How to max out your current canopy before downsizing?

[hackish 8]

I finally passed my solo licence (CSPA). I'm using rented student rigs and they're big 28X sq ft. The majority of my landings (except in 10-15mph wind) have been 15-20m from the target.

Making consistently good landings seems to be a little mundane and I'm looking for some more challenge. I've already spent a lot of time doing flat turns, flare turns and at higher altitudes front riser turns and dives. Given fatality statistics swooping does not really interest me - besides I'm a newbie.

I've read the downsizing articles and tried to follow their instructions on what to learn before downsizing. I'm just wondering if anyone has suggestions and hints of what to do for some challenge on these big student blimps so I can improve my skills for an eventual downsize.

Apparently the DZ will be getting a sabre 210 soon but I'd like to try some more at maxing out the blimp capabilities before moving to that.

BTW I'm 185lbs without the rig on. Only have 18 jumps but many have said I'm a natural under canopy.

-Michael

[billvon 3,116]

Flat turn 90 degrees at 50 feet, to simulate a last minute avoidance maneuver.

Flare turn at least 45 degrees. Come in 45 degrees off the windline and flare your canopy so that it turns into the wind before you stop.

Land crosswind. Combine this with the above if you like; good practice for off landings.

Land in a slight downwind. (Slight!) Will give you a good feel for controlling the canopy at higher groundspeeds.

Land reliably within a 10 meter circle. Good practice for off landings.

Initiate a high performance landing with double front risers. It's the safest way to do a high performance landing and is very easy to abort; it will also give you some experience with flying your canopy in its recovery regime.

Land on slight uphills and downhills. It takes some getting used to, but isn't much different than landing on flat surfaces. Mainly needs the flare speed adjusted.

Land with rear risers. Helpful if you ever break a brake line.

Needless to say, get instruction and practice all this up high before ever trying it near the ground. When you do try it near the ground, choose a day with light winds and do it over a soft area (damp grass is often good.)

[AggieDave 6]

Quote

Land reliably within a 10 meter circle. Good practice for off landings.

This is very important in many other aspects then just being able to land off well.

To land reliably at a marked spot without bad canopy habits (s-turns on final, etc) you have to have fly a consistent landing pattern. To have a consistent landing pattern you have to PLAN you landings before you get in the plane. This also involved identifying canopy problems before getting into the airplane. Look at the jumpers, at your home DZ you'll know who the jerks are (the ones that are all over the pattern and dangerously swoop), the dangerous jumpers (similar as the jerks), the ones that spiral into the pattern and the ones that do stupid stuff on final in traffic (s-turns, deep brakes, swooping in traffic, etc). Then you'll know what to look for while you're in your holding area trying to gain vertical and horizontal seperation from the other canopies.

Doing this will help prevent needing to do a panic maneuver to dodge one of those problem jumpers. It won't always prevent problems, but you'll be well ahead of the game.

Same with landing off. If you have developed a good landing pattern and planned it for the winds prior to getting on the airplane, then if you find yourself in a situation in which you know you're going to land off, then you can move your landing pattern to your SOFA landing area and have a good safe landing. Minus the low turns and broken bodies.

The short answer: to be a good canopy pilot regardless of the kind of canopy your flying or the kind of canopy piloting you enjoy, flying a consistent pattern is the foundation of safe canopy piloting.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[jtval 0]

Even though Billvon Gave awesome advice I am surprised that this post only got two replies.


BUMP!

(in reply to the OP)
Of course, all of those things that were mentioned can be played with at higher altitudes if your aren't totally positive of your abilities since you are freshly off student status.

Play with your risers/toggles alot to get a feel for the canopy.
If you are jumping multiple canopies (you probably are) play with them all to get a feel for them.

The most important thing is to "keep your head on a swivel" (I.E. Know your surroundings especially when there are multiple canopies in the sky)

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