BobxMarley

I'm trying to find a list of aircraft's that are typically used for skydiving. Also, it would be helpful to see them in order of fastest to slowest. Does anyone know or have this information? This is really only for my curiosity. I have only jumped out of a caravan and an otter. But, I'm curious about what else is out there.

I use large rubber bands and double stow all my stows. That is what PD recommends in there line stow video (below). Rubber bands have been around for a really long time and are cheap and effective. If you are packing and you see one that's worn, just rip it off and put a new one on. Easy breezy. I think this method is probably the most popular. This assumption is based upon observation on the packing mat.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Nsca5add8g

UPDATE: The issue was purely body position. With this canopy, I must go into a slow-fall position and remember to look towards the horizon instead of at the ground during deployment. By doing these two things, I got rid of my "hard" openings. The Pulse opens brisk in comparison to the Safire 2 I was using. But, given the proper body and neck/head position, the whiplash effect is fixed.

I spoke to my rigger and also had someone film my deployment sequence. Doing these two things lead me to this final conclusion. Thanks all!

My first locking stow wasn't too loose. Thats where the bulk of the material is. The second and third are actually fairly loose in comparison to a regular double stows. If I had to guess, maybe 5-6 lbs of pull force to pull my locking stows out. I pulled my bridle and let everything unravel to see if I could simulate an out of sequence deployment. But everything seems fine, even when my locking stows were single wrapped. Obviously, I can't simulate exactly what the bag is doing in the sky. But, I would think that if the locking stows were the source of problem, it would be apparent doing this test on the ground.

In answer to your question, I think the first thing you should check is the packing process. Which, is what I've been doing. I'm on the ground for a least another two weeks due to this whiplash, so I'm using the time to rule out any packing issues.

I think I've gotten good tips, but until I jump the canopy again, I really wont know. I left a voice-mail and sent an email to PD. I'm sure they will have some good information. If I end up having to send the canopy back just to rule out of potential of a bad canopy, it will be worth not risking another hard opening.

Honestly, the only thing I feel I was doing incorrectly was single stowing the locking stows. The rest of pack-job was par for the course.

Anyone think its possible that I'm having "bag-dump(s)"? On my 3 locking stows, I used large rubber bands and only single stowed them. On the other 4 stows, I used large rubber bands and double stowed them. I don't know much about "bag-dumps" but it seems viable.

Nah, I find the Pulse pretty easy to pack. I have no issue getting it into the bag. It always looks fairly clean as well. All my stows are about 2 inches.

Hey all. Thanks for the help. I received a private message from a user suggesting that i'm suffering a line dump due to fact I'm not double stowing my locking stows. I'm going to call PD and discuss this with them. It sounds on point.

I'm willing to bet that the issue is with my packing rather than the canopy. But, for my sake, I need to rule out every possible cause. Especially because the only way to find out is to jump it again. I'd rather not experience another slammer. My neck is already tore up from the first two. :/

Anyways, thanks for the help!

I just got a brand new rig. My main is a PD Pulse loaded at 1:1. I've put 8 jumps (5 hop n' pops and 3 belly jumps) on it. I've had 2 hard openings that have put me down for the count in this 8 jump span. I have no idea what is causing it but I need to figure it out. Maybe someone here can help.

I had my packer watch my pack-job (ProPack) from start to finish. He said everything looked good. He did suggest double stowing the first three stows. I've been single stowing the lid stows with large rubber bands. The rest of the stows I've been double stowing. Other than that, he didn't have much critique.

Others have told me it could be my body position. I feel stable and smooth during pull time. Also, I didn't have issues on my previous rental canopies for the last 75 jumps. So, I don't think body position is the issue.

Can anyone offer any advice? I really don't want to take the rig back in the sky without feeling confident I've eliminated the problem. :/

Enjoy the journey. It's going to be a good one!

Hey DZ. I've been doing a lot of tracking jumps lately. I only have one jumpsuit and its a RW suit with booties. I find that I can easily keep up with the flock even though my jump numbers are under 100. Even when the angle gets steeper. My guess is probably because the booties give extra drive.

Question is...do you think that booties develop bad habits for tracking? I had someone make a comment that booties are like training wheels. Since I am newer, I want to develop good habits early on. So, I was hoping you guys could offer your opinion.

I'd like to hear what the community thinks about this topic. Please note your main discipline with your argument.

Cheers!

1. Googles - You know when you leave your house and you think "Keys, Wallet, Phone"? Just before you reach altitude think "Helmet, Goggles, Altimeter". Make it a habit and you will have eliminated this problem. I usually add this HAG check into my check of 3's. Never rely on other people to notice things. Always have a set routine you always do to keep yourself safe.

2. Hop-N-Pop - I though it was pretty cool. It was almost like a sit fly hop-n-pop. Pretty dope if you ask me. In all seriousness though, I think you just dipped your head and tucked your legs. Two things that can be fixed. So, I wouldn't worry about it. Next time, when climbing to altitude, close your eyes and go through your jump and picture yourself executing it flawlessly. Do not let past experiences interfere with whats in the now. Next time, focus on the fact that you're going to have an awesome jump and then go have an awesome jump.

3. Windblade- I bet you were too focused on not hitting the wind-blade that you hit the wind blade. Am I right? I saw a student one time hit the pick-up van. He was so worried about hitting it that he hit it. Our brains don't process negative commands well. Instead of focusing on the van, he should have focused on that clear landing patch that he wanted to land at. Always focus on what you want to happen. Focusing on what you don't want to happen...usually makes it happen. Good ol' Law of Attraction.

You're good man! Just remember to do your checks, visualize your jumps, have confidence in yourself, and have fun!

I've done a couple sunset jumps at 15,500 AGL (16750 ASL) out of an Otter. I didn't notice anything. It was business as usual. The extra 3,000 feet took a little over 5 minutes to climb and then we were out the door. Which, is a relatively short period of time...so I felt comfortable with it.

I think it all comes down to how long you're exposed to that altitude and how your individual body reacts to it. I grew up in a mountain town at 6500 ASL. I'm assuming people who spend most of their lives in high elevations will have a higher threshold in comparison to someone living at sea level. When I say threshold I'm referring to ASL threshold.

This is a great topic. I got my wheels spinning.

Ok. That's what I thought. It didn't make sense to me to offset your alti in that situation. My inital reaction was "should have checked your spot." However, I'm fresh off an A license and never jumped in those conditions, so I wanted to make sure my assumption was correct.

Thanks Pchapman!

I just watched a video on youtube that shows a free fly group almost free fall into a mountaintop. From first glance, my first assumption is that they didn't spot correctly. However, someone in the comments suggested they should have offset their altimeters to the highest surrounding peak elevation as a precautionary measure. This sounded a bit weird to me so I figured I'd ask the forums to get clarification. In you're examination, what went wrong with this dive.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiGdqPfztsc

Both of you are right! I emailed Wings, they said they are working on a canopy to container size list. Buy they validated a 210 PD Pulse will pack down for a 190 container.

Matt, thanks for the link. That was a really helpful canopy packing size chart.

Does anyone know if a Pulse 210 would be able to fit in a W18 container safely? The W18 states it can fit a 190 PD Spectre, so if I am correct, a PD Pulse will pack down small enough correct?

Also, if that is the case, will doing that stretch the bag to where if I ever want to throw a 170 in it, it would be too loose?

W18 Container: Main PD Spectre 170-190, Reserve PDR 176-193

Hey DZ. I'm just about to get my A license and I've started looking a gear seriously. I am okay with buying new, but I'm trying to plan for a rig that I can have for a long time. I noticed that Vector makes a V349 that will cover main sizes 190|170|150 if I fly PD Pulses. Which would put me at a 1:1 wing loading on the 190 and a 1:3 wing loading on the 150. I'm in no hurry to downsize or swoop, but I do want a rig that will allow me to progress. The only problem with Vector is of course the 9 month production time.

I haven't seen many other containers that state they can handle a 190|170|150 combination. I'd image they probably exist? The only other solution would to be fly rig that allows for a 190|170 and sell it when I'm ready to downsize.

Based upon my thoughts above, can you offer any recommendations or advice on buying my first rig? Also, since I'm not in a hurry to downsize, do you think a 1:1-1:3 range would last me for a long time?

I started my AFF the first week of November 2013. Now I'm three jumps away from my A license. All I can say is, it keeps getting better and better as you go. It's an amazing journey.

My answer to them would be "Have you ever participated in something that makes you feel more confident, happy, inspired, excited, nervous, and complete? Well, every time I jump, I get all of those feelings in the matter of 60 seconds. So my question to you is, why would you pass that up?

Ah damn, Line Over during AFF. It appears you handled it well. I bet that gave you confidence knowing you can perform your emergency procedures when needed though!

Congrats on AFF completion!

I just did my AFF at Skydive Elsinore just outside of Los Angeles, CA. They get a lot of guys from the UK who do their training there this time of year because the weather is good and the winds are calm. The instructors have been awesome and the dropzone is relaxed and has plenty of space. I'm on track to have my A license in 8 days of jumping. So, if you were to jump consecutively for 7 days, you could get your license in a week. However, I have been grounded due to cloud cover and wind. So i'd give yourself a few buffer days no matter where you go. Students aren't allow to jump if winds are above 14MPH.

Right on. Your suggestion seems to be the consensus. Makes sense to me. I'm going to do a coach jump and measure my fall rate and then determine fabrics and fit. But I'd imagine if my first suit can be used for belly flying and 2-4 ways, then it will keep me busy for some time.

Right on. Thanks for the detailed advice. I'm the type of consumer that buys things once but usually spends good money for good quality. So, I have no problem throwing down good money for a good, durable, fitted jumpsuit. Here is my order of what I want to learn.

1. Proper Bellyflying
2. 2-4 way formations
3. Freefly

It sounds like instead of trying to cover all three disciplines with one suit, I should just start with a belly suit that compensates my fall rate that has grippers. Then, when I finally am ready for rw, I'll just buy a rw suit. Makes sense to me. However, the fabric thing is totally new to me. I'll have to do a jump or two with someone experienced and get their opinion.

Right on. Thanks for the info. I'm just anxious to get out of the student jumpsuits!