SPY

Who want to kiss Homer?.. Look at this one: S-P ===========================

Thanks a lot Talonsky! Seems that we'll have the same set up: Xf2 at 1.75 with GTI... Only one reply? No other experiences or advices for wingsuit with the Xf2? Hummmmm... bizarre... S-P ===========================

The decision to inspect and repack reserves every 120 days was made long time ago when canopies were made of silk, a natural fiber more moist-heat-etc sensitive than what we use these days, nylon. S-P ===========================

Feel free to PM me with your concerns about the riggers who lie. You are not the only skeptic about what riggers charge and do. I'm not singling you out that's not uncommon. First of all get that out of your head. The amount of repacks is not going to change that much. I worked full time as a rigger for a long time, I was very busy performing repairs, building or modifying components. The amount of repacks would vary. - Hi Hookitt! Let me clarify my thinking. Skygod777 wrote:"another aspect they are looking at would be the prices or a repack would go up, and there not too sure how much yet. i mean, there would be more involved, you already have to do a close inspection, but with it being 180 days, it would have to be even a closer inspection." I said (or tried to... ) that we had the same debate here in canada where the repack cycle have been extended some years ago and that explanation have been brought to skydivers as the main reason why repack job prices have increased. The point is that what appeared to be the real reason to raise prices is to keep the same level of incomes for the riggers (as there will be less pack jobs with 180 days cycle) and I AGREE WITH THAT! It's fair for everybody as no one will have to pay more and no one will make less money. What I can't stand is trying to explain the increase with reasons like "...there would be more involved, you already have to do a close inspection, but with it being 180 days, it would have to be even a closer inspection." OK, i shouldn't have used the word "lie" ; english is not my first language and sometimes exact and accurate words i should use don't come to my brain at the right moment so i write the closest word to replace it, so I'm sorry if it offend any riggers by saying not to lie The point is in no way to discredit the riggers and their job, only the attitude used by some to explain reality. Hope it's more clear that way

It's really not a matter of inspection quality, it's a rigger's quality of life issue. Fewer repacks=less $$ at the same price. Raise the price and they can still afford to eat. (barely) I would be willing to pay more just for the reduction in hassle. E Yep! We had this issue of repack job prices going up when cycle went form 120 to 180 days 2 years ago and that revealed to be true. What bothered people (at least me...) is not the price increase (3 X 40$ = 2 X 60$) but the lack of transparency of riggers trying to make people believe that a 180 days repack is more work than the 120's. Come on riggers! Don't lie. Stand up and explain real motives of the price increase and the real consequences and skydivers will do the math and accept it. At the end of the year there won't be more expense and riggers won't have a decrease of incomes (remenber: 3 X 40$ is even with 2 X 60$) so no one lose and nobody will win over others. In the event of someone having to actually use it's reserve, why not charging the "before 180 days cycle" price (Ask CRW riggers what they charge for a fellow who use it's reserve after a wrap: nothing)? Just my opinion S-P ===========================

Here is another idea: would it be suitable to make a removable slider? Imagine a slider with a system similar to the split sliders had some years ago but with two split systems, one on each sides, so after opening the fabric would be removable and could be put inside the jumpsuit, leaving only the grommets and the tape between them on the risers(just like cross connectors). It would gives a better peripherical vision and couldn't reinflate. What you think about it? Does it has already been explored (Icarus? PD?) By the way, this thread is also in "gear and rigging" here : http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=388861#388861 S-P ===========================

Another idea: would it be suitable to make a removable slider? Imagine a slider with a system similar to the split sliders had some years ago but with two split systems, one on each sides, so after opening the fabric would be removable and could be put inside the jumpsuit, leaving only the grommets and the tape between them on the risers(just like cross connectors). It would gives a better peripherical vision and couldn't reinflate. Please pardon my weird english... S-P ===========================

On some night jumps i had, there was only one car to light up the landing area and it was enough. On some others, there were 3-4 cars and it wasn't necessary. On some others, there was nothing but the moon shine and it was ok. The important point here is the moon shine; if there is no moon, probably a car or two will be a good idea, but with a full moon, you'll with almost if not more light than with a car, depending of the humidity in the air. You can adjust your night jump to the scenery you want: on a full moon night skydive, you'll be able to see your buddies in the sky and the shadows of the environment of the DZ;on a no moon skydive, you'll need a bit more organization but you'll have a more powerful impression to be "swallow" by a black hole, even with cars lighting the landing grass. Have fun! Dark skies!! Edited to had: I did about 10 night jumps and about12 night base jumps. S-P ===========================

managed to get the toggle free after a few moments of counter-steering with the opposite rear-riser, so at least I didn't have to cut-away. Probably not the kind of "special" jump you had in mind... At least it's "special" and better than my 100th: tried to do a Mr. Bill and was unable to keep holding untill full opening.... What a "special" one... Years later I tried again 2 times (having the willingness to over pass that "special" jump in the back of my mind...) and both were success and great deal of fun. One of them made a nice video Edit to add: we succeeded the Mr Bill but had some really helpful hints from friends who did it before. If you ever want to try it ask around and read http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=351193#351193 Happy 100th! S-P ===========================

Definitely the ProDytter! The most important point *for me* is that you can adjust the 3 warnings instead of only one, which allow you to decide at what altitude you'll open instead of being stuck at 2500ft, and more important, you can adjust the warning to beep BEFORE reaching opening altitude so you'll have time to react to any situations before actually opening. For sure you must keep an eye to your visual altimeter, but the day you'll forget it (every skydiver have had it or know someone who did) you'll be happy to have some feet of extra altitude. Also, If you do tandem jumps or some freefall instruction, you'll be happy to be able to set more than 1 beep to fit the style of jump you're doing. The way I set mine is usually at break off altitude and 500 ft over opening altitude, so when it beeps i know i still have 2-3 seconds to finish the track and clear any other skydivers who could have tracked too close to me; i usually keep the last one at 1500ft which is my decision hard deck. Blue ones! S-P ===========================

Well, i used to be a CIA and MI6 freelance but they didn't liked my t-shirt reading :" CIA and MI6 freelance ". S and P are the initials of my first name, and the Y looks like legs of a freeflyer. S-P ===========================

Don't go there untill you're ready to buy one! S-P ===========================

Salut Jocelyn! Heard you've ordered one! For sure you'll have a lot of fun with it! Hope we"ll fly together next summer!!! À plus SP S-P ===========================

Amazing game! the moves look like reality. Pretty interesting to see that you have to anticipate the trajectory of the ball, exactly as in a real jump. Hope no one here will do the same "UUHWEAHH!!" in real life!.. S-P ===========================

Hi Gerb, thanks for the comments; this is a real pic (well, a piece of... ) extracted from a video. For sure no Photoshop!!! Blue ones!! S-P ===========================

Hi Skymama! Was there at Lake Wales during Xmas boogie, but I can't affort going there too often- we're paid in canadian dollars here... S-P ===========================

Hey Spencer! Nice to "meet" you again! Don't know about the Imax going to west, try this: http://www.shemovie.com/ You got to see the Norway shots in IMAX! AWSOME!!! If you plan to visit us again, you'll be surprised: we've got a King Air 100 -17 jumpers!- Ohh yeahhh!! For sure i'll say hello to the guys! Take care! S-P ===========================

It's on air right now in Montreal until april somethingTh and it will be in Quebec City from mid february to september. Haven't heard about other places... S-P ===========================

I'm reading and posting here since some weeks and just realized that I haven't introduced myself... Sooooo hello everyone! DZ.com seems to be a nice place to fill up the brain with skydiving stuff as winter here is in it's peak and and skydiving down. Those of you who can jump these days please take some air up there for us north people... S-P S-P ===========================

Hi Tee You'll actually have the possibility to meet the base jumpers of the Norway cliff jumps part of the movie, as they run a DZ in Quebec City (www.atmosphair.com) The movie itself is good, as the comments reflect reality except for a bit of exageration - well, it's made for wuffos. However, the freefly shoots, the wingsuit jumps over the Florida keys and the cliff jumping shots are piece of art; you'll feel it as you were in! Awesome!!! Won't say much: enjoy it ! SP S-P ===========================

We had some years ago something like pay 1000$ and get 1100$ credit. S-P ===========================

Hi! Well, those specs are only guidelines but every pilots is different, so there is different levels of skills, different hability to learn. Before buying a canopy or downsizing, it's always a good idea to talk with instructors that know your level and your skills. Also, every canopies manufacturer have their own category of pilot, and they have their own specifications about their products and there is no standard, no rules how to exactly determine these specifications so they tend to reflect the "mentality" of the company, how they think their canopies will be suitable for a each category of pilots. If you browse the web sites of all the canopies manufacturers, you'll find some companies who post "absolute" numbers, which means that they believe that the placarded maximum suspended weight is really what the canopy can carry; others companies may have a tendency to put conservative numbers to give a margin of security for the jumpers and to protect them against suing ("this jumper was way over the maximum load for his category so it's an evidence that we're not responsible for his crash..."). So if you ask WTF about these specs, the answer your instructors owuld give you should be based on all these elements. Hope it helps Blue skies!! S-P ===========================

Thanks everyone S-P ===========================

Mine is still good after 700 jumps too. Altitude is average 300-500 ft higher than others alti. S-P ===========================

Hi birdmen (anf for sure birdwomen)! There are some post about the Crossfire, but are there anyone who tried the Xf2 while wingsuit flying? If so, what are your comments about it? Please specify wing loading and type of wingsuit. Thanks a lot