Tandem Cutaway Story and a question

[turtlespeed 226]

Aggiedave had a cutaway on a Tandem, that I was shooting video for.

Normal dive - all is good, he gives the signal that he is about to pull - I back off 3 feet or so - He pulls, I pop my wings, and they go down the trap door - and I back slide as they catch up to me. As they pass me I flip completely over onto my back and watch the opening.


I looked up, and the canopy opened - oscillated, and folded back opposite of what it usually does - So I think huh - that ain't right - SHIT!- to hell with the opening shot - I'm outta here! (I always thought it would be hard to pick out a mal.)

So, I flipped back over and tracked away, and dumped at about 2700 (lower than I usually do with a camera) So I land, gather my stuff up, and get ready to shoot the landing -

Where are they? OH SHIT, they DID cutaway . . . the main is exactly 90 degrees perpindicular to the landing area about 400 yards away fluttering down into a field (followed right behind by the freebag) (Yeah - I had to film it)

So I look for a while . . .

Finaly, there they are, so click, and video is rolling, I had to back up 4 steps as AD lands flawlessly under his pretty white reserve.

A smile and nod, and the video ends - congratulations are flowing - one of the packers says, here - I got it (taking the rig) and says your on the next load. . .- and off he went to give another ride.
So - obviously everything worked out ok - but what would you have done different? Not looking for a flame fest or a heated argument - just opinions on what other options there are out there.

I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama
BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun

[ffejdraga 0]

Seems like everything worked out ok, so not much needed to change.

One thing I make sure of is adequate separtion from the tandems. I sitfly with them, and as they open, i lay out flat on my back and spend the time they are opening backtracking away. Especially with the snivelly tandem canopies, this can be a good amount of time (I already know that I am not long when I exit, and therefore able to bring it down pretty low ..2500') so it is often about 15 or more seconds, which gives me a lot of separation. I like being able to see them open fully then I flip over, chances are they wont be cutting away, but if they do I am far enough away.

jeff D-16906

[diverds 0]

I backtrack untill they are fully open as well. Plenty of seperation this way and you still get the full opening shot.

Skydive Radio

[SniperCJ 0]

Sounds like you did good to me.

(I always thought it would be hard to pick out a mal.)***

Not to redirect the tread, but I didnt have ANY problem picking out the one I video'ed recently. TM deploys, I flip on my back just as the reserve is deploying in a two-out situation. I'm surprised the TM didnt hear me yelling "Oh SH&T!"

[YahooLV 0]

Nice job! Wouldn't have done anything different.

http://www.curtisglennphotography.com

[birddog 0]

i prefer to smoke it down on every camera jump if the spot is ok. that way iam well out of the way if the tanden has a mal. they shouldnt be down that far to clean me up any way.

Deal with it

[rhys 0]

so you think vertical separation is enough?!?! silly boy i would stick with the back tracking!

"When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

[skydiverton 0]

Quote

i prefer to smoke it down on every camera jump if the spot is ok. that way iam well out of the way if the tanden has a mal. they shouldnt be down that far to clean me up any way.

Vertical separation is NO separation.
You do not have to wait till the canopy is completely open. When it snivels for a couple of seconds you can turn over of backtrack a distance.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Using your droque to gain stability is a bad habit,
Especially when you are jumping a sport rig