Cloudi

I can't comment about the Fusion, as I'm not familiar with its characteristics, but here is what the manufacturer has to say: http://www.precision.aero/fusion.htm. As for a Sabre2, it is a great intermediate to experienced canopy and can be an "acceptable" beginner canopy in large sizes at light wing loadings (but there may be better choices). Read the flight characteristics and max recommended wing loading chart on the PD website: http://www.performancedesigns.com/docs/Sabre2-Flight.pdf (pdf download). I do agree with Lenny that a 170 at that wingloading, with your experience level (judging only by jump #'s because that's all I have) is a bit of an aggressive choice. Even if 190 were your exit weight, it would not be my first choice. I'm surprised your instructors ok'd you to try a 170, if they were consulted, that is. If you are receiving canopy coaching you might be ok with that size, but a 210 would still likely be more appropriate. With canopies, size does matter. Kim Watch as I attempt, with no slight of hand, to apply logic and reason.

You're kidding me, right?! Like Kolla, I also work at PD and use a PD reserve. I haven't managed to avoid a malfunction like she has and I have used mine. Let me tell you, I was very thankful I had payed the extra little bit of money to have a reserve made by PD. I bought it 4 years prior to working for them (along with my main), mind you, so no discount! My canopy choice back then was not $ motivated, even though I was a college student at the time (meaning BROKE!). I chose canopies from a company with experience and reputation behind them. I don't care if that thing had been made in the North Pole by disgruntled Santa's elves, it worked perfectly and performed wonderfully. You may have a picture in your mind of some "third-world, sweat shop" in Honduras carelessly throwing together canopy parts, but it is not so. Their work is inspected at our DeLand factory and I have heard nothing but positive feedback about their work. Yes, labor is cheaper there compared to here (which is one way a company that invests so much into testing and product development is able to maintain competitive prices, by the way), but in that country's job market, I'll bet they are making a very competitive wage for workers with their skills. The workmanship at both PD factory locations is exceptional. I have no problem using canopies put together at either one. Kim Watch as I attempt, with no slight of hand, to apply logic and reason.

PM sent. Kim Watch as I attempt, with no slight of hand, to apply logic and reason.

If you haven't already, you should contact the Customer Service Dept. by phone (+1-386-738-2224). If they have received your order, have received confirmation of your order, and shipping/payment info, you should definitely have received it by now. Sometimes what can happen when orders are emailed in, is that when they reply and request confirmation or payment information, their email ends up in the customer's spam folder. They won't start your order without hearing back from you and often times email is the only way they have to contact you if you didn't include a phone number in your original email. Check your spam folder. Ahh, the wonders of the electronic age. Kim Watch as I attempt, with no slight of hand, to apply logic and reason.

I'm certainly no expert, but I double stow all my line stows (yes, even my locking stows) using big rubber bands. My reasoning: 1. Rubber bands stretch, so double stowing with big rubber bands will ensure the most reliable "snug" grip on the lines. Single stowing with small rubber bands can allow a stretched, small rubber band* to be too loose. *I'm sure that could be prevented by replacing them after every jump, but who wants to do that? 2. Rubber bands break, so the odds of them holding all of the line stows and causing bag lock are next to impossible IMO. Unless you have a really crappy pc, I guess, but then that would probably explain the bag lock in my book. 3. It seems to me that line dump is much more likely than bag lock. I come to that conclusion from reading my canopy's owner's manual and from the reasoning I have listed so far. 4. Big rubber bands are much easier to work with when you're trying to cram a giant canopy into a bag that seems too small, no matter how many times you're told it was made to accept a 190. 5. It works for me! To each their own, I guess.

Watching my man become a multi-rated instructor. I've never been more proud (or in awe) of someone in my life!

With my obvious bias (with manufacturers and canopies), my inexperience with other manufacturer's canopies, and my meager 300 jumps and 200+ jumps on a Spectre... I don't find the Spectre to be "ground hungry" at all. I thought that very same thing until I jumped other canopies. I found out that what you are told before you have a true frame of reference plays into it alot. I was told that all 7 cells have a faster descent rate, so that's what I believed until I jumped other canopies again. I have never had a problem getting back from a long spot (and I've had some bad ones), I love the openings, find it to be quite responsive, and love the landings (excellent accuracy). My personal preference runs rampant, of course! I recently have tried a Silhouette (what a great canopy! Who knew?!) and a Sabre2 (once again after 200+ jumps). I loved landings with the Sabre2 (best) & Silhouette ( both 9 cells), found the toggle/riser input to be much easier than on my Spectre (sorry baby!), but not really noticeably more responsive. In all truthfulness, I've found the Silhouette to be the funnest to fly so far. The Spectre is a little more work to hold a turn and to fully flare than the others, but the openings spoil me.

http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=1868606;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;;page=unread#unread Just thought you might be interested in this one. Check out the poster's profile, too. Canopy and wing loading might look familiar... Be safe, my friend. Learn from the mistakes of others. Kim Watch as I attempt, with no slight of hand, to apply logic and reason.

You forgot to mention the free "snack." Kim Watch as I attempt, with no slight of hand, to apply logic and reason.

Just give up women...that suck (I know what you're thinking! You know what I mean!) If you find a good one, she costs nothing, is completely self reliant, and will occasionally pay for you, too. That just leaves skydiving and work... Work helps pay for new toys! Kim Watch as I attempt, with no slight of hand, to apply logic and reason.

Sorry, I don't get your point. I don't jump one either, but that doesn't mean it won't help save lives. The point, I think...this thread has taken as many twists and turns as a snake on acid , is that safety contributions such as the Skyhook are great to have as a back up when sh*t goes wrong, not as a replacement for correct EP's. Despite what "appears" to be missing from the ad in question; the manual, the manufacturer, our training, and common sense tells us to complete our EP's and not "wait" for anything or anyone to do it for us. Judging by how quickly the Skyhook in particular seems to work, if you have time to wait for it to work, it isn't. Kim Watch as I attempt, with no slight of hand, to apply logic and reason.

Sooo...anyways... Personally, I think the ad is fine the way it is, but respect your decision to add a disclaimer for those who are reading too much from the ad and what they feel it lacks. I didn't get that inference from the ad, but then again, I'm not so easily influenced by advertising anyway. Just so you know, the majority of your current/past/potential customers in the skydiving "gene pool" can easily discern between advertising and instruction. With the Skyhook, just like an AAD, parachute, reserve parachute, helmet, altimeter, harness/container system, etc., it is our responsibility to RTFM for every piece of equipment we leave the door of the airplane with. Anyone who views a piece of advertising as any sort of instruction or strict guideline for the use of the product is also likely waiting for their cat to sing because they fed it Meow Mix. The point is, you have a great product that will likely save many lives, not by replacing EP's, but by potentially beating us to them. Most of us "get" that.

Thank my lucky stars. No offense. Kim Watch as I attempt, with no slight of hand, to apply logic and reason.

We are obviously not jumping from the same plane. TMLS.

"Where's the Beef?" Are Wendy's burgers "really" larger than other fast food burgers? Do they contain more beef? It's advertising! (dating myself here...) No one expects a skydiver to base his/her decisions autonomously on advertising. In fact, manufacturers spend a lot of time and expense providing proper instruction in their operating manuals so that their customers will use their product correctly, within the safest possible limits. The advertisement is meant to grab your attention so that you ask questions, including why activating normal emergency procedures during any kind of malfunction is still important, with or without their product. Since you're asking, obviously it has grabbed your attention and done its job...as an advertisement. This ad merely shows the time/fall rate difference between EP's without the Skyhook and with the Skyhook. The manual on each life saving device (and/or contacting the manufacturer) will be your first line of understanding how each device works, not advertising. Manufacturers like to think their customers are smart enough to properly train themselves on using the equipment, through professional training and/or accompanying manuals. Commercials are (and have always been) about getting the customer's attention. Advertisements are rarely based on reality or instruction (to a certain point). That's what proper instruction, manuals, and web-based support are geared toward. Find an ad in most any industry that is based on accurate instruction on the use of its product and I'll show you a very boring ad. Sorry this bothers you. Kim Watch as I attempt, with no slight of hand, to apply logic and reason.

You got that right. I would invite anyone to sit in on a day at PD (the only one I can speak for, but I'm sure others work just as hard). You might feel like you're banging your head against the wall all day, too. Every now and then...someone hears us, the little light above their head goes on, and they spend a little more time learning to fly what they have before skipping two sizes to jump a "hot" canopy. Not everyone will listen, but when they do, it's magic.

I think this one says it all... http://www.flickr.com/photos/sudsyfist/49276486/ "Damn, that was awesome. Damn, I'm tired. Damn, we are so close. Damn, I can already picture us getting it. Damn, I'm glad I'm a woman." Beautiful. Kim Watch as I attempt, with no slight of hand, to apply logic and reason.

Ahem. News bulletin...Ditta isn't a guy. She is a badass skydiver, but definitely not a guy... Nice video Aubrey. Kim Watch as I attempt, with no slight of hand, to apply logic and reason.

So, what happened with the Mr. Bill that caused the damage? Long delay? Glad that you are both ok. Torn end cells are a lot easier and cheaper to fix than torn people. Kim Watch as I attempt, with no slight of hand, to apply logic and reason.

I'm glad you posted this. You may get some flack from other instructors, but to me, it shows that we are all perfectly capable of making a mistake. I'm glad that the problem was spotted and I don't think this was a bad example to your student. No matter how "dumb" you may feel. This will be a lesson your student will remember for a long time and will likely never repeat. "I mean, shit, if my very experienced instructor can overlook something like this, what could I overlook?" An aside...you could have pretended it was for his/her benefit and saved face! Kim Watch as I attempt, with no slight of hand, to apply logic and reason.

Check out this http://www.performancedesigns.com/docs/hrdopn.pdf article from the PD website. It mentions pilot chutes (#3) and other useful information. Your container manufacturer will have the final word on what works best with their system, though. Kim Watch as I attempt, with no slight of hand, to apply logic and reason.

From the woman who knows. Your desire is tempered by what is best for your kids and we all respect that. Although, I must say, some of us are a little offended that you don't bring them around to meet your "weird" friends. It has to be a tough decision. Glad I don't have to make it. Although, I think being around so much positive energy (for the most part) and diversity can't be a bad thing... Kim Watch as I attempt, with no slight of hand, to apply logic and reason.

It's great to have you back Randy! Kim Watch as I attempt, with no slight of hand, to apply logic and reason.

PD has a great monthly news letter that is full of updates, educational tools, product information, and cool pictures. You can sign up for it on the home page of www.performancedesigns.com. BirdMan also has a really good news letter with info on new suits and updates on the adventures of BirdMan www.bird-man.com. Kim Watch as I attempt, with no slight of hand, to apply logic and reason.

That is so 25 posts ago! By the way, Squeak thinks I'm trying to kill people with Sharpies. It was the perfect plan! Just messin' with ya Squeak!