Gato 0 #1 November 10, 2008 The skies didn't clear until I arrived at the DZ today, about 10 minutes before noon, and I managed to get on the first load, on an empty video slot. Got packed in less than 20 minutes after I landed (I AM getting faster), in time to get on a student load. We dropped a guy for a 5 second delay at 4500', then I chased (but not really) one of my instructors and a student from another DZ. I saw this guy sliding all over the place when I got within 300 feet of them, so I kept my ass well clear of the two of them, but it was cool to watch and remember how I must have looked (still look) to another jumper. The last load of the day was very interesting. A girl who'd taken the FJC a few weeks ago came out at about 3:00 to finally make her first Static Line jump. I got packed up in time to get on the load, and go on a hop-n-pop from 6 grand with the instructor. Also on this load was the guy from the previous load who'd fucked up his 5 second delay (by deploying on his back), and was going to attempt another. Is all that clear? We get geared-up, board, and get off the ground without incident. The young woman seems ok (she's somewhat tall, and very thin - could use a sandwich or two), and we ascend to 3200 feet. We level off, and the door opens. John, the instructor, gets her to put her feet out, but when it came time for her to grab the strut, she started yelling, "I CAN'T! I CAN'T - THERE'S TOO MUCH AIR PRESSURE!" John tries to help her put her hands out, but it's no use - she's just not going. So he brings her back in and closes the door. It was obvious she was embarrassed, but we all assured her it was ok. Now, if you've never been in a 182 when the student in position 1 bugs out, let me tell you - it's not pretty. Somehow, John got it worked out so that the other student and the girl traded places without rocking the airplane. Then he told me he had to ride the plane down with her, and to be ready to go at 4500, right after Mr. 5-second delay - he'd slide in back-to-dash after the student was climbing out, and I should go right after. Once again, the guy exits, spins, and deploys on his back, and out I go. Cool thing is, it was my best hop-n-pop ever - very clean poised exit, followed by a smooth pull and buttery deployment. Gotta love my PD230!!! It was a fun day, even though it was a short jumping day. Stay warm out there people - make sure you've got warm gloves and a nice gaiter or balaclava! Also, I found out people dig it when you bring mints or TicTacs to share at 5000' - helps deal with dry mouth and dragon breath...... Thanks for reading -T.I.N.S. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #2 November 10, 2008 A lot of the jumpers here don't jump at a 182 DZ. A good number of them have never jumped at a 182 DZ and a significant number of the people here have never spent any time on a 182 SL DZ. Which is too bad, since its a lot of fun.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gato 0 #3 November 10, 2008 I love our 182s!! We have a shit-ton of fun at my home DZ!T.I.N.S. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildfan75 1 #4 November 10, 2008 Saying "I was rear float" is not as fun or cool as being able to say "I was in the crotch". 182's definitely rock!! We didn't get to jump on Saturday because of weather, and I couldn't figure out why I was so tired on Saturday night considering Friday night was a low key night and I didn't do anything all day. I didn't have my 3-5 twenty minute naps on the ride to altitude in!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mrbiceps 0 #5 November 10, 2008 182 s sux. too small for a big guy like me. give me the skyvan any day. 10 minutes to 14k oh yeah. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jephprospect 0 #6 November 10, 2008 Saturday rained. Today was beautiful (so I thought) till I got to the dropzone. Was a little windy got 1 jump in and landed kinda off course. Winds picked up big time and I asked the dzo with my jump #'s if I should jump. He said no so I watched and practiced packing instead. Got my fingers crossed next weekend will be better. Also, WTF is a 182? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gato 0 #7 November 10, 2008 Quote Also, WTF is a 182? Assuming you're being serious, we're talking about the Cessna 182 - skydiving's workhorse, before everyone got spoiled on Otters and Skyvans. Some people say it's the safest plane we have. Like a VW bug with wings. T.I.N.S. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gato 0 #8 November 10, 2008 Quote We didn't get to jump on Saturday because of weather, and I couldn't figure out why I was so tired on Saturday night considering Friday night was a low key night and I didn't do anything all day. I think you all got a lot of the same weather we had this weekend - cloudy and cold with ridiculous wind on saturday, then beautiful blue skies at say, 12:30pm with near perfect wind on sunday. I'm loathe to admit I was a fair-weathered skydiver this weekend, but I wanted to spend saturday with my wife, anyway. Really. Next weekend looks good, though! T.I.N.S. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wolfriverjoe 1,523 #9 November 10, 2008 QuoteSaying "I was rear float" is not as fun or cool as being able to say "I was in the crotch". 182's definitely rock!! Yep. Not to mention "I pulled Tim out of the crotch" or "Tim pulled me out of the crotch". I don't try to explain that one to the whuffos. I just say sitting backwards on the strut."There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy "~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jephprospect 0 #10 November 11, 2008 I was half serious. I really didn't know what it is but would never ask that question on here cuz I would get flamed and could always google it. I googled a pic looks like a small cesna plane. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
grannyinthesky 0 #11 November 11, 2008 yes, it is a small Cessna. There are usually 4 jumpers and the pilot. It takes a while to get to 10k, especially in the summer, but I enjoy the time in close company with friends. "safety first... and What the hell..... safety second, Too!!! " ~~jmy POPS #10490 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chubba 0 #12 November 11, 2008 Only 4 people in a 182? That would be a comfortable ride to altitude Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jephprospect 0 #13 November 11, 2008 4 people? holy shit ok so when people talk and say they jump at a "182 dz" now I know what they mean. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #14 November 11, 2008 Quote 182 s sux. too small for a big guy like me. Suck it up cupcake! Sit against the dash in a narrow body 182 with a tandem rig on with your student in front of you. I'm what you would consider to be a "big guy" as well. --"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
grannyinthesky 0 #15 November 11, 2008 Quote Only 4 people in a 182? That would be a comfortable ride to altitude I think of it as cozy. "safety first... and What the hell..... safety second, Too!!! " ~~jmy POPS #10490 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chubba 0 #16 November 11, 2008 Quote I think of it as cozy. I was being serious 4 people would be a comfortable ride. We have 5 jumpers + pilot in our 182. Getting stuck behind a AFF1 wearing the 280ft rig is a nightmare, I nearly fainted the other weekend. You know it's a 182 dropzone when people are estatic when the DZO says "anyone want to go up for a hop n pop"... still takes at least 5 minutes to 3500ft but it's definitely not the crushing ride to 10k. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
grannyinthesky 0 #17 November 11, 2008 Ah, i understand. Our 182 is only ok for 4 jumpers. i was in a wide-body model earlier this summer that can take 5 and it was really nice since we only had 4 in it. lol i can imagine, though, that with 5, you would get pretty familiar with the other jumpers. it's not that much bigger!! I like the hop n'pops too, but we usually go to 5k and it takes about 10 minutes. That's actually what i'm hoping for today. it's supposed to be cloudy this morning and possible showers later this afternoon. As long as it's not raining and the ceiling stays high enough, i should be able to get a couple of jumps and after 2 weekends of yucky weather, i am really ready. "safety first... and What the hell..... safety second, Too!!! " ~~jmy POPS #10490 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #18 November 11, 2008 Have your pilot some time show you the weight and balance numbers for a 182 with 5 jumpers and himself. Also ask what the max usable weight is for your airplane, you might be surprised at how little useable it has and how far over maximum the plane is flying. Here is a blank W&B chart even to get started with: www.kywgcap.org/Portals/30/downloads/CRM/C182_Generic_WB_Report.pdfYesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
grannyinthesky 0 #19 November 12, 2008 Yep, 182's are sure good for hop n'pops. i got to do two today, one in a little rain, the sceond in a bit of snow. Woo hoo. What a way to spend Veterans' Day. "safety first... and What the hell..... safety second, Too!!! " ~~jmy POPS #10490 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
