Archive for September, 2010
The day started off building on the foundation work of Day 1, with the main focus being to try and achieve multiple pairs of wingsuit pilot & canopy pilot flying surf style in close proximity with each other. Jeff Nebelkopf and I stayed paired up while Jessica and Taya continued their adventure together. Jonathan Tagle took the canopy pilot camera slot on jump 1, while Phil Peggs joined the group today to capture some shots and video in his wingsuit. We’re excited to see all the images he’s capturing.
On the first jump of the day, Jessica and Taya connected almost immediately after our flock formed and held together while Jeff and I docked and flew in for an awesome side by side setup. We flew the two incredible linked birds for what felt like 30 seconds or more till 4000 ft. breakoff where Jessica and I dropped our winged friends almost simultaneously and watched as they fell away like bombs towards the Skydive Elsinore DZ.
Together Jeff and I are getting more and more comfortable in the surf style position flying around, docking/redocking and maneuvering ourselves around in all dimensions. It’s an amazing sensation… Jeff pulls up beside me and we smile… nod at each other like it’s normal to be within arms’ reach, one in freefall/one under canopy… and then he goes to work cruising underneath from the side, out in front slightly, then peering over his shoulder he masterfully de-arches and lifts up into position. He’s doing about 80% of the work in the initial dock. I’m managing speed with body drag and minor heading changes. As his rig rises into reach, it’s patience that rules for me… waiting for the rig to arrive so that I can lock my feet into position just above his laterals. It’s some quick footwork and we’re together, then the majority of the piloting shifts to me as we slowly try and slip towards the other group. It’s hard to describe how cool the sensations are… suffice it to say, it’s surreal… and way fun!!
The group made several more attempts at building all three wingsuit/canopy pairs together… and we had several dives where 2 out of 3 pairs got together. Will Kitto joined in and linked up with Jonathan on several jumps as Jeff and I continued our pairing. Pre-positioning and smooth consistent docks were keys to success, and the day had many valuable lessons for each of us.
The day finished off as strong as it started. The girls focused on a rodeo dock and nailed it… ripping their way across the sky with Lake Elsinore in the background. David Gershfeld was cruising alongside the pair capturing photos. Jeff and I continued to expand our comfort flying together and managed to bank our formation a full 180 degrees away from the approaching Ortega Mountains at breakoff and fly it back to the DZ together. It was a simply epic finish to another incredible day of flight with this amazing flock of birds!!!
Thanks to our sponsors:
Skydive Elsinore
Performance Designs
PD Factory Team
Sun Path
TonySuit Wingsuits
Paralog
Well, we are finished with day two of the XRW Project taking place at Skydive Elsinore and I have to say, what a day. I had an amazing start to the morning by getting my first ever wingsuit, canopy dock with Taya Weiss. It was completely amazing! Taya had the perfect approach, which made my job much easier. She just popped right up to me and I slipped my feet under the sides of her rig, piece of cake.
Of course I started laughing, screaming, shouting….I was so excited, I couldn’t help myself. Apparently they could hear me from the ground.
At that point I look over to my left to check on how things are going with my PD Factory Team teammates, who were flying in formation with me, and Ian Bobo and Jeff Nebelkopf are also docked, which of course led to more shouting and cheering. It was without a doubt one of the most amazing sights I have ever seen in the sky. Yesterday I was trying to get used to the idea of just flying along with someone in freefall, while I was under my canopy and now here we all were.
So, back to the part about this docking between wingsuits and canopies being a piece of cake. I may have jumped the gun on that just a little bit. There are so many factors that come into play and, at the speeds we are moving, the tiniest adjustment can be the difference between getting the dock and not. Just to name one, Taya has to set up by getting in a position that basically puts me in her blind spot. So, we spent a couple jumps sorting out some issues and learning a lot.
After a short break and some much needed food, we had one more to go for the day. I’m happy to say we finished on the same note that we started the day….awesome! I can’t wait for more tomorrow!
Thanks to our sponsors:
Skydive Elsinore
Performance Designs
PD Factory Team
Sun Path
TonySuit Wingsuits
Paralog
Day 2 of Project XRW Elsinore is off to a great start! Yesterday’s practice paid off! On the first jump of the day, canopy pilot Jessica Edgeington and wingsuit pilot Taya Weiss built and flew the dock they had been working towards yesterday. Ian Bobo and Jeff Nebelkopf were then able to fly their surfer style dock in close proximity to the girls! Awesome!
Thanks to our sponsors:
Skydive Elsinore
Performance Designs
PD Factory Team
Sun Path
TonySuit Wingsuits
Paralog
