Sub-Terminal Deployments from balloon/helo?

[klafollette 0]

Did another helicopter jump this weekend, and have done balloon jumps in the past. Had a question pop into my head. I've always delayed long enough to reach terminal speed before deploying, but what if I dumped only a couple seconds after jumping out of a balloon or helo?

Assuming you have your canopy packed for a normal terminal deployment, would it snivel forever, or slam you since there's little wind to hold the slider up? Would a small pilot chute even extract the bag? Never done a BASE jump, so not sure where the comparisons are. For this thought exercise, I'm jumping a generic 9-cell loaded at 1.3 with a 30" pilot chute.

I'm guessing it wouldn't be the same as a sub-terminal airplane deployment where you're doing 90mph out the door. I would guess 2-3 seconds after leaving a balloon/helo, you might be doing 30-40mph?

[rwieder 0]

toss your PC into clean air and you'll have no problems with a subterminal deployment. if your still reticent, have your PC in your hand and do a 3-7 count before tossing it. good luck.

-Richard-
"You're Holding The Rope And I'm Taking The Fall"

[billvon 3,114]

>Assuming you have your canopy packed for a normal terminal
>deployment, would it snivel forever, or slam you since there's little wind to
>hold the slider up?

It would snivel for a long time. If there's no wind there is nothing forcing the canopy to spread out.

>Would a small pilot chute even extract the bag?

Not at first. It likely wouldn't even pull the pin at first.