Ron 7
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My first and only cutaway was on jump 83 and I followed my main and freebag down (they were falling straight down very near each other).
But before I did I performed a full canopy control check. I then checked the ground and saw I had literally dozens of places to land below me and wouldn't make it back to the DZ anyway. So I stayed safely away from my gear. I kept one eye on my gear and also made sure to fly a pattern that would set me up for a safe landing. I identified the general area it would land in and then focused completely on my landing.
My main was 75yds away in the same field I landed in. My freebag was in the yard of a house bordering the field.
I wouldn't tell someone they should do as I did, but I think it can be done safely (even for someone without high jump numbers). It's something for a (low jump number jumper) to talk about with their S&TA and respected instructors and decide whether it's something they could try at their skill level (and only if the circumstances make is safe to do so).
But before I did I performed a full canopy control check. I then checked the ground and saw I had literally dozens of places to land below me and wouldn't make it back to the DZ anyway. So I stayed safely away from my gear. I kept one eye on my gear and also made sure to fly a pattern that would set me up for a safe landing. I identified the general area it would land in and then focused completely on my landing.
My main was 75yds away in the same field I landed in. My freebag was in the yard of a house bordering the field.
I wouldn't tell someone they should do as I did, but I think it can be done safely (even for someone without high jump numbers). It's something for a (low jump number jumper) to talk about with their S&TA and respected instructors and decide whether it's something they could try at their skill level (and only if the circumstances make is safe to do so).
DJL 232
QuoteYou're right, I just couldn't help it. Forgot the Wink anyway.
The question was answered, so my 2 cents:
Never chase your gear unless you perfectly know the landing zone and its surroundings.
A friend of mine (+ 3000 jumps) broke a vertebra at a previously unknown DZ following his main.
He saw the fence he was about to land on at only 30/40 feet, focusing on the gear until the last seconds. He made a low turn to avoid the obstacle, in half brakes but under a 98 sf reserve.
Personally, my health isn't worth it.
Your story shows more reasoning for not having a 98 SF reserve than it does for not following gear down. You can't be afraid to land out under your reserve.
"I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher
Quotein half brakes but under a 98 sf reserve.
Personally, my health isn't worth it.
If you are going to jump a doily for a reserve you stand a good chance of busting your ass landing it. It may look cool right up until the time you need to use it.
By the way, who makes a 98 sq. ft. reserve?
Sparky
My idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals
Herky 0
QuoteQuoteBy the way, who makes a 98 sq. ft. reserve?
Sparky
Parachutes de France offers the Techno reserve in a 98sq ft model. They are the only ones as far as I know.
JohanW 0
PdF indeed make the smallest reserve on the market (well, at least they used to).
PdF Techno 98, most recent manual I have: PIA planform area 104 ft², top skin area 99 ft², bottom skin area 94 ft². Speed/weight max: 150 kts 145 lbs. Max recommended weight 124 lbs.
Compare:
PD Reserve or Optimum 99, manual/website: area 99 ft². Speed/weight max: 150 kts 220 lbs. Max weight (expert): 149 lbs.
Aerodyne Smart 99, manual: area 99 ft² (bottom skin). Speed/weight max: 150 kts 220 lbs. Max recommended weight: 122 lbs.
All read "You're stupid if you use this reserve if you weigh more than about half a feather." The French one also reads as either "We didn't even bother to test it for even a medium featherweight" and/or "We couldn't get it certified for even a medium featherweight" but definitely as "It's illegal to jump this reserve as a medium featherweight, let alone heavier."
Frankly, I think the world market for these reserves is about two people. And both those girls could do with some food. 
Johan.
I am. I think.
I am. I think.
QuoteHowever, if it looks like it might land in an open field I might follow it, and have done hop n pops to land next to gear before.
When have you ever done a hop n pop to land next to hear???
I agree with Ron completely.
Wind Tunnel and Skydiving Coach http://www.ariperelman.com
faulknerwn 36
And if your friend weighed more than 120 pounds, his biggest mistake was his equipment choice before he ever stepped foot in the airplane. A friend of mine recently got a 98(?) sq ft Smart reserve. He's tiny, but we're similar sizes and I wouldn't jump that small of an F111 canopy! Its insane. If you're a 90lb girl its one thing, but if you're a human being of average size you're way overloading it.. Especially if you're not used to 7 cells..
Your friend's mistake was not landing off - it was buying a reserve way too small for him.
Your friend's mistake was not landing off - it was buying a reserve way too small for him.
Floflo 0
QuoteAnd if your friend weighed more than 120 pounds, his biggest mistake was his equipment choice before he ever stepped foot in the airplane. A friend of mine recently got a 98(?) sq ft Smart reserve. He's tiny, but we're similar sizes and I wouldn't jump that small of an F111 canopy! Its insane. If you're a 90lb girl its one thing, but if you're a human being of average size you're way overloading it.. Especially if you're not used to 7 cells..
Your friend's mistake was not landing off - it was buying a reserve way too small for him.
There are two subjects here:
The size of his reserve, indeed very small (It was a Parachutes de France btw). That’s why I pointed it out. His main is a 79 sq ft Velocity, and he’s a good swooper.
He had already landed this reserve three times, was feeling safe under it (He obviously wasn't), and made a costly mistake.
The original subject is whether you follow or not your cutaway main; my advice, especially to someone with low jump numbers, is to be really careful, and to think twice before doing so. Why? If:
- You’re at a previously unjumped DZ, not knowing the specific dangers of the area
- You’re under a wing you’ve never flown before
- You’re lower than usual
- Your stress level is higher than usual
- You’re focusing on an object flying nearby
You’re asking for trouble.
I personally landed out a lot of times for my jump numbers at different locations (For reasons which are a different subject) and have no trouble with it (It can be quite fun actually.), but under part or all of those conditions, I wouldn’t do it.
DJL 232
Quote
I personally landed out a lot of times for my jump numbers at different locations (For reasons which are a different subject) and have no trouble with it (It can be quite fun actually.), but under part or all of those conditions, I wouldn’t do it.
I hear you on that. I was indoctrinated to landing out a lot very early on since the guys I did CRW with weren't very good at getting back tot he DZ. I don't see why everyone gets so freaked out over it. Probably because so many people turn of their brain and don't pay attention to the wind direction since they're just going to land in the direction the arrow tells them to.
"I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher
I especially agree with you floflo concerning the unfamiliar DZ.. When this happened, I had only jumped at this DZ 4 or 5 times.
Ironically, 2 jumps before this event I had asked someone about the surrounding area due to someone landing off. This individual mentioned to me a barb wire fence that surrounded a field. Then, on the next jump (the jump before the cutaway jump) both me and the person who told me about it were way out due to being first out of the plane. Without him having told me about the barbed wire fence I probably would have landed within reach of it, but I took appropriate measures to avoid it.. Just my little story
Ironically, 2 jumps before this event I had asked someone about the surrounding area due to someone landing off. This individual mentioned to me a barb wire fence that surrounded a field. Then, on the next jump (the jump before the cutaway jump) both me and the person who told me about it were way out due to being first out of the plane. Without him having told me about the barbed wire fence I probably would have landed within reach of it, but I took appropriate measures to avoid it.. Just my little story
No main is worth my life, so if it is going somewhere that could be dangerous, I just try my best to spot it and land at the DZ with directions.
However, if it looks like it might land in an open field I might follow it, and have done hop n pops to land next to gear before.
BTW the same answers can be applied to a down jumper.
If I can land next to them and not risk getting hurt AND I think I can render aid... I'll land with them.
But if I think I might get hurt as well. I just record the location as best I can and land at the DZ to get medical help there as fast as possible.
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