rocketguy 0 #1 September 21, 2006 So there I was...Jump #17 last week. I knew that the winds at altitude were higher than normal but the winds on the ground were well within student limits. I jumped out and was concentrating on practicing some flips and tracking. During freefall I thought that maybe I should track toward the runway since it looked pretty far away, but I have been told that you should track perpendicular to the runway. I guess I just assumed I would be able to make it back. My next big error was that I only gave myself 500 feet to track, look, wave off and pull at 4K and by the time I was under a fully functional canopy, it was around 2500 ft. I quickly realized that I wouldn't be able to make the landing area. So I picked a field just next to the airport. I then quickly realized that I could not make that either... So I found the third option, a small field enclosed by a fence with a road and power lines in between me and a safe landing. I actually had to raise my legs to avoid the power lines, then I landed just fine. So as I see it, here are my errors: 1. Trying to hurry up on exit without getting a full picture of where I was. Everyone in the plane wanted to get out quickly because of the winds but I should have taken more time. 2. Not noticing that I was so far out. My only question is do you put more importance on tracking perpendicular to the jump run so as not to hit anyone else or getting back to the field? 3. Losing altitude awareness at a pretty critical time and pulling just a bit too low. Barely missing the power lines was a bit scary, but after all my mistakes, I think I did a pretty decent job choosing a landing site from what I had to work with and landing safely. Right after I got back, I went and bought my beer and then spoke to an instructor about my adventure. Blue Skies, Anthony I can't think of anything funny to put in my signature line... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FlyinDawg 0 #2 September 21, 2006 Almost thing happened to me past weekend. I learning to full tracking with my coach at The Farm. We jump off first before others jump within 1/2 mile from us. I had problem with tracking since I had wind through google and it's annoy while tracking. I had to tracking off and on repeat. But I realized it's far to dropzone and I had to pull little higher than 4,500 feet and after fully opening. I pulled rear risers to go more further and I made it arrived above dropzone at 2,000 feet. My coach had to pull higher than 3,000 feet, I think. He lucky made it there. I always prepare for alt landing. Flyin' Dawg or SkyDog "To understand is to forgive, even oneself." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jerry81 10 #3 September 21, 2006 Quote 2. Not noticing that I was so far out. My only question is do you put more importance on tracking perpendicular to the jump run so as not to hit anyone else or getting back to the field? Which of these two options sounds better to you: having to land out or having a mid-air collision with another skydiver? If you already made a mistake by getting out in a bad spot, don't make it worse by flying into what might be someone else's airspace. Additionally, an open canopy has a much better glide ratio than your body in a track, so pulling slightly higher will give you more options when you realize you're far. As for the landing areas- if your instructor hasn't explained the 'accuracy trick' to you, ask about it (or do a search for it on these forums). One thing I learned the hard way is, if you think you might make a landing area you also might not. I landed in some low trees on jump 55 and got a few scratches getting the canopy down. You could have landed in powerlines if your assumptions turned out to be wrong. If you are not sure if you can make the landing areas in front of you, look behind as well. Assuming you're facing into the wind, places behind you might be a surer bet and walking back feeling like an idiot beats hanging from a tree feeling like an idiot or worse. Trust me on that. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AdamLanes 1 #4 September 21, 2006 Quote Everyone in the plane wanted to get out quickly because of the winds but I should have taken more time. I don't understand why everyone was in such a hurry to exit the plane? In strong winds there usually is a need to slow down, in order to get better exit seperation between jumpers. Do not track up or down the line of flight. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bigdad510 1 #5 September 22, 2006 Just from the information you gave, it sounds like you may have been spotting for the a/c. In that case, with the amount of jumps and conditions, it may not have been a good idea for you to be spotting. Don't get me wrong. Jumpers with numbers spot very well depending on the individual. Usually jump pilots have a decent amount of experience. When you look at your wind board before the first jump, go ahead and ask the pilot where they think the exit point should be. It will help you with spotting. As far as the exit. There are threads on here for days about spotting an exit. Green light doesn’t always mean this is the spot you exit. Sometimes you have to wait a little. Don’t let people rush you when you’re spotting. Like said above, pull higher if you think you won’t make it. Your canopy glides farther than you do. Good to hear you landed safely very well depending on the individual.Brad Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
adventurechick 0 #6 September 22, 2006 I'm still a newbie too, but I got some awesome tips from Scott Miller's canopy course for trying to make a long spot that maybe you can use in the future! Up high, we would practice using a rear risers to get a better glide ratio or putting the canopy in deep brakes. He let us out for a long spot jump.... and it was a very long spot. His tips definitely helped us make it back! PMS #449 TPM #80 Muff Brother #3860 SCR #14705 Dirty Sanchez #233 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AdamLanes 1 #7 September 23, 2006 It is good practice to always double check the spot for yourself before exiting the plane. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmcvey 0 #8 September 24, 2006 ALWAYS check the spot even better Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kkeenan 14 #9 September 25, 2006 First, congrats on a safe off-DZ landing. These can be pretty hazardous, and it's easy to get hurt on one. In my opinion, your #3 concern should be your #1. If you were planning to open at 4000 ft., but opened at 2500, it sounds like you were concentrating too much on less-important things. In-air navigation, tracking, etc. are important, but lack of altitude awareness should be your first priority. As others have said, pulling high is a much better solution to a bad spot than extra tracking. As for spotting, sit near the door with experienced jumpers and have them point out useful landmarks and their locations from your DZ. Visualize the path that the jumprun will follow, and what you will be looking for. Jumping is fun, there's no denying that. However, at this stage of your training, you should be trying to learn something from every moment of exposure to the sport and experienced people. Kevin_____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
