An interesting day skydiving

[bmcd308 0]

I had a good day in freefall on Sunday being the weak link in some very cool formations.

It was a rough day under canopy, though, with two experiences I will memorialize with a post here.

First, I wound up not getting as much forward drive as I would have liked on final in some pretty stiff winds, but I was set to touch down in a safe area, so I was not too worried. As I got to the ground, the winds had picked up so that I came straight down about 30 feet upwind of a parked RV. My partial flare to slow my descent caused me to start going backwards, and by the time I actually got on the ground I had burned some of this 30 feet. My normal post-landing routine involves pulling my left toggle all the way down and turning to my left while looking for cameras to geek, so on touchdown, I tried to ground my canopy to the left. However, the wind was blowing hard enough that even with my left toggle down, I was having to run. So I decided to cut it away since I was close to that RV. I brought my right hand to my cutaway handle with my hand still in the toggle, which caused my canopy to pull even harder on me. Now I was really running, and I pulled the cutaway handle just in time to smack into the $200 thousand RV I mentioned earlier. It was an odd feeling to watch my risers disappear over the roof. Some lines snagged on the air conditioner on the roof, and another skydiver was kind enough to climb up on top and help me get my main back. Anyway, everyone was very nice about it, and I think the only harm done was to my ego.

Two jumps later, I opened with line twists that had my head pushed down. Canopy was fully inflated and flying straight, so I reached up and grabbed the risers (which I could not see) and started the kicking dance. When I pulled out on the risers, I accidentally unstowed one brake. This did not help matters at all. Now I'm turning, losing altitude, and still can't see my toggles. My kicking reached a new level of enthusiasm.

This story has a happy ending, too, as I was able to get enough of the twists out to grab both toggles and pop the other brake before things got out of control. Landable canopy by 2,000 feet.

Oh, and Brown, if you're reading this, sorry I pulled you aside and talked to you about landing so close to that VERY SAME RV on Saturday. You were right - it could have happended to anybody.

Brent

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www.jumpelvis.com

[chaoskitty 0]

I have a similar story about jumping on a windy day (under a 210 F111).. a pine tree.. and a black eye. 2 weeks ago, I had line twists on 4 out of 6 jumps. (demo canopy in a container that was a little too big for it).

Anyway, glad you didnt damage the RV.

[drakeshelby 0]

DAMN!!!!
Sorry I missed that!!!!

Gald you are ok!!



drake shelby

drakeshelby

[drakeshelby 0]

Quote

I have a similar story about jumping on a windy day (under a 210 F111).. a pine tree.. and a black eye. 2 weeks ago, I had line twists on 4 out of 6 jumps. (demo canopy in a container that was a little too big for it).

Anyway, glad you didnt damage the RV.

DANG Kitty!!!
Whatch out for those trees!!!!
I would hate for you to hurt the tree! haha


I hope that you are ok!!! and that your eye is not too bad!!!


drake shelby

drakeshelby

[BETO74 0]

Glad you're OK.

http://web.mac.com/ac057a/iWeb/AC057A/H0M3.html

[chaoskitty 0]

Quote

DANG Kitty!!!
Watch out for those trees!!!!
I would hate for you to hurt the tree! haha
I hope that you are ok!!! and that your eye is not too bad!!!

I don't want to hurt any trees either!
That happened months ago.. I've healed nicely, thanks.
Ironically, it was the weekend one of my friends came in from out of town.. a big Navy guy.. so we told everyone I got a little too sassy with him.. ..
(Ok thats only funny cause its not true..)