Hercules kicked my arse!

[cpoxon 0]

Well, had a fun exit on my beer jump from a Hercules! Was in the third row to exit from a ten way-ish. Side on to take a turning step hopping off backwards. Didn't look up enough and an open leg wing flipped me down. As I looked back up, the prop wash caught me and whipped me around. I couldn't believe the speed of how quickly it started. I was spinning on my back with a fairly strong force. I briefly thought about cutting away my wings and had my hands on my loops, but my arms were closed and I had a lot of altitude to play with so I remembered what I teach my first timers; bring your knees up and then arch/flip over out of it. I took a tremendous amount of strength to bring my knees up (before you see them in the video) but that started to slow it down straight away and I was able to arch and flip out of it. You can see the video here

I was able to get back on a level with my group but I wasn't able to close the distance before break-off; just too far away. Well, it's cool to finally have the experience to back up what I teach! Although on a Classic or GTi from a smaller aircraft with a regular run in, it's unlikely to happen, but the recovery is proven.

It can't have been that bad, when we got down Scary Perry looked me in the eyes and said so as I didn't have the bloodshot skysurfer's eyes! But it was fast enough for me thankyou! I'll try and get Vesa's outside video which is quiet impressive, although brief as I go tumbling out of view!

My subsequent exits have been better. Although I was able to get above a skyvan running it at 135 knots, I've only managed to stay on a level with the Herc so far. I've been too scared to open my wings straight away! Now my exits are better I might start to try it! :-S

p.s. I use to term "flat spin" but it was more of a flat spin on my side, if you get my meaning!

Skydiving Fatalities - Cease not to learn 'til thou cease to live

[gus 1]

Quote

I've been too scared to open my wings straight away!

Come on Poxon, don't let me down!

Gus

OutpatientsOnline.com

[pilotdave 0]

Better link:

http://www.skydivingmovies.com/ver2/pafiledb.php?action=file&id=1614

Dave

[verticalflyer 11]

NIce footage craig. maybe your calling is freestyle! I am sitting back in grey england feeling extremley pissed, I came down with some kind of virus flu thing on Thursday and had to cancel my flight since I was pretty ill and am only up and about today tuesday so not very amused, but this kind os sh*t happens once in a while just sucks that it came at boogie time.

See you soon

Fraser

Dont just talk about it, Do it!