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Sorry, I just don’t see enough supporting detail to justify the concept that its ok to land into the wind regardless of the fact the first person’s landing direction is down wind. If everyone lands the same direction this eliminates a head on collision close to the ground. Further, if you have enough time to check for wind direction while under canopy then you have enough time to notice which way the landing direction has been set. When someone lands down wind in fairly strong winds, steady from one direction then everyone should still land following the first persons direction. Then once everyone is on the ground, proceed to beat the snot out of the idiot and put him or her out last on future loads until they learn how to determine wind direction from the air. Excuse me but if I remember correctly Eloy has two grassy landing areas. The latest Eloy rule I understand is fallow the first person down in the main area, who lands either east or west fallowing the dominant east, west direction of the tetrahedron. If there is a cross wind and someone can't handle that kind of landing then they need to land on the other grassy area. If one can’t land their parachute down wind or in a crosswind weather they are sliding on their butt or running like a roadrunner then they need to think about getting out of skydiving and Take Up Golf. Memento Mori

There are a lot of variables that play into how I land the tandem age of the canopy, winds and where the camera flyer is on the ground. On light or no wind days where I am going to overshoot my camera flyer I will sink the canopy and get some serge for the landings. If I going to undershoot, my bad, I just fly straight in and land close to the camera flyer I can. Memento Mori

I have done back and forward flips in the past if I was comfortable with the student, but that was then. Today if a student asks to flip out the door my reply is, I will do what I can, and then give them a nice stable exit, hips to the relative wind or maybe a diving exit. I have never heard a disappointed comment for a student for not doing a flip, but I agree in that the student usually never knows. Memento Mori

My first cutaway was at jump 113 a line over, sloppy packing on my part. I am sure this does not count but as a student on tandem level three we had to cutaway because of broken lines. Two skydives for the price of one.

I agree with Ron, in flying your canopy little more aggressively it would check a broader range of the canopies controllability. Harder turns and flares to see is something might be wrong at the canopies higher performance end. I disagree with Ron's altitude, I think it too low, you are right to limit it to 2,000, besides it was with in your comfort limits. Memento Mori

A private pilot who is building time or just flying a single load for a DZ, like you have described, is defiantly a gray area that some people feel can be stretched to there benefited. I know pilots who were not paid to fly jumpers but were compensated by being allowed to fly so they could build time. This was described by them, to me, as breaking FAR part 61. It can be viewed that the private pilot was being compensated by the free use of the aircraft and of course airplanes do have an operating cost. There is another issue that nobody has brought up, and that is how about the aircrafts insurance carrier. Most insurance carriers require that the pilot fly the jump ship is commercial rated, has the proper rating for the aircraft, and meets a minimum hour requirement for the aircraft type. “I am tired of the private pilots who do two things, one only read the AIM/FAR enough to pass the written exam and never open the book again, and two, even bigger, never look at a sectional when flying and end up flying right over and an active drop zones.” Memento Mori

For a PC in tow I pull reserve, and remain in my arch until the canopy slows me and sets me up. Others will cut-away and pull the reserve and that’s ok, both methods are approved, but I am sure everyone today is taught to remain in the arch which ever method they use. A round reserve with no free bag, I think would produce less problems if deployed in a stable arch position during a PC in tow. De-arching, backsliding, so you could sit up during the reserve pull seems, to give the reserve pilot chute, when it launches off your back, a greater possibility entangling with the main PC and its bridal. I wouldn't do it, its to much of a gamble. Reaching for the bridal is a waste of time as one hums it though 2,000’. They may have 12 seconds until they bounce and less time to where pulling the reserve would only produce linestretch at impact. Memento Mori

I am not sure quite what your question is, it sounds like you are talking about two different things. 1:Pilot chute in tow where the PC is inflated in clear air but for some reason it is unable to pull the main closing pin and extract the D-Bag. 2: Pilot chute hesitation where the PC is caught in the jumper’s burble. Each one of these will have a different procedure. Memento Mori

Choice is definitely an issue where many people place the right to choose high and this is why people won’t do anything about a fledgling skydiver flying with a camera helmet. This is just and observation, I am not saying I agree or disagree. Since someone brought up S&TA I feel I have to throw in my two cents. The S&TA is not a policeman he is an advisor remember the acronym S&TA stands for, Safety and Training Advisor. This means that the only thing an S&TA can do and should do is advise the jumper about the risks they are taking and recommend a safer path to their goal. The only one who can have a decisive influence on your situation is the DZO. The DZO can set policy at his DZ, requiring a minimum amount of jumps before someone begins flying with a camera helmet. This won’t win any popularity contest with the DZs population because people, in general, don’t like change and new rules. One other person I can think who should be saying something is the camera flyer for hire. They are the ones with the good and bad experiences and equipment knowledge. Memento Mori

This is not the first time that the USPA has taken disciplinary actions with there own members, so it’s just another example of the USPA policing it self. Further, the FAA should have their turn with the guilty, yes this means they can be disciplined twice. In short if a jumper or pilot break a BSR and a FAR relating to parachuting they should be held accountable and expect to hear from the FAA and USPA if they are caught. This is nothing new we have all seen this in the real world. Remember Peter Bacanovic, He’s Martha Stewart stockbroker fired by Merrill Lynch, and is facing federal time, for obstruction and insider trading. So how do I really feel about the USPA’s disciplinary on those poor jumpers and pilot? Guilty! “You'll get a fair trial followed by a first class hanging.” Judge Roy Bean Memento Mori

The topics, inaddition to the basic five recommended by the USPA are exit separation, changes in the USPA, and communicating positively the errors of someone to help them learn. The last one will is earmarked for the senior jumpers, instructors, and all who wish to attend, because yelling is unprofessional and the message is never recieved. Memento Mori

Tattoojeff you need to check your Email more often. The format we are doing is one subject will be discussed weekly on Saturdays beginning this April. This is because there are too many subjects to be effectively discussed in one day, which can be overwhelming, sacrificing the level of retention. Safety is to important to be delivered in one single swoop. This seems a set up a hit and miss where some will get it and too many wont. Further the second weekend in March is too early for the beginnng of our season. Memento Mori

I have been a few time about 10’ to 15’ and came crashing down. We are usually set for landing, student feet are above mine with both of our knees bent. My feet touched first then the students we both absorbed as much as possible before the ass ground contact. I once did sudo PLF drop and role, but our momentum was going in the right directions. The helper was the canopy was drifting sideways just enough. As for teaching PLF I think it would be vary difficult to perform in real situation so its not worth it. As for placing my own safety above the students, I believe that is a conceited act if done on purpose where the student is doing eveything right. If I ever developed that mentality, to where the money is worth more then the student’s safety then I would stop doing tandems and get a real job. Memento Mori

I agree, but in addition I wouldn't pass up the opportunity of taking out the rigger. I would be happy under a reserve malfunction if I was over trees. Memento Mori

I ordinarily wear a frap hat most of the time the exceptions are sometimes when I jump solo and tandems. With tandems this is usually happens in mid to late summer when a false confidence is high in me that riser strike cant’s possibly happen. This usually lasts one-maybe two jumps and then the fear of painful cauliflower ears mixed with a little blood takes over. When I am landing on the extreme area swooping for distance or what ever, I will ditch the frap hat and switch to my Protec which offers more protection. If I were to start doing more belly and or free flying I would probably skip thinking of buying a new rig, canopy, or some other skydiving gadgetry and invest in a good helmet. Now the problem with my statement is I have not heard of any standard testing being done on today’s lightweight hermits, so a good helmet is open to ones interpretation. Memento Mori

The 45-degree method is by no means 100% accurate. When there are not head winds affecting the aircraft, which is not realistic 100% of the time, the 45-degree does work. Although when head winds are encountered the 45 become less reliable, and more so, as winds increase. Your effort is just, but your testing method is not sound. You can’t just nail a camera to an aircraft at the 45 degree. Who is to say that the mounting surface is vertical at the time each one of the sticks exited the plane. Using the camera is a good idea but it more important that it be used correctly. I am supposed to use the 45-degree because I have to it’s the DZ policy but in using this method all the time I know how it works and what to look for, your not looking at the exit group correctly. To illustrate this I need to ask a question. How many time will a group who exit an aircraft, appear to be at the 45 degree angle from vertical during the time they let go and through their fly away? (Once, Twice, or Three time) You might want to take a look out side the door on the next load your on before you answer. Do I fallow the 45-degree rule all the time? Only when winds are vary light, on strong winds I watch the ground track of the aircraft it is the only thing I trust. I know how long the runway or hangers are and from that I can determine 1,000’ a good number for separation from say a four way, I'll add more distance the larger the group. Memento Mori

You have to satisfy all the requirements for the B license, maneuvers, accuracy, freefall time, total jumps, and pass the written test. As for apply for the B license at that time? No you can hold out and go for the C or D license instead. Now if you are B license qualified but don’t have it or you are going to hold out, you can do night jumps. Memento Mori

Just showing me a picture of a side by side with out details makes it difficult to post a honest response. There might be a few options that can be done with any random side by side scenario, which might invite an essay response to our question. Fundamentally, though, I would try to stay calm, for I know panicking will only leave me broken. I would go through the numbers, what’s my altitude, then evaluate what I had over my head, all to answer the question, what options has the scenario given me? Memento Mori

If I was at or above 1,000’ with out a laudable parachute, I would cut-away and pull reserve, most likely vary close together but the situation at the time would weigh heavily on how close together the handles are pulled. As for being below 1,000’ I would fallow the SIM’s and pull my reserve. Memento Mori

Ok it is the Holidays and I know I will patronize someone with this post but hay it is the season. Lower and slower canopies have the right of way. Even if they are over the wrong landing area or the size difference between canopies are on opposite ends of the spectrum. Lower canopies have the right of way because they are closer to the ground where they might be getting ready to setup or are committed to a landing pattern. Slower canopies also have the right of way because it is easier for the faster and more maneuverable canopy to avoid the slower, safely, then it is for the larger canopy to avoid the faster canopy. It’s not Rocket Science people its just common sense. The information is laid out for us in the SIM to be teaching students, and for the students to self teach. Category E section B 6-c “The lower canopy has the right of way, but one jumper should not maneuver to assert right of way over another.” This is the stuff we should be teaching and not debating. As for who has the right of way while in free fall that’s also simple. Look in the SIM’s Section 6-1 C 3-c, it’s only a recommendation, but it is again based on common sense, the lower person has the right of way. I would guess that because they are closer to the ground sooner to impact, closer to pull time. Besides it is a little more difficult for a jumper to check for clear air above them while on their belly. You must understand, by no means am I saying its ok for a jumper not to check over their shoulder while waving off. Also if you become aware of someone above, during your skydive, keep your options open because you never know for sure that the other jumper is aware of you below. It takes two to collide and one to avoid a collision. Merry Christmas Memento Mori

Both methods of deployment are effective and both have there pro’s and con’s which could be debated for quite some time. From my experience learning on spring loaded PC the problems I had was that I twisting my body to look at the handle before reaching, there went my arch. The cure, I was retrained not to look. Once off supervision I transitioned to first ROL then BOC taking place with in the first four months in the sport. It certainly took ground training and in air PHTs which only means I was cautious and my DZ had an effective plan to instruct people who are making the transition. The draw back was it took personal to do the training. Now being an instructor and working with students using BOC I have to agree with Rigger65; This allows corrective training from in air evaluations instead of having them figure things out on their own and or tying up the staff. My question to you instructors, who are using BOC, do you have the student “Check” over their shoulder once they release the PC? Memento Mori

For a partial malfunction, first pull the cutaway then the reserve handle in that order, even if the RSL beats you and get the reserve over your head. Memento Mori

It depends on the DZ, I’am at home or not. At home I’ll more times then not have a rag to cleaning goggles and a pull up cord. During night jumps I add on some money for a phone call and a small flashlight Visiting others I usually carry more; my membership card, tickets, enough to field pack (rubber bands, pull up cord and a closing loop with a washer), rag for the goggles, and enough money for a phone call. Memento Mori

I drive 32 miles about 40 minute without an expresso shot stop. You should have set this thread up as a poll it would have been interesting to see. Memento Mori

Two lineovers back to back that’s a bummer it happened but you did the right thing. Your back to back lineovers are defiantly a deviation from the norm but is sounds like you had the opportunity to gain some insight about the lineover. That’s some education many will never get. I agree with Jeremyneas in you should find a different packer, or more properly said, ask for a student rig packed by a different packer. Being a student I think you have the right. If this happens again, hopefully it won’t, find a different DZ , but don’t give up. Memento Mori