bluewaterstream 0 #1 April 28, 2004 So, I've heard a few different things regarding the requirements for balloon jumps and I'm not sure how accurate either of them are. Hopefully this first one is true. Someone once told me that all you need is your A-License if you do a balloon jump from 5,000 ft AGL. If that's true, are there any Colorado jumpers here that can recommend a local balloon pilot that will go up that high? However, recently I've heard that you need at least a B-License and that most balloon jumps are done from about 3,500 ft AGL. If this is true, I guess I need to get my water training over with, make a few more jumps, and get my B. Any recommendations on where to go to take care of my water training requirement as quickly as possible? ~ John Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ryoder 1,590 #2 April 28, 2004 Your home DZ (MHS) just sent out a notice that there will be balloon jumps on the first and last weekends of May. Call them for details."There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyMan 7 #3 April 28, 2004 I don't believe there are any USPA regulations requiring specific licenses that are specific to jumping from baloons. The DZ and ballon owner can enforce whatever requirements they choose. It's often the case that when the rules are enforced by the DZO or other private entities, it's enough that you be qualified for the rating - not necesarily actually have it. Usually this specifically refers to number of jumps. For example, back when the 'b' license meant 50 jumps, the World Freefall Convention would require that all participants be "B qualified" - meaning they wanted to see 50 jumps. I don't see a DZO requiring water training for baloon jumps, unless you're jumping in an area where water poses a significant risk in off-landings. _Am__ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bluewaterstream 0 #4 April 28, 2004 Sweet. How did you receive this notice? Via email? If so, how do I get on that email list? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyangel2 2 #5 April 28, 2004 http://www.skyrush.com/mailman/listinfoMay your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. - Edward Abbey Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WFFC 1 #6 April 28, 2004 Quotehttp://www.skyrush.com/mailman/listinfo So the timing on that email was just perfect eh? One thing to consider when doing balloon jumps is the 'requirement' (if there is one) is that you'll have a good posibility of landing off the airport so you'll be on your own for figuring out wind direction and such. Ed (the CO balloon pilot MHSC uses) is pretty good at launching and then dropping over the top of the DZ, but that doesn't alway happen. There is another balloon crew in CO that will take jumpers up at well - Pilot is Michael, can't think of his last name.----- ~~~Michael Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyangel2 2 #7 April 28, 2004 Or they could do balloon jumps like we doMay your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. - Edward Abbey Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanuckInUSA 0 #8 April 28, 2004 QuoteAny recommendations on where to go to take care of my water training requirement as quickly as possible? Not sure when the next local water training will take place. But if you really want to get your water training out of the way, you've got some $$$ lying around and you want to jump. Get in touch with some of the larger DZs across the country, find one which holds water training fairly frequently and go visit it. When I was in Eloy two weekends ago, I overheard on the PA them talk of the people or the water training to get their rear ends into the classroom, so they are one DZ which does it. Of course Eloy is starting to wind down with the up and coming summer heat furnace months, but it may be worth calling around to a few DZs. Also, having a home DZ to jump at is nice. But you will be a better skydiver in the long run by visiting many different DZs. I am really looking forward to checking out a few new DZs to myself this year as well. Next on the list should be the Ranch in NY ... Try not to worry about the things you have no control over Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyangel2 2 #9 April 28, 2004 Quote Any recommendations on where to go to take care of my water training requirement as quickly as possible? Get on that link I posted for you, sign up for the announcement stuff. Then, make a post asking for information on how to contact Bill Jackson. He's the guy that sets up most of the water training stuff here in Colorado. They use to do the training at the public pool in Louisville ( I think that's the name of the city). Steve Gromack is the pool manager there, and allows the jumpers to come in after closing. All it takes is a six pack of some good beer.May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. - Edward Abbey Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freakydiver 0 #10 April 28, 2004 Balloon jumps ROCK! -- (N.DG) "If all else fails – at least try and look under control." -- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WFFC 1 #11 April 28, 2004 QuoteOr they could do balloon jumps like we do Ahhhh...Dangling by floss underneath the gondola and riding to altitude from 2500'. Then watching everyone else jump and watching them fly by...That was cool.----- ~~~Michael Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WFFC 1 #12 April 28, 2004 Plus whatever the admission is to the pool. I think it was 4 or 6$. Don't remember. When you're done, try getting a 10 way together down the waterslide. Damn skydivers are always trying to put something together. It's generally a good time.----- ~~~Michael Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyangel2 2 #13 April 28, 2004 Where's the damn pictureMay your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. - Edward Abbey Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ryoder 1,590 #14 April 29, 2004 QuoteWhere's the damn picture Will you settle for the MPEG? http://www.dimensional.com/~ryoder/balloon-rapell.mpeg I always grimace when I watch this opening; The left riser caught my Sidewinder O2 and nearly broke my neck. BTW That is flyangel2 on the right and WFFC on the left in the video."There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WFFC 1 #15 April 29, 2004 QuoteWhere's the damn picture Let me find it. Mom's also got it as the background on her puter. It's around here somewhere... Edit to add picture... Photo Credit to Jeff Sands, former DZO of Mile Hi Skydiving. He took this shot from his helicopter 2 weeks before his accident. Mary is just below the basket, under her. About 2500', the ropes went over the side and down we started to go. This was my second time rappelling out of a balloon and just hanging there with the view in the background was spectacular.----- ~~~Michael Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RkyMtnHigh 0 #16 April 29, 2004 Noice Mike! Thanks. I suppose that's what we can look forward to at MileHi this weekend from what I understand...and, Eloy's Otter! _________________________________________ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WFFC 1 #17 April 29, 2004 I'll just stay here and pout in the 182 on the ride to altitude... Wait...Can't jump...wedding on Saturday and nephew's bday party on Sunday. How much fun can a gaggle of 4 year olds be? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WFFC 1 #18 April 29, 2004 I just had to laugh as I watched this again. When Mary hits the end of the rope, her feet start kicking when she goes into freefall... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyangel2 2 #19 April 29, 2004 Lesson learned on that one. It seems it's not a good idea for two people to do their rappel/launch on the same side of the balloon. I was scared, since you were right under me. I was trying to get some air speed, cause all I was thinking was..."Please oh please, don't deploy now." Robert, thanks for posting that video. I had forgot about it.May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. - Edward Abbey Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WFFC 1 #20 April 29, 2004 It's all golden. We'll discuss that topic more next time we do it...----- ~~~Michael Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bluewaterstream 0 #21 April 29, 2004 Man, you guys are getting me all psyched up with these videos and pictures! I'm on the list to jump this Sunday. I can't wait! Be sure to send me some good {{{ VIBES }}} for my first balloon jump... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WFFC 1 #22 April 29, 2004 Quote{{{ VIBES }}} for my first balloon jump... Tommy Knocker Maple Nut please...----- ~~~Michael Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyangel2 2 #23 April 29, 2004 The forecast for Sunday looks good. Good luck and have fun.May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. - Edward Abbey Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bluewaterstream 0 #24 April 29, 2004 QuoteGood luck and have fun. Thanks Mary... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bluewaterstream 0 #25 May 3, 2004 On Sunday, May 2nd, my alarm obnoxiously begin's screaming in my ear at 5am and it's time get ready for my first balloon ride/jump which was scheduled for 6am. I closed my eyes for what was supposed to be just a few more seconds of rest and when I reopened them it was now 5:30! Shit! I jump out of bed, quickly throw some clothes on, grab my gear, hop in the car, and haul ass to the dropzone. I arrived about 10 minutes before 6:00, perfect. So, then the balloon guys show up, assemble the balloon, and before you know it, me and 4 other jumpers are gently being lifting off the ground by an enormous balloon full of hot air. Absolutely amazing, the ride up was breathtaking. The winds were extremely mild when we lifted off, so we basically ascended strait up until we reached about 4 grand. This was great for us, because now we all felt like we had a very good chance of landing at our dropzone. However, by the time we reached 5 grand, we had drifted off southeast and now had little chance of making it back. So, now it's go time. The first jumper goes, and now the reality of what we're doing hits like a Bruce Lee kick to the head. Oddly enough, I wasn't nervous at all. Then three more of my new balloon comrades go. By the time I was up, the balloon had fallen down to 3,200 AGL. Screw that, I wasn't jumping out until we at least brought that balloon back up to 4 grand. So, the pilot brought me back up to about 4,200. By now, I drifted off pretty far away from everyone else and knew that I was probably going to land by myself somewhere. No worries, I saw a few farms below me that I could easily land on, so I hopped up on the rail of the balloon and jumped into the open air. The first 10 - 15 seconds where amazing! Due to the fact that it was so extremely quiet and that my body obviously wasn't falling that fast for the first few seconds, I felt as if I was almost levitating. I felt totally stable as soon as my feet left the balloon, which I think also contributed to that feeling of levitation. I imagine this is why people get into BASE jumping, to experience this feeling. Once I hit terminal velocity it felt just like another skydive. I pitched at 3,500 and was under canopy by about 2,700. I knew exactly where I was landing by about 2 grand and made a nice landing in the middle of an open field. We have video of the jump, so hopefully we'll get that online soon. I'll try to post it tonight. Keep an eye on this My up and coming 666 Devil jump thread too, it looks like Steve is going to post this jump too. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
