heims

I used to jump a Mirage G3 with a hacky handle. I never had any problems with it. Now I jump a Mirage G4 with a Freefly handle (still throw out.) It took a little getting used to, but now I love it. From now on, I will always have that style handle. It stays in place and no bridle exposure. I didn't find it harder to grip, just different. I figured out on the ground the best way for me to grab it and did a couple practice touches in the air when I first jumped it. Never jumped a pull-out. Blue skies, Sherri

I've seen several people do their 100th naked at my DZ (Skydive Houston - out of the Super Twin Otter) and I had always heard about the tradition. But maybe that's because we used to have a few South Africans at our DZ . . .

I love my Mirage. My first rig was a G3 and my latest rig is a G4. I have always had AWESOME customer service from Mirage and have NEVER had my rig come open without my asking it to. My G4 fits like a glove (and I've gotten lots of compliments on how great it looks too.) If money isn't an issue, you can't go wrong with a Mirage.

Agree with stuff above (ground planning, debriefing, help you relax, etc). I would also add: -Can give you feedback in the air (using signals to get you to fix things that are wrong). Giving someone the opportunity to fix a poor body position in the air so that they can feel what it is like to do it right can be one of the most important parts of coaching (there's a reason we use signals during AFF). It would be a waste to keep making the same mistakes (especially to be told over and over again in debriefs) and not have a tool to help you recognize the problems while you are making them. -Videos of your dives and of other people doing the same maneuvers. Seeing what you are doing wrong or right and how others do it can be one of the fastest ways to build skill. Blue skies, Sherri

Forgive my ignorance, how would we know what V is?

At the same wing loading of 1 to 1 (I'll ignore the difference in canopy styles), that's exactly what I'm asking. So if I understand you correctly, you are saying a 300 pound (exit weight) person will be hurt less by stalling a 300 sq ft canopy than a 79 pound (exit weight person) stalling a 79 sq ft canopy (at the same height off the ground). Please help me understand why. So far, a few other posters say that the canopy will create negligible drag and the mass of the person will be more of a factor which is opposite to what you say. So maybe the next thing for me to ask is about drag. What kind of relationship exists between the size of an object (or person) and the thing (canopy) creating the drag? Is the relationship linear? How is drag calculated (I told you I skipped Physics )?

Thanks. That's exactly the type of info I was looking for. Is there any way to determine whether the drag really is negligible?

So what is your average wing loading for a first jump student? And why do you have it at that level?

Is any canopy responsive in a stall? And what does responsiveness have to do with what will happen in this scenario? Will responsiveness change how you impact the ground? I'm not following. How does this come into play here (no turns and canopy stalled or already flared)? Can you elaborate? You seem to disagree with what a previous poster stated about the canopy not creating much drag in this situation. Can anyone talk about the physics involved here? I would really like to understand.

One step at a time (wanted to understand stall scenario first). But go ahead and replace the word stall with flare. What then? Think of each jumper's feet as 20 feet off the ground. (Yes I understand someone will most likely get injured from that height.) The actual height isn't what I'm trying to understand. It's what happens to the parachute and how the size of the parachute and weight of the jumper will effect what happens versus how wing loading would effect it. Does that make any more sense? I think it's been drilled that higher wing loading would lead to higher speed and faster descent rate (still keeping parachute constant). I also have read countless discussions about same wing loading on smaller parachute = faster turns due to shorter lines, etc. But how does the same wing loading on smaller parachute effect a not-so-perfect landing (straight in approach)?

Sorry if it seems a little strange, but as quoted above you are getting at exactly what I'm trying to understand (so you understood more than you realized ). I've had lots of discussions about wing loadings and canopy size and heard lots of arguments as to why this person or that should be jumping such and such and I'm trying to sift through some things to see if I can get at the physics involved (boy am I wishing I hadn't skipped that class ). Just call it continuing education.

I have read articles (including on PD's web site) and discussions about wing loading, but I still have a question. Assume: Exact same wind conditions, same landing area, brand new canopies of same style and manufacturer (made correctly), same wing loading, etc (keep all variables the same except size) Jumper 1: Canopy 170 with jumper exit weight 170 Jumper 2: Canopy 260 with jumper exit weight 260 If both jumpers flying a straight in approach flared 20 feet high (and stalled the canopy and didn't let up), would there be any difference in how each approached the ground under their stalled canopy?

What is the typical progression with them starting on the 190? What is the smallest you would put them on before they get their A license? What canopy skills do you want to see from a student before having them step down to the next size canopy?

I have seen various discussions regarding small jumpers and wing loadings, and I wanted to get instructors' opinions as I start going for my ratings. What size canopy would you put a 135 pound (exit weight) jumper on for their first jump with their own parachute (not tandem)? Why? If gear at your DZ is the limiting factor, what do you see as the "ideal" size and why? Blue skies, Sherri

Thanks for all the support!!! You guys rock!! I want to send out a special thanks to everyone at Skydive Houston for dealing with us all year. NOW we can make some non-training jumps! Thanks also to Todd at Aggieland for getting the Skyvan at AOTMB the weekend before Nationals. Being prepared for the different exit definitely helped. The Perris Skyvan didn't have a bar for me to attach the strap to, but thankfully they did already have straps on the side that I could reach (so no slipping out the tailgate in those shoes .) Thanks again for letting me use it. Sometimes it just sucks to be short. I also want to say what a blast I had at Nationals. Everyone was super friendly and fun to be around. Amy, Steve, Merriah, Karl, Bryce, Jason, Mary, and Crazy Larry were great to compete with (and fun to party with). I hope I get a chance to see them all again next year at Nationals (or maybe even before). It was also great to see so many Texans there to represent. Congrats to Vibe and Spaceland Anomaly for their medals! Blue skies, Sherri