JohnMitchell

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Everything posted by JohnMitchell

  1. JohnMitchell
    Or do what Vskydiver does and have your husband pack for you.
  2. JohnMitchell
    can you explain this better I don't understand. how do you check it with out opening the container? When you yank the bridle to bring the pilot chute to yourself, the pilot chute should inflate like, of course, like a pilot chute. If the pilot chute streamers instead of filling with air, it hasn't been cocked properly. Was that the question you were asking?
  3. JohnMitchell
    With "piggyback" equipment (both main & reserve on back), agreed. Back when you & I were trained on chest-mounted reserves (which were free-packed, to boot), my DZs taught students to throw away the main ripcord before reserve deployment to avoid possible reserve entanglement with a main ripcord still partly in its housing. You jumped that old crap too?
  4. JohnMitchell
    So, I saw what you did. It wasn't so much the slack in the lines as it was the mismanagement of the pilot chute during packing. I always leave the pilot chute and bridle stretched out above my rig while I put the bag in and close the container. I consider it a "logic check" in the whole process. I never pull it down like you do. There's no reason to and good reasons not to. BTW, after closing my container, I then quickly yank the pilot chute towards me to positively check that it's properly cocked. I don't really care much about the "blue windows" when I can check it directly, every time.
  5. JohnMitchell
    Like I've always said . . . High rate of descent, low forward speed = PLF Low rate of descent, high forward speed = slide High rate of descent, high forward speed = you're f*ucked! But you should still clamp your feet and knees together. BTW, I've done all 3 of these landings.
  6. JohnMitchell
    A lot of people have trouble visualizing what the rules are. I like to sketch them out on paper. Draw a low cloud, draw a high cloud, and sketch in the required clearances.
  7. JohnMitchell
    Been there, done that. I packed a "flip thru" once. I was halfway thru my pack job when some friends wanted to see the video I had shot. When I came back my stuff had been kicked around but it looked okay(ish), so I finished it up. Next jump. . . cutaway from step thru. Hey, a couple of tips on cutaways. 1- Put your feet on your butt and ARCH as you're reaching for the handles. Much better to fall away stable, belly to earth, as your reserve deploys than to fall back to earth with your feet out in front. 2- Wearing a camera? Consider tipping your head way forward as you cutaway to give as much room as possible between your deploying reserve and that snaggy little GoPro. 3- For many years we used ripcords on our main parachutes to deploy them, and we held onto the handles every jump. I've never heard a GOOD reason to automatically throw away either handle when you cutaway. Why not hang onto them?
  8. JohnMitchell
    27, with 4 of them outside the US. Not a bunch, but not bad.
  9. JohnMitchell
    Exactly. Going to them with a "question" because you're "confused" about what you've learned vs. what you're seeing is one of the best ways to handle it. The bad part is that instructors passing bad "old school" info also seem to be the ones most resistant to changing their syllabus to correct those mistakes. Why? 'Cause it's wrong!
  10. JohnMitchell
    Did you finish AFF? At our DZ that's when they have to join (but they get a free Galaxy altimeter when they do.) You know, they are pretty nice when you call there. I've always gotten good service from them.
  11. JohnMitchell
    Damn, that's a lot of salt water in the crankcase! I noticed he rides with his weight way back. Probably much trickier to handle than a real jet ski. I guess I won't be doing this anytime soon. Cool thing is you can surf without as much worry about sharks eating you.
  12. JohnMitchell
    Yeah, best way ever to join the 8 mile high club. "Ladies and gentlemen, we're experiencing a light bit of turbulence. You may have noticed the plane shaking a bit."
  13. JohnMitchell
    Actually there is an FAA speed limit for ALL aircraft, jet, turbo, piston, of 250 knots indicated airspeed (KIAS) below 10,000. Above 10K, yes, they may go as fast as they want (subsonic, of course.) There are a few operators that have waivers to this rule, esp. for air shows, but it's not very common.
  14. JohnMitchell
    Perfect! :) Hey, is that a model of the Twin Otters the Air Force Academy jumps from? I made some jumps there back in the 80's.
  15. JohnMitchell
    Umm, 5500 feet on AFF level 1,2, and 3.
  16. JohnMitchell
    Great video. I bet he's planning a different approach next time.
  17. JohnMitchell
    Wow, Vskydiver watched someone spin in under a malfunctioned reserve the other day. Luckily the jumper survived with bruises and a few minor fractures. That could have really juiced the news.
  18. JohnMitchell
    No kidding? And I thought this was a disease of the past. Hawaii is closing its Leprosy asylum even. Bad stuff.
  19. JohnMitchell
    So when is the housewarming BBQ? Jerry Baumchen Hell, any time you stop by. Our door's always open for skydivers.
  20. JohnMitchell
    No doubt. It's the very reason we moved down to Lacey, WA.
  21. JohnMitchell
    Vskydiver dropped her kids . . . out of a jump plane.
  22. JohnMitchell
    Well, a bigger parachute is recommended for your experience level. That would help. Have some one video your landings, then have an experienced canopy instructor debrief them. They should be able to spot where you can improve.
  23. JohnMitchell
    Yeah, you're right. But IF we had one, that's the kind of $hit we'd right.
  24. JohnMitchell
    Baby did an okay PLF. As the father of 4 kids, I know you can drop 'em like that quite a bit and they'll still turn out fine.
  25. JohnMitchell
    More lube Squeaka, you bad! Here's me and Andy with a happy AFF 1 student, Keith, after his first jump Saturday. He did great.