vdschoor 0
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GalFisk 0
Here in Sweden we have a downsizing chart, showing the smallest canopy a skydiver with less than 500 jumps is allowed to jump. It progresses from a WL of a little less than 1 for a beginner, to about 1.45:1 at 500 jumps.
Before being allowed to jump an elliptical parachute, skydivers have to pass two canopy piloting courses - one for basic piloting skills (flat turns, riser/harness turns, landing in brakes/on rears, pitch and flare, stall points etc), and one specifically for flying HP canopies.
Before swooping, skydivers must have done 500 jumps, and must (in addition to the basic and HP piloting courses) go a swoop piloting course.
Sweden did not see the increase in landing deaths/injuries that the US did at the advent of HP canopies. The last skydiving death (IIRC) in Sweden was in 2005, where a skydiver who had sat in on, but not participated in, a swoop piloting course hooked in.
Not arguing one way or the other, just providing an example of how it's done in another country.
Before being allowed to jump an elliptical parachute, skydivers have to pass two canopy piloting courses - one for basic piloting skills (flat turns, riser/harness turns, landing in brakes/on rears, pitch and flare, stall points etc), and one specifically for flying HP canopies.
Before swooping, skydivers must have done 500 jumps, and must (in addition to the basic and HP piloting courses) go a swoop piloting course.
Sweden did not see the increase in landing deaths/injuries that the US did at the advent of HP canopies. The last skydiving death (IIRC) in Sweden was in 2005, where a skydiver who had sat in on, but not participated in, a swoop piloting course hooked in.
Not arguing one way or the other, just providing an example of how it's done in another country.
q2av8r 0
Name should be skycunt not skybytch
I like this pevious post but I think the jump numbers should go. Jumpers should be able to pass a canopy piloting course prior to each downsize and durring swoop progression, but it should be based on ability not a number.
bofh 0
Sweden did not see the increase in landing deaths/injuries that the US did at the advent of HP canopies. The last skydiving death (IIRC) in Sweden was in 2005, where a skydiver who had sat in on, but not participated in, a swoop piloting course hooked in.
The new rules about canopy size came in 2001 or 2002. There were plenty of HP canopies before that.
The HP- and swooping-rules came out in 2007 and the study material came out a year later (so it was not implemented at all DZs). Not to say that there were no local rules against it before, but often at a lower jump number and without any required course.
There have been plenty of landing injuries after those rules too.
I don't think one can compare USA to Sweden without considering a lot of other factors as well.
We only do 80.000-100.000 jumps per year.
We have fewer, larger airplanes, thus fewer jumpers in the air. The four biggest DZs have one Twin-Otter, one Beaver, one Caravan and one PAC750XSTOL.
The biggest DZs have rather large landing areas compared to many busy DZs in the USA.
All the raining keeps the ground soft, which has prevented a few swooping injuries that I've witnessed.
This whole thread was an interesting read. I'm even more convinced than ever that a 190 to 170 is plenty small enough to have fun with after a 20+ year layoff.
Ground launching is the only thing I'd want one of those little Divot-Maker 80s(or whatever) for.
Ground launching is the only thing I'd want one of those little Divot-Maker 80s(or whatever) for.
sebcat 0
Ground launching is the only thing I'd want one of those little Divot-Maker 80s(or whatever) for.
Why is that? You can get injured or die ground launching too. Having some previous skydiving experience on something smaller might prepare you better for ground launching.
I agree Kallend.. but those are not the jumpers we are talking about in this thread.
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