hit 173mph to catch you) :) You must have flown bombers :-D Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Airowpoint 0 #13 October 17, 2007 Once I went to a DZ where I was the first ever wingsuiter (yes they still exist). The pilot was clueless about wingsuits. Ofcourse I had to convince them to let me go last. Then, when it was my turn to exit, the pilot told me to wait because we were to far off and he wanted to do another round. Afterwards I could not convince him it really was not necessary. He changed his mind when next jump I was flying next to him politely waving at him Tristan Will you answer "NO" to my next question? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
saly 0 #14 October 17, 2007 You can count it as a jump only if you quote your Caterpilla Club number --------------------------------------------- If you don't have wings you will never fly Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites