mikkey

I was just reading in another forum something about why people start jumping. This reminded me that I actually took the decision that I would do skydiving back in my childhood in the 60's. There was a US show about 2 parachutist with a small Cessna and their adventures. Watching that every week got me totally hooked as a kid and I fulfilled my dream in the late 70's. Anyone remember what the name of the show was and anything relevant to it?? --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

Bad excuse. You have this wonderful vintage gear... just use that instead... --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

"Actually, you need a D to jump without an AAD. " And you have to use RSL if you do not use AAD at D license. I think E & F can do whatever they want. --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

I think the whole issue boils down to what is “heroism”. You say that the instructor was not a hero because he made a “mistake” (following the student below 2000 ft when an AAD was installed) and it was a mistake which he payed with his live for. However, if you exclude people from being branded “heroes” just because they made a mistake – there would be a lot of people we call “heroes” that should not – both in the military and in civilian incidents. Example: There are a lot of stories about people who died in NY on 9/11 who died because they stayed back with people who could not get out (e.g. disabled). That did not safe these people lives nor their own. But we call them heroes because they acted UNSELFISH and they were more concerned about others then themselves. Most people see acts of heroism more from the angle of unselfish acts with no regard to own safety, and they do not care if there was a “mistake” or not. The reason you did upset people was that you took a very “technical” approach to the incident (and you are correct on the facts) and use this to question the “heroism”. You need to differentiate between these 2 things. Yes, this Robert made a big mistake, but he acted so unselfish and only with the safety of his student in his mind that people will see him as a hero. I for my part understand this fully. If you had just focussed on what we can learn from the incident (do not follow students below 2000 ft. – especially if they have an AAD) and not questioned the “heroism” in his sacrifice – you would not have received any flames. --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

Just a foot note. For anyone interested in skydiving history and wants to get a picture of the time when Parachuting became Skydiving, i.e the 70's - then get this book (Skies Call2 - Andy Keech - ISBN 0950334111) It has amazing pictures and so many "firsts" or nearly firts. Base (the first from El Capitan), Tandem, large CREW stacks, large formations, first throw out PC et. etc. Really, really interesting book. --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

For all of you who don't have this classic book, here is the picture: --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

I remember seeing a video from Russia in the 80's where a jumper with a double mal is coming down on top of the packing area. You see some of the jumpers grabbing a big plastic "sheet" (used to pack on) run like fire fighters when catching people jumping of buildings, and actually catching the jumper and reducing the impact enough for the jumper to survive. (sounds impossible but it is true). If I remember right (it is many years ago I saw it) - a lot of nylon out (reserve and main) but entangled - so probably "medium" speed. --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

As mentioned by the others, what you experienced is totally normal. When I started with static line many years ago it took me probably 5-6 jumps before I ever "noticed" the plane after exit, i.e. before the "blurr" was reduced enough for me to actually register my surroundings accurately. So don't worry it will pass quickly. --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

What is the price difference between version 1 and 2?? --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

Have a look at the APF web site under publications. There is a lot of information. http://www.apf.asn.au If you can't find what you are looking for try e-mailing the APF's technical director. E-mail links are provided on the web site. --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

I think I know answer to Q1: Commercial aircraft cabins are pressurized, i.e. your alti would not show 30 K I think. If I remember right the cabins are pressurized to something equal to something like 6 K. --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

Hmmm, If I remember right you are the guy who thinks that he is perfectly safe to jump a 120 Sq.ft. elyptical at 1.3 wing loading at 49 jumps. I don't think you need to worry about a Cypres miss fire. It is far more probable that you will get hurt or killed during a landing then having a Cypres fire when it is not supposed to. The reason people use the Cypres is exactly that it is so much more reliable then what has been available in the past. --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

"I do not think everyone after 50 jumps is ready for a 1.3 loaded canopy. But I also think many of us are. I chose 1.3 because from the jump no.1 I have had all standup landings. I have been able to land very accurately in my opinion. (we also have to do 10 landings within 10 meters to get our licence) " I think this says it all. If you think that the above "qualifications" make you a safe pilot under a 120 loaded at 1.3 at 50 jumps then I must say - probably being rude here - you have no idea what you are talking about. BTW note that Finland like the other Scandinavian countries have wing loading regulations. Seems the Finnish one is different from the Swedish and Danish ones which I think is more restrictive at lower jump numbers. However, they do all stop hundred jump wonders from flying pocket rockets at high wing loadings. And I think this actually has had an influence on the fatality rates "under canopy" in these countries. We probably have beaten this "horse" to death in multiple threads anyway. Some people want to jump what ever they want and others do not think it is a good idea. I will just continue to check the incident forum and be depressed about the number of people getting killed or maimed under perfect canopies. --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

My home dropzone here "down under" was full of "Poms" (that is what we call British people ) all summer (that is southern hemisphere summer = northern winter). I think it has to do with that a lot of Brits like to visit Australia for a long "back packing" holiday anyway and combine it with jumping. The weather is better and it is cheaper. I also belive they have no problems getting APF licenses accepted in Britain (?). Our price level is: lift 14 K: A$ 32 ~ £ 12 or US$ 19 AFF course with 9 stages and around 10 jumps will cost you around A$ 2000 ~ £ 780 or US$1200 --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

The web site has an english page (no link from front page as far as I could see): http://www.aerograd.ru/english_brief.html Also, check out the pics on http://www.aerograd.ru/foto.html (click russian text lines in the middle of page. Hmmm, russian choppers.... nice. I had a few jumps from a Mi-17 in 1992 in Europe - quite an experience. --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

I thought you had to pay for advertising on dropzone .com --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

Yeah, the UT-15 has a good reputation with the people who jumped it. Did you try the "weird" pilot chutes some of them had? Also nice pics. T-4 looks very much like the C-9 7-TU I jumped in the 70's.... --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

OK - I remember 2 instructors doing a linked 2-way exit at 1000 feet with T-10 static line systems. For fun! Late 1970's when I first started. --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

You have 85 jumps... you should really think hard if you want a Stiletto loaded above 1.2 at this stage. Not only is your margin of error smaller at landing, you also have a slightly bigger risk of spinning malfunctions compared to other canopies. I would recommend a semi-ellyptical like the Sabre2 or Safire2 at a wing loading of around 1.1 if I was you - but I am not you of course. From my own experience, I own a Safire2 189 loaded around 1.2 and I have lots of fun. You just need to know how to fly it. I can spin myself to blackout if I wish and I can out glide a lot of canopies at the DZ. But I have forgiving openings (even when my body position is not perfect) and I have a larger margin of error at landing - but lots of flare and fun at landing. Why buy a Stiletto if you want to fly conservatively?? More risk for less reward? Anyway, its up to you. Just my 2 C. --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

With all the pictures of new rigs posted here, maybe we should have a special "show and tell" section in the forums where people post pics of their gear with some data (type of main, reserve etc.). Could help people who are looking at buying gear in regard to looks and colour options etc. --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

Finally somebody who remembers the russian lemoigne canopiy's name

It is definitely thermal. As far as I know (and pls correct me if not) - when the heat from the sun reflects on "ground" that reflects heat well, the reflecting heat creates a lot of thermal "wind". So the bare dusty ground reflects the heat well, whilst the grass area does not. That is why a grass area is more save in regard to the thermals. The following is pure speculation: I think that the bare dusty ground is very "uneven" in its heat reflection, thus causing these circular small dust tornados - the hot dust from the ground probably does contribute to this. Where I jump it gets very hot in summer - well into the 40's Celsius, which is probably about 105-110 F as a top and consistenly above 90 F. When you jump in these conditions on a sunny day over a dusty field its like a mini roller-coaster ride. Really need to fly the canopy carefully.... --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

"One thing to look at when the jumper gets up it looks like there are a bunch of broken lines on the ground. Not sure though if they are from the canopy. " Thats not broken lines, thats from his collapsible slider (the small lines you pull to collapse it). --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

Don't agree. Maybe the "1" with a new trim is not quite identical with the new "2". I have a new 189 and the flare is hugh if you know what you are doing. I have a big "envelope" of flare I can play with and really "fly" the flare. The last bit of flare is very deep for me - have you tried to really pull the toggles deep? --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

Amen to what you said. From my experience the glide is very good. I was on a bad spot load a week or so ago. I was the only one from my exit "group" who made it back to the main landing area. They were using back risers. I used just 1/4 brakes and had lower opening alt (due to my soft openings) then the rest of the group. So, yes it glides very well. --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.