vanessalh

Hey folks, Does anyone have any good recommendations for 2-way training drills to practice in the wind tunnel (or in the sky)? I did 30 mins in the tunnel yesterday with a friend, and while it was awesome, after a while we were just flying together and making up maneuvers. I'd love to start doing something that will help in 4-ways, and larger formations.

I couldn't have said it better! I had a situation today where a 4-way went south, and I backed off and watched the other 3 flyers play in each other's burble for 15s. It would've been very helpful for them to have a video to share insights. At the same time, I appreciate all the caution and advice from folks. This is not a decision I take lightly. I will get very comfortable in the air, in the exit and under canopy before adding a camera. It might be 150 jumps, it might be 200. After talking to a few folks I realize the number doesn't matter as much as the confidence and comfort in all situations.

Hey, I was wondering whether anyone has had this happen to them before. I had a pretty concerning thing happen today with my altitrack altimeter. I've put about 40 jumps on it, and noticed today that it wasn't recording any of my jumps. I turned it off and on again in the hope that this would fix it and then got on the next load. On the way up to altitude it fritzed out, and reset itself multiple times to 0. This was pretty concerning for me, since I had to rely on others in my formation for break off altitude and eyeball my landing pattern. Is this a sign of a defective unit? I'm a little afraid to jump again with it and have contacted the manufacturer. I was comfortable jumping because I was with a formation (and have budding skills in eyeballing altitude), but would have been quite worried if I was solo.

Thanks! I've been in a few 4-ways, but need to get on more of them. My DZ is starting to get quiet for the winter, so I'll probably have to find time to get down to California to practice.

Thanks all. It definitely makes sense to get really comfortable in the sky first. I'm also planning tunnel time during the winter here to keep my skills up.

Awesome thanks folks! I was chatting with a friend at my home DZ and he might be going to Arizona this winter. I'm thinking that might be a good plan because I'll know someone there too.

Hey, I'm thinking about taking a week off over Christmas and finding a sunny DZ to jump at. I'm a relative novice, only back in the sport for 3-4 months after a 10 year hiatus. I'm looking for a place where it's easy to meet people and get on loads, with a welcoming atmosphere that's not intimidating to new comers. It would be a plus if there were classes held over the event as well - I'm eager to brush up on my skills. Thanks Vanessa

Hey folks, I'm considering getting a camera to video my jumps, and eventually I'd like to fly camera on formations as well. How would you recommend I begin preparing for using a camera on jumps? My DZ requires a B license (which I have), and I know that USPA recommends a C license to fly camera. I'm really eager to hear any advice you may have that goes beyond 'get your C license'. What sorts of skills should I practice to prepare for eventualities with a camera? I know there are considerations on opening, what can I practice without a camera to better prepare me? I plan to talk to a few folks who fly camera at my DZ as well, but thought I'd plumb the wisdom of dropzone.com too. Thanks Vanessa

Out of interest, What made you decide to downsize further?

Awesome! Yup, I went for the ZPX. It also gives me an extra downsize on the current rig if I switch back to the ZP canopy. It'll be a long time before I'm on a 132, but at least I don't need to change out my rig to get there. I can't ever see going below a 132 - at some point it just doesn't seem to make sense anymore to downsize.

Thanks all for your advice. After talking with some more folks at my DZ (and getting a bonus at work :) ) I decided to go for new gear. I'm getting Infinity rig, 168 Pilot main w/ 175 Smart reserve and Cypres 2.

There's a ditch far out in the field at my dropzone. Not quite the same as a hill though :)

Thanks wolfriverjoe! I'm slowly working my way through the manufacturer's websites - it's still a bit overwhelming :) The boogie suggestion is good, I'm still a bit nervous about jumping during such a busy time - I jumped as a licensed skydiver for the first time at a new dropzone. Even though everyone was very helpful at getting me acquainted I was still a bit nervous.

Hmm, actually now that you ask I think it was more like Me, "I notice that when I downsized to the 190 my landings got much better and I was better able to control the canopy" Instructor, "It's possible to underload a canopy, this could be the reason for the improvements you've seen when you downsized" So I think I generalized this in my mind when I shouldn't have. thanks!

Thanks, this was very helpful! I'm going to start working on the skills mentioned here and in the other links. Hmm... I guess maybe I've gotten stronger then if flare difficulty doesn't vary :) I started on a 220, and downsized every 10-15 jumps to a 190, and I noticed that it got easier to flare. I was comfortable downsizing to 190 because of wing loading, conversations with instructors and my experience with the larger canopies. Going above 1.0 though, is something that needs a lot more consideration, so I'm so grateful for all the help on this thread.

Thx ghost47 - I found the guide you mentioned: http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/safety/detail_page.cgi?ID=47 Am starting to read through it. Phew, there's a lot more to canopy piloting than I realized...

Thanks Joellercoaster, I'm starting to learn that at least some of the models are designed for performance way beyond my experience level, regardless of wingloading. It's helpful to eliminate some from consideration. Do certain brands have a better reputation that others? I was considering choosing between something from either Aerodyne (leaning towards the Pilot) or PD, but that's largely because of what is available at the dropzones I've been to. I'm asking lots of questions of anyone who will listen :) Everyone has a slightly different take, so I'm trying to put it all together and determine what is right for me.

Thanks Rodger, I'm currently jumping a WL of 1.0, I'm considering purchasing a parachute that would put me at ~1.12 WL. I was looking at the Pilots (Loved it when I jumped it a few times). I've jumped a Sabre2 (found it difficult to get used to), and a Silhouette (just didn't like it across the board) Do you have an opinion on the Aerodyne ZPX material vs ZP?

I'm starting to look at getting my own gear, and I'm finding all the options a bit overwhelming. I know that size is a key consideration when purchasing, but what else should I be looking at? Are the various brands and models within a brand really that different? How important are the different material types for the canopy or the lines? Thanks Vanessa

This is interesting. I'll read through it. What are the reasons for not downsizing too soon? I had thought it was about accuracy and ability to land safely. Are there other considerations?

I'm trying to accomplish 2 things: 1. Find a canopy that performs well for me. I chatted with some instructors and they said one reason that it could feel a bit mushy is I'm not wing loading it correctly. I never knew this, but you can underload a canopy. 2. A smaller canopy will be easier for me to flare (strength wise), which I think will make my landings easier. There is a third reason, which is I want to buy my own gear soon, and I'd rather start on a 170 (which I think will be good for me for many many jumps), than on a 190 which I'm already feeling the need to downsize from. Of course, safety is most important, and the first two reasons trump this one.

Thanks davelepka, I've asked a few folks, but I'll get some more opinions. It really depends on the canopy though, with the Pilot I get soft stand up landings 2-5m from the target, with the others... less good :) This is helpful. Just so I understand the trick correctly, when I get to the bellybutton and put my hands down, do my elbows go out to the sides? Or do they straight? At the end of the flare, would the tops of my hands be facing each other? It feels a little awkward when I try just in my room, but it definitely uses different muscles, and I'll try a few at 3000 ft before trying to land this way.

I'm a relatively new jumper (65 jumps), and for the last 11 jumps I've been using a 190 main canopy. I've tried a few different brands (Silhouette, Sabre 2, Pilot), and I've found all but the Pilot fairly mushy and unresponsive. I'm considering trying a 170 when I jump this weekend, and wonder if anyone has advice on whether it is too soon to downsize, or if poor handling is an indication that I wasn't loading the canopy correctly. My exit weight is about 190 lbs. My accuracy is okay with the 190 (usually within 10m, but almost always within 20m). My landings are great with the more responsive Pilot, but find on the other two I struggle to flare fully (strength wise). Any thoughts and advice are appreciated.