humanflite

Sounds like you have been given some solid advice from some experienced people here.... Dont buy the rig. There are plenty more out there so dont allow yourself to get 'buying fever' from your friendly local rigger.... Apart from the fact that the price doesnt sound too great, you will not be safe under that reserve, and the container is too small for the canopy = Easy Decision

Wow. Tore your Aorta you were very lucky by the sounds of it dude

Not the best sales pitch I've ever heard....by a long shot

A few guys I know have said the same thing initially on retiring. And then they get into it a few months down the line and start doing lots of other stuff... and end up with as little free time as they had when they were working

Aggiedave Thanks a lot for this great post

What the heck, I'll bite. Compared to "normal" canopies of moderate size, small crossbraced canopies are: a) fast in forward speed b) drop out of the sky with a high descent rate c) are sensitive on the toggles and d) easily dive steeply in turns (Opening also can be worse, in that when something goes wrong, the malfunction is likely to be more violent , disorienting, and fast descending.) For a small crossbrace, you have to have the awareness and knowledge to quickly plan ahead, because you're dropping out of the sky quickly, and will do so even faster as soon as you start turning to set up a landing approach. I recall my first crossbrace jumps on an FX 88 when I was used to Stiletto 120's and the like. As soon as I popped the brakes after opening it felt like the floor had dropped out, as the canopy accelerated forwards and downwards. The wind noise was far more than I was accustomed to, so I was thinking I just about had to start wearing earplugs just for the canopy ride... On landing I had to accurately go through the flare motion to get rid of the massive rate of descent to level out at the right height just above the ground, a job that was a little tricky the first few times. It didn't help that compared to many canopies at the time (~2002), a lot more toggle motion was needed to get that flare happening, so there was a tendency to get caught by not bringing the toggles down far & fast enough. The sensitivity of the toggles resulted in some see-sawing on the toggles on a couple landings - I had to learn to focus on keeping the toggles absolutely even if I wasn't to dive off to the side while planing out. All in all stuff just happens really fast and unless you know what you're doing, you're going to hit the ground really fast... Lol Thanks for biting! Very insightful info and just what I was looking for.. Thanks also to all others who have replied. To the poster who made the supercar vs bus analogy...i can see where your instructor was coming from..but its possible for a rubbish driver to drive a diablo (slowly) and not crash and burn. From what I have seen of videod landings of these ultra small canopies...you have to be a REALLY competent canopy pilot to even land the thing safely. There doesnt appear to be any half measures, or 'out routes' so to speak. Apart from the critical, dont turn too low, and if you do, know precisely what your doing and do it right...first time, every time

lol I was hoping for the answer to be by people with experience on these canopies. and I do read the incidents forum...!

Hey folks, Im now on my AFF consols and am looking forward to graduating onto my A license ASAFP I am currently using a 240 now I have done a few good landings for my last jumps, and although it is a 'bit' more responsive than the previous 280, Im wondering what its actually like to fly a Velo 90 or Xaos or one of these 'hankerchiefs' as I sometimes call them!!! I am asking this out of curiosity as I fully intend to follow a careful and steady canopy downsizing path at the discretion of my instructors (or ex instructors as they will be soon). Here are my main questions..... What is a cross braced canopy (ala Velo) and why are they so notorious to fly? What was your first jump on a sub 100sqft canopy like? What is your favourite small canopy..and why? Thanks folks. Im just really interested to hear from experienced pilots about how really small wings are to fly

Wow. Talk about INTENSE Sounds like you had the best and worst weekend for a long while Minna

What a PITA I doubt they are doing it on purpose though

and now "Great news …. We just started to inflate the balloon. Its 4h15 local and will take about 45 minutes. Thereafter, Michel will start his ascent which will take about 2h15 and after taking a great LOOK at the curvature of the earth and looking at the black of space unlike we see the blue sky. Michel will jump. He has a camera on him and he will be able to film. Furthermore, Clay center is filming and with the telescopic camera that they have (best in the world) we will have outstanding images. Will keep you posted"

Aww... Thats schweeet Your Mom looks remarkably composed in that picture all things considered ps// bet you were nervous!

Estimated launch time 1 hour from now acording to his site.

This is from his sites updates 10 minutes ago Looks like is all go

nice work womball Sounds like you had one heckuva day

Also, currency is a BIG issue for newcomers to the sport. This is the main reason that my AFFi's gave me for trying to get myself to the DZ at every available opportunity. Its much easier to take in lots of knowledge and 'get in the zone' if you are at the dropzone a lot. Obviously a job and family can make this difficult at times, but sacrifices have to be made to get good at any sport.

You have...effectively joined a sort of fraternity

From my limited experience in the sport so far...you need to show dedication and commitment during AFF , firstly to make some friends at the DZ.... which is normally easy as they are a really nice bunch at my DZ but also to show that you are comitted to the sport and so they will also go that 'extra mile' for you. It seems to me that its not all about the money at all for all the instructors at my place. Money is a factor of course (as in they wont give me a free lift ticket!) but it is such a close knit community and a lot of the instructors literally LIVE on the DZ and therefore have no option but to be on call 364 days a year. My AFFis have told me (and it really annoys them!) that even on their days off they will often get a frantic phone call saying... can you do a few lifts as we've got X and Y paying customers here and really need you asap. ANd make no mistake this is a serious sport, so it pays to be totally comitted at least until you have got your A license and have 'proven' you are at least (hopefully) safe to jump.

Wow. Inspirational and very sad at the same time

and scars

Wow. Good luck to the guy. That takes some major cajunas

I didnt realise some DZs were now starting to make a tandem part of the start of AFF. I really wish that had been available at the DZ Im doing AFF at. I remember the first jump being such a blur of so much new stuff to remember and perform and experience.. I would have enjoyed it more if I had done a tandem and at least part of the 'what is freefall like' question had been removed from the equation.

Ive given blood quite a few times and would be happy to again. For some of you guys who have the moxy to jump out of planes and skydive but scared of needles or giving blood is a weird concept .

That doesn't sound very cool to me, but it certainly sounds a little gay...not that there's anything wrong with that. Thats hilarious I nearly spat my coffee out Talk about a way to deflate this eXTREME dudes ego

Good point and post Dave, Im 30 and pretty fit and have an advantage in terms of age for sure. Maybe for the OP it would be worthwhile doing some pool work initially? Where its gentle on your body but you can really get some stretches going in safety. Often, local fitness gyms have classes for various age groups in the water. This might be an area for you to look at. Persistence will be the key and if you want to do it you CAN do it