Basejumper.com - archive

Large suits like the Stealth, SM1 and Tengu are becoming popular for skydiving, so it is only a matter of time before people try them for BASE.

I have done about 50 jumps on the Stealth and my conclusion - I would advise caution when using large wingsuits BASE jumping.

Why:
- reaching the PC is more difficult (4 secs to find the PC on first jump)
- the burble behind the suit is much larger and increases the risk of PC in tow (PC collapsed on my back on one jump)
- the suit is slower to turn and requires larger control inputs, not the most suitable thing for proximity.
- the larger suits allow longer freefall times but around the same total distance, the end result for me was a less intense "feeling of flight".
- Not all the large suits have good arm release / cut away system

Experienced wingsuit BASE jumpers may be able to jump these larger suits safely but I would advise "exit high and pull high".

James, how would you compare the 'starting to fly' capabilities of large suits compared to smaller ones? (e.g. Stealth vs. Phantom.) For example, in 4 or 5 seconds, how much farther from the wall you are in Stealth compared to Phantom?

Already been done and not bragged about by some in the switz...

 
The larger suits start flying faster but i don't think the difference is that significant. I haven't jumped the Phantom with GPS, will send you the data when i do.

Video of the PC in tow:

http://video.google.com/...9895513757&hl=en

Looks like the folded bridle stayed in the pouch, the barrel roll prior to deployment would have also increased the size of the burble..

Was it a weak throw or a good throw?

It could have been a weak throw i guess, but you can't throw a PC far when the folded bridle is still inside the pouch.

To complicate matters more it was also a borrowed (old) PC. Yes, a lot of variables came together on this one - and by chance i was using a foot cam!

Resuming full flight after a roll is a good idea too.

that looked really shitty, and could have been fatal at a lower altitude.

nice work with the elbows against the container.

Holy shit...