Wingsuit Ash release dive

[fergs 0]

We lost Darryl earlier in the year. After 16 years in a coma (motorcycle accident), his body finally said enough.

Darryl had loved his skydiving and so when his father asked me to take him on a final skydive and spread his ashes in freefall, I accepted without hesitation. I had dispatched him on his first skydive all those years ago and so I felt honoured to "dispatch" him on his last jump as well.

But in the time he’d been an active skydiver, the wingsuit was still far from the dreams and imagination of the skydiving community. So it was only fitting for his last skydive to also be his first wingsuit flight.

It only remained to design a suitable method of successfully carrying out the flight. You may remember a while back, I posted a request thread for suggestions. Many were received with thanks. The final version is in the attached pics.

It was basically a cylindrical container, open at both ends but a larger opening at the top end where it would present to the relative wind. The desire was to have Darryl’s ashes release slowly, much like a smoke flare. So the much smaller bottom opening ensured the rammed air would push the ash out in a controlled slow release.

The container was attached to my outside lower leg, using webbing through a newly purpose cut keyhole in the leg of my S-3 and also fed through the LQRS tab-gaps. It was the opposite side from my pilot chute to minimire any chance of conflict at deployment. The design of the webbing straps also allowed for a quick release if necessary.

The jump went well. Also on board was Darryl’s son Darren as a tandem passenger, who had a more conventional ash bag. Darren and I shared the ashes between us.

Unfortunately the free-fall pics failed (well if the truth be known, two video cameras and a Neptune all failed on the jump – and Darryl’s family all swear it was him getting the last laugh), and so the actual ash release wasn’t captured. But they did indeed release much like a smoke flare.

I know Darryl enjoyed his first wingsuit flight. The container was a success and I’ll be happy to share the design so we can improve for the next time one is needed.

Blue skies,

fergs

[leroydb 0]

my regards to the family.

...That looks like a toner cartridge for a copier?

Leroy


..I knew I was an unwanted baby when I saw my bath toys were a toaster and a radio...

[fergs 0]

Quote

my regards to the family.

...That looks like a toner cartridge for a copier?

Hey Le Roy,

Yep, that's exactly what it is.

It's funny how in your mind you know what is needed - but just haven't "seen" it yet. So there I was down dumping toner cartridges from the office at the toner recycle place. I'd thrown all into the hopper and picked this last one up ... and just knew it was the solution. Melt a couple of slits top and bottom for the webbing to pass through ... small alteration to the S-3 leg ... a bit of thought on how to set up each end's opening ... and bingo. Plus it's still a recyclable product, and now awaits the next flight.

I'll sure be happy for at least a portion of my own ashes going on their last flight in a similar way. Not for lots of years, I hope. But by then, who know's where wingsuit technology will be up to.

Blue Skies,

fergs