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WFFC safety info on WFFC Mesage Board

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WFFC safety info on WFFC Mesage Board

I just posted to the WFFC Message Board the safety information that should appear in the WFFC "Welcome Book". We realize that many people do not read the book until after they jump, so please check it out, especially if you are new to the Convention or to large events.

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This is the information that should appear in the "Welcome Book"
that you get when you register, but we know that many people don't
read it before jumping, so here it is.

If you have any questions please contact me. Gary Peek
------------------------------------------------------------

Important Safety Information For Skydivers at the WFFC


1. Aircraft loading and exit

The aircraft staff at the loading tents are an important source
of information. They can provide you with the direction of the
jump run, winds aloft information, the time between exits of groups
on the same aircraft, and any information particular to the type
of aircraft you will be jumping.

Loading and Exit Order:

Pay attention to the aircraft loader and approach the aircraft
only from the direction indicated by the loader! Do not let your
excitement or haste cause you to forget basic aircraft loading
safety. (Propellers!) If there are any non-skydivers in the area
who are not supervised, please watch out for them.

The direction of the upper winds may require that Tandems
exit first, so please be flexible and cooperate with the
Tandem Instructors if they have a request. Otherwise the
exit order will probably be flat flying groups from larger
to smaller, then fast fall rate groups from larger to smaller.

Exit:

Spotting is done by the aircraft staff and they are very good
at it. Do not second-guess them! Exit lights or other obvious
methods are provided to tell you when to exit, so do not delay.
Go to the door, give the count, and leave. The aircraft staff
and other groups of skydivers behind you are counting on your
ability to do this.

Pay particular attention to the weight and balance issues with
the aircraft. Do not place more jumpers to the rear of the
aircraft than permitted. If you are in the later groups exiting,
stay as far forward as possible.



2. Opening Altitude

At the Convention there will be multiple aircraft dropping
loads of jumpers over the same areas at short intervals.
In order to insure that jumpers from an earlier load have
descended below the opening area for the later load, you
must not open high!

You need to plan your deployment altitude so that you have a
fully open canopy no higher than 3000 feet AGL, and you are
expected to be familiar with the opening characteristics of the
canopy you will jumping in order to do this.

If you are jumping a demo canopy, you should consult the
supplier of the canopy for advice on its opening characteristics.

If you experience a premature deployment or other situation that
places you above 3000 feet under canopy, you must either quickly
descend below 3000 feet or fly your canopy away from the jump run
in order to provide clear airspace for the later jumpers.



3. Landing:

Consider all possible landing areas at the Convention. (Refer
to the Convention site map.) The "main" landing areas near
Manifest and the load organizer tents are large, but can become
congested at times, particularly during periods of high jump
activity. There are numerous alternate landing areas to consider,
so remember, "land safe, not close."

Hook Turns:

Hook turns (turns more than 90 degrees to landing) are permitted
only in the swoop pond hook turn area!!! Hook turns are extremely
dangerous at the Convention and must not be done where they are not
expected.

Wind Indicators:

There will be a large number of wind indicators at the Convention
site, but they may not be the type that you are used to seeing.
Many manufacturers have Windblades, and many skydivers have their
own favorite wind socks and streamers. The normal airport wind
socks are also present. Make sure to look for all of these
indicators well in advance of landing. Notice: Wind indicators
near the aircraft loading areas will be temporarily affected
by departing aircraft!

Landing pattern:

The left hand landing pattern has become the standard in
skydiving with few exceptions. On most jumps you will be
opening in an area that easily permits a left hand landing
pattern, so please think ahead, plan your landing pattern,
and try to fit into the pattern well with other jumpers.
If you open in an area that does not allow a left hand
pattern, then change your landing area!

Right-of-way:

Another safety standard on landing is to give the lower canopy
the right of way, because you can see them but they cannot usually
see you. If you have a small canopy and descend below another
canopy not descending as quickly, you must be very careful because
this will suddenly change which canopy has the right-of-way. You
must also not do this in order to gain the right-of-way, nor to
expect it.

No-Wind Conditions:

Light and variable wind conditions can present some dangerous
landing conditions at the Convention because the wind indicators
may be changing, even while a load is descending. This causes
some jumpers to be confused about the landing direction and to
land in different directions. The best bet is to fit into a
pattern with the jumpers landing before you, even if this makes
your landing slightly downwind. If the winds are variable they
will surely be light, and a downwind landing at those wind
speeds should not be cause for concern. Concentrate on the landing
and run it out. If you have any doubts about the landing pattern
or direction, please land in an alternate or very open landing area,
and use extreme caution.


edit to add Gary's name where he just had his initials. I'm just reposting it here cuz I know some skydivers are so lazy they won't even click on the "Clicky" so graciously added above.

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One more thing about canopy traffic. I have seen more and more people use the "kick" method of communicating under canopy. Just motion your legs like you were riding a bike if you are near another canopy. The jumper seeing this should motion the same in a "I see you too" response. Keep aware of other canopies in the area. It helps a lot when you know the other jumper has spotted you too. If they do not respond, then you can assume that A) they don't know what that means or B) they don't see you.

[B]ALWAYS FLY DEFENSIVELY AS THOUGH NO ONE SEES YOU AND EVERYONE IS TRYING TO KILL YOU.[/B]

You'll be ahead of the game.

Also, if an official of the convention tells you not to do something DON'T FRIGGIN DO IT!!! They just might know something more than you. You know?
Chris Schindler
www.diverdriver.com
ATP/D-19012
FB #4125

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And DON'T walk across the runways if you land on the other side. No matter how long it takes, wait to be picked up. Didn't know that rule last year on day one and was told I would be kicked out if I did it again.



There will be two spots where you will be able to walk across the runway this year. Each spot will be cleary marked and have a crossing guard. If a recovery vehicle has not picked you up and you're near this area, go there. The crossing guard will advise you when he's been given the green light by the AirBoss to let you cross...

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And DON'T walk across the runways if you land on the other side. No matter how long it takes, wait to be picked up. Didn't know that rule last year on day one and was told I would be kicked out if I did it again.


:$Ummm....yeah...that happened to me last year. I'll know better this year now.
Sky, Muff Bro, Rodriguez Bro, and
Bastion of Purity and Innocence!™

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Hi peeps

I wish I had the cash to to join you peeps at WFFC but it slightly more expensive flying from SA.

Enjoy the jumping will try and watch a bit of the action on web cam, and yes I know I missing out
on one hell of a party ...

I will however join you peeps next year...



Cheers
Newbie
_______________________________________
You are unique, just like everybody else ...

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At the Convention there will be multiple aircraft dropping loads of jumpers over the same areas at short intervals.
In order to insure that jumpers from an earlier load have descended below the opening area for the later load, you must not open high!



Please obey this one people!! Last year i went freefalling past someone while they were under canopy at about 4500. On the ground when i talked to the guy he simply said "it was a bad spot and i wanted to make it back." I don't care if it's a bad spot, do NOT open high!!

___________________________________________
meow

I get a Mike hug! I get a Mike hug!

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I don't care if it's a bad spot, do NOT open high!!


Well said. So what if you have a bad spot? Pull at the proper convention altitude and take the off landing. I guarantee there will be a local to pick you up within 5 mins to drive you back to the airfield.
Sky, Muff Bro, Rodriguez Bro, and
Bastion of Purity and Innocence!™

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