SkymonkeyONE 4 #1 October 27, 2008 Tom Noonan (DualHawk on here) of Strong Enterprises was out this weekend and finally got around to doing an FFC with me. He did two flights and killed it on his second one. What's cool about this is that Tom was one of the people that did the jumps over Everest this year and asked the organizers if they thought it would be OK if, with the proper preparations/experience, he might be able to fly over everest and all the way down to base camp next year. I can't imagine how much clothing you would have to wear under your suit, but man, wouldn't that be cool? Anyway, this is his first step in that direction. Nice. Anyway, here are some obligatory ground pics Chuck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DualHawk 0 #2 October 28, 2008 Thanks Chuck! It was a great experience. I had no idea what to expect going into the first jump course, and all I can say is it was a totally kick ass experience. On that second jump, everything started to click and it was just surreal. I remember seeing you and Phil out there and I started thinking "I can't believe I'm finally up here in a wingsuit, this is too cool!" I'm sure it was pretty easy to see with my ear to ear grin, I was having a blast up there. Looking forward to joining the flock at ZHills. Thanks again. Tom Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Butters 0 #3 October 28, 2008 Quote It was a great experience. I had no idea what to expect going into the first jump course, and all I can say is it was a totally kick ass experience. Tell others ... "That looks dangerous." Leopold Stotch Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyjumpsteve 0 #4 October 28, 2008 Tom - Welcome to the flock! When you get back up to New England make sure you plan some time to jump with the Pepperell flock Chuck, Stony looked into doing Everest this year (and even had a deposit down at one point) but had difficulty working with the organizer to "allow" him to wingsuit. Next year maybe! I did the North Pole and the cold really wasn't too bad. It was something like -80 at altitude but with the arctic suit it seriously felt about 100 degrees warmer. No prob.....just need to get a wingsuit that would fit over some bulky clothing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mccordia 74 #5 October 28, 2008 We where also in talks with them at the start of the year (but sadly couldnt get the financial stuff arranged fully with our sponsors). Aside from some R&D and arranging a wider wingsuit to fit the special thermal jumpsuits, they didnt quote any huge difficulties. Leo Dickinson (one of the lead video/film guys for the trip) seemed exited about doing wingsuit stuff over Mt everest (being a wingsuit pilot himself, did some kick-ass shizzle with some falcons in freefall/with wingsuits a while back). So aside from some technical hurdles..there didnt seem to be any huge problems that should prohibit anyone from doing this on the second trip next year..JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lurch 0 #6 October 28, 2008 Tom, you bastard, I was supposed to be your FFC instructor, man! I been hoping to get you into some wings for years now. Give back a little. Too late now. Damn. Congrats brother bird, now you know what I been doing, last 5 years and change. Like it eh? Well, you saw how I reacted after my first one, not much has changed except my suits have gotten a lot weirder and so many others finally came to see what I'd been going on about all this time that I almost never fly alone anymore. When're you passing through up here again? I haven't jumped with you in, what, 4 years? 5? Ought to remedy that... Take care bro, -BLive and learn... or die, and teach by example. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dzjnky 0 #7 October 29, 2008 Tom, Let me add my "welcome to the Flock" too!!!! I am really excited that you enjoyed your flights. We have definitely got to play next time you are up in Pepperell, or I end up down in Z-Hills. You should see if this is something that your lovely wife might like to do We need more female pilots in the flock!!! Rick Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DualHawk 0 #8 October 29, 2008 QuoteYou should see if this is something that your lovely wife might like to do We need more female pilots in the flock!!! Hi Rick! I was hoping Mary would join me in the course, but she is focused on video flying at the moment and she said she wants to fly wingsuits later this Spring when she can dedicate the time and give it the focus it needs. So, hopefully by the time we get back up to Pepperell in '09, we will both be flying with you guys. See you soon up north, Tom Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DualHawk 0 #9 October 29, 2008 Thanks Brian, Yes, we'll have to get up in the air together when I get back home. Mary and I were actually talking this past weekend about your first flight up at SDNE when Asa was up there with the demo suits. I still have your landing on video somewhere, I'll have to find it and give it to you. You landed in silence. You looked at the ground for a second, then looked up to the sky and yelled: "MORE! MORE! I WANT MORE!!!" Yeah, I think it's safe to say you enjoyed your first wingsuit flight my friend. See you soon up North. Mary and I are flying up to Boston for Halloween in Salem, MA and will try to swing by Pepperell on Saturday or Sunday. Tom Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhoenixRising 0 #10 October 30, 2008 Nice to see you finally made it up Tom. And with Chuck and Phil, you cant get a much better team. Ill be all over Florida this winter so im sure we will have the chance to fly. Keep with it!!! justinWingsuit organizing, first flight courses and coaching Flock University Tonysuits Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
