humanflite

lol

Nearly nasty! He did a nice PLF though which I think saved him from injury...

gimpboogie I have to say, after reading your posts and following your journey// Angus truly is a legend (and the other instructors and staff who helped you along) I mean, the AFFis at my DZ would no way in the wide world EVER entertain taking someone with lowerlimb paralysis on an AFF1! Not because they are nasty people or 'chicken' or indeed that they lack the AFFi skills to do so. As they certainly dont and are pretty much all very experienced with 3000 jumps minimum and all over 1000 AFF jumps I asked them if they would do it and they said it was 'too risky, for the AFFis and the student' Tandem is all we could do in this situation. SO it just goes to show how Angus and anyone else prepared to AFFi on a similar jump, how much they are giving both to the sport, and the student (in this case you)! its great that you realise and appreciate it too

So does falling out of your harness.... Regarding fatalities.. It wasnt a fatality for the student but it was for the French AFF instructor who died after he went below his hard deck in order to save her (her chest strap was undone)

An amazing acheivement Well done Claire! (and Steve) Steve, were you one of her AFFis? or are you not in any of the AFF jump pics? If you were her AFFi as well...thats just too cool for school

hahaha. you are funny. do me a favor- send me info on those places, i will go visit. i really want to get under that kind of pressure Case in point. To the other posters/ It appears it should be a wholly self managed affair from your comments. Thats cool....I wasnt seeking or wanting regulation but instead, your thoughts on if the current lack of regulation is good or bad.

Thats always beeen the bit that has got to me a little. The fact that I am relying on the DZ packer of that day to have done a decent pack job.. because I dont have my own gear yet (no point as Im still downsizing to a size worth investing in) and we are not allowed to pack rental gear... So now I just make sure i buy the packers a drink when I see them and never p*ss them off

Very true. But at the cost of safety?? Your right on there Aggiedave. but thats my point. From what Ive seen...Some instructors might feel pressured by the DZO to get the jumps in regardless..

So, Ive seen it first hand, and also know other people who have seen the same thing at 'various' dropzones... Im not going to name any DZs as thats not what this post is about (or me for that matter). But is it right that there are no 'logged hours' per day for instructors or similiar (in the uk at least) as Ive seen a Ti have to do a tandem before DZ close after a 6am till 6pm working day....and he could barely keep his eyes open before going on the plane!! Also, Ive heard of and seen AFFis who have done very loooong days (12 hours plus) possibly with a late night before, who have done an AFF or two on the last lift...so 13 hours + of hard working day. On at least one occasion I know the AFF went bad (nearly really bad) but luckily all ended ok. My question... Should working hours be regulated more tightly by the DZO? As most of them, certainly in the current economic climate have a 'we HAVE to make money' attitude, that I think is putting safety second to making money. What are your experiences/thoughts? Lorry drivers have tachometers to ensure they can only drive a certain number of hours... AFFis and TIs have only their conscience at the present time

Good video. Im not sure if its just me but those landings seem a hell of a lot more gentle than the old airborne era of rounds!!! and the new generation for that matter. Guess it must be the kit weight and different round design?

wildfan75 , that was a very heartfelt and detailed insight into Todd for those of us who never had the privilege to meet him Todd sounded like a really top guy and my thoughts and sympathies are with you and all of Todds family and friends at this sad time. BSBD buddy

Ah, thanks michael. So going into deep brakes and then letting the toggles up fast 'might' get rid of them.. and if not plan B

Thanks Billvon, and Hackish Really useful info that guys

ok, so all the debate about 'I love RSLs' Vs 'I hate RSLs' has got me thinking RSL, should manufacturers start producing all rigs with a skyhook on? If an unstable reserve deplyment is on the cards... (for example if your waaaay too low and theres no time to stabilise) would a skyhook give a better chance of a clean reserve deployment and if so why please? thanks

Sorry for a dumb question. but what exactly can tension knots cause? apart from possible spinning canopy? how do you tell if you've got them? Can it cause you to have to pull one toggle down to fly straight? is it literally a twisted knot in one of the steering lines that prevents it going up and down freely?

Your body position looked loads better in your last jump. Well done

Thats excellent

Just bring your lower legs back in a bit and get them uneven ;) That might help induce it a bit????

As the above posters have said, offering advice on the internet is not a great thing to do to an AFF 1 jump student. but I asked the same thing and the replies helped a bit so Im going to put something back Basically, what I found helped a lot was reading Brian Germains 'a parachute and its pilot' and also as the others have said, practice... The more landings I have done(and I busted myself on my first one as well with a sprained ankle) the better I have got at judging it. A few things though: You need to be looking in one direction, not at the horizon...that is what was taught to people jumping round canopies in the past apparently. you need to be looking WHERE you are going. A spot on the ground will not change (where as some objects will get higher and some lower in your sight picture as you descend) that is your destination point. A few things that helped me were..if you start flaring too early, and you realise this, pause the flare (do not let go whatever you do) and then finish the flare nearer to the ground. Also, PLF is your friend. Practice it until its second nature is my advice. I dont want to say any more as theres already quite enough to focus on in early AFF jumps...

Lol! nice find

Hi, Can you clarify this please?!! Your normal seperation height would be at 1500ft AGL? and your normal pull altitude? and your coach now wants you to pull at 900ft AGL? with the 900ft~ opening height you mention on the Safire 2 theres not much headroom there....?! if I am reading this right

Sounds like a very good standpoint... I know that on at least one of my AFF jumps i tested out if my AFFi was on his game or not And having heard some stories from AFFis (about scary students) I cant imagine a more nerve wracking job in the industry! (or outside of it for that matter) hats off to all of you..

Congrats steve! When did you take up skydiving out of interest?

I sprained my ankle quite badly on my 2nd aff jump. No wind day, came in half brakes, then let off too late (80ft) and then flared a bit high....and didnt PLF as I should have...it hurt. A lot. Lesson learnt. Fast forward and I HAD to jump within 6 weeks due to currency requirements and I still didnt feel 100%... I got physio and the swelling had only just ALL gone (as in my ankle was its old shape again!) at 6 weeks but I strapped the ankle up using a quality sports ankle support (get one..its sooo worth it for insurance) and prepared to PLF like a mo fo. Luckily I sorted the landings a bit and that gave me chance to heal 100%. I used a wobble board (google it) and did 20 minutes morning and night religously until it felt stronger than my other ankle then I carried on using it for both of them just for added strength!