DSE

back to a discussion you and I had a couple years ago; How would you feel if USPA added a camera training section to the Coaches Course? I have added it to my own, but it's certainly not standardized.

if you can figure out how to mount 17 (really 18) cameras top bottom over each other and have them fit a stable platform, I'm all ears. Several of us tried. It weakened the overall concept. And yes, they're carefully mounted in a way to remove as much snag point as possible. On first or ignorant glance, it may appear otherwise, but the truth is, it's less of a snag hazard than most of the significantly heavier, larger setups I've jumped for commercial work.

What Grimm said. There are so many things to consider; -Containing the flag -deploying with a flag -attention span when connecting/setting up -attachment points -canopy choice -landing -emergency procedures >>These are just the bullet points. The only thing "demo" brings to the table is whether you're landing in front of a crowd. The rest is the same, and it requires significantly more attention and focus on detail than you'll find on the internet. Find not only an S&TA, but someone that has a fair amount of experience with flags. FWIW, the size of the flag is a bit of a conversation, but the elements of any addition to your rig/setup really does matter. A 5' flag can hurt you just as easily as a 50' flag.

I'l retract my original comment, the VIRB I was initially shown was a proto. After having been diving, jumping, sand railing with both the standard and the elite model, I'm impressed, so far. Battery life sucks. Otherwise, it's quite nice. Below is my test rig, complete with Elite

And that's why we take every _reasonable_ precaution to reduce that risk.

It knocked candles off the shelf, a bottle in the fridge, and rattled the walls for maybe 10 seconds. Was a bigger one than usual.

Trust me, there is no bravery involved in that snapapolopolous...it is _very_ well-planned stupidity. Hold my beer... all in the interest of knowledge.

given the reactions on the DZ, aircraft, viral postings...it's a helluva distraction, isn't it?

I've been considering adding a requirement to my Coach Course; Candidates have to wear the "big" helmet camera rig. Thoughts?

This is exactly the reason I had in mind. Somewhere here and on Vimeo, I've posted a video of a PC coming back and slapping a GoPro. not that right/left makes a huge difference, but all it may take is a "small" difference between a good day and a bad day.

This is exactly what was proposed to USPA. And is part of the camera course I run here.

If you're going to mount to one side or the other, I'd recommend moving to the left vs the right, but otherwise, it's no different/worse than most setups. I'm not a fan of non-chincup systems for tandem video (or other video) because of lacking stability but for casual use, your setup looks fine.

The Sabre2 is a perfectly acceptable canopy for wingsuiting. Some of them have a turn built in (correctable through packing). I've enjoyed my many jumps under my Sabre2 150.

More like a sixsix.

not been an issue for me, FWIW, most of my flying is backflying, backfly exits. I've filmed several Curvs, there are a few freeflyers here with them. I'd expect to have heard if there was an issue?

If you'll be in Eloy, you'll see dozens of them. Why not walk across the street from the DZ, visit Rigging Innovations, and see exactly how the Curv is made? Can't speak highly enough about the comfort of the Curv. For me, it also allows for improved backflying in my wingsuit, as it hugs my body more closely. Riggers have always liked repacking my Voodoo and now the Curv.

It'll make it appear with whatever they put behind the key. Were it just a floating rig, then I'd clip a section of the sky next to the 'body' and use that as my backplate. It might be off a bit, but I'm sure that I could clean it up. Just seems like a ton of post for something that is easily to achieve as a practical or setup.

It's been out for a bit; I had one for a few hours during CES this year. Not as impressive as it is on paper. The stabilizer is impressive though, and if shooting 4K for HD, it's pretty decent once stabilized. I'm more excited about what they've got next.

Agreed entirely, cool stuff starts with one person's idea. That said, keying/matting/masking generally is an extremely difficult achievement even in today's world, outside of controlled environments. The sky is anything but. Keying in a tunnel is a very common thing, and very similar to the OP's idea. For years, I've had a dream of doing a short aerial ballet piece in a tunnel, keyed for relevant backgrounds. One day, I'll maybe do it.

Sure, could be done. But the bigger point is "why?" If you're going to key an environment, why not do it where lighting is controlled, camera focus is controlled, and a better camera can more easily be used? Afterall, you're going to be messing with the background. It's quite common for feature films to key a face onto another actor, but I'm likely being dense in not seeing how this would apply removing lines or body.

Simon, There is a difference between teaching people what to do when they go unstable, vs getting into a suit and spending time trying to intentionally go unstable. Of course instability recovery should be part of any proper FFC, and it should be tested on the ground, drilled religiously, no different than an AFFI teaches emergency procedures. This is a different conversation.

It's not more dangerous, but if one was trained to jump from aircraft and wasn't trained to jump from a helicopter, there could be issues (no relative wind, how to exit the heli, avoiding hardpoints on the skids), potential sub-terminal opening (if the exit is low as many heli jumps are), and other possible 'unfamiliarities.' A balloon jump isn't any more dangerous either, but without specific training for that exit, it'll likely go poorly. As far as the Google glass, it probably comes down to privilege. If he's an A-licensed student, there is no rule but rather a recommendation. If he's willing to deal with the HUD, and his instructors are OK with it, it's on them. I'd imagine those jumping with him brought up the issue of distraction. I'd also imagine he wears similar devices on a daily basis, reducing the distraction factor. If nothing else, he's not a 25 jump wonder jumping with other 25 jump wonders putting them at risk due to his distraction. Those jumping with him in this shot are exceptionally capable, highly-experienced jumpers. I feel this qualifies as a "stunt."

My end result of a dropped toggle is in the attached image. Gripping the toggle with fingers all the way through the loop is important; I learned the hard way. It was interesting; a former Regional Director from the USPA posted in my incident thread that "dropped toggles don't happen" and it's "just an excuse." People do drop toggles, or rather, they can flip off during a flare if not properly/securely held in place. Pilfy, I strongly recommend you re-examine your method, just as Dave suggests.

roto'ing the lines is relatively easy if you've a flat continuous background. The lines don't even need to be green. However...making it look like anything interesting, having a background worth looking at with the arc of the canopy in front...not so sure how that would come off as anything realistic nor even interesting.

Unzipping isn't much harder than flying without wings. Practice the things that potentially cause instability vs creating intentional instability, as Jarno suggests. Then you'll feel what that moment of control loss feels like and recognize it when it happens for real.