GravityGirl 0 #26 March 22, 2004 QuoteThats correct, but the canopies they use are especially made for towing behind a boat. People have tried using Para Commanders, they dont fly the same, it can be dangerous. bill cole .....umm.... it works with a BASE canopy. I think..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peace and Blue Skies! Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Newbie 0 #27 March 22, 2004 QuoteIf you want to try this - get instruction! Towing is a common way to launch paragliders, but there is an unrecoverable condition called lockout that means you _will_ hit the ground very hard. The only way to deal with this is to chop the tow line or release tension (i.e. stop towing the person.) bill thanks, im no way in the world going to try this, i just was wondering from a hypothetical view if it were even possible, and what the results had been - unfortunately serious and fatal in some instances "Skydiving is a door" Happythoughts Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mcrocker 0 #28 March 23, 2004 Quoteanyone tried to "tow" their friend on their boat/truck with an open main attached to them? Im figuring it would probably be a better bet that someone has tried this on water, but then you can never assume anything. Not that i have much of an idea that this is even something remotely feasible, but i figured if a few skydivers got together and had access to a speed boat, someone might have tried it over the years. Yep, we call it 'Dope on a rope'. Make sure you use a static line (repelling rope) not a dynamic line (lead climbing rope). If the line breaks the stretch of the dynamic line will come up and 'bite' the guy under canopy. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dropoutdave 0 #29 March 23, 2004 Has anyone here launched their mains down a hill/sand dune like in Soul Flyers? How good/bad an idea is it? There's a huge hill just outside of my town where everyone goes sledging when the snow comes.....got me thinking. ------------------------------------------------------ May Contain Nut traces...... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pendragon 1 #30 March 23, 2004 Just like Billvon said, commonly used for paragliders (and hangies ) These guys ALWAYS use a weak link though. Some systems are just like 3 ring cutaways. Can't see why it couldn't be done if you got the angle of attack right... and had some suitable training (tow endorsed PG licence, maybe? ) beforehand.-- BASE #1182 Muff #3573 PFI #52; UK WSI #13 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 2,659 #31 March 23, 2004 >Has anyone here launched their mains down a hill/sand dune like in >Soul Flyers? How good/bad an idea is it? It can be fun, but it takes a long, steep hill, a decent wind (uphill) and a largish canopy. Expect to get dirty. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dropoutdave 0 #32 March 24, 2004 ....right, got the hill, got the wind, now where's my old pants. ------------------------------------------------------ May Contain Nut traces...... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jasmin 0 #33 March 24, 2004 DO NOT DO TOW SOMEONE BEHIND A TRUCK!!!! Without the right gear, increasing speed can result in the person under canopy being slammed into the ground. Very uncool. Seen some nasty footage. Also, do not strap yourself into a go-kart wearing your rig. This resulted in a mate in hospital, hurting very badly!! We've gotten very bored on blown-out days over the last 20+ years!! From accidently starting freeway grass-fires with flare guns and airport fires with fireworks to jumping out of the chopper into the dam from 100ft (without first checking the depth) to painting team logos on the roof without getting the DZ owners approval...you name it, some idiot's tried it.xj "I wouldn't recommend picking a fight with the earth...but then I wouldn't recommend picking a fight with a car either, and that's having tried both." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bip 0 #34 March 24, 2004 A guy in Norway was killed a few years back. He was being towed by a boat near the shoreline. Apparently his parachute suddenly dived towards the shore and he was killed on the rocks. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SPY 0 #35 March 30, 2004 There's nothing more dangerous than a bunch of skydivers grounded during a windy week end... S-P =========================== Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #36 March 30, 2004 QuoteIt can be fun, but it takes a long, steep hill, a decent wind (uphill) and a largish canopy. Expect to get dirty. *** On the cliffs right above "Blacks Beach" is a perfect spot! Done it many times! We even had a disc for shooting accuri... next to the cooler! ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhillyKev 0 #37 March 30, 2004 I've seen it....it was very dangerous, hard to control, and resulted in many crashes and being dragged behind a jeep. No one was hurt so I laughed hysterically, but I definitely wouldn't recommend it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cvfd1399 0 #38 April 20, 2004 I want pics of the logo. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skylee_pinoy 0 #39 September 3, 2005 check out these sites... don't tie the tow briddle in the chest strap... wrong move... if using a skydiving rig, modify the 3ring attachment.... like the tandem rigs where TMs hook thier students...the tow briddle must be designed to detach from the parascender/parasailer... JUST LIKE the 3ring release system. the cutaway handle at the tow briddle must be reached effortlessly by the parascender. for the cutaway handle, it's not advisable to use ripcords... better to use a rope/toggle with closing pin on the tip. (sorry for my english) again... don't attach the rope or tow briddle in the chest... NO NO NO!!! any skydiving canopies will do... don't use paracommander if your thinking of using it.... if you are, see to it you have long runway... don't forget... cutaway the tow briddle if you have enough altitude. blues! http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a184/skylee_swoop/15-chris-trolove.jpg http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a184/skylee_swoop/16-chris-trolove.jpg http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a184/skylee_swoop/17-chris-trolove.jpg http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a184/skylee_swoop/19-john-grantham.jpg [IMG]http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a184/skylee_swoop/20-john-grantham.jpg[/IMG] Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bseriesboosted 0 #40 September 3, 2005 QuoteQuoteanyone tried to "tow" their friend on their boat/truck with an open main attached to them? Im figuring it would probably be a better bet that someone has tried this on water, but then you can never assume anything. Not that i have much of an idea that this is even something remotely feasible, but i figured if a few skydivers got together and had access to a speed boat, someone might have tried it over the years. Hey y'all watch this Chris hey chris how about that thunderbow lol.... i can't believe the rope broke lol... if any of you know john pinion he has some great video of me doing it....Pruitt Skydive The Farm Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
joethermal 0 #41 September 4, 2005 im a newbie to skydiving, but i have done around 100 tows on a paraglider, we used a payout winch on a boat with 3000ft of spectra line, a weak link and a 3 ring cut away on the tow bridle. the payout winch allows the line to feed out at a consistent rate so that sudden acceleration by the boat wont jerk the line and increase the angle of attack too much, and if there is any hint of a lockout occuring, the winch operator can instantly release tension. weak link is there incase the winch jams or the line gets snagged. 3 ring can be cutaway with either hand or foot. boat slows down when the 3000ft of line has fed out, line is then cutaway without tension. other equipment we had was hook knives, lifejackets, two way radios, airband radio if you have the right equipment and information its great fun, if you dont its very dangerous a static line behind a car or a boat is a bad idea, very likely to end in a lockout situation Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RossDagley 0 #42 September 5, 2005 Dude - thats kinda high... Are you guys NUTS? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mr2mk1g 10 #43 September 5, 2005 think skydiver - high is good... it's the ground that hurts. Joe; that thing strong enough to lift two people and a rig? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RossDagley 0 #44 September 5, 2005 I'm feeling a MrBill kinda thing coming on - not for me, I've not the balls, but I *CAN* see where you're going with this thread Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DJL 232 #45 September 5, 2005 Quoteany skydiving canopies will do... I love the internet."I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
joethermal 0 #46 September 5, 2005 Quotethink skydiver - high is good... it's the ground that hurts. Joe; that thing strong enough to lift two people and a rig? yeah, i was doing tandems with our setup, payout tension on the winch is just set a little higher than for solos Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
joethermal 0 #47 September 5, 2005 QuoteDude - thats kinda high... Are you guys NUTS? haha ....as mr2mk1g replied "high is good", most dangerous part of towing is the first couple of hundred feet from the ground where a lockout can turn you in to the ground or a towline or weak link break can make your canopy dive Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amanda965 0 #48 September 5, 2005 They do it all the time at my dz off of the 4-wheeler and other various objects. Not the smartest thing to do, but most certainly good for a laugh! The look on the guys face as they are anticipating the throw-off is priceless!Blue skies and SAFE landings! ~Amanda~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
firstime 0 #49 September 6, 2005 I met a couple of guys in Eloy that wanted to rent a some cars to do a demolition derby in the desert. DOH!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #50 September 6, 2005 http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a184/skylee_swoop/15-chris-trolove.jpg http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a184/skylee_swoop/16-chris-trolove.jpg http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a184/skylee_swoop/17-chris-trolove.jpg http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a184/skylee_swoop/19-john-grantham.jpg http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a184/skylee_swoop/20-john-grantham.jpg ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites