rapper4mpi

It's possible that anyone can make manufactering mistakes. The fact is, hers was made incorrectly according to Bill. That's all. I bet I can find a bunch around the DZ made incorrectly, I'll post results on Monday. -Rap

Bill I'm glad to see that you guys are onto this. Although some people may have access to a gear shop, some of us don't. So the only way to get our information is from the companies themselves. I would suggest checking out every other manufacterers site, seeing what they do well, and what they don't and making yours better! I can't wait to see it. If you ever need customer testimonials, just let me know. -Rap

Bill, first I want to say that the new Vector 3 M-series is incredible. I am so impressed with the construction, quality, and comfort. The attention to detail is amazing. Gwen, Mark, and Niklas should all be given raises as they do a wonderful job with customer service. As an intructor myself, and being in the marketing advertising field, I do have one comlaint....Your web site and literature is a major injustice to the quality of your product. Just about every other manufacterers web site is light years ahead of RWS. One could argue that you guys are spending your time building and developing containers, and I think that is great! But please spend some time putting more useful information on your site to a potential buyer. The internet is a powerful thing as shown clearly here. Thank you for making a wonderful product that I will promote anytime! -Rap

Hey Ann! Youre web site is down? -Rap

I bet if you were to talk to a ball master, explain your situation they might give you the exact specifications on how to make them. I've got a buddy who did just this and then made one for belly flying too! -Rap

I had a friend have a bag-lock even at terminal deployment using Tube Stows. He is highly experienced over 1,000 jumps and very meticulous. When we found the bag and inspected it we could clearly see that he had a "locked" stow. Who knows if it would have broken with a rubber band either.

My friend had a pad sewn into his main container. It looked like a small squarish pillow (yet firm) placed in the back of the main container. It worked well. However, I have no knowledge of what safety issues exist with this set-up. -Rap

Glad you're thinking, it is this kind of thought process that contribute to innovation, BUT this idea would most likely put you in the running for a Darwin Award...don't do it! :) -Rap www.darwinawards.com

I don't care what kind of jump this was. I had to watch this video three times just to take in how close it was! Damn lucky dude! -Rap

Fingerlakes is a great place, don't get me wrong, but to not go to the Ranch because you were intimidated? Dude get off your butt and go, you won't regret it! -Rap

Oh, I just have never seen anyone from VT on here before. Thanks. -Rap

You're from VT? I thought you were from Mass. Where do you work (town) Where is your home DZ? -Rap

Actually you can very easily convert analog video to digital by running it through a converter directly into your computer. The easiest and best bang for your buck device is called the Holleywood Dazzle analog converter for $250.00 US. Check out www.smalldog.com for info. -Rap

I would wait as long as possible, or when you have between 50 and 100 jumps. The reason is this. There is a huge learning curve between 20 and 100 jumps. Say you weigh 180 lbs and are jumping a 245 sq. ft. canopy as a student. By jump 100, most likely you will be jumping something around 190 sq. ft. or less. But from jump 100 to possibly 500, you could be quite happy under that 190. (I'm being conservative for a reason here). If you buy a container that fits great and holds that 245 sq. ft. main or even something a little smaller. It still might not hold that 190 sq. ft. in 50-100 jumps later. This is probably the biggest reason people jump canopies that are too small for them when they are still learning. Try barrowing gear, renting, demoing (be careful here too) as much as possible. While this is happening talk to as many people as possible about their gear choice. Some people may have an older rig lying around, and if you do enought talking you could piece something together for 50 or so jumps. Anyway, then when your skill is better, you will have a better unerstanding of what to buy and can keep it longer. Good luck! -Rap

Yeah, the canopy was (I believe) under 100 sq. ft. And yes I also beleive that it was accuracy at the end of a long swoop. At this point he was probably flying pretty slow after popping up. Still an incredible picture! -Rap

You've gotta see this! Mike Swanson shooting accuracy under an airlocked crossbraced, Big Air Sportz yet to be named canopy. Mike Came in third at the Venezualen swoop meet. -Rap http://www.dropzone.com/files/users/forums/12-135480-swoopseq.jpg

Thank you, I'll post back with the results! -Rap

All I can say is that the people I know who have any of the Brian Germain Canopies, including the Jedei's and Jonathans feel they are superior airfoils, way ahead of their time! -Rap

I have a new rig with hip rings. It was custom ordered and fits great. The leg straps can be fastened tightly and the harness is comfortable. The problem? When I'm in a sit-fly my leg straps slide up my legs towards my knees. This results in painful openings if I don't re-adjust them before opening. I never had this problem with my previous rig that didn't have hip rings. I have over 500 sitfly jumps, it is not my form. So I have added a bum strap but haven't had a chance to jump it yet. Has anyone had this problem, how did you fix it? Also, could the main lift webbing be too long, allow the leg straps to slide easier? Let me know, thank you. -Rap

Well folks, I'm going to sign off for the week. Everyone be safe and have excellent jumps. I think a good question to ask that hot swooper out their would be to see what their personal canopy progression was. I think we all may be surprised. -Rap

Yeah that is what I figured, BUT I still know that I am always learning in this sport. Always. -Rap

Gotta love those Excalliburs, actually they opened hard and packed large, but they were ahead of their time! Some of the first crossbraced out there. -Rap

What about someone like myself? I may not have thousands of jumps but: I've been in the sport 7 years, 650 jumps, I'm an instructor, and have been personally taught by some of the best in the world....Just wondering where my opinion stacks up. Also, I'm pretty conservative with my advice and always try to refer others to their home DZ instructors, since they know them best. -Rap

Isn't there an old saying that goes like this?: A truly wise person learns from another persons mistakes. -Rap

Ya know, I was thinking the same thing, but didn't want to turn this thread into a heated debate. But I agree some people are downsizing way to quickly. The other thing that is happening with canpies is this: Because newer and higher performance canopies are being introduced to the market all the time, it seems that the older models are being considered less high performance. For example, a Sabre at one time (10 years ago) was considered a high performance canopy, but now relative to other canopies it isn't. That's fine, but a Sabre at a wingloading of 1.1 can still allow you to turn yourself into line twists. I believe in this: wring every little bit of performance out of your existing canopy before moving down. And with all of us there will reach a point where you need to stop moving down...does any of this make sense or has my brain already left work? :) -Rap