rjblake

After numerous discussions, I decided to go with a Pulse 210 at a wing loading of 1.1, after flying either Solo 230's, 210's or ZP Exe's in the same range. These were all rental's and I found myself happy under them all, unless it was a light/no-wind day then the flare would be non-existent. My first opening with my new container was interesting to say the least - nice and gentle and then a sharp left turn. A gentle pull of the right rear riser straightened it out and I made sure a toggle hadn't come out. All I can think is that my body position on opening hadn't been great and I'd put myself into a nice hard harness turn. Checked a few flares and all seemed great nice forward speed and slow glide path. On landing, I flared like I was under one of the student/rental canopies - mistake. Flare was strong and the speed was certainly converting to lift. Held the flare for a nice easy stand up landing. On my next few jumps the openings were all great and 100% on heading without a hassle. Snivel was in the 600ft range and better than the Solo. Nice, gentle and on heading. I got put out on a long spot and spent quite some worried about ever seeing the DZ, let alone making it back. Flew back in brakes and made it with plenty of room to spare. My landings are still far from perfect on this canopy; but that's the pilot and not the canopy. I find myself either flaring to high, or just not hard enough. These were all in null wind conditions, and all but one was a stand up (one sliding in on my butt). I’m confident I’ll work out my glitches and find that ‘sweet spot’ soon enough. I am also amazed at how small this packs compared to a full ZP 210. It looks simply tiny in comparison. I’d certainly recommend this to anyone who is a reasonably new jumper and looking for a docile but fun canopy (assuming the right wing loading). With this canopy, I also have the option to downsize to something like a Sabre2 170 and still keep the same container. I’m in no rush to downsize (I’m old and wise) and I can see myself flying this canopy for many years to come.

Love the outlook! There are those that say you only live once; but I'd disagree - you only die once! You get to live every day have no clue if some evil disease is gonna nail you, some fucktard on the highway is gonna wipe me off my bike, the building is gonna collapse or a zombie apocalypse is gonna happen. As many have said, no its not safe, but then again nothing is - so live your life, enjoy and treat others with respect - even if they are a zombie fucktard reaper! When I arrive at my destination one day, I know I'll arrive having lived my life to the max

Oddly enough, I asked the same question about an updated PDF version a while back too - no reply. I've sent Mads an email asking if an updated one is available.

Once out the door, canopy check is done and you are sure your buddy isn't under you, release your gear which is suspended by a 15ft line connected to harness that lands before you do - not much time to allow descent rate to change; but provides a good anchor when landing in high winds. Agreed; but jumping lower with a T-11 - no thanks. Minimum deployment is spec'd at 500ft, the Saviac at 400ft, and the GQ LLP at 250ft. I'd go with the latter 2 or an MC1 before a T-11. Luckily I'm no longer in a position where the decisions of what I jump are made for me :)

Indeed, the British chute has a slower descent rate and more fabric. Also, the SF-10A has an even lower descent rate of 10.5-15ft/sec at sea level and the Saviac Mk6 13-16ft/sec with a 350lbs load. In my time in the airborne, I didn't consider landing with a full load of kit a problem; but I only weighed around 170lbs at the time, was young and fit. Heck, nobody said life in the airborne was ever going to be easy and that's what we accepted. I'll still stick with being on the ground quicker in a combat situation than floating in like a butterfly and making a nice target for someone to shoot at.

For those who haven't been in combat - a slow descent rate is not what is I would want. There is a reason for low drops; and some operational drops have been and are done (maybe not in the US) without a reserve. The purpose for putting airborne/para troops on the ground is a rapid reaction force and they are not meant to dig in and hold out for weeks. All I know is that we had a very low injury rate during my time. PLFs were drummed into you day and night and the kit was heavy. Saviac Mk4's did just fine in my day, the T-10 Charlie's I still jump on occasion have all been good to me. They open quick, put you down well even with a huge step through blown out panel. Focus efforts on bringing the weight down of the 4% that are above the recommended 300lbs max. Just my thoughts. Video of a T-11 mal: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlfXUlsZwh4& Collissions:

It's not all that new; riggers hate it; there have been fatalities due to packing and a few rather complicated collisions as far as I know. I'll stick to jumping good old fashioned tried and tested T10 or Saviac MK6 thanks

The the UK site, Jamie's mum posted a number of updates and videos of Jamie's progress. He's probably got well over 300 jumps by now, has jumped from balloons, plenty of different DZ's and has got some awesome skills - might try get in contact with her if you want an in depth perspective. The thread she started can be found here: http://www.ukskydiver.co.uk/cms/topic/23851-ricars-1st-100-jumps/ Blue Skies!

http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20130608-1 http://www.sunnewsnetwork.ca/sunnews/canada/archives/2013/06/20130609-165411.html Apparently engine lost power coming in to land - pilot sustain serious injuries, no fatalities

I did my training in the military back in '85. We spent the first week of training doing PLFs - all throughout the day, every day. As a result, there were no landing related injuries that I can recall. Sure these were under round chutes and some with full kit. I saw a group of AFF students practising their PLFs recently. Must have done no more than 2 each. Call me old fashioned, but I'd hate to see one of them need to carry out a PLF in earnest.

I read this with great interest, as also recently off AFF and have my A-licence. All other jumping has been under a round from 700-2,000ft. I did a 2-way with my instructor, broke off at 5,000ft, tracked and pulled at what I swore was 3,500ft. My alti-track said my deployment was at 2,276ft. Instructor watched and filmed my track and asked me why I pulled so low. Going through it all, I believe the following happened: 5,000 - tracked away for too long and a bit steep (around 5secs) 3,500 - de-arch to slow fall, wave and pull (audible shouting at me probably another 2secs) 2,276 - under canopy with twists and slight dive End result - off landing and good walk back to DZ. All started with a bad spot (others jumpers off too), too low a pull, line twists with canopy heading away from DZ. Canopy was a Solo 230. During my AFF & A-licence, I'd been jumping a Navigator. All openings were soft but brisk, fully inflated within about 300ft. Not the case with this one. What did I learn - my transitions took longer, the canopy took longer to inflate and I lost more altitude - despite what I thought. 3-4 secs burns off 600ft easily and its a sequence of events that leads to things going wrong. My next few jumps, I paid much greater attention and found myself under a good canopy by 2,800ft. Nothing wrong with my alti or the canopy - all the human in control.

Here is the link to Brian Germain's guide: http://www.bigairsportz.com/pdf/bas-sizingchart.pdf I had a lay off for over 20 years, but was jumping rounds back in the day. Only recently did my A licence; but I'd reckon that a 20 year break would be close to starting over. A 150 would give you a wing loading of around 1.4. As per Brian's chart, you'd be current with around 400 jumps for that. I chose the safe(r) route - went with a Pulse 210 and would look to downsize to a 190 at best. Even as I rack up the jumps, I'm still getting older and I'd rather be jumping that healing from an injury. My $0.02

The Flying Dutchmen parachute club is located at Rotterdam The Hague Airport in The Netherlands. The airport deals with around 51,000 aircraft movements and 1.5 million passengers per annum. The DZ/PLA is located a short distance from the airport itself and jumpers are ferried back to the club by buses. A passport is required to clear security and get to the aircraft, alongside business travelers and holidaymakers heading out. I'm sure there are some puzzled expressions seeing jumpers heading out through the gates kitted up and ready to go

I'm no expert by any means, but a ride back down in the plane would have been the smart option in this case. As for a pillow being easier than a D-Ring in these circumstances, I don't see how - stuff your thumb through the ring and pull. Maybe I'm just used to them, but being used to good ole fashioned tried and tested d-rings on the likes of T-10s with very little time to pull the handle make me want to stay with a handle. In fact, I'd rather have a handle instead of a cutaway pillow too

Skydive Spain is very specific as far as paperwork and requirements: 1. Valid skydiving license 2. Proof of third party liability insurance for skydiving (valid for Spain) (foreign jumpers please make sure the document is readable in English and/or Spanish) 3. Correctly written up logbook and up to date 4. If bringing your own rig, it must be in serviceable condition and we reserve the right to refuse the use of rig if we believe it is not safe 5. Signed and correctly filled in reserve card with valid repack cycle for the reserve packer’s qualification 6. Valid and maintained AAD documents 7. If you wish to jump camera, please show proof of at least 200 jumps in your log book 8. If you wish to jump a full-face helmet with the visor in place, please show proof of at least 50 jumps in your log book 9. If on student status, you will need a medical certificate (self certified under 40 years old) additionally, if you wish to rent an alti, they require you to leave your ID (passport, drivers licence, etc.) with them

The last few pages of the Cypres User Guide contains paperwork from a number of countries (e.g. UK, Australia, Germany, France, USA, etc.) regards the Cypres unit. Might be worth having a printed set handy in the rig bag

Good to hear that you haven't given up. I was fortunate to have spent 30min in the wind tunnel before ever doing any freefall. One thing I did notice is that your smile is definitely connected to your ability to relax. Some mentioned instructors goofy faces - absolutely. In the tunnel, every time the instructor signalled for me to smile, my flying got a whole lot better. Remember, its meant to be fun - so smile, relax and stay safe

Got a great deal on an almost new 2nd hand unit with cable and software - too good to turn down. Love the fit and fact that you arrive at DZ, turn it on and not have to worry about zeroing it before every dive. I still check it before every dive to make sure it is at 0ft before boarding. Check it when climbing and matches my Quattro at 1,000ft and the alti on board the plane at various heights up to altitude. Don't really use the playback function; but do download all the jumps to computer at the end of a weekend. Sync it with video which is kinda nice too. The software is not great, a bit outdated; but it works. I had a question I emailed to L&B and got an answer from Mads Larsen within 2 minutes! Now that is customer service to be proud of! I might supplement it with a digital alti and it'll be a Visio from L&B for sure!

This is actually for the L&B Quattro since it is not listed under the gear section. My first audible and has been a great help. Fits perfectly in my FreeZR helmet, audible prompts are spot on and can be clearly heard both in freefall and under canopy. The low speed under canopy signals make things simpler and allow you to focus on the skies around you for other canopies as opposed to constant checks of your alti. I still do a quick double check on my alti and eyeball the height to make extra sure. Arrive at DZ, turn it on and jump for the day - couldn't be easier.

Purchased this as my first full face helmet after getting my A-licence. Tried a number of others before settling on this one as the best/most comfortable fit for my head. My L&B Quattro fits perfectly in the provided cutout and I do not notice it at all, other than hearing the beeps very clearly. Made a dumb mistake of hopping out the plane with the visor open one jump and it was easily closed in freefall. Vision is great and only ever experienced misting up at the very bottom of the lens. Not cheap, but I'm a happy customer so far. Brilliant that it comes supplied with a case that holds my alti, gloves, earplugs, wallet, phone, keys, etc.

Think this is on my list of 'must have' for my new rig

I'd just keep some spare shock cord handy and replace as needed. Not sure why its breaking, as pretty darn strong. Perhaps its being overstretched.

Sure - if your delivery address is in the USA, you simply will not be charged VAT. Gonna look at getting me one shipped to the US so I can collect it when I'm there

Never in the air. Once you are on he ground, off the PLA feel free to talk all you want.

I first got to experience NPCT Teuge when I signed up for the Pathfinder Parachute group round licence (after a 25 year layoff from army jumping). Aside from a long drive from The Hague, found it to be a great place. Planned on doing my A-Lic there, but Spain came up as an option and decided to head there to enjoy consistently good weather. I have taken friends & family there to do tandems and continue to jump there myself. From the friendly faces at manifest, to the very skilled instructors and staff and good social environment in the bar at the end of the day - highly recommend. I do wish they'd maybe start earlier and finish later - especially when conditions always seem to be best at these times of the day. Blue Skies!