AFFI

QuoteWhere they went wrong is in lessening the training required for jumpers to instruct students. I've seen people argue on this forum that jumpers with 100 to 200 jumps are not experienced, yet you are only required to have 100 jumps to get a coach rating. Do you feel that it is okay to have a person with 100 jumps teaching a jumper turns for the first time? With this new system they will be allowed to take a static line student as soon as they complete their clear and pull(7th jump). That means the student will have no other freefall experience. Would you have a coach do the same thing for AFF. That means it will be the students 4th jump. This argument is not about what is more important to the student (canopy skills or freefall skills). It is that the USPA is dropping their standards for student instruction.Quote Good post, I couldn’t agree more. When I first started jumping I went through old school AFF training, 7 pass/fail skydives with AFFI’s then off to “Level 8’s”. The way Level 8’s was handled where I learned was the person doing the Level 8, if I remember correctly was any D licensed holder or someone with D license qualifications as far as jump numbers were concerned at $75 each and overall I did not learn much when compared to the 20 jump tandem progression program that is utilized at the DZ where I work and only AFFI’s train students. I wish the standards for getting an AFF Rating were higher. Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

Jumper #1: Totally screws the freefall portion of a jump but deploys the parachute on time and properly navigates the canopy piloting portion of the skydive and lands safely in an area free of obstacles. Jumper #1 repacks and is on another load that day to go practice freefall skills again. Jumper #2: Illustrates perfection in freefall but does not deploy their parachute on time, makes poor decisions in navigating their canopy and lands in an area that is not free of obstacles resulting in a serious injury (or worse). Jumper #2 is not able to skydive again for an extended period of time (if ever) while healing from the injuries sustained on their landing. In a perfect world the freefall portion and canopy piloting portion of a skydive are both successful without injury. In the real world people make mistakes, especially when they are still a novice/student level skydiver. I have never heard any stories about a skydver in the plane on their way to altitude with a femur sticking out. Midair freefall collisions can be catastrophic as well; perhaps this is why we never see a skydiver with 19 jumps on Big Ways… Which jumper would you rather be? Number 1 or number 2? Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

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What country? USA - Don wrote this a while back, the year USPA changed the A Liscense requirements... Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

Sometime back I emailed the late great Don Y. concerning some of the canopy control requirements on the A License Proficiency card, in particular the Braked Approach and Landing and Accuracy Landing requirements. Don, in is own elegant manner went into details that did include the importance of learning stall points of the canopy being piloted and how it is imperative that the student learn control aspects of their canopy prior to performing braked maneuvers close to the ground. His reply email is pasted below. Thought some of you might appreciate good ole don’s perspective. Hey, Mykel, My purported areas of “expertise” certainly do not include the detailed whys and wherefores of all of the facets of the “I.S.P.” I’ll still be absorbing the minutia for several years to come, as will the rest of the instructional community. Keep in mind that I was mostly “out of the S&T Committee” loop for two years, and that there were numerous modifications and revisions to the “I.S.P.” by them after my departure from the committee. After that disclaimer, I can, however, speculate…………. My interpretation, for that’s all that it is, would lead me to conclude that the degree of control input by the student would absolutely be equipment/wing loading dependent, as well factoring in the wind conditions existing (down to the deck) when the canopy flight in question is planned. The definition of what is “braked” will vary a bit from DZ to DZ and Instructor to Instructor. After all, isn’t every landing aside from full flight a ‘braked landing” at some point prior to, or perhaps after, ground impact??? Good, bad or indifferent. I’m sure that the spirit and intent of this requirement is to ensure that the student understands and can discern between the various modes of flight of their canopy, which on their final student canopy flights, IMHO, should include approaches to and execution of a stall and demonstrating the ability to recover to full flight at an extravagant altitude, ergo, way up there, probably immediately following the determination of a good canopy, subsequent to the controllability check. This is directly paralleled in aviation flight instruction. How many folks have been killed over the years due partly or wholly to an imperfect understanding and feel for the safe envelope of flight for the canopy that they were using when they frapped? So a clear understanding of how to avoid a stall when the chips are down (new DZ, last load, running late, bad spot, tiny field, perhaps unfamiliar equipment, etc., or even a reserve ride) is essential. How many skydivers (including Instructors) out there these days have never truly stalled their canopy?????? “Oh, that’s too scary.” And their point is? The alternative is even more scary for most normal folks. In all cases common sense should be exercised by each Instructor, therefore in essence tailoring the requirement to each student, not simply blindly adhering to a requirement in the program, applying what I would term ‘collision avoidance of a cookie-cutter approach to canopy flight instruction’. The spirit and intent of the accuracy requirement is to have the student demonstrate proper expertise in landing their parachute where they plan to, without guidance. This is not a contest for Instructors in directing radio-controlled student skydivers to a spot landing. One consideration is that the “A” License requirement is going up to 25 jumps in September- that’s five more opportunities to work with “problem children” on their canopy skills. That’s all that you get today. Besides, my coffee cup is empty. Clear Skies, Don

Well said, i agree totally. dive the plan? How often does this happen, for things to go exactly as planned? Shouldent we also teach them to expect the unexpected at some level? Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

Quite curious here because this is an important issue I have been pondering. They developed the downplane at 30 to 50 feet? What was the configuration before the downplane? Did either of the canopies have line twists? What were the wind conditions? Was either of the two on the tandem applying control input that might have caused the downplane? Basically I am wondering what caused the downplane.

If I am working with a student all the way through the course and that student preformed every freefall maneuver perfectly with no display of instability whatsoever and I allow that student to self supervise than I am doing a disservice to that individual and the sport jumpers they will be jumping with in the near future. A student must prove an ability to regain stability from an unstable body position that was unplanned. Barrel Rolls, Diving Exits and Front and Back Flips are a part of the progression that will introduce students to this very important skill. In my limited experience of jumping with students (only 500 AFF jumps) I personally have witnessed perfection were this topic is concerned a couple of times, both by trained Gymnasts, so it has been rare. Much more common is the flipping and flopping and struggling which make my job exciting to say the least. Since regaining stability from an unstable body position must be proven during the student progression, in these rare cases I have been advised by instructors much more experienced than me to introduce some level (not too extreme) of unplanned instability that is done at a safe altitude. In my life’s experience I have come to believe that in an instructional setting were you have two individuals: One being the teacher (expert) and one being the student (novice) it is imperative that for the highest level of transference of knowledge (learning) to occur each participant in the instructional setting much know, accept and play their rolls. It is likely that a student learning (with very little practical experience) has yet learned more than their teacher (with an overwhelming abundance of practical experience) has already forgotten about in the particular curriculum being taught. A little humility goes a long way and will enhance the learning process greatly. Make it a great day, Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

Check out the 2006 SIM, you should find your answers there in Section 7 I think. Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

I take it that you have yet to take the first jump course (FJC). Once you are trained by an AFF instructor you will be prepared to deal with such contingencies. Here in online forums is not the place to be trained for emergency situations - the proper place for that is in person with your instructors who will properly prepare you with the configuration of gear you will be jumping. Student gear can vary from DZ to DZ so it is essential that you receive your advisement in person from the AFF instructors who will be training you at the DZ where you will be on student status. After you have been trained thoroughly by your instructor(s) you will be ready to deal with emergency procedures on the gear you be using on student status, so be patient and wait until you are trained in person by your INSTRUCTORS. Reserve canopies are very reliable; trust your gear and your training after you have received it. Oh yeah, one more thing, ask YOUR NSTRUCTORS… Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

Unless at say, 200 feet an obstacle comes into view that could injure you severely, then your choices become: 1) Land in the obstacle (not recommended for something like power lines) 2) Perform a flat turn so you can change your heading on the horizon while keeping the canopy overhead. There are a lot of dead skydivers that did not learn to execute a Flat Turn and along came a day when they needed that skill and since it was never learned they pulled a single toggle down to avoid the obstacle from a low altitude and the next thing ya know I am doing my least favorite thing - attending a friends funeral... Slow Flight (also called: Flat Flight – Braked Flight – Flying in Half Brakes): Slow flight changes the angle the parachute glides. Holding the toggles near the shoulders (#1 position) slows down your forward speed and rate of descent. After some practice, you will discover flight characteristics that many jumpers are unaware of. You can learn to get a whole new level of performance from your canopy, and develop skills that can save your life in a tight situation. Flat Turns (also called: Avoidance Turns - Braked Turns): Flat Turns are a very important canopy piloting skill to master. It allows you to change the direction you are flying while keeping the canopy over head. Make any low-altitude avoidance turns from braked flight to avoid an equally dangerous dive following a turn from full flight. 1. Pull both steering toggles evenly to the #1 position. 2. Clear the airspace you are going to turn into. 3. Pull the toggle down slightly in the direction you want to turn. 4. To make a left turn pull both steering toggles to the #1 position 5. Pull the left toggle down slightly while 6. Remember the toggle input must remain minimal to keep the canopy over your head and avoid a diving turn. Stall Avoidance: A stall is when the angle of attack of a wing becomes too high to sustain lift. If a full flare is held long enough for the canopy to loose its airspeed, it will depressurize, loose its shape and will not produce lift. No Airspeed = No Lift = Stall The bottom skin of the canopy will begin wrinkle or pucker and the canopy will begin to fly backwards. If you were to continue to hold the toggles down, the canopy would stall and you would begin to fall. If the canopy does stall, to recover gently let the toggles back up smoothly. Knowing the stall point of your canopy will be beneficial in the event you ever need to initiate a flat turn low to the ground… Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

just got back from hospitial - surgery went off without a hitch, will not know the extent of injures, time wil tell.. massives amount of pain, just need to go to bed. thanks aganin for all the prayers and dupport... Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

Hi Kids! I am off to the hospital, thank you everyone for your support and prayers. Will be back in a few days to let yall know how everything turned out. Peace Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

Sounds to me like a lot went right with your jump! Altitude awareness, recall of events, dealt with fixable malfunction (did you remain altitude aware while dealing with line twists?) and apparently survived you landing. Give yourself a pat on the back for doing so much right! Don’t sweat it at all, I know instructors who had to make 30 AFF jumps just to get off student status, the important thing is that you had your survival priorities in order, next time you start spinning have fun with it, it is no big deal as long as you are as aware as you describe in your posting and as someone said, you don’t have to wait until your "pull altitude" to deploy and get a parachute overhead. Semantics: Arch HARD - instead try to arch relaxed, best way to stop an uncontrollable turn (in my limited experience) is to relax and arch because the more you struggle trying to counter the turn, the more you uwill try harder and the more you will get frustrated - the worse it will likely become. Have fun and keep jumping, we only get to practice 60 seconds at a time so you only have 17 minutes of practice, you will get better if you just keep jumping, I ipromise... Make it a GREAT day! Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

Here are some stories: http://www.greenharbor.com/fffolder/carkeet.html Some cool parachute facts: http://www.173rdairborne.com/amazingpara.htm Highest Fall Survived Without A Parachute: http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/content_pages/record.asp?recordid=43941 Preparations for world's first human landing WITHOUT a parachute: http://www.gizmag.co.uk/go/3582/ Free-Fall Accidents: http://members.aol.com/MercStG/FFAccPage1.html Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

Am I the only crazy bastard here who actually LIKES reserve rides? Havent used the old reserve in over 5 years and 2600 jumps so I am not only due, but looking forward to it. It is a good skill to stay current on... Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

Yes I have left the plane below 4 grand with a delay. Would I bail out in an emergancy? Yes I believe I am capable to leave the aircraft when in a emergancy situation. Depending on where I got out would depend on what canopy was pulled. Emergancy situations are different. If I can I want to avoid them but I feel I am prepared to handle them Serious Topic: If someone hesitates even for a moment it could cost a life. Obtaining an "A" License from the USPA has the clear and pull (hop and pop) progression that takes the jumper down to exiting at 3500' AGL and deploying stable within 5 seconds of exit. The reason for this requirement on the A License Proficiency card is to practice quick exits in emergency situations. In March of 2004 there was an emergency situation from a Beech aircraft at 2,000 feet, one jumper preformed a poised exit and was struck by the horizontal stabilizer of the aircraft resulting in an unconscious skydiver being saved by a Cypress fire. Everyone else in the plane made it out okay all with diving exits. So when practicing low altitude exits simulating an emergency situation a diving exit might make for the best prepared individual. I encourage every skydiver to be comfortable diving out of an aircraft at a low altitude for this reason. Remember, a hesitation even for a moment could cost a life. Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

Good, just as long as you understand the potential hazard. Good rule of thumb is to release your brakes or not make high performance maneuvers beneath an altitude you are not willing to cutaway from. I totally understand your appreciation of the beauty and peaceful calm under canopy – I often like to do clear and pull from altitude. Especially on a sunset load but have never done this without at least on partner to fly with me… Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

Don't do this. People have died leaving their breaks set too long, and it really won't help you get back vs. other techniques. Can anyone expand on this a bit and explain why it is a potential hazzard? Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

Jan, is tossing at 3 really a good idea for someone at 58 jumps? She'll burn past that 2500 decision height on a normal deploy, and if there is a minor canopy issue, she'll have not very long to decide to chop using a 1800 or 2000 one. Even less for a total. I keep running into those who want more than 10k of freefall and don't want to BO until 4.5, and it's a PITA. I want to toss at 3.5, and that points to a 5k breakoff. Thanks for pointing out and clarifying why this is really bad advice to give not only someone with low jump numbres but any skydiver who just is not at that comfort level yet... Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

Well, it helped him get out and to prove himself where EP's are concerned... I am not at all experienced with static line stuents and only have around 500 student jumps as a solo freefall instructor so I am not terribly experienced - but if I am in the door with a student, we are already past the point of no return, we are going and I am going to do my best to not hose the rest of the load. I get eye contact, sometimes encourage the count and exit as needed, hard to tell exactly what was happening other than his exit may have been encouraged a bit much. Hard to tell if the malfunction was caused from the assistance in exit or if it would have happened anyway. I am curious, this guy ever jump again? I have actually had students thank me in the past for "encouraged" exits. At any rate, alls well that ends well - and a round reserve! These days that is bragging rights in and of itself! Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

Ok, I hear this a lot and although I agree if every jump you do with free fall is RW from 14,000 ft then certainly you are going to develop an outstanding feel for the length of time from exit to Break/deployment... but last season I did as many jumps from 10,000 ft (for 4-way competition which has on average 45-50 seconds to breakoff) instead of the 65-70 from 14k... (never mind the fact that if I was to add in freeflying I would have 45-50 seconds from 14k... btw: I don't FF so this is an estimate...) of course I don't have 3000 jumps... and I do periodically check my alti... (in fact I've always been told that I should do it between points... or aprox every 1000 ft which go figure is about 5.5 seconds @ standard belly flying speeds.) Scott Puts on flame retardant suit... I agree totally, I check my altimeter often as well - dont use audibles either. at times when the altimeter has failed the internal clock aspect is relied upon, but for the largest amount of jumps the altimeter is my primary. Why try to re-invent the wheel when the round on works so well.... Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

Don’t ever let anyone convince you to break off and initiate your main deployment sequence beneath an altitude you are uncomfortable with and not ready for. If someone insists you perform tasks while skydiving that you are uncomfortable with or not ready for then you need to find someone else to jump with. Don’t ever let anyone convince you to be less altitude aware than you feel you need to be to better ensure your safety. The internal clock others are talking about will take time to develop, the whole idea is to climb the various learning curves in skydiving and not develop habits that will end up putting you on the statistics list. You don’t just hop into a very hot bath, you ease yourself in and get used to the change from the norm, same with skydiving – remember, you have the rest of your life to skydive so take your time. You only have 58 jumps right now, you are just getting started in your skydiving career so I will reiterate, Take Your Time… By the time you have 580 jumps you will be much more in tune with the freefall environment and by then you very well may have forgotten more about skydiving that you have learned so far. Take Your Time… Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

Never put beeswax on my lines, never even heard of such a thing. A few years back we were having tension knots on some of our tandem canopies and some bozo had the brilliant idea of putting a bunch of baby powder on the lines - effectively sandblasting the canopies with every opening. Fortunately someone came to thier senses and stopped this practice quickly. I believe that John has it correct – proper packing on the ground might save you problems in the air… Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

The support I have received here as a result of my sharing the personal medical hardships I am going through has been astounding. Another good example of the awesome support skydivers who do not even know each other give to one another. I cannot thank everyone enough for your replies, the abundant amount of private messages and all the prayers. Surgery is scheduled for Thursday, February 2, 2006 at 7:30 AM. The procedure will take approximately 5 hours and then off to ICU and a hospital stay for an unknown period of time depending on how my body fares after undergoing the tremendous amount of trauma I will be put through. Thank you again everyone for your thoughts and prayers. I am so lucky to have such a tremendous amount of suport. Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…