darkvapor

Does that make me or my instructors reckless and dangerous? No, it means that things were done differently than what you were used to, which isn't necessarily wrong or dangerous. I completely agree with you. In my earlier post, I said that I could be completely wrong, and that he could have been an excellent canopy pilot. However, the point of my reference was a general concern for the adherence to common sense, and general safety. Is jumping with buddies at jump number 8 inherently dangerous? No, not necessarily. But it does constitute a much greater risk that should not be taken. The same applies to canopy piloting. He chose to justify his canopy flight decisions based on his fixed wing experience. My concern is that he needs to better evaluation his decisions, as all of us should. What I was saying was, just because I understand fluid dynamics, doesn't mean I am automatically qualified to jump a sub-100 Stilleto. That decision needs to be based on my direct experience in flying canopies and other important factors. My point to him was, that just because you are a pilot or a have a dangerous job, that does not entitle you to take higher risks before you are able to. From the information he provided, it looks like his canopy downsizing decision was not necessarily hasty or dangerous. If one takes the time to evaluate skill and downsize to something well within reason, then that is a fine choice. You just have to be sure that choice is justified with the right reasons.

For one, I do not see how you can justify your actions by saying you are a fixed wing pilot or have a dangerous job. Being an aerospace engineer, I have an extensive knowledge of airfoils and fluid dynamics as well, but that does not qualify me to jump a sub-100 sq ft Stiletto either. It doesn't matter if you are a Blue Angels pilot with 20 years experience, it is not simple transferring fixed wing piloting skills to a parachuting. But coming to a more important point, and more of what you were asking in another post: Your not going to find an explicit regulation that is going to prohibit you from jumping with buddies (as far as I am aware of). However, have you done your coach jumps yet? Have you been attempting reaching the goals of your A license? You pick up horrible habits jumping solo and with buddies who can not observe you and give you postive feedback. If you haven't done your coach jumps, then you might be in a backslide when you think you are falling through a column of air. Or your turns might have a radius of 20 feet. At 13 jumps, you are not able to self diagnose these problems, and they could turn into a nightmare when you start working on your license requirements.

I transitioned to a throw out at jump #14, and then to a dual handle cutaway by jump 19. Personally, I don't think that either system really depends on the jump number, but the training. There are AFF programs that start you out with dual handle systems, and transition quickly to throw out. The main point is to make sure that you are adequately trained. Make sure you know how to deploy properly, and to make sure you know all of the emergency procedures that come from using a throw out instead of a ripcord. And also, whenever you do choose to transition, just be consistent. Never go back and forth between two systems. And don't forget to let go of the pilot chute. :) -- Vadim

I have a few concerns of my own. Why was this your first time PLFing? Why did you even attempt to stand-up your first landing? Does a first time jumper have the necessary skills to judge speed and angle? If you stood up your landings, it was luck. If you slid in, then you should have PLFed. If you received the proper training and coaching, then perhaps your decision might have been acceptable. But one important lesson that everyone should follow is to play it safe when they are unsure of their landing. During my AFF, it was required that for the first several jumps you PLF. It is much better to get a bit dusty than end up with a femur sticking out of your butt because you misjudged your speed or altitude (as so many students do). And as some other people have indicated, you should not have been jumping with buddies yet. Not only will you not learn as much, but you can pick up some horrible habits by jumping with inexperienced friends. Sure its fun to jump with friends you went through AFF with, but during your first 20-30 jumps, safe and steady learning should be your number one priority. I am also a bit concerned with your canopy size. Perhaps you have had the training (and a low enough weight so that your wing loading is well below 1), but 220 seems mighty small for a novice with only 13 jumps. And then, downsizing to a 190 (where did the 200 go?) seems like a poor choice. Again, I could be wrong, and you might have an excellent canopy coach, but more likely with students, you could have made a poor choice. Would you have been able to land that smaller canopy during a strong wind gust downwind? At 13 jumps, the most likely answer is no. I, too, am a low time jumper, but I would stress the importance of safety and a bit of common sense. My recommendation would be to think about your skills, where you need to improve, and find a good freefall and canopy coach to help you reach those goals. Good luck! -- Vadim

You hit it on the head right there... Every Joe calls himself an engineer even if they are truly not. Engineer has really become a term used loosely lately. Me? Yes.. I am an engineer. A rocket scientist to be exact.. :) -- Vadim