danielcroft

I'm in a rookie team in the RSL (Ranch Skydiving League) and we've been told that there are some exits that rookie teams "shouldn't do" but the person telling us that neglected to elaborate further on which exits are appropriate for rookies. One of my team members said he was told that rookie teams are only supposed to do 4 randoms out of the door. Help? Thanks.

Same is true everywhere IMO, not just skydiving. That's why the "Those that can, do; those that can't, teach" thing is such a load of BS. Usually, those that can, can't teach.

WARNING: I'm a noob and paraphrasing people that know what they're talking about. Check for yourself before taking my advice. One thing Brian Germain suggested in his class (it was really good btw) was, once you're clear of traffic & have a good canopy, to go into deep brakes and take several seconds to relax & visualize the canopy flight. Calm your breathing & get into a positive state of mind. He also said that people tend to get good at things they love, so love flying your canopy. I do, it's awesome fun! You might consider going to one of his classes or at least getting his book. The fear/adrenalin management stuff could be really useful to you given the state of mind you say you're experiencing. Good luck!

I agree, if I got payment in advance *OR* there was a known rigger (I'd have to speak to them or a friend would) as an intermediary then I'd be ok with it. For me at least, it's about knowing *something* about the parties on the other end. There've been way too many scams revolving around people who seem completely on the level who are actually just ripping other people off. I tend to be an optimist so I don't like to add the extra variables of not having any way to actually confirm that the person is who they say they are. My main point is that people who are unhappy that Americans won't sell stuff overseas aren't (IMO) being realistic about the nature of buying and selling over the web (or across borders). I can totally understand that it's frustrating but I don't think it's unreasonable for people to avoid the added risk. Having said that, I also wouldn't want to pay in advance for the same reasons.

Friends of mine made curtains out of an old canopy.

I've shipped stuff overseas before (not skydiving gear but same concept). Whether you guys think it's "close minded" or not is beside the point. The real truth of the matter AFAIC is that there are far more unknowns when selling outside your own country (state even!) and some people aren't willing to accept that. If I were buying or selling gear in the US, I could find out about the parties involved with much more ease. I have friends that may actually know people from the particular DZ personally. This means I can get a reference that actually has some weight. If I were going to sell gear (FWIW - I don't own any to sell) overseas, I'd be expecting payment in advance into my paypal account unless a known rigger was going to act as a intermediary. I don't like the idea of sending thousands of dollars worth of gear overseas to unknown people and I really don't give a crap if anyone doesn't like that. Before anyone tries to bash me with the "Americans are close minded" thing, I'm Australian, I live in the US.

Does the weather count?

My DZ has students keep a separate copy of their student jumps in a log that's stored at the DZ. They encourage you to fill that out. It's not something kept by the instructors though & is just a copy of the student's log entries.

Had my first skydiving dream. I was practicing sit fly in a barn, it was kind of tough, kept running into the roof and having to bail to my back. Weird enough I know but I don't sit fly, I started learning in the tunnel but only did like two rotations. In my dream, the barn had good air flow & lots of hay but it wasn't moving.

Congratulations!

I've been told that different canopies have different shapes. In my case, I was jumping a spectre & now a sabre 2. They fit differently into the container and thus may have different issues with deployment (again, as I've been told). I've not had any off heading openings or any line twists with either main in the container I'm jumping. Well, I do get the right hand turn at the end of opening but I'm pretty sure that's me. I tried leaning in the harness a little to the left (I generally get off heading to the right as the canopy is just about fully open) and that seemed to stop the off heading. Only tried it on one jump though so, still working that out. You're right, I didn't look. During the time period when I should have been looking, I was fumbling around like a total idiot. I've since discussed the distinction between hesitation & in tow issues and my wife (coach) explained that hesitation is when the bridle isn't at full extension, PCIT is when the bridle is at full extension & not pulling the main. This agrees with your description. For the record, I looked in the SIM for something about PCH and couldn't find it. I asked a couple of other people where it was but couldn't find anything. Is there something that I'm missing in the SIM regarding PCH (wouldn't be surprised!)? The canopy is a little large for the rig but the rig is several years old ('02 I think) and has a lot of use and as such fits the canopies I've been using to the satisfaction of everyone that's looked. I have had people say that it's a bit tight, a master rigger and a packer but both felt that it was ok after I specifically asked whether it was dangerous or not. Also, when asked I said I wasn't packing it which seemed to make some difference to the master rigger. Again, thanks for your time. I love learning everything I can about the dangerous hobbies I have. My ego creeps in from time to time but I have an awesome wife who helps kick that out of me.

7 jumps. I did tandem progression though, usually it's 8. Since then I've done a lot of stupid crap to make up for that though.

Have you tried adjusting your flare? Are you doing a 2 or 3 stage flare? If you're doing a 2 or 3 stage flare it might help to speed up the first stage to get you leveled out sooner. Clearly I'm no expert but when I get on a new canopy, I find the level out point - where my flare, at what speed will level out the canopy from full flight. The speed at which I do this first part of my flare has a big effect on my level out. Again - noob here but this stuff works for me. Hopefully others will expand or tell me to STFU.

How old is the rig? With age (I've been told) you get a little more wiggle room. The Infinity I-45 supports a 190 (http://www.velocityrigs.com/support.php?link=containerSize) and may support a little extra room if it's not brand new. Warning: I have no idea, I'm a noob, I jump a similar rig but it's old and very stretchy so fits lots of stuff in it. I've put a spectre 190 in mine but it had spectra (I think) lines.

I had noticeable line twists on one or two jumps. I was dropping my right knee as I was throwing. The solution (for me) was to relax and reach & throw in a controlled manner. I did a bit of tunnel time where I practiced flying in "throw position", that helped a lot too. I haven't had line twists on opening since then.

Two guys from my dz were jumping together. One was wearing a camera. They decided to do the out the door tackle (that could be mis-construed, I mean rugby style tackle, not otherwise...). Camera guy got set up for a floating exit & inside guy a diving style exit. Inside guy ran out the door tackling camera guy on the way. It was pretty funny. I've done the eyes closed out the door & unstable exit. I was last out though (gave plenty of separation) so no one saw to think it was funny.

No suggestions here as I have NFI. For convenience sake: 19 stone = 266 pounds = 120 kgs 230 ft canopy = 1.15 WL 190 ft canopy = 1.40 WL

Ok, a couple of things to respond to here. My packer, who is also a certified rigger, another friend who is a packer & my instructor have all described instances where a tight closing loop would effect the ability of the bag to leave the container. I don't think I'd do them justice attempting to paraphrase but, as I understand it from the people I've discussed this with, *slightly* loosening the closing loop (my rigger did this, not me. Well, I put the closing loop in and I've done it before but my rigger set the length) allows the dbag to occupy a less square shape and thus (so I've been told) reduce the likelihood of the bag staying in. I think the theory is that, when the edges of the container get squared off, the pressure of the packed canopy pushes on the corners & not on the closing loop. I'm relying on these very experienced people that I know to advise me as to how safe this rig is. I've definitely asked the question of many people and have been told that it could be better but is fine. Regarding the distinction between hesitation & PCIT. My (poorly phrased) question was more where one becomes the other. My description was that PCH was fixable without a cutaway & PCIT is not. In my situation, *if* the tightness of the container was a factor then my hesitation could have been PCIT no? I'm wondering if these two malfunctions are points on a continuum or clearly defined in anyway. For the record, I'm studying for my B license & am actually reading the section on malfunctions. I had just read the PCIT section a day or two before this happened to me. Shame I didn't take the lesson & apply it. You're saying that a closing loop being tight has nothing to do with PCH but if the pull force (not from BOC, I mean pulling the pin) is never changed by the tightness of the closing loop (and therefore container) why do we care so much about loose closing loops (within reason)? I understand that a very loose closing loop can result in a premature deployment but I was under the (possible mistaken) impression that the tighter the closing loop, the more force would be required to pull the pin? Is this not the case? As for the Infinity fitting a 190 main, I'll have to defer to my friend who owns it, he has a couple of thousand jumps and said it'd be ok. I'll find out which Infinity it is & check if the 190 is supported. If not, I could always just downsize... joke!!! I agree on the comment about the reserve. I'm going to focus on getting a good throw and I think I'll have the rig checked out by a rigger to make sure they think it's ok too. So far I've had 6 good deployments out of 7 and based on what people are saying, the most likely cause is a weak throw due to complacency on my part. I can fix that. I can also make sure I'm giving my PC more wind in the event of hesitation. I really do appreciate everyone's advice & comments on this. I have so much to learn about this stuff and it's not exactly a science.

That emoticon doesn't even come close! So glad you found that & he's ok.

I usually "dump out" as my friend calls it before the first jump of the day. After the first jump I'm usually down to business and a lot more calm.

It really is amazing how much you learn "sitting around at the DZ" all day. I love watching landings and discussing all aspects of skydiving. It sounds like you're in a tight spot and emotionally a little unbalanced (totally understandable, please don't take that in a negative way) and just need to find a little peace. I wouldn't want to work in manifest either but I'd probably take it if I didn't have any other work, what else am I doing? Good luck, hope you get it all sorted out soon.

I didn't realize that might cause an off heading. I've been getting that a bit since I switched to the Sabre 2. I think it's human nature to presume there's some external force causing these issues when in fact it's the meat piñata at the end of the lines doing it. Right now, after my main's out of the bag & opening, I'm grabbing my risers (thumbs up - I've been told that's better than thumbs down) and watching my opening. I've noticed the canopy hunting & then usually, right at the end I go off heading. Something I'm doing?

Thanks again for your help Dave. Here's what may have been the chain of events: Weak throw PC in burble with very tight container = hesitation Fumble around like an idiot for a bit Reach both hands for Reserve handle PC catches wind Normal deployment The theory is that, with a weak throw, an ok arch & a tight container + closing loop, I ended up with PC hesitation. Once I got enough wind on the PC, deployment of the main proceeded as normal. The closing loop was adjusted to allow a little more space in the container (or so I've been told) to lower the chances of locking the dbag in. I've been practicing my EPs (around the house, would look odd if my wife didn't skydive too) with the addition of a look over the shoulder (Dave suggested & FJC said this too) before I go to chop. I don't really know how PC hesitation & PCIT are differentiated. My understanding was that a PCIT was more like the PC not being cocked & would never work (or a knot around it or something) whereas the PCH was something preventing the working PC from deploying the main (burble). One is possibly fixable without a chop, the other isn't. Does that sum it up or am I misunderstanding?

A friend of mine informed me of this, no it wasn't something I was aware of but I can certainly check it from now on. Thanks for mentioning that. I have a lot to learn about just about everything in skydiving and I'm learning every day. I'd like it if these learning experiences didn't coincide with nearly getting killed but that's skydiving. Kelpdiver - check paragear.com for volumes. The shape of the Spectre & Sabre 2 are definitely different but paragear says the pack sizes for both and that's where I got my numbers. My packer has packed both and says the Sabre 2 is smaller but the dimensions are different like you said. I'm planning on starting packing again this weekend but now I'm concerned due to the state of the gear. Someone said I'd keep making excuses, I hope this isn't another because I actually want to be packing for myself.

Thanks. I'm a kick the shit out of myself kind of guy unfortunately. I think the choice to go straight to reserve would have been better if I'd actually managed to find my handle & pull it. The alive bit is good though I must admit. That was one of the pieces of advice I got - I lived to fight another day and learned a lesson that's killed people before. Can't say that's a bad thing.