Watch that altitude and location under canopy

[StearmanR985 0]

So I did a quick H & P today from 4K. I waited to watch our rigger pitch and watch his opening then I depoloyed. I was under a nice canopy right at 2K. Great, no problem right? Well, I haven't done an H & P for awhile so I am just kicking back, stowing my slider, watch our rigger as he swoops me while under his canopy. do a little rear riser work....then I take a peak at the ground and realize....hey, I am kind of low and not near the LZ. Doh! I am at 800 feet and there is no way I am gettin' back to the grass. So I take a cross/down wind sliding in the weeds on my ass piece of crap landing. Two hours later, I am still picking weeds out of my pants.

Lesson: Having fun while under canopy is great and all but don't forget where you are, the wind direction and YOUR ALTITUDE.

Yes, I was a complete dumb ass today. I am quite surprised I didn't get hurt a bit actually as I came in pretty quick on some very hard ground. Thank goodness for all the milk I drink.

Damn, can't believe I did that.......

[RyanofOZ 0]

Glad you made it down in one piece.

I have never landed out but we have a guy at our DZ that has several times lately. They named him "golf course" because he forgets where he is while playing around up there and has landed out a bunch of times. Guess where? haha... Last time an old guy was cursing him because he landed on the green.

Oz

[FrogNog 1]

Why didn't you take an upwind landing in the weeds? Were there some obstructions or other factors that prevented you from judging wind direction on the ground and making a landing pattern from 800 ft? Or did you try to make it back to the grass, even though you knew you couldn't?

-=-=-=-=-
Pull.

[CanuckInUSA 0]

When I was new to this sport, Hooknswoop (even though he wasn't my instructor) told me to have selected a definite landing area you know you can make by 1000 feet (especially if you're not sure you can make your usual main landing area). And in that time, I have seen some accidents happen to others because they either weren't aware of this or ignored the advise. So please already have choosen a landing area by the time you reach 1000 feet and stick to the plan. Having some knowledge of the terrain below you isn't a bad thing to know ahead of time (like knowing there is that nasty skydiver eating ditch right next to the fence line, etc, etc, etc.) but always go to that for sure landing area instead of falling into that "I think I can make it ... oh shit" trap.

Dang ... now how am I supposed to keep my DZ.COM post numbers down if I keep posting stuff like this. But it's important stuff to know and to follow.

Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

[hookitt 1]

He's learned his lesson. Read some earlier posts about landing off and pulling high

Stearman's post clearly indicates he's pickin up what we're throwin down. That's quite admirable.

Good one Jeff!

Stay Safe
Tim

My grammar sometimes resembles that of magnetic refrigerator poetry... Ghetto

[StearmanR985 0]

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Why didn't you take an upwind landing in the weeds?

I don't usually mind taking a cross wind and that is what I planned on doing since I was out a bit. But the wind shifted on me and it became more of a down wind.

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Were there some obstructions or other factors that prevented you from judging wind direction on the ground and making a landing pattern from 800 ft? Or did you try to make it back to the grass, even though you knew you couldn't?

That would be just about exactly what I was trying to do. I really wanted that grass. But, I came up 75 feet short and paid a little price for my lack of good judgment.

[freakydiver 0]

Glad to hear you are okay... I learned that lesson early on in my carrer as well. Always have a spot AND an alternate if at all possible, picked out by a grand. In fact, I usually include the spot picking in my intial sequencens after opening. After opening I do my airspace check and then my canopy check and then my pick a spot check. From there on out I am sitting in good shape and don't have to worry about where I'm going to land and can concentrate on keeping my head on a swivel.

-- (N.DG) "If all else fails – at least try and look under control." --

[skybytch 273]

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Always have a spot AND an alternate if at all possible, picked out by a grand. In fact, I usually include the spot picking in my intial sequencens after opening.

That's what I used to do. After taking a canopy control course I now plan my landing pattern and pick where I'm going to land before I get on the airplane. When I open I clear my airspace, check my canopy and then make sure I can get to the point I need to start my downwind at by 1k; if I know I won't make it there/then I immediately locate an alternate landing area. Collapsing the slider, removing booties and pulling off goggles/opening fullface lens all wait until after I know I'm where I need to be to make it back.

[freakydiver 0]

I fully agree with you - but the way things tend to change from exit to opening, one should be ready to figure out where to go on opening at least IMHO. Everyone should have a general idea of flight plan b4 they get in the plane - if they don't they didn't brief with the DZ they are at.

PS Congrats on 1000!!

-- (N.DG) "If all else fails – at least try and look under control." --

[StearmanR985 0]

Excellent points skybytch and freaky,

But, in this particular case, my point was even though you may have your spot picked out and know what to do don't forget to actually EXECUTE your agenda while you are having your fun.

Nothing like making a plan for yourself then not following it.


Jeffrey

[freakydiver 0]

Good point - for everyone low and high numbers alike.

-- (N.DG) "If all else fails – at least try and look under control." --

[skybytch 273]

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my point was even though you may have your spot picked out and know what to do don't forget to actually EXECUTE your agenda while you are having your fun.

LMAO!! Gotcha. Very good point.