Jan 28, 2008, 2:28 PM
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Advice for an AFF Student RE: Early flare
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've just made my third jump this past weekend. On my final jump of the day I flared way too early (20-30 ft.), but was lucky enough to recover. I still landed REALLY hard, but wasn't hurt. I was fixated on where I was landing as I had another skydiver directly in front of my intended landing target, and a wind-sock on the other side.
What is the best way recovery procedure from an early flare? I didn't really know what to do, I got lucky.
/I am planning on discussing this more with my instructor
Jan 28, 2008, 2:44 PM
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Re: [hechz] Advice for an AFF Student RE: Early flare
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I am planning on discussing this more with my instructor
Pretty much your best option.
No one here knows your training, what you're flying, your capabilities, what the terrain conditions are where you're at, etc etc. So any advice we give you can be off and you don't really know enough to filter the poor or situational advice from the good.
But if you walked away, you did something right, and everyone biffs it in now and then, so don't sweat the hard landings.
Jan 28, 2008, 3:12 PM
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Re: [hechz] Advice for an AFF Student RE: Early flare
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If you find that you have fully flared your canopy way to high, let up your flare to your shoulders and then finish your flare at the correct altitude. Then prepare to PLF because you are probably going to NEED to.
If you start to flare and don't get passed your shoulder below 20 feet but still too high, don't continue your flare. Just hold what you've got and then FINISH it at the correct altitude and prepare to PLF.
If you start your flare above 20 feet and catch yourself before you go past your shoulders, you will probably be able to go back to full arm extension and do a proper flare at the correct altitude.
As you previously stated however, you should sit down and talk to your instructor. You may wish to put a radio back on and receive additional help but your instructor will make these decisions.
Jan 28, 2008, 3:18 PM
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Re: [hechz] Advice for an AFF Student RE: Early flare
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Stop looking down at where you think your feet are going to hit and you'll have less trouble with flaring high at all.
If you do find yourself flaring high (20 to 30 foot range) pause in your flare, then use the remaining toggle stroke to cushion your landing and prepare to PLF. It should not be all that "hard" a landing if you're on appropriately sized canopies.
If you flare high (20 to 30 foot range) do not "give back" the flare. The canopy will surge and you'll likely not be aware enough to pull the canopy out of the resulting dive.
Jan 28, 2008, 3:19 PM
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Re: Advice for an AFF Student RE: Early flare
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Thanks very much for the advice!
billvon (D 16479)
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Jan 28, 2008, 3:45 PM
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Re: [hechz] Advice for an AFF Student RE: Early flare
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>What is the best way recovery procedure from an early flare?
Low (10 feet or so) - hold the flare, prepare to PLF.
Medium (30-50 feet) - go to half brakes, flare fully at 10 feet, prepare to PLF.
That's what we teach. Your instructor may have a different angle.
faulknerwn (D 17441)
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Jan 28, 2008, 5:22 PM
Post #7 of 18
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Re: [hechz] Advice for an AFF Student RE: Early flare
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And to avoid an early flare, I always tell folks that if you see the ground rushing up at you, say 3 oh shits and then flare :-) I was told by a military instructor that the military puts their jump towers at 34 feet because that is the general altitude most people start getting "ground rush"... So if you expect that, its easier to wait and flare correctly...
Jan 29, 2008, 6:42 AM
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Re: [Superfletch] Advice for an AFF Student RE: Early flare
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I disagree. Letting toggles up - any more than belt level - starts a complex series of pendulum motions that consume lots of altitude. It is far simpler to simply continue holding your toggles low and clamp your legs together in preparation to PLF.
Oh! And humans are notoriously bad at eyeballing altitude, so you really should discuss this with the instructor who watched your last landing.
Jan 29, 2008, 11:36 AM
Post #9 of 18
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Re: [hechz] Advice for an AFF Student RE: Early flare
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've just made my third jump this past weekend. On my final jump of the day I flared way too early (20-30 ft.), but was lucky enough to recover. I still landed REALLY hard, but wasn't hurt.
Are you on radio? I don't know if they do this at all drop zones, but at ours we are put on radio through AFF and given instructions under canopy. The instructors can tell you when to flare this way and it makes it a lot easier to start learning where to flare as a new jumper with no previous experience doing so.
Jan 29, 2008, 12:40 PM
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Re: [chrismgtis] Advice for an AFF Student RE: Early flare
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We do this too. My first few jumps were directed. On this one my instructor asked me if I wanted to flare on my own. I confirmed it, and just immediately flared. I think I just heard "flare" and reacted.
Jan 29, 2008, 12:58 PM
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Re: [hechz] Advice for an AFF Student RE: Early flare
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We do this too. My first few jumps were directed. On this one my instructor asked me if I wanted to flare on my own. I confirmed it, and just immediately flared. I think I just heard "flare" and reacted.
Well now that you're not being told to flare, remember not to look straight down. It's a lot like driving, you want to look so far ahead of you. It will take practice to get the timing right. I had a lot of a crazy landings. I only started to finally get the hang of being more consistent around 40+ jumps. And I still can't promise you I will stand it up. Though I do a lot more now.
(This post was edited by chrismgtis on Jan 29, 2008, 12:59 PM)
Jan 29, 2008, 1:23 PM
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Re: [chrismgtis] Advice for an AFF Student RE: Early flare
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I had one face plant on my first solo landing, glided neatly to a stop and walked to gather my canopy on my second, and then flared early on the third. What's funny is that I didn't even realize I was being told when to flare the first two times.
(This post was edited by hechz on Jan 29, 2008, 4:49 PM)
Jan 29, 2008, 6:46 PM
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Re: [hechz] Advice for an AFF Student RE: Early flare
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Go to your instructor and ask why he did not talk to you about this after that jump during debreif. This is not a sport where an instructor should jump expect that you learned your lesson.
Jan 29, 2008, 10:34 PM
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Re: [riggerrob] Advice for an AFF Student RE: Early flare
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Letting toggles up - any more than belt level - starts a complex series of pendulum motions that consume lots of altitude. It is far simpler to simply continue holding your toggles low and clamp your legs together in preparation to PLF.
Oh! And you really should discuss this with the instructor who watched your last landing.
Keep in mind that there can be additional factors to consider. At 30 feet holding deep brakes can stall some canopies that students are jumping these days.
The best advice that keeps ringing through is what da rigger man said, talk to the instructors that are training you personally.
Jan 30, 2008, 12:43 PM
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Re: [JohnDeere] Advice for an AFF Student RE: Early flare
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Oh we talked about it, but I wanted to get some other viewpoints on how to avoid locking in on the ground. Also was hoping to hear that it was pretty common. I did get that so I don't feel as bad for making the mistake in the first place. I now have to take what my instructor, and others, have said to heart.
Jan 31, 2008, 9:10 AM
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Re: [AFFI] Advice for an AFF Student RE: Early flare
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At 30 feet holding deep brakes can stall some canopies that students are jumping these days.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>...
That canopy should be taken out of service until the brake lines have been lengthened.
First jump students should never be allowed to jump canopies that can be stalled during a poorly-timed flare. Far fewer injuries occur while sliding forward (weak flare) than when falling backwards (stalled).
And I still can't promise you I will stand it up. Though I do a lot more now. 
