craddock

Exactly how I teach a FJC, however I would have to take several wraps to sink my canopy(main at least) it at the speed/angle I hope to enter the trees. I usually fly deep brakes at about my hip rings. Something I need to think about and play with a liitle. I am a little concerned about several wraps around my wrist rendering my arms useless. It would suck to lose an eye though. Josh That spot isn't bad at all, the winds were strong and that was the issue! It was just on the downwind side.

Just updated my profile. I am jumping an 82 this year. I no longer have the 72. Ron, I really don't think are views are that far a part on this one. We just choose to empahasize different points. Yours is that sometimes you don't have other options, mine point being plan to avoid that but when it happens, are you sure you have no other options. Many people have died because of this mentality in planes and under canopies. I have always understood the original point. I just tried to add to it. Sorry btw- I do wonder how bad I would get hurt landing in the trees. I have certinaly thought about it. I would use a very deep approach(although this would leave little protectoin for my face) and keep my legs together! Josh That spot isn't bad at all, the winds were strong and that was the issue! It was just on the downwind side.

I am over the "12 x 12 crap" as you say. This is what I said in the last post. "btw -my point was not only that a 12 x 12 fenced in backyard (right next to powerlines) was unlikely. " Notice the "not only" I wish I had left out the "only" Hell mabey I should have the original post deleted. Nevertheless, I stand by my statement. It doesn't matter I will still take the roof or land in the trees if I have to rather than limiting myself to having to land in xxxxx next to xxx . Keep you options open. I only meant to make people think a bit and it all starts with better decisions up higher. Now here is what you just wrote. You can see that I obviously disagree in regards to your unrealistic reference. Without being there I am still considering the roof as an option as well as taking a tree landing. I have a possible three choices where you have only one. Josh That spot isn't bad at all, the winds were strong and that was the issue! It was just on the downwind side.

I thought that was what you were saying, Thanks for clarifying. btw- %=percent, while you are trying to indicate degrees. no biggie though Josh That spot isn't bad at all, the winds were strong and that was the issue! It was just on the downwind side.

Yes it lays flat against the ground. It was not a mod. It is a container that was designed for birdman flying for Jari. It was called the Birdman before they offered the "birdman" option on all the rigs they sell. Josh That spot isn't bad at all, the winds were strong and that was the issue! It was just on the downwind side.

Well I have pulled my reserve below 500' while my girlfriend watched horrified from above me. Several reasons why this happened which I won't go into in this thread, but I was jumping at SDC where landing outs are not a problem. If I was jumping somewhere with limited outs it would make sense to break off higher, deploy higher, cut away higher ect. I agree shit happens. I knew where I was at on all four of my cut aways and as a result fought all of them as hard as I could. btw -my point was not only that a 12 x 12 fenced in backyard (right next to powerlines) was unlikely. Josh That spot isn't bad at all, the winds were strong and that was the issue! It was just on the downwind side.

I am not sure what you mean rotate 180(degrees? %?) from what starting position. Most people either rotate the bag 90 degrees leaving the grommet facing the bottom of the reserve, or do not rotate at all and leave the bridle coming out the top. can you clarify what you mean. My rig does not pack very nice if I do not rotate. btw-I will be making my first birdman jumps this weekend so I hope I have no problems. Josh That spot isn't bad at all, the winds were strong and that was the issue! It was just on the downwind side.

Packing open corners with a very tight fitting main may take a liitle longer. At least on my rig. There are many people who don't like to pack my rig. I have even been told by a very well known packer that it was "cut wrong" . It looked awfull when she gave it back to me. It is important to tuck the bottom flap as you close the side flaps. I have had some horrible looking pack jobs done for me although I rarely use packers because my rig is a pain. Even when I do, I end up trying to fix it a bit. My problem is coumpounded my a tight fitting main in addition to not having a pack tray. Not all open corners are the same. I have seen some that are stitched up a small amount to form a tray. Josh That spot isn't bad at all, the winds were strong and that was the issue! It was just on the downwind side.

Geez Ron, like I said from the first post if you go back and look. I got the point. That spot isn't bad at all, the winds were strong and that was the issue! It was just on the downwind side.

I did not miss the point at all Ron. I just have tried to imagine the situation where that would be the best out. My office is 12 x 12. I have never seen a backyard that small. Now put a fence around it right next to a powerline. Assuming there are trees outside of the fence( otherwise I could land there right?) there is also turbulance present. I am prepared to land on a roof if I have to, in the driveway, or if I have to sink my canopy down in the trees and deal with it. I have the utmost confidence in my accuracy, but I feel sinking past powerlines to hit a fenced in 12 x 12 yard in turb. is probably not going to be the best option I have. I have thought about this quite a bit over the years, and at some point the trees have to be a better option. Or the roof. How many pilots have died on the runway or trying to get there rather then lose their wings in the trees? Yes there are risks either way. I think you missed my point. Josh Edited to add that I don't think we have to many 120 foot trees around here so that could change my perspective a bit. Your landing sounds interesting- definitaly not for the faint of heart. That spot isn't bad at all, the winds were strong and that was the issue! It was just on the downwind side.

While I agree that it is a good idea to demo a reserve if unsure, I highly doubt I would ever try and sink either my normal main or reserve past powerlines into a 12 by 12 fenced yard. That just does not make any sense to me. But I get your point. Josh That spot isn't bad at all, the winds were strong and that was the issue! It was just on the downwind side.

I have two jumps on my PD106 at around 1.8 Landed it downwind. I have nothing but good things to say about this reserve. I have not attempted a braked approach, but I feel confident that it would be fine at our elevation. ~800 ft msl Josh That spot isn't bad at all, the winds were strong and that was the issue! It was just on the downwind side.

I went a couple of years without an altimeter after my second one disappeared at a DZ. I was just too cheap to buy one and never used it much anyway on RW dives. I did borrow one occasionally. I now have one as my girlfriend bought me a visual before I went to Rantoul last year and I also have my first audible as well. Doing more FF dives I really enjoy having them. Josh That spot isn't bad at all, the winds were strong and that was the issue! It was just on the downwind side.

You missed the point Bill. I was not talking about the S+TA that " through what he sees of the jumper's handling of the parachute, he's not confident he can handle it ". Not a bit ,in fact quite the opposite. Nevermind. It may be possible that this is a better option than putting the (assumed legal) responsibility on the S+TA. I don't know. I don't Who has "come up with inflexible rules to prevent the same lawsuits"? I was not aware that fear of lawsuits had prompted this. I am interested to find out more however. Are there many DZ's that have wingloading restrictions? I am only aware of one that would have affected me at anytime. I know of two total, but I never would have been allowed to jump at the other regardless of wingloading. There are several DZ's that I can not jump at because I do not wear an AAD. Josh That spot isn't bad at all, the winds were strong and that was the issue! It was just on the downwind side.

Depends how you define responsibility (although I should look up the actual respnsibility of the S+TA by definition) Legal responsibility? Many people fear civil lawsuits these days. I also know some S+TA's that are completely against small canopies and I doubt they would sign anyone off regardless of their ability. Having to fly out to have someone like you sign the waiver would only prove my point. It may be difficult even for the talanted and skilled jumper. Josh That spot isn't bad at all, the winds were strong and that was the issue! It was just on the downwind side.

Can you remind me and please exuce my ignorance.... How will it be determined that the jumper has took a class? Stamp in log book? A certificate that needs to be carried around? As I and many others have pointed out, it may be very tough to get an S+TA to waiver a jumper even if he feels comfortable with the wingloading. They may feel it could open the door for a lawsuit. Or they just do not want the responsibility. I really do not feel this is going to be as easy as some of you think( to get waivered without the class) Of course you may be counting on this? Josh That spot isn't bad at all, the winds were strong and that was the issue! It was just on the downwind side.

I have seen it happen a bit on hot summer days in the midwest. I just missed a cessna load(not packed) one clear day and the pilot called on jump run to ask if everything was ok outside. I notified her that the winds had switched 180 put were still very light. "Jumper Away"........ Just as the canopies were opening the wind picked up over 40 MPH. Both jumpers landed uninjured but I had never seen anything like it at that time. Flying backwards at 25 MPH and when one of then had to turn and run... Holy shit. Then it was over as quick as it came. I am still bummed I missed that load. J That spot isn't bad at all, the winds were strong and that was the issue! It was just on the downwind side.

] I think anyone can answer that one, not just thosed opposed to wingloading BSR's , Can you define the hypothetical canopy? I would say this applies to all canopies every jump. If external conditions, (as in weather) turn against me I pray I am not under an underloaded canopy. J That spot isn't bad at all, the winds were strong and that was the issue! It was just on the downwind side.

Yes Ron, just like that. ???? Are you responding to my post or trying to illustrate my point for me? Not sure if I even used the word opinion much less in that context. I was just trying to question yours. Funny YOU should say this. You have done this even in that post Josh That spot isn't bad at all, the winds were strong and that was the issue! It was just on the downwind side.

Well I have never had the pleasure of changing CYPRES battery's yet Ron. I am not a rigger anyway. I have however witnessed in less than 12 months three fatalites in which I had watched the entire approach from ~500 ft and was at very close range to the impact. All with almost identical angles of impact and all ended up in the pond. One was a real good friend of mine. I have to live with the fact that I could have prevented that one or at least did a better job of trying. I have been on scene trying to save someone. There are others where I was present but did not witness, the latest being the loss of our friend at SDC. Ron, does this count for anything. Do you think I should be "allowed" to debate this issue. You not only challenge anyone who questions you, but you shut down them down and label them as being opposed to you. You need to keep an open mind Ron. I questioned a few points and you defensivaly assumed I was fighting your proposal. I do feel there are many flaws in your logic but I do not want to get into a pissing match with you anymore. You cut and paste and then imply context to others words. You also claim people (or at least me) say something they didn't say. When questioned about it, you again cut and paste and try to explain that XXXX means XXX. I do not understand why you are so defensive. Just because I have questions on something you say, does Not mean I think I know more than anyone else. It may indicate that I try and keep an open mind and can debate all points relevant from both sides before making a conclusion. Josh That spot isn't bad at all, the winds were strong and that was the issue! It was just on the downwind side.

No it is not a maintanence issue. Has happened since my risers/toggles were new. Not sure all of the reasons. On my FX the slider comes down so hard that it knocks it out frequently to say the least. I have had days where it is over 50%. Lately on my Xaos(slider crawls down) I think it is happening early on. I wish I knew why Bill. Shitty risers I guess. Mabey my packing. Could have something to do with cramming my main in to small of container. Hopefully Gary is not as sensitive as you Bill. I sure meant no disrespect. Someome (not meaning Gary) just might save themselves a cutaway hearing different viewpoints. Josh btw How are you liking Cal. Did you here about Tom? That spot isn't bad at all, the winds were strong and that was the issue! It was just on the downwind side.

This can be a major inconvenience, especially if you wear motocross gloves. If I release both toggles in this situation, I have a hard enough time getting my fingers through the toggles. I had to land the other day with one toggle through and one on top of the unstowed slider in order to find a place to land. However more times than not, once I steer the canopy in a safe direction I just hold it straight with harness leaving me both hands to guide the slider down through the unstowed toggle, loosen chest ect. I find this fairly easy to do on an FX or Velocity, but requires more harness on the Xaos 27's. The Xaos 27 is not nearly as sensitive to harness input as I would like though. Josh That spot isn't bad at all, the winds were strong and that was the issue! It was just on the downwind side.

Good job Gary and congrats for getting it on video. Looked like you had half a twist on your reserve also. What a ride! That spot isn't bad at all, the winds were strong and that was the issue! It was just on the downwind side.

The video did not look nearly as bad as I expected, although I will admit I have brake fires? quite often . It does not look to me like that canopy is "spun up" that bad at all, in fact I can clearly see that there are no twist in the lines . At the point of the canopy being released I am having a hard time identifying how much the risers are twisted. I believe it is likely that releasing the other brake line would have fixed the problem; however like you pointed out, I was not there. As Chuck pointed out a review of malfuntions and emergency procedures could not hurt. I mean no disrespect to your friend. However, if I had cut away from every brake fire in which the slider was down and there were no twists in the lines....I don't know Josh That spot isn't bad at all, the winds were strong and that was the issue! It was just on the downwind side.

***A 100 sq. ft. canopy loaded at 1:1 out-performs a 200 sq. ft. canopy loaded at 1:1[/quote This appears to be a statement of fact. How do you define "outperforms"? A faster turn rate? I will agree with that due to the shorter lines of the smaller canopy. As far as swoop distance is concerned, a larger canopy at an equal loading will some times outswoop(outperform) a smaller one. It may also be easier to carve due to the larger wing. Some jumpers wear weights rather than jump a smaller canopy in competition. Josh That spot isn't bad at all, the winds were strong and that was the issue! It was just on the downwind side.