Jabeln79 0 #1 October 8, 2001 I wake up bright and early today and head out to the dz for hopefully a full day of jumping. I miss the first load so manifest for the 2nd. ITs just me a freeflier and 2 Tandems. The freeflier spotted, he usually spots great but the uppers were very unpredictable. Th ground winds were blowing about 10 mph hour out of the east. I was 1rst out and cut was called just barely to the east side of the hanger. I go out in a sit. and watch the other person leave the plane. I then roll over on to my belly and so where im at. WOW i am really far east of the air port. I remember thinking that i hope the tandems took another pass before they got out. I look up and there they were already leaving the plane at the worst spot possible. About 5500 i sart tracking toward the airport and dump around 4000, which is alot higher than i am used to. needless to say i had to set up for landing about 3/4 of mile est of the airpost in a plowed corn field. The freeflier landed at the very tip of the east runway and the tandems i couldnt even see where they landed. but i am guessing around a barn a good 1 1/2 to 2 miles away. To make things worse the king air blew a tire on landing and to be safe didnt send it back up for the rest of the day. So made some long cesna runs to 9500. SO how was everyone elses weeked.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FallingMarc 0 #2 October 8, 2001 I think it was a little of both... the winds were wierd yesterday, on the first load there was a 180 degree change in wind direction at just over 1000 feet. That added an interesting twist to flying a pattern... I was last out and pulled at 4 grand, making it back was fun on that load too... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #3 October 9, 2001 This is a bad time of year for winds. They can be very strong up high even when the ground winds are relatively light. I had a pretty good laugh this weekend when one of my friends showed up from NC. He was first out (I wasn't on the load) Well, the signal to open the door is a horn. Then you have to wait for the green light to exit. You can trust Mike. He has 15 years experience flying jumpers full time. So this guy hears the horn and opens the door. He looks and sees he's over the airport. Didn't pay attention to the light. He just goes. He ended up just off the end of the runway at opening. DOWN WIND! He landed in a field with some cows and then proceeded to lose a shoe in the mud..Moral of the story, check the winds at all altitudes and know exit proceedures at the DZ of the day! I was noticing about a 300 yd drift during free fall for belly fliers. Of course Free Fliers drift a little less."The sky resembles a back lit canopy...with holes punched through it"- IncubusClay Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
