JohnMitchell

Is that you, John Wayne? 
Is it me?    

:D 

 

On 10/7/2021 at 5:01 PM, ufk22 said:

“Reserves are really docile, and you weigh less after chopping.”

And I thought I’d heard every bs line in the sport!

 

Reserves ARE more docile, low-aspect 7 cells of low porosity material, not ZP. Reserves are optimized for reliability, and that means lower performance and more stability. It also means a less powerful flare, so they usually need to be flared more and a bit earlier than most mains. 

 

I've been in that situation twice, with Stiletto load 1.4. Each time I left the tied off steering line in place. I did not cut it with a hook knife. It was easy for me to fly the canopy in a straight line on final, either low toggle pressure or I'm just in really good shape ( ) . 

The first time I used the good toggle and the rear riser on the tied off side to flare. I did a PLF after a <<firm>> landing. No injuries. I told my wife about it later and she told me what I should have done . . . .  because yes, she is smarter than me.

SECOND time I was dumb enough to end up in this predicament, I tried my wife's advice and grabbed the tied-off steering line ABOVE the knot on the keeper ring. When flaring, I used the toggle on the good side and the steering line itself on the bad side and had a nice standup landing. 

As far as cutting away at 9500', no, I wouldn't do that. I actually had a malfunction at 12,500 once, after a premature deployment, pilot chute caught in the steering lines, spinning and loaded at 1.5. I planned to chop at 2K, so I rode the malfunction, doing my best to keep in under control with opposite toggle. Somewhere around 9K the pilot chute cleared out of the steering lines and I had a good canopy and a normal landing. 

IF you had wanted to work on your canopy, hold the released steering toggle in your teeth while you work on the bad one. That should keep you flying level. As always, watch your altitude. 

For anyone with less than a C license, ignore that last sentence. 

Your mileage may vary. 

Why do you want that?

 

On 7/24/2020 at 6:23 AM, mark said:

What I don't get is why anyone is arguing with the pilot at all.  If you need more altitude, just decline to jump and ask for a higher pass.  

Because the pilot thought he was doing a great job, and he wasn't.

On 7/24/2020 at 2:05 AM, markharju said:

Because this took place at a DZ in Germany, I think it's safe to assume that a default MSL setting is present there as well (probably an ICAO standard or something - I dunno, I don't drive 'em, I just jump out of 'em).

What I don't get is why the barometric offset was not put in the alti beforehand to get AGL (isn't the pilot supposed to adjust the barometric setting on the alti to get a zero AGL reference for local conditions, or is that optional? This is VFR below 14k after all; or is the pilot expected to take the local elevation into account when looking at the alti? That seems a confusing way to do things) -  anyway, thanks for the responses.

All aircraft altimeters are adjusted to read MSL. Pilots should adjust their altimeters to read the field elevation before take off, not zeroing them like skydivers do. Pilots are supposed to be able to do the math in their head. It's not confusing to an experienced jump pilot. Jump altitude + Field elevation = MSL altitude for jump run. Sounds like you had a very new or very stupid jump pilot. 

If you were planning 5000' and you only got 2500',  I would guess your field elevation to be 2500', not the 1223' you posted. Overall just a total screwup. 

IDK the range of adjustment on aircraft altimeters, but 1" of Hg = 1,000' of altitude. I used to jump at 5000' above sea level (Utah) and I doubt if the plane's altimeter could have been adjusted to barometer setting of 24.92. (std. being 29.92" Hg).  

 

On 8/24/2020 at 9:46 AM, Nabz said:

I saw it also as a coach that panicked and was all over the place trying to save the student,

Coaches are not allowed to do harness hold exits or pull for the student. 

 

 

On 8/18/2020 at 5:07 AM, sfzombie13 said:

i would think that the affi would grab the pilot chute after two or three tries if the student were not going for silver, but am not sure how they are trained to respond. 

On ALL AFF jumps the instructors are prepared to pull if the student does not, and long before the student pulls the reserve. I've done it plenty of times, but never had to past a Level 4. And from the first jump they are trained "2 extra tries to find the handle, if not, pull the reserve".

 

On 9/23/2020 at 2:14 AM, Gavrilo Andrić said:

 poor body position after tracking (braking only with one hand, and keeping the other one on the PC)

 

Your shoulders looked level. I don't brake at all after tracking, just wave and pull (did you not wave off?). 

 

On 11/7/2020 at 1:38 PM, Kenzdik96 said:

One stage flare is taught for jump #1 and nothing else is taught for jumps #2 o wards.

 

I would love to teach a 2 stage flare in the FJC. It's easy to teach "Ready - Set - Half Brakes - Flare" instead of just "Ready - Set - Flare". But it has to become FJC doctrine, and that means overcoming resistance from multiple instructors and management. Hell, I work with instructors that can't be bothered to say "Ready" or "Set" before "FLARE!" 

At any DZ it's important for procedures to be consistent among the instructors. 

Wouldn't he have to jump from 25,001 feet to break Luke Aikins' record? 

 

 

Good to see you, if only on DZ.com.

 

right now my biggest problem is my goddamned left knee which is getting replaced next week, then IDK how many months rehabbing it to jump again. I went to LP this summer and didn't make a single jump because of this damn thing. 

Anyway, that's my world.

I pretty much ignored my family and got all new friends. Worked well for me.

You can if you want, but it's not expected at most DZs. I've worked at a DZ or two (as a TI) where tipping was the norm. But even there I think AFF students were NOT expected to tip. Tandem passenger = customer being served. AFF student = future skydiver and friend. 

 

On 6/9/2019 at 8:52 AM, grimmie said:

He's truly one of the best human beings in our sport. He will help and jump with anyone.

 

And, he owes beer !

I'll bring some to LP. Ya gonna make it?

 

Hi Everyone, 

Thanks for the kind words. I can't imagine what my life would be without skydiving and the amazing people like all of you in our sport. We live a life most people can't imagine.

To Marshall, nope, I wasn't on those demo jumps in SFO. But it would have been fun. Come up to Kapowsin and make some jumps this summer. 

To anyone who gets tapped by Brian Giboney to do one of the profiles? Do it! I was a little hesitant to do it, being just an average weekend warrior jumper, but I had a lot of fun with it. And I'd love to hear all about YOU.

 

On 2/1/2019 at 3:11 AM, jackwatson said:

I am beginner in this field i am about to go for my first sky dive this weekend. Is there anything i need to know before the day arrives? I am going with a group of my friends, but all are beginners and i havnt had a conversation with someone who has already done this adventure(apart from my guide ofcourse) .

Wear comfortable clothes. Your shoes should be athletic shoes, such as running or tennis shoes, not heavy boots. Depending on the weather, bring an extra layer, such as a sweatshirt without a hood. It's usually colder at altitude. Gloves, googles, helmets, etc. will be furnished by the jump center. Smile when you jump out. 

Colorado Jones, welcome to our sport, with DZs with great turbine aircraft that only want to do tandems, and great small DZs that just don't have the lift capacity to keep up. After you get your A, I hope you have a chance to travel and experience other DZs. I'm lucky to have a home DZ in WA state with a good amount of tandems, a busy AFF student program, and a big community of fun jumpers, with the lift capacity for all. The DZOs themselves love to fun jump, so they make sure to get everyone up in the air. I hope you can get some help from your current DZ and feel like staying in the sport. 

 

Was his name Gus?

 

Shameless bump to the top. 

No one in SLC?

John Richardson, JR, up here in the Seattle area had a ball and socket job a few years back. I think he's doing pretty well, jumps some and doesn't seem to have a problem. I'm one of those rotator cuff guys that made a 100% recovery. Good luck. 

 

On 3/18/2019 at 6:16 PM, yobnoc said:

I didn't know this was a thing.  I didn't have any one instructor assigned to helping me, nor have I seen any student have any one instructor assigned to him/her either.  I had several AFFI's and coaches throughout my licensing, but I had to go seek out someone - anyone - who could help me get through whatever difficulties I was experiencing.

Well, DZs vary, but if she's beyond AFF but not licensed yet, she can jump solo, no instructor, or with a coach. Your wife has a problem that I've seen many times and I know of no easy fix. Sometimes going back on the radio for assistance can help. Good luck. 

Is there anyone in the city that does repacks, or does my friend need to go to Ogden or Toelle? Post or PM, whichever you like. 

Thanks. 

I haven't had too many problems with that. The goggles I use have an upper and lower bungee strap, one going above the ears, the other going below, which makes them super secure. The bungee cording is extra long, with sliding adjusters in the back that I adjust the fit with.

Also, that way, there is plenty of slack to put them around their neck when suiting up, or for pulling the goggles back down to around their neck under canopy. Like I say, I've enjoyed using them, and my passengers, esp. the ones with contacts, seem happy with them.

I would attach a picture, but I can't find that function any more. Have they changed DZ.com?