daveb

More than a negligible amount of lift.

Has anyone actually measured/demonstrated that real lift is occurring, instead of simply a slower fall rate with a horizontal component? It seems dubious to me that real lift is involved, since that would involve significant airflow over the body from the horizontal position, yet when the track starts out, there is (hopefully) zero horizontal component. But I've seen good trackers get this 'lift' immediately upon starting their track; and by extension, they should receive more and more lift as they build up horizontal speed, but this does not seem* to be the case -- it seems they descend at a constant rate, just a slower rate than before the track. Conversely, the flare at the end of the track should -- if lift was the reason for the reduced fallrate -- result in a marked increase in fallrate; again, not something that I've noticed (but then I'm usually saving my life at about this point ;-). *seems = my limited experience. Does anyone that can track really well, and own ProTrack+JumpTrack confirm that they really do fall slower the further into their track (i.e. the faster their horizontal component) they progress? And the increased fallrate at the flare-point, just prior to deployment?

Please show me how this can be done. Video would be good. I know the wind tunnels have video, so please show me some video of exit practice in the wind tunnel. You can practice exits, sortof, in the tunnel. It is not anything like from the aircraft, except that perhaps you are moving from non-flying to flying. I've done several types of two-way exits (cat, stairstep, compress, star, sidebody, phalanx) with one standing in the doorway in the wind, the other in the door out of the wind. I've also done a few 4ways, standing upon the wire in the wind, and transitioning to flying. Again, the only similarity I noticed was the moving from static to flying. I suspect it builds awareness more than any accurate sensation. Moreover, such techniques "teach" you to go immediately to the flat and ignore the hill (bad). But they are fun (good). ;-) I don't have the proper video hardware to upload from VHS, or I would show you some of these "exits". Again, please show me how this can be done. I'm really interested in how tracking practice is accomplished in the wind tunnel. Again, video would be good. Fly towards a coach standing in the doorway, or perhaps as a fly on the wall. Once he has a firm stance and hold on you, start to track. You can achieve a very good forward push and a track-like posture. It's not really tracking, but you do get the feel for what certain body positions can do. Both of these techniques require the tunnel staff to okay you individually, and are best done with a coach. Both of these techniques have the potential for harm. Do not try these without proper coaching. IMHO the tunnel is no substitute for jumping. It is a wonderful tool that comes close to simulating a free fall, but it is a supplement, not a replacement.

I've been through seven of the Airspeed tunnelcamps. I believe the results speak for themselves. I highly recommend them. ... Um, not that you need to do seven camps to get better... ...*I* needed seven camps to get better... ;-) ... most people improve dramatically after only one camp! ... I really should just go to bed.

I was pretty nervous in round 10 at Nationals.... I still get somewhat nervous after a break of longer than three weeks without jumping, or if I'm doing something out-of-profile like a hop-n-pop, high-altitude, or night jump. It goes away much quicker now (1800 jumps) than it used to, but really, if you stop to *think* about what you're about to do, it should give you pause. It's normal, and it's healthy...to a point.

Check out the SCM (Skydiver's Competition Manual), section 5-3 (starts on page 63). If you continue with RW, you will find it most helpful to be at least passingly familiar with the names and shapes of the 4 and 8 way dive pools. Of course, just about any combination of jumpers and grips works just fine, names or no names. It's all about having fun with your friends. Don't feel constrained about any single dive pool, or limit yourself to 2/4/8 way because of a manual. Play around, and enjoy the air!

Heh. Here's my inaugural post on dropzone.com; what a way to say howdy. Some time ago, I had The Dream. While the details are now hazy, I remember fairly vividly the bounce and my reaction. I reached for my hackey, but nothing happened. I reached for my reserve, pulled, and nothing happened. I remember being really upset with my rigger -- how could he do this to me? -- all the way to the ground. I hit the ground in a belly flop, without much force, picked myself up, dusted off, and started to storm over to my rigger, intent on screaming at him for killing me. Then I pulled up short, because how could I be upset since I was obviously alive. That's when I woke up, still thoroughly angry, but with no reason to vent at the rigger because I was O.K. (BTW, the rigger in the dream was a faceless, nameless person, not my actual rigger, John Storrie, for whom I have the utmost respect, and who has already saved my life.) Last night, I had The Friend Dream. I was on the ground, watching my friend and teammate Bu jumping solo and geeking our video guy, Clint. It was cool watching Bu fly; I could see every detail on his jumpsuit and rig, watch all his moves, see how he pushed the air. I could see Clint orbiting the formation (there was only Bu, and he was doing 4way, but there was no-one else; one of those nonsensical dream things). Wow, check out the detail! Hey, I'm not using binoculars. Hey! Aren't they really close to the horizon? HEY! PULL, BU, PULL! AAAAHHH! *Thud*. Huh? They both get up, high five each other, and start walking in. Weird.