craigbey

A long-time instructor at Skydive Iowa jumped a Spectre (135?) off and on for a while. I've seen him get some good swoops out of it. It's the Indian...

That problem is not unique to the reverse s-fold method. I've seen plenty of people wrestling with a stacked canopy and trying to get it all in the bag, while the slider slips further away from the stops and the line tension becomes inconsistent -- or totally f'ed up. So what if the first fold might cause the slider to move a little (in my experience, this is rare)? You can easily correct that and ensure proper line tension when making the second fold.

My experience has been that it actually makes it easier to control the slider. After making the first fold, you can still reach into the canopy and push the slider back up against the stops if needed. While making the second fold, you have better control of the tail, making it easier to keep the slider in place.

I have not heard this exact quote used in context to skydiving, but it may be something to consider before 'going big'... If there is any doubt, then there is no doubt.

Sangi goes big... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tF578oSkrKk

Tempos? No. My first reserve ride was under a Tempo and it landed fine. Took a little more to flare the damn thing, but it got me down safely. You can demo PD reserves... http://www.performancedesigns.com/demo_sport.asp

Recent news prompted me to open an old log book from 2000. In that book are several entries signed off by a character named Orly King. Godspeed, Orly. Thanks for showing me the path.

And there you have part of the solution to the larger problem. If more jumpers would take the time and dedicate jumps to practice basic, essential CC safety skills, there would more jumpers ready to handle the unexpected.

So you did or you didn't. Which one? When did you last dedicate a jump to focus on CC?

Sunset cross country BYOB.

Holy crap. I just saw the profile with the 2 years of experience and the JVX. http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?username=jibe;

Add to that the number of jumpers who NEVER take the time to dedicate a jump to focus on CC. They fly their bodies, deploy, and then 'ride' the canopy down.

Go shave your ass! Donation submitted. Good luck and thank you!

That sounds good. Better go with that.

swoopkp sounds like JAAF

hhhyyrt is JAAF

http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=4286438#4286438

Pilot chute snatch force thread... http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=3162292#3162292 Last post at bottom of thread has an attachment with PC drag data.

That's just crazy talk! 42 is too old to even think about HP landings. Seriously, if your old man really has such concerns, downsizing -- and skipping 1 size in the process -- is not a safe plan.

Because the bozos who have been driving the bus have not required adequate CC training. You can try to frame it in those terms, and you'll always be stuck where you're at now. You can continue trying to pin the blame on experienced jumpers, but this is a larger problem with our organization, which includes YOU. WE are members of the US Parachute Association. If you really want to make a difference, push the USPA to require higher CC standards for students and experienced jumpers. Tie advanced licenses to mandated CC training. The new 'B' license CC requirements are good examples, but more training must be included in student programs with an emphasis on CC skills. There are plenty of people who have been injured -- and some killed -- under canopies that would meet the requirements of the rules you would implement. The w/l charts or other limits would not have saved them. Better CC training programs and ongoing skill development may have. I'll offer you this promise ... if the FAA or USPA ever implements a rule or restriction which prohibits me from jumping my current canopy or the canopy I happen to be jumping at the time, I will deliver it to you for you to do with as you please.

Rules alone are not going to help much. From davelepka... In addition to updating student programs to emphasize more CC training, we need ongoing CC education to reinforce survival skills and to provide better training opportunities for those who want to fly HP canopies.

Bad analogy. I specifically agreed that "If someone demonstrates the skills and awareness to move to another canopy, they shouldn't be held back by some generic chart." Better analogy. So why not have a standardized process (test) for a jumper to demonstrate proficiency at specific canopy skills before they are allowed to downsize or change canopy types beyond the limit of the chart or other guidelines? That alone can work. But it can also be inconsistent and arbitrary. That fails our fellow jumpers who deserve better canopy training and oversight.

Absolutely. But what are the specific skills required to progress and by what process does someone demonstrate proficiency? How do you ensure that a standard is used to properly train and evaluate canopy pilots? What is that standard?

It's all about cheese! http://cheese.com/ http://cheese.com/Description.asp?Name=Stinking%20Bishop

Excellent article. You know the dude with the funny lookin' hair?