World Team Goes Hi-Tech
Titan Heads-up Display System:  Alti-2 is providing World Team with up to ten Titan heads-up displays (HUDs) for the World Record jumps in Udon (http://www.alti-2.com/Titan/titan.htm). Titans attach to a standard hard-helmet via Velcro, with the the read-out screen extending down over the wearer’s right eye. In freefall, either freefall speed or altitude can be displayed, and the Titan can even be programmed to change from one to the other at a pre-designated altitude during a jump.

Titans use sensing elements from Alti-2’s Neptune altimeter and a GPS unit. After jumping, data can be downloaded to a computer and displayed via a graph depicting freefall speed and altitude over time. If the wearer is also carrying a video camera, an input lead can be attached to the camera – which allows the data to be superimposed over the video being recorded by the wearer, to help determine what causes fluctuations in freefall speed.

Data recorded on a Test Jump using the Titan HUD

In mid-December, Alti-2’s Roger and Kathy Allen (both on World Team) were in Perris testing the Titans with several World Team skydivers during a 40-way event staged for World Team’s Thai skydivers. The system worked very well, and was easy to get used to during the very first jump.  Skydivers could easily focus on their skydiving tasks, and still be aware of freefall speeds throughout the jump.

In addition to sponsoring the Titans, Alti-2 is also offering members of World Team custom Neptune Visual/Audible altimeters in the World Team colors for the discounted rate of US$ 190. Orders received prior to 1 January will be delivered before going to Thailand. Later orders may be available for delivery on site. The deadline for this offer is the last day of the Royal Sky Celebration. To order your World Tem Neptune, please contact Kathy Allen at Alti-2.
World Team's Larry Henderson and Roger Allen jumping Alti-2 Titan heads-up displays.  Also, BJ Worth is diving out the door wearing a transmitter to test World Team's air-to-air communication system, designed and assembled by World Team Technical Director Ryoichi Komiya.
 

Air-to Air Communication System:  World Team’s Technical Director, Mr. Ryoichi Komiya of Japan, has developed a fully functional, easy-to-use, air-to-air communication system. This system will allow World Team to use verbal commands when exiting from five Hercs flying in formation. It will also allow verbal commands to be used in freefall to maintain specific freefall speeds and to coordinate a staged building of the 70-way Base formation.

This communication system uses 5 watt radio transmitters and a highly specialized microphone to be able to penetrate the shells of the five C-130s in flight. The receivers are more garden-variety two-way radios, but require special noise-canceling ear-phones to pick up the transmitted signals.  The system was successfully tested in Perris along with the Titans. Up to 9 skydivers were wearing receivers on a dozen jumps, and all could hear the exit count in both the lead aircraft (Skyvan) and the trail Twin Otter. In freefall, everyone with a receiver could clearly hear the “break” key after each completed formation.

World Team’s communication plan for Thailand is to have one WT Leader near the tailgate of each trail C-130 with a transmitter/receiver, and for four others wear receivers only.  Many others in the Base 70-way will also wear receivers. On jump run, Craig Girard will confirm that all Hercs are in communication with him. After the “one minute” call, and just prior to exit, Craig will switch his microphone to “hot” and call “stand-by” (oxygen off), and then “OK, ready, set, go.”  Everyone wearing a receiver will move their arms in unison to signal the exit count to the others in their aircraft.

In freefall, Craig will monitor his Titan HUD as the 12-way builds, and give visual and audible cues about picking up the fall rate, as necessary. When the freefall speed reaches a certain velocity, Craig will verbally command the 3-way loops to dock… and then the 5-way loops to dock – to complete the 60-way. This should help World Team maintain a fast fall rate for the entire 70-way, prior to any whacker-lines docking.

High-Tech Equipment for the VIPs and Spectators:  World Team Technical Director Mr. Ryoichi Komiya is prepared to provide an air-to-ground video transmission system which can beam a live signal of each record attempt to the ground. This process is still in the preliminary stages, and will have to be coordinated in close cooperation with Henny Wiggers and the Camera Team. But if it can be worked out, it should add a great sense of excitement for all the spectators and VIPs on the ground.