Ketia0 0 #1 June 15, 2009 At what altitude is it to low to use hard turns, and being using slow flat turns? My instructor tells me to turn right to do the crosswind portion of the landing, and i always get scared because i dont want to turn to fast, and lose too much altitude. so, when do you start using just low flat turns?"In this game you can't predict the future. You just have to play the odds. "-JohnMitchell Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kingbunky 3 #2 June 15, 2009 that depends on too many things to give you an answer online! canopy size and type, wingloading, winds, experience level all come into play. your best resource is an instructor at your dz who knows you and can watch you. you could probably ask for a radio for real-time guidance as well. bottom line, as always, talk to your instructors. "Hang on a sec, the young'uns are throwin' beer cans at a golf cart." MB4252 TDS699 killing threads since 2001 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,114 #3 June 15, 2009 >At what altitude is it to low to use hard turns, and being using slow flat turns? For our AFF students, the rule is no hard turns (>90 degrees) below 1000 feet, and no turns at all (other than minor corrections for wind) below 200 feet. For experienced jumpers, it's skill dependent. You can turn 180 at 200 feet if you know what you are doing, but it requires a lot of skill. It is best practiced up high with a coach before you ever try it out down low. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
councilman24 37 #4 June 15, 2009 You should be concerned about turning too low. But if your instructor is telling you to do it on the radio it's probably okay. (Not always, you are the pilot in command and must make decisions yourself) If you instructor is telling you to do it, your scared but it's worked out for 11 jumps, then your probably scared when you don't need to be. Most student gear is sized and tuned to allow you to do your 90 degree pattern turns without worry. We always wanted and expected our students to pull the steering line all the way down to get the turn we expected when we were talking to them on the radio. This will all change as you change canopies.I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
