Arch Thousand.. Two <YANK!>

[GeekStreak 0]

HI ALL,
I hope everybody had a GREAT weekend. I did, cuz I got to make my second SL jump . With the wind, storms and clouds I was beginning to have my doubts, but I finally got up before the sunset load... which is a whole other story 3,500' and hanging from the strut, pre-arch, look at JM, GO!!
Arch thousand! Two YANK!! WTF!?!? I'm flying feet first, horizontally, dragging a ball-o-s#!t behind me !
It opened by the time I got to 5, but GEEEEEZ! It's not supposed to work like that, and look at those line twists . WTF!?!?
It's there, square, and steerable, but I'm downwind of the DZ!!
3,100' and heading for my 1,000' point... slowly.
2,300' and I realize I'm not gonna make it... now aiming at 600' base leg.
1,800' and I'm still way out... now aiming at final leg.
1,200' and I realize I aint even gonna get close to the DZ... Looking for clear area.
Straight ahead looks OK if I can clear the trees, otherwise right side is clear.
600' and still not past the trees... getting worried, prepared to turn right.
300' passing last of trees (sigh)... feet together.
CONCENTRATE... MUST NOT FLARE TOO SOON (again)!
10', 6', flare!
NICE!! I just made my first stand-up landing without even a step QUESTIONS:
1. Can I (a mere student) refuse a spot while I'm dangling?
2. What causes the bag to open-up early like that? Somebody got it on video. It was openning by the time I cleared the tail.
Blue Skies!
Geek

[PLFKING 4]

Hey Geek-meister !
Another static-liner ? I thought we were going the way of the dinosaur........
1) I don't know if you can refuse a spot while hanging from the strut -- my JM told me it's extremely dangerous to try to climb back in from that position. It sounds like you handled it fine. I didn't start spotting until jump 11 or 12.......your JM probably doesn't want to overwhelm you with too much to remember too soon.
2) If your lines are 10-12 feet long, and the static line is 10-12 feet long, your chute SHOULD start deploying within 25 feet after you release the strut. On a couple of my DRCPs, I'd actually get my hand on my DRC, then have it yanked away when my chute grabbed air. Plus, I was counting a lot faster than I normally do (I think it had to do with the fact that I was dangling 3/4 of a mile above the Earth, but I'm not 100% sure.......)
All in all, I think you did fine. It sounds like you followed procedures, and used your head in preparing for an off-field landing. I'd give that jump a 10 !
And, on static-line, you will probably have line-twist on at least every other jump......
(and when you get off the dope-rope......that's when the fun starts !)
That PLF Guy

[TBone 0]

Geeker, you can refuse to do anything you don't want to. Last I checked slavery was outlawed in most of the countries that regulate skydiving and have internet access.
However, I would not be quick to second-guess a spot before you've been doing it awhile. It's not hard, but it's not "obvious" either, otherwise your JM wouldn't have spotted you out.
Sound like a fun jump, tho! When's the next one?
Carl

[GeekStreak 0]

We're not extinct yet! AFF sounds like a more exciting way to learn, but I gotta pace myself on the $$$. Thank you for the kind words .

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my JM told me it's extremely dangerous to try to climb back in from that position

Who said anything about climbing back in? I'll hang out and wait hehe. I was really looking forward to trying some canopy control techniques like riser turns, flare turns, etc. Cuz I was so far downwind I didn't do any of that .

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If your lines are 10-12 feet long, and the static line is 10-12 feet long, your chute SHOULD start deploying within 25 feet after you release the strut.

You're probably right. How long is a C-182? I just remember the deployment being much smoother and slower last time... and no feet-first horizontal flight. But, then again, on my first jump I'm sure I was more scared and less aware. It was a great day in any case. I have the whole thing on video from the ground.
Yes, practice throws!... then comes that first clear and pull!! WOOOOOOHOOOOOOO!!! I can't wait

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On a couple of my DRCPs, I'd actually get my hand on my DRC, then have it yanked away when my chute grabbed air

I'm sure that's what would have happened to me on this jump. Did your JM actually have you throw something so that they could see it?
Geek

[GeekStreak 0]

Hey, I like my JM just fine and I trust him implicitly, but be botched the spot. I just want to know what protocol is if it looks bad to me.
I'm not sure when my next jump will be, but it'll be at least 2 weeks from now.
Blue Skies,
Geek

[Iflyme 0]

I would suggest that once you start your climb out, you are committed to the spot. But then I am not an instructor...

[PLFKING 4]

And if you don't climb back in, and don't let go, what are you gonna do -- hang off the strut for 2-3 minutes while he comes around again ? I think the pilot would try to shake you off long before that...........
It's like Frank says -- when the JM says go, you go. When he says stop, you stop. I'm not saying to blindly follow him (or anyone) at all times, but remember that you're new to this, and take pride in the fact that you handled everything well. Your JM isn't teaching you how to fall -- he teaching you how to think for yourself.........and he's entitled to make a small mistake or two..........after all, SKYGOD is just a term, not an entity !
The PLF Prelate

[GeekStreak 0]

OK. The consensus is... ... Shut-up and jump, Geek!
Tanx all Geek

[JeffGordon 0]

I am a static line jumpmaster at a fairly busy drop zone and I have seen an early deployment like you describe. Remember, you have a 70 mile an hour wind blowing on the static line while you are hanging from the strut. If the static line gets loose (closing loop is loose, the static line gets bumped on the shuffle during exit, etc) the relative wind can initiate the deployment. Something like this probably deployed your main early. Remember the longer you hang from the strut, the more likely it is the relative wind will loosen the static line and initiate early deployment. ** NEVER ** second guess a spot from outside the aircraft. Remember the saying a long walk is better than a short crawl.