LearningTOfly

I have one slightly deviant question: What the f* do they plan to do with a helicopter?! Take a Bell 206... Jetranger... for example- it's light, carries little gas, four of six people (I'm not entirely familiar) and that's about it... not exactly a terribly offensive weapon... a 172 would cost much less and have the same, please take this in context, 'capabilities' I think we need to take into perspective the information the media is feeding us.

Just two pennies from a novice... I would imagine that the two options availiable are to have your reserve arranged to open 'conventionally' (300-400 feet) or to open lickety-split (in less than 150' or whatever). The fast opening option would be a fine to go with if the malfunction were to be a lineover or a spinup- where you have already decelerated from terminal a great deal. But if one day your main deciedes to be really stubborn and not come out of it's bag- well, now you're set up to slow from 100+mph to 14mph in 150 feet... and send your chiropractor's kid to college shortly thereafter. IMO the only way to stay out of trouble is to keep your options open and make decisions while you're high... if there's one thing I've learned in this sport it's that when sh*t happens, it dosen't wait for the jumper to figure out what's going on. But then again, I haven't witnessed first hand how fast the trees get big after the cutaway, touch wood.

I'll start off by saying that I'm fairly inexperienced at the falling out of the plane part of skydiving... packing, on the other hand, I am quite proficient at. I worked at a packer at a local DZ this summer, while I was too young to jump, so I have a bit of backround. When it comes to jumping I have two SLs and a Tandem... so that's a start... but anyways, my question to all the experienced guys and girls out there: How much does packing contribute to whether a canopy opens properly or not? I know that some people 'trash pack' and that, and while I've never witnessed firsthand, I 'm assuming that most of them do not require a chop. I've seen others mal, even after being packed by a packer who has a proven technique... or at least a good record.

Guessing he means a double malfinction. Thats correct

Okay...here's that story...it may be lengthy, but I'd like some advice from a few experienced or pro jumpers... I just turned 18, and since I've been like, three, I've had this urge to jump, suppose it was a movie I saw back then that got me atarted. Anyways, I got a job this summer at a local DZ as a packer, packing student, pro, and tandem gear, which I thought was totally awesome. In August, I got a 'teaser' I guess, when the head instructor at the school took me up on a tandem, two months before I turned 18. I went out the door with a smile on my face. Obviously, two months have past and I can jump, but between August and now I did some research and have become older and less dumb. More specifically, I has developed a severe phobia of the thought or mention of a d-mal. Which I hear happen about twice a year. Unlikely, sure, but people win the lotto too, right? Are these thoughts, I suppose, normal, or have I had too much exposure too soon? All responses are greatly appriciated! Oh, and is it better to use a round or square reserve...I hear any bag can baglock?

When you guys talk about nerves...is the fear that of leaving the aircraft...or the possible end result of a very unlucky day?...I just turned 18 and have done one tandem (even went out with a smile on my face)...but that was when I was young and dumb(er)...now, after some research...I'm more...concerned...I mean, just the mention of a d-mal has me re-contemplating getting into the sport. I have had some experience packing (summer job)...packed student gear and tandems...but I'm not sure that I trust my self to 'save my own life'...I could go on, but I'm getting off topic.... any respose is greatly appreciated. -Thanks