obelixtim

Jeez.....the "myth" word sure sparked everyone up.....as I knew it would.......but I'm sticking to my guns on this one.... I'm talking about the "inherent" word..... Perhaps my post wasn't clear enough......I was talking about deployment mals......and how a square does not deploy or inflate anything like a roundie......and I would suggest a lineover could not happen on a PROPERLY packed square canopy..... Any fool can stuff a bunch of fabric thru a set of lines while packing......thats called a PACKING mal..... ...I know this.....because they come crying to me to repack their reserve for the next load...... The proper term for a lineover on a roundie is a blown periphery.......and usually comes from bad/unstable body position during deployment.......... You can easily deal with a lineover on a roundie....hook knife.....cut the offender off at the connector link....... I've seen a few turn into very small fast helicopters, I certainly wouldn't like to ride one into the ground.....if you walked away from one I'd say you were having an extremely lucky day!!... Now quit blocking up my inbox!!!....:)....OK... My computer beat me at chess, It was no match for me at kickboxing....

I'm reading a lot of misconceived ideas here.... "....Rounds have no inherent line over mode....." Where did you get that from???.... Lineovers are about the most common form of malfunction you can get on a round...if you understand how they inflate you'll know why that is... Actually, its a square that has no inherent line over mode......despite the number of posts you see where people claim to have had a line over....what in fact you have in these "lineovers" is nothing more than a pressure knot, which pinches the canopy in making it look like a lineover....if you know how a lineover occurs...it can't happen on a square like it does on a roundie because the openings are totally dissimilar.... When a roundie has a lineover it almost always suffers damage, most of this is friction burns...caused by the fabic passing thru the lines at high speed....I've seen a roundie cut almost in half by a lineover... I had a terminal opening on a roundie as a student which destroyed the canopy...over 100 holes in it....fortunatly the canopy went all the way thru the lines and was completely inverted, and I landed OK...didn't realise what had happened until we checked the canopy later..... If a square ever really had a lineover you would find that it would probably saw it in half...there would certainly be major damage.... "Lineovers" on squares are a myth.... on roundies they are a reality..... And let me assure you roundies at terminal open fast.....real nutcrackers....a square has a freebag and slider to make the opening comfortable......but still fast.... A diaper makes no difference to to the opening speed of a roundie....again, if you understand how one opens you would know why that is....a diaper is specifically designed to prevent lineovers..... The rubber band on the apex of a square again has no influence on the opening speed of the reserve... Ultimately if you pull the handle at 200 feet or less at terminal, you are now relying totally on luck to survive, whichever canopy you have....don't go there....one day you'll walk, next day you'll bounce.... Subterminal base jump....probably a hand deployed roundie is your best bet......go and find an old rigger and ask exactly what that is..... Into water....jump whatever you like....but DON'T dry your reserve in the sun.....hang it up in your basement/garage...give it a couple of days to dry out thoroughly...... My computer beat me at chess, It was no match for me at kickboxing....

As you know......in skydiving certainly....."what ifs" always turn into reality at some time......always Murphys Law as well.....if it can happen, it will, and always at the worst possible time..... Never discount the "what ifs".... or sooner or later they'll sneak up and bite you on the arse!!!!!...... My computer beat me at chess, It was no match for me at kickboxing....

My radios are easily able to be heard at 5 miles on the ground.... in line of sight....much further..... The student can transmit but I tell them not to do so unless they land off the dz and have a problem or need directions to the pickup truck........... Good quality radios are essential, and expensive, but worth their weight in gold.......one of the better investments you can make.......but you must have a quality well trained radio man on the end of it..........not just any old Joe who comes along..... Pilots in aircraft don't make good air traffic controllers, especially with lots of air traffic around....... Its a good idea to carry a backup with you though, a good communication system never caused a problem...... My computer beat me at chess, It was no match for me at kickboxing....

Never thought it was a good idea for the J/M to carry the radio on him to use under canopy......what if he has a mal......the student will not get the instruction they need..... Always trained my students to do it by themselves as if a radio wasn't gonna be there, and told them about it just before the jump.......there were many times when I said nothing to them under canopy because they were doing fine without it..............most students came off it completely after 3 or 4 jumps.....they were quite capable and confident of their canopy control...... My computer beat me at chess, It was no match for me at kickboxing....

Actually...to be fair to the 750....the Cresco had no handles or step, the door was smaller and a bit further aft....and it stank badly of fish one time.....(Bernie had been spraying a fish based liquid fertilizer.........)..... So the 750 probably has fewer vices than the Cresco, probably a beefier powerplant as well..........but the Cresco was a rocketship........ My computer beat me at chess, It was no match for me at kickboxing....

Used to do a lot of RW jumps from the Cresco (the agricultural version).....in NZ in the 1980's....since then its mostly been used as a tandem hauler........... Some very clear rules....we would not hang more than 4 floaters out......a risk of stalling the elevator.....you get a warning shudder, then an instant stall.....pucker factor quite high......doesn't react well to sudden big C of G changes aft............ Also if you are out after the base /pin, beware the "Cresco Kiss", as the tail leaps up as everyone suddenly lets go, and the door sill takes the bark off your shins........makes the eyes water...... Great jumpship, but take it easy with your stacking till you get used to it......don't leave your floaters hanging outside for more than 10 seconds....fast stack then go........... You'll love it once you get used to it............. If you can find and contact a Kiwi pilot called Bernie Haskell.....he's the man.....lots of experience with RW flying the Cresco......not sure where you'd find him these days....lived in Taupo up till late 90's.....then moved....don't know where to, but NZ is a small place............shouldn't be too hard to find him.......... My computer beat me at chess, It was no match for me at kickboxing....

Maybe not....if the low guy has a slammer, and the high guy has a snivel......things could get interesting..........quickly!!!. My computer beat me at chess, It was no match for me at kickboxing....

Jumpsuits ....yes...on a commercial DZ with lots of tandems (mainly backpackers and tourists)....a lot would turn up in unsuitable clothes.....made it easy to cater for them.....also jumpsuits protect their clothing.........part of the service....... My computer beat me at chess, It was no match for me at kickboxing....

Yeah......he was born before the Wright brothers flew.......blows you away when you consider it........ My computer beat me at chess, It was no match for me at kickboxing....

Dump, keep tracking, sideslip, backslide.......whatever, just don't fall stable right down the pipe.......you just get outta there......... My computer beat me at chess, It was no match for me at kickboxing....

Silly statement for many obvious reasons....... Over 100,000 tandems on the DZ over 15 years......not one facial injury to a T/M in that time...... All riders wear a soft hat....T/M's don't postion any part of their person in the line of fire of a rider induced problem....thru takeoff in the plane till touchdown under canopy..... Simple and obvious.....part of the job........ My computer beat me at chess, It was no match for me at kickboxing....

An hour is about right......I don't rush or neglect any checks or procedures.....but I don't fart about either....job to be done, do it.....I've got better things to do than spend hours on a reserve job....its not that exciting..... Pedantic doesn't equate with efficieny....or a "safer" pack job.........I know what I'm doing....... I, and I'll speak for a lot of "we's" if I may....prefer squares because yes, we "like them", and because we've done the considered thinking about the pros and cons of both types, and made our decisions for sound reasons....... I defy you to find anyone who has made the change to squares to say it was a bad decision and they would change back to roundies..... My static line training was a lot easier....and takes about 4 hours as opposed to around 7 or 8 hours...a big saving in time......but the training was simpler, more efficient and a lot better quality......and there was more time for jumping........ My computer beat me at chess, It was no match for me at kickboxing....

Well, part of the pre dive plan you make with all the jumpers on the dive...is what the break off drills are.....for all the scenarios......normal breakoff, funnels, working limits etc.....and everyone knows and sticks to that plan religiously..... Changing the plan mid dive, is not on, and anyone who does so should expect to be axed from the load......breakoff shouldn't be a time to be guessing about people are gonna do......nobody appreciates surprises at or above breakoff/opening time.... And if you scan properly during your track you should be able to see everyone else.....if you can't he could be in your blind spot..... And thats why everyone needs to wave off.......... My computer beat me at chess, It was no match for me at kickboxing....

Why???......to me this guy has a rating to look after others.....and that is a serious obligation...... Looking after himself is a big part of that, and it doesn't take a brain surgeon to work out a helmet provides more protection than bare heads......what about the crash on takeoff scenario.....?? or the other potential problems......or don't they count??..... It is my experience that people won't wear helmets, or listen to common sense in case its uncool......I could be wrong in this case....... I don't have a lot of sympathy for people who suffer self inflicted (preventable) injury....I'm glad he didn't get seriously hurt......but I hope he learnt a lesson.......... and I don't think this kind of behaviour needs to be validated by people rushing to defend something that is avoidable in the first place......it only helps to perpetuate unacceptable practices........ This event was going to happen...... You tell me why jumping without a soft helmet on your rider is a good idea.......because I can't think of one........... My computer beat me at chess, It was no match for me at kickboxing....

Low man always has right of way.....and breakoff is not the time for pissing around having an extra bit of fun.........its time to locate others, find clear air, tracking hard, waving off and opening at the correct altitude........ Dumping high is dangerous as well....... These disciplines are there for a reason......to keep people alive...... Do not jump with anyone who can't/won't follow these rules.......you'll be doing yourself a favour...... My computer beat me at chess, It was no match for me at kickboxing....

Well, I used FXC's for over 20 years and I never ever saw one fire more than 100 or so feet outside the set altitude.... I found them a really reliable, user friendly AAD....no shagging around with batteries, special loops, cutters, or slippery pull up cords when packing. If I had a student AAD fire for whatever reason, (usually a low dump from a f/f student), I could get that rig back in service within an hour..... Also chamber tests could be done on the airfield by my local avionics technician...... Very little downtime.....and very tough and rugged units could take the knocks and bumps...... Rounds versus squares........it isn't even an argument........squares 100.....rounds 10..... My computer beat me at chess, It was no match for me at kickboxing....

This incident shows exactly why the student should have a soft helmet......did this less than bright spark T/M consider the potential problems of a smack in the chops on exit, or during the F/f, or on opening????.........no.....too busy looking cool I think..... What about a crash on takeoff....??? If it hurt, he got what he deserved......or did he blame the rider........ My computer beat me at chess, It was no match for me at kickboxing....

Bet he doesn't do that again........ My computer beat me at chess, It was no match for me at kickboxing....

They are both designed as a back up system for an extreme situation........but an AAD will do something a RSL won't...activate the reserve in a high speed situation when its time to slow down...(as long as it works).... There is only one real AAD.....the T/M....if he screws up something he is able to control....he shouldn't be there in the first place....... I have no desire to jump with a RSL, ever, but an AAD is a good idea.....I'll take one every time....but I would never ever expect to use it if I'm in control of the skydive...... An AAD fire is basically a bounce that didn't happen, and unless something really unusual has caused the T/M to need its help.... I think it would be rating removal time for the T/M... My computer beat me at chess, It was no match for me at kickboxing....

When you are under canopy, yell out to the guys on the ground to let them know you are there...simple... My computer beat me at chess, It was no match for me at kickboxing....

Thats why you have an AAD.....why do you need a RSL if you have an AAD as well...... My computer beat me at chess, It was no match for me at kickboxing....

Every experienced jumper is a former student, and are the ones who choose student gear..... so it is actually important.....I trained on round mains and reserves...did about 800 jumps before squares got reliable....I know what I prefer..... My sole aim was to reduce student injury......i.e. to not hurt anyone.... There is no such thing as an "acceptable injury rate"..... Your two "arguments" are both valid. Soft landings under squares are a big factor in choosing them...they're all gonna land, few will have a mal......the softer the landing the safer it is.......So I teach them to fly the canopy....and flare for landing.... With a lot of experience of a lot of different students I rarely found a student who freaked out in a stress situation.....I made them very aware that freaking out was the worst thing they could possibly do.........it almost guaranteed they would hurt themselves..... Reliable radios are essential......especially with a student having a mal.....turns it almost into a non event.... My computer beat me at chess, It was no match for me at kickboxing....

As a rigger who has packed a few thousand reserves over 25 years since 1978, we were doing 120 day cycles till about 1986/87 when we changed to 180 day cycles.... I only once ever saw a reserve where the pack cycle made a difference, where a guy packed his reserve under poor supervision, and left a pin in place. We found it on a gear check when he lent his rig to a mate who got it checked on our DZ because he was a visitor.....It had done 60 jumps in 3 months........luckily no mals or chops from CRW wraps.....Scary shit.....he would have had another 90 days of jumping one canopy....certain reserve total mal.... Shows that riggers can make mistakes, but it could be a good idea to get a comprensive gear check from a different rigger every now and then.......outside the reserve cycle..... 180 days is not a problem unless climate factors are considered (hot, dusty..)extreme..... I often repacked glider rigs and found a lot with melted rubber stow bands..glueing the lines together....the dumbshits used to leave them in their cockpits with the canopy closed in the burning hot sun....no matter how many times I told them specifically not to.....always had this vision of a newspaper headline "Parahute fails....after glider bailout"...... The "supervisor" lost his rating within moments of the discovery..... My computer beat me at chess, It was no match for me at kickboxing....

Tandem Masters do everything for the sole reason of looking after themselves first..... This mean that they are looking after you as well.....most T/M's arn't too aware of social/medical niceties.......but they do want you to experience the buzz of your live...... T/M's will appreciate a beer afterwards though...... My computer beat me at chess, It was no match for me at kickboxing....