Basic and Advanced Canopy flying: educational materials and videos
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I was getting some questions about available canopy flight educational materials and videos, so i wanted to list the ones i know of personally.
While no video or book can ever replace individual training and jump experience, not everyone can attend Flight-1 or Germain's or other canopy courses.
Still, I dont think we have enough educational materials available, so feel free to add to this post to keep it as a reference to up and coming skydivers.
1. Brian Germain's Parachute and its Pilot - has been a great help to me personally. Even experienced jumpers can benefit from it, IMO - i had >1000 jumps when i read it and learned a lot from it.
2.Fly Like A Pro. Goody, but oldie? Have not seen it, but people have left positive feedback about this video over the years.
3. The new video from VASST - Canopy Control: Core Essentials DVD - I have not seen it myself, but judging by the description - indeed all essential skills that need to be in the arsenal of every jumper are covered and then some.
VASST material is new and that makes it even more interesting since the essential subject material is combined with the skills of a recognized producer.
Would be great if an experienced canopy pilot and coach (i volunteer Ian Drennan, since he has lots of free time) could see a copy of this DVD and write a short and unbiased review. I've no doubt it would be positive, but at least a newer pilot and a potential buyer can refer to it when making a decision to purchase this DVD.
P.S. Well, looks like i am a bit out of sync with the rest of the site :) - i really only follow a couple of forums :) There is a good review of the VASST DVD on the main page! But it's really worth another mention - the more educational materials out there the better!
(This post was edited by frost on Apr 14, 2009, 11:56 AM)
Re: [frost] Basic and Advanced Canopy flying: educational materials and videos
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3. The new video from VASST - Canopy Control: Core Essentials DVD
I had a chance to see this video recently (thank you DSE!) and i think it's a great learning tool for newer jumpers. It covers all the key material very well. Refer to the in-depth review of this DVD: http://www.dropzone.com/...ail_page.cgi?ID=714.
Of course, no DVD can ever be a replacement for a live Canopy Control course, like the Flight-1 or Brian Germain's classes, where the student can ask questions and get more in-depth information on any key concept. But it IS a great tool to review even after you have some jumps under your belt. Some of the core concepts frequently get lost or overlooked by experienced jumpers.
Re: [frost] Basic and Advanced Canopy flying: educational materials and videos
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As far as I know Brian Burke's original, very-inclusive canopy control sylabus is still somewhere on the Skydive Arizona website. Last I checked there was no direct link, but I am sure you can still access it. This, by the way, was the ABSOLUTE basis for both Jim Slaton's and Scott Miller's courses. It is, in my opinion, still the definitive standard of scientific explanation. Everyone of the people charging for instruction nowadays ought to be paying a fee to Brian. That is why I have never charged for instruction. I have nothing to add to what he wrote in 2000/2001. Nothing of consequence anyways...
