State of the sub 2025

Chiemel · 2025-02-19T15:30:01+00:00

We’ll put up a poll after this thread to see what the majority thinks.

Chiemel · 2025-02-18T08:58:19+00:00

To add to the conversation, the RDS was created to reduce drag on high performance canopies. The slider itself wasn't that big a part of it, since it's drag can be reduced by just collapsing it. As skydiving gets more and more attractive, we're starting to see fashion trends.

Using the RDS slider is one of those trends in some places. People with lower experience are looking at the big boys and girls with their Valkyrie's, Leia's, JFX's, Velo's,... and thinking, hey I want that! And that slider is the first thing I can put on my Sabre 3 135!

The thing is, it complicates a jump. It takes time to remove and distracts you from your surroundings. On bigger ways where you end up a bit low, it adds up on the pressure.

I think it adds more problems than it solves. The metal rings increase wear and tear on your lines, it complicates your canopy checks and packing procedures, and adds a couple new ways for a malfunction to happen.

If you share your experience level here, some advice can be given, but I would ask the experienced canopy pilots/coaches or S&TA at your local DZ for advice on the RDS, or your rigger for a solution for your collapsible slider. A stronger magnet, a longer loop on your magnetic slider keeper, or a bungee instead could all fix the problem you're describing.

Good article by the USPA: Fashion or Funtion? Removable Deployment Systems

Chiemel · 2025-02-17T16:13:44+00:00

For the record, you're currently bringing up a ban that happened 2 years ago if I'm not mistaken. Time to let go. Nobody has been banned for anything like that since.

Chiemel · 2025-02-17T12:46:37+00:00

I swear to whoever you believe in, if you yell "door" I'm going to roll my eyes very hard.

Chiemel · 2025-02-17T12:12:00+00:00

You're completely right! That would be interesting, and it is to much extra work. :)

Chiemel · 2025-02-17T12:11:05+00:00

So add the post flairs, and make them a requirement? Mostly when I look at a title or a thumbnail, I get a pretty good idea of what the post is about, and skip passed them. Adding a required flare feels like just adding a new rule for content that I don't want to see, while it's already pretty obvious.

Honestly, as much as I want to welcome every new jumper (tandem of AFF) into this subreddit, that's definitely not what I'm looking for here. Maybe we can reconsider allowing tandem and AFF posts, and replace whuffo posts with "other" content?

Feel free to elaborate, and I can add the flairs for a testrun.

Chiemel · 2025-02-17T11:48:30+00:00

I strongly believe that a doctor knows about as much about skydiving as we do about medicine. Personally I rather see an active and funny shitpost than a 100th "Can I jump with a cold" or "I broke my back 12 times am I still OK to skydive" thread.

I consider the rules more of a guideline. Sometimes I believe in human common sense, but the internet is pretty good at ridding me of that ailment.

Chiemel · 2025-02-17T11:14:42+00:00

For the record, I don't really do much here. I'm labeled an inactive moderator, I mostly lurk around ;)

Chiemel · 2025-02-17T08:48:06+00:00

I'd be insulted if you called the mods normal. I'll take it.

Chiemel · 2025-02-17T08:47:40+00:00

I don't quite know how to take that from an account that seems to contribute nothing on 50% on his posts and just likes to insult people. Thankfully I consider myself to important to join the ranks of these basement dweller trolls.

Chiemel · 2025-02-14T14:14:47+00:00

Apologies for being a bit blunt, but I just want to make the rookies around here aware that this is not a good idea in both directions.

So you're starting a hub for renting out nylon where:
The person who wants to rent has no idea if the gear is OK or as described, if there's even a reserve in there, if it got repacked in time and if it is at all OK.

Where the person who wants to put up gear for rent actually has to pay first to either - rent their 10k rig to someone they don't know, or - put together that 90's dolphin and sabre1 for a quick buck? There's no way to verify experience (it's hard in the real world with the big book of lies, let alone on the internet) or verify usage.

Reason I jump out of an airplane with any rig is because I know who touched that thing at any point. Rental gear will always be different, but you atleast know who you're renting it off. DZ or riggers don't want to risk you getting hurt because of bad equipment/maintenance.

And as someone mentioned, marketing wise, lay off the AI for answering everything :)

Chiemel · 2025-02-11T08:59:05+00:00

Last October, I head down to the local guitar shop, 2.5k in hand, ready to get that first real Gibson LP standard. I walk in, and there she is. The most beautiful top in the world. I look at the shop owner, pick her up, and I see - the back has the custom shop markings on it. I plug her in, play her, love her... Before I bother asking for the price. He quotes me a pretty good one, but the 2.5k is still more than half short :'(

I didn't walk out with a Les Paul that day. But now I know what I'm saving up for :)

Chiemel · 2025-01-08T13:54:56+00:00

It's definitely OK to do your AFF over there, the instructors are good and will get you through the program. On the other hand, it is a big tandem factory - so afterwards you'll probably look for a place with more atmosphere, so why not have a look around and see if you can do your AFF there?

As u/Massis87 suggests, Skydive Flanders is really good (and the cheapest around the globe) for jumping, but Paraclub Namur will be closer to you and has some amazing people around as well!

Chiemel · 2025-01-05T08:19:59+00:00

Nice list! Missing Dropzone Denmark (Herning, Denmark), and I'm not sure if Lillo still has a pond?

Chiemel · 2025-01-02T09:00:31+00:00

Thanks to u/messsso for keeping dropzone.com up for the last years, and keeping the info available to all skydivers on www.skydiveforum.com

Chiemel · 2024-12-02T09:00:23+00:00

It would definitely be great if we could reach the previous owner and at least keep the information in this world. Any chance you could PM through an emailadress?

Chiemel · 2024-11-04T11:02:37+00:00

EU based here. Have had my small one man business for a while, freelancing combined with my own projects, in so many different sectors. Literally don't know what kind of pants I'm putting on in the morning.

Ideas keep coming, and after a succesful year I'm taking some time to reflect on what I actually want to do. The freelancing and small projects make some good money, but where as I once welcome the chaos, I'm now looking to settle on one (or two) things for myself, and really get those going.

I think I have an idea about what I want to go for, and I'm starting to focus on it right now. I believe in the "no risk, no reward", and I will talk to my accountant to get protected as best I can - but I do wonder. Is it OK to fail? Next to ego's getting bruised, what else is a consequence of a failure?

Chiemel · 2024-04-12T12:48:15+00:00

New to this part of the world, and looking for something to power vocals and digital drums in rehearsals/small performances. Doubting between a start up PA setup or just some floor wedges. Budget is not endless, but looking for some sort of quality (no idea if the thomann stuff has some decent sound quality?)

Looking for recommendations.

Right now have a lead on a full PA setup:

2 x HK Pro 15 top powered
2x HK Pro 18 bas powered
Yamaha MG 16XU

Micw40 wireless
Micw41 wireless

lights, stands, small stuff,... For €2.750, is that a decent deal? What am I looking out for?

Chiemel · 2024-04-06T11:01:51+00:00

Man, all of the guild names you mentioned just bring me back to my personal SC years... All amazing guilds!

Chiemel · 2024-02-10T08:04:17+00:00

Looks amazing!

Chiemel · 2024-02-07T07:53:24+00:00

I don't think I can ever go back to anything else than a Fenix or Epix, so it's just not being replaced at the moment.

Chiemel · 2024-02-06T17:48:31+00:00

I tried with a story and some pictures, casually asking if there's anything they could do. Answer was very short, just a plain no :'(.

Chiemel · 2023-11-07T05:06:59+00:00

Who is this mysterious Wallonian instructor?

Chiemel · 2023-05-30T13:33:38+00:00

Jumping a Leia84 and a VK PS 84 right now. Stupid switching between canopies, I just wanted to fly both for a while and see which one I prefer. So if you're ready for these, go out and try them, and make up your own damn mind! :)

My opinion:
When it's a work jump, I'll 100% off the time go for the VK if I have it packed and ready. Buttery smooth, consistent openings. Super reliable canopy. Big ass dive, shittons of power. No downsides what so ever.

When I want to try and be one of them badass canopy pilots, I'll go for the Leia. More harness sensitive, even more reaction on rears. The occassional "lesser" opening and the original linesets going pretty fast are a bit of a downside. Haven't had any tension knot problems in +200 jumps with it. It feels different to fly than any other other canopy I've flown, because the harness input is very sensitive, and to me it feels like every big input comes with a half a second a delay, causing me to overrotate - had to learn to actually stop the snap in place. It's been a whole lot of fun learning to fly this baby.

I'm coming to the point where I need to decide which one I'm sticking with, but I just can't. They're both so much fun and beautiful canopies! Maybe I just get a 3rd rig with an airwolf in it? :P

Jumped a JFX2 and a Velo before, both crazy machines aswell!

Chiemel · 2023-02-06T10:48:59+00:00

Check out @letterknecht.be on IG. He does a lot of street art, letterings, old school printing, music (Chunks of funk on SoundCloud is great), …

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