Pulse

I don't have any helicopter spins yet. (I currently don't own a canopy I feel comfortable doing them on.) But here's a couple of stalls I shot a year ago or so. Just click on the picture for the video: http://pulsevisuals.com/video/details/stallram-air.html "Any language where the unassuming word fly signifies an annoying insect, a means of travel, and a critical part of a gentleman's apparel is clearly asking to be mangled."

I have to agree that some things really do get better with time. He may be okay with practical stuff. But the fact is he can't have that much 'life' experience when it comes to skydiving without being around the drop zone for a few years. That opens your eyes to a lot of things. "Any language where the unassuming word fly signifies an annoying insect, a means of travel, and a critical part of a gentleman's apparel is clearly asking to be mangled."

"Potato Chipping" Definition: One of many ways one can add weight to increase fall rate. Weight is added quicker, usually in the winter months, when used in conjunction with long periods of little activity. "Kill Line" Definition: Something many skydivers wish they could use while watching newbie skydivers talk about how good they are. It is usually used around the neck of the victim. "Uncocked/cocked" Definition: Many times this is used to describe one's instructor. An uncocked instructor is usually a littl too easy going. Someone who doesn't instill confidence in the student. Think the skydiving instructor from Fandango. The cocked instructor is all over things to an annoying degree. Put your hand here, put your foot there, pull at the proper altitude....yadda, yadda! Though each of these may have their cons. Both are better than the "half-cocked" instructor. NO one knows where they are coming from. Not even them. "Full flare/full glide" Definition: Usually used in reference to jumpsuits and accessories worn by homosexual skydivers. "He's really in full flare today!" Not that there is anything wrong with that. Full glide is kind of the same thing. Only with the use of Crisco. "Tongue In Cheek" Definition: NOT related in any way to the "full flare/glide" issues. But rather any comments made in humor and not to be taken seriously. Hope I could be of help in answering your questions. "Any language where the unassuming word fly signifies an annoying insect, a means of travel, and a critical part of a gentleman's apparel is clearly asking to be mangled."

I've jumped both systems for sometime on each. Because of that experience I've listened to the pull/throw out debate for years and giggled. The main point is to understand what you're jumping. And yes, it's probably important to stick with one. As for the differences I've noticed in my deployments? Nothing, flat out nothing. I've long been a believer that as long as you can get a 'clean' deployment on whatever you're almost there. "Any language where the unassuming word fly signifies an annoying insect, a means of travel, and a critical part of a gentleman's apparel is clearly asking to be mangled."

I believe he's also missing a foot because of a BASE accident too isn't he? I remember him hosting the '92 freestyle 'nationals' in Eloy on ESPN. Cheesy stuff like commentary from the airplane, then dropping the mic and chasing out one of the teams. It was gay, but I'm sure whuffos liked it. "Any language where the unassuming word fly signifies an annoying insect, a means of travel, and a critical part of a gentleman's apparel is clearly asking to be mangled."

Is your friend that sheltered? I thought this was common knowledge, beyond skydivers and pilots. "Any language where the unassuming word fly signifies an annoying insect, a means of travel, and a critical part of a gentleman's apparel is clearly asking to be mangled."

So........we are assuming that RW guys don't track 'hardcore' because they're lives don't depend on it? Because hitting another canopy is more forgiving than a cliff? I'm not a BASE jumper, but I DO consider myself a hardcore tracker. ESPECIALLY when I'm doing RW. Why? Because whether it's a cliff, another canopy while still in freefall, or a soft-fluffy canopy at 80mph, I HATE hitting stuff in freefall! As for technique. My legs are usually about a shoulders-width apart. I think something that gets forgotten about a lot is what one does with their shoulders and torso. Roll those shoulders forward, bend slightly at the waist. But not to the point that your diving. "Any language where the unassuming word fly signifies an annoying insect, a means of travel, and a critical part of a gentleman's apparel is clearly asking to be mangled."

It's often stated there's no point in going cross-braced if you're not loading the canopy very heavily. I'm not sure I entirely agree with this and you've hit on a point as to why. A better airfoil is a better airfoil whether it's lightly loaded or not. "Any language where the unassuming word fly signifies an annoying insect, a means of travel, and a critical part of a gentleman's apparel is clearly asking to be mangled."

A stall occurs not because the air is traveling to slowly over the wings. It occurs because the AoA needed to fly at that speed is too high for the air to flow smoothly. "Any language where the unassuming word fly signifies an annoying insect, a means of travel, and a critical part of a gentleman's apparel is clearly asking to be mangled."

Hehehe......I remember having the opposite thought a number of years ago when I downsized and realized, "Huh, my main is smaller than my reserve?" You're right....how times have changed. "Any language where the unassuming word fly signifies an annoying insect, a means of travel, and a critical part of a gentleman's apparel is clearly asking to be mangled."

In the end skydiving, as awesome as it is, is just another activity like anything else. People tend to fade in and out of activities. I've noticed that every five years is another 'generation' of skydivers. There are still some of us that are around, but you tend to forget when telling stories around the bonfire. You'll be talking about something that happened about 7 years ago (which isn't all that long) and realize no on knows who you're talking about. This will be my 16th year in the sport, I've slowed a little because I am pursuing some other things. Skydiving remains a big part of my life and thoughts. But, variety is good too. "Any language where the unassuming word fly signifies an annoying insect, a means of travel, and a critical part of a gentleman's apparel is clearly asking to be mangled."

I guess my question is: What is your goal? If it is simply to 'get better at skydiving'. Then avoid the tunnel. Go skydiving instead. With the jump number I see on your profile you could spend that time flying your canopy too. Consider that your canopy will be about three to four times longer than your feefall. Those two hours of freefall time will translate to six to eight hours of canopy time. The notion that you can learn more in the tunnel than in the air is wrong and right depending how you look at it. "Any language where the unassuming word fly signifies an annoying insect, a means of travel, and a critical part of a gentleman's apparel is clearly asking to be mangled."

I think these statements are as incorrect as the whuffo presumption that most fatalities occur because "both chutes didn't open", or that most skydivers are either reckless or harbor a death wish. Skydiving is not "very safe" if handled correctly, it is acceptably safe - to us, but maybe not to others - if handled correctly. But you're still dead on every skydive until you do something to get a canopy open over your head, and sometimes even if you do everything right you can still die. As for the old myth that "the drive to the airport is the most dangerous part" about skydiving, well, that's been beaten to death, too. It's wrong to make people considering their first skydive think these things, because they're not correct. THANK YOU! My sentiments exactly. Fact is, the media focuses on accidents because really, that's the only thing newsworthy in day to day skydiving. You don't hear about people driving their cars to work, only when they crash. You don't hear about airliners flying everyday, only when they crash. Even in these cases the media gets their facts wrong. Is skydiving as dangerous as the media portrays it? Well, for the dead person they're doing the story on.....yes. Is skydiving dangerous? Definitely! If you're looking to be 'safe' in your new activity DON'T GO SKYDIVING. "Any language where the unassuming word fly signifies an annoying insect, a means of travel, and a critical part of a gentleman's apparel is clearly asking to be mangled."

I think the Skydiver of the Year award should be given to all of us. That way there are no losers! How great would that be? "Any language where the unassuming word fly signifies an annoying insect, a means of travel, and a critical part of a gentleman's apparel is clearly asking to be mangled."

Are there any pictures of the hand-off anywhere? I can't imagine someone doing something monumental like that and not documenting it... Yes there is. As this story points out, there were two cameramen - Bob Buquor being one of them! http://www.parachutehistory.com/skydive/rodpackjump.html "Any language where the unassuming word fly signifies an annoying insect, a means of travel, and a critical part of a gentleman's apparel is clearly asking to be mangled."

Yeah, no shit! Did he have a main too or JUST the reserve? YUP.....just a reserve. And keep in mind, freefall skills of the day were in their infancy. Nothing like today where we'd probably have the reserve parachute in ten-seconds out the door. (Then kill ourselves on landing when trying to swoop it.) "Any language where the unassuming word fly signifies an annoying insect, a means of travel, and a critical part of a gentleman's apparel is clearly asking to be mangled."

There is a freebase video of Miles D. at some famous US bridge.... Rod Pack made a jump in the 1960's where they passed a chest-mount reserve in freefall, and Rod clipped it on before opening. Want to make sure you've got a firm grip there! "Any language where the unassuming word fly signifies an annoying insect, a means of travel, and a critical part of a gentleman's apparel is clearly asking to be mangled."

What exactly do you mean by this? What is it to 'start' swooping? "Any language where the unassuming word fly signifies an annoying insect, a means of travel, and a critical part of a gentleman's apparel is clearly asking to be mangled."

Now you're talking "Any language where the unassuming word fly signifies an annoying insect, a means of travel, and a critical part of a gentleman's apparel is clearly asking to be mangled."

I will disagree with this to a point. I've always been a proponent of 'staged' flares even before it was set aside as a particular technique. It's like flaring an aircraft, you don't just do it all at once. During the flare you should constantly be taking in information as to what your canopy is doing in reaction to your input. Quite simply, if you notice a huge decrease in your rate of descent, pause on the toggles. If you still need more 'lift', by all means, flare more. If your canopy starts going left add some right input and vice-versa. I know this all sounds 'simple' but things will get easier. As for keeping your hands in front of you, if it makes you feel better, go for it. But I've never quite understood it. Do student drivers look at the steering wheel when they're driving? A bit of advice that was given to me and I've seen it help many was this. As you approach the ground, there is a point where things start to look 'normal'. As in, like they do when you're just standing on the ground. That's when you begin your flare. And make that flare smooooooooooooooth! "Any language where the unassuming word fly signifies an annoying insect, a means of travel, and a critical part of a gentleman's apparel is clearly asking to be mangled."

Reminds me of some of my favorite quotes: "Experience gives the test first...the lesson later." "Good judgement comes from experience.....experence comes from poor judgement." It's a tough issue on knowing when and how to test limits. If I were to have not made a jump everytime I had a 'bad feeling' I would've never gotten off student status. If one never gets a 'bad feeling' then they are considered complacent. I know I'm over simplifying. My general guideline concerning safety is: "Everyone always figures it will happen to the other guy. All you have to do is make sure that it does." "Any language where the unassuming word fly signifies an annoying insect, a means of travel, and a critical part of a gentleman's apparel is clearly asking to be mangled."

Hate to sound like a kill joy. But it seems to me the hardest part about that 'stunt' would be rigging up the drogue and finding pilots to do it. The skydiving aspect seems pretty benign. But it's impresses the whuffos, which is what TV is all about. "Any language where the unassuming word fly signifies an annoying insect, a means of travel, and a critical part of a gentleman's apparel is clearly asking to be mangled."

Define 'real' and 'legal'. "Any language where the unassuming word fly signifies an annoying insect, a means of travel, and a critical part of a gentleman's apparel is clearly asking to be mangled."

How do you figure? How are people able to pass PRO qualification jumps on fast canopies then? As for running it out....you're right. And once again, WE ARE AGREEING ON THIS POINT! This is why you look at demo sights before jumping into them. If you have the 'runway' and reasonable outs, you could actually jump a faster canopy into it. But this would be a rarity. For tight demos and ones with 'questionable' outs, DON'T TAKE THE FAST CANOPY. I guess it comes down to the pilot to make these judgements and fly well. Sounds like all we're talking about here is how much space it takes to land different types of canopies. You can hit the target with both types of canopies. How much ground it takes and what kind of approach is required all goes into the canopy/demo relationship decision. For what it's worth. If someone can't put a high-performance canopy down where they want to, they probably shouldn't be jumping high-performance canopies. Simple as that. Demo or no demo. "Any language where the unassuming word fly signifies an annoying insect, a means of travel, and a critical part of a gentleman's apparel is clearly asking to be mangled."

I'll use simpler terms so that everyone can follow along. A J-3 can land 'on target'. An F-15 can land 'on target'. Yes, they're going to have different requirements for landing. This is what would make one NOT appropriate. Is it possible to qualify for a PRO rating with a fast canopy? Yes. Is a fast canopy the ideal demo canopy? No As for landing 'on the numbers'. I think you know I'm talking in the more generic terms of putting it down on the numbers. Otherwise I would not have used such a wide range in aircraft? "Any language where the unassuming word fly signifies an annoying insect, a means of travel, and a critical part of a gentleman's apparel is clearly asking to be mangled."