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rehmwa 2
QuoteThey obviously don't realize that sometimes the light comes on more than a mile before climbout.
I remember jumping with you at CouchFreaks a few years ago and this yelling "GO!!!" was going on from the back. The pilot was calling green a mile short of the airport on a super windy day. (i.e., the spot for the whole airplane needed to start about a 0.4 past, not 1.0 before)
We just let the others go first since they were screaming. They all landed about a mile short and needed to be picked up. (And, they were so scared about getting out that the 3 groups that did go early kinda left tight (without proper separation)).
It just shows that spotting is still a good skill, and spotting bigger craft is another good skill.
Everybody that followed your advice landed on.
It's a fond memory
as for opening/cracking the door low - it's amazing how complacent people get that they sacrifice safety for a temporary comfort - above 2K, I'll open that door and leave it open all the way to 14K. Below 2K - it's shut and they can cry all they want - if a pilot chute sneaks out at 500 feet under that 6 inch open door, the whole planeload dies - but at least 1 or 2 tandem instructors were slightly less sweaty for that 500 feet.
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Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants
-Hunter S. Thompson
"No. Try not. Do... or do not. There is no try."
-Yoda
rehmwa 2
Quotehey, this is dropzone.com; you cant just start arguing reason here all of a sudden!
sorry, my bad - BOOBIES
everybody has different and valid opinions here - that's what makes it good for discussion
(thanks, though - a hot airplane can be a real touchy subject for a lot of people)
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Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants
Baksteen 84
Point about cracking the door conceded.
Quoteas for opening/cracking the door low - it's amazing how complacent people get that they sacrifice safety for a temporary comfort - above 2K, I'll open that door and leave it open all the way to 14K. Below 2K - it's shut and they can cry all they want - if a pilot chute sneaks out at 500 feet under that 6 inch open door, the whole planeload dies - but at least 1 or 2 tandem instructors were slightly less sweaty for that 500 feet.
Good stuff, this.
~mom
for some reason, i dont like asking a "serious" question on the forums; whatever it is, some douche always starts raining shit on your parade.. best example was the "most memorable tandem-student"-thread recently.. all feel good, until some guy.. completely fucks it up!
-Hunter S. Thompson
"No. Try not. Do... or do not. There is no try."
-Yoda
jimmytavino 16
lots of good points
first of which is... YES... If YOU see the light from waaaay the hell UP in the plane,, then people AT the door also see the light!!!! sheesh!!!
Hell if we wanted a screeeching shout !! from waay up in the plane,, then we'd do away with the lights altogether, and just have the pilot turn to the closest jumper,,, nod, and then, That person could scream to their hearts delight " AHHHH !!! Door !! Door!! Door Door door door..... But we Don't do that do we?????
hahahahaha
slow is fast. sure applies here...
treat the door like it's a woman, slow and gentle will work wonders. start getting rammy and rushing things.... could be trouble...
keep in mind the current status of winds aloft... and if you are opening the Door AND leading the first group out.....DO at least take a GOOD look down, verify the location, check the spot, LOOK for traffic...make an assessment of ground speed, and if it's appropriate,,( i.e. a real sloooow ground speed....) verbally Notify those deep in the plane,, to " relax!!!!! AND leave good seperation between groups"...
Often a cameraperson is first out, and therefore near the door... Not sure of others,, but I SURE do appreciate some help with a roll-up door, and NOT some ham-handed horseing of the door.. but a gentle, coordinated effort.. trying to be effective alone, AND keeping cameras away from the plexi, as the door starts to move is tough for me...
Those who are standing nearby need to be very aware as well ,, soas to Not get smacked in the head, and can also help to assure the door goes all the way to the stops...
As for a cessna.. i tend to simply ASK the pilot, if he or she will be operating the handle,, NO reason at all to be "caught by surprise" when it is time to climb out...
Best Door, of an aircraft,, that i EVER got to pass through ?????
That big vault -like door which Don Kirlin swung open for us, ( about FIVE minutes after take-off ) when we skydived the Boeing 727....
jt
4 stack 930
If you worry about pilot chutes getting out, then you should be even more worried about doors that are open just a few inches
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Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants
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