Geoff

Yes - I downsized from a Safire 129 to a Cobalt 105 loaded at about 1.8 - so taking into account that a Safire is actually 7% smaller than placarded, that's a step down from a 120 to a 105. Overall impressions about the Cobalt in comparison: Softer openings Much more responsive to harness movements - this took some getting used to, especially when stowing the slider, or reaching for the dive loops. (This will probably occur less at lower wing loadings.) Better glide. Definitely quicker through the air (mainly due to the step down in size), and turns much quicker. Much faster altitude loss in turns. Much easier to land whether swooping or not- the flare power seems to last forever. Hope this helps. Geoff

http://www.icaruscanopies.com/contact.htm

PdF Techno reserves definitely pack smaller than PD. I know at least one person with a Techno128 reserve in a container designed for a pd113r, so you're unlikely to have a problem. Geoff

I once asked a CRW guy why he jumped with 4 knives. He replied 'because I can't find anywhere to carry a 5th one'.

Bob, I've done a few hop and pops on my Cobalt (about 1-2 second delay from 2k ish). Seems to take about 400-500 feet to deploy and open - that's the difference between the alti reading on exit and after complete deployment. Ask me at Nethers if you need more info. Cheers Geoff

Is that a competition cobalt then? or a non-atair H-mod? or do I not understand? I have a (standard) Cobalt too, and agree it's a great canopy. It does have end-cell closure more often than I would like, though, which can occur on either side, presumably due to slight changes in body position. This usually results in a turn (never a spin so far) until the closure is (easily) cleared. Not sure I'd want to jump Cobalt without easy access to the risers e.g. wearing a wing-suit. Otherwise, as I say, a great canopy. Geoff

biggset change seems to be in the shape - moving more of the bulk upwards, so it's less of a wedge shape and more aerodynamic like a voodoo. Since the wedge shape was always one of the few things I disliked about the G3, it looks like a great improvement to me. Geoff

G-BVXW is the Hunting Aviation Skyvan - it was regularly used at Netheravon a few years ago (I jumped it a few times), and was at Weston after the Nomad crash. I think it's been at Hinton some time as well, though I'm less certain of that one. I've seen it at Nethers this year, but I'm not sure it was for jumping, and definitely not APA sports stuff. Geoff

Isn't the Skyvan G-BVXW normally/often in the UK? Geoff

Could someone please PM me the name of the deceased skydiver (or post here if it's public now)? I know a bunch of great people at Hinton. Thanks Geoff

I had a spectre 135 for about 100 jumps, also loading at 180 out the door. It opened very softly. Turns are fairly snappy when you start to load a Spectre (faster than a Sabre), but obviously nothing like a Stiletto. Easy to land and you can even get a reasonable swoop, but the flare will definitely feel less powerful than a stiletto. The thing I really didn't like was the lack of glide. If you're trying to get back from upwind, it's not bad because you can put the brakes on and float back. If you're downwind, and it's blowing much, it feels like you're going straight down. This will be a real contrast to a stiletto which glides so well. Of course it'll be generally more docile (boring?) than a stiletto, but that's why you're considering it, right? Hope that helps Geoff

The Mirage online manual says: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Type 17 risers (1” wide) are a high-performance piece of equipment. High-performance translates to low durability. We recommend inspecting Type 17 risers frequently for wear, abrasion, cuts, burns or other damage. In particular, look on the back of the risers for signs that the webbing is stretching away from the grommets. Such separation is cause for riser replacement. Change the risers between 200 and 400 jumps. If you own a Microlined canopy and the lines are ready for replacement, change the risers at the same time. Most of all, remember that these are “high-performance” components that yield low durability. If you are worried about the durability of Type 17 risers, or will not take the time to inspect them regularly, we suggest using the standard Type 8 (2”) risers. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- the manufacturers tend to be conservative, so the risers will probably last a lot longer than 200-400 jumps. On the other hand, if you're jumping with an RSL, then a broken riser can be deadly, so being ultra-cautious probably isn't a bad thing. Geoff

POP NEWS JUST IN... Craig David has just announced that he is to retire from the music business. He is training with the British Olympic Archery team as their bow selector.

Wow! - mucho respect for posting this. Most of us would have kept it quiet after an incident like that. Geoff

Actually, you don't need FS1 to start freeflying in the UK. The ops manual says: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6.5.1. To obtain Grade 1 in Freestyle/Freeflying (FF1) the parachutist must first demonstrate (in a belly to earth position, as in 6.2.1. above) the ability to: a) Control fall rate. b) Control horizontal movement, (forwards, backwards and sideways). c) Achieve ‘docking’ techniques. d) Turn in place. e) Dive and approach a target. The parachutist may then be introduced to FF (for FF1 training) by a CCI nominated FF2 Grade parachutist or equivalent of proven FF instructional ability, have received a full safety brief .........blah blah blah ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In other words, you need the BTE control skills for FS1, but you don't need to do the 4 way. Maybe some DZs have more stringent rules. To me the most important part here is the requirement to receive a full safety brief. I would say that should cover as a minimum- gear altitude awareness break-off height importance of slowing down before deployment exit order and separation risk of sliding horizontally additional risks due to high-speed (collisions, premature deployment). Geoff

This is very sad. My condolences to all who knew the deceased. In the spirit of learning as many lessons from this as possible, I have to ask: what head-gear (if any) was he wearing? Geoff

do you know something about George III that the rest of us don't ?

I would be very cautious about making a decision in advance about this. It really depends on how controllable the canopy is with rear risers, with one brake line broken, and the other unstowed. This may be quite different from the handling of the canopy on rear risers with both brakes unstowed (the only easy way you could poractice). The canopy may not fly straight, because the rear of one half of the canopy is still being loaded to some extent by the unstowed brake line, but the other side will be completely un-loaded. This would be worse if brake lines are too short (many are) or on a canopy with a very short control range like a Stiletto. On my Cobalt 105 loaded at 1.8, I doubt the canopy would be adequately controllable, but I'll make the decision in the air if it happens, not now. Geoff

No offence to you personally Cliff, but it does amaze me how far this myth has spread, even among some jumpers with thousand of jumps. It's a very good example of how people will believe anything is true if they hear it often enough.....just like everyone knows the Great Wall of China is the only man-made object visible from space...... (also completely untrue) Geoff

and experienced jumpers who glance down and realise they've got a bad spot......

Well, you haven't said the name, but.... it's a piece of skydiving gear, it needs painting, it needs to fit correctly, and the company is within less than 2 hours driving distance of Hinton. That identifies the manufacturer pretty accurately, I think......

If you're just trying to make sure you walk away from a mis-judged approach, toggles are much better than rear risers to pull you out of a dive and level the wings. Far too much risk of a stall with RR. geoff

This one's been debated here a few times, but I really don't agree, and neither do PD. "Contrary to what some people have been told, flying in brakes does not necessarily help keep the canopy pressurized. Aerodynamically, the canopy is actually more susceptible to turbulence in brakes. Years ago, flying in half brakes seemed to make some of the earliest canopy designs more stable in turbulence, though they were obviously very different from modern canopies. Flying in brakes is definitely not the best technique to use with the canopies we're flying today, although a lot of skydivers are still told to use this technique. " ....taken from here. Geoff

dunno if this has been posted here before (warning may cause offence, not suitable for minors, etc!) Click here

Me too. I had twists on my Cobalt a couple of times, and just kicked them out no problem.