Floflo

Last Sunday, a guy, around twenty, shows up in the morning at the DZ where I teach, asks if we do S/L and if he could make a couple of jumps. He had taken the FJC and made 8 S/L jumps at a DZ I know, wich has a good reputation, two weeks before. No problem, I show him the plane and give him a briefing for the landing zone and pattern. The guy seems pretty heads up. Then I tell him that for his fisrt jump here I'll give him a radio (The LZ is small with few outs) and explain how we do it here. I see something is bothering him, so I tell him that I don't plan on guiding him, it's just in case, if he does OK I'll let him fly. To what he answers: "I don't have a problem with the radio, actually I'll feel more comfortable with it, but the problem is that the chest strap is where I clip my camera on." . . . Turns out he had a very thin camera (Didn't check the brand) he used to carry in his pocket, and had used it on his last four jumps without telling anyone. Not that he wanted to hide it (He told me immediately without realizing I might have something to say about it), he just didn't have a clue... I can't be sure it's related of course, but a young, athletic and intelligent guy who is still on basic S/L after 8 jumps is not standard. He did so well on his jump that I asked why he hadn't done better before. After thinking about it, he said (I hadn't said anything regarding the camera before - except I was not going to let him take it because it was forbidden- on purpose.): "Well, I think I was concentrating on not forgetting to use my camera once the chute would be open."

Yes, but they do get a LOT of coaching...

9 times out of ten you will make things worse trying that. As Phoenix said, have a clean position when pitching, stay even in the harness and let your canopy open on its own. It will make a better job at it than you.

Katana minus? I wouldn't say that, I think the bottom end flare is pretty much the same on both canopies. The big difference is the recovery arc, which is shorter on the XF2. It looses its speed faster as well, but in the hands of a good pilot, it can be quite amazing. The glide and the openings are better, or should I say, easier to handle, on the XF2. For swooping, I prefer the Katana, but you really have to control it from the moment you let go your HD until you're back to the hangar. (I now jump a Katana, after 500 jumps under XF and XF2.)

IF you can manage a Mamba or a Crossfire, you can manage flying a Katana... Please be more accurate on what exactly you're looking for, your background, etc, or you can find a lot of information on these canopies with a quick search on the forum.

Hi, I was only reading this thread eating pop-corn, but I have to say something: Do you really think it's the safest way to learn new skills? One day your feedback might be a very large solid object...

Do you? I'd love to break it, to fly for more than 50 seconds...

In France, you have Pack Plus: charlybaum@wanadoo.fr

Yes, you need to keep your body in a straight line and rotate quickly the hips. Do not give any input with the arms or legs. As Davelepka wrote, it can be quite dangerous to learn back tracking alone. Do not stay (at the beginning) more than 3-4 secs on your back. Ideally, talk to an instructor and fly with him (/her) a couple of times, it will in the end spare you time and a lot of jumps.

You're right, it's the easiest way... When you're alone. But it most of the time induces light changes in forward speed, angle and direction. It's easy to correct immediately in a "regular" tracking dive, but it's not a really clean transition, and when you start flying in a steeper angle, it can lead to huge (and dangerous!) angle changes. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying it's impossible to achieve clean transitions like that, it's just harder. I think it's better to take good habits from the beginning and transition from the hips. Of course, try and see what works best for you.

Hi, First try to track with your legs closer and palms towards the ground. Initiate your barrel rolls with your hips and not your shoulders or legs. If you stay on your back, don't do it for more than a few seconds, as you'll probably have changed direction on the first attempts.

It's allowed once you're done jumping for the day.

Just don't unstow them and land with your rears.

145,484 + 950 = 146,434 240 + 1 = 241 146,434/241 = 607.61

Yeap, Pamiers is a great DZ and is the closest to Toulouse. It's friendly and you can jump a lot. (And it's not my home DZ! ) Empuria is hours further, more windy, and not that friendly... (But if you like large and fast planes, it's the place to go.) If you travel around to jump, we'll probably meet...

I sent you the contacts in PM.

The time needed to track far enough...

Yes, I had the great idea to order a silver (With black ribs!) Crossfire. It's really beautiful under the sun, but I have to borrow or rent a rig for the sunset loads; NOBODY can see me then and I had two close calls... My next one will include very bright colors!

Or you can ask a french dealer (A few have line sets in stock) to send it to you. PM me if you want their contacts.

or you can easily get a temporary USPA license/insurance, which is pretty cheap. Yes, but he'll need it when he'll come back anyway. + with the international insurance, the trip back will be taken care of in case of injury...

Salut Arnaud, I strongly advise you to take your 2010 french license...

That's not a priority, that's just gravity.

There are two subjects here: The size of his reserve, indeed very small (It was a Parachutes de France btw). That’s why I pointed it out. His main is a 79 sq ft Velocity, and he’s a good swooper. He had already landed this reserve three times, was feeling safe under it (He obviously wasn't), and made a costly mistake. The original subject is whether you follow or not your cutaway main; my advice, especially to someone with low jump numbers, is to be really careful, and to think twice before doing so. Why? If: - You’re at a previously unjumped DZ, not knowing the specific dangers of the area - You’re under a wing you’ve never flown before - You’re lower than usual - Your stress level is higher than usual - You’re focusing on an object flying nearby You’re asking for trouble. I personally landed out a lot of times for my jump numbers at different locations (For reasons which are a different subject) and have no trouble with it (It can be quite fun actually.), but under part or all of those conditions, I wouldn’t do it.

Don't worry, 888888 has mad skillzzz. He is asking a legitimate question and behaving himself. Back off and either answer the question or STFU. Sparky You're right, I just couldn't help it. Forgot the anyway. The question was answered, so my 2 cents: Never chase your gear unless you perfectly know the landing zone and its surroundings. A friend of mine (+ 3000 jumps) broke a vertebra at a previously unknown DZ following his main. He saw the fence he was about to land on at only 30/40 feet, focusing on the gear until the last seconds. He made a low turn to avoid the obstacle, in half brakes but under a 98 sf reserve. Personally, my health isn't worth it.