skow

Technically there is no difference between RDS and so-called full RDS - both include removable slider with attached d-bag and slider. There is also removable slider, but that technically is not the same as RDS slider - because removable slider doesn't necesarily have a possiblity to attach the lanyard to connect the d-bag.

Would you say the WW is less responsive to harness inputs than VK? After flying Leia and Petra, VK seems to be really "lazy" in the harness, so I'm wondering if WW is even "lazier"?

A Sabre2 or Crossfire3 would be a good option. They both should be better for learning to swoop. Katana may also be a good next canopy, but after short recovery arc of both Safire2 and Crossfire2 it may surprise you, so be careful! And before all, good coaching is always a good idea!

Not sure I get it. Slider (normal or removable) is part of the canopy, whereas bag is part of the container. So if you switch a normal slider to a removable one the bag doesn't change. The difference between "RDS slider" and removable slider is that you have additional line attached to the slider to which you attach the bag. Do you mean that because the bag and PC is attached to the slider, it will descend slower? This seems quite "random" as will depend on the size of the bag and the PC. So I'm not sure you can say it'll match the descend speed of a normal slider because of the random factor being the bag and PC size

Can you explain the reasoning behind it?

I don't think that the "remove-ability" of the slider itself would help anything. You should compare the size of the slider. I never owned a Velo, so it's just guessing, but is the removable slider slightly smaller?

Yep, I think he did a 450 toggle turn to lose some altitude. Started above 1000 ft and once reached 1000'' cypres fired. Wingload was around 1:1. So as you see, it's really easy to fire a student cypres

Student Cypres has the activation speed of 13 m/s or 29 mph. This is quite easy to exceed even with big canopy without swooping. My friend did it with a toggle turn on a 280 Navigator because he forgot his Cypres was on. Which brings us to another argument against it - the hassle of changing it back and forward or accidentally leaving it in student mode.

I think there's too much stuff to remember/focus on if you'd want to use a student settings that it isn't worth it. Having cypres fire and resulting double-canopy situation can be really hazardous, especially below 1000 feet. As said, expert cypres should be definitely enough for WS. (those marginal situations where it may not, I'd take as a risky part of the sport which you can't avoid) If not, you may consider WS-cypres.

I myself would put it rather this way: Peregrine 20/20 Valkyrie(s) 15/20 Velocity(ies) 12/20 Others 1-11/20 In other words, there's a much bigger step between VK and PI than between VE and VK.

Got to jump one PI, apparently currently lineset is super thin - Orange Vectran 100 or 150

I watched the videos and frankly can't see any part where John would talk about one line streching more than the other (only that HMA keeps the trim and I guess he means that it doesn't shrink over time). Did I miss something?

Good that it's clarified! Petra comes standard with Vectran300 or Vectran 400 as an option. Peregrine comes with Orange (coated) Vectran, if I'm not mistaken also 300.

From what I've heard Vectran doesn't stretch at all which may be better for the highest performance canopies. HMA does stretch a bit so can be better for canopies that open harder. However would be good if somebody could confirm this. I currently use HMA400 and Vectran400 on two canopies and Vectran seems to be a bit thinner. I think both lines last pretty much the same amount of jumps.

Daedalus was old, wise and cautious (i.e. boring) flyer back in ancient Greece, Icarus on the other hand more reckless and badass rebel - reaches better the young community!