chuckbrown

The "floating handle" concept seems to make the most sense from a number of perspectives. Thanks everyone.

The way I read Remko's analysis is the best jump run would be in a 1000' climb. The slower ground speed would mean a slower (and softer) opening. This would permit a longer delay for those coming in later on a bigway without getting slammed. I too have seen stars on some openings. No fun.

excellent point. everybody should remember the concept of "last chance avoidance." If you're the one who has the last opportunity to avoid a collision, it's your duty to do whatever is necessary to make sure everyone lands safe. just because you have the right of way doesn't mean you're "right" if an accident happens.

With those kind of weather changes, I'd be more worried about the wind and thunderstorms. Be careful, man.

Section 5-2 of the SIM states that B license holders who have not jumped in 90 days "should" make at least one jump "under the supervision of a USPA instructional rating holder" until that jumper demonstrates the ability to safely exercise the "privileges of that license." That same section also says that jumpers who have been out of the sport for a year "should undergo thorough refresher training." What you have to do is probably up to the DZ S&TA. I hope all they make you do is a coach jump. But, they'll do whatever it is to make sure you get back into the sport safely.

Thanks for the info. Just curious though; is the reason you use the "floating" pull handle to get the pilot chute to catch air quicker? Do you think a regular "hackey" pilot chute with a pin stop 16 inches from the attachment point would present any problems? Chuck.

I think USPA has a link to the TSA policy for travelling with your rig. The down-side is that TSA can dump your reserve if they want to. The upside is you have to be present if they are going to (small consolation unless you're a rigger). I've taken my rig on airlines post 9-11 and only had my gear back inspected. The bigger problem is the airline potentially losing your luggage (rig). Have fun on vacation.

Bob, my Lightning packs up very tight in the container; it's only 1 sq.ft. bigger than my Triathlon, but you know Lightnings. This past weekend I had back to back PCs in tow. They each cleared quick, but I don't like to loose the altitude. This sounds like a solution to the problem. Anything I should be concerned about? Chuck.

You'll have to go outside of PA. A liability waiver signed by anyone under 18 is worthless. I don't know of any PA dz that would accept it. Now if you own the airport and the jump plane that's a different story....... you'd be Mike Mullins.

A little more description on freepacking without a tail pocket, please. I take it the locking stowe is loose and placed similar to where it would be on a tail pocket canopy?

Whenever you jump you should ALWAYS know what the winds aloft are (both speed and direction). If you're planning on dumping out of the plane you should know what the winds are at altitude and adjust your exit spot accordingly. You should also make sure the DZ manifest or the pilot knows you're opening high, so that other aircraft are looking out for you. But, if you're blind sided by the winds, like the other posters say, starting looking for an alternate landing spot immediately.

If you've already got 4 static line jumps and passed the training progression your pretty close to your 5 sec. delay jump. If you're really serious about getting into the sport, save the money on the tandem and put it to better use for your student jumps. Since AFF is a miminum of 7 jumps and you AFF will only allow 3 jumps per day, I don't think you can do it in one weekend (well maybe if you include Friday). Static line or AFF each costs about the same by the time you get to an A license. If money's an issue, stick with S/L. No matter what make sure you get at least one jump in every 30 days. BTW, welcome.

What no jumping in the winter? I'm in PA and I do CRW in the winter! Seriously though, demo, demo, demo. Try a Triathlon, they're excellent all around canopies for beginners and experienced jumpers alike, although now you can't get me away from my Lightning:)

Big Ed has it. Most people who have flare problems are looking at the ground beneath them. Look at where you're going to land (or in Ed's case the horizon in front of you). It's the same as landing a plane. If you're scared keep jumping; familiarity with being in the air will ease the jitters and help you to focus on how the canopy reacts to your input at flare time. But, until you've got your flare down, PLF baby!

Glad you're sticking with it. I had back-to-back reserve rides as a student (Jumps 18 & 19). Took me awhile to get over those, but 8 years and 750+ jumps later, I still LOVE this sport.

The word is they've built a couple of 49 ways & are starting to work on 64 ways. Good luck to all.

The same as a RW Triathlon. It's a great all around canopy.

The tab in the Lightning bridle definitely pulls the pin quicker. I have about 400 jumps on a triathlon hybrid and have never had a problem with the pin being pulled. I have had problems with the PC not fully retracting, and the canopy, consequently, not fully inflating. Believe me, a wild ride when you use your brakes. Aerodyne told me that this can happen if the bridle is not routed correctly when packing, although its happened to me when I know the bridle was routed correctly. The procedure to clear it involves snapping the rear risers. It works; once it cleared immediately, another time it took me 2,000 ft. Don't land the canopy in this condition, though I have seen it done (it wasn't pretty and my buddy was lucky not to get seriously hurt).

The triathlon's don't have the tab like the lightning. Just put the pin on below the PC and route the bridle through the rings as described in the manual. Just watch out for an unretracted PC. If you route the bridle incorrectly you can have an unretracted PC on opening. If this happens just keep snapping the rear risers until it clears. p.s. if you don't have the manual, i can probably dig up mine and fax you a copy.

The sequential trim is nose high, so think of it like coming in for a landing in brakes, but not letting it fly before you flare. It's the same thing. If you don't pick up speed for the flare you go Boom. With a regular canopy when you let it fly it naturally picks up speed for a decent flare; the Lightnings have only so much "natural, i.e. no control input" forward speed, so you have to give it positive input to get up speed for an effective flare. When I'm at my home DZ I fly with Triathlons, so I put an extra set of links on the rear risers so I don't float as much. That brings the nose down, so the canopy has a faster forward speed. Landings can be straight in no problem. But when I take on off the links to play with other Lightnings, I know what I have to do. Sometimes it's pretty, sometimes -- oh well, the rest of the dive was fun:) Other than that Lightnings are the BEST canopy for CRW. Triathlons work well (I have one), but Lightnings are rock solid flying tanks.

I guess this is one CRW-chien who won't be jumping in France. C'est dommage.

When landing a biplane, I make sure of two things: 1) I'm on top :) 2: My feet are ready for a clean break. ____________________________________________ AMEN BROTHER!!!

I tried holding on front risers and then flaring. Once. I'm glad I had a helmet on 'cause I got pounded. I get your point though, only do turns close to the ground if you're really comfortable with it. You don't have to turn a lot, just something to build up speed.

If you demo a Lightning, don't land it like a regular canopy (it hurts. a lot.). Lightnings are great CRW canopies, but you need to get some speed up or you won't get any flare for landing. Come in on front risers or do a low turn before landing; do anything to get some speed up for a decent flare. I'm sure you'll have a lot of fun at Sebatian.

I was on all the CRW loads in Richmond, so I'm sure we crossed paths. If you're really interested in learning CRW you should try to get to a beginner camp or find a local CRW dog who'll take you on some training jumps. From the sound of your first post, there's definitely a Dog in there barking to get out. Dump high,